JP2004297819A - Tv broadcast receiving system and tv broadcast receiving method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a TV broadcast receiving system which, when a digital TV broadcast and an analog TV broadcast are broadcasting a same program on a same time period, automatically receives a higher visual quality broadcast by priority out of those two broadcasts. <P>SOLUTION: The TV broadcast receiving system is provided with a first switching means to switch the analog TV broadcast signal to the digital TV broadcast signal when, while receiving the analog TV broadcast, it extracts a difference between a digitally converted signal from the analog TV broadcast and a digital TV broadcast signal of a same main channel to compare them and determines that same program is broadcasted and a second switching means to switch to the analog TV broadcast signal when, while receiving the digital TV broadcast, it extracts the difference of the digitally converted signal from the analog TV broadcast signal to compare and determines that a signal level of the receiving digital TV broadcast is a predetermined level or lower. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a TV broadcast receiving apparatus such as a set-top box or a television capable of receiving digital TV broadcasts and analog TV broadcasts, and a TV broadcast receiving method. This TV broadcast receiving apparatus is, of course, a device capable of receiving TV broadcasts, such as a composite apparatus incorporating a video recording / reproducing apparatus, a video recording / reproducing apparatus having a built-in TV tuner, and a personal computer having a built-in TV tuner. including.

At present, digital TV broadcasting is in the stage of popularization, and broadcasting stations performing digital TV broadcasting often broadcast the same program at the same time in analog TV broadcasting and digital TV broadcasting. That is, in the same main channel, the same program is often broadcast at the same time on one analog TV broadcast channel and one of several digital TV broadcast channels.

  In a conventional TV broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving digital TV broadcasts and analog TV broadcasts, a user designates which broadcast is to be received using a remote control transmitter or an input key in advance, and the user uses the remote control transmitter or Unless the designation change operation is performed by the input key, the broadcast being received does not switch between the digital TV broadcast and the analog TV broadcast.

  Therefore, even if the same program is broadcast at the same time between the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast, if the user does not notice and specifies to receive the analog TV broadcast, Without watching digital TV broadcasting with high display quality, the user will continue to watch analog TV broadcasting with poor display quality.

  Conversely, when a digital TV broadcast is designated and viewed, if the level of the signal being received falls below a predetermined level, unlike the case of receiving an analog TV broadcast, the video and the video are suddenly displayed. The sound (hereinafter, also referred to as “video or the like”) is interrupted or no video or the like is obtained at all. Digital TV broadcasting can generally provide higher display quality than analog TV broadcasting because it processes digital signals. However, if a signal cannot be distinguished from a “1” or “0” signal due to a decrease in received power or the like, the image is rapidly received. This is because there is a disadvantage that it becomes impossible. Therefore, in consideration of the reception state, the display quality of the analog TV broadcast may be higher than that of the digital TV broadcast in some cases.

  Thus, even if the video or the like is suddenly interrupted or no video or the like can be obtained at all, if the user does not know that the same program is being broadcast at the same time even in the analog TV broadcast, The user either fails to view the program or becomes unable to view the program without interruption. In addition, even if the user knows that the same program is being broadcast at the same time even in analog TV broadcasting, it is necessary to perform a troublesome channel switching operation, and the user cannot view video or the like until the switching is completed. Was a big problem.

  In addition, as a technique slightly related to the present invention, there are techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 4-3614 and Hei 3-50975. However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-3614 only discloses a satellite broadcast receiver relating to automatic channel selection of a designated broadcast by designating an audio mode. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 3-50975 discloses an automatic EDTV / HDTV signal discrimination circuit that automatically discriminates an HDTV / EDTV signal and enables signal processing of the EDTV / HDTV signal. Not just.

  A main object of the present invention is to automatically and preferentially automatically prioritize a broadcast having a higher display quality among broadcasts when the same program is broadcast at the same time in a digital TV broadcast and an analog TV broadcast. To provide a TV broadcast receiving apparatus and a TV broadcast receiving method.

  In order to solve the above problem, a TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a TV broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving a digital TV broadcast and an analog TV broadcast, and while receiving the analog TV broadcast, The difference between the digitally converted analog TV broadcast signal and the digital TV broadcast signal of the same main channel is taken and compared to determine whether the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program. A first comparison / judgment means for judging the analog TV broadcast signal when the comparison / judgment means judges that the same program is being broadcast. A first switching unit for switching to a digital TV broadcast, and a signal of an analog TV broadcast on the same main channel as the digital TV broadcast signal while receiving the digital TV broadcast. A second comparing and judging means for judging whether or not the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program by taking a difference between the digitally converted signal and the digital TV broadcast; A first reception state determining means for determining whether or not a signal level is equal to or lower than a predetermined level; and when the reception state determination means determines that the signal level is equal to or lower than the predetermined level, the digital TV broadcast signal is transmitted to the same program. And second switching means for switching to an analog TV broadcast signal determined to be.

In the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the predetermined level is set to a threshold level indicating whether digital TV broadcasts can be received or not.
The TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the signal level of the digital TV broadcast of the same main channel is changed after the digital TV broadcast signal is switched to the analog TV broadcast signal by the second switching means. Second receiving state determining means for determining whether or not is below the predetermined level, and returning to execute the first comparing and determining means when the second receiving state determining means determines that the level is higher than the predetermined level. Means.

  A TV broadcast receiving method according to claim 4 of the present invention is a TV broadcast receiving method for a TV broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving a digital TV broadcast and an analog TV broadcast, wherein the analog TV broadcast is received while receiving the analog TV broadcast. The difference between the digitally converted broadcast signal and the digital TV broadcast signal of the same main channel is taken and compared to determine whether the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program. When it is determined that the same program is being broadcast, the analog TV broadcast signal is switched to a digital TV broadcast signal whose program is determined to be the same, and the digital TV broadcast is received while the digital TV broadcast is being received. A difference between a broadcast signal and a signal obtained by digitally converting an analog TV broadcast signal in a predetermined range is compared, and the difference is compared between the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV signal. It is determined whether or not the TV broadcast is broadcasting the same program. Further, it is determined whether or not the signal level of the digital TV broadcast being received is below a predetermined level. At this time, the digital TV broadcast signal is switched to an analog TV broadcast signal whose program is determined to be the same.

In the TV broadcast receiving method according to claim 5 of the present invention, the predetermined level is set to a threshold level indicating whether digital TV broadcast can be received.
7. The TV broadcast receiving method according to claim 6, wherein after switching the digital TV broadcast signal to the analog TV broadcast signal determined to be the same program, the digital TV broadcast signal level of the same main channel is switched. Is determined to be equal to or lower than the predetermined level, and when it is determined to be equal to or higher than the predetermined level, the digital TV broadcast is restored.

  Hereinafter, a TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic operation flow of the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a figure which shows another schematic operation | movement flow of the TV broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of invention.

  The TV broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a set-top box having a function of converting an ATSC signal (digital signal) to an NTSC signal (analog signal), that is, a dedicated NTSC signal receiving externally connected. This is for enabling digital TV broadcasting to be received on a television.

  When the same program is broadcast at the same time in the digital TV broadcast and the analog TV broadcast at the same time, the TV broadcast receiving apparatus 100 preferentially gives a broadcast having a higher display quality among the broadcasts. It is characterized by being able to receive automatically.

  More specifically, the TV broadcast receiving apparatus 100 selects the case where the user selects to receive the analog TV broadcast when the same program is broadcast at the same time in the digital TV broadcast and the analog TV broadcast, It has a function of searching for digital TV broadcasting of the same program and automatically switching the reception with priority. In addition, when the same program is broadcast at the same time in the digital TV broadcast and the analog TV broadcast at the same time, the TV broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may not be able to receive the digital TV broadcast while receiving the digital TV broadcast. If it gets worse, it has a function to automatically switch the reception to the analog TV broadcast of the same program found in advance in priority.

  The TV broadcast receiving apparatus 100 includes a set-top box main body 101 and a remote control transmitter 185 used together therewith.

  The set-top box main body 101 includes a tuner 110, an A / D converter & error correction circuit 120, an MPEG decoder 130, a selector 140, a D / A converter 150, an A / D converter 160, a microcomputer 170, and a memory. 175, a remote control receiving unit 180, an input key 190, a display unit 195, and a power supply (not shown).

  The tuner 110 is a general tuner to which an antenna is connected and which can simultaneously receive digital TV broadcasts and analog TV broadcasts. Therefore, when a channel designation (that is, channel selection) with the remote control transmitter 185 or the input key 190 is instructed via the microcomputer 170, the tuner 110 extracts a signal of the designated channel from radio waves received by the antenna. And output. The digital TV broadcast signal output from the tuner 110 is input to the A / D converter & error correction circuit 120. The signal output of the analog TV broadcast from the tuner 110 is input to the A / D converter 160.

  The A / D converter & error correction circuit 120 converts the digital TV broadcast signal output from the tuner 110 into a digital signal and corrects the error.

  The MPEG decoder 130 decodes an ATSC signal (digital signal), which is an output signal from the A / D converter & error correction circuit 120, into an NTSC signal (here, a digital signal state).

  The selector 140 switches between an output signal from the MPEG decoder 130 and an output signal from the A / D converter 160 according to an instruction from the microcomputer 170.

  The D / A converter 150 converts an output signal from the MPEG decoder 130 or an output signal from the A / D converter 160 into an analog signal. This analog signal is output so as to be connectable to an external television.

  The A / D converter 160 converts an NTSC signal (analog signal) output from the tuner 110 into a digital signal.

The microcomputer 170 controls the entire set-top box body 101, and
An NTSC signal (digital signal) output from the PEG decoder 130 and converted from an ATSC signal (digital signal) of digital TV broadcasting, and an NTSC signal output from the A / D converter 160 and analog TV broadcasting An NTSC signal (digital signal) obtained by digitally converting the (analog signal) is input. Further, the microcomputer 170 receives a designation signal of a channel or the like from the remote control transmitter 185 and the input key 190. Further, the microcomputer 170 exchanges signals with the memory 175. Further, the microcomputer 170 outputs data such as a channel to the display unit 195.

  A memory (not shown) of the microcomputer 170 stores a program corresponding to an operation flow of FIGS. 2 and 3 described later and a program corresponding to a general function of a conventional set-top box body.

  The memory 175 stores whether or not there is an analog TV broadcast channel of the same program as the digital TV broadcast program being received, by setting a flag or not. Therefore, although the memory 175 is separate from the microcomputer 170 for the sake of explanation, it is generally built in the microcomputer 170. The contents of the memory 175 are cleared when the power of the set-top box main body 101 is turned off.

  Remote control receiving section 180 demodulates a signal from remote control transmitter 185.

  The input keys 190 include keys for selecting analog TV broadcasting or digital TV broadcasting.

  The display unit 195 displays a channel or the like that is selected and being received. If only the channel display is performed on the display unit 195, the channel display may be blinked for a certain period of time after the switching, for example, so that the user can easily recognize that the channel has been switched. Also, the channel display before the change and the channel display after the change may be displayed.

  The remote control transmitter 185 includes a channel key for selecting an analog TV broadcast or a digital TV broadcast.

  Among the above, “comparison and determination means for comparing and determining whether the signal of the analog TV broadcast is the same as the signal of the digital TV broadcast in a predetermined range while receiving the analog TV broadcast”, and The microcomputer 170 is a “comparison / determination unit that compares / determines whether the digital TV broadcast signal is the same as the analog TV broadcast signal in a predetermined range while receiving the digital TV broadcast”. However, since the signals to be compared need to be of the same type, the tuner 110, the A / D converter and error correction circuit 120, the MPEG decoder 130, and the A / D converter 160 are used together.

  The switching means includes the microcomputer 170 and the selector 140. Further, the microcomputer 170 is a “reception state determination unit that determines whether the signal level of the digital TV broadcast being received is equal to or lower than a predetermined level”. The predetermined range is the same main channel. The predetermined level is a threshold level for determining whether a digital TV broadcast can be received or not.

  The operation of the thus-configured TV broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, for the sake of explanation, the user may select, for example, the analog TV broadcast channel “3-0” whose main channel is “3” and the digital TV broadcast channels “3-1”, “3-2”, “3-3”. Will be described.

  First, a case where the operation flow of FIG. 2 is processed will be described.

It is assumed that the user specifies (selects), for example, a channel “3-0” of analog TV broadcast using the remote control transmitter 185 or the input keys 190 (hereinafter, also referred to as “remote control transmitter 185 etc.”). The microcomputer 170 instructs the tuner 110 to tune to the channel "3-0" of the analog TV broadcast and to be receiving the signal, while setting the contact of the selector 140 to the side through which the signal of the analog TV broadcast passes. That is, by setting the channel “3-0” of the analog TV broadcast to be being received, the signal of the channel “3-0” of the analog TV broadcast determined as one of the comparison targets in the determination described later is always transmitted to the microcomputer 170. Can be entered. Further, the contact of the selector 140 is set to the side through which the signal of the analog TV broadcast passes, so that after the channel is selected by the remote control transmitter 185 or the like, an image can be immediately received by the externally connected television.

  Thereafter, for the channel selected by the user, "Are analog TV broadcasts selected? Is determined (S10). That is, it is determined whether or not the channel specified to the microcomputer 170 by the remote control transmitter 185 or the like is an analog TV broadcast channel. Here, since the channel “3-0” of the analog TV broadcast is designated, the microcomputer 170 determines whether the channel “3-0” is the channel of the analog TV broadcast.

  Since the channel "3-0" is an analog TV broadcast channel, the result of the determination is YES.

  Based on the result of this determination, the next question is "Which of the digital TV broadcasts in the same main channel is broadcasting the same program as the analog TV broadcast? Is determined (S20).

  That is, the microcomputer 170 issues a channel instruction and a channel change instruction in order to receive the digital TV broadcast channels "3-1", "3-2", and "3-3" in the same main channel "3" for a certain period of time. Then, the microcomputer 170 compares the output signal from the MPEG decoder 130 with the output signal from the A / D converter 160 and compares them. This means that the digital TV broadcast channel having no difference is broadcasting the same program as the analog TV broadcast channel “3-0”. This determination ends when a digital TV broadcast channel having no difference is encountered. Note that “no difference” includes, of course, a case where the difference is small and it can be said that there is substantially no difference other than a case where there is no difference at all.

  For example, when the same program as the analog TV broadcast channel "3-0" is being broadcast on the digital TV broadcast channel "3-1", the digital TV broadcast channel "3-1" is determined. At this stage, there is no difference, so the determination result is YES at this stage.

  Based on the result of this determination, a process of "selecting a digital TV broadcast channel of the same program as the analog TV broadcast program" (S30) is performed, and a series of processes becomes END. That is, the microcomputer 170 automatically instructs the tuner 110 to tune to the digital TV broadcast channel “3-1” that broadcasts the same program as the analog TV broadcast channel “3-0”, and Indicates that the contact point of the selector 140 is set to the side through which the signal of the digital TV broadcast channel passes, and instructs the display unit 195 to output information for selecting the channel “3-1”.

  Therefore, when the operation flow of FIG. 2 is operated, even if the user instructs to select channel “3-0” of analog TV broadcasting, if there is a digital TV broadcasting broadcasting the same program, The channel of the digital TV broadcast (in this case, “3-1”) is preferentially selected and switched to be received. That is, a digital TV broadcast that broadcasts the same program is preferentially received on an externally connected television. Further, the user recognizes on the display unit 195 that the display has been switched to digital TV broadcasting.

If the result of each determination is NO in S10 and S20, that is, if the digital TV broadcast is selected or the same program as the analog TV broadcast being received in the same main channel is not broadcasted END without any processing. That is, the channel of the analog TV broadcast being received (in this case, for example, “3-0”) continues to be received. In other words, the television connected to the outside continues to receive the channel of the analog TV broadcast.

  Next, a case where the operation flow of FIG. 3 is processed and the operation flow of FIG. 2 is not processed will be described.

  It is assumed that the user designates (selects), for example, a digital TV broadcast channel “3-1” using the remote control transmitter 185 or the like. The microcomputer 170 instructs the tuner 110 to tune to the channel "3-1" of the digital TV broadcast and to be receiving the signal, while setting the contact of the selector 140 to the side through which the signal of the digital TV broadcast passes.

  Thereafter, for the channel selected by the user, the message “Digital TV broadcast is selected? Is determined (S100). That is, the remote controller 185 or the like determines to the microcomputer 170 whether or not the designated channel is a digital TV broadcast channel. Here, since the digital TV broadcast channel “3-1” is designated, the microcomputer 170 determines whether the channel “3-1” is a digital TV broadcast channel.

  Since the channel “3-1” is a digital TV broadcast channel, the determination result is YES.

  Therefore, the next question is, "Are analog TV broadcasts in the same main channel broadcasting the same program as the digital TV broadcast?" Is determined (S200).

  That is, the microcomputer 170 instructs a channel to receive the analog TV broadcast channel “3-0” in the same main channel “3” for a certain period of time, and the microcomputer 170 outputs an output signal from the MPEG decoder 130 and an A / D converter. The difference from the output signal from the controller 160 is compared. When there is no difference, it means that the same program as that of the digital TV broadcast channel is being broadcast on analog TV broadcast channel “3-0”.

  For example, if the same program as the digital TV broadcast channel "3-1" is being broadcast on the analog TV broadcast channel "3-0", there is no difference, so the determination result is YES.

  Based on the result of this determination, a process of "setting a flag indicating that the same program is being broadcast in the memory" (S300) is performed. That is, the microcomputer 170 stores information on the presence of the analog TV broadcast channel “3-0” that is broadcasting the same program as the digital TV broadcast channel “3-1” by setting a flag in the memory 175.

  After this processing, "is the signal level of the channel of the digital TV broadcast being received lower than a predetermined level? Is determined (S400). That is, the microcomputer 170 determines whether or not the output signal from the MPEG decoder 130 is lower than the threshold level for determining whether the “0” and “1” signals can be distinguished (that is, lower than the threshold level for determining whether the image can be received or not). Or at all times or at regular intervals.

  If the result of this determination is YES, that is, if the digital TV broadcast being received cannot be received anymore, the message “Is the flag set? Is determined (S500). That is, the microcomputer 170 reads out the contents of the memory and checks whether or not the flag is set in the memory 175.

  If the result of this determination is YES, that is, if the flag is set, then based on the result of this determination, a process of "selecting the analog TV broadcast" (S600) is performed, and a series of processes becomes END. . That is, the microcomputer 170 instructs the tuner 110 to tune to the channel “3-0” of the analog TV broadcast and to be receiving the signal, while setting the contact of the selector 140 to the side through which the signal of the analog TV broadcast passes. . In addition, the microcomputer 170 instructs the display unit 195 to output information for selecting the channel “3-0”.

  Therefore, when the operation flow of FIG. 3 is functioning, when the user receives the digital TV broadcast channel “3-1”, for example, and watches it on an externally connected television, the channel “ Even if the reception level of “3-1” becomes lower than the level that cannot be received, if there is an analog TV broadcast of the same program, it is automatically switched and received preferentially, so that the video is almost uninterrupted. The user can continue watching. Further, the user recognizes on the display unit 195 that the display has been switched to the analog TV broadcast.

  If the result of the determination in S100 and S200 is NO, the process jumps after S300. If the result of the determination in S500 is NO, the processing is END, and the same program was not in the same time zone, so that the digital TV broadcast received as before cannot be received or is interrupted. It is only possible to view it.

  Although the operation flow of FIG. 2 and the operation flow of FIG. 3 have been described above as functioning separately, for example, the operation flow of FIG. 3 may be performed following the operation flow of FIG. Even if the user automatically switches to a digital TV broadcast channel that preferentially broadcasts the same program after designating the analog TV broadcast, if the receiving condition of the digital TV broadcast deteriorates thereafter, the digital TV broadcast is switched to the analog TV broadcast. This is because it is preferable to return. Further, the operation flow of FIG. 2 and the operation flow of FIG. 3 may be looped so as to return to START of the operation flow of FIG. 2 after END of the operation flow of FIG. This is because it is preferable to switch from analog TV broadcasting to digital TV broadcasting once the reception level of digital TV broadcasting recovers to some extent.

  The configuration of the TV broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be changed as follows, for example.

  (1) In the operation flow of FIG. 3, if the determinations of S100 and S200 are NO, the processing is skipped after the processing of S300. However, the processing may be skipped after the processing of S600.

  (2) It is generally unlikely that another main channel broadcasts the same program in the same time zone. Therefore, the predetermined range is set to the same main channel. Although preferred, another main channel may be included. In this case, the flag may be set at a memory address assigned to each channel so that it is possible to know which channel is broadcasting the same program.

  (3) If the processing in the microcomputer 170 is excessively concentrated, the sub-microcomputer may be assigned to perform the processing, and the data may be exchanged between the sub-microcomputer and the microcomputer 170 as necessary. Also, like the microcomputer 170, it is not always necessary to be a microcomputer, and it is needless to say that the same function may be constituted by a gate array or the like.

  (4) The determination in S20 of the operation flow of FIG. 2 is preferably performed at the time of channel selection, but may be performed after a lapse of a while after the channel selection.

  Otherwise, even if the determination result of the process of S20 is NO, the process may return to the beginning of the process of S20 several times.

  For example, if it is only at the time of channel selection, if the CM was being played at that time, the CM of the analog TV broadcast and the CM of the digital TV broadcast are usually very likely to be the same, but there is no possibility that they are different. If they are different, they will not work. For this reason, it is better to make a comparison even at a time when a CM will not be performed, just in case.

Since the CM is not continuous for a long time, the occasional time may be, for example, every CM time at which there is a possibility that the CM will last the longest or every time slightly longer than that. Further, the time may be set to be the shortest CM time, half the shortest CM time, or always. The reason why the time is always or always is that if the same channel is continuously used for a long time, the program becomes the next program, but it is better to discriminate at that time. Instead of being performed at a fixed time, the time may be changed at the time of switching between the program (excluding the CM) and the CM by using a function having a function of not recording the CM in a video.

  (5) In consideration of the very rare case that the CM may be the same in a plurality of channels, the following may be performed.

  For example, when the process of S20 is performed in the operation flow of FIG. 2, for example, only the first digital TV broadcast channel in the same main channel where the same program (in this case, the same CM) is broadcast is determined, and the process proceeds to S30. Rather than shifting, the comparison is made on all digital TV broadcast channels within the same main channel. In addition, a memory having a memory address for setting a flag for each digital TV broadcast channel is provided.

  When a plurality of flags are set as a result of comparison between all digital TV broadcast channels in the same main channel, it may be determined that the same CM is being broadcast. When only one flag is set, it means that the channel corresponding to the memory address of the flag is broadcasting the same program as the analog TV broadcast program. When a plurality of flags are set, the comparison is repeated again, and it is sufficient to wait until only one flag is set, and then proceed to S30.

  (6) In the case of televisions such as an in-car type and a portable type, it is not always possible to continue receiving analog TV broadcasts even after tuning, so the reception level of analog TV broadcasts may be checked at regular intervals or constantly. Good. However, even in the case of a device that is fixedly used, the reception level of the analog TV broadcast may be checked at regular intervals or constantly.

  (7) The case where the analog TV broadcast is in the NTSC system has been described above as a representative, but it goes without saying that the same applies to other PAL systems and the like.

  (8) Not only the set-top box described above, but also a TV broadcast receiving device such as a television, a composite device incorporating a video recording / reproducing device, a video recording / reproducing device with a built-in TV tuner, and a TV tuner built-in It goes without saying that the above-mentioned computer can be applied to a personal computer or the like.

  (9) The operation flow of FIG. 4 is performed following the operation flow of FIG. 2, and further, the operation flow of FIG. 4 and the operation of FIG. The flow may be looped. Even if the user automatically switches to a digital TV broadcast channel that preferentially broadcasts the same program after designating an analog TV broadcast, if the digital broadcast reception condition deteriorates thereafter, the channel is switched to the analog TV broadcast again. If the reception condition of the digital TV broadcast is recovered to some extent, the channel is returned to the digital TV broadcast again. If the reception condition of the digital TV broadcast is still poor, the channel of the analog TV broadcast is continuously received. Is preferred.

  That is, in the operation flow of FIG. 2, after the user designates the analog TV broadcast, the channel is automatically switched to the digital TV broadcast channel that preferentially broadcasts the same program. If the receiving state of the digital TV broadcast deteriorates, the channel is switched to the analog TV broadcast channel broadcasting the same program, and the channel signal level of the digital TV broadcast being received becomes lower than a predetermined level (a threshold level of whether or not the image can be received). Is determined at all times or at regular intervals. If the determination result is NO, that is, if the receiving state of the digital TV broadcast is recovered to some extent, the process loops to START in the operation flow of FIG. 2 and automatically switches to the digital TV broadcast channel broadcasting the same program. . On the other hand, if the result of this determination is YES, that is, if the reception status of the digital TV broadcast still broadcasting the same program is poor, the operation flow of FIG. Will be received continuously.

  If the reception state deteriorates during the reception of the digital TV broadcast due to the looping of the operation flow, if the reception state of the digital TV broadcast is recovered to some extent after switching to the analog TV broadcast channel broadcasting the same program, Thus, the channel can be reliably returned to the digital TV broadcast.

(Function and effect)
As described above, the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a TV broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving digital TV broadcasts and analog TV broadcasts. The difference between the digitally converted TV broadcast signal and the digital TV broadcast signal of the same main channel is taken and compared to determine whether the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program. A first comparison / judgment means for switching the analog TV broadcast signal to a digital TV broadcast signal judged to be the same when it is judged that the same program is being broadcast by the comparison / judgment means And first switching means.

  Therefore, in the case of the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, when the digital TV broadcast and the analog TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program at the same time, the user receives the analog TV broadcast. Is selected, the digital TV broadcast of the same program is searched for and the reception is automatically switched with priority. Therefore, for example, even if the user broadcasts the same program at the same time and selects an analog TV broadcast, the user automatically switches to the same program in the digital TV broadcast with priority. Is possible without troublesome viewing with high display quality. Furthermore, since the range to be compared when judging whether or not the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program is the same main channel, the range to be compared is narrow and the processing time is short. Help me.

  Further, a TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a TV broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving digital TV broadcasts and analog TV broadcasts, and receives digital TV broadcast signals while receiving the digital TV broadcasts. A second comparison for determining whether or not the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program by taking the difference between the analog TV broadcast signal and the digitally converted signal of the same main channel. Determining means, first receiving state determining means for determining whether the signal level of the digital TV broadcast being received is below a predetermined level, and when the receiving state determining means determines that the signal level is below the predetermined level, Second switching means for switching the digital TV broadcast signal to an analog TV broadcast signal determined to be the same program.

  Therefore, in the case of the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, when the digital TV broadcast and the analog TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program at the same time, during the reception of the digital TV broadcast, When the reception state of digital TV broadcasting becomes so bad that it cannot be received, the reception is automatically switched preferentially to analog TV broadcasting of the same program found in advance. Therefore, when the reception state of the digital TV broadcast becomes so bad that the image cannot be received, the user does not rush to search the program guide for analog TV broadcasts broadcasting the same program. No hassle. Also, if the user does not know that there is an analog TV broadcast that broadcasts the same program at the stage where the receiving state of the digital TV broadcast has become so bad that the image cannot be received, the user has conventionally failed to watch. The user can keep watching the program as long as the analog TV broadcast can be received. Furthermore, since it is possible to instantaneously switch to the analog TV broadcast, the user can keep watching the program as long as the analog TV broadcast can be received. Furthermore, since the range to be compared when judging whether or not the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program is the same main channel, the range to be compared is narrow and the processing time is short. Help me.

In the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the predetermined level is set to a threshold level indicating whether digital TV broadcasts can be received or not.

  Therefore, in the case of the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, as soon as the received digital TV broadcast reaches a level that cannot be received, the analog TV broadcast of the same program searched in advance is automatically given priority. The reception can be switched. Therefore, the user can continue to watch the program almost without interruption.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the TV broadcast receiving apparatus, after the digital TV broadcast signal is switched to the analog TV broadcast signal by the second switching unit, the signal level of the digital TV broadcast of the same main channel is set to the predetermined level. Second receiving state determining means for determining whether the level is equal to or lower than a predetermined level, and returning means for executing the first comparison determining means when the second receiving state determining means determines that the level is equal to or higher than the predetermined level. Prepare.

  Therefore, in the case of the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, if the reception state deteriorates while receiving the digital TV broadcast, the channel is switched to the analog TV broadcast channel broadcasting the same program, and thereafter, the digital TV broadcast is transmitted. If the broadcasting reception condition recovers to some extent, the channel can be switched to the digital TV broadcasting without fail. Conversely, if the reception condition of the digital TV broadcasting is still poor, it is possible to continuously receive the channel of the analog TV broadcasting. It becomes possible.

  The TV broadcast receiving method according to claim 4 of the present invention has the same effect as the TV broadcast receiving device according to claim 1 of the present invention.

The TV broadcast receiving method according to claim 5 of the present invention has the same effect as the TV broadcast receiving device according to claim 2 of the present invention.
The TV broadcast receiving method according to claim 6 of the present invention has the same effect as the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic operation flow of the TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows another schematic operation | movement flow of the TV broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another schematic operation | movement flow of the TV broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

100 TV broadcast receiving apparatus 110 Tuner (part of comparison and judgment means)
120 A / D converter & error correction circuit (part of comparison and judgment means)
130 MPEG decoder (part of comparison judgment means)
140 selector (part of switching means)
150 D / A converter 160 A / D converter (part of comparison judgment means)
170 microcomputer (main part of comparison judgment means, reception state judgment means, part of switching means)
175 memory 180 remote control receiver 185 remote control transmitter 190 input key 195 display

Claims (6)

A TV broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving a digital TV broadcast and an analog TV broadcast, wherein during reception of the analog TV broadcast, a signal obtained by digitally converting the analog TV broadcast signal and a digital TV broadcast signal of the same main channel are received. First comparison determining means for determining whether or not the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are broadcasting the same program by taking the difference between
First switching means for switching the analog TV broadcast signal to a digital TV broadcast signal for which the program is determined to be the same when it is determined by the comparison and determination means that the same program is being broadcasted;
During reception of the digital TV broadcast, a difference between this digital TV broadcast signal and a signal obtained by digitally converting an analog TV broadcast signal of the same main channel is obtained and compared, and the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are the same. A second comparison / judgment means for judging whether or not the program is broadcast;
First reception state determination means for determining whether a signal level of a digital TV broadcast being received is equal to or lower than a predetermined level;
A second switching unit for switching the digital TV broadcast signal to an analog TV broadcast signal determined to have the same program when the first reception state determining unit determines that the level is lower than the predetermined level. A TV broadcast receiving apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The TV broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined level is set to a threshold level indicating whether digital TV broadcasts can be received or not. After the digital TV broadcast signal is switched to the analog TV broadcast signal by the second switching means, a second determination is made as to whether the signal level of the digital TV broadcast of the same main channel is equal to or lower than the predetermined level. Receiving state determining means;
3. The TV broadcast according to claim 1, further comprising a return unit that executes the first comparison and determination unit when the second reception state determination unit determines that the level is equal to or higher than the predetermined level. Receiver. A TV broadcast receiving method for a TV broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving a digital TV broadcast and an analog TV broadcast, wherein a digital signal of the same main channel as a digitally converted signal of the analog TV broadcast is received while receiving the analog TV broadcast. When the difference between the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast is determined by comparing the difference between the analog TV broadcast signal and the TV broadcast signal, and it is determined that the same program is broadcast. Then, the analog TV broadcast signal is switched to a digital TV broadcast signal whose program is determined to be the same,
During reception of the digital TV broadcast, a difference between the digital TV broadcast signal and a signal obtained by digitally converting an analog TV broadcast signal in a predetermined range is obtained and compared, so that the analog TV broadcast and the digital TV broadcast are the same. It is determined whether or not the program is being broadcast, and further, it is determined whether or not the signal level of the digital TV broadcast being received is lower than a predetermined level. A TV broadcast receiving method, wherein a broadcast signal is switched to an analog TV broadcast signal whose program is determined to be the same. 4. The TV broadcast receiving method according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined level is set to a threshold level indicating whether digital TV broadcasts can be received or not. After switching the digital TV broadcast signal to the analog TV broadcast signal whose program is determined to be the same, it is determined whether the signal level of the digital TV broadcast of the same main channel is equal to or less than the predetermined level, The TV broadcast receiving method according to claim 4, wherein when it is determined that the level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the digital TV broadcast is restored.

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