JP2005318253A - Television - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television capable of surely transmitting a residual time until power supply to a display unit is stopped, to a viewer. <P>SOLUTION: The television is provided with a main control unit 31 for stopping power source supply to the display unit 23 at a predetermined time point, and the unit 31 causes the display unit 23 to continuously display an image displaying the residual time while updating at a predetermined update interval between a time when the residual until the designated time point arrives at a predetermined time and the designated time point. Thus, the residual time until the power source supply is stopped is surely transmitted to the viewer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a television having a function of stopping power supply to a display unit at a predetermined time.

As this type of television, a television receiver (also referred to as “television” in this specification) having an off-timer function capable of setting a power-off time as a timer is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-22674. Yes. In this television, every time the remaining timer time until the power is turned off reaches a predetermined time (70 minutes, 60 minutes, 45 minutes, 30 minutes, 15 minutes and 0 minutes), a numerical image representing the remaining timer time Is displayed at the corner of the screen for a predetermined short time (5 seconds). Therefore, according to this television, it is possible to notify the viewer of the remaining time of the timer until the power is turned off.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-22674 (page 3, Fig. 2-3)

  However, this conventional television has the following problems. That is, in this television, when the remaining timer time reaches a predetermined time, the remaining timer time is displayed. However, since the display time of this television is short, for example, when the viewer is devoted to watching the television, or has left his / her line of sight for a while from the television screen, the displayed timer remaining time is overlooked. It may end up. Therefore, this television has a problem that the viewer may be confused when the power is suddenly turned off due to the fact that the remaining time of the timer until the power is turned off is not transmitted to the viewer.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a television that can reliably transmit the remaining time until the power supply to the display unit is stopped to the viewer.

  In order to achieve the above object, a television according to the present invention includes a control unit that stops power supply to a display unit at a predetermined time point, and the control unit sets a remaining time until the specified time point to a predetermined time. The image representing the remaining time is continuously displayed on the display unit while being updated at a predetermined update interval from the time of reaching to the designated time point.

  According to this television, the control unit causes the display unit to continuously display an image representing the remaining time from when the remaining time until the designated time reaches a predetermined time until the designated time. Unlike conventional TV, which only displays the remaining time for a short time, even if the viewer is devoted to watching the TV, or even if the viewer's line of sight is removed from the TV screen for a while, the image showing the remaining time is displayed to the viewer. Therefore, the remaining time until the supply of power to the display unit is stopped can be reliably transmitted to the viewer. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the viewer from being confused when the power supply is stopped.

  Further, the television according to the present invention is the television described above, wherein the predetermined time is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the update interval is defined to have a different length for each time zone, and the designated time point. It is set shorter as the time is closer to.

  According to this television, since the update interval is set to be shorter in the time zone closer to the designated time point, the image representing the remaining time can be finely updated as the remaining time decreases, so that it remains for the viewer. An image representing time can be surely attracted attention. Therefore, the remaining time until the power supply is stopped can be reliably transmitted to the viewer.

  The television according to the present invention further includes an operation unit for setting one or more of the predetermined time, the time zone, and the update interval in the television described above.

  According to this television, by providing an operation unit for setting one or more of a predetermined time, a time zone, and an update interval, an image representing the remaining time can be displayed in a manner according to the viewer's preference.

  Further, in the television according to the present invention, in the television described above, the image representing the remaining time is composed of one or more characters, figures, and symbols.

  According to this television, since the image representing the remaining time is composed of one or more of characters, figures and symbols, the remaining time up to the designated time point can be intuitively recognized by the viewer. Time can be transmitted more reliably.

  Furthermore, in the television according to the present invention, in the television described above, the control unit causes the sound output unit to output predetermined audio information when the image representing the remaining time is updated.

  According to this television, when the control unit updates the image representing the remaining time, by outputting predetermined sound information from the sound output unit, the viewer displays that the image representing the remaining time has been updated and displayed. It is possible to reliably recognize through hearing.

  Furthermore, in the television according to the present invention, in the television described above, the control unit causes the sound output unit to output a pseudo sound for notifying the remaining time as the predetermined sound information.

  According to this television, the control unit outputs pseudo sound for notifying the remaining time as predetermined sound information from the acoustic output unit, so that the remaining time until the power supply to the display unit is stopped can be obtained. Can be transmitted reliably.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of a television according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A television 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a television according to the present invention, and is configured to be able to display an image on a screen panel 62 disposed in a display unit 23 provided in a main body unit 2 by a rear projection method. Yes. In addition, the television 1 has an off-timer function that stops image display (power supply to the display unit 23) when designated (set) in advance. Specifically, the television 1 includes a main body unit 2, a control unit 3, a power supply unit 4, and a remote controller 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main unit 2 includes a tuner 21, a display control unit 22, a display unit 23, an acoustic control unit 24, and an acoustic output unit 25. The tuner 21 extracts the image data Dg and the sound data Ds of the channel designated by the operation of the remote controller 5 from the broadcast signal Sb received via an antenna not shown in the figure, and outputs it to the control unit 3. The display control unit 22 generates, for example, a display image signal Se for displaying the television image Pt shown in FIG. 2 based on the image data Dg transferred by the control unit 3 and outputs the display image signal Se to the display unit 23. As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 23 includes an optical engine 61 and a screen panel 62. The optical engine 61 emits projection light L modulated based on the display image signal Se output from the display control unit 22. Specifically, the optical engine 61 includes, for example, a light source, modulation means (a liquid crystal light valve including a transmissive liquid crystal panel as an example) that modulates light from the light source into projection light L that can display an image, and projection. A projection lens (both not shown) for expanding the light L is provided. The screen panel 62 displays various images by receiving the projection light L emitted from the optical engine 61 and reflected by a reflection mirror (not shown) and converting it into diffuse or substantially parallel light. The acoustic control unit 24 generates an acoustic signal Ss based on the acoustic data Ds transferred by the control unit 3 and outputs the acoustic signal Ss to the acoustic output unit 25. The sound output unit 25 includes, for example, an amplifier and a speaker, and outputs sound based on the sound signal Ss output from the sound control unit 24.

  The control unit 3 includes a main control unit 31, an input processing unit 32, a RAM 33 and a ROM 34. The main control unit 31 corresponds to the control unit in the present invention, and transfers the image data Dg and the acoustic data Ds output from the tuner 21 to the display control unit 22 and the acoustic control unit 24, respectively. In addition, the main control unit 31 controls the main body unit 2 and the power supply unit 4 according to the operation signal So output from the input processing unit 32. In this case, when the operation signal So for instructing the timer display setting is output, the main control unit 31 executes a timer display setting process described later. Further, when the operation signal So instructing the start of counting of the off timer is output, the main control unit 31 executes the off timer process 80 shown in FIG. The input processing unit 32 photoelectrically converts the infrared signal Si output from the remote controller 5 and outputs an operation signal So. The RAM 33 stores timer display information Dt for the total display time Ts0, time zones Ts1 to Ts3 and update intervals Td1 to Td3 (which will be described later) set by the timer display setting process. The ROM 34 displays image data Dg for displaying the setting image Ps (see FIG. 3) used in the timer display setting process, the remaining time image Pd in the off-timer process 80 (an image representing the remaining time in the present invention, see FIG. 2). ) And audio data Ds for outputting audio information in the off-timer processing 80 are stored.

  The power supply unit 4 includes a power supply circuit 41 and a switch 42. The power supply circuit 41 supplies power to the main body 2 via the switch 42. Further, the power supply circuit 41 constantly supplies power to the control unit 3 in a state where the main power switch (not shown) is turned on. The switch 42 is controlled to be turned on when the control signal Sc is output from the main control unit 31, and supplies power to the main body unit 2, and when the output of the control signal Sc is stopped, the supply is stopped. To do.

  The remote controller 5 corresponds to an operation unit in the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 2, a power button 71a, a timer display setting button 71b, an upper button 71c, a lower button 71d, a left button 71e, a right button 71f, and an off timer button 71g. And various operation buttons such as channel selection buttons 71h, 71h,... Are arranged, and when these operation buttons are operated, an infrared signal Si corresponding to each operation button is output.

  Next, the overall operation of the television 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the television 1, the power is always supplied to the control unit 3 when the main power switch (not shown) is turned on. In this state, when the power button 71a of the remote controller 5 is operated, the remote controller 5 outputs the infrared signal Si corresponding to the power button 71a, and the input processing unit 32 of the control unit 3 performs photoelectric conversion of the infrared signal Si and operates. The signal So is output. Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 31 of the control unit 3 outputs a control signal Sc to the switch 42 in accordance with the operation signal So. In response to this, the switch 42 is controlled to be in an ON state, and power is supplied from the power supply circuit 41 to the main body 2 to operate the main body 2.

  Next, the tuner 21 of the main body 2 extracts, for example, the image data Dg and the sound data Ds of the channel that was selected when the power supply was cut off from the broadcast signal Sb received via the antenna not shown. And output. Subsequently, the main control unit 31 transfers the image data Dg and the acoustic data Ds output from the tuner 21 to the display control unit 22 and the acoustic control unit 24 of the main body unit 2, respectively. Next, the display control unit 22 generates a display image signal Se based on the image data Dg and outputs the display image signal Se to the optical engine 61 of the display unit 23. In response to this, the optical engine 61 emits the projection light L modulated based on the display image signal Se. Thereby, the projection light L is projected on the screen panel 62, and the television image Pt is displayed as shown in FIG. Further, the sound control unit 24 generates and outputs the sound signal Ss based on the sound data Ds, so that sound based on the sound signal Ss is output from the sound output unit 25. Next, when the channel selection button 71h of the remote controller 5 is operated, the main control unit 31 causes the tuner 21 to extract the image data Dg and the sound data Ds of the channel corresponding to the channel selection button 71h. Subsequently, the main control unit 31 transfers the image data Dg and the sound data Ds to the display control unit 22 and the sound control unit 24, respectively, so that the TV image Pt of the channel corresponding to the operated channel selection button 71h is displayed. And the sound of that channel is output.

  On the other hand, for example, when the display of the television image Pt is stopped after the elapse of a desired time using the off-timer function, that is, when the power supply to the main body 2 (display unit 23) is stopped, first, the remote controller 5 The off timer button 71g is operated. In response to this, the remote controller 5 outputs an infrared signal Si corresponding to the off-timer button 71g, and the input processing unit 32 outputs an operation signal So for instructing timer display setting. Next, the main control unit 31 of the control unit 3 reads out the image data Dg (hereinafter also referred to as “image data Dg for the remaining time image Pd”) for displaying the remaining time image Pd shown in FIG. The image data Dg output from the tuner 21 (hereinafter also referred to as “image data Dg for the television image Pt”) is output to the display control unit 22. Subsequently, the display control unit 22 outputs a display image signal Se based on both the image data Dg and Dg, so that an image obtained by superimposing the television image Pt and the remaining time image Pd as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the screen panel 62. Here, in the television 1, the remaining time until the power supply to the main body 2 (display unit 23) is stopped is set to 60 minutes in the initial state, for example. Therefore, as shown in the figure, in the initial state, the remaining time image Pd composed of the characters “60 minutes” is displayed. In this case, by operating the upper button 71c or the lower button 71d of the remote controller 5, the remaining time can be arbitrarily changed in increments of 10 minutes, for example.

  Next, the timer display setting is performed by operating the timer display setting button 71b of the remote controller 5. At this time, the remote controller 5 outputs an infrared signal Si corresponding to the timer display setting button 71b, and the input processing unit 32 outputs an operation signal So for instructing timer display setting. Next, the main control unit 31 executes timer display setting processing according to the operation signal So. In this timer display setting process, the main control unit 31 reads out the image data Dg for displaying the setting image Ps shown in FIG. 3 from the ROM 34 and outputs it to the display control unit 22. Subsequently, the display control unit 22 outputs a display image signal Se based on the image data Dg, so that the setting image Ps is replaced with the screen image Ps and the remaining time image Pd as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the panel 62.

  Here, in the television 1, the total display time Ts0 (predetermined time in the present invention) for displaying the remaining time image Pd in the off-timer processing 80 described later is set in advance to, for example, 10 minutes. The total display time Ts0 is 10 minutes to 5 minutes before the stop of power supply, and the first time zone Ts1 is 5 minutes to 1 minute before the second time zone Ts2. In addition, the time period from one minute before to the stop point is divided into three time zones, which are the third time zone Ts3. Furthermore, the update interval for updating and displaying the remaining time image Pd is 1 minute in the time zone Ts1 (hereinafter, this update interval is also referred to as “update interval Td1”), and 30 seconds in the time zone Ts2 (hereinafter, this update interval is referred to as “update interval”). The update interval is also set to 10 seconds (hereinafter also referred to as “update interval Td3”) in the time zone Ts3. Therefore, in the setting image Ps in the initial state, as shown in the figure, the total display time Ts0, the respective time zones Ts1 to Ts3 (hereinafter also referred to as “time zone Ts” when not distinguished) and the respective update intervals Td1 Each of the above times indicating .about.Td3 (hereinafter also referred to as “update interval Td” when not distinguished) is displayed. In this case, the upper button 71c, the lower button 71d, the left button 71e, and the right button 71f of the remote controller 5 are operated to move the cursor within the setting image Ps, and the channel selection button 71h is used as a numeric button. Accordingly, the total display time Ts0, the time zones Ts1 to Ts3, and the update intervals Td1 to Td3 can be arbitrarily changed.

  Next, when the timer display setting is ended, the timer display setting button 71b is operated again. In response to this, the main control unit 31 outputs the image data Dg for the remaining time image Pd and the image data Dg for the television image Pt to the display control unit 22, thereby replacing the setting image Ps with the television image Pt. The remaining time image Pd is displayed. In addition, the main control unit 31 generates timer display information Dt for the total display time Ts0, the respective time zones Ts1 to Ts3, and the respective update intervals Td1 to Td3, and stores them in the RAM 33. In this case, in this example, it is assumed that the timer display information Dt for the total display time Ts0 in the initial state, the time zones Ts1 to Ts3, and the update intervals Td1 to Td3 is stored.

  Subsequently, the off timer button 71g of the remote controller 5 is operated again. In response to this, the main control unit 31 stops displaying the remaining time image Pd and displays only the television image Pt, and executes the off-timer process 80 shown in FIG. In the off-timer process 80, the main control unit 31 first reads the timer display information Dt from the RAM 33 (step 81). Next, the main control unit 31 starts a countdown by an internal timer (step 82). Next, the main control unit 31 determines whether or not the remaining time T0 (countdown value) until the power supply to the main body unit 2 is stopped has reached the time zone Ts1 (in this example, 10 minutes) (step). 83). In this case, when the remaining time T0 has not reached the time zone Ts1, the main control unit 31 repeatedly executes step 83. On the other hand, when the remaining time T0 reaches the time zone Ts1, the main control unit 31 outputs the image data Dg for the remaining time image Pd, thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the remaining time image representing the remaining time T0. Pd (in this example, a character image of “10 minutes” shown in the figure) is displayed superimposed on the television image Pt. Further, the main control unit 31 outputs the sound data Ds read from the ROM 34 to the sound control unit 24, thereby generating sound information for notifying the remaining time T0 (in this example, pseudo sound of “remaining 10 minutes”). The sound is output from the sound output unit 25 (step 84).

  Next, the main control unit 31 determines whether or not the time has elapsed by the update interval Td1 (in this example, 1 minute) from the time when the remaining time T0 reaches 10 minutes (step 85). At this time, when the update interval Td1 has not elapsed, the main control unit 31 repeatedly executes step 85. On the other hand, when the update interval Td1 (1 minute) has elapsed, the main control unit 31 updates and outputs the image data Dg and outputs the acoustic data Ds (step 86), thereby remaining time already displayed. Instead of the image Pd, the remaining time image Pd representing the remaining time T0 (9 minutes in this example) at that time is displayed, and pseudo sound for informing the remaining time T0 is output. Subsequently, the main control unit 31 determines whether or not the remaining time T0 has reached the time zone Ts2 (in this example, 5 minutes) (step 87). At this time, when the remaining time T0 has not reached the time zone Ts2, the main control unit 31 repeatedly executes steps 85 to 87. Therefore, when the remaining time T0 reaches 8, 7, 6, and 5 minutes, the main control unit 31 updates and displays the remaining time image Pd that represents each remaining time T0. Moreover, the main control part 31 outputs the pseudo sound which alert | reports the remaining time T0 for every update of the remaining time image Pd.

  Next, when the remaining time T0 has reached the time zone Ts2 in step 87, the main control unit 31 has updated and displayed the remaining time image Pd immediately before (in this example, the remaining time T0 has reached 5 minutes). It is determined whether or not time has passed since the update time Td2 (30 seconds) (step 88). In this case, when the update interval Td2 has not elapsed, the main control unit 31 repeatedly executes step 88. When the update interval Td2 has elapsed, the main control unit 31 updates and outputs the image data Dg and outputs the acoustic data Ds. By doing so (step 89), the remaining time image Pd representing the remaining time T0 (in this example, 4 minutes 30 seconds) at that time is updated and displayed, and pseudo sound for informing the remaining time T0 is output. Subsequently, the main control unit 31 determines whether or not the remaining time T0 has reached the time zone Ts3 (in this example, 1 minute) (step 90). At this time, when the remaining time T0 does not reach the time zone Ts3, the main control unit 31 repeatedly executes steps 88 to 90. Therefore, the main control unit 31 updates and displays the remaining time images Pd representing the remaining time T0 every 30 seconds until the remaining time T0 becomes 1 minute. Further, the main control unit 31 outputs a pseudo sound for informing the remaining time T0 every time the remaining time image Pd is updated.

  Next, when the remaining time T0 reaches the time zone Ts3 (in this example, 1 minute) in step 90, the main control unit 31 updates the remaining time image Pd immediately before (in this example, the remaining time). It is determined whether or not the time has passed since the update interval Td3 (in this example, 10 seconds) from when T0 reaches 1 minute (step 91). In this case, the main control unit 31 repeatedly executes step 91 when the update interval Td3 has not elapsed, and determines whether or not the remaining time T0 has become zero when the update interval Td3 has elapsed (step 92). ). At this time, when the remaining time T0 is not zero, the main control unit 31 displays the remaining time image Pd representing the remaining time T0 (50 seconds in this example) at that time, and the remaining time T0. After outputting the acoustic data Ds for outputting the pseudo sound for informing the time T0 (step 93), steps 91 to 93 are executed. Therefore, the main control unit 31 updates and displays the remaining time images Pd representing the remaining time T0 every 10 seconds until the remaining time T0 becomes zero. Moreover, the main control part 31 outputs the pseudo sound which alert | reports the remaining time T0 for every update of the remaining time image Pd.

  Next, when the remaining time T0 becomes zero in step 92, that is, when the stop time is reached, the main control unit 31 stops outputting the control signal Sc to the switch 42 (step 94). The off timer process 80 is terminated. Thereby, the power supply from the power supply unit 4 to the main body unit 2 is stopped, and the display of the television image Pt on the display unit 23 is stopped.

  Thus, according to the television 1, the main control unit 31 continues the remaining time image Pd from the time when the remaining time T0 reaches the total display time Ts0 to the time when the power to the display unit 23 is stopped. Unlike the conventional television which displays the remaining time only for a short time by displaying the image, the remaining time image even if the viewer is devoted to watching the television 1 or removes his line of sight from the screen of the television 1 for a while. Pd can be transmitted to the viewer with certainty. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the viewer is confused when the power supply is stopped.

  Further, by setting the update interval Td to be shorter in the time zone Ts closer to the stop point at which the supply of power to the display unit 23 is stopped, the remaining time image Pd can be finely updated as the remaining time T0 decreases. Therefore, the viewer can be surely focused on the remaining time image Pd. Therefore, the remaining time T0 can be reliably transmitted to the viewer.

  In addition, since the remote controller 5 capable of setting the total display time Ts0, the time zone Ts, and the update interval Td is provided, the remaining time image Pd can be displayed in a manner according to the viewer's preference. Furthermore, since the remaining time image Pd is composed of characters, the remaining time T0 can be visually recognized directly, so that the remaining time T0 can be more reliably transmitted to the viewer. Further, when the main control unit 31 updates the remaining time image Pd, the sound output unit 25 outputs a pseudo sound representing the remaining time T0, thereby reliably transmitting the remaining time T0 via the viewer's hearing. can do.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said structure. For example, the configuration example in which the remaining time T0 is displayed using characters has been described above. For example, as in the remaining time images Pd1 to Pd3 shown in FIG. 6, various graphics such as hourglass graphics and bar graph graphics, and various symbols are used. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the remaining time T0 is displayed using. Further, for example, a configuration in which two or more kinds of characters, figures, and symbols are used in combination as in the remaining time image Pd4 shown in FIG. In addition, the example in which the total display time Ts0 is divided into the three time zones Ts1 to Ts3 has been described above, but the number of divisions can be changed as appropriate. Further, although the example in which the pseudo sound for notifying the remaining time T0 is output every time the remaining time image Pd is updated has been described above, the output timing of the pseudo sound can be arbitrarily changed. Furthermore, it is possible to adopt a configuration that outputs an electronic chime sound (alarm sound) instead of the pseudo sound. Furthermore, although the television 1 provided with the display unit 23 that displays an image on the screen panel 62 by the rear projection method has been described as an example, the display unit in the present invention includes various types such as a liquid crystal panel, a plasma display, and a CRT. Display means are included. Further, the example of displaying the television image Pt based on the broadcast signal Sb received by the tuner 21 has been described above. For example, image data (image signal) input from various external devices such as a VTR, a DVD playback device, and a hard disk recorder. The present invention can also be applied to a television that displays an image based on the above.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a television 1. FIG. 1 is a front view of a television 1. FIG. It is a display screen figure of the image for setting Ps. It is a display screen figure of the screen panel 62 which displays the television image Pt and the remaining time image Pd. 7 is a flowchart of an off timer process 80. It is a display screen figure of remaining time images Pd1-Pd4.

Explanation of symbols

  1 TV, 5 remote control, 23 display unit, 31 main control unit, Pd, Pd1 to Pd4 remaining time image, T0 remaining time, Ts0 total display time, Td1 to Td3 update interval, Ts1 to Ts3 time zone

Claims (6)

Provided with a control unit that stops power supply to the display unit at a predetermined time point,
The control unit causes the display unit to update the image representing the remaining time at a predetermined update interval from when the remaining time until the specified time reaches a predetermined time until the specified time. A TV that displays continuously.   2. The predetermined time is divided into a plurality of time zones, and the update interval is defined to have a different length for each time zone, and is set shorter for a time zone closer to the specified time point. TV.   The television according to claim 2, further comprising an operation unit that sets one or more of the predetermined time, the time zone, and the update interval.   The television according to claim 1, wherein the image includes at least one of a character, a figure, and a symbol.   The television according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit outputs predetermined audio information from an acoustic output unit when the image is updated.   The television according to claim 5, wherein the control unit causes the sound output unit to output pseudo sound for notifying the remaining time as the predetermined sound information.

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