JP2006067205A - Digital television broadcast signal receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to check television programs of channels before or after a channel selected by the user in a motion image, in a digital TV broadcast receiver for receiving digital TV broadcast signals. <P>SOLUTION: If a plurality of sub-channels exist in a physical channel including a channel selected by the user (YES in #1), the digital TV broadcast signal receiver causes a first tuner to receive the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, and causes a second tuner to receive channels before or after the channel selected by the user. In this way, the receiver extracts video signal of the channel selected by the user and the video signal of the channel, before or after the channel selected by the user to output the video signal of the channel selected by the user as a master screen and output the video signal of the channel before or after the channel selected by the user as a slave screen (#4, #5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital television broadcast signal receiving apparatus that receives a digital television broadcast signal.

  In recent years, digital television (TV) broadcasting has been put into practical use. In digital TV broadcasting, video and audio of a plurality of television programs are compressed and encoded by digital compression technology, and then time-division multiplexed, and the signals are modulated into high frequency radio waves in a predetermined frequency band and distributed as TV broadcasting signals. . In digital TV broadcasting, a TV broadcast signal of a predetermined frequency band obtained by multiplexing broadcast signals of a plurality of TV programs is called a physical channel, and broadcast signals of individual TV programs multiplexed in the frequency band are called subchannels. I'm calling.

  On the other hand, when a digital TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus that receives a digital TV broadcast selects a program channel (that is, a physical channel and a subchannel) that the user wants to view using a remote controller or the like, the digital TV broadcast signal receiving device generates high-frequency radio waves in a frequency band corresponding to the physical channel. By receiving and demodulating the received signal, it is possible to obtain a signal in a state where signals such as video and audio of a plurality of compressed and encoded television programs are time-division multiplexed. This signal is called TS (Transport Stream), and TS packets in which element signals such as video and audio of each television program are stored are multiplexed in this TS. The digital TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus separates and extracts TS packets including video signals and audio signals of television programs corresponding to each subchannel from this TS, and puts the video signals and audio signals into a state before being compressed and encoded. Decrypt and output to monitor device.

By the way, a TV having functions such as so-called picture-in-picture (PinP) and picture-out-picture (PoutP), which can divide a display screen into a plurality of areas and output a plurality of program images simultaneously. Broadcast signal receiving devices and the like are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). For example, according to the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, by providing two tuners, it is possible to display a video of channels before and after the channel displayed as the main screen as a sub-screen. is there.
JP-A-8-140007 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-107410 JP-A-5-191737

  However, in the device described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 described above, at least one of the child screens is a pseudo moving image or a still image, and only two tuners are arranged before and after the channel displayed as the parent screen. The channel could not be displayed as a video as a child screen. For this reason, the user cannot confirm the television program of the channel before and after the channel selected as the parent screen with a moving image. On the other hand, in digital TV broadcasting, a plurality of subchannels may be included in one physical channel as described above, so that two or more channels can be received by two tuners. However, in the conventional digital TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the channel before and after the channel displayed as the main screen cannot be displayed as a moving image as the sub-screen, and the user can watch the TV program of the channel before and after the selected channel. Could not be confirmed on the video.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. When a plurality of subchannels exist in a physical channel including a channel selected by the user, the channel before and after the channel selected by the user is obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide a digital television broadcast receiver capable of confirming a television program with a moving image.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first tuner for receiving a first digital television broadcast signal, a second tuner for receiving a second digital television broadcast signal, and the first tuner. A first video signal extracting means for extracting a video signal of a television program from a first digital television broadcast signal received by one tuner; and a second digital television broadcast signal received by the second tuner. A video signal of one TV program among a plurality of video signals extracted by a second video signal extracting means for extracting a video signal of a program, and the first video signal extracting means and the second video signal extracting means. And a video signal other than this TV program, the image size of the video signal is compressed, and a portion of the parent screen is synthesized as a child screen for monitoring. Image synthesizing output means, capture means for storing the video signal for one frame extracted by the first video signal extraction means or the second video signal extraction means as a still image, and channel selection operation by the user A digital television broadcast signal receiving apparatus comprising: channel control means for controlling the first tuner and the second tuner and controlling channel selection processing based on the first tuner and the second tuner; In addition, it is determined whether there are multiple subchannels in the physical channel, and if there are multiple subchannels, a subchannel other than the channel selected by the user is selected by the user. Judgment to determine if it is before or after the given channel And when the determination means determines that a plurality of subchannels do not exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, the channel control means selects the channel selected by the user. The first tuner causes the second tuner to receive a channel before or after the channel selected by the user, and the first video signal extraction unit is configured to receive the channel selected by the user. The second video signal extraction means extracts the video signal of the channel before or after the channel selected by the user, and the capture means outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user. Of the previous channel and the rear channel, the second tuner The still image of the channel that is not received is stored, and the image composition output means outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user as a parent screen, and the channel before and after the channel selected by the user. The video signal of one of the channels is output as a sub-screen, the still image of the other channel is output as a sub-screen, and a physical channel including the channel selected by the user is included by the determination means. When it is determined that there are a plurality of subchannels and a subchannel other than the channel selected by the user is determined to be before the channel selected by the user, the channel control means selects the channel by the user. The physical channel that contains the The first tuner receives the channel after the channel selected by the user and the second tuner receives the video signal of the channel selected by the user. And the second video signal extracting means extracts the video signal of the channel after the channel selected by the user, and extracts the video signal of the channel selected by the user. Outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user as a main screen, and outputs the video signal of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user as a sub-screen. Multiple subchannels on the physical channel that contains the selected channel And the channel control means includes the channel selected by the user when it is determined that there is a subchannel other than the channel selected by the user after the channel selected by the user. The first tuner receives the physical channel to be received, and the second tuner receives the channel before the channel selected by the user. The first video signal extracting means is configured to receive the channel selected by the user. And a video signal of a channel after the channel selected by the user, and the second video signal extracting means extracts a video signal of the channel before the channel selected by the user, The image composition output means is the channel selected by the user. The video signal is output as a main screen, and the video signal of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user is output as a sub-screen.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a first tuner for receiving a first digital television broadcast signal, a second tuner for receiving a second digital television broadcast signal, and a first tuner received by the first tuner. First video signal extraction means for extracting a video signal of a television program from one digital television broadcast signal, and a video signal of the television program from a second digital television broadcast signal received by the second tuner. Of the plurality of video signals extracted by the second video signal extraction means and the first video signal extraction means and the second video signal extraction means, the video signal of one television program is used as a main screen, and this television Image synthesis output means for compressing the image size of a video signal other than a program, synthesizing it as a child screen on a part of the parent screen, and outputting it as a monitor In the digital television broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the image composition output means may output the video signal of the channel selected by the user when there are a plurality of subchannels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user. Is output as a main screen, and the video signals of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user are output as a sub-screen.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the television broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the second aspect, the video signal for one frame extracted by the first video signal extracting unit or the second video signal extracting unit is stopped. Capture means for storing the image as an image, wherein the image composition output means is configured to receive the video signal of the channel selected by the user when a plurality of subchannels do not exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user. In addition to outputting as a screen, the video signal of either the channel before or after the channel selected by the user is output as a sub-screen, and the still image of the other channel is output as a sub-screen It is characterized by doing.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of subchannels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, the video signal of the channel selected by the user is output as the main screen. In addition, since the video signal of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user is output as a sub-screen, the user can confirm the TV program of the channel before and after the selected channel with a video. can do.

  In addition, when a plurality of subchannels do not exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, the video signal of the channel selected by the user is output as a parent screen, and the channel before the channel selected by the user is output. Since the video signal of one of the channel of the channel and the channel after the channel is output as a sub-screen, and the still image of the other channel is output as a sub-screen, the user can add a plurality of subchannels to the physical channel. Even if there is not, the television program of the channel before and after the selected channel can be confirmed with a moving image and a still image.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of sub-channels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, the video signals of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user are children. Since it is output as a screen, the user can confirm the television program of the channel before and after the selected channel with a moving image.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of sub-channels do not exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, the video signal and still image of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user Since the picture is output as a sub-screen, the user can display the TV program of the channel before the selected channel and the channel after the selected channel even if there are not a plurality of subchannels in the physical channel. Can be confirmed.

  A digital television broadcast signal receiver (hereinafter simply referred to as a TV broadcast signal receiver) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, a TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 receives a digital television broadcast signal (hereinafter simply referred to as a TV broadcast signal) distributed from a broadcast station via an antenna 10, and is included in the TV broadcast signal. The video signal and audio signal to be output to the monitor device 2 are two tuners 11A and 11B, two ATSC front ends 12A and 12B, a video / audio processing unit 13, and an on-screen display unit (OSD). 14, a remote controller 15, a remote control receiver 16, a controller 17, and a memory 18.

  Connected to the TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 are an antenna 10 for receiving a TV broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station with a high frequency radio wave of a predetermined frequency, a monitor apparatus 2 for displaying video of a TV program and outputting sound. Is done.

  The tuners 11A and 11B (first tuner and second tuner) tune the reception frequency to a frequency corresponding to the physical channel selected by the user, thereby receiving the TV broadcast signal of the selected physical channel as an antenna. 10 via.

  The ATSC front ends 12A and 12B (first video signal extraction means and second video signal extraction means) perform demodulation and error correction processing of the TV broadcast signals received by the tuners 11A and 11B, and from the multiplexed signals. The necessary TS packets are separated, and the necessary TS packets are supplied to each block in the TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1. The TS packet including the video signal is extracted here and output to the video / audio processing unit 13. Further, the TS packet including the program arrangement information is output to the control unit 17.

  The video / audio processing unit (image synthesis output means) 13 includes an MPEG video decoder and an MPEG audio decoder that decode TS packets including video signals and audio signals input from the ATSC front ends 12A and 12B. In addition, the video / audio processing unit 13 uses a video signal of one TV program as a main screen for a plurality of video signals extracted by the ATSC front ends 12A and 12B and decoded by the MPEG decoder, and a video other than this TV program. A PinP circuit that compresses the image size of the signal, synthesizes it as a child screen on a part of the parent screen, and outputs it to the monitor is provided.

  The video signal processed by the video / audio processing unit 13 is output to the monitor device 2 via the on-screen display unit 14, and the video is displayed on the monitor screen 20. The audio signal processed by the video / audio processing unit 13 is output to the monitor device 2 and output from the speaker.

  The on-screen display unit 14 superimposes a predetermined display image on the video signal input from the video / audio processing unit 13. When the user selects a channel to be viewed by the user, the remote controller 15 transmits a radio signal such as an infrared signal according to the operation of the channel up key 15a and the channel down key 15b by the user. The remote control receiving unit 16 receives the signal sent from the remote control 15 and outputs it to the control unit 17.

  The control unit (channel control means) 17 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown) to control the entire TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 and selects a channel based on a channel selection operation by the user. Control processing. In addition, the control unit 17 determines whether or not there are a plurality of subchannels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user during the program display process described later, and when there are a plurality of subchannels. Functions as a determination means for determining whether a sub-channel other than the channel selected by the user is before or after the channel selected by the user.

  Further, the control unit 17 analyzes the TS packet including the program arrangement information extracted by the ATSC front ends 12A and 12B to create a channel map, and the memory 18 stores the channel map created by the control unit 17. . The memory (capture means) 18 stores a video signal for one frame extracted by the ATSC front ends 12A and 12B and decoded by the MPEG decoder as a still image.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the channel map 30 has a physical channel number 31 and a virtual channel number 32 corresponding to the physical channel number 31. One physical channel may include a plurality of sub-channels. For example, in FIG. 2, the physical channel “3” has two sub-channels (virtual channel “10-1” and virtual channel “10-2”). )have. In the following, the channel in the DOWN direction is the channel before the channel selected by the user (for example, the virtual channel “10-1” when the channel selected by the user is the virtual channel “10-2”). The channel after the channel selected by the user (for example, the virtual channel “19-1” when the channel selected by the user is the virtual channel “10-2”) is referred to as a channel in the UP direction.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the program display process by the TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 will be described by taking as an example a case where the user selects a channel by operating the channel down key 15b. The program display process when the channel up key 15a is operated is a process in which the UP direction is replaced with the DOWN direction and the DOWN direction is replaced with the UP direction in the following description.

  When the channel down key 15b is pressed by the user and a channel to be displayed as the parent screen is selected, the control unit 17 determines whether or not a plurality of subchannels exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user. (# 1). If it is determined that a plurality of subchannels do not exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user (NO in # 1), the control unit 17 sets the channel selected by the user to the tuner 11A. The tuner 11B receives the channel in the DOWN direction (front) of the channel selected by the user. The ATSC front end 12A extracts the video signal of the channel selected by the user, and the ATSC front end 12B extracts the video signal of the channel in the DOWN direction (front) of the channel selected by the user. The memory 18 stores the channel that was received before the channel down key 15b was pressed (the channel that is not received by the tuner 11B (second tuner) among the channels before and after the channel selected by the user), that is, the UP channel. (Still (back) channel) still images are stored. Then, the video / audio processing unit 13 outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user as a main screen live (moving image), and the video signal of the channel in the DOWN direction (previous) of the channel selected by the user. The live screen is output as a small screen, and the still image of the channel in the UP direction (back) is output as the small screen (# 2).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that a plurality of subchannels exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user (YES in # 1), the control unit 17 further selects the subchannel by the user. It is determined whether subchannels other than the selected channel are in the DOWN direction (front) or the UP direction (back) from the channel selected by the user (# 3).

  If it is determined that a sub-channel other than the channel selected by the user is in the DOWN direction (front) from the channel selected by the user (NO in # 3), the control unit 17 selects the channel by the user. The tuner 11A receives the physical channel including the selected channel, and causes the tuner 11B to receive the channel in the UP direction (after) of the channel selected by the user. The ATSC front end 12A extracts the video signal of the channel selected by the user and the video signal of the channel in the DOWN direction (previous) of the channel selected by the user, and the ATSC front end 12B extracts the channel selected by the user. The video signal of the channel in the UP direction (after) is extracted. Then, the video / audio processing unit 13 outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user live as a main screen, and also the channel in the DOWN direction (front) and the UP direction (rear) of the channel selected by the user. The video signal of the channel is output live as a small screen (# 4).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the subchannel other than the channel selected by the user is in the UP direction (after) from the channel selected by the user (YES in # 3), the control unit 17 selects the channel by the user. The tuner 11A receives the physical channel including the selected channel, and the tuner 11B receives the channel in the DOWN direction (front) of the channel selected by the user. The ATSC front end 12A extracts the video signal of the channel selected by the user and the video signal of the channel in the UP direction (after) of the channel selected by the user, and the ATSC front end 12B extracts the channel selected by the user. The video signal of the channel in the DOWN direction (front) is extracted. The video / audio processing unit 13 outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user live as a main screen, and also displays the channel in the DOWN direction (front) channel and the channel in the UP direction (rear) of the channel selected by the user. The video signal is output live as a small screen (# 5).

  Next, the program display process will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. When the user selects the virtual channel number “10-2” by pressing the channel down key 15b once while viewing the virtual channel number “19-1”, the control unit 17 selects the channel “10-2” selected by the user. It is determined whether or not a plurality of subchannels exist in the physical channel “3” including “#” (# 1). Since the physical channel “3” includes the virtual channel “10-1” and the virtual channel “10-2” (YES in # 1), the virtual channel is further selected from the virtual channel “10-2” selected by the user. It is determined whether “10-1” is in the DOWN direction (front) or the UP direction (rear) (# 3). Since the virtual channel “10-1” is in the DOWN direction (before) of the virtual channel “10-2” selected by the user (NO in # 3), the control unit 17 sets the physical channel “3” to the tuner 11A. The tuner 11B receives the physical channel “4” (virtual channel “19-1”) in the UP direction (later) of the channel selected by the user. The ATSC front end 12A extracts the video signal of the virtual channel “10-2” and the video signal of the virtual channel “10-1”, and the ATSC front end 12B detects the physical channel “4” (virtual channel “19-1”). )) Video signal is extracted. As shown in FIG. 4, the video / audio processing unit 13 outputs the video signal of the virtual channel “10-2” live as the main screen 21 and also displays the virtual channel “10-1” and the virtual channel “ The video signal 19-1 "is output live as sub-screens 22 and 23 (# 4).

  As described above, according to the TV broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of subchannels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, the video signal of the channel selected by the user is displayed. Since the video signal of the channel in the DOWN direction (front) and the channel in the UP direction (rear) of the channel selected by the user is output as a sub-screen while being output as the main screen, the user can select the DOWN direction of the selected channel. The TV programs of the (front) channel and the UP direction (back) channel can be confirmed by moving images.

  In addition, when a plurality of subchannels do not exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, the video signal of the channel selected by the user is output as a main screen, and the channel of the channel selected by the user is output. Since the video signal of one of the DOWN direction (front) channel and the UP direction (rear) channel is output as a sub-screen, and the still image of the other channel is output as a sub-screen, the user Even if there are not a plurality of sub-channels in the physical channel, it is possible to check the TV program of the channel in the DOWN direction (front) and the channel in the UP direction (rear) of the selected channel with moving images and still images. it can.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the channel is selected by the channel up key 15a and the channel down key 15b has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where the channel number is selected by directly inputting the channel number with a keypad or the like. Applicable.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the digital television broadcast signal receiver which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the channel map memorize | stored in memory of the receiver. The flowchart which shows the program display process of the receiver. The figure which shows the monitor screen at the time of the program display process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital television broadcast signal receiver 10 Antenna 11A, 11B Tuner 12A, 12B ATSC front end 13 Image | video audio | voice processing part 14 On-screen display part 15 Remote control 16 Remote control receiving part 17 Control part 18 Memory

Claims (3)

A first tuner for receiving a first digital television broadcast signal;
A second tuner for receiving a second digital television broadcast signal;
First video signal extraction means for extracting a video signal of a television program from a first digital television broadcast signal received by the first tuner;
Second video signal extraction means for extracting a video signal of a television program from a second digital television broadcast signal received by the second tuner;
Of the plurality of video signals extracted by the first video signal extraction means and the second video signal extraction means, a video signal of one television program is used as a parent screen, and a video signal other than the television program is displayed as an image thereof. Image composition output means for compressing the size, synthesizing as a child screen to a part of the parent screen and outputting the monitor;
Capture means for storing a video signal for one frame extracted by the first video signal extraction means or the second video signal extraction means as a still image;
Channel control means for controlling the first tuner and the second tuner based on a channel selection operation by a user and controlling channel selection processing;
In a digital television broadcast signal receiving apparatus comprising:
It is determined whether or not there are a plurality of subchannels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, and when there are a plurality of subchannels, a channel other than the channel selected by the user among these subchannels is determined. And determining means for determining whether the sub-channel is before or after the channel selected by the user,
When it is determined by the determination means that a plurality of subchannels do not exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user,
The channel control means causes the first tuner to receive a channel selected by the user, and causes the second tuner to receive a channel before or after the channel selected by the user,
The first video signal extracting means extracts a video signal of a channel selected by a user,
The second video signal extracting means extracts a video signal of a channel before or after a channel selected by the user,
The capture means stores a still image of a channel that is not received by the second tuner among the channel before and after the channel selected by the user,
The image synthesis output means outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user as a main screen, and outputs the video signal of one of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user. Output as a sub screen, output the still image of the other channel as a sub screen,
The determination means determines that there are a plurality of subchannels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, and a subchannel other than the channel selected by the user is present before the channel selected by the user. If it is determined that there is
The channel control means causes the first tuner to receive a physical channel including a channel selected by a user, and causes the second tuner to receive a channel subsequent to the channel selected by the user.
The first video signal extraction unit extracts a video signal of a channel selected by a user and a video signal of a channel before the channel selected by the user,
The second video signal extracting means extracts a video signal of a channel after the channel selected by the user,
The image synthesis output means outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user as a main screen, and outputs the video signal of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user as a sub-screen,
The determination means determines that there are a plurality of subchannels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user, and there are subchannels other than the channel selected by the user after the channel selected by the user. If it is determined that
The channel control means causes the first tuner to receive a physical channel including a channel selected by a user, and causes the second tuner to receive a channel before the channel selected by the user.
The first video signal extraction unit extracts a video signal of a channel selected by the user and a video signal of a channel after the channel selected by the user,
The second video signal extracting means extracts a video signal of a channel before the channel selected by the user,
The image composition output means outputs the video signal of the channel selected by the user as a parent screen, and outputs the video signal of the channel before and after the channel selected by the user as a child screen. A digital television broadcast signal receiver. A first tuner for receiving a first digital television broadcast signal;
A second tuner for receiving a second digital television broadcast signal;
First video signal extraction means for extracting a video signal of a television program from a first digital television broadcast signal received by the first tuner;
Second video signal extraction means for extracting a video signal of a television program from a second digital television broadcast signal received by the second tuner;
Of the plurality of video signals extracted by the first video signal extraction means and the second video signal extraction means, a video signal of one television program is used as a parent screen, and a video signal other than the television program is displayed as an image thereof. Image composition output means for compressing the size, synthesizing as a child screen to a part of the parent screen and outputting the monitor;
In a digital television broadcast signal receiving apparatus comprising:
The image composition output means, when there are a plurality of sub-channels in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user,
A digital television broadcast signal that outputs a video signal of a channel selected by a user as a main screen and outputs a video signal of a channel before and after the channel selected by the user as a sub-screen. Receiver device. And further comprising capture means for storing the video signal for one frame extracted by the first video signal extraction means or the second video signal extraction means as a still image,
The image composition output means, when a plurality of subchannels do not exist in the physical channel including the channel selected by the user,
The video signal of the channel selected by the user is output as a main screen, and the video signal of one of the channels before and after the channel selected by the user is output as a sub-screen. 3. The digital television broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a still picture of one channel is output as a sub-screen.

Images