JP2012085185A - Receiver, receiving method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption when reception state of radio waves is not good.SOLUTION: In a receiver 1, power supply to the circuits of a video decoder, an audio decorder, and the like, which are reproducing a program is stopped when the radio wave reception state becomes worse while viewing the program or when the image or voice of the program cannot be output correctly. When the image or voice of the program cannot be output correctly, the data of relevant information, moving images, still images, music of the program such as the BML (Broadcast Markup Language) data prestored in a memory is reproduced, and output in place of the image or voice of the program. The invention is applicable to a device which receives and reproduces content transmitted on the radio wave.

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving device, a receiving method, and a program, and more particularly, to a receiving device, a receiving method, and a program that can suppress power consumption when radio wave reception is not good.

  Receiving devices that can move the receiving position and are equipped with a receiving function for digital terrestrial broadcasting, such as a mobile phone that supports one-segment broadcasting and a car navigation system that supports full-segment broadcasting, have become widespread.

  In such a receiving apparatus, the radio wave reception status deteriorates while the user is viewing the program, and the program cannot often be reproduced. In this case, the screen display state is normally a state in which a completely dark screen is displayed, and a message is displayed at the corner of the screen to notify the user that the radio wave reception status is poor.

JP-A-5-91487 JP 2009-27288 A JP 2007-215069 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-210541

  Even when such a dark screen is displayed, if the processing for displaying the program image or outputting the sound is continued, naturally, the battery power is also reduced during that time. It will continue to be consumed.

  In addition, while a black screen is displayed, the user usually cannot view the program, but can also view a still image stored in the memory in the receiving device or view a video. I have to wait for the reception situation to improve without doing anything. This time can be said to be a boring time for the user. Broadcasters cannot provide broadcast content or commercials while a dark screen is displayed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. For example, it is intended to suppress power consumption when the reception condition of radio waves is not good.

  A receiving apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives content transmitted wirelessly using radio waves, a reproducing unit that reproduces the content, a detecting unit that detects the reception status of the radio waves, and the radio wave If the value representing the reception status of the video is lower than the threshold value, the power control means for stopping the power supply to the reproduction means, and another content in place of the content while the power supply to the reproduction means is stopped. Output control means for outputting.

  The detection means periodically detects the reception status of the radio wave, and the power control means causes the power supply to the reproduction means when the value indicating the reception status of the radio wave is lower than a threshold value for a certain period of time. Can be stopped.

  When the value indicating the reception status of the radio wave is higher than a threshold value, the power control unit restarts the power supply to the reproduction unit, and the output control unit restarts the power supply to the reproduction unit. When one frame image included in the video data of the content is reproduced by the reproduction unit, the reproduction of the other content can be terminated and the image reproduced by the reproduction unit can be displayed.

  Storage means for storing the related information of the content received by the receiving means before the supply of power to the reproducing means is stopped can be further provided. In this case, the output control means can output the related information stored in the storage means as the other content.

  Storage means for storing the other content input before the supply of power to the reproduction means is stopped can be further provided. In this case, the output control means can output the other content stored in the storage means.

  Communication means for performing communication via a network can be further provided. In this case, the output control means can output the content received by the communication means via the network as the other content.

  The reception method according to one aspect of the present invention receives content transmitted wirelessly using radio waves, detects the reception status of the radio waves, and if the value indicating the reception status of the radio waves is lower than a threshold, A step of stopping the supply of power to the playback means for playback and outputting other content instead of the content while the supply of power to the playback means is stopped.

  The program according to one aspect of the present invention receives content transmitted wirelessly using radio waves, detects the reception status of the radio waves, and reproduces the content when a value representing the reception status of the radio waves is lower than a threshold value. The power supply to the playback means is stopped, and while the power supply to the playback means is stopped, the computer is caused to execute a process including a step of outputting other content instead of the content.

  In one aspect of the present invention, content transmitted wirelessly using radio waves is received, the reception status of the radio waves is detected, and the content is reproduced when a value representing the reception status of the radio waves is lower than a threshold value. The supply of power to the reproducing means is stopped. In addition, while the supply of power to the reproduction unit is stopped, other content is output instead of the content.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress power consumption when radio wave reception is not good.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the receiver which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of a receiver. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a receiver. FIG. 4 is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 3 for explaining processing of the reception device. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the receiver at the time of a channel scan. It is a flowchart explaining the other process of the receiver at the time of a channel scan. It is a flowchart explaining the further another process of the receiver at the time of a channel scan. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the receiver at the time of channel seek. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the receiver at the time of channel switching. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the hardware of a computer.

[Configuration example of receiver]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The receiving device 1 in FIG. 1 is a receiving device for terrestrial digital broadcasting such as one-segment broadcasting and full-segment broadcasting. For example, the receiving device 1 is of a size that can be carried by a user, and operates with power from a battery (not shown). The reception status of the terrestrial digital broadcast radio waves received by the receiving device 1 changes depending on the user's destination.

  Although details will be described later, the reception device 1 is adapted to a circuit that reproduces a program when reception of radio waves deteriorates during viewing of the program and the program image and sound cannot be output correctly. It has a function to stop the supply of power. As a result, it is possible to suppress power consumption when radio wave reception is poor.

  In addition, the receiving device 1 has a function of reproducing and outputting data prepared in advance instead of the image and sound of the program when the image and sound of the program cannot be correctly output. This prevents the user from being bored when the reception status of the radio wave is worse than when a message notifying that the reception status of the radio wave is bad is displayed on a black screen. It becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, the data that is output instead of the image or sound of the program when the reception situation of the radio wave is appropriately deteriorated is referred to as substitute data. The receiving device 1 is provided with a BML (Broadcast Markup Language) browser, and the substitute data includes BML data received and stored in the memory before the radio wave reception state deteriorates. BML data is data described in BML, and is information such as text and still images related to programs and commercials. In addition, moving images, still images, music data, or WEB pages acquired via a network such as a 3G line or a wireless LAN are output as substitute data.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the reception device 1 includes an antenna 11, a tuner 12, an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) demodulation unit 13, a signal processing unit 14, a speaker 15, and a display 16.

  The tuner 12 converts the frequency of the RF signal received by the antenna 11 into an IF signal, and outputs the IF signal to the OFDM demodulator 13.

  The OFDM demodulator 13 performs processing such as A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion, orthogonal demodulation, FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) operation, etc. on the IF signal supplied from the tuner 12 as OFDM demodulation processing. The OFDM demodulation unit 13 outputs a TS (Transport Stream) of a predetermined channel obtained by the OFDM demodulation process to the signal processing unit 14.

  The signal processing unit 14 includes a TS decoder 21, an audio decoder 22, an output processing unit 23, a video decoder 24, a display processing unit 25, a tuner interface 26, a bus 27, a CPU 28, a memory 29, and a communication unit 30. The TS output from the OFDM demodulator 13 is input to the TS decoder 21.

  The TS decoder 21 analyzes the TS, outputs an audio ES (Elementary Stream) of a predetermined program to the audio decoder 22, and outputs a video ES to the video decoder 24. Further, the TS decoder 21 outputs a data carousel ES including BML data to the CPU 28 via the bus 27.

  The audio decoder 22 expands the audio data compressed by the predetermined compression method supplied from the TS decoder 21 and reproduces uncompressed audio data. The audio decoder 22 outputs data obtained by reproducing the audio data to the output processing unit 23. For example, the audio decoder 22 is configured by a chip that operates with a power source supplied from a battery and operates according to a clock signal supplied from the outside.

  The output processing unit 23 outputs the sound of the program from the speaker 15 based on the data supplied from the audio decoder 22. Further, for example, when music data is reproduced as alternative data by the CPU 28 and reproduction sound data is supplied via the bus 27, the output processing unit 23 outputs a reproduction sound of music data based on the supplied data to a speaker. 15 to output.

  The video decoder 24 decompresses video data compressed by a predetermined compression method supplied from the TS decoder 21 and reproduces uncompressed video data. The video decoder 24 outputs the image data of each frame obtained by reproducing the video data to the display processing unit 25. For example, the video decoder 24 is configured by a chip that operates with a power source supplied from a battery and operates according to a clock signal supplied from the outside.

  The display processing unit 25 displays an image of the program on the display 16 based on the data supplied from the video decoder 24. In addition, for example, when moving image, still image, or web page data is supplied as alternative data via the bus 27, the display processing unit 25 displays the moving image, still image, or web page based on the supplied data. 16 is displayed.

  The tuner interface 26 monitors the processing by the OFDM demodulator 13 and detects the reception status of radio waves. The radio wave reception status is represented by, for example, MER (Modulation Error Ratio). MER is a value representing the quality of modulation, and becomes a larger value when there is less noise, that is, the reception condition of radio waves is better. The tuner interface 26 outputs the MER information to the CPU 28 via the bus 27 as a detection result of the radio wave reception status. Detection of the radio wave reception status is performed at a predetermined cycle such as an interval of several seconds.

  The CPU 28 controls each unit of the signal processing unit 14 via the bus 27. For example, the CPU 28 analyzes the data carousel ES supplied from the TS decoder 21, acquires BML data, and stores it in the memory 29. In addition, when content such as a moving image, a still image, or music is captured by the receiving device 1 by the user via an external recording medium or a network, the CPU 28 stores the content in the memory 29.

  The memory 29 is a flash memory, for example, and stores BML data, moving image data, still image data, music data, and the like. The memory 29 may be a recording medium built in the receiving device 1 or a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the receiving device 1 such as a memory card.

  The communication unit 30 is, for example, a 3G line or wireless LAN interface, and communicates with an external device via a network.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the receiving device 1.

  At least a part of the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is realized by the CPU 28 executing a predetermined program. In the receiving device 1, a timer 41, a state management unit 42, a power supply control unit 43, and an alternative data output control unit 44 are realized.

  The timer 41 measures time during the reproduction of the program, and outputs an activation signal instructing start of detection of radio wave reception status to the state management unit 42 at a predetermined cycle such as an interval of several seconds.

  Each time the activation signal is supplied from the timer 41, the state management unit 42 causes the tuner interface 26 to detect the reception state of the radio wave, and acquires the detection result. The state management unit 42 manages the state of the receiving device 1 that is playing a program according to the detection result of the radio wave reception status.

  The state of the receiving device 1 during program reproduction includes a TRUE state and a FALSE state, and the state management unit 42 displays information indicating the state of the receiving device 1 at that time as a power supply control unit 43 and an alternative data output control unit. 44. If the state of the receiving apparatus 1 is TRUE, it means that the program can be reproduced normally, and if it is FALSE, the substitute data is output instead of reproducing the program. Represents.

  The power control unit 43 controls power supply from the battery of the receiving device 1. For example, the power supply control unit 43 supplies power to the audio decoder 22 and the video decoder 24 when information indicating that the state of the receiving device 1 is FALSE is supplied from the state management unit 42 during the reproduction of the program. Stop.

  The alternative data output control unit 44 controls the output of alternative data. For example, the alternative data output control unit 44 uses the data stored in the memory 29 when information indicating that the state of the receiving device 1 is FALSE is supplied from the state management unit 42 during the reproduction of the program. To output alternative data. Further, the alternative data output control unit 44 appropriately controls the communication unit 30 to access a predetermined server on the network, and causes the alternative data to be output using the acquired data of the WEB page.

[Receiver operation]
Here, processing of the receiving apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4.

  The processing in FIGS. 3 and 4 is started when a predetermined channel is designated by the user and a program broadcast on the designated channel is being reproduced. During the reproduction of the program, power is supplied from the battery to each unit of the signal processing unit 14 to display the program image and the above-described processing for outputting the audio of the program is performed by each unit of the signal processing unit 14. Further, when the BML data is transmitted, the memory 29 stores the BML data acquired by the CPU 28.

  In step S <b> 1, the state management unit 42 determines whether an activation signal is input from the timer 41, and waits until it is determined that it has been input.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the activation signal has been input, in step S2, the state management unit 42 controls the tuner interface 26 to detect the reception status of radio waves, and acquires the detection result. When the radio wave reception status is detected, for example, MER information is supplied from the tuner interface 26 to the state management unit 42.

  In step S3, the state management unit 42 determines whether or not the state of the receiving device 1 is TRUE. The state management unit 42 manages a flag indicating the state of the receiving device 1. For example, whether or not the state of the receiving device 1 is TRUE is determined based on the value of the flag.

  When it is determined in step S3 that the state of the receiving device 1 is TRUE, that is, the program can be normally reproduced, in step S4, the state management unit 42 determines whether or not the radio wave reception state is good. The determination is made based on the information supplied from H.26. For example, when the MER is 10.0 db or more, the state management unit 42 determines that the radio wave reception status is good, and when the MER is less than 10.0 db, the status management unit 42 determines that the radio wave reception status is not good.

  When it is determined in step S4 that the radio wave reception status is not good, in step S5, the state management unit 42 increments the value of the counter. The counter value represents a period during which the state of reception of radio waves is not good, and is managed by the state management unit 42.

  In step S <b> 6, the state management unit 42 determines whether or not a state in which radio wave reception is not good continues for a certain period. Here, when the value of the counter exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that a state in which radio wave reception is not good continues for a certain period.

  In step S7, the state management unit 42 changes the value of the flag and sets the state of the receiving device 1 to FALSE. Information indicating that the state of the receiving device 1 is FALSE is supplied from the state management unit 42 to the power supply control unit 43 and the alternative data output control unit 44.

  In step S <b> 8, the power control unit 43 stops supplying power to the audio decoder 22.

  In step S <b> 9, the power control unit 43 stops supplying power to the video decoder 24. The supply of power to the audio decoder 22 may be stopped after the supply of power to the video decoder 24 is stopped.

  In step S10, the alternative data output control unit 44 outputs alternative data. For example, when outputting BML data as alternative data, the alternative data output control unit 44 reads BML data stored in advance from the memory 29 and acquires related information of the program. When the related information of the program is text or an image, the alternative data output control unit 44 outputs the text or image that is the related information of the program to the display processing unit 25 and displays it on the display 16. The related information of the program may include not only the detailed information of the program such as the program introduction but also the information of the broadcasting station and the information of the advertiser.

  Further, when a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a predetermined WEB page is described in BML data, the alternative data output control unit 44 controls the communication unit 30 to access the URL. The alternative data output control unit 44 outputs an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file acquired from the accessed server to the display processing unit 25 and causes the display 16 to display a WEB page. The search server may be accessed, and the searched WEB page may be displayed using the name of the program or broadcast station that was most recently played as a key.

  Further, when outputting the still image or moving image stored in the memory 29 as the alternative data, the alternative data output control unit 44 reads out the data of the still image or moving image from the memory 29 and reproduces it. The alternative data output control unit 44 outputs the data obtained by the reproduction to the display processing unit 25 and causes the display 16 to display a still image or a moving image. When the alternative data output control unit 44 outputs the music data stored in the memory 29 as alternative data, the alternative data output control unit 44 reads the music data from the memory 29 and reproduces it. The alternative data output control unit 44 outputs the data obtained by reproduction to the output processing unit 23 and causes the reproduction sound to be output from the speaker 15.

  If the user listens to music stored in the memory 29 or browses a still image before starting to watch the program, the same music as the user was listening to or browsed the still image You may make it output as alternative data. Which content the user is using is specified based on the history information stored in the memory 29.

  As described above, the substitute data is any data that can be reproduced and output without using at least one of the audio decoder 22 and the video decoder 24 whose power supply is stopped. May be. In addition, the user may select the type of data to be output as alternative data (music, still image, etc.) and the data to be output as alternative data in advance or at the start of output of alternative data.

  After the output of alternative data is started as described above, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the radio wave reception status is good, in step S11, the state management unit 42 has successfully decoded one frame image based on the video data decoding status by the video decoder 24. Determine whether. Although the reception status of the radio wave was good, data necessary for image display may not be obtained after decoding by the TS decoder 21, and such a state is also detected.

  For example, when the video data is data encoded in the AVC format, decoding is performed for each macroblock, but the video decoder 24 manages to which macroblock the decoding has been completed. . The determination by the state management unit 42 as to whether or not the image of one frame has been correctly decoded can be made based on information managed by the video decoder 24.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the image of one frame has not been correctly decoded, the state management unit 42 performs the processing from step S5.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the image of one frame has been correctly decoded, the state management unit 42 resets the counter value in step S12. There may be a case where an image of one frame cannot be decoded for a moment, but when an image of a program can be decoded with only one frame, it is considered better to show the image to the user. Therefore, in that case, the count value is reset, and normal reproduction is continued.

  Note that the user may be able to select a condition for resetting the counter value. Further, in order to avoid repeated ON / OFF of the power supply to the audio decoder 22 and the video decoder 24, it is based not only on video data but also on whether decoding of a specific frame of audio data has been correctly completed to the end. Thus, the timing for resetting the counter value may be adjusted.

  After the counter value is reset in step S12 or when it is determined in step S6 that the state of poor reception of radio waves has not continued for a certain period of time, the state management unit 42 performs normal program playback on the signal processing unit 14. Let each part of Then, it returns to step S1 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the state of the receiving device 1 is not TRUE, that is, that the alternative data is being reproduced, in step S14 (FIG. 4), the state management unit 42 receives the radio wave. Determine if the situation is good.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the radio wave reception status is not good, the process proceeds to step S10, and output of alternative data is started as described above.

  If it is determined in step S14 that the radio wave reception status is good, the power supply control unit 43 starts supplying power to the video decoder 24 in step S15.

  In step S <b> 16, the power control unit 43 starts supplying power to the audio decoder 22. After the supply of power is started, the audio decoder 22 resumes decoding of the program audio data, and the video decoder 24 resumes decoding of the program video data.

  In step S17, the state management unit 42 changes the value of the flag and sets the state of the receiving device 1 to TRUE.

  In step S18, the state management unit 42 determines whether or not the decoding of one frame image has been completed, and waits until it is determined that the decoding has been completed. Here, based on the state of decoding by the video decoder 24, if the decoding of the last macroblock of one frame in the decoding order is completed, it is determined that the decoding of the image of one frame is completed. The process of step S17 may be performed after it is determined that the decoding of one frame image has been completed, and the state of the receiving apparatus 1 may be set as TRUE.

  If it is determined in step S18 that the decoding of one frame image has been completed, the alternative data output control unit 44 ends the output of the alternative data and restarts the output of the program image and sound. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processing is performed.

  As a result of the above processing, when the state of poor reception of radio waves continues for a certain period, the supply of power to the audio decoder 22 and the video decoder 24 is stopped, so that the power consumption of the battery can be suppressed accordingly. it can.

  In addition, since the alternative data is output, the user waits using the related information of the program and other multimedia contents until the reception state of the radio wave is recovered and the reproduction of the program is resumed. be able to. By making the program information and CM information included in the BML data output as substitute data, it is possible for the broadcasting side to prevent missing the opportunity to provide programs and advertisements.

  In the above, the power supply to the audio decoder 22 and the video decoder 24 is stopped when the reception condition of radio waves is not good. However, the supply of the clock signal to the audio decoder 22 and the video decoder 24 is stopped. It may be. This also makes it possible to reduce power consumption by stopping the supply of the clock signal.

  In the above description, when the reception condition of radio waves is not good for a certain period of time, the power supply to both the audio decoder 22 and the video decoder 24 is stopped. The power supply may be stopped.

[Modification]
It is also possible to stop the supply of power to the decoder and perform processing beyond the output of alternative data at timings such as channel scan, channel seek, and channel switching.

  The channel scan is processing for detecting which channel in the entire predetermined frequency band is used to broadcast the program. Further, the channel seek is a process for detecting a channel used for broadcasting a program that is adjacent on the frequency axis with the currently received channel as a reference. Both the channel scan and channel seek processes are, for example, processes performed during playback of a program (while the user is viewing the program).

<Process during channel scan>
First, processing of the receiving apparatus 1 at the time of channel scanning will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The process of FIG. 5 is a process of stopping the supply of power to the decoder and starting output of alternative data after the start of the channel scan. The process of FIG. 5 is started when, for example, a channel scan is instructed by the user during the reproduction of a program.

  In step S31, the tuner interface 26 causes the OFDM demodulation unit 13 to perform OFDM demodulation processing, and starts channel scanning using the demodulation result. Information on the channel detected by the tuner interface 26 (information on the frequency at which the program can be received) is supplied to, for example, the state management unit 42 and managed.

  In step S32, the power supply control unit 43 stops supplying power to the audio decoder 22, and in step S33, stops supplying power to the video decoder 24.

  In step S34, the alternative data output control unit 44 outputs alternative data as described above. The output of the alternative data is continued until the channel scan is completed, for example. When the channel scan is completed, the supply of power to the audio decoder 22 and the video decoder 24 is resumed, and the reproduction of the program broadcast on the predetermined channel detected by the channel scan is started. When the program image and sound can be output, the output of the alternative data is terminated, the program image is displayed on the display 16, and the sound is output from the speaker 15.

  Through the above processing, the receiving apparatus 1 can suppress power consumption during channel scanning. Also, the user can wait until the channel scan is completed, for example, by looking at alternative data.

  Next, another process of the receiving apparatus 1 at the time of channel scanning will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The process of FIG. 6 is a process of stopping the supply of power to the decoder and outputting alternative data when the ratio of receivable channels is low after the start of the channel scan. The processing in FIG. 6 is also started, for example, when a channel scan is instructed by the user during program playback.

  In step S41, the tuner interface 26 starts channel scanning. The channel information detected by the tuner interface 26 is supplied to, for example, the state management unit 42 and managed.

  In step S42, the state management unit 42 determines whether or not the ratio of channels that can receive program data is low. For example, when scanning of frequency bands for 20 channels is completed and 10 channels are detected as receivable channels, the ratio of receivable channels is 50%. The state management unit 42 calculates the ratio of receivable channels in this way, and determines that the ratio of receivable channels is low when the calculated ratio is lower than the threshold.

  If it is determined in step S42 that the proportion of channels that can receive program data is low, the power supply controller 43 stops supplying power to the audio decoder 22 in step S43. In step S44, the power supply control unit 43 stops the supply of power to the video decoder 24.

  In step S45, the alternative data output control unit 44 outputs alternative data. The output of the alternative data is continued until, for example, the channel scan is completed or the ratio of receivable channels becomes higher than a threshold value. If it is determined in step S42 that the ratio of receivable channels is high, the processes in steps S43 to S45 are skipped.

  Next, still another process of the receiving apparatus 1 at the time of channel scanning will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The processing of FIG. 7 stops the power supply to the decoder when the control data necessary for program playback such as NIT (Network Information Table) and PMT (Program Map Table) cannot be decoded after the channel scan starts. This is a process for outputting alternative data. The processing in FIG. 7 is also started, for example, when a channel scan is instructed by the user while viewing a program.

  In step S51, the tuner interface 26 starts a channel scan. The TS obtained by the OFDM demodulator 13 is supplied to the TS decoder 21. The TS decoder 21 performs processing for extracting control data such as NIT and PMT from the TS.

  In step S <b> 52, the state management unit 42 determines whether control data such as NIT has not been received based on the decoding status by the TS decoder 21.

  The process after it is determined in step S52 that control data such as NIT has not been received is the same process as the process after step S43 in FIG. 6, for example. That is, in step S53, the power supply control unit 43 stops supplying power to the audio decoder 22, and in step S54, stops supplying power to the video decoder 24.

  In step S55, the alternative data output control unit 44 outputs alternative data. The output of the alternative data is continued until, for example, the channel scan is completed or control data such as NIT can be received. If it is determined in step S52 that control data such as NIT has been received, the processes in steps S53 to S55 are skipped.

<Process during channel seek>
Next, processing of the receiving apparatus 1 during channel seek will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The process of FIG. 8 is a process of stopping the supply of power to the decoder and outputting alternative data when a poor radio wave reception state continues for a certain period after the start of channel seek. The process of FIG. 8 is started, for example, when a channel seek is instructed by the user during the reproduction of a program. The channel seek instruction uses the + button operated when detecting a channel with a higher frequency or the-button operated when detecting a channel with a lower frequency based on the currently received channel. Done.

  In step S61, the tuner interface 26 causes the OFDM demodulation unit 13 to perform OFDM demodulation processing, and starts channel seek using the demodulation result. The channel information detected by the tuner interface 26 is supplied to, for example, the state management unit 42 and managed.

  In step S62, the state management unit 42 determines whether or not a state of poor reception of radio waves has continued for a certain period. Here, for example, when the above-described + button or − button has been operated a plurality of times but a receivable channel has not been detected, it is determined that the state of poor reception of radio waves has continued for a certain period.

  When it is determined in step S62 that the state of poor reception of radio waves has continued for a certain period, in step S63, the power control unit 43 stops supplying power to the audio decoder 22. Further, the power supply control unit 43 stops the supply of power to the video decoder 24 in step S64.

  In step S65, the alternative data output control unit 44 outputs alternative data. The output of the alternative data is continued until the channel seek is completed or a receivable channel is detected, for example. If it is determined in step S62 that the state of poor reception of radio waves does not continue for a certain period, the processing in steps S63 to S65 is skipped.

  With the above processing, the user can wait for the channel to be detected by looking at the substitute data, even if the channel seek is performed but the receivable channel is not easily detected. Further, the receiving device 1 can suppress power consumption.

<Processing when switching channels>
Next, processing of the receiving device 1 at the time of channel switching will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the process of FIG. 9, when the channel is switched but the program cannot be displayed due to poor reception of radio waves for a certain period of time, the power supply to the decoder is stopped and the alternative data is output. It is a process to perform. The process of FIG. 9 is started, for example, when a user instructs switching of channels during the reproduction of a program.

  In step S71, the tuner interface 26 performs channel switching by controlling the OFDM demodulator 13 to switch the channel to be demodulated. The TS obtained by the OFDM demodulator 13 is supplied to the TS decoder 21. In the TS decoder 21, the TS transmitted on the channel after switching is decoded.

  In step S <b> 72, the state management unit 42 determines based on the decoding state by the TS decoder 21 whether or not a state in which the program cannot be reproduced has continued for a certain period due to poor reception of radio waves. Here, for example, when the user is instructed to switch the channel a plurality of times, but the program cannot be displayed, it is determined that the state of poor reception of radio waves has continued for a certain period.

  If it is determined in step S72 that the state of poor reception of radio waves has continued for a certain period, in step S73, the power control unit 43 stops supplying power to the audio decoder 22. In step S74, the power control unit 43 stops supplying power to the video decoder 24.

  In step S75, the alternative data output control unit 44 outputs alternative data. The output of the alternative data is continued until, for example, a receivable channel is detected and a program can be displayed. Note that if it is determined in step S72 that the state of poor reception of radio waves has not continued for a certain period of time, the processing of steps S73 to S75 is skipped.

  With the above processing, the user can wait for the program data to be received by viewing the alternative data even if the user has instructed to switch the channel but cannot readily receive the program data. Further, the receiving device 1 can suppress power consumption.

  In the above, the case where the reception state of the broadcast wave is detected and processed has been described. For example, when content is transmitted using a wireless LAN, the reception state of the wireless LAN radio wave is detected. The same processing as when a broadcast wave reception state is detected may be performed.

[Computer configuration example]
The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or a general-purpose personal computer.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes using a program.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53 are connected to each other via a bus 54.

  An input / output interface 55 is further connected to the bus 54. Connected to the input / output interface 55 are an input unit 56 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output unit 57 such as a display and a speaker. The input / output interface 55 is connected to a storage unit 58 made up of a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, etc., a communication unit 59 made up of a network interface, etc., and a drive 60 that drives the removable media 61.

  In the computer configured as described above, for example, the CPU 51 loads the program stored in the storage unit 58 to the RAM 53 via the input / output interface 55 and the bus 54 and executes it, thereby executing the above-described series of processing. Is done.

  The program executed by the CPU 51 is recorded in, for example, the removable medium 61 or provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital broadcasting, and is installed in the storage unit 58.

  The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Receiver, 12 Tuner, 13 OFDM demodulation part, 14 Signal processing part, 21 TS decoder, 22 Audio decoder, 24 Video decoder, 26 Tuner interface, 42 State management part, 43 Power supply control part, 44 Alternative data output control part

Claims (8)

Receiving means for receiving content transmitted wirelessly using radio waves;
Playback means for playing back the content;
Detecting means for detecting the reception status of the radio wave;
A power control means for stopping the supply of power to the reproduction means when a value representing the reception status of the radio wave is lower than a threshold;
A receiving apparatus comprising: output control means for outputting other content instead of the content while power supply to the reproduction means is stopped. The detection means periodically detects the reception status of the radio wave,
The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the power control unit stops supplying power to the reproduction unit when a state in which a value representing the reception state of the radio wave is lower than a threshold value continues for a certain period. The power control means restarts the supply of power to the reproduction means when the value indicating the reception status of the radio wave is higher than a threshold value,
The output control means terminates the reproduction of the other content when the supply of power to the reproduction means is resumed and one frame image included in the video data of the content is reproduced by the reproduction means. The receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the image reproduced by the reproducing unit is displayed. Storage means for storing related information of the content received by the receiving means before the supply of power to the reproducing means is stopped;
The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit outputs the related information stored in the storage unit as the other content. Storage means for storing the other content input before the supply of power to the playback means is stopped;
The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit outputs the other content stored in the storage unit. A communication means for performing communication via a network;
The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit outputs the content received by the communication unit via the network as the other content. Receive content transmitted wirelessly using radio waves,
Detect the reception status of the radio wave,
If the value representing the reception status of the radio wave is lower than a threshold, supply of power to the playback means for playing back the content is stopped,
A receiving method including a step of outputting another content instead of the content while the supply of power to the reproduction means is stopped. Receive content transmitted wirelessly using radio waves,
Detect the reception status of the radio wave,
If the value representing the reception status of the radio wave is lower than a threshold, supply of power to the playback means for playing back the content is stopped,
A program that causes a computer to execute a process including a step of outputting other content instead of the content while power supply to the reproduction unit is stopped.

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