JP2010272992A - Broadcast receiver, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a content output of IP type broadcasting take priority over a content output of broadcast wave type broadcasting in a broadcast receiver 21, to limit the content output of the IP type broadcasting when the broadcast receiver 21 is located within a broadcast target area of a broadcasting station of a broadcasting source of the IP broadcasting, and to quickly restore the IP type broadcasting content output during confirmation even though it is temporarily unconfirmed that the broadcast receiver 21 is located within the broadcast target area of the broadcasting station of the broadcasting source. <P>SOLUTION: A receiving signal level of a broadcast wave selected by a user is obtained from a tuner 23 (S49). If the receiving signal level is less than a threshold (negative in S50), both mutes of outputs of video and sound of content of the IP type broadcasting are turned on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast receiver, a method, and a program that output an IP type broadcast within a broadcast target area of a broadcast station.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a communication terminal having both a wireless communication function using a mobile phone line and a digital broadcast receiving function using a broadcast line (paragraph 0014 and FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1). In the communication terminal, if the reception status of the broadcast signal deteriorates during the period of reproducing the broadcast information of the digital broadcast of the broadcast network, the reception broadcast before switching is switched from the reception mode of the broadcast network to the reception mode of the communication network. The same broadcast information is received from a server having the same broadcast information as the information and reproduced (paragraphs 0031 and 0032 of Patent Document 1 and S1 → S4 → S5 in FIG. 2). The communication terminal also acquires the current position, specifies the broadcast area based on the current position, determines the transition of the broadcast area (S30 → S32 in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1), and broadcast area before the transition In the broadcast area after the transition, the same program as the program that was viewed in the above is received from the broadcast network or the communication network and reproduced (S38 → S39 or S36 → S37 in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1).

  Patent Document 2 discloses a mobile phone terminal that receives radio waves of terrestrial digital television broadcast and acquires IP retransmission data of the terrestrial digital television broadcast via an IP network (paragraph of Patent Document 2). 0023 and FIG. 1). When the mobile phone terminal is watching digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTV reception of video / audio output in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 2), the received electric field strength decreases (see FIG. 2). 5) (S1), the reception at the IP connection is started as the first stage, and when the received electric field strength further decreases (S2 in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 2), the IP reception video / audio is output as the second stage. (IP reception of video / audio output in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-40380 A JP 2007-158492 A

  In the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-80455 (hereinafter referred to as “prior application specification”), the applicant of the present application describes a broadcast wave type broadcast and an IP type broadcast (an “IP type broadcast” is the Internet). When the same or different content is broadcasted on both the broadcast and the IP retransmission, etc., the content is distributed over the IP network. Disclosed is a receiving apparatus that switches accurately. Radio broadcast stations and the like are assigned broadcast target areas by law, and broadcasting contents to broadcast receivers outside the broadcast target areas is against the law. Therefore, the specification of the prior application detects the received signal level of the broadcast wave, and if the received signal level is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, the broadcast receiver is legally assigned to the broadcast station of the received signal level. Is permitted to output the IP broadcast content of the broadcast station.

  The reception quality of broadcast wave type broadcasts (especially analog broadcasts) varies greatly depending on the current position of the broadcast receiver even within the broadcast target area, whereas the reception quality of IP type broadcasts differs depending on the current position of the broadcast receiver. Small, the quality of content is higher for IP broadcast content than for broadcast wave broadcast content, and broadcast receivers for both broadcast wave and IP broadcast output IP broadcast content preferentially. This is advantageous in terms of output quality. Therefore, the broadcast receiver disclosed in the specification of the prior application is configured to output IP type broadcast content preferentially.

  In-vehicle and portable broadcast receivers move in and out of the broadcast target area of the broadcasting station of the broadcast source of the content being output because the current position changes as the user or car moves. Or move to places with weak broadcast waves, such as underground shopping malls, buildings, or tunnels.

  Mobile broadcast receivers for both broadcast wave type IP broadcasts and IP type broadcasts have received IP type broadcast contents in accordance with changes in the broadcast area and changes in the intensity of broadcast wave type broadcasts within the broadcast area, regardless of the location. Must be controlled so that is output quickly and accurately. The specification of the prior application does not disclose specific control for dealing with this.

  The broadcast receiver of Patent Document 1 outputs digital broadcast by broadcast waves with priority over broadcast on a mobile phone line, and the priority output is opposite to that of the broadcast receiver of the prior application specification. Patent Document 1 only discloses that the output is switched from the digital broadcast to the broadcast on the mobile phone line while holding the same output program when the radio wave of the digital broadcast due to the broadcast wave is weakened. Patent Document 1 is a specific example of speeding up the return to the original broadcast output by accurately dealing with the digital processing that takes a long time for decoding processing in and out of a place where the radio wave is weak and coming and going between broadcast target areas. Does not disclose proper measures.

  The broadcast receiver of Patent Document 2 also outputs terrestrial digital television broadcasts using broadcast waves with priority over broadcasts on mobile phone lines, and the priority output is reversed from the broadcast receiver of the prior application specification. In addition, Patent Document 2 only discloses that the IP connection is completed prior to switching from terrestrial digital television broadcasting to mobile phone line broadcasting. Patent Document 2 is a specific example of speeding up the return to the original broadcast output by accurately dealing with digital processing, which takes a long time for decoding processing, in and out of places where radio waves are weak, and to and from the broadcast target area. Does not disclose proper measures.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast receiver, a method, and a program for outputting IP-type broadcast content quickly and accurately regardless of movement of a place.

  According to the present invention, based on the received signal level of the broadcast wave selected by the user, it is determined whether or not the broadcast receiver exists within the broadcast target area of the broadcast station that broadcasts the broadcast wave. Based on the received signal level of the broadcast wave, the possibility of the broadcast receiver leaving the broadcast target area of the broadcast station that broadcasts the broadcast wave is investigated. If there is a possibility of detachment, the content output signal to the content output means is blocked at the first stage. In the next stage, decoding of the received data received from the IP type broadcast source server is stopped. Further, in the next stage, the connection with the broadcast server of the IP broadcast is stopped.

  According to the present invention, the received signal level and / or current position of a user-selected broadcast wave is monitored and broadcasted even when the content output signal is cut off, the decoding is stopped, and the connection with the broadcast server of the IP broadcast is stopped. As soon as it is confirmed that the receiver exists in the broadcast target area, the connection with the broadcast source server of IP-type broadcast, the stop of decoding, and / or the blocking of the content output signal are canceled, and the IP-type broadcast in the broadcast receiver Resume output of content.

The broadcast receiver of the present invention includes the following.
Received signal level determination means for determining whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
An output signal generating means for generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave;
Content output means that is supplied with a content output signal from the output signal generation means and outputs the content, and the content output means when the received signal level determination means is negative in the output period of the IP broadcast content Supply control means for cutting off the supply of IP broadcast content output signals to the network.

Another broadcast receiver of the present invention comprises the following means.
Received signal level determination means for determining whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
Broadcast target area determination means for determining whether or not the current position is within the broadcast target area of the broadcasting station of the broadcast source,
Output signal generation means for generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of the broadcast station of the broadcast source of the user-selected broadcast wave, and the content output signal is supplied from the output signal generation means and the content is output Content output means, and if the determination of the received signal level determination means and the broadcast area determination means is both rejected during the output period of the IP broadcast content, supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means is performed. Supply control means to shut off.

Yet another broadcast receiver of the present invention comprises:
Received signal level determination means for determining whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
Acquisition determination means for determining whether or not the current position acquisition means has acquired the current position;
An output signal generating means for generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave;
Content output means for receiving the content output signal from the output signal generating means and outputting the content;
Continuation determination means for determining whether or not the state of the reception signal level determination means or the current position acquisition means is positive and negative for a predetermined time or more during the output period of the IP broadcast content, and the continuation determination Supply control means for cutting off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means when the determination of the means becomes positive.

Another broadcast receiver of the present invention includes the following.
Received signal level determination means for determining whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the user setting;
Broadcast target area determination means for determining whether or not the current position is within a broadcast target area of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave;
Output signal generation means for generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of the broadcast station of the broadcast source,
The content output means that is supplied with the content output signal from the output signal generation means and outputs the content, and the determination of the received signal level determination means and the in-broadcast target area determination means is correct during the output period of the IP broadcast content If not, supply control means for cutting off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means.

The method of the present invention is applied to a broadcast receiver including a content output device that is supplied with a content output signal and outputs the content, and includes the following steps.
A reception signal level determination step for determining whether or not a reception signal level of a user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
An output signal generation step of generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave, and determination of the reception signal level determination step in an output period of IP type broadcast content If not, a supply control step of cutting off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output device.

  The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute each step of the method of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, when the received signal level of the broadcast wave has been lowered, the content output signal to the content output means is immediately cut off without stopping the connection with the IP broadcast source server. Therefore, if the decrease in the received signal level of the broadcast wave is only temporary, and the received signal level of the broadcast wave has risen again, the content output of the IP-type broadcast can be output by releasing the blocking. It can be resumed quickly.

It is a block diagram of a broadcast system. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the broadcast receiver 1. FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing about the process which outputs IP type broadcast content output permission area, limiting to the broadcast wave type broadcast object area of the broadcasting station of a broadcast source. It is a structure figure of the broadcast station information which the broadcast receiver 1 has in order to search an access destination URL. 4 shows broadcast station information in which specific data is entered in the corresponding column in the information structure of FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing about the problem when a broadcast receiver cannot acquire a present position. It is a flowchart of the 1st range of the broadcast receiver control method during network service viewing. It is a flowchart of the 2nd range of the broadcast receiver control method during network service viewing. 6 is a flowchart of a first range of a broadcast receiver control method during output mute executed in a “output mute” phase by the broadcast receiver. 12 is a flowchart of a second range of the broadcast receiver control method during output mute executed in the “output mute” phase by the broadcast receiver. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a first range of a broadcasting receiver control method during decoding stop executed in a “decoding stopping” phase by the broadcasting receiver. 12 is a flowchart of a second range of a broadcast receiver control method during decoding stop executed in a “decoding stop” phase by the broadcast receiver. It is a flowchart of the broadcast receiver control method in the connection stop performed in the "stop in connection" phase of the broadcast receiver. 10 is a flowchart of a network service connection start processing routine R. FIG. 9 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method as a first modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method as a second modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method as a third modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method as a fourth modification of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method as a fifth modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8; It is a block diagram of a broadcast receiver. It is a flowchart of a broadcast receiver control method.

  In the following description of the embodiment, “IP broadcasting” is used in a concept including Internet broadcasting and IP retransmission. That is, all broadcasts that distribute broadcast content from a server to a broadcast receiver via the network using IP (Internet Protocol) are defined as “IP-type broadcasts”. Each broadcast station does not have to make the content broadcast in the IP broadcast the same as the content broadcast in the broadcast wave broadcast. Specific examples of IP broadcast contents will be described later.

  In FIG. 1, a broadcast system 10 includes a broadcast station 11, a broadcast wave / IP receiver such as a stationary broadcast receiver 12 and a mobile broadcast receiver 13, and the Internet 16 as main components. The mobile broadcast receiver 13 measures the current position using, for example, GPS radio waves from the GPS satellite 17. The broadcast station 11 broadcasts a program by broadcast waves (radio waves) from the transmission antenna 19 according to the schedule edited in the editing room 20, and broadcasts almost simultaneously via the Internet 16.

  The receiver constituting the broadcasting system 10 includes an in-vehicle type. In the broadcast system 10, only one broadcast station 11 is illustrated, but the actual broadcast system 10 includes a plurality of broadcast stations 11. Although only two receivers are shown for convenience of illustration, the actual broadcasting system 10 includes a large number of receivers. In each receiver, the user selects a desired broadcast station 11 by selecting the frequency of the broadcast wave, and the broadcast content of the broadcast station 11 is output. Each broadcasting station 11 has its broadcasting target area defined by law.

  A dual-purpose receiver such as the stationary broadcast receiver 12 and the mobile broadcast receiver 13 receives the broadcast wave from the transmission antenna 19 and outputs the video and / or audio of the program from its own monitor or speaker. . The dual-purpose receiver also distributes the same program as the broadcast wave from the transmitting antenna 19 to each broadcasting station 11 via the Internet 16 by IP broadcasting only when it exists within the broadcasting target area. And its output is allowed. The stationary broadcast receiver 12 and the mobile broadcast receiver 13 are connected to the Internet 16 by wireless or wired communication, and receive IP broadcast programs from the Internet 16 via the wireless or wired communication.

  Even if the broadcast by the broadcast wave from the transmission antenna 19 is an analog broadcast, the IP broadcast via the Internet 16 is performed by digital data. Therefore, in the case of an analog broadcast, the stationary broadcast receiver 12 or the mobile broadcast reception The output quality of the program on the machine 13 is higher for the IP type broadcast than for the broadcast wave. For this reason, as will be described later, the stationary broadcast receiver 12 and the mobile broadcast receiver 13 give priority to the output of the IP broadcast over the output of the broadcast wave.

  In the case of an analog radio broadcasting station, a specific example of IP type broadcast content will be described as follows, in contrast to the content (IP type broadcast content) that the analog radio broadcast station plays through IP type broadcasting. (A) IP broadcast content is the same as broadcast wave content. (B) In addition to broadcast wave content, IP-type broadcast content adds other content such as video, still images, and advertisement information. (C) IP broadcast content is completely different from broadcast wave content. The broadcasting system 10 may be any one of (a) to (c).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the main part of the broadcast receiver 21. The broadcast receiver 21 is a generic term for the stationary broadcast receiver 12 and the mobile broadcast receiver 13. The broadcast receiver 21 is installed at a predetermined place in a building such as a house like the stationary broadcast receiver 12, is carried by the user like the mobile broadcast receiver 13, and is mounted on an automobile. Including The broadcast receiver 21 frequently enters and exits the broadcast target area of the broadcast station 11 to be viewed, particularly when the broadcast receiver 21 is a portable type or a vehicle-mounted type. However, it is desired to precisely control so that the broadcast receiver 21 outputs only when the broadcast receiver 21 exists in the broadcast target area of the broadcast wave associated with the IP broadcast.

  The antenna 22 captures the radio wave of the terrestrial analog radio broadcast from the transmission antenna 19 (FIG. 1), and the RF signal is sent to the tuner unit 23. The tuner unit 23 selects an RF signal having a predetermined frequency in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 24, converts it to an IF signal, and sends it to the demodulation unit 25. The demodulator 25 demodulates the IF signal to generate an audio signal and sends it to the main controller 24.

  The communication unit 27 is interposed between the Internet 16 and the main control unit 24, exchanges data with the Internet 16 (FIG. 1) via the wireless antenna 28, and communicates with the main control unit 24. Send and receive data. The data includes IP broadcast content data from the broadcast station 11. The current position detection unit 29 measures the current position based on GPS radio waves from the GPS satellite 17 (FIG. 1), and sends current position information to the main control unit 24.

  The operation unit 33 is equipped with a key or the like that accepts a user operation, and sends operation information to the main control unit 24. The display control unit 34 is supplied with a signal related to display information from the main control unit 24, and displays the display information on the display device 35. The voice control unit 36 converts the voice data from the main control unit 24 into a voice signal and sends the voice signal to the speaker 37. The speaker 37 converts the sound signal from the sound control unit 36 into sound and outputs the sound.

  A program and fixed data are recorded in the ROM 40, and the main control unit 24 can appropriately read the recorded data in the ROM 40. The RAM 41 is used by the main control unit 24 to temporarily store data during arithmetic processing.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a process of outputting the IP type broadcast content output permitted area while limiting it to the broadcast wave type broadcast target area of the broadcast source broadcasting station. For example, it is assumed that 76.5 MHz broadcasting stations A and B are located in Tokyo and Fukuoka, respectively, as a plurality of FM radio broadcasting stations having the same output frequency. The broadcast receiver 21 receives GPS radio waves from the GPS satellite 17 by the communication unit 27, and the main control unit 24 calculates the latitude and longitude of the current position of the broadcast receiver 21 based on the GPS radio waves. Thereby, even if the user-selected frequency is 76.5 MHz, the broadcast receiver 21 detects whether it exists in Tokyo or Fukuoka based on the current position. Can be specified as A or B.

  FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of broadcast station information held by the broadcast receiver 21 in order to search for an access destination URL (Uniform Resource Locator). FIG. 5 shows broadcast station information in which specific data is entered in the corresponding column in the information structure of FIG. Since the broadcasting station information is registered for each prefecture in Japan, the broadcasting station information is divided into which prefecture in Japan the current position of the broadcasting receiver 21 is and the frequency selected by the user. For example, the broadcasting station of the broadcast wave of the frequency and the IP type broadcast server can be determined from the broadcasting station information.

  The broadcast station information is stored in the ROM 40. In order to cope with the update of the broadcast station information, the broadcast station information is preferably stored in a flash memory type ROM 40. The broadcast station information is updated by the broadcast receiver 21 appropriately accessing a predetermined server on the Internet 16 and downloading the updated broadcast station information.

  As a method of specifying the prefecture from the latitude and longitude of the current position, if the receiver has a function equivalent to car navigation, the function of calculating the address from the current location as the latitude and longitude is used. You can specify the prefecture. If the receiver does not have such a function, it accesses a predetermined server on the Internet Internet 16 to determine the prefecture corresponding to the latitude and longitude of the current position.

  4 and 5, the access destination for accessing the IP broadcast server in the Internet 16 is a URL, but this is not limited to the URL, and the IP address of the server For example, other means may be used. The broadcast station information in the ROM 40 is searched based on the prefecture obtained by these methods and the current selected frequency, and the broadcast station that is the transmission source of the broadcast wave of the selected frequency is specified.

  In addition, in the broadcasting station information structure of FIG.4 and FIG.5, although the broadcasting object area of each radio broadcast is registered in the prefecture unit, you may manage in a unit which combined the prefecture and the municipality in more detail. . In the structure of the broadcast station information, one frequency is associated with one radio broadcast station. However, since the radio broadcast station may transmit broadcast waves from a plurality of relay stations, A plurality of frequencies can be associated with one radio broadcasting station. Further, in the broadcast station information structure, one radio broadcast station holds a plurality of URLs, but this accesses each URL when one radio broadcast station distributes a plurality of broadcasts. This is because switching of the broadcast or program to be viewed is taken into consideration, and when only one broadcast is distributed, only one URL needs to be associated with the broadcast station. Furthermore, if no URL is stored in this broadcast station information, it means that the radio broadcast station is not implementing IP-type broadcasting.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of problems when the broadcast receiver 21 cannot acquire the current position. When the broadcast receiver 21 cannot acquire the current position due to the inability to receive GPS radio waves from the GPS satellite 17, for example, the broadcast station that transmitted the broadcast wave changes to the Tokyo metropolitan area in response to reception of the 76.5 MHz broadcast wave. As a result, it is unclear which broadcast station A or B is in Fukuoka Prefecture, and as a result it is unclear which server to connect to broadcast station A or B in order to output IP-type broadcast content. .

  In FIG. 6, the broadcast receiver 21 determines whether or not each broadcast station is within the broadcast target area by comparing the received signal level of the broadcast wave of each broadcast station with a predetermined threshold. The broadcast receiver 21 temporarily enters a tunnel, a mountain shadow, an underground shopping center, or a building even though it is within the broadcast target area of the broadcast station selected by the user. In this case, the broadcast wave of the broadcast station is received. Although the signal level becomes less than the threshold, whether or not this is a temporary entry into the tunnel or the like, that is, whether the broadcast receiver 21 remains in the broadcast target area or goes out of the broadcast target area. It is unknown. It is desirable to control the content output from the IP broadcast server of the broadcast station accurately by distinguishing the former from the latter. The broadcast receiver 21 copes with such a problem and implements output stop and re-output of the IP broadcast. Hereinafter, this will be described with reference to FIGS.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts of the network service viewing-in-broadcast receiver control method 48. FIG. In the processes from S49 to S54, the broadcast receiver 21 broadcasts the IP broadcast of the broadcast station during the period when it is confirmed that the broadcast receiver 21 remains in the broadcast target area of the broadcast station that broadcasts the user-selected broadcast wave. Continue to output from the machine 21 (S49 → S50 →... → S54 → S49). However, this is limited to the case where the broadcasting station has a server for IP broadcasting. If the confirmation cannot be made or the user switches the broadcast wave, the process proceeds to the corresponding process (S50 NO, S52 NO, S53 NO or S54 NO).

  In S49, the broadcast wave reception level (= received signal level) of the frequency selected by the user is acquired from the broadcast receiver 21. The reception level can be detected from, for example, the electric field intensity of the broadcast wave. In the broadcast receiver 21, the user selects a program that he / she wants to listen to by selecting a broadcast station that broadcasts the program by broadcast wave type broadcasting. The broadcasting station is selected by selecting a frequency.

  In S50, it is determined whether or not the reception level acquired in S49 is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S51, and if not, the process proceeds to S68 (FIG. 8). For example, if the received signal level of the broadcast wave is equal to or higher than the threshold, the current position is within the broadcast target area of the broadcast station that broadcasts the broadcast wave, and the received signal level of the broadcast wave is less than the threshold. If so, the current position is set to a value that serves as a guide for determining that the current position is outside the broadcast target area.

  In S51, the current position is acquired from the communication unit 27 as the current position detection unit. In S52, it is determined whether or not the current position has been acquired in S51. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S53, and if not, the process proceeds to S73 (FIG. 8). When the broadcast receiver 21 enters a mountain, a shadow of a building, a tunnel, an underground mall, or a building, positioning of the current position by GPS radio waves becomes impossible, and it may become difficult to acquire the current position in S51.

  In S53, a search is performed based on the current position acquired in S51 and the broadcast station information in FIG. 5 to determine whether or not a broadcast station having a user-selected frequency as a broadcast wave frequency exists in the prefecture to which the current position belongs. If there is a corresponding broadcasting station, the process proceeds to S54, and if not, the process proceeds to S68 (FIG. 8). The prefecture corresponds to the broadcasting target area of the broadcasting station having the frequency selected by the user as the frequency of the broadcasting wave. Hereinafter, the broadcasting target area of the broadcasting station having the frequency of the user selection as the frequency of the broadcasting wave is appropriately determined. Let's say "the area." In S54, it is determined whether or not the corresponding broadcasting station found in S53 is the same as the broadcasting station when S54 was executed last time. If the determination is positive, the process returns to S49. If not, S58 is determined. Go to (FIG. 8).

  In FIG. 8, when the user switches the selected broadcasting station, S58 to R63 are performed. R means not a step but a routine as a set of a plurality of steps. In S58, for the IP broadcast content currently being output, the video output mute is turned on. As described above, in the broadcast receiver 21, when the selected broadcasting station is performing both broadcast wave type broadcast and IP type broadcast, the IP type broadcast content is output with priority over the broadcast wave type broadcast content. . The IP broadcast is typically IP rebroadcast, but the IP broadcast content may be different from the broadcast wave broadcast content. Therefore, even if the broadcast wave type broadcast is FM radio broadcast, the IP type broadcast may be broadcast in both video and audio. The program of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 is created assuming all these cases.

  Note that the mute of the video output specifically means that the main control unit 24 generates the video signal, but stops the supply of the video signal to the display control unit 34. Distinguished from a stop. Due to the muting of the video output, the display device 35 is not displayed. In order to avoid this, it is possible to display a video instead of the video of the IP broadcast content.

  In S59, the audio output mute is turned on for the IP broadcast content currently being output. Specifically, the mute of the audio output is to stop the supply of the audio signal to the audio control unit 36, although the main control unit 24 generates the audio signal. It becomes silent.

  In S60, the decoding of the data that is currently being output and extracted from the received signal from the IP broadcast source server, that is, the decoding of the current network service is stopped for the content currently being output. In S61, the connection to the network service, that is, the connection with the IP broadcast source server currently connected via the Internet 16 is terminated.

  In S62, the connection destination of the network service is changed to the IP broadcast source server after switching by the user. In R63, the network service after switching, that is, the process of starting the viewing of content from the server of the IP broadcast source after switching is executed. Note that “viewing” in this specification includes not only both literal video viewing and audio listening, but also video viewing only and audio only listening. Details of the processing of R63 will be described later with reference to FIG. After R63, the broadcast receiver 21 proceeds to the “watching network service” phase.

  S68 and S69 are: (a) when the received signal level of the broadcast wave selected by the user is less than a predetermined threshold; or (b) there is a broadcast station in the area where the frequency selected by the user is the frequency of the broadcast wave. If not, it will be executed. The situation of (a) and (b) is, for example, when the broadcast receiver 21 leaves the broadcasting target area of the selected broadcasting station or stays in the broadcasting target area, but the broadcast wave in the underground city or building Occurs when moving to a place where the received signal level is low.

  In S68 and S69, the mute of the video output and the audio output is turned on similarly to the above-described S58 and S59. After S69, the broadcast receiver 21 proceeds to the “output mute” phase.

  S73 is executed when the current position cannot be acquired even if the reception signal level of the broadcast wave selected by the user is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. Such a situation occurs when the broadcast receiver 21 is in the shadow of a building, mountain, etc., and it becomes difficult to receive GPS radio waves from the GPS satellites 17. In S73, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the current position is unknown. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S74, and if not, the process returns to S49 (FIG. 7).

  S74 to S80 are a series of processes for switching the output of the broadcast receiver 21 from the IP broadcast content of the broadcast source broadcast station of the user-selected broadcast wave to the broadcast wave broadcast content. In S74 and S75, the mute of the video output and the audio output is turned on as in S58 and S59 described above. In S76 and S77, as in S60 and S61 described above, the decoding of the network service is stopped and the connection to the network service is ended.

  In S78, the output of the broadcast receiver 21 is switched to the broadcast wave type broadcast content selected by the user. Specifically, the content output signal generated by the main control unit 24 is an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast content selected by the user. The main control unit 24 includes a mute unit, and since the mute unit has been muted on after switching to mute on in S74 and S75, output of video and audio from the display device 35 and the speaker 37 is not performed. Until the next execution of S79, it remains interrupted.

  In S79, the audio output mute is turned off. As a result, the sound of the broadcast wave type broadcast content starts to be output from the speaker 37. In S80, the video output mute is turned off. As a result, video of broadcast wave type broadcast content is output on the display device 35. After S80, the broadcast receiver 21 proceeds to the “watching broadcast wave” phase.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are flowcharts of the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 executed in the “output mute” phase by the broadcast receiver 21. In the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85, when the processing content includes the same processing steps as the steps of the network service viewing broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIGS. 7 and 8, these steps are the same processing network service. Step numbers of the broadcasting receiver control method 48 during viewing are attached and description thereof is omitted.

  The difference between the broadcast receiver control method 85 during output mute and the broadcast receiver control method 48 during network service viewing will be described. In S54, the determination is positive that the broadcast receiver 21 is "output muted". When in the phase, the reception signal level of the broadcast wave selected by the user recovers to a predetermined threshold or higher, the current position can be acquired, and it has been found based on the acquired current position and the broadcast station information of FIG. This means that the broadcast station is the same as the broadcast station that has been outputting IP-type broadcast content.

  If the determination in S54 is positive, S86 and S87 are executed. In S86 and S87, the mute of the audio output and the video output is turned off, respectively. As a result, the output of the video and audio of the IP broadcast content for which muting has been turned on in S68 and S67 of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. 8 is resumed.

  In the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85, the determination in S54 is no. When the broadcast receiver 21 is in the “output mute” phase, the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is predetermined. The broadcast station that has recovered to the threshold value and can acquire the current position and has been identified based on the acquired current position and the broadcast station information of FIG. Means different.

  In the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85, if the determination in S54 is negative, S60, S61, S62, and R63 are executed in order. These S60, S61, S62, and R63 are the same as S60, S61, S62, and R63 in the network service viewing-and-listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. In the network service viewing broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. 8, S58 and S59 are present before S60, whereas in the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG. 9, S58 and S59 are omitted. Before the execution of the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85, S68 and S69 of the network service viewing broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. This is because it is not necessary to turn on the mute of the video output and the audio output again in the method 85.

  In FIG. 10, S76 to S80 are executed when it is determined that the broadcast wave selected by the user is less than a predetermined threshold during the period when the broadcast receiver 21 is in the “decoding stop” phase, or This is a case where the broadcast wave selected by the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and the current position can be acquired, but there is no broadcast station having the frequency selected by the user as the frequency of the broadcast wave in the area.

  10 perform the same processing as S76 to S80 of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. In FIG. 10, S74 and S75 before S76 are omitted because S74 and S75 in S68 and S69 of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 in FIG. 8 are performed before the execution of S76 in FIG. This is because the same processing is performed. As a result of the execution of S76 to S80 in FIG. 10, the broadcast receiver 21 shifts from the “output mute” phase to the “broadcast wave viewing” phase.

  S95 in FIG. 10 is performed when the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is less than a predetermined threshold after the broadcast receiver 21 has shifted to the “output mute” phase. The process of S95 is the same as the process of S76 of FIG. The mute-on process of S74 and S75 is performed before S76 in FIG. 8, whereas such a mute process is omitted before S95. This is because the same processing as S74 and S75 is performed in S68 and S69 of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 in FIG. After S95, the broadcast receiver 21 shifts from the “output mute” phase to the “decoding stopped” phase. In order to suppress the immediate transition from the “output mute” phase to the “decoding stop” phase, a step of waiting for a predetermined time to elapse may be inserted between S50 NO and S95. it can.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts of the broadcast receiver control method 100 when decoding is stopped, which is executed in the “decoding stopped” phase. In the decoding stop broadcast receiver control method 100, when the processing content includes the same processing steps as the steps of the network service viewing broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIGS. 7 and 8, those steps are the same processing network service. Step numbers of the broadcasting receiver control method 48 during viewing are attached and description thereof is omitted.

  In the broadcast receiver control method 100 when decoding is stopped, the determination in S54 is positive when the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is predetermined when the broadcast receiver 21 is in the “decoding stopped” phase. The broadcast station that has recovered to the threshold value and can acquire the current position and has been identified based on the acquired current position and the broadcast station information of FIG. Means the same.

  In the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG. 9, if the determination in S54 is positive, S86 is performed immediately, whereas in the decode stop broadcast receiver control method 100, S101 is performed before S86. And decoding of the phase is resumed. This is because in the decoding stopped broadcasting receiver control method 100, since the decoding of the phase is stopped in S95 of the output muting broadcasting receiver control method 85 in FIG. 10 before execution thereof, it is necessary to restart decoding. Because there is.

  In the broadcast receiver control method 100 when decoding is stopped, the determination of S54 is negative because the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is predetermined when the broadcast receiver 21 is in the “decoding stopped” phase. The broadcast station that has recovered to the threshold value and can acquire the current position and has been identified based on the acquired current position and the broadcast station information of FIG. Means different.

  In the broadcast receiver control method 100 during decoding stop, when the determination in S54 is negative, S61, S62, and R63 are executed in order. These S61, S62, and R63 are the same as S61, S62, and R63 in the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG. In the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG. 9, S60 is present before S61, whereas in the decoding stop broadcast receiver control method 100 of FIG. Before execution of the stopped broadcast receiver control method 100, S95 of the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG. 10 has been executed, and the decoding is stopped again in the decode stopped broadcast receiver control method 100. It is not necessary.

  In the decoding stop broadcast receiver control method 100 of FIG. 12, S77 to S80 are executed when the broadcast wave selected by the user is in the “decoding stop” phase during the period when the broadcast receiver 21 is in the “decoding stop” phase. It is determined that the current position is acquired, but there is no broadcasting station in the area where the frequency selected by the user is the frequency of the broadcast wave.

  12 perform the same processing as S77 to S80 of the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG. In FIG. 12, S76 (decoding stop) is omitted before S77 because the same processing as S76 is performed in S95 of the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG. 10 before execution of S77 of FIG. Because it is done. As a result of the execution of S77 to S80 in FIG. 12, the broadcast receiver 21 shifts from the “decoding stop” phase to the “broadcast wave viewing” phase.

  S104 in FIG. 12 is performed when the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is less than a predetermined threshold after the broadcast receiver 21 has shifted to the “decoding stop” phase. In S104, the same processing as S77 in FIG. 8 is performed. Thereafter, the broadcast receiver 21 shifts from the “decoding stop” phase to the “connection stop” phase. In order to suppress the immediate transition from the “decoding stopped” phase to the “connection stopped” phase, a step of waiting for a predetermined time to elapse may be inserted between S50 NO and S104. it can.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the in-connection broadcast receiver control method 110 executed by the broadcast receiver 21 in the “in-connection” phase. In the broadcast receiver control method 110 during suspension of connection, if the processing content includes the same processing steps as the steps of the network service viewing broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. 7 and FIG. Step numbers of the broadcasting receiver control method 48 during viewing are attached and description thereof is omitted.

  In the connection stop broadcast receiver control method 110, the determination in S54 is positive when the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is predetermined when the broadcast receiver 21 is in the “decoding stop” phase. The broadcast station that has recovered to the threshold value and can acquire the current position and has been identified based on the acquired current position and the broadcast station information of FIG. Means the same.

  In the connection stopped broadcasting receiver control method 110, if the determination in S54 is positive, a network service connection start processing routine R63 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 14) is executed. The reason why R63 is executed is that when S54 is executed, the connection to the network service remains stopped in S104 of FIG. 12 executed prior thereto. After execution of R63, the broadcast receiver 21 proceeds to the “watching network service” phase.

  In the connection-stopped broadcast receiver control method 110, the determination in S54 is negative because the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is predetermined when the broadcast receiver 21 is in the “connection stoppage” phase. The broadcast station that has recovered to the threshold value and can acquire the current position and has been identified based on the acquired current position and the broadcast station information of FIG. Means the same.

  In the connection stopped broadcasting receiver control method 110, if the determination in S54 is negative, S62 and R63 are executed in order. These S62 and R63 are the same as S62 and R63 in the broadcasting receiver control method 100 during decoding stop of FIG. In the decoding stop broadcast receiver control method 100 of FIG. 11, there is S61 before S62, whereas in the connection stop broadcast receiver control method 110 of FIG. Before the execution of the stopped broadcast receiver control method 110, S104 of the decoding stopped broadcast receiver control method 100 of FIG. 12 has been executed, and the connection to the network service is performed in the connection stopped broadcast receiver control method 110. This is because it is not necessary to end again.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the network service connection start processing routine R63. Steps S121 to S124 in R63 are those in which the processing performed in steps S74 to S77 of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 in FIG. 8 is canceled in the reverse order. However, when the frequency selected by the user is changed after the output mute is turned on, the network service is an IP broadcast service implemented by a broadcasting station that uses the changed frequency as the frequency of the broadcast wave.

  In S121, connection to the network service is started. In S122, decoding of the network service is started. In S123, the audio output mute is turned off. In S124, the video output mute is turned off.

  FIG. 15 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48b as a first modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48 of FIGS. FIG. 15 illustrates only a portion of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48b that is different from the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. Further, in FIG. 15, when the processing content includes the same processing steps as the steps of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. 7, those steps are the same processing of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48. Step numbers are given, and explanations are omitted. Differences between the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48b and the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 will be described.

  In the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48b, if the determination in S50 is positive, the process returns to S49. If the determination is no, the process proceeds to S51. Thus, in the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48b, if the received signal level of the broadcast wave selected by the user is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold, the current position is acquired and the user is selected within the area determined from the current position. Thus, the confirmation of whether there is a broadcast station having the frequency of the broadcast wave is omitted, and the content of the IP broadcast of the broadcast station is output.

  There may be a plurality of broadcasting stations having the same frequency as the frequency of the broadcast wave in Japan. As described in FIG. 3, for example, the broadcasting stations such as Tokyo and Fukuoka Prefectures exist. In addition, it is usually installed at a sufficiently long distance. Therefore, it is impossible for the broadcast receiver 21 to move at a stretch over that large distance. In addition, the user's usual travel range is limited to a region within a predetermined distance, such as the Kanto district or the Kinki district.

  For example, the user inputs or selects the prefecture of the address, and registers it in the flash memory of the broadcast receiver 21. When the received signal level of the broadcast wave selected by the user is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, the broadcast wave is registered in the registered prefecture or its neighboring prefectures (one neighbor or at most three or four neighbors). Since the broadcast station having the frequency of 1 can be uniquely determined, the IP broadcast of the broadcast station thus determined can be output by the broadcast receiver 21, and the current position is acquired or acquired one by one. Based on the current position, it is possible to save time and labor for searching for the area (as described above, the prefecture where the broadcast station having the frequency selected by the user as the frequency of the broadcast wave belongs).

  Note that the current position can be detected only from broadcast waves without using GPS radio waves. For example, at the current position, all the frequencies at which the reception signal level of the broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold are checked, and the broadcast target area where all or almost all the frequencies exist as the frequency of the broadcast wave of each broadcast station is determined. By examining the broadcasting station information in FIG. 5, it is possible to identify the broadcast target area (prefecture) where the broadcast receiver 21 exists.

  FIG. 16 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48c as a second modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48 of FIGS. FIG. 16 illustrates only a portion of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48c that is different from the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG.

  The difference between the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48c and the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 is only S73. In the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. 8, if the determination is positive in S73, the process proceeds to S74. However, in S73 in the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48c, the determination is correct. Then, the process proceeds to S68 (FIG. 8). In other words, the network service viewing-in-broadcast receiver control method 48c outputs only IP broadcast contents, and does not output corresponding broadcast wave broadcast contents, but turns on output mute. In the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48c, S74 to S80 of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 are not required.

  In this way, in the broadcast receiver control method 48c during viewing of the network service, the output of the broadcast receiver 21 is output even in a situation where the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than the threshold but the current position cannot be acquired. The broadcast receiver 21 shifts to the “output muting” phase without switching from IP broadcast to broadcast wave broadcast content.

  FIG. 17 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48d as a third modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48 of FIGS. FIG. 17 illustrates only a part of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48d that is different from the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. Also, S74 to S79 shown in FIG. 17 are the same as S74 to S79 of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48.

  In the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48, S80 exists after S79, but in the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48d, S80 is omitted and the process proceeds to the “broadcast wave viewing / listening” phase. The broadcast receiver control method 48d during network service viewing assumes that the broadcast wave type broadcast is audio-only content such as radio broadcast. Accordingly, in the “watching broadcast wave” phase, video output is not necessary, so S80 is omitted.

  FIG. 18 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48e as a fourth modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48 of FIGS. FIG. 18 illustrates only a portion of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48e that is different from the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. Further, S74 to S78 and S80 shown in FIG. 18 are the same as S74 to S78 and S80 of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 (FIG. 8).

  In the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48, S79 exists between S78 and S80, but in the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48e, S79 is omitted. The broadcast receiver control method 48e during network service viewing / listening does not output audio in the broadcast wave type broadcast output, but only outputs video. When a user watches a TV broadcast on a train or bus, the sound becomes annoying to the surroundings. Therefore, only the video may be viewed with or without audio subtitles. It deals with such usage of the broadcast receiver 21.

  FIG. 19 is a main part of a flowchart of a network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48f as a fifth modification of the network service watching / broadcasting receiver control method 48 of FIGS. FIG. 19 illustrates only a part of the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48f that is different from the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG. In the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48f, when S73 is positive, S130 and S131 are performed. S130 and S131 are replaced with S74 to S80 of the broadcast receiver control method 48 during network service viewing.

  In S130, it is determined whether or not the current position area has been set. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S53, and if not, the process proceeds to S131. The user sets an area for using the broadcast receiver 21 in the broadcast receiver 21 in advance. The area refers to the above-mentioned area, and the user sets his / her address and the prefecture he / she visited for sightseeing or business trip as an area before using the broadcast receiver 21. This area is stored in the flash memory of the broadcast receiver 21, and is read from the flash memory by the broadcast receiver 21.

  In S131, the display device 35 displays a notification to the user that the current position is set. The user views the display in S131 and inputs the area of the current position in an interrupt routine different from the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48f. After S131, the process proceeds to S53.

  7 to 19, the viewing change pattern of the user of the broadcast receiver 21 starts from IP broadcast viewing (a) IP broadcast viewing ⇒ mute ⇒ IP broadcast viewing, (b) IP broadcast viewing Broadcast viewing-> mute-> broadcast wave-type broadcast viewing and (c) IP-type broadcast viewing-> mute, and there are no viewing change patterns including switching back to IP-type broadcast after viewing broadcast-wave type broadcast. Therefore, after the output of the broadcast receiver 21 is switched to the broadcast wave type broadcast, the user must perform output switching manually to return the output to the IP type broadcast. In order to automatically switch the output of the broadcast receiver 21 back to the IP type broadcast after switching to the broadcast wave type broadcast, the same monitoring is continued during the output of the broadcast wave type broadcast. When the output condition is satisfied again, the output may be switched to the IP type broadcast. However, if such processing is added, switching between the IP type broadcast viewing and the mute ⇔ broadcast wave type broadcast viewing is repeated depending on the situation. There is a possibility, and if this is done frequently in a short period of time, it may become annoying for the user. This is why the broadcast receiver 21 is limited to the three viewing change patterns (a) to (c).

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the broadcast receiver 150. The aforementioned broadcast receiver 21 is an example of the broadcast receiver 150. The broadcast receiver 150 is, for example, a portable type, an in-vehicle type, or a stationary type. The broadcast wave received by the broadcast receiver 150 is, for example, a radio broadcast wave and / or a television broadcast wave. The broadcast wave is an analog broadcast wave or a digital broadcast wave, and particularly a radio analog broadcast wave. The broadcast receiver 150 includes a reception signal level determination unit 151, an output signal generation unit 152, a content output unit 153, and a supply control unit 154.

  The reception signal level determination unit 151 determines whether or not the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. The output signal generation unit 152 generates an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave. The content output unit 153 is supplied with the content output signal from the output signal generation unit 152 and outputs the content. The supply control unit 154 blocks the supply of the IP type broadcast content output signal to the content output unit 153 when the determination of the reception signal level determination unit 151 is negative in the output period of the IP type broadcast content.

  The predetermined threshold is, for example, a broadcast target area of a broadcast station that broadcasts the broadcast wave at a point where the broadcast receiver 150 receives the broadcast wave (hereinafter, the broadcast target area is referred to as “the broadcast target area” as appropriate). ) Is set to the minimum value of the received signal level that can be determined to be within. It cannot be asserted that the broadcast receiver 150 has left the broadcast target area simply because the received signal level of the broadcast wave selected by the user is less than the predetermined threshold. This is because there is a possibility that the broadcast receiver 150 may be in an area where the broadcast wave is weak, although it is in the broadcast target area such as an underground mall or a building.

  When the broadcast receiver 150 determines that there is a possibility that the broadcast receiver 150 has departed from the broadcast target area, the broadcast receiver 150 blocks the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means 153 as the first stage. When returning to the broadcast target area, the supply interruption can be canceled and the output of the IP broadcast content can be resumed promptly.

  The broadcast receiver 150 can further include a current position acquisition unit 157 and a broadcast target area determination unit 158. The current position acquisition unit 157 acquires the current position. Broadcast target area determination means 158 determines whether or not the current position is within the broadcast target area of the broadcast station of the broadcast source. Supply control means 154 determines whether the received signal level determination means 151 and the broadcast target area determination means 158 are positive or negative during the output period of the IP broadcast content, and sends the IP broadcast to the content output means 153. Cut off the supply of content output signals.

  Typically, the supply control unit 154 determines that the content output unit 153 determines that the reception signal level determination unit 151 and the broadcast target area determination unit 158 are both positive during the supply interruption period of the IP broadcast content output signal. Releases the interruption of the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal. A specific example is S86 and S87 of the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG.

  Typically, the output signal generation unit 152 stops decoding of the reception data of the IP type broadcast when the determination of the reception signal level determination unit 151 is negative during the supply interruption period of the IP type broadcast content output signal. . A specific example of this is S95 of the output mute broadcast receiver control method 85 of FIG.

  If the determination of the reception signal level determination means 151 is negative during the supply interruption period of the IP broadcast content output signal, it means that the possibility that the broadcast receiver 150 has left the broadcast target area has further increased. Therefore, the broadcast receiver 150 will stop decoding the received data of the IP broadcast as the second stage. Stopping the decoding of the received data of the IP broadcast requires less processing time when resuming the output of the IP broadcast content than when the connection with the IP broadcast source server is stopped. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the broadcast receiver 150 exists in the broadcast target area during the decoding stop period, it is possible to shorten the time required until the IP broadcast content is re-output.

  Typically, when the determinations of the received signal level determination unit 151 and the broadcast target area determination unit 158 are both positive during the decoding stop period, the output signal generation unit 152 cancels the decoding stop of the received data of the IP broadcast. In addition, the supply control unit 154 releases the supply interruption of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output unit 153. Specific examples are S101, S86, and S87 of the broadcasting receiver control method 100 during decoding stop of FIG.

  Typically, the output signal generation unit 152 stops the connection with the IP broadcast source server when the reception signal level determination unit 151 determines NO during the decoding stop period. A specific example is S104 of the broadcasting receiver control method 100 during decoding stop of FIG.

  Typically, when the determinations of the reception signal level determination unit 151 and the broadcast target area determination unit 158 are both positive during the connection suspension period, the output signal generation unit 152 sends the IP broadcast signal to the broadcast source server. Connection is started and decoding is started, and the supply control means 154 releases the supply interruption of the IP broadcast output. A specific example is R63 of the broadcast receiver control method 110 in FIG.

  Preferably, the broadcast receiver 150 can further include an acquisition determination unit 161 and a continuation determination unit 162. The acquisition determination unit 161 determines whether or not the current position acquisition unit 157 has acquired the current position. The continuation determination unit 162 determines whether or not the state in which the reception signal level determination unit 151 and the acquisition determination unit 161 are both determined to have failed for a predetermined time or more during the output period of the IP broadcast content. In the output period of the IP type broadcast content, the output signal generation unit 152 outputs the generated output signal from the IP type broadcast content of the broadcast source broadcasting station to the broadcast wave type broadcast content when the determination of the continuation determination unit 162 is positive. Change to something. Specific examples are S73 to S80 of the network service viewing-in-broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIG.

  Typically, when the output signal generation means 152 changes the generated output signal to that of the broadcast wave type broadcast content of the broadcast source broadcast station, the generated output signal is one of the audio and video of the broadcast wave type broadcast. Only or both output signals. Specific examples in which only one of the audio and video of the broadcast wave type broadcast is used as an output signal are the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48d in FIG. 17 and the network service viewing / listening broadcast receiver control method 48e in FIG. is there. A specific example in which both audio and video of broadcast wave type broadcasting are output signals is the network service viewing-in-broadcast receiver control method 48 of FIGS.

  A part of the elements can be extracted from the broadcast receiver 150 to construct a broadcast receiver that realizes another function. In order to distinguish this broadcast receiver from the above-described broadcast receiver 150, these broadcast receivers will be referred to as broadcast receivers 150b, 150c, and 150d. Reference numerals 150b, 150c, and 150d are not used in the drawings, but are used only in the specification.

  The broadcast receiver 150b includes a reception signal level determination unit 151, an output signal generation unit 152, a supply control unit 154, and a current position acquisition unit 157. A specific example is the network service viewing-in-broadcast receiver control method 48b of FIG.

  In the broadcast receiver 150b, the reception signal level determination unit 151 determines whether the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. The current position acquisition unit 157 acquires the current position. The output signal generation unit 152 generates an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of the broadcast station of the broadcast source of the user-selected broadcast wave. The content output unit 153 is supplied with the content output signal from the output signal generation unit 152 and outputs the content. The supply control means 154 supplies the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means 153 when both the reception signal level determination means 151 and the broadcast target area determination means 158 fail during the output period of the IP broadcast content. Cut off.

  The broadcast receiver 150c includes a reception signal level determination unit 151, an output signal generation unit 152, a content output unit 153, a supply control unit 154, an acquisition determination unit 161, and a continuation determination unit 162. A specific example is the network service viewing-in-broadcast receiver control method 48c of FIG.

  In the broadcast receiver 150c, the received signal level determination unit 151 determines whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. The current position acquisition unit 157 acquires the current position. The acquisition determination unit 161 determines whether or not the current position acquisition unit 157 has acquired the current position. The output signal generation means 152 generates an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of the broadcast source broadcasting station. The content output unit 153 is supplied with the content output signal from the output signal generation unit 152 and outputs the content.

  Further, in the broadcast receiver 150c, the continuation determination unit 162 continues the state in which the determination of the reception signal level determination unit 151 or the current position acquisition unit 157 is positive or not for a predetermined time or more during the output period of the IP broadcast content. It is determined whether or not. The supply control means 154 cuts off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means 153 when the determination by the continuation determination means 162 becomes positive.

  The broadcast receiver 150d includes reception signal level determination means 151, current position acquisition means 157, broadcast target area determination means 158, output signal generation means 152, content output means 153, and supply control means 154. A specific example is the network service viewing-in-broadcast receiver control method 48f of FIG.

  In the broadcast receiver 150d, the reception signal level determination unit 151 determines whether the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. The current position acquisition unit 157 acquires the current position set by the user. Broadcast target area determination means 158 determines whether or not the current position is within the broadcast target area of the broadcast station of the broadcast source.

  In the broadcast receiver 150d, the output signal generation means 152 generates an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of the broadcast station that broadcasts the user-selected broadcast wave. The content output unit 153 is supplied with the content output signal from the output signal generation unit and outputs the content. Supply control means 154 determines whether the received signal level determination means 151 and the broadcast target area determination means 158 are positive or negative during the output period of the IP broadcast content, respectively. Cut off the supply of content output signals.

  In the broadcast receiver 150d, even if it is difficult to obtain the current position from GPS radio waves or the like, or the sensor for detecting the current position is not equipped, the broadcast receiver 150d is used for the broadcasting station of the broadcast wave selected by the user. Judgment is made whether or not it is within the broadcast target area, the output of the IP broadcast can be stopped outside the broadcast target area, and the output of the IP broadcast is resumed promptly upon return to the broadcast target area be able to.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the broadcast receiver control method 170. The broadcast receiver control method 170 is applied to a broadcast receiver including a content output device that is supplied with a content output signal and outputs the content. A specific example of the broadcast receiver is the broadcast receiver 21. Specific examples of the content output device are the display device 35 and the speaker 37. An earphone can be used instead of the speaker 37.

  In S171, it is determined whether or not it is an IP broadcast content output period. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to S172, and if not, the broadcast receiver control method 170 is terminated. In S172, it is determined whether or not the reception signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. If the determination is positive, the broadcast receiver control method 170 is terminated. If not, the process proceeds to S173. move on.

  In S173, an output signal of the broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of the broadcast station of the broadcast wave selected by the user is generated. In S174, the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output device is cut off.

  The processing of S171 and S174 corresponds to the function of the supply control means 154 of the broadcast receiver 150 (FIG. 20). The processes of S172 and S173 correspond to the functions of the reception signal level determination unit 151 and the output signal generation unit 152 of the broadcast receiver 150, respectively. Specific modes of each unit of the broadcast receiver 150 can be applied as specific modes of corresponding steps in the broadcast receiver control method 170. In the broadcast receiver control method 170, steps corresponding to the functions of the current position acquisition unit 157, the broadcast target area determination unit 158, the acquisition determination unit 161, and the continuation determination unit 162 can be added. The order or insertion position of the additional steps is arranged so that the steps corresponding to the output side means are ahead of the steps corresponding to the input side means according to the input / output relationship between the means.

  The program to which the present invention is applied causes a computer to function as each means of the broadcast receiver 150. Another program to which the present invention is applied causes a computer to execute each step of the broadcast receiver control method 170.

  This specification discloses various ranges and levels of the invention. In addition to various devices and methods of various technical scopes and specific levels described in the present specification, the present invention has operations and effects independent of each device and each method within the scope of expansion or generalization. Extracting one or more elements, changing one or more elements within the scope of expansion or generalization, and combining one or more elements between devices and methods Includes replacements.

150: broadcast receiver, 151: received signal level determination means, 152: output signal generation means, 153: content output means, 154: supply control means, 157: current position acquisition means, 158: in-broadcast target area determination means, 161 : Acquisition determination means, 162: continuation determination means, 170: broadcast receiver control method.

Claims (14)

Received signal level determination means for determining whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
An output signal generating means for generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave;
Content output means that is supplied with a content output signal from the output signal generation means and outputs the content, and the content output means when the received signal level determination means is negative in the output period of the IP broadcast content Supply control means for cutting off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to
A broadcast receiver comprising: Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
Broadcast target area determination means for determining whether or not the current position is within the broadcast target area of the broadcasting station of the broadcast source, and the received signal level determination means and the broadcast target area in the output period of IP broadcast content The supply control means for cutting off the supply of the IP-type broadcast content output signal to the content output means when the determination of the inside determination means is positive and negative, respectively;
The broadcast receiver according to claim 1, further comprising:   The supply control means is configured to provide an IP type to the content output means when both the reception signal level determination means and the broadcast target area determination means are positive during the supply interruption period of the IP broadcast content output signal. 3. The broadcast receiver according to claim 2, wherein the supply interruption of the broadcast content output signal is canceled.   The output signal generation means stops decoding the received data of the IP type broadcast when the reception signal level determination means is negative during the supply interruption period of the IP type broadcast content output signal. The broadcast receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   When the determination of the reception signal level determination means and the broadcast target area determination means is both positive during the decoding stop period, the output signal generation means cancels the decoding stop of the reception data of the IP broadcast, and 5. The broadcast receiver according to claim 4, wherein the supply control means releases the supply interruption of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means.   6. The output signal generation means stops connection with an IP broadcast transmission source server when the reception signal level determination means makes a negative determination during a decoding stop period. Broadcast receiver.   When the determination of the reception signal level determination means and the broadcast target area determination means is both positive during the connection stop period, the output signal generation means starts connection to the IP type broadcast source server. 7. The broadcast receiver according to claim 6, wherein decoding is started, and the supply control means releases the supply interruption of the IP broadcast output. Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
Acquisition determination means for determining whether or not the current position acquisition means has acquired the current position;
Continuation determining means for determining whether or not both of the reception signal level determining means and the acquisition determining means are determined to be negative for a predetermined time or more during an output period of the IP broadcast content, and output of the IP broadcast content The output signal generating means for changing the generated output signal from the IP type broadcast content of the broadcast source broadcasting station to that of the broadcast wave type broadcast content when the determination of the continuation determination means is positive during the period;
The broadcast receiver according to claim 1, comprising:   When the output signal generation means changes the generated output signal to that of the broadcast wave type broadcast content of the broadcast source broadcast station, the generated output signal is only one or both of the audio and video of the broadcast wave type broadcast 9. The broadcast receiver according to claim 8, wherein the broadcast receiver is an output signal. Received signal level determination means for determining whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
Broadcast target area determination means for determining whether or not the current position is within the broadcast target area of the broadcasting station of the broadcast source,
An output signal generating means for generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave;
The content output means that is supplied with the content output signal from the output signal generation means and outputs the content, and the reception signal level judgment means and the broadcast target area judgment means both fail to judge during the output period of the IP broadcast content Supply control means for cutting off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means,
A broadcast receiver comprising: Received signal level determination means for determining whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position;
Acquisition determination means for determining whether or not the current position acquisition means has acquired the current position;
An output signal generating means for generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave;
Content output means for receiving the content output signal from the output signal generating means and outputting the content;
A continuation determination unit that determines whether or not the determination of the reception signal level determination unit and the current position acquisition unit is positive and negative for a predetermined time or more during an output period of the IP broadcast content; and the continuation determination Supply control means for cutting off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means when the determination of the means becomes positive;
A broadcast receiver comprising: Received signal level determination means for determining whether the received signal level of the user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
Current position acquisition means for acquiring the current position of the user setting;
Broadcast target area determination means for determining whether or not the current position is within a broadcast target area of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave;
Output signal generation means for generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of the broadcast station of the broadcast source,
The content output means that is supplied with the content output signal from the output signal generation means and outputs the content, and the determination of the received signal level determination means and the in-broadcast target area determination means is correct during the output period of the IP type broadcast content. And supply control means for cutting off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output means,
A broadcast receiver comprising: A control method of a broadcast receiver including a content output device that is supplied with a content output signal and outputs the content,
A reception signal level determination step for determining whether or not a reception signal level of a user-selected broadcast wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold;
An output signal generation step of generating an output signal of broadcast wave type broadcast or IP type broadcast content of a broadcast station of a broadcast source of a user-selected broadcast wave, and determination of the reception signal level determination step in an output period of IP type broadcast content If not, a supply control step of cutting off the supply of the IP broadcast content output signal to the content output device,
A broadcast receiver control method comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the broadcast receiver control method according to claim 13.

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