JP2007150508A - Tuner adaptor and broadcast signal output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast signal reception system composed of a host device and a tuner module capable of selecting a broadcast channel in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: The tuner module 11 is a tuner adaptor attachable to and detachable from the host device 12. The tuner module 11 includes a station selection section 102 and a tuner side broadcast information storage section 104. The tuner side broadcast information storage section 104 stores broadcast information being information associated with a broadcast station or/and a broadcast program. Then a broadcast signal output apparatus in a state of being loaded with the tuner module 11 receives a broadcast signal selected by the station selection section 102, outputs the signal in a form of a video image or/and sound, and transmits and receives the broadcast information to/from the tuner side broadcast information storage section 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tuner adapter capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal and a broadcast signal output device to which the tuner adapter can be attached.

  Digital TV broadcasts began in earnest with BS digital TV broadcasts started in December 2000 and terrestrial digital TV broadcasts started in December 2003. Digital TV broadcasting is characterized by high-quality video and audio, multi-channel compatibility, and provision of character data such as data broadcasting. In digital terrestrial television broadcasting, a high-quality image for a stationary television receiver and a simple image for a portable television receiver can be transmitted in one channel in parallel. Broadcasting for portable TV receivers is scheduled to start in the spring of 2006, and it is expected that the demand for watching TV with portable devices will increase in the future. Prior to digital television broadcasting, digital radio broadcasting was started in October 2003.

  Regarding digital broadcasting in Japan, ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) is standardizing. In ARIB, the operation regulations based on the standards are summarized in the form of technical reports. For example, the operational rules for digital terrestrial television broadcasting are described in ARIB TR-B14.

In order to facilitate the viewing of digital broadcasts, the tuner sequentially searches each physical channel, and if it is detected that the channel can be viewed, the channel list of the channel and program information are acquired, and then the viewer Need to be provided in an easy-to-understand form. Information necessary for viewing including the channel list and program information is referred to as broadcast information. A technique for acquiring broadcast information is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
JP-A-11-205705

  However, when acquiring broadcast information for viewing a digital broadcast, there are the following problems.

  In the case of terrestrial digital broadcasting, the correspondence between channels and broadcasting stations is stipulated separately in units of prefectures (in the metropolitan area, several neighboring prefectures are regarded as one prefecture). Therefore, in order to be able to arbitrarily select a channel that can be viewed on the digital broadcast receiving apparatus, it is necessary to acquire a channel list indicating the correspondence between the channel and the broadcasting station according to the location. In particular, in a portable digital broadcast receiver, it is necessary to acquire broadcast information including a channel list every time it moves out of the prefecture.

  In order to acquire broadcast information, it is necessary to perform an all-station search that searches for all physical channels assigned in digital broadcasting. In the case of digital terrestrial television broadcasting, it takes at least 2 seconds according to the standard to determine that viewing is impossible per channel.

  As of 2005, 18 channels from 13 channels to 30 channels are allocated to digital terrestrial television broadcasting, and after 2011 when analog television broadcasting stops, it will be expanded to 62 channels sequentially. Therefore, as of 2005, it takes about 36 seconds to determine whether to view or not, and it takes about 100 seconds after 2011 when the channel is expanded. In addition to the above, in the all-station search, when a viewable channel is detected, it takes time to acquire and update the broadcast information of the channel.

  In portable digital broadcast receivers, storage areas such as memory are limited, and it is difficult to always maintain broadcast station information in all prefectures. Further, since the program information is converted every moment, it is virtually impossible to keep all the latest program information.

  When digital television broadcasting for portable receivers is started, the number of portable devices capable of receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting is expected to increase in the future. When these devices are taken out of the prefecture and used, all stations must be scanned for each device, which is inconvenient to use.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides:
A tuner adapter that can be attached to and detached from a broadcast signal output device, and that can be selected from a broadcast signal that can be obtained from the broadcast signal, and that can be used for channel selection. Tuner-side broadcast information holding means capable of holding broadcast information as information, holding the broadcast information in the tuner-side broadcast information holding means, and outputting a broadcast signal and broadcast information to the broadcast signal output device, To do.

  Also, a broadcast signal output device to which the tuner adapter can be attached, the broadcast signal output means for receiving the broadcast signal and outputting the signal as video or / and sound in the state where the tuner adapter is attached, and the tuner side broadcast And control means for acquiring broadcast information from the information holding means.

  Further, the broadcast signal output device includes a main body side broadcast information holding unit, and holds the broadcast information acquired from the tuner side broadcast information holding unit.

  The broadcast signal output device acquires broadcast information via an external device or a network, and stores the broadcast information in a tuner-side broadcast information holding unit and / or a main-unit-side broadcast information holding unit.

  The broadcast signal output device is characterized by presenting broadcast information to a user and / or automatically selecting information using information such as an acquisition time.

  According to the present invention, since the tuner module holds the broadcast information including the channel list, the host device can acquire not only the broadcast signal but also the broadcast information from the tuner module in a short time. Therefore, the user can select a broadcast channel in a short time without waiting for a channel scan.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same elements as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In addition, the tuner adapter and the broadcast signal output device in each of the following embodiments will be described as receiving and viewing TV radio waves, but the same applies to radio radio waves.

(Embodiment 1)
One embodiment of the present invention will be described as Embodiment 1 with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a tuner adapter and a broadcast signal output apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 11 is a tuner module, 12 is a host device, 13 is a module interface bus, 101 is an antenna, 102 is a channel selection unit, 103 is a channel selection control unit, 104 is a tuner-side broadcast information holding unit, and 105 is a stream separation unit. 106 is a video decoder, 107 is a video output unit, 108 is an audio decoder, and 109 is an audio output unit. In the following embodiments, the broadcast information uses a channel list.

  The first embodiment will be described below.

  First, an outline of an interface between the tuner module 11 and the host device 12 will be described.

  When the tuner module 11 is attached to the host device 12, it can communicate via the module interface bus 13.

  As an example of the module interface bus 13, in addition to a standardized interface such as an SDIO interface, a PC card interface, and a USB interface, a non-standard interface may be used as long as the tuner module 11 and the host device 12 can recognize each other. As the tuner module, an SDIO card type, a PC card type, and a USB type tuner can be used according to the form of the module interface bus 13, respectively. It is feasible.

  Next, details of the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  The antenna 101 receives a TV radio signal and supplies it to the channel selection unit 102.

  The channel selection control unit 103 acquires necessary broadcast information from the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 in the tuner module 11 and provides it to the user. The user issues a channel selection instruction to the channel selection control unit 103 based on the broadcast information. The channel selection control unit 103 issues a channel selection instruction to the channel selection unit 102 in accordance with the channel selection instruction. Note that when the channel selection control unit 103 acquires broadcast information from the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and when a channel selection instruction is issued to the channel selection unit 102, the module interface bus 13 is used.

  The channel selection unit 102 extracts a signal of the channel from the TV radio signal input from the antenna 101 and demodulates the signal to obtain a transport stream of the channel. This transport stream is supplied to the stream separation unit 105 of the host device via the module interface bus 13. In the stream separation unit 105, the transport stream is separated into a video stream and an audio stream. The video stream is decoded by the video decoder 106 and output from the video output unit 107, and the audio stream is decoded by the audio decoder 108 and output from the audio output unit 109.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining broadcast information acquisition status in time order when the tuner module is sequentially attached to a plurality of host devices in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a channel list is used as broadcast information. 2 (a) to 2 (c), the left side of the arrow represents the situation immediately after mounting, and the right side represents the situation when viewing is possible.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram when a tuner module is mounted on the host device A in Osaka (Phase 1). At this time, it is assumed that neither the host device A nor the tuner module 11 has a channel list. In this case, in order to enable viewing, it is necessary to scan all stations and obtain CL-Osaka. By using the acquired CL-Osaka, receivable channels are identified and can be viewed. The CL-Osaka is held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram when the tuner module is mounted on another host device B in Osaka (Phase 2). In this case, the host device B obtains CL-Osaka stored in the tuner module, so that digital broadcasting can be viewed in Osaka without performing all-station scanning.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram when the tuner module is further mounted on another host device C in Osaka (Phase 3). In this case as well as Phase 2, it is possible to view digital broadcasts in Osaka without scanning all stations.

  When each host device 12 is a tuner module integrated type, when each host device 12 starts viewing digital broadcasting for the first time, all-station scanning must be performed, but the host device 12 is separated from the tuner module as in the present invention. In the case of the type, it is possible to skip the time-consuming all-station scan by utilizing the broadcast information already held in the tuner module.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast information including the channel list is held in the tuner module that is separable from the host device, thereby omitting operations such as all station scanning. It is possible to start viewing digital broadcasting earlier.

  More specifically, the tuner module 11 according to the first exemplary embodiment is a tuner adapter that can be attached to and detached from the host device 12. The tuner module 11 includes an antenna 101, a channel selection unit 102, and a tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104. The antenna 101 receives a broadcast signal. The channel selection unit 102 selects a broadcast signal of any channel from the received broadcast signals, and outputs the selected broadcast signal to the host device 12. The tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 can hold broadcast information that is information related to a broadcast station or / and a broadcast program. Then, the broadcast signal output device receives the broadcast signal selected from the channel selection unit 102 with the tuner module 11 mounted, and outputs the signal as video or / and sound, and the tuner side broadcast information holding unit 104. Broadcast information can be sent to and received from

  The host device 12 according to the first embodiment can be equipped with the tuner module 11. As described above, the tuner module 11 includes the antenna 101, the channel selection unit 102, and the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104. The host device 12 includes a configuration including a video output unit 107 and / or an audio output unit 109, and a channel selection control unit 103. The video output unit 107 and / or the audio output unit 109 receives a broadcast signal selected from the channel selection unit 102 with the tuner module 11 mounted, and outputs the signal as video or / and sound. The channel selection control unit 103 can transmit and receive broadcast information to and from the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104.

  Here, as shown in the first embodiment, the channel selection control unit 103 receives broadcast information from the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and uses the received broadcast information for control of the own device (host device 12). May be.

  The channel selection control unit 103 may receive broadcast information from the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and control the channel selection unit 102 based on the received broadcast information.

  Further, as shown in the first embodiment, the host device 12 may further include an operation unit that receives a channel selection operation by the user. Then, the channel selection control unit 103 receives the broadcast information from the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104, and specifies the relationship between the channel that can be selected by the channel selection unit 102 and the operation on the operation means based on the received broadcast information. Above, the channel selection unit 102 may be controlled in accordance with the operation received by the operation means.

  Further, as shown in the first embodiment, the channel selection control unit 103 may control the video output unit 107 and / or the audio output unit 109 to output the received broadcast information.

(Embodiment 2)
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described as a second embodiment with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the tuner adapter and the broadcast signal output apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a host side broadcast information holding unit.

  In the following, the second embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from the first embodiment.

  Broadcast information acquired by the tuner module 11 is supplied to the channel selection control unit 103 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 via the module interface bus 13. The channel selection control unit 103 can perform channel selection using the broadcast information stored in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 or the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301. Further, the broadcast information stored in the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 can be supplied to the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 as necessary.

  Details of the operation of the channel selection control unit 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating broadcast information held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301. FIG. In each figure, (a) is broadcast information of the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104, and (b) is broadcast information of the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301.

  Broadcast information includes an acquisition date and time, an information ID, the number of elements, and detailed information. The information ID is a field describing the contents of the broadcast information, and here, a channel list Osaka (CL-Osaka), which is a list of channels that can be viewed in Osaka, is stored. As the number of elements, the number of the detailed information is stored. Detailed information is specific contents of broadcast information. In digital terrestrial broadcasting, the channel list differs from prefecture to prefecture, with some exceptions.

  The detailed information in FIGS. 4 and 5 stores a channel name (broadcasting station name) corresponding to a physical channel that can be viewed as a channel list that can be viewed in Osaka. In FIG. 4, only the acquisition date / time is different. In FIG. 5, the number of elements of the detailed information is further smaller than 3 and (b) in (a). This is the case, for example, when the number of acquired channels is 3 compared to the number of channels 7 that can be originally acquired as a result of performing the all-station scan in a place where the radio wave acquisition situation is not good.

  The channel selection control unit 103 selects and acquires necessary information from broadcast information stored in either the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 or the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301. When broadcast information having the same information ID is held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 105, for example, the following selection can be made.

  In the example of FIG. 4, since the information ID, the number of elements, and the detailed information all have the same content, when the information ID is a channel list, the channel selection control unit 103 selects (a) with a newer acquisition date and time. Is preferred.

  In the example of FIG. 5, when the information ID is a channel list, it is often preferable to select (b) having a large number of elements even if the acquisition date is not new.

  In addition, it is possible to select a method of selecting the one with the larger number of accesses to each piece of broadcast information, or an operation means for displaying broadcast information on the host device 12 and allowing the user to perform a selection operation.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation when the information amount of the broadcast information to be stored exceeds the area of the broadcast information holding unit. Now, it is assumed that the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 can hold only a maximum of two pieces of broadcast information.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a situation in which CL-Osaka is being added to the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 that currently stores two channel lists of CL-Tokyo and CL-Nagoya. Since the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 can hold only a maximum of two channel lists, for example, CL-Nagoya having an older acquisition date and time is deleted and CL-Osaka is added instead. The state after adding CL-Osaka is shown in FIG.

  There are many cases where the amount of broadcast information held is limited even in tuner modules that are originally small, and in some cases, in host devices. At this time, it is possible to increase the amount of effective broadcast information by comparing broadcast information such as acquisition date and time and deleting broadcast information that is less necessary.

  In selecting broadcast information to be deleted, in addition to a configuration in which a device automatically performs information based on information such as acquisition date / time, type, and information amount, a configuration in which a user can select broadcast information that may be deleted is also possible.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining broadcast information acquisition status in time order when tuner modules are sequentially attached to a plurality of host devices in a plurality of prefectures. As described above, the channel list for terrestrial digital broadcasting differs depending on the prefecture. 7 (a) to 7 (d), the left side of the arrow represents the situation immediately after the mounting, and the right side represents the situation when viewing is possible.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram when the tuner module is mounted on the host device A in Osaka (Phase 1). At this time, it is assumed that neither the host device A nor the tuner module 11 has a channel list that is broadcast information. In this case, in order to enable viewing, it is necessary to scan all stations and obtain CL-Osaka. The CL-Osaka is held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 of the tuner module, respectively.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram when the tuner module is mounted on another host device B in Osaka (Phase 2). In this case, the host device B obtains CL-Osaka stored in the tuner module, so that digital broadcasting can be viewed in Osaka without performing all-station scanning.

  When the host device B is a tuner module integrated type, when the host device B starts to view digital broadcasting for the first time, an all-station scan is always required. However, when the host device B is a tuner module separation type as in the present invention, By using the broadcast information already possessed by the tuner module, it is possible to skip the time-consuming all-station scan.

  If the CL-Osaka is copied and held from the tuner module to the host device B, it is not necessary to acquire the channel list from the tuner module at the next viewing time, and the broadcast viewing can be started earlier.

  FIG. 7C is a diagram when the tuner module is mounted on another host device C in Tokyo (Phase 3). It is assumed that the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 of the host device C has already held the Tokyo channel list (CL-Tokyo) by another method. Also in this case, viewing in Tokyo can be performed immediately without scanning all stations, and CL-Tokyo can be held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 of the tuner module.

  FIG. 7D is a diagram when the host device B used in Osaka in Phase 2 is brought to Tokyo and the tuner module is mounted (Phase 4). Since CL-Tokyo is held in the tuner module in Phase 3, the host device B can acquire CL-Tokyo from the tuner module and start viewing in Tokyo without scanning all stations.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the tuner module and the host device are purchased in various places by holding the broadcast information including the channel list in both the tuner module 11 and the host device 12. Even if it is brought, there is a high possibility that the broadcast information acquisition operation such as all-station scanning can be omitted, so that the user can start viewing the digital broadcast earlier.

  Here, as shown in the first embodiment, the channel selection unit 102 transmits broadcast information related to a broadcast station that emits a broadcast signal that can be received by the antenna 101 and / or a broadcast program formed by the broadcast signal, to a broadcast signal output device. May be output. In this case, the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 holds the broadcast information output from the channel selection unit 102 to the broadcast signal output device from the host device 12.

  As described above, the host device 12 according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 that can hold the same or different broadcast information as the broadcast information held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104. Is further provided.

  Here, the channel selection unit 102 may output to the channel selection control unit 103 broadcast information relating to a broadcast station that emits a broadcast signal that can be received by the antenna 101 and / or a broadcast program constituted by the broadcast signal. In this case, the channel selection control unit 103 performs control so that the broadcast information received from the channel selection unit 102 is held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104.

  Further, the channel selection control unit 103 may use the broadcast information received from the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and / or the broadcast information held in the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 for the control of the own apparatus. .

  The channel selection control unit 103 may control the channel selection unit 102 based on broadcast information received from the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and / or broadcast information held in the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301. Good.

  Further, the channel selection control unit 103 may control the video output unit 107 and / or the audio output unit 109 so as to output the received broadcast information.

  Further, the video output unit 107 and / or the audio output unit 109, when the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 respectively hold broadcast information, which broadcast information is used. You may make it perform the display for prompting a user's selection.

  In addition, when the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 respectively hold broadcast information, the channel selection control unit 103 stores the broadcast information in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 104. Based on the time respectively input to the broadcast information holding unit 301, it may be determined which broadcast information is used for the control of the own apparatus.

  In addition, when the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 each hold broadcast information, the channel selection control unit 103 determines which one based on the information amount of each piece of broadcast information. You may make it determine whether broadcast information is utilized for control of an own apparatus.

  Further, the channel selection control unit 103 counts the number of accesses each time the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 are accessed, and the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding When each of the units 301 holds broadcast information, it determines which broadcast information is to be used for controlling its own device based on the counted number of accesses or the number of accesses per predetermined time. Also good.

  Further, it further comprises a position detecting means for detecting the position of the own device, and the channel selection control unit 103 includes, in the broadcast information held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and / or the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301, When broadcast information related to a broadcast area including the detected position is included, it may be determined that the broadcast information is broadcast information used for control of the own device.

  Further, the channel selection control unit 103 holds one of the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 while holding the broadcast information while the other does not hold the broadcast information. The broadcast information being used may be determined to be broadcast information used for controlling the own device.

  The channel selection control unit 103 holds different broadcast information when at least part of the broadcast information held by the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 includes different broadcast information. You may make it control to hold | maintain this different broadcast information also in the holding means of the non-side.

  Further, the channel selection control unit 103 holds one of the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 and the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 while holding the broadcast information while the other does not hold the broadcast information. It is also possible to control so that the broadcast information being held is held in one side.

  When the information amount of the broadcast information held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 or the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301 is larger than a predetermined information amount, the channel selection control unit 103 or the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 or You may make it control so that at least one part of the broadcast information hold | maintained at the host side broadcast information holding | maintenance part 301 is deleted. In this case, the tuning control unit 103 deletes which broadcast information is to be deleted based on the acquisition time, type, or amount of information of the broadcast information held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 or the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301. May be determined.

(Embodiment 3)
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described as a third embodiment with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the tuner adapter and the broadcast signal output device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes an external broadcast information acquisition unit.

  In the following, the third embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from the second embodiment.

  The external broadcast information acquisition unit 801 acquires broadcast information of the area by another means such as the Internet and stores it in the host-side broadcast information holding unit 301. The channel selection control unit 103 performs channel selection control using information in the host side broadcast information holding unit 301 as necessary.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the status of broadcast information when the tuner module is sequentially attached to a plurality of host devices in the present embodiment in order of time.

  FIG. 9A is a diagram when a tuner module is mounted on the host device A in Osaka (Phase 1). The host device A is assumed to be a device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone that normally has an Internet communication function.

  The host device A acquires a necessary channel list via the Internet. In the present embodiment, by acquiring CL-Osaka, the host device A can start viewing digital broadcasts in Osaka without having to perform a full station search. At the same time, the acquired CL-Osaka is copied and held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 of the tuner module.

  Furthermore, since it is possible to easily obtain a channel list all over Japan on the Internet, it is also possible to obtain CL-Tokyo by the host device A and hold it in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 of the tuner module. is there.

  FIG. 9B is a diagram when the tuner module is mounted on another host device B in Osaka (Phase 2). The host device B is assumed to be a device such as a portable DVD player or a video camera that does not normally have an Internet communication function.

  Since the host device B does not have an Internet communication function, the channel list cannot be acquired from the Internet. However, since the tuner module holds CL-Osaka in Phase 1, the host device B can acquire the CL-Osaka from the tuner module and can view the content in Osaka without performing a full-station scan.

  When the host device B is a tuner module integrated type, when the host device B starts to view digital broadcasting for the first time, an all-station scan is always required. However, when the host device B is a tuner module separation type as in the present invention, If a tuner module that already has broadcast information is used, time-consuming all-station scanning becomes unnecessary.

  FIG. 9C is a diagram when the tuner module is mounted on another host device C in Tokyo (Phase 3). Similarly to the host device B, the host device C does not have an Internet function. Even in this case, the host device C obtains CL-Tokyo from the tuner module, so that it can be viewed immediately in Tokyo without performing all-station scanning.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast information necessary for the host device having the Internet communication function is acquired and held in the tuner module, so that the tuner module becomes the host device. After mounting, the channel list can be acquired and viewing can be started without scanning all stations.

  More specifically, the host device 12 according to the third embodiment acquires broadcast information via an external device or a network. The tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 holds the broadcast information acquired by the host device 12 by receiving it.

  In addition, the host device 12 includes an external broadcast information acquisition unit 801 that acquires broadcast information via an external device or a network. The channel selection control unit 103 controls the broadcast information acquired by the external broadcast information acquisition unit 801 to be held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104.

  In the third embodiment, the broadcast information is acquired by the host device using the Internet, that is, the LAN. However, the communication means is not particularly limited. In addition, it is possible to obtain data using a removable recording medium such as an SD card. Although the external broadcast information acquisition unit 801 has been described as being included in the host device 12, the same effect can be obtained even when included in the tuner module 11.

  In the description of all the embodiments of the present invention, the channel list is used as an example of the broadcast information. However, it is specific to the broadcast station including the program content information including the electronic program guide (EPG) and affiliated station information. The same effect can be obtained even in the case of personal information such as information, user name, and telephone number. Among the above, personal information is used as information for each broadcast station to identify a user when using the bidirectional communication function that is characteristic of digital broadcasting. Most personal information is text information, and input is very troublesome depending on the device. However, according to the present invention, once the personal information is input, it can be used by other host devices. Therefore, when viewing digital broadcasts with a plurality of devices, the number of input of personal information can be greatly reduced. it can.

  The host device 12 is an example of a broadcast signal output device of the present invention. The broadcast signal output device may be a mobile phone terminal, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a digital camera, or the like. In short, any digital broadcast signal can be reproduced.

  The tuner module 11 is an example of a tuner adapter according to the present invention. The tuner adapter may be a memory card type module or a LAN card type module. In short, any device that can be mounted on a broadcast signal output device and can receive a digital broadcast signal may be used.

  The channel selection unit 102 is an example of the channel selection means of the present invention. The channel selection means can be composed of various electronic components. A configuration including a semiconductor element may be employed, and a configuration including a capacitor, a resistor, or the like may be employed.

  The tuner-side broadcast information holding unit 104 is an example of tuner-side broadcast information holding means of the present invention. The tuner-side broadcast information holding means may be constituted by a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a ferroelectric memory, or may be constituted by a DRAM or SRAM with a power source.

  The video output unit 107 and / or the audio output unit 109 is an example of a broadcast signal output unit of the present invention. The broadcast signal output means may be composed of a liquid crystal monitor, a speaker, or the like, or any one of them. Moreover, you may comprise with CRT, an organic EL display, etc. The broadcast signal output means may include a signal processing circuit.

  The channel selection control unit 103 is an example of the control means of the present invention. The control means may be configured with a microcomputer, a DSP, or the like, or may include other electronic components. Further, it may be configured only by hardware, or may be configured by hardware and software.

  The operation means of the present invention can be constituted by a numeric keypad, a cross key, a jog dial, a dial, a push button or the like.

  The external broadcast information acquisition unit 801 is an example of a broadcast information acquisition unit of the present invention. The broadcast information acquisition means includes a LAN module and its interface, a USB terminal and its interface, a memory card slot and its interface, and the like. In short, any communication means that can acquire information directly from an external device or via a network may be used.

  The host side broadcast information holding unit 301 is an example of the main body side broadcast information holding unit of the present invention. The main body side broadcast information holding means may be constituted by a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a ferroelectric memory, or may be constituted by a DRAM or SRAM with a power source. Moreover, you may comprise with the channel selection control part 103 grade | etc., With the same semiconductor chip.

  The position detection means may be any means that can detect the position of the own apparatus using GPS, PHS, or the like.

  According to the present invention, broadcast information is held in a tuner module, and this broadcast information is provided to a host device so that it can be used for channel selection or the like. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a broadcast receiving apparatus in which a tuner module can be mounted. For example, the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone terminal with a digital broadcast receiving function, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, and the like. Further, the present invention can be applied to a one-segment digital broadcast receiver and a normal digital broadcast receiver. Further, the present invention can be applied to both a television receiver and a radio broadcast receiver.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tuner module and a host device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram for explaining the holding status of broadcast information when the tuner module is mounted on various host devices in the first embodiment FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tuner module and a host device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram for explaining an example of broadcast information Schematic diagram for explaining another example of broadcast information Schematic diagram for explaining deletion of broadcast information Schematic diagram for explaining the holding status of broadcast information when the tuner module is mounted on various host devices in the second embodiment FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a tuner module and a host device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram for explaining the holding status of broadcast information when the tuner module is mounted on various host devices in the third embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Tuner module 12 Host apparatus 13 Module interface bus 101 Antenna 102 Channel selection part 103 Channel selection control part 104 Tuner side broadcast information holding part 105 Stream separation part 106 Video decoder 107 Video output part 108 Audio decoder 109 Audio output part 301 Host side broadcast information Holding unit 801 External broadcast information acquisition unit

Claims (24)

A tuner adapter detachable from the broadcast signal output device,
An antenna for receiving broadcast signals;
Channel selection means for selecting a broadcast signal of any channel from the received broadcast signal, and outputting the selected broadcast signal to the broadcast signal output device;
Tuner-side broadcast information holding means capable of holding broadcast information that is information relating to a broadcast station or / and a broadcast program,
The broadcast signal output device receives the selected broadcast signal from the channel selection means in a state where the tuner adapter is mounted, outputs the signal as video or / and sound, and holds the tuner-side broadcast information. Broadcast information can be sent to and received from the means.
Tuner dapta. The channel selection means outputs to the broadcast signal output device broadcast information relating to a broadcast station that emits a broadcast signal that can be received by the antenna and / or a broadcast program constituted by the broadcast signal,
The tuner-side broadcast information holding unit holds the broadcast information output from the broadcast signal output device by the channel selection unit to the broadcast signal output device.
The tuner adapter according to claim 1. The broadcast signal output device acquires broadcast information via an external device or a network,
The tuner-side broadcast information holding means holds the broadcast information received by the broadcast signal output device.
The tuner adapter according to claim 1. An antenna that receives a broadcast signal; and a channel selection unit that selects a broadcast signal of any channel from the received broadcast signal, and outputs the selected broadcast signal to the broadcast signal output device; A broadcast signal output device capable of mounting a tuner adapter, comprising: tuner-side broadcast information holding means capable of holding broadcast information that is information relating to a broadcast station or / and a broadcast program;
Broadcast signal output means for receiving the selected broadcast signal from the channel selection means and outputting the signal as video or / and sound while the tuner adapter is attached;
Control means capable of transmitting and receiving broadcast information to and from the tuner-side broadcast information holding means;
A broadcast signal output device. The control means receives broadcast information from the tuner-side broadcast information holding means, and uses the received broadcast information for controlling its own device.
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 4. The control means receives broadcast information from the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and controls the channel selection means based on the received broadcast information;
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 4. It further comprises an operation means for accepting a tuning operation by the user,
The control means receives broadcast information from the tuner-side broadcast information holding means, and specifies a relationship between a channel that can be selected by the channel selection means and an operation in the operation means based on the received broadcast information. And controlling the channel selection unit according to the operation received by the operation unit.
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 4. The control means controls the broadcast signal output means to output the received broadcast information;
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 4. The channel selection means outputs broadcast information relating to a broadcast station that emits a broadcast signal that can be received by the antenna and / or a broadcast program constituted by the broadcast signal, to the control means,
The control means controls the broadcast information received from the channel selection means to be held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding means;
The tuner adapter according to any one of claims 4 to 8. Broadcast information acquisition means for acquiring broadcast information via an external device or network,
The control means controls to hold the broadcast information acquired by the broadcast information acquisition means in the tuner-side broadcast information holding means;
The tuner adapter according to any one of claims 4 to 8. A main body side broadcast information holding unit capable of holding the same or different broadcast information as the broadcast information held in the tuner side broadcast information holding unit;
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 4. The control means uses the broadcast information received from the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and / or the broadcast information held in the main-body-side broadcast information holding means for controlling its own device.
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. The control means controls the channel selection means based on broadcast information received from the tuner side broadcast information holding means or / and broadcast information held in the main body side broadcast information holding means,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. The control means controls the broadcast signal output means to output the received broadcast information;
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. The broadcast signal output means, when the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and the main-body-side broadcast information holding means respectively hold broadcast information, a display for prompting the user to select which broadcast information to use I do,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. When the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and the main body-side broadcast information holding means hold broadcast information, the control means holds the broadcast-side broadcast information holding means and the main-body-side broadcast information holding information. Decide which broadcast information to use for the control of the own device based on the time input to each means,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. When the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and the main-body-side broadcast information holding means each hold broadcast information, the control means automatically determines which broadcast information is based on the amount of information of each broadcast information. Decide whether to use for device control,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. The control means counts the number of accesses each time the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and the main body-side broadcast information holding means are accessed, and the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and the main-body-side broadcast information holding means respectively When holding broadcast information, based on the counted number of access times or the number of access times per predetermined time, determine which broadcast information is to be used for control of the device,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. It further comprises position detecting means for detecting the position of the own device,
When the broadcast information related to the broadcast area including the detected position is included in the broadcast information held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and / or the main-body-side broadcast information holding means, Determine that the broadcast information is broadcast information used to control the device itself,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. The control means is configured such that when one of the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and the main-body-side broadcast information holding means holds broadcast information, and the other does not hold broadcast information, the control means holds the other broadcast information. Determine that the information is broadcast information used to control the device itself,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. When at least a part of the broadcast information held by the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and the main-body-side broadcast information holding means includes different broadcast information, the control means holds the different broadcast information. Control to hold the different broadcast information in the means,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. The control means is configured such that when one of the tuner-side broadcast information holding means and the main-body-side broadcast information holding means holds broadcast information, and the other does not hold broadcast information, the control means holds the other broadcast information. Control to keep the information on one side,
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. When the information amount of the broadcast information held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding means or the main-body-side broadcast information holding means is larger than a predetermined information amount, the control means is the tuner-side broadcast information holding means or the main-body-side broadcast Control to delete at least a part of the broadcast information held in the information holding means;
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 11. The control means determines which broadcast information to delete based on the acquisition time, type or amount of information of broadcast information held in the tuner-side broadcast information holding means or the main-body-side broadcast information holding means.
The broadcast signal output device according to claim 23.

Images