JP2006279835A - Television broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption of a fan for cooling an HDD in a television broadcast receiver configured to apply the HDD as a program recording means in the case of interrupting broadcast program viewing. <P>SOLUTION: The television broadcast receiver comprises a control means 116 and a setting means. The control means 116 executes a first operating mode during which recording of a television signal to an HDD unit 121 is started, recorded television signals are reproduced sequentially from their recording starting positions while continuing recording after the lapse of a predetermined time from the start of recording, and a video signal is displayed on a video display means 114, and a second operating mode during which a motor-driven fan 122 for cooling the HDD is stopped if a non-access time of the HDD unit 121 becomes equal with or longer than the predetermined time. The setting means performs setting of whether or not the first operating mode is to be executed by the control means and whether or not the second operating mode is to be executed when executing the first operating mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a television broadcast receiving apparatus such as a digital television broadcast receiving apparatus, and more particularly to a television broadcast receiving apparatus provided with a recording / reproducing apparatus such as an HDD (hard disk drive).

  As is well known, in recent years, digitalization of television broadcasting has been promoted. For example, in Japan, not only satellite digital broadcasting such as BS (broadcasting satellite) digital broadcasting and 110-degree CS (communication satellite) digital broadcasting but also terrestrial digital broadcasting has been started.

  Then, in a television broadcast receiving apparatus that receives a television broadcast, for example, a broadcast program is automatically recorded based on a genre, a keyword, or the like set by the user, and a user is required from the recorded program. Some have a function of selecting and viewing a program.

  In this case, a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing a broadcast program requires a large recording capacity capable of recording a large number of programs, and quickly searches for and reproduces a desired program from the recorded programs. HDD (hard disk drive) is adopted because access performance that can be performed is required.

  In general, HDDs are used in an environment in which air is sent by a cooling fan to cool the HDD and operate stably for a longer period of time because the temperature affects the service life of the HDD.

  A television broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with an HDD is also equipped with a fan so that the HDD is air-cooled.

  Naturally, the fan is driven by a motor, and if it is always driven, the power consumption increases accordingly, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of energy saving.

  Attempts to reduce the power consumption of the HDD have been made in the past. For example, in Patent Document 1, the use / unuse state of a device including the HDD is monitored, and the device is in a use state. A configuration is disclosed in which the automatic stop time of the disk drive motor of the HDD can be varied depending on whether it is in an unused state.

However, this Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything about a fan that cools the HDD, and naturally does not mention any configuration that attempts to suppress the power consumption.
JP-A-9-237463

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and is configured so that the power consumption of the fan for cooling the HDD can be reduced without sacrificing the original function of cooling the HDD. An object of the present invention is to provide a television broadcast receiver.

  The television broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving a television broadcast signal, a signal processing means for restoring the television signal by performing predetermined signal processing on the received television broadcast signal, and the signal processing. In a television broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: a video display means for displaying a video signal of the television signal restored by the means; and an HDD for recording and reproducing the television signal processed by the signal processing means, An electric fan provided to send cooling air to the HDD; recording the television signal to the HDD, and recording the television signal while continuing the recording after a predetermined time from the start of recording; Are sequentially reproduced from the recording start position, and the video signal of the reproduced television signal is displayed on the video display means. Control means for monitoring the access status of the HDD and controlling the second operation mode to stop the electric fan when the non-access time exceeds a predetermined time. And setting means for setting whether to cause the control means to execute the first operation mode and whether to execute the second operation mode when the first operation mode is executed. And

  According to the above-described configuration, the fan is stopped by detecting that the HDD has not been accessed for a predetermined time or more, so the power consumption is effectively reduced without impairing the function of the fan. It is something that can be done. Furthermore, since the user can set whether or not to use the automatic fan stop function, it is possible to provide a television broadcast receiving apparatus with excellent usability.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a signal processing system of a television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a digital television broadcast signal received by a digital television broadcast receiving antenna 101 is supplied to a tuner unit 103 via an input terminal 102. The tuner unit 103 selects and demodulates a signal of a desired channel from the input digital television broadcast signal. Then, the signal output from the tuner unit 103 is supplied to the decoder unit 104 and, for example, subjected to MPEG (moving picture experts group) 2 decoding processing, and then supplied to the selector 105.

  Further, the analog television broadcast signal received by the analog television broadcast receiving antenna 106 is supplied to the tuner unit 108 via the input terminal 107. The tuner unit 108 selects and demodulates a signal of a desired channel from the input analog television broadcast signal. The signal output from the tuner unit 108 is digitized by an A / D (analog / digital) conversion unit 109 and then output to the selector 105.

  The analog video and audio signals supplied to the analog signal input terminal 110 are supplied to the A / D converter 111 and digitized, and then output to the selector 105. Further, the digital video and audio signals supplied to the digital signal input terminal 112 are supplied to the selector 105 as they are.

  The selector 105 selects one of the four types of input digital video and audio signals and supplies it to the signal processing unit 113. The signal processing unit 113 performs predetermined signal processing on the input digital video signal to be used for video display on the video display 114. As the video display unit 114, for example, a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display is adopted. The signal processing unit 113 performs audio signal reproduction by performing predetermined signal processing on the input digital audio signal, converting it into an analog signal, and outputting it to the speaker 115.

  Here, in the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100, various operations including the above-described various reception operations are comprehensively controlled by the control unit 116. The control unit 116 is a microprocessor including a CPU (central processing unit) and the like, and sends control signals to the tuner units 103 and 108, the selector 105, the signal processing unit 113, and the video display unit 114 to control them. .

  Furthermore, the control unit 116 is connected with an operation unit 117 composed of a plurality of switches operated by the user, and a light receiving unit 119 that receives operation information transmitted from the remote controller 118, and the operation content is reflected. Each part is controlled individually.

  In this case, the control unit 116 uses the memory unit 120. The memory unit 120 mainly includes a ROM (read only memory) storing a control program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) for providing a work area of the CPU, various setting information and control. And a nonvolatile memory in which information and the like are stored.

  Further, an HDD unit 121 is connected to the control unit 116. The HDD unit 121 includes an HDD inside and an air cooling fan 122 driven by a motor (not shown).

  The HDD unit 121 records a digital video signal and an audio signal sent from the signal processing unit 113 via the control unit 116 in the HDD, and reproduces the recorded digital video signal and audio signal to reproduce the recorded digital video signal and audio signal. To the signal processing unit, the video display 114 displays the video, and the audio is output from the speaker 115 for viewing.

  Furthermore, the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 includes a power supply terminal 123 that receives supply of power from, for example, a commercial power supply. The power supply supplied to the terminal 123 is converted into direct current by the power supply circuit unit 124, and each of the devices in the apparatus 100 is converted. It is supplied to the circuit unit as an operating power supply and is also supplied to the HDD unit 121. In the HDD unit 121, it is used not only as an HDD driving power source but also as a power source for a motor that drives the fan 122.

  The power supply circuit unit 124 is controlled via the control unit 116 according to the power on / off operation information from the operation unit 117 or the remote controller 118. When the power is turned on, the power is supplied to each circuit unit. To stop. However, the control unit 116 and other circuit units that require constant power supply are always supplied with power.

  Now, in the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 configured as described above, for example, while viewing a broadcast program, there may be a situation in which it is necessary to leave the front of the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100. It is necessary to interrupt or end the viewing of the program.

  For example, in the case of interruption, it is convenient if the program can be viewed continuously from the interrupted scene when viewing is possible again, and the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the present invention has such a function. .

  That is, when program viewing is interrupted, when the user operates the operation unit 117 or the remote controller 118 to send predetermined operation information to the control unit 116, the control unit 116 receives it and drives the HDD unit 121. Then, control is performed so that the video signal and audio signal of the program being viewed are recorded on the HDD. That is, recording is started.

  When the user returns to the viewable state again, the control unit 116 operates the operation unit 117 or the REIT controller 118 to send operation information, so that the control unit 116 continues the recording while the recording is interrupted. The HDD unit 121 and other necessary circuit parts are controlled so as to be sequentially reproduced from the headed part and to present the video and audio.

  As a result, when viewing is interrupted, the user can perform continuous viewing following the interrupted scene without skipping the scene in between. Here, this function is referred to as a “slightly time” function.

  In the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the HDD unit 121 is used for executing the “slight time” function described above in addition to the general usage method of recording reservation and playback thereof. However, it is important to manage the power consumption of the HDD unit 121, and its function will be described below.

  That is, it is configured so that it can be set whether or not to operate the “slight time” function (ON / OFF) and whether or not to execute the energy saving mode (ON / OFF) when operating. .

  That is, if the “slightly time” function is set to operate (ON) and the energy saving mode is set to execute (ON), the following processing is performed.

  That is, if the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is in the power-on state, the HDD unit 121 is in the idle mode (being driven including the HDD drive motor), the fan 122 is operating, and air is sent to the HDD. It is operating to cool it.

  At this time, the control unit 116 monitors the access state of the HDD, and when the inactive state continues for a predetermined time or longer by the timer 125 provided therein, the control unit 116 controls the power management unit 124 to control the HDD unit 121. Is switched to the sleep mode (the drive motor of the HDD stops operating). As a result, the fan 122 also stops operating.

  The HDD non-access continuous time, which is a condition until the HDD unit 121 is switched to the sleep mode, is 15 minutes, for example, and can be configured to be freely set by the user.

  With the above configuration, when the “slightly time” function is set to operate and the energy saving mode is set to be executed, if the HDD is not accessed for a predetermined time or more, the HDD Since the unit 121 enters the sleep mode and the fan automatically stops, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

  The temperature rise of the HDD is mostly due to access except for the influence of the ambient air temperature, and the temperature rise can be suppressed when there is no access for a predetermined time. The effect on the service life is small.

  The operation for setting the “slightly time” function described above to ON (operation possible) and the operation for setting the energy saving mode when the “slightly time” function is set to ON will be described below.

  First, a specific arrangement of operation buttons of the remote controller 118 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The remote controller 118 includes a power button 201 for turning on / off the power of the apparatus 100, a numeric button 202 used for directly switching the channels of the tuner units 103 and 108, and a channel for sequentially switching channels. A button 203, a volume button 204 for adjusting the volume, a cursor button 205 for selecting a setting item from a GUI (Graphical User Interface) format setting screen displayed on the video display 114, and the selected item It has a decision button 206 for registration.

  Further, the remote controller 118 includes a menu button 207 for displaying a setting screen, an end button 208 used for ending menu display, and a time button 209.

  When setting “a little time”, the user operates, for example, the menu button 207 of the remote controller 118 to display a hierarchical menu selection screen, and the cursor button 205 and the decision button 206 further select the “a little time” shown in FIG. Display the “Time” setting menu screen.

  In the “little time” setting menu shown in FIG. 3, whether the “little time” function is turned on or off is set as a setting item, and whether the energy saving mode is turned on or off when turned on. 302 and the HDD non-access time 303 during which the HDD unit 121 is switched to the sleep mode in the energy saving mode are displayed.

  The user sets each item using the cursor button 205 and the enter button of the remote controller 118. In FIG. 3, the current setting state is indicated by the focus indicated by the square frames 304 to 306. That is, the “slight time” is on, the energy saving mode is also on, and the HDD non-access time for shifting to the sleep mode is 15 minutes.

  If the “slightly time” function is not turned on, the other two items are naturally not set. When the setting is completed, the menu display is ended by operating the end button 208 of the remote controller 118.

  If the “slightly time” function is set to ON, the energy saving mode is set to ON, and the HDD unit 121 is switched to the sleep mode, the HDD non-access time is set to 15 minutes. The television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  When the power of the television receiver 100 is switched on, for example, when viewing of a broadcast program is started, the HDD unit 121 is set to the idle mode by the control unit 116, and the fan 122 is also operating. 116 monitors the access status of the HDD of the HDD unit 121. If the time button 209 of the remote controller 118 is operated within 15 minutes, the control unit drives the HDD unit 121 to receive the broadcast program being received. Start recording.

  Next, when the time function is canceled a little, for example, when the time button 209 is operated again, the control unit 116 continues the recording on the HDD and executes the playback from the part where the recording is started. This is presented by the video display 114 and the speaker.

  Recording of the broadcast program and reproduction of the recorded program are continuously executed until the user operates, for example, the end button 208 of the remote controller 118.

  If the HDD has not been accessed for 15 minutes or more, the control unit 116 switches the HDD unit 121 to the sleep mode, and the fan 122 also stops operating.

  When the time button 209 of the remote controller 118 is operated in this state, the control unit 116 first switches the HDD unit 121 to the idle mode and then starts recording the program being viewed. The subsequent processing is the same as described above. In this case, when the HDD unit 121 is switched from the sleep mode to the idle mode, a little time is required, and the recording start timing is slightly delayed but in a range that does not impede practically.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process described above. In FIG. 4, it is started in step S401, and in step S402, it is determined whether or not the “slightly time” function is turned on. If so, whether or not the energy saving mode is turned on in step S403. A determination is made whether or not.

  If the energy saving mode is not set to ON, the HDD unit 121 is set to the idle mode in step S404. In the initial setting state of the television broadcast receiving apparatus 100, the energy saving mode is set to off.

  Next, in step S405, it is determined whether or not the “slightly time” button 209 has been operated. If it is determined that the button 209 has been operated, recording by the HDD is started in step S407.

  Next, in step S407, it is determined whether or not “a little time” has been canceled. If it has been canceled, in step S408, the signal recorded on the HDD is played back and viewed from the recording start portion while recording continues. To do.

  Next, in step S409, it is determined whether or not the reproduction is finished. If finished, the recording is finished in step S410, and the process is finished in step S411.

  If it is determined in step S401 that “slightly time” is not turned on, the process ends in step S411.

  If it is determined in step S403 that the energy saving mode is set to ON, the HDD unit 121 is set to the idle mode in step S412, and it is determined in step S413 whether the HDD has been accessed for 15 minutes or more. If it is determined that there is not, the HDD unit 121 is set to the sleep mode in step S414.

  Next, in step S415, it is determined whether or not the “slightly time” button 209 has been operated. If it is determined that the button has been operated, the HDD unit 121 is shifted to the idle mode in step S416, and then in steps S406 to S406. The process of S411 is performed.

  As described above, according to the television broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, whether or not to operate the “slightly time” function and whether or not to shift to the energy saving mode when the function is to be operated in advance. Configured to be configurable.

  As a result, when the HDD is not accessed for a predetermined time or more in the energy saving mode, the HDD unit is automatically switched to the sleep mode to stop the fan operation. In addition, the operability can be improved.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by variously modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements according to different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The block block diagram shown in order to show the embodiment of this invention and to demonstrate the signal processing system of a television broadcast receiver. The block diagram which shows an example of button arrangement | positioning of the remote controller applied to the television broadcast receiver in the embodiment. The block diagram shown in order to demonstrate the setting operation using the setting menu of the television broadcast receiver in the embodiment. The flowchart shown in order to demonstrate operation | movement of the television broadcast receiver in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100: Television broadcast receiver,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101,106 ... Antenna 102,107,110,112 ... Input terminal 103,108 ... Tuner part 104 ... Decoder part 105 ... Selector 109,111 ... A / D conversion part 113 ... Signal processing part 114 ... Video display device 115 ... Speaker DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 116 ... Control part 117 ... Operation part 118 ... Remote controller 119 ... Light-receiving part 120 ... Memory part 121 ... HDD unit 122 ... Fan 123 ... Power supply input terminal 124 ... Power supply circuit part 125 ... Timer

Claims (2)

Receiving means for receiving a television broadcast signal, signal processing means for restoring the television signal by performing predetermined signal processing on the received television broadcast signal, and a video signal of the television signal restored by the signal processing means In a television broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: a video display means for displaying a video signal; and an HDD for recording and reproducing the television signal processed by the signal processing means.
An electric fan provided to send cooling air to the HDD;
The recording of the television signal to the HDD is started, and the recorded television signal is sequentially reproduced from the recording start position while continuing the recording after a predetermined time from the start of recording. A first operation mode in which the video signal is displayed on the video display means, and a second operation mode in which the access state of the HDD is monitored and the electric fan is stopped when the non-access time exceeds a predetermined time. And control means for controlling to execute
Setting means for setting whether to cause the control means to execute the first operation mode and whether to execute the second operation mode when the first operation mode is executed;
A television broadcast receiving apparatus comprising:   2. The television broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein the setting means further sets the predetermined time value.

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