JP2007096948A - Broadcast signal reception device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast signal reception device which improves an operability at the time of what is called a direction channel selection of a TV broadcast, and which prevents an uncomfortable status referred to as what is called sandblasting from occurring. <P>SOLUTION: A channel number indicating a broadcast signal which a tuner 12 receives is beforehand stored in a valid channel information storing region 152, and a channel number corresponding to a selected information which a remote control device 30 has accepted is retrieved from the valid channel information storing region 152. As a result, when the channel number corresponding to the selected information which the remote control device 30 has accepted is stored in the valid channel information storing region 152, the channel selection is performed, and if the channel number is not stored in the valid channel information storing region 152, the selection is not performed. Accordingly, since a viewer can not select an unreceivable channel, a wasteful operation is not required. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast signal receiving apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a broadcast signal receiving apparatus capable of specifying and receiving a broadcast signal (broadcast station) with a plurality of digits.

  With the recent increase in the number of digital TV broadcast channels, especially the increase in satellite broadcast channels, the number of TV broadcast channels, which was conventionally about 1 to 12, has increased to a level represented by three digits. . Therefore, the viewer can easily select a desired channel simply by operating the channel number up / down key. However, in recent years, it is necessary to perform so-called direct channel selection in which a 3-digit number is input by operating a numeric keypad.

By the way, if a viewer mistakenly inputs a number to which a broadcast signal (broadcast station) is not assigned when operating a numeric keypad to input a three-digit number to select a channel, it is called a so-called sandstorm. As a result, an unpleasant noise is generated with respect to the sound. In order to prevent such a situation in advance, information regarding channels that can be viewed, specifically, an invention that displays channel numbers (see Patent Document 1), and channels that can be viewed when the channel up / down key is operated. There are proposed an invention in which the channel is up and down only for a target (see Patent Document 2), an invention for searching for a broadcast signal having a frequency corresponding to a designated channel number (see Patent Document 3), and the like.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-200908 JP-A-10-215441 JP 2002-344829 A

  However, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, a large number of channel numbers may be displayed, and in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2, a considerable time is required for the viewer to find the target channel. Furthermore, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, a certain amount of time is required for the channel search, and uncomfortable noise may be generated for both video and audio while the search is being performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and improves the operability at the time of so-called direct channel selection, and is a broadcast signal receiving apparatus that does not cause an unpleasant so-called sandstorm state. The main purpose is provision.

  In short, the present invention prevents viewers from selecting unreceivable channels by rejecting input of numbers other than receivable channel numbers, enabling only receivable channel numbers, or the like. It is characterized by comprising.

  The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is based on reception means for receiving a broadcast signal in response to a channel selection command, reception means for receiving channel selection information specifying a broadcast signal, and channel selection information received by the reception means. A broadcast signal receiving apparatus including a channel selection unit that gives a channel selection command to the reception unit, a storage unit that stores in advance receivable broadcast signal information representing a broadcast signal that can be received by the reception unit, and the reception unit Search means for searching for receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the storage means, and receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the reception means as a result of the search by the search means. Is stored in the storage means, a channel selection command is given to the reception means, and receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the reception means is stored in the storage means. The first case 2 of which are not 憶 characterized by comprising a control unit which does not give tuning command to said receiving means.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the reception unit is retrieved from the storage unit, and as a result of the search, the channel selection information received by the reception unit is supported. In the first case where receivable broadcast signal information is stored in the storage means, a channel selection command is given to the reception means. However, in the second case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the reception unit is not stored in the storage unit, the channel selection command is not given to the reception unit.

  Moreover, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention further comprises display means and display control means for controlling a display state of the display means in the invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, wherein the control means includes the second control means. In this case, the display control means is controlled so that a predetermined display is performed on the display means.

  In the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention as described above, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, in the second case, a predetermined display is performed on the display means.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the predetermined display is information relating to a broadcast signal being received by the receiving means.

  In the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention as described above, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, in the second case, information on the broadcast signal being received by the receiving means is displayed.

  Furthermore, in the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, the predetermined display is information notifying that the broadcast signal corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving unit cannot be received. It is characterized by that.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, in the second case, information notifying that the broadcast signal corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving means cannot be received. Is displayed.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the broadcast signal receiving apparatus invention, the predetermined display is a list display of receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means.

  In the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention as described above, in the broadcast signal receiving apparatus invention, in the second case, the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means is displayed as a list.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the predetermined display is the channel selection received by the receiving means among the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. Receivable broadcast signal information related to information.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, in the second case, the selection received by the receiving means among the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. Receivable broadcast signal information related to the station information is displayed.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, wherein the predetermined display is stored in the storage means when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits. Of the numbers that are stored receivable broadcast signal information, the numbers are part of the numbers that are channel selection information received by the receiving means.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, and in the second case, they are stored. Of the numbers that are the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the means, the numbers that include the numbers that are the channel selection information received by the receiving means are displayed.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the invention, wherein the predetermined display is stored in the storage means when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits. Among the numbers that are stored receivable broadcast signals, the number is the closest to the number that is the channel selection information received by the receiving means.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, and in the second case, they are stored. Of the numbers that are receivable broadcast signals stored in the means, the number closest to the number that is the channel selection information received by the receiving means is displayed.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is any one of the inventions of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, wherein the accepting means is configured to accept selection of receivable broadcast signal information displayed on the display means. It is characterized by.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in any one of the above-described inventions of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, selection of receivable broadcast signal information displayed on the display means is received by the receiving means.

  Further, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the control means stores the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information in the storage means when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits. The reception means is configured to allow the reception means to receive only the numbers that match one of the one or more digits of the received receivable broadcast signal information in order from the higher digit. It is characterized by that.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits in the invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, they are stored in the storage means. Only the numbers that sequentially match one of the one or a plurality of digits, which are the receivable broadcast signal information, in order from the higher-order digit are accepted by the accepting unit as the channel selection information.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the invention, wherein the receiving means stores the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information in the storage means when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits. It is configured such that only numbers that sequentially match from the higher-order digit to one of one or more digits that are stored receivable broadcast signal information are accepted as channel selection information. .

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits in the invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, they are stored in the storage means. Only numbers that match one of the one or a plurality of digits that are receivable broadcast signal information in order from the higher digit are accepted as channel selection information.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is the above-described broadcast signal receiving apparatus invention, wherein the accepting means selectively turns on the plurality of keys for accepting the input of numbers 0 to 9, and the plurality of keys. Lighting / extinguishing means for turning off / off, and when the tuning information and receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, the receivable broadcast stored in the storage means Only a key for accepting input of a numerical value that sequentially matches one of the one or a plurality of digits as signal information in order from the upper digit is selectively lit. .

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, they are stored in the storage means. Only the key for accepting the input of numbers that sequentially match the higher-order digits to one of the one or more digits that are the receivable broadcast signal information is selectively lit.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the accepting means includes a software key for displaying a plurality of keys for accepting an input of numerals 0 to 9, channel selection information, and When the receivable broadcast signal information is one or more digits, one of the one or more digits that are receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means is sequentially entered from the upper digit. Only a key for accepting input of a matching number is selectively displayed.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits in the invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, they are stored in the storage means. Only keys for accepting input of numbers that sequentially match the higher-order digits to one of one or a plurality of digits that are receivable broadcast signal information are selectively displayed.

  Furthermore, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention is the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to any one of the inventions, wherein the receiving means is a remote control device capable of bidirectional communication with the main body.

  In such a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in any one of the above-described inventions of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, a remote control device capable of two-way communication with the main body is used as receiving means.

  According to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention as described above, in the first case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the reception unit is stored in the storage unit, the channel selection command is issued. Channel selection is provided to the receiving means. However, in the second case in which the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the reception unit is not stored in the storage unit, a channel selection command is not given to the reception unit, so that unpleasant noise or the like occurs. There is no fear of doing it.

  Further, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the second case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving means is not stored in the storage means. Since the predetermined display is performed on the display means, the viewer can easily understand that the channel selection has not been performed, in other words, the channel selection information input by the viewer cannot be selected. .

  Further, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the second case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving means is not stored in the storage means. Shows information about the broadcast signal being received by the receiving means, so that the viewer has not been tuned, in other words, it is easy for the channel selection information entered by the viewer to not tune. Become understandable.

  Furthermore, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the second case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving means is not stored in the storage means. Displays information notifying that the broadcast signal corresponding to the channel selection information received by the reception means cannot be received, so that the viewer did not select the channel, in other words, the selection input by the viewer. Station information makes it easy to understand that tuning cannot be performed.

  Furthermore, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the second case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving means is not stored in the storage means. Since the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means is displayed in a list, the viewer has not selected the channel, in other words, the channel selection information entered by the viewer cannot be selected. Can be easily understood, and it is possible to confirm channel selection information that can be selected.

  Furthermore, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the second case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving means is not stored in the storage means. Since the receivable broadcast signal information related to the channel selection information received by the reception means among the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means is displayed, the viewer did not perform the channel selection. In other words, it is easy to understand that tuning cannot be performed with channel selection information input by the viewer, and channel selection information related to channel selection information input by the viewer can be confirmed. become.

  Furthermore, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, and the channel selection information received by the receiving means. In the second case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to is not stored in the storage means, it is the channel selection information received by the reception means among the numbers that are the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. Since a number including a number is displayed, the viewer can easily understand that channel selection has not been performed, in other words, channel selection information entered by the viewer cannot be selected. At the same time, it is possible to confirm correct channel selection information based on channel selection information input by the viewer by mistake.

  Further, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or a plurality of digits, and the channel selection information received by the receiving means. In the second case where the receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to is not stored in the storage means, the number is the channel selection information received by the receiving means among the numbers that are the receivable broadcast signals stored in the storage means Because the number closest to is displayed, it is easy for the viewer to understand that the channel was not selected, in other words, the channel selection information entered by the viewer cannot be selected. It is possible to confirm correct channel selection information based on channel selection information input by the user by mistake.

  Furthermore, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in any one of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus inventions, the selection of the receivable broadcast signal information displayed on the display means is accepted by the accepting means. Does not need to input the tuning information from the beginning.

  Further, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, they are stored in the storage means. Only the numbers that match one of the one or more digits of the receivable broadcast signal information in order from the upper digit are accepted by the accepting means as the tuning information, so that the viewer can select a channel that can be selected. It becomes possible to input only information.

  Further, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, they are stored in the storage means. Since only numbers that match the order from the higher digit to one of the one or more digits that are receivable broadcast signal information are accepted as channel selection information, the viewer can only select channel selection information that can be selected. It becomes possible to input.

  Furthermore, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-described invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, they are stored in the storage means. Since only the key for accepting the input of the digit that matches in order from the higher digit to any one or more digits of the receivable broadcast signal information is selectively lit, the viewer can select the channel. Only possible tuning information can be input.

  Further, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, when the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, they are stored in the storage means. Since only the key for accepting the input of numbers that match the order from the upper digit to any one or more digits of the receivable broadcast signal information is selectively displayed, the viewer can select the channel. Only possible tuning information can be input.

  Furthermore, according to the broadcast signal receiving device according to the present invention, in any one of the above-mentioned broadcast signal receiving device inventions, the remote control device capable of two-way communication with the main body is used as the receiving means. The channel selection operation can be performed while viewing the display screen of the remote control device.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an embodiment of a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

  The broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 according to the present invention selects either a broadcast signal received by an antenna 10 and selected by a tuner 12 or an input signal from an external input terminal 11 by an input signal selection unit 16 to display a video / Output from the audio output unit 18 to the output terminal 25. Note that a TV receiver or a monitor and a speaker can be connected to the output terminal 25. In the present embodiment, the monitor 26 is connected to the output terminal 25, but a speaker (not shown) is also connected. In addition, the tuner 12 selects a channel under the control of the control unit 17, that is, selects and receives a broadcast signal of any channel in accordance with a channel selection command given from the control unit 17. Further, the external input terminal 11 may be one system, but may be provided with a plurality of systems. In any case, the input signal selection unit 16 controls the control unit 17 to provide one system of signals, specifically, a broadcast signal of any channel received by the tuner 12 or one or more systems input from the external input terminal 11. Is selected from the video / audio output unit 18 through the output terminal 25 and displayed on the monitor 26.

  The broadcast signal received by the tuner 12 is extracted from the closed caption data by the data slicer 13, decoded by the data decoder 14, and stored in the memory 15. In the present embodiment, the data slicer 13 and the data decoder 14 are used to store EPG (Electronic Program Guid) data in the memory 15. However, both the data slicer 13 and the data decoder 14 operate under the control of the control unit 17 as necessary.

  An OSD (On Screen Display) control unit 19 also outputs data for displaying various images to the video / audio output unit 18 as needed under the control of the control unit 17. The video / audio output unit 18 generates image data in which image display data (OSD data) given from the OSD control unit 19 is superimposed on the image data given from the input signal selection unit 16, and the output terminal 25. Output to. Note that the control unit 17 also controls video and audio output from the video / audio output unit 18 and superimposition of OSD data on the video to be output. Although not shown, the OSD control unit 19 has a built-in OSD data memory that stores OSD data in advance. The OSD data includes image data for screen display, font data for character display, and the like. Therefore, the OSD control unit 19 can perform character display using font data for character display included in the OSD data in accordance with an instruction given from the control unit 17.

  An operation unit 24, a remote control input processing unit 20 and a remote control output processing unit 22 are further connected to the control unit 17. The remote control input processing unit 20 is connected to the receiving unit 21, decodes the radio wave or optical signal transmitted from the remote control device 30 (hereinafter referred to as the remote control device 30) received by the receiving unit 21 and sends it to the control unit 17. give. Note that the same signal is finally given to the control unit 17 both when the viewer directly operates the operation unit 24 and when the viewer operates the remote control device 30. The remote control output processing unit 22 is connected to the transmission unit 23, encodes the signal given from the control unit 17, converts it into a radio wave or an optical signal, and transmits the radio signal or optical signal from the transmission unit 23 to the remote control device 30. That is, two-way communication is possible between the broadcast signal receiving device 1 and the remote control device 30. The operation unit 24 not only simply accepts operation inputs, but also includes a display device using a small liquid crystal panel or the like, for example, so that bidirectional communication with the main body of the broadcast signal receiving device 1 is possible. Also good.

  The memory 15 is provided with storage areas such as an EPG data storage area 151, an effective channel storage area 152, a contract information storage area 153, and a channel selection restriction mode flag 154. The EPG data storage area 151 stores EPG data extracted by the data slicer 13 and decoded by the data decoder 14.

  The effective channel information storage area 152 can input a channel number (receivable broadcast signal information) of a broadcast signal that can be received by the tuner 12 and a signal within the external input terminal 11 (specifically, a DVD player, cable TV broadcast) A system (connected to various devices capable of outputting video and / or audio signals such as a set box) is stored. Specifically, for an input signal from the antenna 10 or the external input terminal 11, whether or not each channel is a no-signal with respect to the input signal from the antenna 10, and a plurality of input signals from the external input terminal 11 are used. The control unit 17 determines whether each of the systems is not connected, and the result is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 as information on the effective channel (and the effective external input terminal).

  The contract information storage area 153 stores, for example, information related to a pay broadcast contract. Specifically, contracted channel numbers among a number of pay broadcast channels are stored in the contract information storage area 153. The channel number stored in the contract information storage area 153 is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 as an effective channel number. Therefore, the information on the effective channel stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 includes the channel number stored in the contract information storage area 153.

  The channel selection restriction mode flag 154 is an area for storing ON / OFF of the channel selection restriction mode. Although the channel selection restriction mode will be described later in detail, the channel selection restriction operation by the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 according to the present invention is enabled when the channel selection restriction mode is on. When the channel selection restriction mode is off, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 according to the present invention performs a normal channel selection operation.

  In the following description, it is assumed that a channel number that is a multiple of 5 from 5, 10, 15,... 100, 105, 110 is stored in advance in the effective channel storage area 152 as an effective channel number. However, these effective channel numbers may be stored as a result of performing a channel search as described above, or may be downloaded and stored.

  Hereinafter, with respect to the operation of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above, a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the control unit 17 and a schematic diagram of a screen display of the monitor 26 connected to the video / audio output unit 18 are shown. The description will be given with reference.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the control unit 17 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a screen display state of the monitor 26 according to the first embodiment. 2 is a processing procedure when the channel selection restriction mode flag 154 is set to ON, and when the channel selection restriction mode flag 154 is set to OFF, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus of the present invention. The same operation as that of a conventional general device of this kind is performed.

  The control unit 17 monitors whether or not the operation unit 24 or the remote control input processing unit 20 has received an input of the first digit of the channel number (step S11). While the input of the first digit is not accepted (NO in step S11), the control unit 17 continues to monitor the acceptance of the numeric input. However, in this case, it is assumed that one of the channels, for example, the channel with the channel number “5” is already selected and the image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26.

  When the input of the first digit is accepted (YES in step S11), the control unit 17 starts measuring time by the internal counter (step S12), and the OSD control unit 19 receives the input first digit number. It controls and displays on the screen of the monitor 26 (step S13). Then, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the time measured by the internal counter has passed a predetermined time, that is, whether or not the time is up (step S14). If the time is up, the on-screen display is made from the screen of the monitor 26. And the process returns to step S11 (step S15). That is, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the first digit number input was accepted, the on-screen display is once cleared from the screen of the monitor 26, thereby canceling the channel number input operation. This is notified to the viewer. In addition, for example, when the channel number is selected by the up / down button, the control unit 17 deletes the on-screen display from the screen of the monitor 26 and returns the process to step S11.

  Next, it is monitored whether the operation unit 24 or the remote control input processing unit 20 has received an input of a channel selection operation (step S16) and whether an input of the next number has been received (step S21). If the input of the channel selection operation is not received and the input of the next number is not received (both NO in steps S16 and S21), the control unit 17 returns the process to step S14 and inputs the channel selection operation until the time is up. Alternatively, the monitoring of whether or not there is an input of a digit next to the channel number is continued.

  If the input of the channel selection operation is accepted before the time is up (YES in step S16), the control unit 17 stores the channel number that matches the number displayed on the screen on the monitor 26 (all digits match). It is searched whether or not it is stored in the 15 valid channel information storage areas 152 (step S17). When it is found that a channel number whose all digits match the number being displayed on the screen is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (YES in step S18), the control unit 17 gives the channel number to the tuner 12. Thus, a channel is selected (step S19). As a result, the tuner 12 selects a broadcast signal of a channel whose channel number is the number input by the viewer.

  On the other hand, if it is found as a result of the search in step S17 that the channel number whose all digits match the number displayed on the screen is not stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (NO in step S18), the control unit 17 deletes the on-screen display from the screen of the monitor 26 (deletes the number being displayed on the screen), and the channel number currently selected on the screen of the monitor 26 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 instead of the number being displayed on-screen. A process of displaying, displaying a predetermined message on-screen on the screen of the monitor 26, or displaying a list of receivable channel numbers on the screen of the monitor 26 is executed (step S20).

  For example, in FIG. 3A, the channel number “5” is selected and its broadcast signal is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26, and the numeral “2” is input and displayed on the screen of the monitor 26. It shows the state being done. When the on-screen display is erased in this state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the number “2” that has been on-screen displayed so far on the screen of the monitor 26 is erased. When the currently selected channel number is displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 3D, the number “2” instead of the number “2” that has been displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 until then is displayed. 5 "is displayed on the screen. Further, when the predetermined message is displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 3E, the message “input number 2” is substituted for the number “2” that has been displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 until then. Cannot receive the channel. "Appears on the screen.

  By the way, when the channel selection operation is not accepted in the previous step S16 and the input of the next number is accepted in step S21 (NO in step S16, YES in S21), the control unit 17 turns on the number that accepted the input. On-screen display is performed on the screen of the monitor 26 as the number next to the number being displayed on the screen (step S22). Thereafter, the control unit 17 returns the process to step S14 for determining whether or not the above-described time is up.

  Therefore, for example, in FIG. 3C, the channel with the channel number “5” is selected, and an image based on the broadcast signal is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26. The number “2” is followed by “1”. The number “21” that has been input is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26. When the on-screen display is erased in this state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the number “21” that has been on-screen displayed until then on the screen of the monitor 26 is erased. When the currently selected channel number is displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 3D, the number “21” instead of the number “21” that has been displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 until then is displayed. 5 "is displayed on the screen. Further, when the predetermined message is displayed on the screen, as shown in FIG. 3 (f), the message “input number 21” is substituted for the number “21” that has been displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 until then. Cannot receive the channel. "Appears on the screen.

  If the receivable channel number is three digits (up to “999”), another digit can be input in step S21, and thereafter the same processing as described above is performed. However, in this case, when a four-digit number is input, it is clear that there is no matching channel number as a result of the search in step S17, so the process of step S20 is performed and the process proceeds to step S11. Returned. However, the processing may be automatically advanced from step S16 to step S17 on the assumption that the channel selection operation has been automatically performed when a three-digit number is input.

  By the way, in step S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 2 described above, it is possible to execute other processing. For example, when it is determined that the channel number corresponding to the number being displayed on the screen on the screen of the monitor 26 is not stored in the effective channel information storage area 152, the channel number associated with the number being displayed on the screen is displayed on the monitor 26. It is also possible to display the image on the screen and allow the viewer to select or re-enter the channel number. Such a process is based on a psychological viewpoint that the viewer should more surely store the number at the beginning than the number at the end of the desired channel number. This is also clear from the general phenomenon that, for example, a number string or a character string such as a telephone number, a car registration number, a person name, etc. is more surely memorized at the head side than at the tail side.

  From the above viewpoint, in step S20 of the flowchart of FIG. 2, for example, by searching and displaying the channel number having the first digit on the screen of the monitor 26 at that time, As compared with a case where all receivable channel numbers are displayed as a list on the screen of the monitor 26, the viewer can find and select a desired channel number more quickly and easily.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing, as a subroutine, processing executed by the control unit 17 instead of step S20 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 as a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the screen display state of the monitor 26 according to the modification of the first embodiment.

  First, the control unit 17 searches the effective channel information storage area 152 for a channel number including the number displayed on the screen on the screen of the monitor 26 on the head side (step S201). Specifically, when the on-screen display number is a single digit “2”, the control unit 17 stores the channel number whose first digit is “2” in the effective channel information storage area 152. A search is performed from the channel number, and the result is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 in a list format (step S202).

  As described above, “20” and “25” are stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 as channel numbers whose first digit is “2”, which are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Thus, “20” and “25” are displayed as a list on the screen of the monitor 26. The screen shown in FIG. 5A indicates that “20 channel” is selected when the numeric key “1” of the operation unit 24 or the remote controller 30 is operated, and “25 channel” is selected when “2” is operated. ing. In the screen shown in FIG. 5B, one of the channels is selected by selecting “20” or “25” with the cursor key of the operation unit 24 or the remote controller 30 and operating the “OK” key. It is shown that.

  5C and 5D illustrate the screen display state of the monitor 26 when the number being on-screen display is “1”. As described above, “10”, “15”, 100 ”,“ 105 ”, and“ 110 ”are stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 as channel numbers whose first digit is“ 1 ”. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, “10”, “15”, 100 ”,“ 105 ”, and“ 110 ”are displayed in a list on the screen of the monitor 26. On the screen shown in FIG. 5 (c), “10 channel” can be selected by operating “1” of the numeric keypad of the operation unit 24 or the remote controller 30, and “15 channel” can be selected by operating “2”. It is shown that. In the screen shown in FIG. 5D, the cursor key of the operation unit 24 or the remote controller 30 is used to select any one of “10”, “15”, 100 ”,“ 105 ”, and“ 110 ”and press the“ OK ”key. Indicates that any channel is selected by operating.

  As described above, the control unit 17 monitors whether or not any selection has been accepted from the channel numbers displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 in the list format, and whether or not the time has expired (step S203). ). If the time is up while the channel number is not selected (NO in step S203, YES in S204), the control unit 17 returns the process of this subroutine, so the process returns to step S11 of the flowchart of FIG. Can start over from the beginning. On the other hand, if any channel number is selected before the time is up (NO in step S204, YES in S203), the control unit performs channel selection by giving the tuner 12 the channel number corresponding to the accepted selection (step S204). Step S205). Thereafter, the control unit 17 returns the processing of this subroutine, and the processing is returned to step S11 of the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing, as a subroutine, a process executed by the control unit 17 instead of step S20 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 as still another modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the screen display state of the monitor 26 of still another modified example of the first embodiment.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, when it is found that the channel number corresponding to the number being displayed on the screen on the screen of the monitor 26 is not stored in the effective channel information storage area 152, the number being displayed on the screen is the highest. Automatically selects the nearest channel number and tunes in.

  First, the control unit 17 searches the effective channel information storage area 152 for the channel number of the number closest to the number currently displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 (step S211). Specifically, when the on-screen display number is a single digit “2”, the controller 17 as the search result has the highest channel number “2” among the channel numbers stored in the effective channel information storage area 152. A close “5” can be found. Therefore, the control unit 17 controls the tuner 12 to select the channel having the channel number “5” (step S212). However, if the channel of channel number “5” has been selected until then, the channel is not actually switched. At the same time, the control unit 17 displays the selected channel number on the screen of the monitor 26 (step S213), and returns the process to step S11 of the flowchart of FIG.

  Since the effective channel information storage area 152 stores “5” as the channel number closest to the single-digit number “2” as described above, the channel number “5” as shown in FIG. In the state where the channel “2” is selected and the number “2” is input, the channel number “5” is selected and the number “5” is displayed on the monitor 26 as shown in FIG. On-screen display on the screen. On the other hand, when the channel number “5” is selected as shown in FIG. 7C and the number “21” is input, the channel number “20” as shown in FIG. ”Is selected and the numeral“ 20 ”is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 on-screen.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure by the control unit 17 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a screen display state of the monitor 26 according to the second embodiment. Note that the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are processing procedures when the channel selection restriction mode flag 154 is set to ON, and when the channel selection restriction mode flag 154 is set to OFF, the broadcasting of the present invention is performed. The signal receiving apparatus performs the same operation as that of a conventional general apparatus of this type.

  The control unit 17 monitors whether the operation unit 24 or the remote control input processing unit 20 has received an input of the first digit of the channel number (step S31). While the input of the first digit is not accepted (NO in step S31), the control unit 17 continues to monitor the acceptance of the numeric input. However, in this case, it is assumed that one of the channels, for example, the channel with the channel number “5” is already selected and the image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26.

  When the input of the first digit is accepted (YES in step S31), the control unit 17 starts the time counting by the internal counter (step S32), and the channel number having the received digit as the first digit is stored in the memory. It is searched whether or not it is stored in the 15 valid channel information storage areas 152 (step S33). As a result of this search, if it is found that the matching channel number is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (YES in step S34), the control unit 17 sets the OSD control unit 19 to the number that has been previously received. It controls and displays on the screen of the monitor 26 (step S35). If it is determined as a result of the search in step S33 that the matching channel number is not stored in the valid channel information storage area 152 (NO in step S34), the control unit 17 returns the process to step S31. As a result, the viewer can redo the channel number input from the beginning.

  After the first digit is displayed on the screen in step S35, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the time measured by the internal counter has passed a predetermined time, that is, whether or not the time is up (step S36). If the time is up, the process proceeds to step S38 to be described later. When the time is not up (NO in step S36), the control unit 17 determines whether the operation unit 24 or the remote control input processing unit 20 has received an input of a channel selection operation (step S37), and receives an input of the next number. It is monitored whether or not (step S42). If the input of the channel selection operation is not accepted and the next number is not accepted (NO in both steps S37 and S42), the control unit 17 returns the process to step S36, and inputs the channel selection operation until the time is up. Alternatively, monitoring is continued whether or not the number of the next digit of the channel number is input.

  When the input of the channel selection operation is accepted before the time is up (NO in step S36, YES in S37), or when the time is up (YES in step S36), the control unit 17 displays on-screen on the screen of the monitor 26. A search is made as to whether or not a channel number in which all the digits match the number in the memory is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 of the memory 15 (step S38). When it is found that a channel number whose all digits match the number being displayed on the screen is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (YES in step S39), the control unit 17 gives the channel number to the tuner 12. Thus, a channel is selected (step S41). As a result, the tuner 12 selects a broadcast signal of a channel whose channel number is the number input by the viewer.

  On the other hand, if it is found as a result of the search in step S38 that the channel number whose all digits match the on-screen display number is not stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (NO in step S39), the control unit 17 executes a predetermined process (step S40). The predetermined processing in step S40 is the processing in step S20 in the flowchart of FIG. 2, that is, the on-screen display is erased from the screen of the monitor 26 (the number being displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 is erased). ) The channel number currently selected on the screen of the monitor 26 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 instead of the number being displayed on the screen, the predetermined message is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26, or the receivable channel number. Is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 on-screen.

  By the way, when the channel selection operation is not accepted in the previous step S37 and the input of the next number is accepted in step S42 (NO in step S37, YES in S42), the control unit 17 monitors the accepted number. A search is made as to whether or not the channel number, which is the next digit of the number on-screen display on the screen 26, is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 of the memory 15 (step S43). As a result of this search, if it is found that the matching channel number is not stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (NO in step S44), the control unit 17 returns the process to the above-described step S36, while the time is not up. Continues monitoring whether there is an input of a channel selection operation or an input of the number of the next digit of the channel number.

  As a result of the search in step S43, if it is found that the matching channel number is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (YES in step S44), the control unit 17 is displaying the number for which the input has been received on the screen. Is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 as the next digit of the number (step S45). Thereafter, the control unit 17 returns the process to the above-described step S36, and continues monitoring whether or not there is an input of a channel selection operation or an input of the number of the next digit of the channel number while the time is not up.

  For example, FIG. 10A shows a state in which a channel of channel number “5” is selected and an image based on the broadcast signal is displayed. In this state, when the number “2” is first input, the effective channel information storage area 152 stores channel numbers “20” and “25” whose first digit number is “2”. Therefore, “2” is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 as shown in FIG.

  If, for example, “1” is input as the next number in this state, the channel number of the number “21” from the first digit side is not stored in the effective channel information storage area 152, so the display state is as shown in FIG. The state shown in (b) is maintained. However, for example, when “5” (or “0”) may be input as the next number after “2”, the channel number with the number “25” (or “20”) is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152. Since it is stored, the number “25” (or “20”) is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 as shown in FIG. Further, for example, when the number “11” is input, “110” is stored as the channel number in the effective channel information storage area 152, so that the number “11” is displayed on the monitor 26 as shown in FIG. Is displayed on-screen.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 10B or FIG. 10D, the effective channel information storage area 152 is displayed such that the number displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 is “2” or “11”. Is the number of the channel number not stored. Therefore, when the time is up in such a display state, channel selection is not performed, and the same processing as in step S20 in FIG. 2 described above, that is, the on-screen display is erased from the screen of the monitor 26 (the number being displayed on the screen). The channel number currently selected is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 instead of the number being displayed on the screen, and a predetermined message is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 or can be received. One of the processes of displaying the list of the correct channel numbers on the screen of the monitor 26 is performed.

  Next, a third embodiment of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, reception is performed by clearly indicating to the viewer the numeric keys that can be operated on the bidirectional remote control device 30 side, or prohibiting the operation of numeric keys other than the numeric keys that can be operated. Only channel numbers of possible channels can be selected.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an external appearance of the remote control device 30 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration thereof. A transmitter 32 and a receiver 33 for performing bidirectional communication with the broadcast signal receiver 1 are provided at the front end of the remote control device 30. Further, on the outer surface of the remote control device 30, a numeric keypad 34 composed of ten numeric keys from “0” to “9”, a cursor key 36 for moving the cursor on the screen of the monitor 26, an enter key 37, Other keys 38 are exposed and can be operated by the viewer. Each numeric key of the numeric keypad 34 can be individually turned on / off by light emitting means such as an LED.

  Inside the remote control device 30, a control unit 31 using an MPU is provided. A predetermined signal is input to the control unit 31 when the above-described keys and the like are connected to the control unit 31 and each is operated. A numeric key lighting circuit 35 is connected to the control unit 31. The numeric key lighting circuit 35 is a circuit for selectively turning on / off each numeric key from “0” to “9” of the numeric keypad 34 in accordance with a control signal given from the control unit 31. In addition, the transmission unit 32 and the reception unit 33 described above are connected to the control unit 31 via an output processing unit 320 and an input processing unit 330, respectively. The output processing unit 320 is for encoding an operation input (key input) received by the remote control device 30, converting the operation input into a radio wave or an optical signal from the transmission unit 32, and transmitting it to the broadcast signal receiving device 1. The input processing unit 330 is for decoding the radio wave or optical signal transmitted from the transmission unit 23 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 received by the reception unit 33 and supplying the decoded signal to the control unit 31.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure executed by the control unit 17 of the third embodiment of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the control unit 31 of the remote control device 30, respectively. It is. FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating the screen display state of the monitor 26 according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, operations of the broadcast signal receiving device 1 and the remote control device 30 according to the present invention will be described with reference to these flowcharts. Note that the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are processing procedures when the channel selection restriction mode flag 154 is set to on, and when the channel selection restriction mode flag 154 is set to off, the broadcasting of the present invention is performed. The signal receiving apparatus performs the same operation as that of a conventional general apparatus of this type.

  The control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving device 1 monitors whether or not the first digit data of the channel number has been received from the remote control input processing unit 20 (step S51). The control unit 31 of the remote control device 30 monitors whether or not the input of the first digit is accepted (NO in step S71). When the input of the first digit is accepted by operating any one of the numeric keys of the numeric keypad 34 (YES in step S71), the control unit 31 of the remote control device 30 transmits the numeric data of the accepted input. It transmits to the broadcast signal receiver 1 from the part 32 (step S72).

  In this way, when the broadcast signal receiving device 1 receives the numeric data transmitted from the remote control device 30 via the receiving unit 23 (YES in step S51), the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving device 1 counts time using an internal counter. Is started (step S52), and it is searched whether or not a channel number having the first digit of the data received from the remote control device 30 is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 of the memory 15 (step S53). In the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1, it is assumed that one of the channels, for example, the channel with the channel number “5” is already selected and the video is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26.

  As a result of the search in step S53, if it is found that the matching channel number is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (YES in step S54), the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving device 1 first determines the remote control device. The number of data received from 30 is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 by controlling the OSD control unit 19 (step S55). When it is determined as a result of the search in step S53 that the matching channel number is not stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 (NO in step S54), the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 performs step S51. Return processing to. As a result, the viewer can redo the channel number input from the beginning.

  After the first digit is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 in step S55, the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 finds the next digit of the matched channel number as a result of the search in the previous step S53. Numeric data is transmitted from the transmitter 23 to the remote control device 30 (step S56). At this time, the number data transmitted from the broadcast signal receiving device 1 to the remote control device 30 is not limited to one, and may be plural. Thereafter, the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 determines whether or not the time measured by the internal counter has passed a predetermined time, that is, whether or not the time is up (step S57). (YES in step S57), the on-screen display is erased from the screen of the monitor 26, and the process returns to step S51 (step S58). When the time is not up (NO in step S57), the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 receives the input of the channel selection operation from the remote control device 30 (step S59), and the next numerical data Is monitored (step S61).

  On the other hand, the remote control device 30 monitors whether or not numeric data from the broadcast signal receiving device 1 has been received (step S73), and whether or not a channel selection operation by operating the determination key 37 has been accepted (step S73). Step S74). When the numeric data transmitted from the broadcast signal receiving device 1 in step S56 is received by the receiving unit 33 (YES in step S73), the control unit 31 of the remote control device 30 controls the numeric key lighting circuit 35, thereby One or a plurality of numeric keys corresponding to the received one or a plurality of numeric data of 34 is turned on (step S76). In this case, the control unit 31 of the remote control device 30 accepts only the operation of one or a plurality of numeric keys that are lit in the numeric keypad 34, and ignores even if other numeric keys that are not lit are operated. You may comprise as follows.

  Thereafter, the control unit 31 of the remote control device 30 determines whether or not any one of the lit numeric keys or a plurality of numeric keys is operated (step S77), and the channel selection operation (operation of the decision key 37). ) Is monitored (step S78). When neither operation is performed (NO in both steps S77 and S78), the control unit 31 continues monitoring whether any operation is accepted. When any one of the lit numeric keys is operated (YES in step S77), the control unit 31 of the remote control device 30 transmits the numeric data corresponding to the operated numeric key in the numeric keypad 34. It transmits to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 from the part 32 (step S79), and returns a process to step S73 mentioned above.

  When a channel selection operation is accepted in step S74 or step S78 (YES in step S74 or S78), specifically, when the enter key 37 is operated, the control unit 31 of the remote control device 30 performs the channel selection operation. A signal indicating that it has been received (a signal indicating that the enter key 37 has been operated) is transmitted from the transmitting unit 32 to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 (step S75).

  In this way, when any one of the numeric keys of the numeric keypad 34 is operated in the remote control device 30 and the corresponding numeric data is received by the broadcast signal receiving device 1 (YES in step S61), the broadcast signal receiving device 1 The controller 17 searches whether or not a channel number having the number of the received data as the next digit of the number being displayed on the screen is stored in the effective channel information storage area 152 of the memory 15 (step S62). In addition, the number of the received data is displayed on the screen of the monitor 26 as the number of the digit next to the number being displayed on the screen (step S63).

  By the way, the number received by the broadcast signal receiving device 1 from the remote control device 30 in step S61 is one of the one or more numbers previously transmitted to the remote control device 30 by the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving device 1 in step S56. It is. Therefore, when a channel number whose number is the next digit after the number being displayed on the screen is searched in the effective channel information storage area 152 of the memory 15 in step S62, a matching channel number is always found. Therefore, the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 next determines whether or not there is a digit next to the channel number found by the search (step S64). In this case, the absence of the next digit number means that the input of the channel number has been completed (NO in step S64), so the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 is currently displaying on-screen on the screen of the monitor 26. Is selected (step S60), and the process returns to step S51.

  On the other hand, if there is a next digit number in step S64 (YES in step S64), the control unit 17 of the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 finds the next digit of the channel number that coincides as a result of the search in the previous step S62. Numeric data is transmitted from the transmitter 23 to the remote control device 30 (step S65), and thereafter the process returns to step S57.

  In the remote control device 30, whether numeric data corresponding to the operated numeric key of the numeric keypad 34 is transmitted to the broadcast signal receiving device 1 in step S 79 before receiving numeric data from the broadcast signal receiving device 1. Whether or not a channel selection operation (operation of the enter key 37) has been accepted is monitored (NO in steps S73 and S74). Therefore, when numeric data is received again from the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 as described above (YES in step S73), or when a channel selection operation is received (YES in step S74), the control unit 31 of the remote control device 30. Performs the same processing as described above.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, when the numeric key “2” in the numeric keypad 34 of the remote control device 30 is operated first, the effective channel information storage area 152 of the memory 15 of the broadcast signal receiving device 1 is stored. Since the channel numbers “20” and “25” are stored, the data of the numbers “0” and “5” are transmitted from the broadcast signal receiving device 1 to the remote control device 30. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 16B, only the numeric keys “0” and “5” of the numeric keys 34 of the remote control device 30 are lit. In this state, the viewer can only input the numbers “0” and “5”. In other words, only the channel numbers “20” and “25” can be viewed together with the previously input “2”. Can understand that is possible. Then, when the viewer operates the numeric key “0” (or “5”), for example, the channel with the channel number “20” (or “25”) is selected.

  In the above-described embodiment, the numeric keypad 34 of the remote control device 30 is configured to include the numeric keys “0” to “9” as hardware, but the numeric keypad 34 of the remote control device 30 is displayed on a liquid crystal panel or the like, for example. A configuration including software keys displayed on a touch panel using the apparatus is also possible.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic view illustrating the display state of the touch panel in the configuration in which the remote controller 30 as described above includes the touch panel. In the configuration as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 17A, when the numeric key “2” in the numeric keypad 34 of the remote control device 30 is first operated, the broadcast signal receiving device is the same as described above. Data of numbers “0” and “5” is transmitted from 1 to the remote control device 30. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 17B, only the numeric keys “0” and “5” of the numeric keys 34 of the remote control device 30 can be displayed. Accordingly, in this state, only the numbers “0” and “5” are displayed on the numeric keypad 34 of the remote control device 30, so that the viewer can input only the numbers “0” and “5”. In other words, it can be understood that only the channel numbers “20” and “25” can be viewed together with the previously input “2”. Then, when the viewer operates the numeric key “0” (or “5”), for example, the channel with the channel number “20” (or “25”) is selected.

  As described above, when the remote control device 30 includes a display unit using a liquid crystal panel or the like, the remote control device 30 can perform two-way communication with the broadcast signal receiving device 1. The on-screen display on the monitor 26 shown in FIGS. 3E, 3F, 3G, 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D is displayed on the display unit of the remote control device 30. It is also possible to configure it. When such a configuration is adopted, the viewer can perform a channel number selection operation or the like on the display unit of the remote controller 30 at hand instead of the screen of the monitor 26.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the receivable broadcast signal information is a number (channel number) for TV broadcasting has been described. However, for example, when a plurality of signal inputs from the external input terminal 11 are represented by numbers, they can be processed in the same way as channel numbers, or both can be mixed and processed. . Further, even when the receivable broadcast signal information is not a numeral but an alphabet, the same processing can be performed based on the arrangement order of the letters of the alphabet.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, TV broadcasting is targeted. However, the present invention can also be applied when radio broadcasting (AM, FM, shortwave) is targeted and the frequency of each broadcasting station is numerically input.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of one Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the control part of 1st Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the state of the screen display of the monitor of 1st Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is the flowchart which showed as a subroutine the process which the control part of the modification of 1st Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention performs. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the state of the screen display of the monitor of the modification of 1st Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is the flowchart which showed as a subroutine the process which the control part of the further another modification of 1st Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention performs. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the state of the screen display of the monitor of the further another modification of 1st Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the control part of 2nd Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the control part of 2nd Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the state of the screen display of the monitor of 2nd Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the remote control apparatus of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the remote control apparatus of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence performed by the control part of 3rd Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence performed by the control part of 3rd Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence performed by the control part of the remote control apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the state of the screen display of the monitor of 3rd Embodiment of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the display state of a touch panel in the structure with which the remote control apparatus of the broadcast signal receiver which concerns on this invention is equipped with a touch panel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Broadcast signal receiver 12 Tuner 15 Memory 152 Effective channel information storage area 17 Control part 19 OSD control part 21 Receiving part 23 Transmission part 30 Remote control device 31 Control part 32 Transmission part 33 Receiving part 34 Numeric keypad 35 Numeric key lighting circuit 36 Cursor key 37 Enter key

Claims (14)

A receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal according to the channel selection command, a receiving means for receiving channel selection information for specifying the broadcast signal, and a channel selection command to the receiving means based on the channel selection information received by the receiving means In a broadcast signal receiving apparatus provided with channel selection means,
Storage means for storing receivable broadcast signal information representing broadcast signals receivable by the receiving means;
Search means for searching for receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving means from the storage means;
As a result of the search by the search means, in the first case where receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the reception means is stored in the storage means, a channel selection command is given to the reception means, And control means for not giving a channel selection command to the receiving means in the second case where receivable broadcast signal information corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving means is not stored in the storage means. Broadcast signal receiving device. Further comprising display means and display control means for controlling the display state of the display means,
The broadcast signal reception according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to control the display control means so that a predetermined display is performed on the display means in the second case. apparatus.   3. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined display is information relating to a broadcast signal being received by the receiving unit.   3. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined display is information notifying that a broadcast signal corresponding to the channel selection information received by the receiving unit cannot be received.   3. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined display is a list display of receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage unit.   The predetermined display is receivable broadcast signal information related to channel selection information received by the receiving means among receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus described.   When the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, the predetermined display is accepted by the accepting means among the numbers that are the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the broadcast signal receiving apparatus is a number including a part of the number as channel selection information.   When the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, the predetermined display is accepted by the accepting unit among the numbers that are receivable broadcast signals stored in the storage unit. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the broadcast signal receiving apparatus is a number closest to a number that is channel selection information.   The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reception unit is configured to receive selection of receivable broadcast signal information displayed on the display unit.   When the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, the control means includes one or more digits of the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. 3. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving means is configured to accept only numbers that sequentially match any of the digits from the upper digit as channel selection information.   When the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, the reception means is one or more digits of the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. 3. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein only the numbers that coincide with any of the digits on the higher order side are received as channel selection information. The accepting means includes a plurality of keys for accepting input of numbers from 0 to 9, and lighting / extinguishing means for selectively turning on / off the plurality of keys.
When the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, the turn-on / light-off means is one or more digits that are receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 11, wherein only a key for accepting input of a digit that sequentially matches one of the digits from the upper digit is selectively lit. The receiving means includes a software key for displaying a plurality of keys for receiving input of numbers from 0 to 9,
When the channel selection information and the receivable broadcast signal information are one or more digits, the higher side is one of the one or more digits that are the receivable broadcast signal information stored in the storage means. 12. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 11, wherein only a key for accepting input of numbers that match in order from the first digit is selectively displayed. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the receiving unit is a remote control device capable of bidirectional communication with the main body.

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