JP2004088618A - Digital broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital broadcasting receiver in which only required items are functionally collected together on a menu indication and changed items are displayed easily to discriminate even when an extension attachment is attached/detached. <P>SOLUTION: Main body items corresponding to functions of a receiver main body and accessory items corresponding to functions of attachments possible to be connected are stored in a functional item storage means 11 as menu information, and predetermined items including all the main body items in the menu information are displayed in a menu form as display items by a menu display means 12 at least. The function of an added/deleted attachment 10 is discriminated by a function discriminating means 13, the accessory item of the added function is added to the accessory items as a display item to be displayed on the menu display means 12, and the accessory item of the deleted function is deleted as occasion demands. A menu editing means 14 has a display emphasizing means 15 for emphasizing the display item of the added/deleted function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when handling a detachable attachment in a built-in type device such as a receiver, a menu is created based on a state in which all the attachments are connected, and a function is created using the following two methods. The user was informed of the possibility of selection. This is the same for a digital broadcast receiver. A digital broadcast receiver capable of adding / removing a function by attaching / detaching an attachment is described in, for example, JP-A-11-234580.
[0003]
First, there is a method in which the number of unselectable functions is darkened without changing the number of items in the menu, and this implies that selection is not possible. The second is a method in which non-selectable items are not displayed as menu items, but are added to the menu again when they become selectable.
[0004]
However, in the case of the first method, since the total number of menu items is not changed, display creation is easy, but unnecessary function items increase the number of user operations and give confusion. In the case of the second method, the menu becomes simple because there are no unnecessary items. On the other hand, if additional items are added at the end of the items displayed in advance, the order of the items and the order of the functions become irregular, If you add items so that the order of the functions matches, it will be hard to understand the addition. Furthermore, when a detachable tuner is attached as an attachment, it is necessary to reacquire channel information that can be selected.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when handling a detachable attachment in a conventional digital broadcast receiver, a menu is created based on a state in which all the attachments are connected. However, if the number of menu items to be presented to the user is not changed and the items of unselectable functions are darkened to indicate that they cannot be selected, unnecessary function items increase the number of user operations, This can be confusing. As another method, non-selectable items are not displayed in menu items, but when they can be selected, if they are added to the menu again, the arrangement of items and the arrangement of functions will be irregular, and the arrangement of functions will match Adding items like this makes it hard to tell that they have been added. Also, when a detachable tuner is mounted, it is necessary to re-acquire channel information on which a channel can be selected.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and relates to menu items to be presented to a user in a digital broadcast receiver, and is provided in a digital broadcast receiver main body when handling a detachable attachment. In addition to the function items, the display of the menu associated with the addition or addition and deletion of the function related to the attachment is functionally summarized only for the necessary items, and the changed items are easily understood, thereby improving the usability of the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital broadcast receiver capable of performing such operations.
[0007]
In addition, the present invention can acquire, in this digital broadcast receiver, information on selectable channels required when a detachable tuner is attached, and does not particularly require reacquisition of information. Another object is to provide a digital broadcast receiver capable of having information.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver capable of adding, adding, and deleting functions by connecting or connecting and disconnecting an attachment, wherein the items of the present apparatus, which are items corresponding to the functions of the digital broadcast receiver, are connected. A function item storage unit that stores, as menu information, an accessory item that is an item corresponding to a function of an attachment that is likely to be performed, and a predetermined item including at least all of the device items of the menu information is displayed as a display item. Menu display means for displaying in the form of a menu, function determining means for determining the function of the attachment to which addition or addition and deletion has been performed, and addition of the accessory items as display items to be displayed on the menu display means. Add additional items for the function that was performed, and timely delete the additional items for the deleted functions Menu editing means for removing the items to be added or added and deleted, wherein the menu editing means has display highlighting means for highlighting the display items of the functions to be added or added and deleted, and only the necessary items are functionally grouped. In addition, the changed items are displayed in a manner that is easy to understand, and the usability of the user is improved.
[0009]
Further, the present invention, in the above-mentioned digital broadcast receiver, when the attachment is a tuner type attachment, when the attachment is connected, information acquisition means for acquiring information necessary for channel selection from radio waves. And information setting means for setting information acquired by the information acquiring means as a tuning key, so that re-acquisition of information is not required regardless of an attachment to be detached.
[0010]
As described above, in the digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention, when adding or removing a function of an attachment for attachment / detachment of an additional attachment (hereinafter abbreviated as “addition / deletion”). By highlighting the menu items corresponding to the function, only the necessary items are functionally grouped and the changed items are displayed in an easily understandable manner, thereby improving the usability of the user. That is, when a function is added / deleted, a process that is visually recognizable is added. Specifically, highlighting such as blinking, color change, and marking is performed on the item for which the function is added / deleted, so that the user can easily recognize the occurrence of the addition / deletion of the item. Further, in another embodiment, a mechanism is provided for adding a certain number of functions or deleting a certain number of times, and for counting the elapse of a certain period of time. More specifically, after blinking, color change, marking, etc. are performed a certain number of times or for a certain period of time, normal display / erasing is performed, and a display without unnecessary items arranged for each function is realized. Further, for a tuner-type attachment, means for automatically executing acquisition of selectable channel information necessary when the attachment is attached and means for judging the necessity of automatic execution are provided.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of a digital broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.
A digital broadcast receiver (also referred to as a digital broadcast receiver) according to an embodiment of the present invention can add, add, and delete functions by connecting or disconnecting an externally connected device (also referred to as an attachment) 10. The receiver is provided with at least a function item storage unit 11, a menu display unit 12, a function determination unit 13, and a menu editing unit 14 (including a display emphasis unit 15) which will be described later. Although these units 11 to 15 are described as being included in the graphics generation unit 7 in FIG. 1, various programs stored in a storage unit such as a ROM (an arithmetic unit such as a CPU 3 as each unit 11 to 15) (A program for causing the CPU 3 to function) may be executed by the CPU 3 or by another arithmetic device.
[0012]
The digital broadcast receiver illustrated in FIG. 1 has, as its basic configuration, a tuner and a demodulator 1, a transport stream (TS) decoder 2, a CPU 3, an AV decoder 4, an audio output unit 5, a video output unit 6, and a graphics It is assumed that the digital broadcast receiver includes the generation unit 7, the memory 8, and the external device connection interface 9, but the present invention only needs to be a digital broadcast receiver that can receive a digital broadcast and can be connected to the external connection device 10. The external connection device 10 is a device connected to the outside of the digital broadcast receiver. Here, a detachable tuner for receiving a terrestrial digital broadcast for expanding the network of the digital broadcast receiver will be described as an example. Examples of attachments other than the tuner include a memory card and a modem. The digital broadcast receiver may include a display device or speaker for reproducing the received video and audio, or may be connected separately without the display device or speaker.
[0013]
The tuner and demodulation unit 1 receives and demodulates digital broadcasting. The TS decoder 2 filters the TS specified by the CPU 3 from the demodulated data. The CPU 3 performs instructions to the TS decoder 2 and the AV decoder 4 and controls screen display according to instructions from a user. In the memory 8, the data received by the CPU 3 from the TS decoder 2 is stored. The external device connection interface 9 is an interface for connecting the external connection device 10, and corresponds to a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) slot, for example.
[0014]
The graphics generation unit 7 generates an OSD (On Screen Display) such as a menu specified by the CPU 3. In fact, a digital broadcast receiver often uses an OSD menu to change the video or audio output method or to confirm a reserved program. Such a menu usually has various items such as video settings and audio settings.
[0015]
The AV decoder 4 decodes a stream input from the TS decoder 2 and outputs video and audio. The audio output unit 5 outputs audio from the AV decoder 4. The video output unit 6 outputs the video from the AV decoder 4 and the OSD from the graphics generation unit 7.
[0016]
Here, each means 11 to 15 required when the graphics generation unit 7 generates a characteristic menu according to the present invention will be described in order.
The function item storage unit 11 is a unit for storing and storing the main unit items and the accessory items as menu information. Here, this unit item is an item corresponding to the function of the digital broadcast receiver main body, and the attached item is an item corresponding to the function of the attachment 10 that may be connected. In addition, the external connection device 10 is described as an attachment because the external connection device connected in the digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention is an external connection device corresponding to a function stored in advance in the function item storage unit 11. That is, it is defined in advance as an attached device of the receiver main body.
[0017]
In the description below, the items stored in the function item storage unit 11 will be described as being registered in advance. However, as another embodiment of the present invention, the function item storage unit 11 stores the function of the attachment to be connected. Further, a menu item adding means for registering a display method on the menu display means 12 may be provided.
[0018]
The menu display means 12 is a means for displaying, in a menu form, predetermined items including at least all of the items of the apparatus in the menu information as display items. Therefore, the displayed items are arranged on the displayed menu screen. The menu display means 12 is a means for performing image processing for display on a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tub), or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) display, but includes a display device. It may be in a form.
[0019]
The function determining means 13 is a means for determining the function of the attachment added / deleted in the external device connection interface 9. The function determining means 13 may determine, for example, the type of the function of the attachment to which the addition / deletion has been performed, instead of the function itself. The menu editing means 14 adds, as display items to be displayed by the menu display means 12, the additional items of the added function among the additional items based on the determination result of the function determining means 13, and deletes the additional items among the additional items. Items that are associated with a function that has been deleted will be deleted in a timely manner. The menu editing means 14 further has a display emphasis means 15 for emphasizing display items of functions to be added / deleted.
[0020]
The display emphasizing means 15 has means for emphasizing display items corresponding to functions to be added / deleted with characters or symbols based on the judgment result of the function judging means 13. Other methods may be used as the display emphasizing method. For example, the display emphasizing unit 15 may flash a display item corresponding to a function to be added / deleted by highlighting the display item or a color different from other display items. In this case, a means for emphasizing may be provided. Further, the display emphasizing means 15 may include means for emphasizing the display items corresponding to the function to be deleted by displaying them translucently. Note that a means may be provided for allowing the user to select a method of highlighting a display item corresponding to a function to be added / deleted. The added / deleted portion is emphasized by any one of these means or a combination thereof to avoid confusion of the user due to the order being added / deleted and to change what is added / deleted. It is possible to convey more easily what was done.
[0021]
In order to display the addition / deletion of the function corresponding to the display item to be emphasized by the highlighting as described above so that the user can recognize it, it is necessary to limit the highlighting by the number of times or the time. . That is, it is possible to eliminate the troublesomeness of being highlighted and to make it possible for the user to recognize the difference between the addition and the deletion when the next addition / deletion occurs.
[0022]
Therefore, the display emphasis means 15 may include various forms of emphasis cancellation means for stopping the emphasis display. However, it is necessary for the emphasis canceling means to delete the display item corresponding to the function to be deleted. This deletion corresponds to the timely deletion described in the menu editing unit 14.
[0023]
As one form of the highlighting canceling means, when the highlighting is performed a predetermined number of times, the highlighting of the display item corresponding to the function to be added / deleted may be stopped. As another mode of the emphasis canceling means, the emphasis display of the display item corresponding to the function to be added / deleted may be stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed after emphasis. Further, the emphasis canceling means according to these embodiments may include emphasis adjusting means for adjusting emphasis. In this emphasis adjusting means, the emphasis display (difference in mark and color) of the display item corresponding to the function to be added / deleted is adjusted so as to be gradually changed so that the user can recognize when the addition / deletion has been made. At the same time, it is possible to make the user recognize items added / deleted at different times.
[0024]
As another form of highlight canceling means, the highlighting of the display item corresponding to the function to be added is canceled when the highlighting is performed with the addition of the new function, and the display corresponding to the function to be deleted is performed. The highlighting of an item is canceled when the highlighting is performed in accordance with the deletion of a new function, and the display item is deleted, so that only one added / deleted function is always highlighted. You may keep it.
[0025]
Hereinafter, as an example of the digital broadcast receiver according to the present embodiment, an example of a process of performing highlighting a predetermined number of times will be described.
First, as an example of the function item storage unit 11, a table in which various menu items are registered (hereinafter, referred to as a menu item table) is used to display a menu for performing various settings of digital broadcasting. . This menu item table is prepared in the receiver in advance.
[0026]
Here, for simplicity of description, menu items are set as “video and audio settings” for setting video and audio output formats, “reserved recording settings” for specifying a scheduled recording method of a program, and receivable channels. It is assumed that there are four “channel search” for automatically searching and “antenna strength display” for confirming the reception state of the antenna. Among these, “video / audio setting”, “reserved recording setting”, and “antenna strength display” are items of this unit, and are always displayed and displayed by the menu display unit 12 as display items. “Channel search” is an additional item that is displayed as a display item only when the detachable tuner 10 for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting is connected. In the case of a receiver having a plurality of external device connection interfaces 9, a plurality of display items corresponding to the attachment function can be displayed.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu item table in a state where a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is not connected.
The menu item table 30a exemplified here has a configuration including each menu item 31, its display flag 32, and the number of times of display 33. As the menu items 31, the "video and audio setting" item 34, the "reserved recording setting" item 35, the "channel search" item 36, and the "antenna strength display" item 37 exist based on the above assumption. The display flag 32 is a flag indicating whether or not it is necessary to display the current digital broadcast receiver state (attachment connection state) together with the display count 33. The number of times of display 33 indicates the number of times each of the items 34 to 37 of the menu is displayed, and “−” is set for items of the apparatus that are always displayed. When a menu is displayed, the order of menu items displayed on the OSD is, for example, the order of entries in the menu item table. As a result, the menus can be displayed in an order in which the arrangement of the functions matches. In the menu item table 30a, items whose display flag 32 is "TRUE" and whose display count is "-" are always displayed. On the other hand, items whose display flag 32 is “FALSE” and whose display count 33 is 0 are not displayed.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen corresponding to the menu item table of FIG. 2 and in a state where a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is not connected.
In the menu item table 30a shown in FIG. 2, since the information is a state in which the detachable tuner for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting which is an attachment is not connected, the display items displayed on the menu screen correspond to the attachment. Not a menu item. That is, the display flag 32 of the “channel search” item 36 is in a state of not displaying “FALSE”. When the menu is displayed in this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the display flag 32 is “TRUE” and the display count 33 is “−”. The items of the “strength display” 47 are displayed in this order, and the user selects an item to be set from each of the display items and performs setting. On the other hand, the item “channel search” in which the display flag 32 is “FALSE” and the display count 33 is 0 is not displayed.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu item table in a state immediately after a detachable tuner for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting is connected.
A process of displaying a menu when the detachable tuner 10 for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting is connected to the digital broadcasting receiver as described above will be described.
First, a detachable tuner 10 for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting is connected to the external device connection interface 9 by a user. The CPU 3 detects that the detachable tuner 10 for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is connected. When detecting the detachable tuner 10, the CPU 3 scans the menu item table 30a of FIG. 2 for the corresponding item. As a result of the scanning, the CPU 3 detects that the display flag 32 of the “channel search” item 36 corresponding to the detachable tuner 10 is “FALSE”, and changes this to “TRUE”. Further, the display count 33 corresponding to the “channel search” item 36 is initialized to zero. As a result, the menu item table 30a is modified like the menu item table 30b shown in FIG.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in a state immediately after a detachable tuner for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting corresponding to the menu item table of FIG.
When the display flag 32 is “TRUE” and the number of display times is equal to or less than a certain number among the menu items in the menu item table 30b shown in FIG. 4, for example, a “★” mark is displayed on the corresponding item on the menu screen. When the menu item table is in the state shown in FIG. 4, the "channel search" item 36 corresponds to the menu screen 40b, and a "★" mark 46a is displayed on the "channel search" 46 as shown in FIG. By adding a mark such as “★” to an item that has just been added, the item is presented in a manner that is easy for the user to understand.
[0031]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen corresponding to the menu item table of FIG. 4 in a state where certain conditions have been cleared after a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is connected.
Further, when the menu screen is displayed, the CPU 3 adds 1 to the number of display times of the added item “channel search”. When the menu is displayed a plurality of times in this way, if the number of times of display becomes a certain number or more (for example, 10 or more), the item that has been added for a while is erased with a “★” mark, and the same as other items To be displayed. As a result, the menu screen 40b in FIG. 5 becomes a menu screen 40c without the “★” mark 46a as in FIG.
[0032]
As described above, by highlighting when an attachment such as a detachable tuner is connected and a menu item is added, it is possible to avoid confusion due to the added and changed order and to make it easier to understand what has been added. Become. In addition, by performing the same process, the user can recognize the item that has just been added by blinking and displaying the item whose display flag of the menu item table is “TRUE” and the number of times of display is not more than a certain number of times. It can be easily presented. Furthermore, the same effect can be obtained by performing similar processing and changing the color of an item whose display flag in the menu item table is “TRUE” and the number of times of display is less than or equal to a certain number of times.
[0033]
Next, as a description related to the removal of the function, a description will be given of a process of displaying an item deleted from the menu with an X mark when the detachable tuner for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting is removed. In this case, similarly, a menu item table for displaying a menu as shown in FIG. 2 is provided. As a state of the digital broadcast receiver, it is assumed that a menu screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 6 by connecting a detachable tuner for receiving a terrestrial digital broadcast and displaying the menu screen more than a predetermined number of times.
[0034]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a menu item table in a state immediately after a detachable tuner for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting is removed.
First, the user removes the detachable tuner 10 for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting from the external device connection interface 9. For example, referring again to FIG. 2, at this time, the CPU 3 scans the corresponding item from the current menu item table 30a. As a result, "channel search" 36, which is an item corresponding to the detachable tuner 10 for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting, is detected, and the display flag 32 corresponding to this is set to "FALSE". Further, the number of times of display is set to a certain number of times (10 in FIG. 7). As a result, the menu item table 30a is modified like the menu item table 30d in FIG.
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen corresponding to the menu item table of FIG. 7 immediately after the detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is removed.
When the display flag 32 is “FALSE” and the number of display times 33 is 0 or more when the menu screen is displayed according to an instruction from the user, “×” is added to the menu item as an item that has just been deleted. indicate. In the state of the menu item table shown in FIG. 7, since the "channel search" item 36 corresponds, a menu screen 40d in which "x" mark 46b is added to "channel search" 46 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. At the same time as the menu is displayed, the CPU 3 reduces the display count by one. Note that the menu item displaying “x” is invalid, and the user cannot use this item. When the menu screen is displayed a plurality of times, the number of times of display of the item whose display flag is “FALSE” decreases and becomes zero. Since the menu item whose display flag is “FALSE” and the number of times of display is 0 is not displayed, if the menu screen is displayed at this time, the menu screen is displayed as shown in FIG.
[0036]
As described above, the menu items are deleted and the order is changed, and the existing items are eliminated, thereby avoiding confusion and making it easier to understand what has been deleted. Also, by performing the same processing and displaying the item whose display flag is “FALSE” and the number of display times is 0 or more by changing the color, the user can easily recognize the item that has just been deleted. can do. Similarly, the same effect can be obtained by blinking an item whose display flag is “FALSE” and whose display count is 0 or more. Further, the same effect can be obtained by performing the same processing and displaying an item whose display flag is “FALSE” and whose display count is 0 or more translucently.
[0037]
As described above, the added / deleted items are managed by the display flag and the number of times of display, so that the troublesomeness of the continued highlighting is eliminated, and when the next addition / deletion occurs, a new item is added. It is also possible to emphasize only the changes. Specifically, at the time of addition, the display flag is set to “TRUE” and the display count is set to “0”, and 1 is added to the display count of the corresponding item every time the menu is displayed. After the menu is displayed a plurality of times in this way, if the number of times of display becomes a certain number or more (for example, ten times or more), the number of times of display is set to "-" and the highlighting is stopped. On the other hand, at the time of deletion, the display flag is set to “FALSE” and the number of times of display is set to a certain number (for example, 10), and each time the menu is displayed, 1 is subtracted from the number of times of display of the corresponding item. After the menu is displayed a plurality of times in this way, if the number of display times becomes “0”, the highlighting is stopped.
[0038]
As described above, as an example of the digital broadcast receiver according to the present embodiment, the example in which the highlighting is stopped when the number of times exceeds a certain number is described. Next, the highlighting is managed by time (display time, days). An example of the processing to be performed will be described.
[0039]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the menu item table in a state immediately after the detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is connected or disconnected, and shows an example of a menu item table whose display is managed by time. It is. FIG. 9A shows a menu item table when the display time is 0 hours immediately after connection, and FIG. 9B shows a menu item table when the display time is 10 hours immediately after disconnection. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the menu item table in a state immediately after the detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is connected or disconnected, and shows an example of the menu item table in which the display is managed by the number of days. FIG. FIG. 10A shows the menu item table when the number of display days is 0 immediately after connection, and FIG. 10B shows the menu item table when the number of display days is 10 days immediately after non-connection. Here, in FIGS. 9 and 10A, the display flags 52 and 62 are “TRUE”, and in FIGS. 9 and 10B, the display flags 52 and 62 are “FALSE”.
[0040]
The highlighting may be managed by time. For example, if three days are set, the highlighting is performed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 until the third day, but as shown in FIG. 3 after the fourth day. Change to normal display. In this case, the column of “number of displays” in the tables of FIGS. 4 and 7 is the “number of display hours” 53 as shown in the menu item tables 50a and 50b of FIGS. 9A and 9B, or FIG. This is displayed as “display days” 63 as shown in the menu item tables 60a and 60b of FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B).
[0041]
In accordance with the passage of time or the number of days, each item of the menu item 51 (61) (“video / audio setting” 54 (64), “reserved recording setting” 55 (65), “channel search” 56 (66), “antenna” The number of the display time 53 (the number of display days 63) for the “strength display” 57 (67)) may be changed, and when the designated time is reached, the highlighting may be stopped. Although the display time has been described, this may be a mere elapsed time or an actually displayed time.
[0042]
Further, instead of suddenly stopping the highlighting, the highlighting adjusting means described above makes the display gradually inconspicuous in accordance with changes in the number of display times, the number of days, and the time. The display can be turned off completely. Each time display is performed, the CPU 3 refers to the memory 8 to check the number of times of display (or time or number of days), and requests the graphics generation unit 7 to perform highlighting in accordance with changes in the number of times of display, time, or number of days. As a step-by-step display method, for example, a method of reducing the color can be considered.
[0043]
Next, it will be described that various types of digital broadcast receivers as described above can support a plurality of attachments. The digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention can cope with a case where a plurality of attachments (detachable tuners for receiving BS digital broadcast, receiving CS digital broadcast, receiving terrestrial digital broadcast, etc.) are added or deleted. is there. For example, when a plurality of attachments 10 are added to the external device connection interface 9 at the same time, instead of highlighting all the added functions in the same manner, the color, mark, and blinking cycle are changed for each function of the corresponding attachment. This makes it easier to distinguish the function of another attachment.
[0044]
Further, in the case where a distinction is made by a color or a mark, by using the same color or mark on the attachment body, it is possible to see at a glance which attachment is a function corresponding to which attachment. Further, while the attachment is attached, if a specific indicator (which may be provided on the outer surface of the digital broadcast receiver body or provided as an image on the display screen) is turned on, the function is added by the attachment. The user can always be made aware of the state. At this time, if the color of the illuminated indicator matches the color of the highlighting of the additional function corresponding to each attachment, it is possible to more strongly realize which attachment is the effect of adding the function.
[0045]
Further, when a display item of a function to be added / deleted is highlighted by a color, the display color of the indicator may be the same as the color of the display item. When applied in a form that changes the color, it is possible to link the change when the attachment is inserted to the change in the menu, and to make it easier to imagine the association between the change due to the attachment / detachment of the attachment and the change in the menu.
[0046]
Also, when multiple attachments are added, the colors of the attachments, the characters displayed on the attachments, and the like are displayed in order to make it easier to see which functions and items have been added / deleted by attaching the attachments. You may highlight using the same thing as a symbol. The color of the attachment or the character or symbol displayed on the attachment for the attachment that may be connected to the function item storage means 11 is preliminarily stored as a color or a character or symbol for emphasizing the display with the display emphasis means 15. It becomes possible by memorizing.
[0047]
Next, as another menu display method, a mode in which guide means is provided in the menu display means 12 will be described. The guide means is a means for displaying an outline of the function of the attachment when the attachment / detachment is performed. When added / deleted, which function is added / deleted can be more easily recognized.
[0048]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen (display for explaining additional functions) immediately after the detachable tuner for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting is connected.
When a function is added / deleted due to attachment / detachment, a brief description of the content of the added / deleted function can be displayed by the guide means. For example, in the state of FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, when the cursor is positioned on “channel search” 76 as shown in the menu screen 70 of FIG. A comment 77b "Search for currently available channels" is displayed in a pop-up. The addition of “Channel search” 76 in addition to “Video and audio setting” 74, “Scheduled recording setting” 75, “Antenna strength display” 77, allows the user to recognize by “★” mark 77 a. By displaying such a pop-up or the like, the user can easily know the specific function to be added by attaching the attachment.
[0049]
Next, the function according to the present invention, which is unique when the attachment is a tuner type attachment, will be described. Note that this function can be applied to other attachments of a type that needs to acquire information.
[0050]
In the digital broadcast receivers of the various embodiments described above, an information acquisition unit and an information setting unit are provided. Referring to FIG. 1 again, actually, a program for causing the CPU 3 or other arithmetic device to function as the information acquisition unit and the information setting unit (not shown) is stored in a storage device such as the memory 8 or the ROM. Good to put. The information acquiring means acquires information necessary for channel selection from a radio wave when a tuner type attachment is connected. The information setting means sets the information acquired by the information acquisition means as a tuning key. For example, if the detachable tuner is the first type of tuner installed among BS digital broadcast reception, CS digital broadcast reception, terrestrial digital broadcast reception, and the like, search for a currently receivable channel is performed. By automatically starting a necessary process such as an initial setting at the first time, it is possible to save the user from having to manually perform the process, and also to prevent a user from forgetting to perform a necessary process or setting at the same time.
[0051]
Further, as another form, when a tuner-type attachment is connected, the information setting means includes setting determination means for determining whether or not information has been set to a channel selection key. The information acquisition may not be performed for the second and subsequent connections for which the setting to the channel selection key has been completed. In this manner, the second and subsequent mountings are not performed unless instructed by the user, thereby preventing unnecessary operation time from being generated. Since there is a possibility that the number of broadcasting stations may increase or decrease for a while after the start of each of the above digital broadcasting, a channel search may be automatically performed periodically.
[0052]
As a processing example, first, the CPU 3 reads the ID when recognizing the externally connected device 10, and if the ID is not registered in the memory 8, the CPU 3 regards it as the first installation and displays the initial setting screen. To record. If the read ID is already recorded, it is preferable to determine that the tuner has already been attached and not to search for a receivable channel or display the initial setting screen.
[0053]
FIG. 12 is a diagram at the bottom of the menu screen in FIG. 11, showing an example of a program guide to which a new channel has been added.
When a new channel is found by the information acquisition means as a result of the search, the channel 82 is added to a program guide (EPG; Electronic Program Guide) 81 displayed on a screen 80 as shown in FIG. Highlights by changing colors, marking, and blinking. In this case as well, the highlighting may be stopped in accordance with the number and time of the highlighting by the method described above.
[0054]
In addition, if the user moves, etc. after performing the initial setting or searching for receivable channels, and the area of use has changed, the user must perform the initial setting again. It is also possible to automatically search for receivable channels.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the change which arises by the attachment / detachment state of an attachment is easy to understand, and the menu which does not display an unnecessary item can be created and provided to a user. That is, according to the present invention, an easy-to-understand menu display grouped by function can be realized regardless of the attachment / detachment state of the attachment. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to display a menu in which it is easy to understand the change caused by the change and the color matching of the attachment.
[0056]
Further, according to the present invention, when a tuner-type attachment is mounted, channel information can be automatically acquired as needed, and the convenience of the channel selection operation is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of a digital broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a menu item table in a state where a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is not connected.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen corresponding to the menu item table of FIG. 2 in a state where a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is not connected.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a menu item table in a state immediately after a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is connected.
5 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in a state immediately after connecting a detachable tuner for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting corresponding to the menu item table of FIG. 4;
6 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen corresponding to the menu item table of FIG. 4 in a state where certain conditions have been cleared after a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is connected.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a menu item table in a state immediately after a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is removed.
8 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen in a state immediately after a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception corresponding to the menu item table in FIG. 7 is removed.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the menu item table in a state immediately after connecting or disconnecting the detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception, and showing an example of the menu item table whose display is managed by time. It is.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the menu item table in a state immediately after connecting / disconnecting the detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception, showing an example of the menu item table in which the display is managed by the number of days. It is.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen (display for explaining additional functions) immediately after a detachable tuner for terrestrial digital broadcast reception is connected.
12 is a diagram showing an example of a program guide at the lower part of the menu screen in FIG. 11 to which a new channel has been added;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tuner and demodulation part, 2 ... TS decoder, 3 ... CPU, 4 ... AV decoder, 5 ... Audio output part, 6 ... Video output part, 7 ... Graphics generation part, 8 ... Memory, 9 ... External equipment connection interface Reference numeral 10 denotes an externally connected device (attachment such as a detachable tuner), 11 a function item storage unit, 12 a menu display unit, 13 a function determination unit, 14 a menu editing unit, and 15 a display emphasis unit.

Claims (15)

A digital broadcast receiver capable of adding or adding and deleting functions by connecting or connecting and removing attachments,
A function item storage unit that stores, as menu information, a main unit item that is an item corresponding to the function of the digital broadcast receiver, and an attached item that is an item corresponding to a function of an attachment that may be connected;
Menu display means for displaying a predetermined item including at least all of the device items of the menu information as a display item in a menu format;
Function determining means for determining the function of the attachment that has been added or added and deleted,
As a display item to be displayed by the menu display means, a menu for adding an additional item of the added function among the additional items and for timely deleting the additional item for the deleted function among the additional items. Editing means,
The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein said menu editing means includes display emphasis means for emphasizing display items of functions to be added or added and deleted. 2. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein said display emphasis means includes means for emphasizing a display item corresponding to a function to be added or added and deleted by a character or a symbol. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the display emphasis unit includes a unit that blinks a display item corresponding to a function to be added or added and deleted to highlight the item. 4. The display emphasis unit according to claim 1, wherein the display emphasis unit includes a unit that emphasizes a display item corresponding to a function to be added or added and deleted by making the color different from that of another display item. A digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display emphasis unit emphasizes a display item corresponding to a function to be deleted by displaying the display item translucently. Digital broadcast receiver. The display emphasizing means includes emphasis canceling means for canceling highlighting of a display item corresponding to a function to be added or added and deleted when highlighting is performed a predetermined number of times, and the emphasis canceling means performs deletion. 6. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the display item corresponding to the function is deleted. The display emphasizing means includes emphasis canceling means for canceling highlighting of a display item corresponding to a function to be added or added and deleted when a predetermined time has elapsed after emphasizing. The digital broadcast receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the display item corresponding to the function for which the function is performed is deleted. 8. The digital device according to claim 6, wherein the emphasis canceling unit includes an emphasis adjusting unit that adjusts the highlighting of a display item corresponding to a function to be added or added and deleted so as to gradually change the emphasized display. Broadcast receiver. The display highlighting means cancels the highlighting of the display item corresponding to the function to be added when performing the highlighting accompanying the addition of the new function, and highlights the display item corresponding to the function to be deleted. 6. A digital broadcast according to claim 1, further comprising an emphasis canceling means for canceling the highlight when performing the highlighting accompanying the deletion of the new function and deleting the display item. Receiver. For the attachment that is connected, an indicator for displaying a connection is provided, and when a display item of a function to be added or added and deleted is highlighted by a color, the display color of the indicator is set to the color of the display item. 5. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 4, wherein the digital broadcast receiver is the same. The function item storage means, for an attachment that may be connected, a color of the attachment or a character or a symbol displayed on the attachment, as a color or a character or a symbol for emphasizing by the display emphasis means, The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 4, wherein the digital broadcast receiver is stored in advance. 12. The menu display unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide unit for displaying an outline of a function of the attachment when connection or connection and disconnection of the attachment is performed. Digital broadcast receiver. 13. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the function item storage unit has a unit for registering a function of an attachment to be connected and a display method on the menu display unit. When the attachment is a tuner type attachment, when the attachment is connected, information acquisition means for acquiring information necessary for channel selection from radio waves, and information acquired by the information acquisition means as a channel selection key. 14. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, further comprising information setting means for setting. When the tuner type attachment is connected, the information setting means includes setting discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the information setting means has set information to a tuning key. 15. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 14, wherein information is not obtained for the second and subsequent connections for which connection to the digital broadcast receiver has been completed.

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