JP2006197166A - Receiving device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the channel retrieving time of analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting. <P>SOLUTION: This receiving device is provided with a channel retrieving means for retrieving the channels of analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting under an environment where the analog broadcasting and the digital broadcasting are simultaneously broadcast and a reception region deciding means for deciding a reception region A based on channel information retrieved by the channel retrieval of analog broadcasting. The digital broadcasting channel retrieving means performs the channel retrieval of only the digital broadcasting channel broadcast in the reception region A decided by the region region deciding means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver.

  The terrestrial broadcast is an analog broadcast with AM modulation and a digital broadcast with OFDM (orthogonal frequency multiplex) modulation or 8VSB (residual sideband) modulation. Must be determined during search.

  As a discrimination method, an AM demodulator and an OFDM demodulator or an 8VSB modulator are mounted on the receiving device, and when it can be demodulated through the AM demodulator at the time of channel search, it is discriminated as an analog broadcast and demodulated through the OFDM demodulator or 8VSB modulation If it is possible, there is a method for discriminating from digital broadcasting.

In the conventional channel search, analog broadcast and digital broadcast are simultaneously searched by two tuners to shorten the channel search time (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3), or the channel of analog broadcast with a short channel selection time. The search is performed first, and then the digital broadcast channel search is performed for channels other than those searched as analog broadcasts, thereby reducing the number of digital broadcast channel searches, thereby shortening the channel search time (for example, Patent Document 4). See).
JP-A-11-195602 JP 2000-366510 A JP 2001-158068 A JP 2001-254309 A

  A problem to be solved by the invention based on the fact that the terrestrial broadcast channel is 62 channels will be described.

  For example, in the analog broadcast and digital broadcast channel search methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, it is necessary to search all analog broadcast and digital broadcast channels.

  If the analog broadcast search time per channel is 0.5 seconds and the digital broadcast search time per channel is 1 second, the channel search time of 62 channels of analog broadcast is 31 seconds, and the channel search time of digital broadcast is 62 seconds. When the analog broadcast channel search and the digital broadcast channel search are performed in parallel using two tuners, the channel selection time is 62 seconds.

  On the other hand, for example, when an analog broadcast channel search is performed as in Patent Document 4 and then a digital broadcast channel search is performed for channels other than the analog broadcast channel search, the analog broadcast has 8 channels and the digital broadcast has 8 channels. In the area where the digital broadcast channel is searched, the number of channel searches for the digital broadcast channel is 62−8 = 54 channels. Therefore, the channel search time for analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting is 0.5 × 62 + 1 × 54 = 85 seconds.

  As described above, both methods have a problem that the channel search time becomes long.

(1) 1st invention The receiving apparatus concerning 1st invention has the channel search means which searches each of the channel of analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting in the environment where analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting are broadcast by simulcast, There is a reception area determining means for determining the reception area A based on the channel information searched in the channel search of the analog broadcast, and the digital broadcast channel search means is broadcast in the reception area A determined by the reception area determination means. It is characterized by channel search only for existing digital broadcasting channels.

  This makes it possible to reduce the channel search time for analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting.

(2) Second invention A receiving apparatus according to the second invention has channel search means for searching for analog broadcast and digital broadcast channels in an environment where analog broadcast and digital broadcast are broadcast simultaneously. There is a reception area determination means for determining a reception area candidate A based on channel information searched in the analog broadcast channel search. The digital broadcast channel search means includes the reception area candidate A determined by the reception area determination means and its reception area candidate A. It is characterized by channel search only for digital broadcasting channels broadcast in the surrounding area.

  This makes it possible to reduce the channel search time for analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting.

(3) Third invention A receiving apparatus according to the third invention has channel search means for searching for analog broadcast and digital broadcast channels in an environment where analog broadcast and digital broadcast are broadcast simultaneously. There is a receiving area determining means for determining a plurality of receiving area candidates A1 to An based on channel information searched in the analog broadcast channel search, and the digital broadcast channel searching means is the receiving area determined by the receiving area determining means. Only the digital broadcast channels broadcast by the candidates A1 to An are searched for channels.

This makes it possible to reduce the channel search time for analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting.
(4) Fourth invention A receiving apparatus according to the fourth invention has channel search means for searching for analog broadcast and digital broadcast channels in an environment where analog broadcast and digital broadcast are broadcast simultaneously. There is a receiving area determining means for determining a plurality of receiving area candidates A1 to An based on channel information searched in the analog broadcast channel search, and the digital broadcast channel searching means is the receiving area determined by the receiving area determining means. Only the digital broadcast channels broadcast in the candidates A1 to An and the surrounding area are searched for channels.

  This makes it possible to reduce the channel search time for analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting.

  The reception area is determined based on the analog broadcast channel search result, and only the digital broadcast channels broadcast in the determined reception area or the surrounding area are searched, so the digital broadcast channel search time can be shortened, and analog broadcasting It is possible to reduce the channel search time for digital broadcasting.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  2 is a tuner, 3 is an AM demodulator that demodulates analog broadcast waves, 4 is an OFDM demodulator that demodulates digital broadcast waves, 5 is an analog broadcast channel searcher, 6 is a digital broadcast channel searcher, and 7 is a reception area discriminator. It is.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing channel search, and FIG. 3 is a channel table of each region.

  In step S1, an analog broadcast channel search is started. In order to select channel 1 in step S3, the analog broadcast channel searcher 5 controls the local oscillation frequency of the tuner 2.

  If the intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner 2 can be demodulated in AM in step S4, channel 1 is registered as an analog broadcast channel in step S5, passes through steps S6 and S7, and in steps S3 and S4 in channel 2. , S6 performs the above operation.

  When AM demodulation cannot be performed in step S4, the flow passes through steps S6 and S7, and the above operation is performed in channel 2 in steps S3, S4, and S6.

  This is repeated from channel 3 to channel 62, and the analog broadcast channel search is completed.

  Next, in steps S8 and S9 to S16, the analog broadcast channel searched in the flows S1 to S7 is compared with the analog broadcast channels registered in advance in each region shown in FIG. Register as a receiving area and start searching for digital broadcasting channels.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the reception area is A, the channel 13 is first selected in step S11, so that the digital broadcast channel searcher 6 controls the local oscillation frequency of the tuner 2.

  If the intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner 2 can be OFDM demodulated in step S12, channel 13 is registered as a digital broadcast channel in step S13, passes through steps S14 and S15, and in steps S11 and S12 in channel 14. , S13 performs the above operation.

  This is repeated for channels 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, and 26, and the digital broadcast channel search is completed.

  For example, if the channel searched in the analog broadcast channel search is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 19, 34, 36, the reception with the largest channel number that matches the reception area among A to H is received. The area is identified as A, and in the digital broadcast channel search, only the channels 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, and 26 broadcast in the reception area A are searched for channels, and the channels that can be OFDM demodulated are digital broadcasts. Register as a channel.

  Thus, when analog broadcast and digital broadcast channel search is performed by the conventional method, two tuners are used, assuming that the analog broadcast search time per channel is 0.5 seconds and the digital broadcast search time per channel is 1 second. When the analog broadcast channel search and the digital broadcast channel search are performed in parallel, the channel search time required is 62 seconds. However, in the receiving apparatus of the present invention, the analog broadcast channel search time is 31 seconds, and the digital broadcast channel search is performed. The station search time is 8 seconds and the channel search time is 31 + 8 = 39 seconds, so that the channel search time can be shortened.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the AM demodulator 3 is used for the channel search for analog broadcasting and the OFDM demodulator is used for the channel search for digital broadcasting. An NTSC synchronization detector may be used, and a TMCC synchronization detector that determines whether or not TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing Configuration Control) is synchronized may be used instead of the OFDM demodulator.

  In the first embodiment, when the digital broadcast wave is 8VSB modulated, an 8VSB modulator may be used instead of the OFDM modulator.

(Embodiment 2)
The configuration of the receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and only the operation of the reception area discriminator 7 is different.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In step S1, an analog broadcast channel search is started.

  In order to select channel 1 in step S3, the analog broadcast channel searcher 5 controls the local oscillation frequency of the tuner 2.

  If the intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner 2 can be demodulated in AM in step S4, channel 1 is registered as an analog broadcast channel in step S5, passes through steps S6 and S7, and flows S3 and S4 in channel 2. , S6 performs the above operation.

  If AM demodulation cannot be performed in step S4, the process passes through steps S6 and S7, and the above operation is performed in steps S3, S4, and S6 in channel 2.

  This is repeated from channel 3 to channel 62, and the analog broadcast channel search is completed.

  Next, in steps S17 and S9 to S16, the analog broadcast channel searched in steps S1 to S7 is compared with the analog broadcast channels of the respective pre-registered regions shown in FIG. The surrounding area is registered as a currently receiving area, and a digital broadcast channel search is started.

  If it is determined in step S17 that the reception area is A, the digital broadcast channels of the reception area A and the reception area H around the reception area A are searched for a channel.

  In step S11, first, in order to select the channel 13, the digital broadcast channel searcher 6 controls the local oscillation frequency of the tuner 2.

  If the intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner 2 can be OFDM demodulated in step S12, channel 13 is registered as a digital broadcast channel in step S13, passes through steps S14 and S15, and in steps S11 and S12 in channel 14. , S13 performs the above operation.

  This is repeated for channels 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, and 26, and the digital broadcast channel search is terminated.

  For example, if the channel searched in the analog broadcast channel search is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 19, 34, 36, the reception with the largest channel number that matches the reception area among A to H is received. The area is determined to be A, and in the digital broadcast channel search, it is broadcast in channels 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 26 broadcast in the reception area A and in the reception area H around the reception area A. Only the channels 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, and 22 are searched for channels, and the channels that can be OFDM demodulated are registered as digital broadcasting channels.

  In the channel table of each region stored in the digital broadcast channel searcher 6, each region is associated according to the geographical characteristics. For example, in the present embodiment, the reception area A and the reception area H are associated with each other, and it is determined that the reception area H is a surrounding area of the reception area A. Association by geographical characteristics can be set in advance in consideration of topography, buildings, and the like.

  Thus, when analog broadcast and digital broadcast channel search is performed by the conventional method, two tuners are used, assuming that the analog broadcast search time per channel is 0.5 seconds and the digital broadcast search time per channel is 1 second. When the analog broadcast channel search and the digital broadcast channel search are performed in parallel, the channel search time required is 62 seconds. However, in the receiving apparatus of the present invention, the analog broadcast channel search time is 31 seconds, and the digital broadcast channel search is performed. The station search time is 10 seconds and the channel search time is 31 + 10 = 41 seconds, so that the channel search time can be shortened.

  Also, if there is a possibility of receiving digital broadcasts in multiple areas, such as when there is a receiver near the boundary between reception area A and reception area H, search for digital broadcast channels that may be received in the surrounding area. By doing so, it becomes possible to perform channel setting more suited to the actual reception situation.

  In the second embodiment, the AM demodulator 3 is used for the analog broadcast channel search and the OFDM demodulator is used for the digital broadcast channel search, but it is determined whether the NTSC is synchronized instead of the AM demodulator. An NTSC synchronization detector may be used, and a TMCC synchronization detector that determines whether or not TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing Configuration Control) is synchronized may be used instead of the OFDM demodulator.

  In the reception mode 2, the surrounding area of the receiving area A is only H, but a plurality of surrounding areas may exist.

  In the second embodiment, when the digital broadcast wave is 8VSB modulated, an 8VSB modulator may be used instead of the OFDM modulator.

(Embodiment 3)
The configuration of the receiving apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and only the operation of the reception area discriminator 7 is different.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In step S1, an analog broadcast channel search is started.

  In order to select channel 1 in flow 3, analog broadcast channel searcher 5 controls the local oscillation frequency of tuner 2.

  If the intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner can be AM demodulated in step S4, channel 1 is registered as an analog broadcast channel in step S5, passes through steps S6 and S7, and steps S3, S4, The above operation is performed in S6.

  If AM demodulation cannot be performed in step S4, the process passes through steps S6 and S7, and the above operation is performed in steps S3, S4, and S6 in channel 2.

  This is repeated from channel 3 to channel 62, and the analog broadcast channel search is completed.

  Next, in steps S18 and S9 to S16, the analog broadcast channels searched in steps S1 to S7 are compared with the analog broadcast channels of the respective pre-registered regions shown in FIG. 3, and the matching channel numbers are the first and second. Registered as a currently receiving area and starts searching for digital broadcasting channels.

  If it is determined in step S18 that the reception area is A or G, the channel 13 is first selected in step S11, so that the digital broadcast channel searcher 6 controls the local oscillation frequency of the tuner 2.

  If the intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner 2 can be OFDM demodulated in step S12, channel 13 is registered as a digital broadcast channel in step S13, passes through steps S14 and S15, and in steps S11 and S12 in channel 14. , S13 performs the above operation.

  This is repeated for channels 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 26, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, and 41, and the digital broadcast channel search is terminated.

  For example, if the channels searched in the analog broadcast channel search are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 19, 34, 36, the channel number that matches the reception area among A to H is the largest. The reception area is determined as A, the second most reception area is determined as G, and channels 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 26 broadcast in the reception area A in the digital broadcast channel search Only the channels 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, and 41 broadcast in the reception area G are searched for channels, and the channels that can be demodulated by OFDM are registered as digital broadcast channels.

  As a result, when analog broadcast and digital broadcast channel search is performed by the conventional method, assuming that the analog broadcast search time per channel is 0.5 seconds and the digital broadcast search time per channel is 1 second, two tuners are used. When the analog broadcast channel search and the digital broadcast channel search are performed in parallel, the channel search time is 62 seconds. However, in the receiving apparatus of the present invention, the analog broadcast channel search time is 31 seconds, and the digital broadcast channel search is performed. The station search time is 14 seconds and the channel search time is 31 + 14 = 45 seconds, so that the channel search time can be shortened.

  Also, if there is a possibility of receiving digital broadcasts in multiple areas, such as when there is a receiver near the boundary between reception area A and reception area G, search for digital broadcast channels that may be received in the surrounding area. By doing so, it becomes possible to perform channel setting more suited to the actual reception situation.

  In the third embodiment, the AM demodulator 3 is used for the analog broadcast channel search and the OFDM demodulator is used for the digital broadcast channel search. However, it is determined whether the NTSC is synchronized instead of the AM demodulator. An NTSC synchronization detector may be used, and a TMCC synchronization detector that determines whether or not TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing Configuration Control) is synchronized may be used instead of the OFDM demodulator.

  Further, in the third embodiment, only the digital broadcast channels in the reception area A and the second most reception area G searched for by the analog broadcast channel search are searched by the digital broadcast channel search. May be three or more.

  In the third embodiment, when the digital broadcast wave is 8VSB modulated, an 8VSB modulator may be used instead of the OFDM modulator.

(Embodiment 4)
The configuration of the receiving apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that in FIG. 1, and only the operation of the reception area discriminator 7 is different.

  The operation of the receiving apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In step S1, an analog broadcast channel search is started.

  In order to select channel 1 in step 3, the analog broadcast channel searcher 5 controls the local oscillation frequency of the tuner 2.

  If the intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner can be AM demodulated in step S4, channel 1 is registered as an analog broadcast channel in step S5, passes through steps S6 and S7, and steps S3, S4, The above operation is performed in S6.

  If AM demodulation cannot be performed in step S4, the process passes through steps S6 and S7, and the above operation is performed in steps S3, S4, and S6 in channel 2.

  This is repeated from channel 3 to channel 62, and the analog broadcast channel search is completed.

  Next, in Steps S19 and S9 to S16, the analog broadcast channels searched in Steps S1 to S7 are compared with the analog broadcast channels of the respective regions registered in advance shown in FIG. 3, and the matching channel numbers are the first and second. Registered as a current receiving area and start searching for digital broadcasting channels.

  If it is determined in step S19 that the reception area is A or G, the digital broadcast channels of the reception area A and the reception area H around the reception area A, and the reception area G and the reception area C around the reception area G are searched for a channel.

  In step S11, first, in order to select the channel 13, the digital broadcast channel searcher 6 controls the local oscillation frequency of the tuner 2.

  If the intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner 2 can be OFDM demodulated in step S12, channel 13 is registered as a digital broadcast channel in step S13, passes through steps S14 and S15, and in steps S11 and S12 in channel 14. , S13 performs the above operation.

  This is repeated for channels 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, 26, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, 41, 45, 46, and 47, and the digital broadcast channel search is terminated.

  For example, if the channels searched in the analog broadcast channel search are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 19, 34, 36, the channel number that matches the reception area among A to H is the largest. The reception area is determined as A, the second most reception area is determined as G, and channels 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 26 broadcast in the reception area A in the digital broadcast channel search 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, 41 broadcasted in the receiving area G and 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 broadcasted in the surrounding area H of the receiving area A and the surrounding area of the receiving area G Only the channels 15, 16, 45, 46, and 47 broadcast on C are searched for channels, and the channels that can be OFDM demodulated are registered as digital broadcast channels.

  Thus, when analog broadcast and digital broadcast channel search is performed by the conventional method, two tuners are used, assuming that the analog broadcast search time per channel is 0.5 seconds and the digital broadcast search time per channel is 1 second. When the analog broadcast channel search and the digital broadcast channel search are performed in parallel, the channel search time required is 62 seconds. However, in the receiving apparatus of the present invention, the analog broadcast channel search time is 31 seconds, and the digital broadcast channel search is performed. The station search time is 14 seconds, and the channel search time is 31 + 19 = 50 seconds, so that the channel search time can be shortened.

  Also, if there is a possibility of receiving digital broadcasts in multiple areas, such as when there is a receiver near the boundary between reception area A and reception area H, search for digital broadcast channels that may be received in the surrounding area. By doing so, it becomes possible to perform channel setting more suited to the actual reception situation.

  In the fourth embodiment, the AM demodulator 3 is used for analog broadcast channel search and the OFDM demodulator is used for digital broadcast channel search. Instead of the AM demodulator, it is determined whether the NTSC is synchronized. An NTSC synchronization detector may be used, and instead of an OFDM demodulator, a TMCC synchronization detector that determines whether TMCC (Transmission and Multiplexing Configuration Control) is synchronized may be used.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, only the digital broadcast channels of the reception area A having the first most searched channel and the second most reception area G are searched by the digital broadcast channel search. May be three or more.

  In the reception mode 2, the surrounding areas of the receiving areas A and G are only C and H, but a plurality of surrounding areas may exist.

  In the fourth embodiment, when the digital broadcast wave is 8VSB modulated, an 8VSB modulator may be used instead of the OFDM modulator.

  The receiving apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that enables high-speed channel search when receiving both an analog broadcast and a digital broadcast.

Configuration diagram of receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Channel search flowchart in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which showed the analog broadcast and digital broadcast channel table | surface of each area in Embodiment 1, 2, 3, 4 of this invention Channel search flowchart in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Channel search flowchart in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Channel search flowchart in Embodiment 4 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

1 Analog broadcast wave, digital broadcast wave 2 Tuner 3 AM demodulator 4 OFDM demodulator 5 Modulation method discriminator 6 Analog broadcast channel searcher 7 Digital broadcast channel searcher 8 Reception area discriminator

Claims (4)

In an environment where analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting are broadcast simultaneously, there are channel search means for searching for channels of analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting, respectively, and reception area A based on channel information searched by channel search of analog broadcasting. There are means to determine the reception area,
The digital broadcasting channel search means searches for only the digital broadcast channel broadcast in the reception area A determined by the reception area determination means. In an environment where analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting are broadcast simultaneously, there is a channel search means for searching for channels of analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting respectively, and candidate reception areas based on channel information searched by channel search of analog broadcasting There is a reception area determination means for determining A,
The digital broadcast channel search means performs a channel search only for the reception area candidate A determined by the reception area determination means and a digital broadcast channel broadcast in the surrounding area. In an environment where analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting are broadcast simultaneously, there is a channel search means for searching for channels of analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting, respectively, and multiple reception based on channel information searched by channel search of analog broadcasting There is a reception area determination means for determining the area candidates A1 to An,
The digital broadcast channel search means searches for only the digital broadcast channels broadcast in the reception areas A1 to An determined by the reception area determination means. In an environment where analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting are broadcast simultaneously, there is a channel search means for searching for analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting channels respectively, and multiple reception based on channel information searched by analog broadcasting channel search There is a reception area determination means for determining the area candidates A1 to An,
The digital broadcast channel search means performs a channel search only for the digital broadcast channels broadcast in the reception areas A1 to An and the surrounding areas determined by the reception area determination means.

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