JP3664913B2 - Digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving satellite broadcast even when a television connected to a network does not have a satellite broadcast tuner, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a conventional digital broadcast receiving apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-79641. In the figure, 1 is a terrestrial antenna, 2 is a radio wave of terrestrial broadcast, and the radio wave is detected. A digital broadcast receiving module for demodulating digital data from 3, a coaxial cable such as CATV, 4 a digital cable module for detecting radio waves of the cable TV and demodulating digital data from the radio waves, 5 a digital broadcast receiving module 2 or A depacket processing module that decomposes the digital data demodulated by the digital cable module 4 into packets and decodes them into video and audio, 6 an MPEG video module that displays the video decoded by the depacket processing module 5, and 7 a depacket processing module Output the audio decoded by 5. MPEG audio module, 8 denotes a bus for connecting the respective modules 2,4～7.
[0003]
Next, the operation will be described.
When the user wishes to receive the terrestrial broadcast, the digital broadcast receiving module 2 detects the radio wave of the terrestrial broadcast received by the terrestrial antenna 1, demodulates the digital data from the radio wave, and the depacket processing module 5 The digital data demodulated by the digital broadcast receiving module 2 is decomposed into packets and decoded into video and audio.
Then, the MPEG video module 6 displays the video decoded by the depacket processing module 5, and the MPEG audio module 7 outputs the audio decoded by the depacket processing module 5.
[0004]
On the other hand, when the user desires to receive the cable TV, the digital cable module 4 detects the radio wave of the cable TV transmitted through the coaxial cable 3, demodulates the digital data from the radio wave, and the depacket processing module 5 The digital data demodulated by the module 4 is decomposed into packets and decoded into video and audio.
Then, the MPEG video module 6 displays the video decoded by the depacket processing module 5, and the MPEG audio module 7 outputs the audio decoded by the depacket processing module 5.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the conventional digital broadcast receiving apparatus is configured as described above, it is possible to select either terrestrial broadcast or cable TV to view a favorite program, but other digital broadcasts that can receive satellite broadcasts. Since it cannot be linked to the receiving device, the digital broadcast receiving device cannot receive satellite broadcasts. Therefore, when it is necessary to view all programs of terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and cable TV, there is a problem that it is necessary to purchase a television equipped with an expensive tuner that can receive all broadcasting.
In particular, if you own multiple televisions and you need to watch all terrestrial, satellite, and cable TV programs on all televisions, you need to arrange all televisions on expensive televisions. There was a problem that the economic burden would be extremely large.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. Even if each television does not have a terrestrial broadcast tuner, a satellite broadcast tuner, and a cable TV tuner, it is owned. An object of the present invention is to obtain a digital broadcast receiver capable of viewing all programs of terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and cable TV on all televisions.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention has a management means for managing the usage status of all receiving means connected to the network, and inquires the management means about the usage status of other receiving means, Only when the means is not in use, a control means that allows the selection means to select a transmission means as an input destination of digital data is provided, and a plurality of management means are connected to the network , Each management means compares its own management ability with the management ability of other management means, and only if its own management ability exceeds the management ability of other management means, it will enable its own management function Is.
[0013]
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention is such that only the receiving means having the same format of the transport stream of the digital data to be demodulated is connected to the network.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiver according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a terrestrial antenna, 12 is a terrestrial broadcast radio wave, and digital data is demodulated from the radio wave. The terrestrial tuner unit 13, which decomposes the digital data demodulated by the terrestrial tuner unit 12 into packets and decodes them into video and audio, and 14 displays the video decoded by the decoder unit 13, This is a TV that outputs audio.
[0015]
15 is a satellite antenna, 16 is a satellite tuner unit that detects satellite broadcast radio waves and demodulates digital data from the radio waves, 17 is a digital data demodulated by the satellite tuner unit 16 and is decomposed into packets for video and audio. A decoder unit 18 for decoding the video signal is a television that displays the video decoded by the decoder unit 17 and outputs audio.
[0016]
19 is a coaxial cable such as CATV, 20 is a cable tuner unit that detects radio waves of the cable TV and demodulates digital data from the radio waves, 21 is a digital tuner demodulated by the cable tuner unit 20, and decomposes the digital data into packets. A decoder unit that decodes video and audio, 22 displays a video decoded by the decoder unit 21 and outputs audio, and 23 mutually connects the terrestrial tuner unit 12, the satellite tuner unit 16, and the cable tuner unit 20. A network to be connected, for example, a network that conforms to IEEE 1394, which is a standard that exists as a home network.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a portion common to the terrestrial tuner unit 12, the satellite tuner unit 16, and the cable tuner unit 20. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 31 denotes an external antenna (in FIG. 2, the terrestrial antenna 11, the satellite antenna 15, or the coaxial antenna). Cable 19 is generically referred to as an external antenna), 32 is a tuner circuit (receiving means) for detecting a radio wave received by the external antenna 31, and 33 is a digital demodulation circuit for demodulating digital data from the radio wave detected by the tuner circuit 32. (Receiving means) 34 is a transmission switching circuit (selecting means) for selecting the output destination of the digital data demodulated by the digital demodulating circuit 33 to either the decoder circuit 38 or the network interface 35.
[0018]
When 35 receives the digital data demodulated by the digital demodulator circuit 33 from the transmission switching circuit 34, it outputs the digital data to the network 36 and transmits it to the other tuner unit, while the demodulated signal transmitted from the other tuner unit. A network interface (transmission means) for inputting subsequent digital data from the network 36, 36 is a network (corresponding to the network 23 in FIG. 1), 37 is an input destination of the digital data to the decoder circuit 38, the digital demodulation circuit 33 or the network interface 35 is a reception switching circuit (selection means) that selects one of 35, and 38 is a decoder circuit (decoding means) that decomposes the digital data output from the reception switching circuit 37 into packets and decodes them into video and audio. The circuit 38 includes the decoder unit 13 of FIG. Equivalent to 7 and 21. Reference numeral 39 denotes a control circuit (control means) for controlling the transmission switching circuit 34 and the reception switching circuit 37 according to the usage status of other tuner units, and 40 denotes a television (corresponding to the televisions 14, 18, and 22 in FIG. 1). It is.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing specific configurations of the transmission switching circuit 34 and the reception switching circuit 37. In the figure, 34a is a switching switch of the transmission switching circuit 34, A and B are contacts, and 37a is a switching of the reception switching circuit 37. Switches C and D are contacts.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the control circuit 39. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 denotes tuner usage status inquiry requesting means for inquiring the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 to the control circuit 39 of another tuner unit, and 42 denotes Under the instruction of the tuner usage status inquiry request means 41, the network transmission means outputs a data transmission request indicating the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 to the network 36.
[0021]
43 is a network receiving means for receiving a data transmission request indicating the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 from the network 36, 44 is an inquiry request analyzing means for analyzing the received content received by the network receiving means 43, and 45 is a network receiving means 43. When the received content received is a data transmission request indicating the usage status, tuner usage status determination means 46 for determining the usage status of the tuner circuit 32, and 46, under the instruction of the tuner usage status determination means 45, the tuner circuit 32. Tuner usage status response means for outputting data indicating the usage status of the network, and 47 a network transmission means for outputting the data output from the tuner usage status response means 46 to the network 36 and transmitting it to the tuner section that is the data transmission request source. It is.
[0022]
48 is a tuner usage status response analyzing means for analyzing the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 in the other tuner section based on the data transmitted from the network transmission means 47 of the other tuner section, and 49 is a tuner usage status response analyzing means 48. This is network connection means for controlling the changeover switch 34a of the transmission changeover circuit 34 and the changeover switch 37a of the reception changeover circuit 37 in accordance with the analysis result.
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the operation of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0023]
Next, the operation will be described.
First, when a user views a program on the television 14, when the user selects a program (step ST1), the CPU built in the television 14 determines whether the program is a terrestrial broadcast program or a satellite broadcast program. It is determined whether it is a program or a cable TV program (step ST2).
[0024]
For example, when a terrestrial broadcast program is selected, the CPU incorporated in the television 14 determines whether or not a tuner unit capable of receiving terrestrial broadcast is installed in the receiving device of the television 14 (step S1). ST3). In the example of FIG. 1, the terrestrial tuner unit 12 is mounted on the receiver of the television 14, and the satellite tuner unit 16 and the cable tuner unit 20 are not mounted.
[0025]
In the example of FIG. 1, since the terrestrial tuner unit 12 is mounted on the receiver of the television 14, the CPU built in the television 14 sends a terrestrial wave to the control circuit 39 of the terrestrial tuner unit 12. The start of reception of terrestrial broadcasting from the tuner circuit 32 of the tuner unit 12 is instructed (step ST11).
[0026]
When the control circuit 39 of the terrestrial tuner unit 12 receives an instruction to start reception from the CPU built in the television 14, the control circuit 39 switches the switch 34 a of the transmission switching circuit 34 to the contact A side and switches the reception switching circuit 37. Control is performed to switch the switch 37a to the contact C side (step ST12).
[0027]
As a result, the tuner circuit 32 detects the radio wave received by the external antenna 31 that is the terrestrial antenna 11, and the digital demodulation circuit 33 demodulates the digital data from the radio wave detected by the tuner circuit 32 (the digital data is In general, the digital data is divided into 188-byte units called MPEG transport stream), and the digital data passes through the transmission switching circuit 34 and the reception switching circuit 37 and is output to the decoder circuit 38, that is, the decoder unit 13. The
Then, the digital data is decoded into video and audio by the decoder unit 13 and output to the television 14, so that the user can view a terrestrial broadcast program on the television 14.
[0028]
When a user views a satellite broadcast program on the television 18 (the satellite tuner unit 16 is installed in the receiver of the television 18) and when a user watches a cable TV program on the television 22 (reception on the television 22). The operation of the apparatus (with the cable tuner unit 20 mounted thereon) is the same as the operation when viewing a terrestrial broadcast program on the television 14, and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0029]
Next, when the user views a program on the television 14, when the user selects a satellite broadcast program or a cable TV program (here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a satellite broadcast program is selected). In the example of FIG. 1, the television receiver 14 is not equipped with a tuner that can receive satellite broadcasts. Therefore, the CPU built in the television 14 is connected to the network 23 with a tuner that can receive satellite broadcasts. It is determined whether or not (step ST4). In the example of FIG. 1, the satellite tuner unit 16 is connected to the network 23.
[0030]
In the example of FIG. 1, since the satellite tuner unit 16 is connected to the network 23, the CPU built in the television 14 sends the satellite tuner unit to the control circuit 39 of the terrestrial tuner unit 12 via the network 23. The start of satellite broadcast reception from the 16 tuner circuits 32 is instructed (step ST21).
If the satellite tuner unit 16 is not connected to the network 23, the satellite broadcast cannot be received, and the process is terminated.
[0031]
When the tuner usage status inquiry requesting means 41 in the control circuit 39 of the terrestrial tuner unit 12 receives an instruction to start reception via the network 23 from the CPU built in the television 14, the tuner usage status inquiry requesting means 41 sends it to the control circuit 39 of the satellite tuner unit 16. On the other hand, in order to inquire about the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 in the satellite tuner unit 16, the network transmission means 42 outputs a data transmission request indicating the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 to the network 36 (network 23).
[0032]
When the network receiving unit 43 in the control circuit 39 of the satellite tuner unit 16 receives a data transmission request indicating the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 from the network 36, the inquiry request analyzing unit 44 analyzes the received contents of the network receiving unit 43. When the received content is a data transmission request indicating the usage status, data indicating the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 in the satellite tuner unit 16 is received from the tuner usage status response means 46 under the instruction of the tuner usage status determination means 45. Output.
Then, the network transmission unit 47 outputs the data indicating the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 output from the tuner usage status response unit 46 to the network 36 and transmits the data to the terrestrial tuner unit 12 which is the data transmission request source.
[0033]
Upon receiving data indicating the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 from the control circuit 39 of the satellite tuner unit 16, the tuner usage status response analysis means 48 in the control circuit 39 of the terrestrial tuner unit 12 receives the satellite tuner unit 16 based on the data. The usage situation of the tuner circuit 32 is analyzed.
The network connection means 49 of the control circuit 39 can receive a satellite broadcast from the tuner circuit 32 when the tuner circuit 32 of the satellite tuner unit 16 is not in use. Control for switching the changeover switch 37a to the contact D side is performed.
[0034]
Then, when the switching control of the reception switching circuit 37 is completed, the control circuit 39 of the terrestrial tuner unit 12 outputs a satellite broadcast transmission start request to the control circuit 39 of the satellite tuner unit 16.
When the network connection means 49 in the control circuit 39 of the satellite tuner unit 16 receives a satellite broadcast transmission start request from the control circuit 39 of the terrestrial tuner unit 12, the network connection unit 49 switches the selector switch 34a of the transmission switching circuit 34 to the contact B side. Thus, the digital data of the satellite broadcast demodulated by the digital demodulation circuit 33 of the satellite tuner unit 16 is output from the network interface 35 to the network 36 (step ST22).
[0035]
When the network interface 35 of the terrestrial tuner unit 12 receives the digital data of the satellite broadcast from the network 36 (the digital data is generally divided into 188 byte units called MPEG transport streams) The digital data passes through the reception switching circuit 37 and is output to the decoder circuit 38, that is, the decoder unit 13 (step ST23).
Then, the digital data is decoded into video and audio by the decoder unit 13 and output to the television 14, so that the user can view a satellite broadcast program on the television 14.
[0036]
Note that when a user views a cable TV program on the television 14, when viewing a terrestrial broadcast or cable TV program on the television 18, and when viewing a terrestrial broadcast or satellite broadcast program on the television 22, Since it is the same as the operation when viewing a satellite broadcast program on the television 14, the description thereof is omitted.
[0037]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the output destination of the digital data demodulated by the digital demodulation circuit 33 is selected as either the decoder circuit 38 or the network interface 35, while the digital data for the decoder circuit 38 is output. Since the transmission switching circuit 34 and the reception switching circuit 37 for selecting either the digital demodulation circuit 33 or the network interface 35 are provided as input destinations, a terrestrial broadcast tuner and a satellite broadcast tuner are provided for each television. Even if a cable TV tuner is not installed, it is possible to view all terrestrial broadcasts, satellite broadcasts, and cable TV programs on all televisions that are owned.
[0038]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the terrestrial tuner unit 12, the satellite tuner unit 16, and the cable tuner unit 20 all have digital data transmission / reception functions with respect to other tuner units. Only the transmission function and the reception function are installed only in the unit 20, the satellite tuner unit 16 includes only the digital data reception function (see FIG. 7), and the terrestrial tuner unit 12 includes only the digital data transmission function. May be mounted (see FIG. 8).
[0039]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the television 14 cannot watch satellite broadcasts other than terrestrial broadcasts and cable TV programs, but the televisions 18 and 22 can provide terrestrial broadcasts, satellite broadcasts, and cables. Since all TV programs can be viewed, if it is not always necessary to view all programs on all TVs, the number of transmission switching circuits 34 and reception switching circuits 37 can be limited, thereby reducing costs. The effect that can be obtained.
[0040]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
A tuner status collective management mechanism (management means) 51 manages the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 in all the tuner units connected to the network 23.
[0041]
Next, the operation will be described.
In the first embodiment, when the control circuit 39 of each tuner unit determines the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 in the other tuner unit, the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 is directly indicated to the control circuit 39 of the other tuner unit. The tuner status collective management mechanism 51 periodically checks the usage status of the tuner circuits 32 of all the tuner units, and stores the usage status in the management table so as to control each tuner unit. When the circuit 39 determines the usage status of the tuner circuit 32 in another tuner unit, the usage status may be confirmed by referring to the management table.
[0042]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, when the control circuit 39 of each tuner unit receives digital data from another tuner unit, it does not perform information communication with the control circuit 39 of the other tuner unit. Since the usage status can be confirmed simply by referring to the management table, it is possible to quickly determine whether or not the digital data can be received from another tuner unit.
[0043]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
10 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
52, when a plurality of tuner status batch management mechanisms 51 are connected to the network 23, the management capability of the tuner status batch management mechanism 51 is compared with the management capability of the other tuner status batch management mechanism 51. Only when the management capability of the status batch management mechanism 51 exceeds the management capability of the other tuner status batch management mechanism 51, the management function determination unit (management means) that enables the management function of its own tuner status batch management mechanism 51 is there.
[0044]
Next, the operation will be described.
When the tuner status collective management mechanism 51 is connected to each tuner unit, each management function determination unit 52 exchanges information with other management function determination units 52 when the receiving device is powered on, for example. To do.
[0045]
Specifically, each management function determination unit 52 provides other data indicating the management capability of its own tuner status batch management mechanism 51 (for example, information regarding the processing speed of the CPU mounted in the tuner status batch management mechanism 51). To the management function determination unit 52.
[0046]
Then, each management function determination unit 52, when there is no other tuner status batch management mechanism 51 exceeding the management capability of its own tuner status batch management mechanism 51, When the management function is enabled (the operation of the own tuner status batch management mechanism 51 is permitted) and there is at least one other tuner status batch management mechanism 51 exceeding the management capability of the own tuner status batch management mechanism 51 Disables the management function of its own tuner status batch management mechanism 51 (disallows the operation of its own tuner status batch management mechanism 51).
[0047]
As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the tuner status batch management mechanism 51 having the best management capability manages the usage status, and reduces the load on the receiver associated with the usage status confirmation. The effect that can be obtained.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, either the decoding unit or the transmission unit is selected as the output destination of the digital data demodulated by the receiving unit, while the receiving unit or the digital data input destination to the decoding unit is selected. Since the selection means for selecting one of the transmission means is provided, even if a terrestrial broadcast tuner, a satellite broadcast tuner, and a cable TV tuner are not installed for each television Therefore, it is possible to view all programs of terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and cable TV on all televisions.
In addition, a management unit that manages the usage status of all receiving means connected to the network, and the management unit inquires about the usage status of other receiving means, and the other receiving means is not in use. And a control unit that allows the selection unit to select a transmission unit as an input destination of digital data, and when a plurality of management units are connected to the network, each management unit manages itself Comparing the ability of other management means with that of other management means, and configured to enable its own management function only when its own management ability exceeds the management ability of other management means. It is possible to determine whether or not the digital data can be received from the means, and it is possible to reduce the load on the receiver associated with the confirmation of the usage status.
[0054]
According to the present invention, since only the receiving means having the same format as the transport stream of the digital data to be demodulated is connected to the network, it is possible to receive the digital data from other receiving means. There is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing portions common to a terrestrial tuner unit, a satellite tuner unit, and a cable tuner unit.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a specific configuration of a transmission switching circuit and a reception switching circuit.
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a specific configuration of a control circuit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a conventional digital broadcast receiving apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
32 tuner circuit (reception means), 33 digital demodulation circuit (reception means), 34 transmission switching circuit (selection means), 35 network interface (transmission means), 36 network, 37 reception switching circuit (selection means), 38 decoder circuit ( Decoding means), 39 control circuit (control means), 51 tuner status collective management mechanism (management means), 52 management function determination unit (management means).

Claims (2)

By detecting the radio wave of the digital broadcasting, a receiving means for demodulating the digital data from the radio wave, decoding means for decoding the digital data demodulated by said receiving means into video and audio, digital data demodulated by said receiving means A transmission means for inputting demodulated digital data from the network, and selecting either the decoding means or the transmission means as an output destination of the digital data demodulated by the receiving means, In a digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising a selection means for selecting either the receiving means or the transmitting means as an input destination of digital data to the decoding means, the usage status of all receiving means connected to the network Management means to manage and use of other receiving means for the management means The network is provided with a control unit that allows the selection unit to select a transmission unit as an input destination of digital data only when other receiving units are not in use. Are connected to each other, each management means compares its own management ability with that of other management means, and only if its own management ability exceeds that of other management means. A digital broadcast receiver characterized by enabling a management function. 2. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein all receiving means connected to the network demodulate the transport stream into digital data of the same format when demodulating the digital data.

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