JP2006014025A - Terrestrial digital broadcast receiver and channel presetting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terrestrial digital broadcast receiver and channel presetting method capable of easily presetting a receivable channel with no special operation of a user nor acquiring place information from GPS, even if the broadcast receiver is transported to other area. <P>SOLUTION: The receiver comprises a tuner 2 which receives broadcast waves of the selected channel, a station selection information storage 4 which stores station selection information corresponding to area information, and a control unit 12 which selects a channel in a prescribed order using a tuner 2 and acquires area information contained in the broadcast signal of the channel if the channel is judged as receivable, and reads the station selection information corresponding to it from the station selection information storage 4. So, the area whose station selection information is used is determined by finding one channel that can be received and considering the area information contained in the broadcast signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a terrestrial digital broadcast receiver and a channel preset method, and more particularly to a technique for presetting a receivable channel in each region.

  In Japan, terrestrial television broadcasting is being digitized. In 2011, digital terrestrial broadcasting will be implemented nationwide, and analog waves will be stopped.

  In terrestrial digital broadcasting, compared to conventional terrestrial analog broadcasting, stable video can be provided even in broadcasting for program receiving terminals that perform mobile reception and mobile reception. Along with this, there are cases in which a program is viewed at a destination using an on-vehicle or portable terrestrial digital broadcast receiver.

  The terrestrial digital broadcast receiver presets receivable channels in a case where a program is viewed immediately after the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver is turned on, a case where the program is viewed at the destination, and the like. As a method of searching for a receivable channel, there are methods such as channel scan and area preset, for example.

  The channel scan is a method of automatically checking whether or not each channel can be received while switching the reception frequency from 13 channels (reception frequency 473 MHZ) to 62 channels (reception frequency 767 MHZ) one channel at a time. . Whether or not reception is possible is determined by measuring a BER value (Bit Error Rate) when the reception frequency of the channel is set. When it is possible to receive, the NIT (Network Information Table) of the channel is obtained, the duplication of the network ID is checked to check whether the same broadcast exists, and the service list (several different programs on the same channel simultaneously) A list of programs when broadcasting) and a remote control ID (ID indicating which channel is assigned to a button on the remote control) are extracted. Then, after these processes are completed, the next channel is scanned. On the other hand, when reception is impossible, the next channel is scanned.

  In addition, an area preset is a terrestrial digital broadcast receiver in which a plurality of channels that can be received in a predetermined area (for example, each prefecture) are stored in advance in a storage unit, and a user can read some information (for example, mail) This is a method of calling a receivable channel in the corresponding area from the storage unit by inputting a number or a telephone area code.

  However, in the conventional technology, when performing channel scanning, the above-described processing must be performed for all the channels from UHF channel 13 to channel 62, so that there is a problem in that channel scanning takes time. . In addition, when performing area presetting, the setting must be cumbersome because the user has to input information by determining which region the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver for in-car use or portable use has moved to. There was a problem.

Also, the channel setting information corresponding to the area number can be obtained by manually inputting the area number by the user or by calculating based on position information obtained by a GPS (Global Positioning System) mounted on the car navigation device. Is known from a preset database and registered in a channel memory (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-168684 A

In addition, a technique for acquiring terrestrial broadcast channel selection information in a terrestrial broadcast area specified by a location acquired by a location information acquisition unit is known (for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-298664 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, an area number is manually input by a user or calculated based on position information obtained by a GPS or the like mounted on a car navigation device. There is a problem that it is troublesome for the user and that GPS is required to obtain position information. In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that a location information acquisition unit such as a GPS that acquires location information for specifying channel selection information for terrestrial broadcasting is required.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and can perform presetting of receivable channels in a short time in an in-vehicle or portable terrestrial digital broadcast receiver. The purpose is to do. It is another object of the present invention to make it possible to easily preset a receivable channel as the user moves without making the user make a special judgment or operation or obtaining location information from GPS or the like.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, a tuner that receives a broadcast wave of a selected channel, and channel selection information indicating a channel that can be received in each region and its reception frequency are associated with the region information. The channel selection information storage unit that stores the selected channel and the tuner selects a channel in a predetermined order, determines whether the selected channel is receivable, and can receive the selected channel. In such a case, a control unit is provided that acquires area information included in the broadcast signal of the channel and reads channel selection information corresponding thereto from the channel selection information storage unit.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, when performing channel presetting, one receivable channel is found by channel scanning, channel selection is performed, and the channel information is selected according to the area information included in the broadcast signal of the channel. Since it is determined whether to use the local channel selection information, channel presets can be performed in a shorter time compared to channel scanning in which all channels are selected. In addition, since the region selection information to be used is determined by the region information included in the received broadcast signal, the user does not need to perform a special operation for specifying the region, and a preset channel that can be received is set. It can be done easily. Further, it is not necessary to separately prepare a GPS receiver or the like for specifying the area.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a terrestrial digital broadcast receiver according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver according to the present embodiment includes an operation unit 1, a tuner 2, an antenna 3, a channel selection information storage unit 4, a channel preset storage unit 5, an OFDM demodulation unit 6, and an error correction unit. 7, a demultiplexer unit 8, an audio decoder unit 9, a video decoder unit 10, a data decoder unit 11, and a control unit 12.

  The operation unit 1 outputs a channel selection instruction signal for selecting one of the channels preset in the channel preset storage unit 5 described later in response to a channel selection instruction by a user operation. In addition, the operation unit 1 outputs a channel preset start signal for starting a channel preset by a user operation or the like.

  The tuner 2 selectively extracts a broadcast signal having a reception frequency matching the channel selected by the channel selection instruction signal from the radio wave of the terrestrial digital broadcast received by the reception antenna 3 and outputs the broadcast signal.

  The channel selection information storage unit 4 is composed of, for example, a ROM or the like, and selects a channel that indicates reception frequencies of channels (for example, six channels per region) that can be received in a plurality of regions classified by area numbers. Information is stored in association with the service name of the channel. Here, an area number is prepared for each area obtained by dividing 47 prefectures of Japan into 53, for example. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the channel selection information storage unit 4 stores channel selection information in each area in association with an area code. In FIG. 2, the channel selection information corresponding to each area number is configured corresponding to six service names from channel A to channel F, respectively. Then, each reception frequency is extracted from the channel selection information corresponding to the area code input from the control unit 12 described later, and is output to the control unit 12. Here, the area code corresponds to the area information in the claims.

  The channel preset storage unit 5 is composed of a rewritable storage device such as an EEP-ROM, for example, and corresponds to the area code of the region where the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver read out from the channel selection information storage unit 4 exists. The reception frequencies for 6 channels are stored. Here, the preset contents as shown in FIG. 3 are stored in the channel preset storage unit 5. In FIG. 3, the reception frequency is stored in association with the button number of the button indicating the channel operated by the operation unit 1. In addition, the channel preset storage unit 5 outputs a channel number and a reception frequency corresponding to a channel selection instruction (an operation for selecting one of the six channels) performed by the operation unit 1.

  The OFDM demodulator 6 performs OFDM demodulation on the broadcast signal received by the tuner 2 to obtain a TS (transport stream). Further, the error correction unit 7 performs error correction on the TS input from the OFDM demodulation unit 6. The demultiplexer unit 8 separates the multiplexed TS input from the error correction unit 7 and outputs an audio stream, a video stream, and a data stream. Here, the NIT transmitted for each broadcast station is included in the data stream, and the terrestrial distribution system descriptor of the NIT indicates the area of the broadcast station that is broadcasting the broadcast signal received by the tuner 2. Includes area code.

  The audio decoder unit 9 decodes the audio stream input from the demultiplexer unit 8 and outputs the decoded audio data. The video decoder unit 10 decodes the video stream input from the demultiplexer unit 8 and outputs the decoded video data. The data decoder unit 11 decodes the data stream input from the demultiplexer unit 8 and outputs the decoded data stream to the control unit 12 described later.

  The control unit 12 inputs a channel selection instruction signal from the operation unit 1 and specifies a channel instructed to select by the operation unit 1. Then, the control unit 12 reads out the channel number and reception frequency of the channel instructed to be selected from the channel preset storage unit 5, thereby controlling the tuner 2.

  Further, the control unit 12 inputs a channel preset start signal from the operation unit 1 and performs channel presetting. When the channel preset is started, the control unit 12 controls the tuner 2 to switch the reception frequency from 13 channels (reception frequency 473 MHZ) to 62 channels (reception frequency 767 MHZ) one channel at a time. Is automatically checked, and this process is performed until a channel that can be received first is detected. Whether or not reception is possible is determined by measuring the BER value when the reception frequency of the channel is set.

  When the control unit 12 detects a receivable channel, the control unit 12 controls the tuner 2 according to the channel number of the channel and the reception frequency. The tuner 2 selectively extracts a broadcast signal having a reception frequency that matches the channel specified by the control unit 12 and outputs the broadcast signal. In the OFDM demodulator 6, a broadcast signal input from the tuner 2 is OFDM demodulated to obtain a TS. Further, the error correction unit 7 performs error correction on the TS input from the OFDM demodulation unit 6. The demultiplexer unit 8 separates the multiplexed TS input from the error correction unit 7 and outputs an audio stream, a video stream, and a data stream. The data decoder unit 11 decodes the data stream input from the demultiplexer unit 8 and outputs the decoded data stream to the control unit 12.

  The control unit 12 inputs a data stream from the data decoder unit 11 and extracts an area code described in the NIT terrestrial distribution system descriptor included in the data stream. Then, based on the extracted area code, the control unit 12 reads out channel selection information corresponding to the area where the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver is present from the channel selection information storage unit 4, and determines the service of each channel from the channel selection information. The reception frequency corresponding to the name is extracted and stored in the channel preset storage unit 5.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver and the channel preset method according to the present embodiment. First, the control unit 12 checks whether a channel preset start signal is input from the operation unit 1 (step S1). Thereby, it is determined whether or not the channel preset has been started. Here, the operation unit 1 outputs a channel preset start signal to the control unit 12 when a predetermined operation for starting the channel preset is performed.

  In the control unit 12, when the channel preset start signal is not input from the operation unit 1 (NO in step S1), the process of step S1 is repeated. On the other hand, when a channel preset start signal is input from operation unit 1 (YES in step S1), channel presetting is started (step S2).

  When channel presetting is started, the control unit 12 switches to the channel to be received first in the tuner 2, here, 13 channels of UHF (step S 3). Then, it is checked whether or not the channel can be received (step S4). When 13 UHF channels cannot be received (NO in step S4), the controller 12 increases the number of channels from the next channel to be received by the tuner 2, that is, the 13 UHF channels here. The channel is switched to 14 UHF channels (step S5), and the process returns to step S4.

  On the other hand, when 13 UHF channels can be received (YES in step S4), tuner 2 outputs the broadcast signal of the received channel to OFDM demodulator 6 (step S6).

  The OFDM demodulator 6 performs OFDM demodulation on the broadcast signal received by the tuner 2 to obtain a TS (transport stream), and the error correction unit 7 performs error correction. The demultiplexer unit 8 separates the error-corrected multiplexed TS and outputs an audio stream, a video stream, and a data stream.

  The data decoder unit 11 decodes the data stream input from the demultiplexer 8 and outputs the decoded data stream to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 acquires the NIT based on the data stream, and specifies the area code described in the NIT ground distribution system descriptor (step S7). Here, although not particularly necessary at the time of channel presetting, the audio stream separated by the demultiplexer unit 8 may be decoded by the audio decoder unit 9 and output. The video stream separated by the demultiplexer unit 8 may be decoded by the video decoder unit 10 and output.

  The control unit 12 reads the channel selection information corresponding to the area code specified in step S7 from the channel selection information storage unit 4, extracts the reception frequency corresponding to the service name of each channel from the channel selection information, and sets the channel preset. It memorize | stores in the memory | storage part 5 (step S8).

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, when performing channel presetting, the control unit 12 selects a channel until one receivable channel is found, and the channel received by the tuner 2. Channel information that is included in the broadcast signal, channel selection information corresponding to the region information is read from the channel selection information storage unit 4 and stored in the channel preset storage unit 5, so that all channels are selected. Channel presets can be performed in a shorter time than scanning. Further, the control unit 12 acquires area information included in the broadcast signal received by the tuner 2, reads out channel selection information corresponding to the area information from the channel selection information storage unit 4, and selects each channel from the channel selection information. Since the reception frequency corresponding to the service name is extracted and stored in the channel preset storage unit 5, the user does not need to perform a special operation for specifying the region, and the receivable channel can be easily preset. Can do. Further, it is not necessary to separately prepare a device such as a GPS receiver for specifying the area.

  In the present embodiment, channel selection information is read from the channel selection information storage unit 4 based on the acquired NIT, the reception frequency corresponding to the service name of each channel is extracted from the channel selection information, and the channel preset storage unit 5 However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when an area code is acquired by NIT, a message is displayed on the display unit regarding the area of the acquired area code and whether channel preset based on the area code may be performed, or from the audio output unit You may make it output an audio | voice. The channel preset may be performed only when the user selects that the channel preset may be performed.

  In addition, when the user selects not to perform channel preset for such display and audio output, a plurality of areas close to the area of the acquired area code can be selected and displayed as a candidate area. Or may be output. At this time, the channel selection information is read from the channel selection information storage unit 4 based on the area code of the region selected by the user from the plurality of candidate regions, and the reception frequency corresponding to the service name of each channel is determined from the channel selection information. Extracted and stored in the channel preset storage unit 5.

  In the present embodiment, the channel preset start signal is output to the control unit 12 when a predetermined operation for starting the channel preset is performed on the operation unit 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 12 may determine the reception status of the currently viewed channel, and start channel presetting when the reception status deteriorates.

  In this embodiment, the channel preset is started from the UHF channel 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the receivable channels may be searched from 62 channels other than UHF 13 channels.

  In addition, the said embodiment is only what showed the example in implementation in implementing this invention, and, as a result, the technical scope of this invention should not be interpreted limitedly. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for a digital terrestrial broadcast receiver that performs channel presets corresponding to an area when it is transferred to a different area.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the channel selection information memorize | stored in the channel selection information storage part of the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the preset content memorize | stored in the channel preset memory | storage part of the terrestrial digital broadcast receiver by this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the terrestrial digital broadcasting receiver by this embodiment, and a channel preset method.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 2 Tuner 3 Receiving antenna 4 Channel selection information storage part 5 Channel preset storage part 6 OFDM demodulation part 7 Error correction part 8 Demultiplexer part 9 Audio decoder part 10 Video decoder part 11 Data decoder part 12 Control part

Claims (4)

A tuner that receives a broadcast signal of the channel by setting a reception frequency that matches the selected channel,
A channel selection information storage unit that stores channel selection information indicating the reception frequency of a channel that can be received in each region in association with the region information;
A channel is selected in a predetermined order by the tuner, and it is determined whether or not the selected channel is receivable. If the selected channel is receivable, a broadcast signal of the channel is selected. A terrestrial digital broadcast receiver comprising: a controller that acquires area information included in the channel information and reads channel selection information corresponding to the area information from the channel selection information storage unit. The terrestrial digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the area information is an area code described in NIT included in the broadcast signal. A first step of selecting a channel in a predetermined order by the tuner;
A second step in which the control unit checks whether the channel selected in the first step is receivable;
A third step of receiving a broadcast signal of the selected channel by a tuner when the control unit determines that reception is possible in the second step;
A fourth step of acquiring regional information from the broadcast signal received in the third step;
Channel selection information indicating a channel receivable in a region corresponding to the region information acquired in the fourth step and a reception frequency thereof, channel selection information indicating a reception frequency of a channel receivable in each region, region information A channel preset method comprising: a fifth step of reading from the channel selection information storage unit stored corresponding to The channel preset method according to claim 3, wherein the area information is an area code described in an NIT included in the broadcast signal.

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