JP2004128775A - Remote controller having television broadcast reception function, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for watching and listening to a television broadcast program by a remote controller for remotely operating a television broadcast receiver. <P>SOLUTION: When a user changes the direction of a switch 26 and watches and listens to a broadcast program by the remote controller 20, a control unit 28 allows a tuner 22 to extract a specific segment from a broadcast signal being transmitted from the broadcasting station of a channel selected by a button 21. Then, the flag for partial reception of a received signal is referred to and it is determined whether broadcast for partial reception is being executed in the extracted segment. As a result, when the broadcast for partial reception is being executed, the control unit 28 allows a decoding section 23 to restore speech and picture information from the extracted segment, allows a monitor 25 to display the restored picture information as a picture, and allows a speaker 24 to output the restored speech information as voice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote control device for remotely controlling a receiver for receiving a television broadcast, and more particularly, to a technology capable of viewing a television broadcast program with the remote control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A receiver for receiving a television broadcast is provided with a remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller) for remotely controlling the receiver. By operating this remote controller, the channel of the receiver and the volume are changed.
[0003]
In a receiver equipped with an STB (Set-Top Box), when displaying an electronic program guide (EPG: Electronic Program Guide) on a screen, an electronic program guide is displayed on the screen by operating a remote controller. According to, select a program to be viewed with the remote control.
[0004]
As described above, the receiver can easily select a program, change the volume, display an electronic program guide, and the like at a place away from the receiver by operating the remote controller.
[0005]
By the way, while watching a certain program on the receiver, if it is necessary to leave the installation location of the receiver (for example, a living room), in order to not miss the program broadcasted while away, record it on a video or the like. Had to watch later.
[0006]
Also, if you want to make a dish made by a cooking program, but the kitchen is far from the place where the receiver is installed, the viewer records the contents of the cooking program in a memo pad, I was cooking according to.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the time away from the living room is short, the method of recording a program broadcasted while away from the living room on a video makes the viewer feel troublesome. Also, if the user watches the recorded content when returning to the living room, the currently broadcast program cannot be viewed, which is not realistic.
[0008]
Also, relying on the contents recorded in the notepad makes it difficult for the image of the cooking procedure to spring up, and it is difficult to visually distinguish the dishes made by the viewer from the dishes made by the cooking program.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a technology that enables a remote control to receive a television broadcast and allows the remote control to view a television broadcast program.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control device for remotely controlling a receiver for receiving a digital broadcast signal including a plurality of segments,
Remote control of the receiver, switching means for switching between viewing and listening to broadcast programs,
Extracting means for extracting a segment for partial reception from a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station of a channel selected by a user when viewing a broadcast program by switching the switching means;
Restoring means for restoring audio information / video information or data broadcast information from the segment extracted by the extracting means;
Output means for outputting the audio information restored by the restoration means as audio,
Reproducing means for reproducing the video information or the data broadcast information restored by the restoring means as a video.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, in the first aspect of the present invention, the remote control device has a volume adjusting unit for adjusting a volume.
The output unit is configured to adjust the volume of the sound according to the adjustment result of the volume adjustment unit.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control device for remotely controlling a receiver for receiving a digital broadcast signal comprising a plurality of segments.
Means for detecting whether the user has selected remote control of the receiver or viewing of a broadcast program;
Means for extracting a segment for partial reception from a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station of a channel selected by a user upon detecting that viewing of a broadcast program is selected by the detection,
Means for restoring audio information / video information or data broadcast information from the extracted segment for partial reception,
A program for outputting the restored audio information as audio and causing the restored video information or data broadcast information to be reproduced as a video.
[0013]
A fourth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is characterized in that in the above-mentioned third invention, a function is provided as a means for adjusting a volume of an output sound in accordance with a volume adjustment performed by a user.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
This embodiment will be described.
[0014]
In Japanese terrestrial digital broadcasting using OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), the frequency channel is divided into 13 segments, each segment is divided into up to three layers, and the modulation method of each layer is changed for each application. It is possible. For example, information suitable for fixed reception (for example, a receiver installed indoors), mobile reception (for example, a receiver mounted on a vehicle) or partial reception (for example, a small portable receiver) is transmitted. In this case, it is possible to transmit a three-layer signal including segments including information suitable for each receiver as a digital broadcast signal. In particular, among the three layers, the segment of the layer defined for partial reception (only one segment at the center of the broadcast channel) is different from the other 12 segments and is defined so as to be independently receivable by the receiver. I have. By defining the segments in this way, it is possible to realize a low power consumption and small portable receiver. The layer defined for partial reception is a standard shared with a terrestrial digital audio (radio) broadcast receiver.
[0015]
Therefore, the present invention allows a remote controller attached to a receiver to extract a segment for partial reception, which is a broadcast for a small portable receiver, from a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station. Video, audio, and data broadcasts are received, restored, and played back from the segment.
[0016]
This will be specifically described.
[0017]
In digital broadcasting in Japan, a digital broadcasting signal transmitted from a broadcasting station is considered by dividing a frequency bandwidth for television broadcasting of 6 MHz into 14 equal parts. Thirteen of them are defined as segments, which are provided for actual broadcasting and are allocated to transmit information (audio information, video information, text information, etc.) suitable for each receiver. The remaining one segment can be assigned to a guard band between adjacent channels. FIG. 1 shows an example of 13 segment allocation. Of the 13 segments, one segment (segment 7) is assigned for partial reception, three segments (segments 5, 6, 8) are assigned for mobile reception, and nine segments (1, 2, 3, 3) are assigned. 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) are allocated for fixed reception.
[0018]
Each segment includes control information for controlling the segment by the receiver, in addition to video information, audio information, and the like. For example, TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing Configuration Control) can be considered as the control information.
[0019]
Then, the control information includes a partial reception flag. This partial reception flag is a flag indicating whether or not the broadcast for partial reception is performed in the segment (segment 7) at the center of the channel. For example, when the partial reception flag is 1, it indicates that the broadcast for partial reception is performed in the segment 7, and when the partial reception flag is 0, it indicates that the broadcast for partial reception is not performed.
[0020]
The configuration of the remote control will be described.
[0021]
The remote control described below has a function of changing the channel and volume of the receiver, similarly to the remote control attached to the receiver for receiving the television broadcast. Is a well-known technique, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the remote controller. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the remote controller.
[0023]
The remote controller 20 includes a button 21, a tuner 22, a decoding unit 23, a speaker 24, a monitor 25, a switch 26, a transmission unit 27, and a control unit 28.
[0024]
The button 21 is used to select a channel of a program to be displayed on the monitor 25 or the receiver 10, adjust the volume, and the like.
[0025]
The tuner 22 receives a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station of the channel selected by the button 21 according to an instruction from the control unit 28, and broadcasts the received digital broadcast signal for partial reception. This is to extract a specific segment.
[0026]
The decoding unit 23 restores audio information and video information from the segment extracted by the tuner 22.
[0027]
The speaker 24 outputs audio information as audio. Note that an earphone or the like may be used instead of the speaker.
[0028]
The monitor 25 (for example, a liquid crystal monitor) displays the content of the video information and the data broadcast information restored by the decoding unit 23 as a video.
[0029]
The switch 26 (for example, a slide switch or a toggle switch) is used to switch between remote control of the receiver 10 and viewing of a broadcast program with the remote control 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the switch 26 is turned to the A side, the operation on the remote control 20 means the operation of the receiver 10, and when the switch 26 is turned to the B side, the operation on the remote control 20 is performed. The operation means an operation for viewing a broadcast program on the remote controller 20.
[0030]
The transmitting unit 27 transmits a tuning result from the control unit 28 to the receiver 10.
[0031]
The control unit 28 determines which side (A side or B side) the switch 26 is facing. When the switch 26 is facing the A side (the side that remotely controls the receiver 10), the control unit 28 transmits the operation result of the button 21 to the receiver 10 via the transmission unit 27. On the other hand, when the switch 26 is directed to the B side (the side for viewing a broadcast program with the remote control 20), the control unit 28 transmits to the tuner 22 the digital signal transmitted from the broadcast station of the channel selected by the button 21. A broadcast signal is received, and a specific segment broadcast for partial reception is extracted from the received digital broadcast signal. By referring to the partial reception flag of the control information included in the extracted segment, it is determined whether or not the extracted segment is a segment for a partial receiver. As a result, if the extracted segment is a segment for a partial receiver, the decoding unit 23 restores the audio information and the video information from the extracted segment. The restored video information is displayed on the monitor 25 as a video, and the audio information is output to the speaker 24 as audio. On the other hand, if the received signal is not a partial reception signal, the subsequent processing is interrupted.
[0032]
Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described.
[0033]
When the user wants to remotely control the receiver 10 or view a broadcast program using the remote controller 20, the user first switches the switch 26 (step 101).
[0034]
Then, when remote control of the receiver 10 is desired, the direction of the switch 26 is switched to the A side. As a result, the control unit 28 of the remote controller 20 determines that the direction of the switch 26 is directed to the A side.
[0035]
Further, when the user presses the button 21 to select a predetermined channel, the control unit 28 causes the receiver 10 to transmit the channel selection result of the button 21 via the transmission unit 27 (Step 102).
[0036]
The receiver 10 receiving the tuning result transmitted from the remote controller 10 changes the channel according to the received tuning result (step 103).
[0037]
On the other hand, when the user wants to view a broadcast program with the remote controller 20, the direction of the switch 26 is switched to the B side. As a result, the control unit 28 of the remote controller 20 determines that the direction of the switch 26 is directed to the B side. When the user presses the button 21 to select a specific channel, the control unit 28 receives a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station of the channel selected by the button 21, and receives the received digital broadcast signal. A specific segment broadcast for partial reception is extracted from the broadcast signal. For example, the control unit 28 causes the tuner 22 to extract the segment 7 from the received digital broadcast signal (Step 104).
[0038]
Then, the control unit 28 reads the control information included in the segment 7 extracted by the tuner 22, refers to the partial reception flag of the read control information, and performs the partial reception broadcast in the extracted segment. It is determined whether or not there is. For example, when the partial reception flag is 1, it is determined that the broadcast for partial reception is performed in the extracted segment 7, and when the partial reception flag is 0, the broadcast for partial reception is performed in the extracted segment 7. It is determined that it has not been done (step 105).
[0039]
As a result, when it is determined that the partial reception flag is 0, the control unit 28 suspends the subsequent processing.
[0040]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the partial reception flag is 1, the control unit 28 causes the decoding unit 23 to restore the information of audio information, video information, and data broadcast from the segment 7 extracted by the tuner 22 (step 106).
[0041]
Then, the control unit 28 causes the speaker 24 to output the audio information restored by the decoding unit 23 as audio (step 107), and also displays the video information / data broadcasting information restored by the decoding unit 23 on the monitor 25 as an image. It is displayed (step 108).
[0042]
In this embodiment, the case where the channel of the program viewed by the receiver 10 or the remote controller 20 is changed has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, if the user wants to change the volume of the sound output from the speaker 24 of the remote controller 20 and adjusts the volume with the button 21 of the remote controller 10 while keeping the switch 26 facing the B side, the sound output from the speaker 24 of the remote controller 20 can be changed. Volume is adjusted.
[0043]
Further, the control unit 28 may be a CPU that operates according to a program.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the remote control receives only the partial reception signal, there is an excellent effect that the tuner mounted on the remote control can be made smaller than the tuner mounted on the fixed receiver.
[0045]
Further, according to the present invention, since the tuner mounted on the remote controller can be reduced in size, there is an excellent effect that the amount of power consumed by the remote controller can be suppressed.
[0046]
Further, since the program being broadcast can be viewed with the remote controller, an excellent effect that the user can easily continue watching the program even when the user is away from the installation location of the receiver for a short time is exhibited.
[0047]
Further, according to the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the remote controller can be used as a portable television. As a result, the remote control device itself can be easily carried out outdoors or the like regardless of the installation location of the receiver, and can be used as a small receiver.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining segments.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of a remote controller.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a remote controller.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Receiver 20 Remote control 21 Button 22 Tuner 23 Decoding section 24 Speaker 25 Monitor 26 Switch 27 Transmitting section 28 Control section

Claims (4)

A remote control device for remotely controlling a receiver for receiving a digital broadcast signal comprising a plurality of segments,
Remote control of the receiver, switching means for switching between viewing and listening to broadcast programs,
Extracting means for extracting a segment for partial reception from a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station of a channel selected by a user when viewing a broadcast program by switching the switching means;
Restoring means for restoring audio information / video information or data broadcast information from the segment extracted by the extracting means;
Output means for outputting the audio information restored by the restoration means as audio,
A remote control device having a television broadcast receiving function, comprising: a reproducing unit that reproduces, as a video, the video information or the data broadcast information restored by the restoring unit. The remote control device has volume control means for controlling the volume,
2. The remote control device with a television broadcast receiving function according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is configured to adjust a sound volume according to an adjustment result of the volume control unit. A remote control device for remotely controlling a receiver for receiving a digital broadcast signal composed of a plurality of segments,
Means for detecting whether the user has selected remote control of the receiver or viewing of a broadcast program;
Means for extracting a segment for partial reception from a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station of a channel selected by a user upon detecting that viewing of a broadcast program is selected by the detection,
Means for restoring audio information / video information or data broadcast information from the extracted segment for partial reception,
A program for outputting the restored audio information as audio and causing the restored video information or data broadcast information to be reproduced as a video. The program according to claim 3, wherein the program functions as a unit that adjusts a volume of an output sound in accordance with a volume adjustment performed by a user.

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