JP2006013934A - Receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receiver that attains the improvement of user's operability and improves convenience by enabling the user to easily prepare a channel table registered with channels allowed to view. <P>SOLUTION: When the user newly prepare a channel record 11, the user can obtain the channel record 11 with almost desired channels set by inputting a grouping condition and reduce the total number of channels to be added and eliminated. Consequently, the channel record 11 can be easily prepared and the user's operability is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus that extracts and outputs a broadcast signal of a channel selected from a broadcast signal of a television or the like.

  Conventionally, a receiving apparatus that extracts and outputs a broadcast signal of a selected channel from a broadcast signal of a television or the like has been widely used. Some receivers of this type are built in television receivers, while others are set-top boxes (STB) externally attached to display devices (including television receivers).

  In addition, some conventional receiving apparatuses are configured so that channels that can be viewed can be registered for each user, thereby improving the convenience of each user. For example, in Patent Document 1, channels that can be viewed for each user are registered in advance, the user is identified on the device side, and viewing is allowed only for the channels registered for the identified user. Are listed. In this apparatus, it is possible to set so that a program that the child does not want to show cannot be viewed, or a personal hobby program can be viewed only by the person.

Further, in Patent Document 2, channels are grouped for each user or by time period, and when any group is selected, a program table of the channels grouped in the selected group is displayed. However, there is described a receiving device that improves the convenience of channel selection for the user.
JP 2000-99230 A JP-A-10-294904

  However, the conventional receiving apparatus can delete channels that are not allowed to be viewed by the user in a channel record in which all channels (hereinafter referred to as synchronization channels) on which a program is broadcast to the user are registered. In this configuration, a channel record is registered in which a channel for which viewing is permitted for the user is registered. For this reason, for example, when a VHF channel is permitted to be viewed but a channel record is created for a user who is not permitted to view the UHF channel, or conversely, the VHF channel is not permitted to be viewed. When creating a channel record for a user who is permitted to view the channel, there are many channels to be deleted, creating a channel record is complicated, and there is a problem that the operability is not good. In addition, there is a configuration that creates a channel record by registering a channel that is allowed to be viewed in a channel record that has nothing registered, but in this configuration there are many channels that are registered on the contrary, and similarly a channel record is created However, there is a problem that operability is not good.

  Further, since the creation of the channel record is complicated, omission of deletion of channels that are not permitted to be watched, omission of registration of channels that are permitted to be viewed, and the like are likely to occur, reducing user convenience.

  Further, in the conventional receiving apparatus, the ascending / descending order of the channels to be selected is predetermined in the channel up / down, and only the channels that are not permitted to be viewed are skipped. For this reason, the user cannot select the channel by selecting the channel up or down, and cannot change the channel in the order that suits his / her preference. This is also not convenient for the user.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily create a channel record in which a channel permitted to be viewed by a user is created, thereby improving the operability for the user and improving the convenience. Is to provide.

  In addition, the present invention provides a receiving device that can select a channel by channel up / down and can switch a channel in the order in which the user suits his / her preference, thereby improving the convenience for the user. Objective.

  In order to solve the above problems, the receiving apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

(1) a table storage means for storing a channel table in which a channel record in which a channel permitting viewing is set is registered for each mode;
Mode selection means for selecting any mode in which the channel record is registered in the channel table;
Channel determination means for determining a channel to be selected based on a channel record of a mode selected by the mode selection means when there is an input related to channel switching;
In a receiving apparatus comprising: a channel selection unit that extracts and outputs a broadcast signal of a channel determined by the channel determination unit from a received broadcast signal;
Channel record creating means for creating the channel record to be registered in the channel table;
Grouping channel storage means for storing a channel set in the channel record in association with each other for a plurality of grouping conditions,
The channel record creation means accepts selection of any grouping condition, creates a channel record in which a channel associated with the accepted grouping condition is set, and creates a channel record for the created channel record. Accept additions and deletions.

In this configuration, the grouping channel storage means stores the channel set in the channel record in association with each grouping condition. The grouping condition is, for example,
1. All channels, including unsynchronized channels,
2. All channels in sync,
3. VHF channels, including unsynchronized channels,
4). Synchronized VHF channels,
5. UHF channels, including unsynchronized channels
6). This is a synchronized UHF channel.

  The channel record creation means accepts selection of any grouping condition, creates a channel record in which the channel associated with the accepted grouping condition is set, and adds a channel to the created channel record Accept deletion. Therefore, when creating a channel record, the total number of channels to be added or deleted can be reduced by selecting a grouping condition according to the channel record to be created. As a result, a channel record can be easily created and the operability for the user can be improved. The created channel record can be registered in the channel table in association with the mode.

  The mode referred to here may be a user mode distinguished by a user, or may be a mode distinguished by a day of the week or a time zone to be used.

(2) The channel record includes channel up / down information indicating the ascending / descending order of the channel to be selected with respect to the input related to channel up / down,
The channel record creation means has an update function for updating the channel up / down information in the channel record.

  In this configuration, the channel up / down information indicating the ascending / descending order of the channel to be selected can be updated in response to the input related to the channel up / down. Channels can be switched in the order appropriate to the user's convenience, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

(3) a password storage means for storing a password for each channel record registered in the channel table;
The channel record creation means requests input of the password when executing the process related to the update of the channel record, and executes the process related to the update of the channel record if the input password is appropriate.

  In this configuration, the channel record is not arbitrarily updated by another person who does not know the password.

  (4) The mode selection means requests the input of the password when receiving an input related to the mode change, and if the input password is appropriate, the selected mode is changed to the mode input this time. Switch.

  In this configuration, the channel record is not used without permission by another person who does not know the password.

  According to the present invention, when creating a channel record, the total number of channels to be added or deleted can be reduced by selecting a grouping condition according to the created channel record. As a result, a channel record can be easily created and the operability for the user can be improved.

  In addition, the channel up / down information indicating the ascending / descending order of the channel to be selected can be updated in response to the input related to the channel up / down, so that the user can select the channel according to his / her preference by selecting the channel up / down. The channels can be switched in the order in which they are placed, and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The receiving device 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 2 that controls the operation of the main body, and a receiving unit 3 that extracts and outputs a broadcast signal of a channel selected from a television broadcast signal received by an antenna (not shown). A signal processing unit 4 that processes the broadcast signal of the channel output from the receiving unit 3 to generate an audio signal and a video signal; and an output unit 5 that outputs the audio signal and the video signal generated by the signal processing unit 4 A table storage unit 6 that stores a channel table in which a channel record for which viewing is permitted for each user is registered, and a grouping channel storage unit 7 that stores a channel to be registered in the channel record for each grouping condition. And an input unit 8 for receiving an input to the apparatus main body. The control unit 2 instructs the receiving unit 3 on a channel to be selected. The receiving unit 3 extracts the broadcast signal of the channel designated by the control unit 2 and outputs it. For example, the signal processing unit 4 processes an NTSC signal to generate an audio signal and a video signal. The output unit 5 is connected to a display device such as a television receiver (not shown). The display device outputs audio based on the audio signal output from the output unit 5 and displays video based on the video signal. Is called.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a channel table stored in the table storage unit. In the channel table 10, a channel record 11 in which a channel for which viewing is permitted is set for each user is registered. Each channel record 11 is associated with a password. The table storage unit 6 corresponds to the table storage means and password storage means referred to in the present invention. The channel record 11 includes information indicating the ascending / descending order of the channel to be selected with respect to the input related to the up / down of the channel. Specifically, the channel order set in the channel record 11 is the ascending / descending order of the channel to be selected with respect to the input related to channel up / down. For example, the channel to be selected is switched to the right in FIG. 2 with respect to the input related to channel up, and the channel to be selected is switched to the left in FIG. 2 for the input related to channel down. The user can freely set the arrangement of the channels in the channel record 11. In the channel table 10, a default channel record 11 used when the apparatus main body is in the initial mode is also registered. In the default channel record 11, all VHF channels to be synchronized are set.

  Here, although the channel record 11 is registered for each user in the channel table 10, the channel record 11 generated by distinguishing the day of the week and the time zone to be used may be registered.

The grouping channel storage unit 7 stores channels in association with each of the following grouping conditions 1 to 6.
1. All channels, including unsynchronized channels,
2. All channels in sync,
3. VHF channels, including unsynchronized channels,
4). Synchronized VHF channels,
5. UHF channels, including unsynchronized channels
6). The synchronized UHF channel input unit 8 has a receiving unit for receiving a control signal transmitted from a remote control device (not shown) as well as receiving an input by a key operation provided on the main body.

  The table storage unit 6 and the grouping channel storage unit 7 may be configured by one memory or two memories.

  Next, the operation of the receiving apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving apparatus of this embodiment. The receiving apparatus 1 starts this process when the power of the main body is turned on. The receiving apparatus 1 sets the main body to the initial mode (s1). In the initial mode, the default channel record 11 stored in the channel table 10 is used. In the default channel record 11, all the VHF channels to be synchronized are set as described above. When the receiver is set to the initial mode, the receiving device 1 waits for input to the device main body (s2).

  When there is an input to the main body, if the input is a new registration of the channel record 11, the receiving device 1 performs a new registration process for the channel record 11 (s3, s4). If the input to the main body is the update process of the channel record 11 registered in the channel table 10, the update process of the channel record 11 is executed (s5, s6). The switching process is executed (s7, s8). If it is a channel switching request, the channel switching process is executed (s9, s10). If it is a power-off request, the power is turned off and this process is terminated ( s11, s12).

  In addition, if the input with respect to the main body is an input other than the above, for example, if the volume is changed, the receiving device 1 executes processing (other processing) according to this input (s13).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the new registration process of the channel record according to s4. The receiving apparatus 1 waits for input of grouping conditions (s21). Here, the user inputs grouping conditions according to the channel record to be created. The user is
1. All channels, including unsynchronized channels,
2. All channels in sync,
3. VHF channels, including unsynchronized channels,
4). Synchronized VHF channels,
5. UHF channels, including unsynchronized channels
6). An input for selecting an appropriate grouping condition from the six grouping conditions of the synchronized UHF channel is performed. For example, when it is desired to view all the synchronized VHF channels and 1 to 3 channels of UHF, an input for selecting the synchronized VHF channels is performed as a grouping condition. When it is desired to set all the synchronized UHF channels and VHF 1 to 3 channels to be viewed, an input for selecting the synchronized UHF channels is performed as a grouping condition.

  When receiving the grouping condition, the receiving apparatus 1 generates a channel record 11 in which a channel associated with the input grouping condition stored in the grouping channel storage unit 7 is set (s22). The user can add and delete channels from the channel record 11 generated in s22, and further rearrange the channels in the channel record 11.

  When adding a channel to the channel record 11, the user inputs the channel to be added and the insertion position of the channel to be added in the channel record 11 to the receiving device 1. When there is an input related to the addition of a channel to the channel record 11, the receiving device 1 inserts the input channel to be added at the insertion position of the designated channel record 11 (s23, s24). Further, when deleting a channel set in the channel record 11, the user inputs the channel to be deleted to the receiving device 1. When there is an input related to deletion of the channel set in the channel record 11, the receiving device 1 deletes the input channel to be deleted from the channel record 11 (s25, s26). Further, when rearranging the channels in the channel record 11, the user inputs the channel to be moved and the movement position of the channel in the channel record 11 to the receiving device 1. When there is an input related to the rearrangement of the channels set in the channel record 11, the receiving apparatus 1 moves the input moving channel to the specified movement position of the channel table 10 (s27, s28).

  The receiving apparatus 1 repeats the processing from s23 to s28 until the setting completion of the channel record 11 is input. When the setting completion of the channel record 11 is input (s29), the receiving device 1 receives an input of a mode name, for example, a user name and a password (s30). The receiving apparatus 1 sets the input mode name and password in the channel record 11 (s31), registers the channel record 11 in the channel table 10 (s32), and ends this process.

  In this way, when the user creates a new channel record 11, by inputting the grouping conditions, the user can obtain the channel record 11 in which the desired channels are almost set, and the total number of channels to be added or deleted can be obtained. Can be reduced. Thereby, the channel record 11 can be created easily, and the operability for the user can be improved.

  In addition, the channel up / down information indicating the ascending / descending order of the channel to be selected can be updated in response to the input related to the channel up / down, so that the user can select the channel according to his / her preference by channel up / down. The channels can be switched in the order in which they are placed, and the convenience of the user can be improved. A detailed description of the operation during the channel up / down operation will be given later.

  If the input to the main body is an update process for the channel table 10 registered in the channel table 10, the reception apparatus 1 executes the update process for the channel table 10 shown in FIG. 5 in s6. The receiving device 1 receives the input of the mode name and password of the channel record 11 to be updated registered in the channel table 10 (s41). The receiving apparatus 1 determines whether the password registered in the channel record 11 input in s41 matches the password input in s41 (s42). If it is determined in s42 that the passwords do not match, this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in s42 that the passwords match, channel addition / deletion and channel rearrangement in the channel record 11 can be performed for the channel record 11 in which the mode name is input in s41.

  When the user adds a channel to the channel record 11 specified in s41 as in the above-described new registration process of the channel record 11, the receiving apparatus 1 indicates the channel to be added and the insertion position of the added channel in the channel record 11. To enter. When there is an input for adding a channel to the channel record 11, the receiving apparatus 1 inserts the input channel to be added at the insertion position of the designated channel record 11 (s43, s44). Further, when deleting a channel set in the channel record 11, the user inputs the channel to be deleted to the receiving device 1. When there is an input related to deletion of a channel set in the channel record 11, the receiving apparatus 1 deletes the input channel to be deleted from the channel record 11 (s45, s46). Further, when rearranging the channels in the channel record 11, the user inputs the moving channel and the channel moving position in the channel table to the receiving device 1. When there is an input related to the rearrangement of the channels set in the channel record 11, the receiving apparatus 1 moves the input moving channel to the specified moving position of the channel table 10 (s47, s48).

  The receiving apparatus 1 repeats the processing from s43 to s48 until the setting completion of the channel record 11 is input. When the setting completion of the channel record 11 is input (s49), the receiving apparatus 1 updates the channel record 11 registered in the channel table 10 to the channel record 11 changed this time (s50). This process is terminated.

  In this way, the user can update the channel record 11 registered in the channel table 10 as necessary. Further, since the password needs to be input when the channel record 11 is updated, the channel record 11 is not arbitrarily rewritten by another person who does not know the password.

  If the input to the main body is an input related to mode switching, the receiving device 1 executes the mode switching process shown in FIG. The receiving device 1 receives the input of the mode name and password of the channel record 11 to be updated registered in the channel table 10 (s61). The receiving apparatus 1 determines whether the password registered in the channel record 11 input in s61 matches the password input in s61 (s62). If it is determined in s62 that the passwords do not match, this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in s62 that the passwords match, the channel record 11 to be used is updated to the channel record 11 in which the mode name is input in s61 (s63), and this process is terminated.

  As described above, the channel record 11 other than the default registered in the channel table 10 requires the input of a password when used, and therefore the channel record 11 is used without permission by another person who does not know the password. There is nothing.

  In addition, if the input to the main body is an input related to channel switching, the receiving device 1 executes the channel switching process shown in FIG. The receiving apparatus 1 determines whether the input related to the current channel switching is the input related to channel up / down or the input related to direct channel selection (s71). When determining that the input is related to channel up / down in s71, the receiving apparatus 1 determines whether the current input is an input related to channel up or an input related to channel down (s72). When determining that the input is related to channel up, the receiving apparatus 1 switches to the channel set to the right of the currently selected channel in the currently used channel record 11 (s73). On the other hand, when the receiving apparatus 1 determines that the input is for channel down, the receiving apparatus 1 switches to the channel set to the left of the currently selected channel in the currently used channel record 11 (s74). .

  As described above, the receiving apparatus 1 of this embodiment performs channel up or down based on the sequence of channels set in the channel record 11 when there is an input related to channel up / down. Further, as described above, the arrangement of channels set in the channel record 11 can be freely changed by the user. Therefore, the user can switch channels in the order that suits his / her preference by selecting the channel by channel up / down.

  If the receiving apparatus 1 determines that the input is for direct channel selection in s71, it determines whether or not the channel directly selected this time is the channel set in the channel record 11 currently used. (S75). If the receiving apparatus 1 determines that the channel is not set in s75, the receiving apparatus 1 ends this process without switching the channel. On the other hand, if it is determined that the channel is set in s75, the channel is switched to the channel selected directly this time (s76), and this process is terminated.

  Thus, the receiving apparatus 1 of this embodiment can register the channel record 11 in the channel table 10 for each user, and each user can use it according to his / her convenience.

  In the above embodiment, when the power is turned on, the channel record 11 to be used is the default channel record 11 registered in the channel table 10, but the user can input the channel record and password to be used. The table record 11 to be used may be determined.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the input of the password was required at the time of the update of the channel record 11 or mode switching, you may make this password input unnecessary. In this way,
Each user can use the channel record 11 registered in the channel table 10 as necessary. In other words, the channel record 11 registered in the channel table 10 can be shared by all users who use the receiving apparatus 1. In this case, there is no problem even if the default channel record 11 described in the above embodiment is eliminated.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the receiver which is embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the channel table which registered the channel which permits viewing for every user. It is a flowchart which shows the new registration process of a channel record. It is a flowchart which shows the new registration process of the channel record concerning s4. It is a flowchart which shows the channel table update process concerning s6. It is a flowchart which shows the mode switching process concerning s8. It is a flowchart which shows the channel switching process concerning s10.

Explanation of symbols

1-Receiving device 2-Control unit 3-Receiving unit 4-Signal processing unit 5-Output unit 6-Table storage unit 7-Grouping channel storage unit 8-Input unit 10-Channel table 11-Channel record

Claims (5)

A table storage means for storing a channel table in which a channel record in which a channel for which viewing is permitted is set is registered for each mode;
Mode selection means for selecting any mode in which the channel record is registered in the channel table;
Channel determination means for determining a channel to be selected based on a channel record of a mode selected by the mode selection means when there is an input related to channel switching;
In a receiving apparatus comprising: a channel selection unit that extracts and outputs a broadcast signal of a channel determined by the channel determination unit from a received broadcast signal;
Channel record creating means for creating the channel record to be registered in the channel table;
Grouping channel storage means for storing a channel set in the channel record in association with each other for a plurality of grouping conditions;
Password storage means for storing a password for each channel record registered in the channel table,
The channel record creation means accepts selection of any grouping condition, creates a channel record in which a channel associated with the accepted grouping condition is set, and creates a channel record for the created channel record. Accept additions and deletions,
The channel record includes channel up / down information indicating the ascending / descending order of the channel to be selected with respect to the input related to channel up / down,
The channel record creation means has an update function for updating the channel up / down information in the channel record, and when executing a process for updating the channel record, requests the input of the password, and the input password is If appropriate, execute the process to update the channel record,
Further, the mode selection means requests the input of the password when receiving an input related to the mode change, and switches the selected mode to the mode input this time if the input password is appropriate. Receiver device. A table storage means for storing a channel table in which a channel record in which a channel for which viewing is permitted is set is registered for each mode;
Mode selection means for selecting any mode in which the channel record is registered in the channel table;
Channel determination means for determining a channel to be selected based on a channel record of a mode selected by the mode selection means when there is an input related to channel switching;
In a receiving apparatus comprising: a channel selection unit that extracts and outputs a broadcast signal of a channel determined by the channel determination unit from a received broadcast signal;
Channel record creating means for creating the channel record to be registered in the channel table;
Grouping channel storage means for storing a channel set in the channel record in association with each other for a plurality of grouping conditions,
The channel record creation means accepts selection of any grouping condition, creates a channel record in which a channel associated with the accepted grouping condition is set, and creates a channel record for the created channel record. A receiving device that accepts additions and deletions. The channel record includes channel up / down information indicating the ascending / descending order of the channel to be selected with respect to the input related to channel up / down,
The receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the channel record creating unit has an update function for updating the channel up / down information in the channel record. Password storage means for storing a password for each channel record registered in the channel table;
3. The channel record creation means requests the input of the password when executing a process for updating the channel record, and executes a process for updating the channel record if the input password is appropriate. Or the receiving apparatus of 3.   The mode selection means requests the input of the password when receiving an input related to a mode change, and switches the selected mode to the mode input this time if the input password is appropriate. 5. The receiving device according to 4.

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