JP2009111809A - Receiving apparatus and radio broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receiving apparatus that prevents a broadcast channel from being misdetected due to the noise that own apparatus produces, and preventing, as much as possible, the detection of a broadcast channel which is equivalent to the frequency of the noise from being disturbed. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus, comprising a detection unit for detecting the field strength of radio wave being currently received; a storage unit for storing the noise frequency and the noise field strength; and a determination unit for determining whether the result of the detection satisfies the noise determination condition. Radio wave discharged from the present apparatus as noise is received to set the noise frequency as a receiving frequency, when detecting a field strength equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. The noise field strength is set as a field strength equivalent to the field strength detected, and the noise determination condition is one where the receiving frequency is set to the noise frequency which is lower than or equal to the noise field strength. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving device that receives radio waves and a radio broadcast receiving device that receives broadcast waves of radio broadcasting.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a radio broadcast receiving apparatus that receives a broadcast wave of a radio broadcast, extracts content information included therein, and outputs a sound is widely used. In addition, in such a receiving apparatus, for example, the reception frequency is sequentially switched within a certain range, and the frequency (the possibility of being a broadcast wave frequency) when the electric field strength of reception is equal to or higher than a certain threshold (search threshold). Some of them have a search function that detects a broadcast channel (frequency of radio waves including broadcast waves). According to such a search function, even when the broadcast channel is not known in advance, it can be easily detected.

  However, such a search function may select a frequency other than the broadcast channel. For example, if a relatively large noise (unnecessary radio wave) exists around the receiving device, the frequency of this noise may be erroneously detected as a broadcast channel. Therefore, for example, when sound output of a broadcast program related to a broadcast channel is automatically executed, a noise sound is output, which may cause discomfort to the user.

For this reason, heretofore, methods for preventing such problems have been considered. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228667 discloses a search function that skips a specific frequency in order to deal with unnecessary broadcast waves and external noise.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-100817

  In recent years, electronic devices have become more sophisticated, and radio broadcast receivers are often integrated with various electronic components and devices. Therefore, the possibility that the radio broadcast receiving apparatus itself emits relatively large noise is increasing. As a result, countermeasures against noise generated by the aircraft have become very important.

  However, for example, if the frequency of noise generated by the own device is known in advance and this frequency is uniformly skipped by the search function, a broadcast channel equivalent to this frequency will not be detected. Therefore, an appropriate search function cannot be executed, and convenience may be impaired.

  Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention prevents erroneous detection of a broadcast channel due to noise generated by itself, and prevents detection of a broadcast channel equivalent to the noise frequency as much as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide a receiving device and a radio broadcast receiving device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives radio waves having a reception frequency that is set to be changeable, a detecting unit that detects electric field strength of currently received radio waves, A storage unit for storing noise information representing the frequency (referred to as “noise frequency”) and electric field strength (referred to as “noise electric field strength”), and whether or not the detection result satisfies a noise determination condition A determination unit configured to receive the radio wave emitted as noise from the own device by the reception unit with respect to the noise frequency. Is set as the reception frequency when an electric field strength equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (referred to as a “search threshold”) is detected, and the noise electric field strength is set to the detected electric field strength. It is set as an electric field strength that is equal to or greater than this, and the noise determination condition is detected when the reception frequency is set to the noise frequency, and is equal to or less than the noise electric field strength. Is the configuration (first configuration).

  According to this configuration, for example, when the noise determination condition is satisfied in search processing (processing for detecting a reception frequency when an electric field strength equal to or higher than the search threshold is detected as a broadcast channel), the electric field strength equal to or higher than the search threshold. Even if is detected, this detection is considered to be caused by noise generated by the own aircraft. For this reason, in this case, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the broadcast channel by not considering it as a broadcast channel.

  Also, since the noise determination condition is that the detected electric field strength is equal to or less than the noise electric field strength, the noise determination condition is not satisfied when a broadcast wave having an electric field strength greater than the noise electric field strength is received. . For this reason, it is possible to prevent the detection of the broadcast channel having the same frequency as the noise as much as possible.

  Further, in the first configuration, a first process for performing the detection for a plurality of types of the reception frequencies, a second process for determining whether or not each of the detection results is equal to or greater than the search threshold, A configuration for performing a third process for further determining whether or not the detection result satisfies the noise determination condition in a case where it is determined in the second process that the value is equal to or greater than the search threshold (second configuration). And

  According to this configuration, a broadcast channel is detected by detecting a plurality of types of reception frequencies (for example, frequencies arranged at predetermined intervals within a certain range) that do not satisfy the noise determination condition (search Processing).

  In the second configuration, if it is determined by the third process that the noise determination condition is not satisfied, audio information is acquired from the broadcast wave received at the reception frequency at that time, It is good also as a structure (3rd structure) which performs an output.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to automatically output the sound of the broadcast program related to the broadcast channel following the search process. Therefore, it is possible to provide a receiving device that is highly convenient for the user.

  In any one of the first to third configurations, the content of the noise information is such that the reception frequency is sequentially changed, and each time, radio waves emitted as noise from its own device in an anechoic chamber are sent to the reception unit. After the first step of receiving and executing the detection and the second step of selecting the reception frequency when the detection result is equal to or greater than the search threshold, the noise frequency is determined. The noise electric field intensity may be set based on the selected reception frequency, and the noise electric field intensity may be set based on the detection result at the time of selection (fourth configuration).

  More specifically, in the fourth configuration, the noise frequency is equal to the reception frequency selected in the second step, and the noise electric field strength is a result of detection at the time of selection in the second step. It is good also as a structure (5th structure) equal to. According to these configurations, it becomes easy to appropriately set noise information and appropriately determine whether or not the noise determination condition is satisfied. Here, the “anechoic chamber” includes a shield room.

  In any one of the first to fifth configurations, the storage unit stores a plurality of types of the noise information, and the determination unit satisfies the noise determination condition using each of the noise information. It is good also as a structure (6th structure) which determines whether it is.

  According to this configuration, when there are a plurality of types of noise frequencies, it is possible to cause the determination unit to make an appropriate determination by providing noise information for each noise frequency.

  More specifically, as the second configuration, the first process is a process (a seventh process) in which the reception frequency is decreased or increased by a predetermined value and the detection is performed at each stage. It is good also as a structure.

  A receiving apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh configurations, wherein the receiving apparatus receives a radio broadcast wave and outputs sound based on audio information acquired from the broadcast wave. If so, it is possible to output sound related to radio broadcasting while enjoying the advantages of any of the above configurations.

  As described above, according to the receiving apparatus according to the present invention, for example, when a noise determination condition is satisfied in search processing (processing for detecting a reception frequency when a field strength equal to or higher than a search threshold is detected as a broadcast channel). Even if an electric field strength equal to or higher than the search threshold is detected, this detection is considered to be caused by noise generated by the own device. For this reason, in this case, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the broadcast channel by not considering it as a broadcast channel.

  Also, since the noise determination condition is that the detected electric field strength is equal to or less than the noise electric field strength, the noise determination condition is not satisfied when a broadcast wave having an electric field strength greater than the noise electric field strength is received. . For this reason, it is possible to prevent the detection of the broadcast channel having the same frequency as the noise as much as possible.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to a radio broadcast receiving apparatus. The radio broadcast receiving apparatus (hereinafter also referred to simply as “receiving apparatus”) 1 includes an antenna 11, a receiving unit 12, a signal processing unit 13, an audio output unit 14, an electric field strength detecting unit 15, a frequency detecting unit 16, A control unit 17, a storage unit 18, and an operation unit 19 are provided.

  The receiving unit 12 is connected to the antenna 11 and converts incoming radio waves into electrical signals. The electric signal generated by the conversion reflects the frequency and electric field strength of the received radio wave. The receiving unit 12 includes a tuning circuit and the like, and extracts a component of a predetermined frequency (reception frequency) from the electric signal and outputs it to the subsequent stage. The value of the reception frequency is controlled by the control unit 17. In the present application, it is assumed that the radio wave has been received when it is extracted as a component of the reception frequency.

  The signal processing unit 13 includes a demodulation circuit and the like, acquires audio information related to radio broadcasting from the electrical signal transmitted from the receiving unit 12, and outputs the audio information to the subsequent stage unit. The audio output unit 14 includes a speaker and the like, and outputs audio based on the audio information transmitted from the signal processing unit 13.

  The electric field strength detector 15 detects the electric field strength of the currently received radio wave based on the electric signal transmitted from the receiver 12. The frequency detector 16 detects the frequency of the currently received radio wave based on the electrical signal transmitted from the receiver 12.

  The control unit 17 controls various processes executed in the receiving device 1. The contents of main processing will be described again. The storage unit 18 is, for example, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various information such as noise information and search threshold information (threshold for electric field strength used in the search process) described later. The operation unit 19 is provided with, for example, OSD [On Screen Display] and button switches, and has a function as a user interface. As a result, it is possible to reflect the user's intention on the receiving apparatus 1 in the switching of the reception frequency, the execution instruction of each process, and the like.

  Here, the contents of the noise information described above will be described. This noise information is composed of a noise frequency representing a specific frequency and noise field strength information representing a specific electric field strength. Further, the values of the noise frequency and the noise electric field strength are set by the following process.

  First, the receiving device 1 before noise information is stored is carried into an anechoic chamber or a shield room. That is, the receiving apparatus 1 is not affected by external noise or broadcast waves. In this state, the reception frequency is sequentially changed to all frequencies that can be received by the reception device 1, and the electric field strength of the received radio wave is detected through the electric field strength detection unit 15 each time. Thereby, the electric field intensity of the radio wave emitted as noise from the own device is detected for each reception frequency.

  Thereafter, the reception frequency and the electric field strength (detection result) when the electric field strength equal to or higher than the above-described search threshold is detected are selected, and the selected frequency is set as the noise frequency and the noise electric field strength. Thereby, the noise frequency is set equal to the selected reception frequency, and the noise electric field strength is set equal to the selected electric field strength (detection result). Note that the noise electric field strength may be set larger than the selected electric field strength, for example, by further adding a predetermined value.

  Further, instead of selecting the reception frequency, the detection result by the frequency detection unit 16 may be selected. Further, when such detection is performed for a plurality of reception frequencies, a noise frequency and a noise electric field strength are set for each. In this case, a plurality of pieces of noise information (for the set number) are provided.

  Note that when the receiving device 1 is a mass-produced product, there are, for example, the following two methods for setting each value (noise frequency and noise electric field strength) in the noise information. First, in each of the receiving apparatuses 1 that are products, the above-described process is executed, and each value of noise information is set. And the noise information set by the process using a certain product shall be applied only to the product. That is, the noise information is set separately for each mass-produced product. According to this method, it is possible to make noise information according to individual differences for each product.

  Second, for a plurality of products, the reception frequency and the electric field strength (detection result) when the electric field strength exceeding the search threshold is detected are selected in the same manner as described above. Thereafter, based on the selection result for each product, each value of noise information is set in consideration of variations in reception intensity for each product. The set noise information is applied to the entire mass-produced product. According to this method, the step of setting each value of noise information for each product can be omitted, and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

  With the configuration described above, the receiving device 1 has a function as a general radio broadcast receiving device. That is, the receiving device 1 receives a broadcast wave of a radio broadcast selected by the user and outputs sound related to the radio program. Furthermore, the receiving device 1 can execute a search process for automatically searching for a broadcast channel (broadcast wave frequency) within a certain frequency range. The flow of this search process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control unit 17 starts the search process by receiving an execution instruction from the user and information on a search range through the operation unit 19. First, the control unit 17 sets the reception frequency to the maximum value (or may be a minimum value or the like) of the search range (step S1). Thereafter, the electric field strength detection unit 15 detects the electric field strength of the received radio wave (step S2). And the control part 17 judges whether the detected electric field strength (detection result) is larger than the search threshold value memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 18 (step S3).

  If the result of this determination is that the detection result is smaller than the search threshold (N in Step S3), it is considered that the current reception frequency is not the broadcast frequency. Therefore, after reducing the set value of the reception frequency by a predetermined sampling interval (1 step) (step S6), the process returns to step S2. When the reception frequency is set to the minimum value in the search range in the process of step S1, the sampling frequency is increased. On the other hand, if the detection result is equal to or greater than the search threshold (Y in step S3), there is a possibility that a broadcast wave is included in the received radio wave. That is, there is a possibility that the current reception frequency is a broadcast channel.

  However, there is a possibility that the electric field strength of the received radio wave is increased due to the noise generated by the receiving device 1 itself. Therefore, in order to investigate whether or not this is the case, the control unit 17 first matches the current reception frequency (or the detection result of the frequency detection unit 16) with one of the noise frequencies in each noise information. It is determined whether or not there is (step S4).

  As a result, if they match (Y in step S4), it is considered that there is an influence of noise generated by the receiving device 1 itself. Therefore, it is further determined whether or not the detection result in the process of step S2 is equal to or less than the corresponding noise electric field strength (step S5).

  As a result, when it is determined that the electric field intensity is equal to or less than the corresponding noise electric field intensity (Y in step S5), the electric field intensity of the radio wave exceeds the search threshold value because of the influence of noise generated by the receiving apparatus 1 itself. It is considered a thing. Even if a broadcast wave is included, the electric field strength is relatively small, and it is considered difficult to normally process the broadcast signal due to the influence of the noise. Therefore, the processing returns to step S6 (the current reception frequency is not set as a broadcast channel).

  On the other hand, if the received frequency does not match the noise frequency associated with any noise information (N in step S4), the radio wave reception intensity exceeds the search threshold because it includes broadcast waves. It is believed that there is. Therefore, it is assumed that the current reception frequency is a broadcast channel (step S7), and radio broadcast audio output related to the broadcast channel is started.

  If the detection result is greater than the corresponding noise field strength (N in step S5), the received radio wave may contain the noise described above. It is considered that a broadcast wave having a high intensity is included (that is, a broadcast wave that does not hinder acquisition of audio information due to the influence of noise). Therefore, also in this case, it is assumed that the current reception frequency is a broadcast channel (step S7), and radio broadcast audio output related to the broadcast channel is started. If no broadcast channel can be found within the search range, for example, sound output or display for informing the user of that fact may be performed.

  Through the series of processing (search processing) described above, the receiving apparatus 1 can automatically select a broadcast channel within a certain frequency range and perform audio output of a radio program related to the broadcast channel. ing. Next, in order to make the content of the search process easier to understand, a specific example will be given and described below.

  Here, the storage unit 18 stores two pieces of noise information, the first noise information and the second noise information. The first noise information has a noise frequency of 104 MHz and a noise electric field strength of 26 dB. In the 2-noise information, it is assumed that the noise frequency is 91 MHz and the noise electric field strength is 28 dB. The search threshold is 10 dB. In the receiving apparatus 1 (particularly, the antenna 11), radio waves having the relationship between the frequency and the electric field strength shown in the spectrum diagram of FIG. 3 have arrived. Assume that search processing is performed at a sampling interval of 5 MHz.

  In response to the search processing start instruction, the reception frequency is first set to 108 MHz (corresponding to step S1), and the electric field strength of the received radio wave is detected (corresponding to step S2). In this case, since the detected electric field strength is less than 10 dB (corresponding to N in step S3), the reception frequency is set to 107.5 MHz (corresponding to step S6), and the same processing is repeated.

  When the reception frequency is set to 104 MHz, the electric field intensity detection result exceeds 10 dB (corresponding to Y in step S3). Therefore, the process proceeds to step S4. At this time, the reception frequency matches the noise frequency of the first noise information (corresponding to Y in step S4). Therefore, the process proceeds to step S5. The detection result at this time is equal to or less than the noise electric field intensity of the first noise information (corresponding to Y in step S5). Therefore, the process returns to step S6.

  When the reception frequency is set to 91 MHz, the electric field intensity detection result again exceeds 10 dB (corresponding to Y in step S3). Therefore, the process proceeds to step S4. At this time, the reception frequency matches the noise frequency of the second noise information (corresponding to Y in step S4). Therefore, the process proceeds to step S5. The detection result at this time exceeds the noise electric field strength of the second noise information (corresponding to N in step S5).

  Therefore, the current reception frequency of 91 MHz is regarded as a broadcast channel (corresponding to step S7), and audio output of a radio program related to the broadcast channel is started. Thus, the current search process is completed.

  As described above, the receiving apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment receives radio waves having a reception frequency that is set to be changeable. Furthermore, an electric field strength detection unit 15 that detects the electric field strength of the currently received radio wave and a storage unit 18 that stores noise information indicating the noise frequency and the noise electric field strength are provided. The detection result by the electric field intensity detection unit 15 is detected whether or not the noise determination condition is satisfied, that is, when the reception frequency is set to the noise frequency (corresponding to Y in step S4), and Whether or not the noise electric field intensity is equal to or less (corresponding to Y in step S5) is determined.

  Further, the noise frequency is set as a reception frequency when the electric field intensity detection unit 15 detects an electric field intensity equal to or higher than the search threshold by receiving a radio wave emitted as noise from the own device. The noise electric field strength is set as an electric field strength that is equal to or greater than the detected electric field strength.

  When the noise determination condition is satisfied in the search process, even if an electric field strength equal to or higher than the search threshold is detected, this detection is considered to be caused by noise generated by the own device. Therefore, in this case, the receiving device 1 is not regarded as a broadcast channel in this case, thereby preventing erroneous detection of the broadcast channel.

  Also, since the noise determination condition is that the detected electric field strength is equal to or less than the noise electric field strength, the noise determination condition is not satisfied when a broadcast wave having an electric field strength greater than the noise electric field strength is received. . Therefore, according to the receiving apparatus 1, the detection of the broadcast channel equivalent to the frequency of the noise is prevented as much as possible.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of examples. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. . Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a radio broadcast receiving apparatus but also to various receiving apparatuses such as a television broadcast receiving apparatus.

  The present invention can be used in fields such as a radio broadcast receiving apparatus.

It is a block diagram of the radio broadcast receiver which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart about search processing. It is explanatory drawing regarding a search process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Radio broadcast receiver (receiver)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Antenna 12 Reception part 13 Signal processing part 14 Audio | voice output part 15 Electric field strength detection part 16 Frequency detection part 17 Control part 18 Memory | storage part 19 Operation part

Claims (8)

A receiver that receives radio waves of a reception frequency set to be changeable,
A detection unit for detecting the electric field strength of the currently received radio wave;
A storage unit for storing noise information representing a specific frequency (referred to as “noise frequency”) and electric field strength (referred to as “noise electric field strength”);
A determination unit that determines whether the detection result satisfies a noise determination condition;
A receiving device comprising:
The content of the noise information is
As for the noise frequency, when the radio wave emitted as noise from the own device is received by the receiving unit, the detection unit detects an electric field strength equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (referred to as a “search threshold”). Is set as the reception frequency in
The noise electric field strength is set as an electric field strength equal to or greater than the detected electric field strength,
The noise judgment condition is:
A receiving apparatus that is detected when the reception frequency is set to the noise frequency and is equal to or less than the noise electric field intensity. A first process for performing the detection for a plurality of types of reception frequencies;
A second process for determining whether each of the detection results is equal to or greater than the search threshold;
A third process for further determining whether or not the detection result satisfies the noise determination condition for the case where it is determined in the second process that the value is equal to or greater than the search threshold;
The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: By the third process,
3. When it is determined that the noise determination condition is not satisfied, audio information is acquired from a broadcast wave received at the reception frequency at that time, and audio output is executed. Receiver. The content of the noise information is
A first step of sequentially changing the reception frequency, causing the reception unit to receive radio waves emitted as noise from the own device in an anechoic chamber each time, and performing the detection;
A second step of selecting the reception frequency when the detection result is equal to or greater than the search threshold;
Is executed,
The noise frequency is set based on the selected reception frequency,
The receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the noise electric field intensity is set based on a result of the detection at the time of the selection. The noise frequency is
Equal to the reception frequency selected in the second step,
The noise electric field strength is
The receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the receiving apparatus is equal to a detection result at the time of selection in the second step. The storage unit
A plurality of types of the noise information are stored,
The determination unit
6. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the noise information is used to determine whether or not the noise determination condition is satisfied. The first process includes
The receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving apparatus is a process of decreasing or increasing the reception frequency by a predetermined value and performing the detection at each stage. The receiving device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A radio broadcast receiving apparatus that receives a broadcast wave of a radio broadcast and outputs sound based on sound information acquired from the broadcast wave.

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