JP3871394B2 - Channel selection device and channel selection system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    The present invention relates to a channel selection device used in, for example, a CATV home terminal system, and particularly stores a channel that a user likes among channel change signals sequentially transmitted from the channel selection device, and stores the channel from the next time. The present invention relates to a channel selection device and a channel selection system that improve operability in channel selection by sending a change signal in a range of channels.
[0002]
[Prior art]
    Conventionally, in a system that provides various programs from a plurality of channels, such as CATV, there has been a channel selection device for a user to select a favorite program from those programs. As one of the functions associated with the remote control device, so-called channel scan, for example, by pressing a certain key attached to the remote control device, a plurality of channels provided in the system automatically and sequentially. There was a function to change.
[0003]
  A conventional remote control device having such a channel scan function will be described with reference to FIG.
[0004]
  As shown in FIG. 15, the remote control device 50 includes buttons 51 (so-called numeric keys) for directly selecting a channel corresponding to a number marked on the surface of the button by pressing the button, for example. A channel forward key 53a for selecting a channel by sending a channel sequentially and a reverse key 53b for selecting a channel for reverse feeding are attached. Below these forward and reverse keys 53a and 53b are formed a volume up key 54a for increasing the volume on a TV screen (not shown) and a volume down key 54b for decreasing the volume. Yes. Further below that, a mute key 55 for erasing the volume on the TV screen is formed. When the mute key 55 is pressed, the sound on the TV screen is completely canceled, and when it is pressed again, the sound is output again.
[0005]
  On the left side of these keys, a scan key 56 for performing the above-described channel scan is set.
[0006]
  By pressing the scan key 56, all the channels of programs that can be provided by this system can be automatically switched in order. Therefore, the user can list all the programs provided by the system in a single operation by pressing the scan key 56 once.
[0007]
  The power key 52 is, for example, a key for turning on / off the power of the CATV home terminal. Each time the power key 52 is pressed, the power of the CATV home terminal is alternately switched on and off.
[0008]
  Further, when each key described above is pressed, the input signal is converted as an infrared signal 57, for example, and output to a CATV home terminal described later.
[0009]
  Therefore, a conventional TV receiver that receives a transmission signal of the remote controller 50 configured as described above and selects a TV screen will be described with reference to FIG.
[0010]
  As shown in FIG. 16, the signal a input from the CATV input terminal 81 of the CATV home terminal 70 is branched into branch signals 1 a and 2 a by the distributor 79.
[0011]
  The branch signal 1a is converted into an IF signal if of the channel selected by the tuner 78, amplified and detected by the IF amplification detection circuit 75, and detected by the video signal p and the audio signal s, respectively, and the OSD circuit. 76 and the RF modulator 77.
[0012]
  The video signal p passes through the OSD circuit 76 and is combined with alphabets, numbers, characters and the like to become a signal pa, which is added to the RF modulator 77 together with the audio signal s described above, and a specific frequency signal corresponding to an empty channel of the television. The signal is converted to r and output to the television receiver 83 connected to the output terminal 82 via the output terminal 82.
  On the other hand, the branch signal 2 a passes through the data receiver 80, is demodulated into the data signal b, and is input to the control unit 71. The control unit 71 includes a known CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and controls the entire home terminal 70 based on the control content of the data signal b.
[0013]
  The remote control device 50 outputs a channel change signal to the light receiving unit 72 as an optical signal such as an infrared signal by pressing each of the buttons 51, the channel order, and the reverse feed keys 53a and 53b.
[0014]
  In particular, when the scan key 56 is pressed, a channel change signal is continuously output, and in response to the output, the controller 71 sends channel selection data to the tuner 78 one after another. Accordingly, the tuner 78 selects a channel specified by the channel selection data, performs frequency conversion, and sends an IF signal to the IF amplifier circuit 25.
[0015]
  As a result, the display screen of the TV receiver 83 is switched one after another. For example, in the case of a TV system that provides 12-channel programs, the 12-channel programs are automatically switched one after another by pressing the scan button 56, and the contents of the entire program can be listed in a very short time.
[0016]
  In the light receiving unit 72, the infrared signal from the remote control device 50 is converted into an electric signal c and input to the control unit 71.
[0017]
    The control unit 71 outputs the channel selection data d to the tuner 78 based on the data of the electrical signal c, and displays the selected channel on the channel display unit 73.
[0018]
  The external memory 74 stores, for example, the last channel regarding channel selection, and is used to select the channel that was previously viewed when the home terminal 70 is powered on.
[0019]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, at present, for example, many urban CATVs have been launched, and the number of programs that can be provided by these urban CATVs has increased to several tens of channels. Furthermore, recently, a digital satellite TV has begun to be introduced. When this digital satellite TV is used, it is possible to provide a very large number of programs such as several hundred channels.
[0020]
  Therefore, in such a TV where the number of programs that can be viewed is very large for such a user, even if the scan key 56 is pressed to scan a channel in order to list the entire program, it must be sequentially scanned. There are so many channels that users have to scan their own program by the end of the scan, that is, by the end of the list of programs they provide. I often forget which channel of the program I liked.
[0021]
  That said, if you find your favorite program while you are scanning the channels sequentially by pressing the scan key 56, and you end the scan there, you are still scheduled to scan after that, but it is still listed You can not check the contents of the program of no channel.
[0022]
  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and despite providing a multi-channel program, it is possible to list all the programs of the multi-channel with an easy operation and to use them. An object of the present invention is to provide a channel selection device and a channel selection system that can appropriately select a program that a user likes.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
    In order to achieve this object, the channel selection device according to claim 1 can switch channels.firstSwitching means;firstSpecify multiple channels from among the channels switched by the switching meansfirstSpecifying means; andfirstCan store the channel signal specified by the specifying meansfirstStorage means;firstSecond switching means for sequentially switching channels based on the channel signal read from the storage means; and determination means for determining a desired channel from among the channels sequentially switched by the second switching means., By the second switching means After the channel switching operation, at least one second designating unit for designating a plurality of channels, at least one second storage unit capable of storing the channel signal designated by the second designating unit, and the second And at least one third switching means for sequentially switching the channels based on the channel signal read from the storage means, and the determining means determines a desired channel from the channels sequentially switched by the third switching means. Is configured asIt is characterized by that.
[0024]
  The channel selection apparatus of the present invention isfirstThe switching means can switch channels,firstThe designation meansfirstMultiple channels can be specified from among the channels switched by the switching means.firstMemory meansfirstThe channel signal designated by the designation means can be stored, and the second switching meansfirstThe channels are sequentially switched based on the channel signal read from the storage means, and the determining means determines a desired channel from the channels sequentially switched by the second switching means.
[0025]
    Therefore, the user has many channels that can be provided.firstSwitch by switching means, and first select the channel you like from the switched channels.firstDesignation is performed by designation means (in this case, if there are a plurality of favorite channels, plural designations are made), the designated channel signal is stored in the storage means, and then the second switching means is operated to store the designated channel signal. The channel signals stored by the means are sequentially read out, the channels are sequentially switched, and a desired channel can be determined by operating the determining means from among these channels.
[0026]
  in this case,firstFor example, the switching means may be configured to switch directly to the channel by pressing one of the keys indicating the respective channel numbers formed in the channel selection device, or a certain one A configuration may be adopted in which all the channels that can be provided are automatically and sequentially switched by pressing only the key.
[0027]
    Therefore, for example, in a system that provides various programs on a very large number of channels such as the recent CATV and digital satellite TV, even if the contents provided for each channel are different every day, the user can InfirstBy taking steps such as operating the switching means, list all the programs in advance in an easy way, and memorize the channels of the programs you care about with a sense of memo, and from among them By operating the second switching means, the channels are sequentially switched, and by checking them, the most favorite program can be appropriately selected.
[0028]
    That is, even though a multi-channel program is serviced, it is possible to list all the multi-channel programs with a simple operation and to select a program that the user likes appropriately.
[0029]
[0030]
  Also,The channel selection apparatus having such a configuration designates a plurality of channels for further narrowing down the channels even after the channel switching operation by the second switching means by operating at least one second designation means, and at least 1 Two second storage means can store the channel signal designated by the second designation means, and at least one third switching means is a channel further narrowed down based on the channel signal read from the second storage means Are sequentially switched and the determination means is operated to determine a desired channel from among the channels sequentially switched by the third switching means.
[0031]
  Therefore, when a user selects a desired channel in a service for providing a program on a very large number of channels such as the urban CATV and the digital satellite TV as described above, as described above, the user IsfirstThe channel is switched by operating the switching means, and the desired channel is selected from the channels.firstEven after the channel is designated by the designation unit and the channels are further switched sequentially by the second switching unit, the desired program is not yet finalized, but a plurality of channels are further selected in order to further narrow down the channel. Is designated by operating the second designation means, and after the designated channel signal is stored in the second storage means, the third switching means is operated to read out the second storage means. A desired channel can be determined by sequentially reading out the channel signal, further switching the channel based on the signal, confirming the program content of the channel again, and then operating the determining means.
[0032]
  Therefore, the user can select and determine the desired channel in a convincing manner by recognizing and listing all the program contents of a large number of channels, and storing the desired channel temporarily. can do.
[0033]
  These second designation means, second storage means, and thirdswitchingNot only one means is provided, but the second designation means, the second storage means, the third storage means, the third means, etc. by considering the number of channels that can be provided, the program selection pattern of the user, etc.switchingTwo or more means may be provided so that a desired channel can be determined through several selections.
[0034]
  Therefore, the claim2The channel selection device described in claim1The channel selection device according to claim 2, wherein the second designation unit, the second storage unit, and the third unit to be operated before the determination unit determines a channel.switchingA setting means capable of setting the number of means is provided.
[0035]
  In the channel selection device having such a configuration, the setting unit is to operate the second specifying unit, the second storage unit, and the third unit before the channel is determined by the determining unit.switchingThe number of means can be set.
[0036]
  Therefore, as described above, according to the number of channels provided by the TV system used by the user, the channel selection pattern can be variously set by the setting means, and the channel selection pattern can be made more flexible. It can be set to.
[0037]
    Further claims3The channel selection device according to claim 1 is provided.OrClaim2Selection described inStationA device comprising:First switchThe means is characterized by sequentially switching channels.
[0038]
  Therefore, the user must first select a programFirst switchBy operating the means, the channels that can be provided are sequentially switched, and from within the program scanfirstBy designating a plurality of favorite channels by the designation means and further operating the second switching means,firstFurther scanning is performed between designated programs designated by the designation means, and a desired program can be selected from among them.
[0039]
  Therefore, even in a system that provides a program on a very large number of channels, the channel selection operation can be executed more easily.
[0040]
  Claims4The channel selection system according to claim 1 is a claim.3A channel selection system comprising the channel selection device according to any one of the above and a reception device that receives a transmission signal from the channel selection device, wherein at least one of the storage unit or the second storage unit is It is provided on the receiving device side.
[0041]
  The channel selection system with this configurationfirstSince the storage means or the second storage means for storing the channel signal designated by the designation means or the second designation means is provided on the receiving device side that receives the transmission signal from the channel selection device, the user can, for example, ,firstWhen switching the channel sequentially by operating the switching means or the second switching means, it is possible to save the trouble of having to continue the channel selection device toward the reception device side, the operation of selecting a desired channel It becomes simpler.
[0042]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0043]
    FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an external appearance of a remote control device that embodies the channel selection device of the present invention and a channel selection system including the remote control device and a reception device.
[0044]
  As shown in FIG. 1, the channel selection system includes a remote control device 1 as a channel selection device and a CATV home terminal 20 as a reception device. The CATV home terminal 20 directly selects a channel. The numeric keypad 3 is attached. That is, the user 300 as a user presses the numeric keypad 3 to transmit a channel switching signal corresponding to a number displayed on each display unit of the numeric keypad 3 to the TV 200 as an infrared ray 70. The channel can be selected directly.
[0045]
  The confirmation key 3a arranged in the numeric keypad 3 is for locking a channel selected by the numeric keypad 3 or the like, for example, and the cancel key 3b arranged in the numeric keypad 3 is also used for the lock. Is for canceling.
[0046]
  The scan key 4 automatically switches all the channels that can be provided sequentially, and the user 300 presses the scan key 4 once to list the program contents of the channels that are automatically switched sequentially. can do.
[0047]
    The channel sequential feed key 7a is a key for sequentially switching channels, and the user 300 keeps pressing the channel sequential feed key 7a, so that the channel is changed to, for example, “1”, “2”, “ 3 ”can be switched one by one in order. The channel reverse key 7b is a key for switching the channel in reverse order, and the user 300 keeps pressing the channel reverse key 7a to select the channel, for example, “12”, “11”, “ Conversely to “10”, it can be switched one by one.
[0048]
    The numeric keypad 3, the scan key 4, the channel order, and the reverse feed keys 7a and 7b described above have a function of switching channels, andfirstThis corresponds to the switching means.
[0049]
    The favorite scan key 5 attached below the scan key 4 will be described later.
[0050]
    The favorite button key 6 attached below the favorite scan key 5 is used when, for example, there is a favorite channel while listing the program contents of the channels automatically switched sequentially by the scan key 4. It is for pressing. That is, when there are a large number of channels that can be provided, the user selects the preference button key 6 to select a plurality of candidates before finally determining a desired channel from those channels. By pressing, a plurality of channels can be selected in advance. Therefore,firstThe preference button key from among the channels switched by, for example, the scan key 4 as switching means6Since you can specify multiple channels by pressing, this favorite button key6In the present inventionfirstIt corresponds to the designation means.
[0051]
  In addition,firstFavorite button key as a means of specification6The channel signal designated by pressing is stored in the storage device 12 as storage means described later.
[0052]
  The favorite scan key 5 located between the favorite button key 6 and the scan key 4 sequentially reads channel signals stored in the storage device 12 (to be described later) when the favorite button key 6 is pressed, and the infrared light 70. For transmission to the TV 200.
[0053]
  Therefore, the user 300 can use it to determine a desired channel by sequentially switching channels from the channels picked up by pressing the preference button 6. That is, since the channels can be sequentially switched based on the channel signal read from the storage device 12 to be described later, the favorite scan key 5 corresponds to the second switching means in the present invention.
[0054]
  The channels that are sequentially switched by pressing the favorite scan key 5 can determine a desired channel by pressing the favorite button key 6 again. Therefore, the favorite button key 6 is determined in the present invention. Corresponds to means.
[0055]
  Instead of the favorite button key 6, a desired channel may be determined by pressing the enter key 6.
[0056]
  The various keys described above are collectively referred to as the input key 13.
[0057]
  Next, the electrical configuration of the remote control device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
[0058]
  As shown in FIG. 2, the remote control device 1 operates according to a command from the control unit 10, and the control unit 10 includes a CPU that executes arithmetic processing. The control unit 10 includes a ROM 14 for storing a control program and a RAM 16 as a work area.
[0059]
    The control unit 10 is connected to the input key 13, the power supply unit 11 as a power supply unit, the storage device 12 as a storage unit, and the infrared communication device 15 as an infrared transmission unit.
[0060]
  By detecting the pressing of the power button 2 in the input key 13, the control unit 10 controls to receive power from the power supply unit 11.
[0061]
    For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the ROM 14 stores a channel selection program 14a for performing a channel selection operation. In the present embodiment, 9 from the level 1 channel selection program 14a (1) in which the favorite scan can be operated only once to the level 9 channel selection program 14a (9) in which the favorite scan operation can be performed 9 times. Stores types of tuning programs.
[0062]
  Then, as will be described later, if the user 300 does not set any channel selection hierarchy, the control unit 10 selects the channel selection program 14a (1) in the layer 1 among the channel selection programs 14a in the ROM 14. And execute the tuning operation.
[0063]
  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the ROM 14 stores the number of channel change data 14b that can be provided, and for channel change corresponding to pressing of any one of the input keys 13. Data is read by the control unit 10 and transmitted to the TV 200 as the infrared ray 70 via the infrared communication device 15.
  Alternatively, for example, when detecting that the scan key 4 of the input keys 13 is pressed, the control unit 10 receives a scan command by pressing the scan key 4 and changes the channel stored in the ROM 14. The data for the channel change is sequentially read, and the channel change data is transmitted through the infrared communication device 15. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, the change data from the channel “1” to the channel “100” is sequentially read to the end.
[0064]
    When the control unit 10 sequentially reads out the channel change data in the ROM 14 and sends it as an infrared signal, when the user 300 detects that the user presses the preference button 6 among the input keys 13, The channel change signal transmitted when the favorite button 6 is input is sequentially stored in the storage device 12 as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. Therefore, this storage device 12 isfirstFavorite button as a means of designation6Since the channel change signal as the channel signal designated by is stored, it corresponds to the storage means in the present invention.
[0065]
  For example, in the example of FIG. 4B, the user 300 has channel numbers “3”, “5”, “33”, “75”, “92”, “93”, “96”, “97”. And “100” is selected, and the corresponding channel change data is stored in the storage device 12.
[0066]
  When the controller 10 further detects that the favorite scan key 5 in the input key 13 is pressed while the channel change signal is stored in the storage device 12, the channel in the storage device 12 is detected. The change signal is sequentially read out, and the infrared ray 70 is transmitted through the infrared communication device 15.
[0067]
  While the control unit 10 sequentially reads out the channel change signal in the storage device 12 and sends it to the TV 200 as the infrared ray 70 via the infrared communication device 15, the favorite button 6 on the input key 13 is displayed. When it is detected that the button has been pressed, the control unit 10 determines the channel using the channel change signal transmitted to the TV 200 at the time of detection as a determination signal.
[0068]
  That is, the remote control device 1 as the channel selection device isfirstThe channel can be switched by the ten key 3, the channel sequential switching key 7a, the channel reverse switching key 7b or the scan key 4 as the switching means,firstBy pressing the preference button 6 as a designation means,firstA plurality of channels can be designated from among the channels switched by the above-described key as the switching means, and the storage device 12 as the storage means outputs the channel change data as the channel signal designated by the preference button 6. The channel can be stored, and the channel is sequentially switched based on the channel change data as the channel signal read from the storage device 12 by pressing the preference scan key 5 as the second switching means, and the preference button 6 as the determination means. When is pressed, a desired channel is determined from the channels sequentially switched by the favorite scan key 5.
[0069]
  Instead of the preference button 6, a confirmation key 3a as a determination unit may be used.
[0070]
    Next, the electrical configuration of the CATV home terminal 20 as a receiving apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The CATV home terminal 20 and the TV receiver 33 constitute a TV 200.
[0071]
  As shown in FIG. 5, the CATV home terminal 20 is common to the receiving apparatus 70 of FIG. 16 described in the prior art, but the microcomputer software in the control unit 21 is different from that of the prior art, The memory contents of the external memory 24 are different. The signal a input from the CATV input terminal 31 of the CATV home terminal 20 is branched by the distributor 29 into branch signals 1a and 2a.
[0072]
  The branch signal 1a is converted into the IF signal IF of the channel selected by the tuner 28, amplified and detected by the IF amplification detection circuit 25, and detected by the video signal p and the audio signal s, respectively, and the OSD circuit 26 And the RF modulator 27, respectively.
[0073]
  The tuner 28 selects a channel corresponding to the channel change data received from the control unit 21.
[0074]
    The video signal p selected by the tuner 28 passes through the if amplification detection circuit 25 and the OSD circuit 26, and is combined with graphic data such as alphabets, numbers, characters, and the like to become a signal pa, and the RF modulator 27 together with the audio signal s. Is converted to a specific frequency signal r corresponding to an empty TV channel, and is output to the TV receiver 33 connected to the output terminal 32 via the output terminal 32.
[0075]
  Therefore, the user 300 can select a desired channel while viewing the TV screen displayed on the TV receiver 33.
[0076]
  On the other hand, the branch signal 2 a passes through the data receiver 30, is demodulated into the data signal b, and is input to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 includes a known CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and controls the entire home terminal 20 based on the control content of the data signal b.
[0077]
  Therefore, the remote controller 1 described above transmits various data as infrared rays 70 by pressing the input keys 13 described above, and the light receiving unit 22 receives the infrared rays 70. For example, when the light receiving unit 22 receives the channel change data sequentially transmitted from the remote control device 1 by pressing the scan key 4, the control unit 21 sequentially transmits the data to the tuner 28 and is selected one after another. Switch channels.
[0078]
  In addition, the remote control device 1 sends such channel change data one after another.firstWhen the preference button 6 as the designation means is pressed, the light receiving unit 22 receives the channel change data transmitted by pressing the scan key 4 one after another, while the control unit 21 in the home terminal 20 The data is sent to the tuner 28, and the channel is switched one after another. However, as described above, the channel change data transmitted from the remote control device 1 each time the favorite button 6 is pressed is transmitted inside the remote control device 1. The data is stored in the storage device 12 inside the remote control device 1 (see FIG. 4B).
[0079]
    In addition, regarding the control related to pressing of the favorite button 6 in the remote control device 1, the configuration described below may be taken. The configuration described below is a second configuration example and is distinguished from the first configuration example described above.
[0080]
  That is, the channel change data transmitted from the control unit 21 in the home terminal 20 to the tuner 28 when the favorite button 6 in the remote controller 1 is pressed is stored in the external memory 24. In that sense, the external memory 24 corresponds to the storage device 12 in the remote control device 1, and thus corresponds to the storage means in the present invention. In this case, “the channel change data transmitted from the remote controller 1 each time the favorite button 6 is pressed” and “the control unit 21 transmits to the tuner 28 when the favorite button 6 is pressed”. The “channel changing data” can be regarded as data at the same point in almost timing, and it is assumed that these data are the same channel changing data.
[0081]
  According to the configuration in which the channel change data is stored in the external memory 24 in the home terminal 20 by pressing the preference button 6 in the remote control device 1, the user 300 can select the preference button in the remote control device 1. Whenever 6 is pressed, the external memory 24 stores the channel change data as shown in FIG.
[0082]
  After the scanning is completed, when the light receiving unit 22 in the home terminal 20 receives the signal by further pressing the preference scan key 5 of the remote controller 1 by the user 300, the control unit 21 causes the channel described above. The change data may be read from the external memory 24 and sequentially transmitted to the tuner 28.
[0083]
  Therefore, once the user presses the favorite scan key 5 in the remote controller 1, the controller 21 in the home terminal 20 sequentially reads out the channel change signals stored in the external memory 24. Since the transmission is made to the tuner 28, it is not necessary to keep the infrared ray transmitting portion of the remote control device 1 facing the TV 200 side, and the channel selection can be confirmed by a simpler operation.
[0084]
  In the home terminal 20, channel change data is included in the data b received by the control unit 21 through the data receiver 30 in advance, and the channel change data is stored in the external memory 24 in advance. If the light receiving unit 22 only temporarily receives a signal sent from the remote control device 1, and then the controller 21 of the home terminal 20 reads the external memory 24 based on the signal, the user For 300, for example, it is not necessary to keep the infrared transmission unit of the remote control device 1 facing the TV 200 side by simply pressing the scan key 4 once. The control unit 21 of the home terminal 20 Are sequentially read from the external memory 24, so that tuning can be performed with a simpler operation.
[0085]
  In the second configuration example described above, the signal transmitted from the remote control device 1 is a control signal for controlling how the control unit 21 in the home terminal 20 reads from the external memory 24. Are stored in the ROM 14 of the remote control device 1.
[0086]
  Subsequently, the channel selection operation of the remote control device 1 described in the first configuration example will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. It is assumed that the remote control device 1 is turned on.
[0087]
    The control unit 10 in the remote control device 1 shown in FIG. 3 starts the channel selection program 14 a (1) in the hierarchy 1 among the channel selection programs 14 a stored in the ROM 14, and uses the input key 13 by the user 300. When it is detected that the scan key 4 is pressed (S1), for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the channel change data to be read first from the ROM 14 in which the channel change data that can be provided is stored. Is read (S3). This may be channel change data for selecting a channel of “1” as a default unless otherwise set.
[0088]
  Then, the control unit 10 transmits the read channel change data to the home terminal 70 as a channel selection signal of the infrared ray 70 via the infrared communication device 15, and displays a TV program corresponding to the channel selection signal. (S5).
[0089]
  Thereafter, when the user 300 detects that the favorite button key 6 on the input key 13 is pressed (S7: YES), the control unit 10 next detects the pressing of the button key 6 at the home terminal. The channel change signal transmitted to 20 is stored in the storage device 12 (S9). Then, the process proceeds to S13.
[0090]
  On the other hand, if the user 300 does not press the preference button for the TV program corresponding to the channel transmitted in S5 (S7: NO), the control unit 10 detects the infrared rays for the home terminal 20 by counting the internal timer. After the transmission of 70, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S11). The predetermined time is a time that allows the user 300 to roughly check the contents of the displayed TV program, and may be, for example, about 5 seconds. Or it is good also as a structure which can adjust this program display time according to the user's 300 preference.
[0091]
    And if it detects that predetermined time passed (S11: YES), it will transfer to S13.
[0092]
  In S13, the control unit 10 determines whether there is data to be read next out of the channel change data stored in the ROM 14 (S13).
[0093]
  As a result, if the scan is not yet finished and there is data for changing the channel to be read next (S13: YES), the data for changing the channel to be read next in the ROM 14 is read (S15). Returning to the operation from S5, the infrared ray 70 is transmitted as a channel selection signal corresponding to the data. As a result, the TV screen corresponding to the channel selection signal is displayed on the TV screen, and the user 300 automatically automatically selects the contents of the program each time a channel is selected without pressing the numeric keypad 3 on the remote control device 1. Can be confirmed.
[0094]
  Thereafter, every time the user 300 depresses the preference button 6, the operation of storing the transmitted channel change signal in the storage device 12 is repeated. As a result, the channel change data selected by the user 300 is stored in the storage device 12, for example, as shown in FIG.
[0095]
  While repeating the operation, when the control unit 10 reads out the channel change data stored in the ROM 14 and determines that there is no channel change data to be read next (S13: NO), the scan operation is finished. Let
[0096]
  Next, the favorite scan operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0097]
  When the control unit 10 determines that the favorite scan key 5 is pressed by the user 300 (S21), the control unit 10 first stores the channel change data stored in the storage device 12 in the above-described scan operation. The channel change data is read (S23). Then, the read channel change data is transmitted to the home terminal 20 as an infrared signal 70 as a channel selection signal via the infrared communication device 15 (S25).
[0098]
  As a result, the user 300 views the TV screens that have been scanned in preference and sequentially switched, so that the user 300 can select the program contents of the favorite channels that have been previously picked up from all the channels that can be provided. Can be confirmed.
[0099]
  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the preference button 6 on the input key 13 has been pressed by the user 300 (S27).
[0100]
  As a result, when the preference button 6 is not pressed (S27: NO), the control unit 10 next determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed (S29). As described above, the predetermined time is a time that allows the user 300 to roughly check the contents of the TV program being displayed.
[0101]
  When the control unit 10 detects that a predetermined time has elapsed (S29: YES), next, whether there is data to be read next among the channel change data stored in the storage device 12 or not. Is determined (S31). As a result, when the channel change data to be read next is in the storage device 12 (S31: YES), the data to be read next, for example, the channel change data stored in the scan operation described above Next, the channel change data to be read next is read (S33). And it returns to the operation | movement from S25 again, and the infrared rays 70 corresponding to this data are transmitted to a CATV home terminal as a channel selection signal (S25).
  On the other hand, in S27, when the control unit 10 determines that the preference button 6 on the input key 13 is pressed by the user 300 (S27: YES), the control unit 10 transmits to the home terminal 20 when the button is pressed. The channel change data is determined as the determined channel (S37), and the channel selection operation of the remote control device 1 is terminated.
[0102]
  Instead of the preference button 6, the confirm button 3a may be used as a key for confirming the channel.
[0103]
    Further, as a result of the controller 10 repeating the operation of reading the channel change data stored in the storage device 12 from S25 to S33, the channel change data to be read next in the storage device 12 in S31. If there is no more (S31: NO), it is determined whether or not the operation from S23 is repeated again (S35). This may be determined, for example, based on whether the user 300 presses the favorite scan key 5 again.
[0104]
  When it is detected that the favorite scan key 5 is pressed again (S35: YES), the favorite scan operation from S23 is repeated again.
[0105]
  On the other hand, if the favorite scan key 5 is not pressed again within a predetermined time (S35: NO), the channel change data read first is determined as a decision channel as a timeout (S37), and the remote control device 1 The channel selection operation is terminated.
[0106]
  If step S35 is omitted and the preference button 6 is never pressed in S27, and there is no channel change data to be read next in the storage unit 12 in S31, the process is automatically performed. A predetermined channel, for example, a channel corresponding to the channel change data first stored in the storage device 12 may be determined.
[0107]
  With the above operation, even for a program providing system capable of providing a very large number of channels, the user 300 can check the contents of the program while looking through all the channels, and can select his / her favorite program. It is possible to select a desired program appropriately without obscuring which is what.
[0108]
  Next, the channel selection operation of the channel selection system including the remote control device 1 and the home terminal 20 described in the second configuration example described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Although the second configuration example described above is repeated, it is assumed that all the channel change data that can be provided in the external memory 24 in the home terminal 20 is stored.
[0109]
    When the user 300 presses the scan key 4 on the input key 13 of the remote control device 1, the light receiving unit 22 in the home terminal 20 has received the infrared light 70 emitted from the infrared transmission unit by pressing the scan key 4. When the control unit 21 detects (S51), the control unit 21 selects data to be read first among the channel change data stored in the external memory 24, for example, the channel “1”. The channel selection data is read (S53), and the data is transmitted to the tuner 28 (S55).
[0110]
    Subsequently, when the control unit 21 detects that the preference button signal transmitted when the user 300 presses the preference button 6 of the remote control device 1 is received by the light receiving unit 22 (S57: YES), The channel change data transmitted to the tuner 28 at the time of detection is stored in a storage area in the external memory 24 that is different from the storage area for the channel change data already stored (S59). Thereafter, the operation proceeds to S63.
[0111]
    On the other hand, when the control unit 21 does not receive the favorite button signal from the remote control device 1 in S57 (S57: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed by counting the internal timer (S61). . As described in the first configuration example, the predetermined time is a time that allows the user 300 to roughly check the contents of the TV program being displayed. For example, the predetermined time is about 5 seconds. There may be. Or it is good also as a structure which can adjust this program display time according to the user's 300 preference.
[0112]
    And after progress for a predetermined time (S61: YES), it transfers to S63.
[0113]
    In S63, the control unit 21 determines whether there is channel change data to be read next among all the channel change data that can be provided and stored in advance in the external memory 24 (S63). As a result, if there is channel change data to be read next (S63: YES), the channel change data to be read next in the external memory 24 is read (S65).
[0114]
  Thereafter, returning to the operation of S55, the control unit 21 sends a tuning signal corresponding to the data to the tuner 28. As a result, the TV screen corresponding to the channel selection signal is displayed on the TV screen. Once the user 300 presses the scan key 4 in the remote control device 1, the transmission unit of the remote control device 1 is used thereafter. The program contents can be automatically and sequentially confirmed without directing to the home terminal 20 side and without pressing the numeric keypad 3 on the remote control device 1.
[0115]
  When the control unit 21 repeats the above-described channel scan operation from S55 to S65, as a result, in S63, there is no data to be read next out of the channel change data in the external memory 24, that is, the channel change operation. When all the data has been read and transmitted to the tuner 28 (S63: YES), the scanning operation is terminated.
[0116]
  Next, the favorite scan operation in the second configuration example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0117]
  When the control unit 21 detects that the light receiving unit 22 has received the favorite scan signal transmitted when the favorite scan key 5 is pressed from the remote control device 1 (S71), the control unit 21 Of the channel change data stored in the external memory 24 in the scan operation described above, the channel change data to be read first is, for example, the channel change data first stored in the external memory 24 in the scan operation described above. The data is read (S73), and the data is transmitted to the tuner 28 (S75).
[0118]
  As a result, the user 300 can confirm the program contents of the favorite channel picked up in advance from all the channels that can be provided by watching the TV screen.
[0119]
  Thereafter, the control unit 21 waits for reception of the infrared ray 70 transmitted as a confirmation signal when the user 300 presses the favorite scan button 6 in the remote controller 1 (S77). When it is detected that the confirmation signal is received by the light receiving unit 22 (S77: YES), the control unit 21 uses the channel change data transmitted to the tuner 28 when the confirmation signal is detected as the confirmation data. A channel is determined (S87), and the channel selection operation in this channel selection system is terminated.
[0120]
    On the other hand, when the control unit 21 does not receive the confirmation signal in S77 (S77: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed by the time counting operation of the internal timer (S79), and as a result, the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined (S79: YES), it is determined whether there is data to be read next among the channel change data stored in the external memory 24 (S81). (S81: YES), the channel change data to be read is read from the external memory 24 (S83), the process returns to S75 again, and the data is transmitted to the tuner 28. The favorite scan operation is performed by repeating the operations from S75 to S83.
[0121]
    As a result, the control unit 21 reads all the channel change data stored in the external memory 24 in the scan operation, and when there is no data to be read next (S81: NO), the operation from S73 is performed again. It is determined whether or not to repeat (S85). This may be determined, for example, by detecting whether a favorite scan signal is received from the remote control device 1.
[0122]
  When the control unit 21 detects that the favorite scan signal is received again (S85: YES), the favorite scan operation from S73 is repeated again.
[0123]
  On the other hand, if the favorite scan signal is not received again within the predetermined time, the channel change data first read in S73 is determined as the determined channel as a timeout (S87), and the channel selection operation in the remote control system is terminated. Let
[0124]
  Note that this step of S85 can be omitted, and when there is no more data to be read from the external memory 24, it is possible to automatically determine the channel change data first read in S73 as the determined channel.
[0125]
  According to the channel selection system described above, the user 300 only needs to direct the transmission unit of the remote control device 1 to the home terminal 20 only when transmitting various signals for channel selection to the home terminal 20. Thus, the tuning operation becomes easier.
[0126]
  Now, in the remote control device 1 described in the first configuration example and the channel selection system described in the second configuration example, the user 300 once presses the favorite scan key 5 in the remote control device 1 and picks up once. This is a configuration in which a desired channel is selected by listing a channel that has been set and then pressing a key for confirmation (the preference button 6 or the confirmation button 3a). In addition to this configuration, A configuration for channel selection described below may be adopted.
[0127]
    That is, when the user 300 first presses the scan key 4, the user 300 presses the favorite button 6 while listing all the programs and picks up several channels several times. It will be possible.
[0128]
    In this case, the user 300 first stores a plurality of channel change data corresponding to favorite channels by pressing the above-described favorite button 6 and stores the stored channel. The change data is sequentially read by pressing the favorite scan key 5, and further, the secondary channel scan is executed by pressing the second favorite scan key 6, and the user 300 You can see the contents of the program by looking at the scanned channels.
[0129]
  The channel selection hierarchy may be arbitrarily set by the user 300.
[0130]
  For example, by pressing the numeric key 3 while simultaneously pressing the scan key 4 and the favorite scan key 5 in the remote controller 1, a desired channel selection level of the user 300 can be set. When the user 300 presses the “3” key in the numeric keypad 3 while simultaneously pressing the scan key 4 and the favorite scan key 5, the user 300 can finally determine a desired channel. The favorite scan key 5 can be pressed three times, and accordingly, a desired channel can be determined more carefully and surely, for example, even a person who is not so confident in memory. In this sense, the scan key 4, the favorite scan key 5, and the numeric keypad 3 constitute setting means in the present invention. In this case, the control unit 10 activates the channel selection program 14 a (3) in the hierarchy 3 among the channel selection programs 14 a stored in the ROM 14.
[0131]
    Therefore, for example, in the storage device 12 of the remote control device 1, as shown in FIG. 10A, all channel change data of programs that can be provided in advance are stored, and the channel in the storage device 12 is stored. In a storage area different from the storage area for the change data, that is, in a storage area different from the location where all the channel change data is stored in advance in the storage device 12, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown, when the user 300 depresses the preference button 6, the channel change data transmitted at the time of depressing is stored. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the fact that the user 300 has tuned as a pickup is placed at the position of the already-selected channel number in the channel change data table stored in advance. A flag is raised.
[0132]
    In the above description, the user 300 then determines a desired channel by pressing the preference button 6 or the confirmation button 3a as a confirmation key.
[0133]
  In the configuration for explaining the operation, the user 300 can further press the favorite scan key 5 in order to perform the secondary favorite scan. Therefore, as will be described later, the control unit 10 in the remote control device 1 presses the preference button 6 while confirming the program content of the channel being scanned by the channel scan, so that in FIG. As shown, the channel change data is sequentially read from the storage device 12 storing the channel change data, and the channel change data is transmitted to the home terminal 20 as infrared rays. You can check all the contents of the program on the channel you have already set.
[0134]
    Then, the user 300 can determine a desired channel by pressing the preference button 6 or the confirmation button 3a.
  In the embodiment described below, the user 300 presses the “2” of the numeric keypad 3 while simultaneously pressing the scan key 4 and the favorite scan key 5, thereby setting the channel selection level to 2; A description will be given on the assumption that the control unit 10 performs a channel selection operation in which the channel selection program 14 (2) in the hierarchy 2 in the channel selection program 14a in the ROM 14 is activated.
[0135]
  First, the channel selection operation of such a multi-layered remote control device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0136]
  The first scan operation is the same as the operation from S1 to S15 described in the flowchart of FIG.
[0137]
  Hereinafter, the first favorite scan operation and the second favorite scan operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0138]
  First, the first favorite scan operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0139]
  When the control unit 10 determines that the favorite scan key 5 is pressed by the user 300 (S101), the control unit 10 stores the channel change data in the scan operation before the favorite scan operation. First, the channel change data stored first is read (S103). Then, the read channel change data is transmitted to the home terminal 20 as an infrared signal 70 as a channel selection signal via the infrared communication device 15 (S105).
[0140]
  As a result, the user 300 views the TV screens that have been scanned in preference and sequentially switched, so that the user 300 can select the program contents of the favorite channels that have been previously picked up from all the channels that can be provided. Can be confirmed.
[0141]
  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the preference button 6 on the input key 13 has been pressed by the user 300 (S107).
[0142]
  As a result, when the preference button 6 is not pressed (S107: NO), the control unit 10 next determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S109). As described above, the predetermined time is a time that allows the user 300 to roughly check the contents of the TV program being displayed.
[0143]
  When the control unit 10 detects that a predetermined time has elapsed (S109: YES), next, there is data to be read next out of the channel change data stored in the storage device 12. Is determined (S113). As a result, when the channel change data to be read next is in the storage device 12 (S113: YES), the data to be read next, for example, the channel change data stored in the scan operation is next. The channel change data to be read is read (S115). And it returns to the operation | movement from S105 again, and the infrared rays 70 corresponding to this data are transmitted to a CATV home terminal as a channel selection signal (S105).
[0144]
  On the other hand, in S107, when the control unit 10 determines that the preference button 6 on the input key 13 is pressed by the user 300 (S107: YES), the control unit 10 transmits to the home terminal 20 when the button is pressed. The channel change data is stored in an area different from the storage area where the channel change data is stored in the storage device 12 during the scan operation (S111). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S113 described above.
[0145]
    Next, the second favorite scan operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0146]
  When the control unit 10 determines that the preference scan key 5 has been pressed by the user 300 (S121), the control unit 10 from the storage device 12 in which the channel change data is stored in the first preference scan operation described above. The channel change data stored first is read (S123). Then, the read channel change data is transmitted to the home terminal 20 as an infrared signal 70 as a channel selection signal via the infrared communication device 15 (S125).
[0147]
  As a result, the user 300 sees the TV screen that has been scanned for preference again and sequentially switched, so that the user 300 can further narrow down the programs that have been narrowed down from the programs of the favorite channels that have been picked up in advance. The contents can be confirmed.
[0148]
  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the preference button 6 on the input key 13 has been pressed by the user 300 (S127).
[0149]
  As a result, when the preference button 6 has not been pressed (S127: NO), the control unit 10 next determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (S129). As described above, the predetermined time is a time that allows the user 300 to roughly check the contents of the TV program being displayed.
[0150]
  Then, when the control unit 10 detects that a predetermined time has passed (S129: YES), whether there is data to be read next out of the channel change data stored in the storage device 12 next. Is determined (S131). As a result, when the channel change data to be read next is in the storage device 12 (S131: YES), the data to be read next, for example, the channel stored in the above-mentioned first favorite scan operation The channel change data to be read next is read out from the change data (S333). And it returns to the operation | movement from S125 again, and transmits the infrared rays 70 corresponding to this data to a CATV home terminal as a channel selection signal (S125).
[0151]
  On the other hand, in S127, when the control unit 10 determines that the preference button 6 on the input key 13 is pressed by the user 300 (S127: YES), the control unit 10 transmits to the home terminal 20 when the button is pressed. The channel change data is determined as the determined channel (S137), and the channel selection operation of the remote control device 1 is terminated.
[0152]
  Instead of the preference button 6, the confirm button 3a may be used as a key for confirming the channel.
[0153]
    In addition, as a result of the controller 10 repeating the operation of reading the channel change data stored in the storage device 12 from S125 to S133, the channel change data to be read next in the storage device 12 in S131. If there is no more (S131: NO), it is determined whether or not the operation from S23 is repeated again (S135). This may be determined, for example, based on whether the user 300 presses the favorite scan key 5 again.
[0154]
  When it is detected that the favorite scan key 5 is pressed again (S135: YES), the second favorite scan operation from S123 is repeated again.
[0155]
  On the other hand, if the favorite scan key 5 is not pressed again within a predetermined time (S135: NO), the channel change data read first is determined as a decision channel as a timeout (S137), and the remote control device 1 The channel selection operation is terminated.
[0156]
  If step S135 is omitted and the preference button 6 is never pressed in S127, and there is no channel change data to be read next in the storage unit 12 in S131, it is automatically performed. A predetermined channel, for example, a channel corresponding to the channel change data first stored in the storage device 12 may be determined.
[0157]
  As described above, also in this configuration, instead of the preference button 6, the confirm button 3a may be used as a key for confirming the channel.
[0158]
  With the above operation, even for a program providing system capable of providing a very large number of channels, the user 300 can check the contents of the program while looking through all the channels, and can select his / her favorite program. It is possible to follow the procedure of confirming twice without making it ambiguous which is what, and to select a desired program more appropriately.
[0159]
  Subsequently, the channel selection operation of the channel selection system constituted by the multi-layered remote control device 1 and the home terminal 20 corresponding to the second configuration described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14. . In this case, it is assumed that all the channel change data that can be provided is stored in the external memory 24 in the home terminal 20.
[0160]
    The scan operation performed when the user 300 first presses the scan key 4 is the same as the operation from S51 to S65 in the flowchart of FIG.
[0161]
    The first favorite scan operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0162]
    When the user 300 presses the favorite scan key 5 on the input key 13 of the remote control device 1, the light receiving unit 22 in the home terminal 20 receives the infrared light 70 emitted from the infrared transmission unit by pressing the scan key 5. Is detected by the control unit 21 (S211), the control unit 21 stores the data to be read first among the channel change data stored in the external memory 24 in the scan operation, for example, first. The channel change data is read (S213), and the data is transmitted to the tuner 28 (S215).
[0163]
    Next, when the control unit 21 detects that the light receiving unit 22 has received a preference button signal transmitted when the user 300 presses the preference button 6 of the remote controller 1 (S217: YES), The channel change data transmitted to the tuner 28 at the time of detection is stored in a storage area in the external memory 24 that is different from the storage area for the channel change data already stored in the scan operation (S219). Thereafter, the operation proceeds to S223.
[0164]
    On the other hand, when the control unit 21 does not receive the favorite button signal from the remote control device 1 in S217 (S217: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed by counting the internal timer (S221). . As described above, the predetermined time may be a time that allows the user 300 to roughly check the contents of the displayed TV program. Or it is good also as a structure which can adjust this program display time according to the user's 300 preference.
[0165]
    And after predetermined time progress (S221: YES), it transfers to S223.
[0166]
    In S223, the control unit 21 determines whether there is channel change data to be read next among all the channel change data that can be provided and stored in advance in the external memory 24 (S223). As a result, if there is channel change data to be read next (S223: YES), the channel change data to be read next in the external memory 24 is read (S65).
[0167]
  Thereafter, returning to the operation of S215, the control unit 21 sends a tuning signal corresponding to the data to the tuner 28. As a result, the TV screen corresponding to the channel selection signal is displayed on the TV screen. Once the user 300 presses the scan key 4 in the remote control device 1, the transmission unit of the remote control device 1 is used thereafter. The program contents can be automatically and sequentially confirmed without directing to the home terminal 20 side and without pressing the numeric keypad 3 on the remote control device 1.
[0168]
  When the control unit 21 repeats the above-described channel scan operation from S215 to S225, as a result, in S223, there is no data to be read next out of the channel change data in the external memory 24, that is, the channel change operation. When all data is read and transmitted to the tuner 28 (S223: YES), the scanning operation is terminated.
[0169]
    Next, the second favorite scan operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0170]
  When the control unit 21 detects that the light receiving unit 22 has received a favorite scan signal transmitted when the favorite scan key 5 is pressed from the remote control device 1 (S271), the control unit 21 Of the channel change data stored in the external memory 24 in the primary scan operation, the channel change data to be read first is stored in the external memory 24 first in the primary scan operation, for example. The stored channel change data is read (S273), and the data is transmitted to the tuner 28 (S275).
[0171]
  As a result, the user 300 can confirm the program content of the favorite channel that has been narrowed down and picked up again by watching the TV screen.
[0172]
  Thereafter, the control unit 21 waits for reception of the infrared ray 70 transmitted as a confirmation signal when the user 300 presses the favorite scan button 6 in the remote control device 1 (S277). When it is detected that the confirmation signal is received by the light receiving unit 22 (S277: YES), the control unit 21 uses the channel change data transmitted to the tuner 28 when the confirmation signal is detected as the confirmation data. A channel is determined (S287), and the channel selection operation in this channel selection system is terminated.
[0173]
    On the other hand, when the control unit 21 does not receive the confirmation signal in S277 (S77: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed by the timing operation of the internal timer (S279), and as a result, the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined (S279: YES), it is determined whether there is data to be read next among the channel change data stored in the external memory 24 (S281). (S281: YES), the channel change data to be read is read from the external memory 24 (S283), the process returns to S275 again, and the data is transmitted to the tuner 28. By repeating the operations from S275 to S283, a favorite scan operation is performed.
[0174]
    As a result, the control unit 21 reads all the channel change data stored in the external memory 24 in the scan operation, and when there is no data to be read next (S281: NO), the operation from S273 is performed again. It is determined whether or not to repeat (S285). This may be determined, for example, by detecting whether a favorite scan signal is received from the remote control device 1.
[0175]
  When the control unit 21 detects that the favorite scan signal has been received again (S285: YES), the favorite scan operation from S73 is repeated again.
[0176]
  On the other hand, if the favorite scan signal is not received again within the predetermined time, the channel change data first read in S273 is determined as a determined channel as a timeout (S287), and the channel selection operation in the remote control system is terminated. Let
[0177]
  Note that this step of S285 can be omitted, and when there is no more data to be read from the external memory 24, the channel change data first read in S73 can be automatically determined as the determined channel.
[0178]
  According to the channel selection system described above, for the user 300, only when the infrared transmission unit of the remote control device 1 transmits various signals for channel selection emitted from the remote control device 1 to the home terminal 20. Since it suffices to go to the home terminal 20, the channel selection operation becomes easier.
[0179]
    In the channel selection apparatus and channel selection system having the above-described configuration, the control unit 10 activates the channel selection program 14a (2) in the hierarchy 2 among the channel selection programs 14a in the ROM 14, and accordingly, the user 300 When the preference button 6 as the second specifying means is pressed, a plurality of channels can be specified after the channel switching operation by pressing the scan key 4 as the second switching means. The external memory 24 in the storage device 12 or the home terminal 20 can store the channel signal designated by pressing the preference button 6, and the memory can be stored by pressing the preference scan key 5 as the third switching means. The channels are further switched sequentially based on the channel signal read from the device 12 or the external memory 24. Favorite button 6 as determining means, it is possible to determine the desired channel from among the sequentially switched channels by depressing the favorite button 6 the last.
[0180]
    Note that another key may be set instead of the preference button 6 as the second designation means here. Also, another key may be set instead of the favorite scan key 5 as the third means. Furthermore, as described above, the confirmation button 3a may be set instead of the preference button 6 as the determination means.
[0181]
  According to the channel selection apparatus and the channel selection system described above, in a system that provides a program on a very large number of channels, when a user finds a program that the user likes while scanning the channel, the “favorite button” By pressing "", you can memorize multiple channels that the user likes in the remote control, and then scan between multiple channels that the user was concerned about by using the "favorite scan" By having, users can watch and check all programs without forgetting the programs they like.
[0182]
    The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0183]
    For example, a receiving device to which the present channel selection device 1 can be applied may be, for example, a digital satellite TV device instead of the CATV home terminal 20. In other words, the present invention can be applied to any TV system that provides a program on an extremely large number of channels.
[0184]
    Further, in this embodiment, there are up to nine channel selection levels that can be set by the user 300, but the number may be increased or decreased depending on the content of the channel selection program stored in the ROM.
[0185]
【The invention's effect】
    As is clear from the above description, according to the channel selection device according to claim 1, the user selects a number of channels that can be provided.firstSwitch by switching means, and first select the channel you like from the switched channels.firstDesignate by the designation means, store the designated channel signal in the storage means, and then operate the second switching means to sequentially read out the channel signals stored in the storage means, and switch the channels sequentially. A desired channel can be determined by operating the determining means from among the channels.
[0186]
    Therefore, for example, in a system that provides various programs on a very large number of channels such as the recent CATV and digital satellite TV, even if the contents provided for each channel are different every day, the user can InfirstBy taking steps such as operating the switching means, list all the programs in advance in an easy way, and memorize the channels of the programs you care about with a sense of memo, and from among them By operating the second switching means, the channels are sequentially switched, and by checking them, the most favorite program can be appropriately selected.
[0187]
    Also,When a user selects a desired channel, as described above, the userfirstThe channel is switched by operating the switching means, and the desired channel is selected from the channels.firstEven after the channel is designated by the designation unit and the channels are further switched sequentially by the second switching unit, the desired program is not yet finalized, but a plurality of channels are further selected in order to further narrow down the channel. Is designated by operating the second designation means, and after the designated channel signal is stored in the second storage means, the third switching means is operated to read out the second storage means. A desired channel can be determined by sequentially reading out the channel signal, further switching the channel based on the signal, confirming the program content of the channel again, and then operating the determining means.
[0188]
  Accordingly, the user can select and determine a desired channel so that the user can be satisfied with the list while recognizing all the program contents of many channels without fail.
[0189]
    Claims2According to the channel selection device described in the above, the setting means should be operated before the channel is determined by the determining means, the second specifying means, the second storage means, and the thirdswitchingSince the number of means can be set, the channel selection pattern can be variously set by the setting means in accordance with the number of channels provided by the TV system used by the user. The tuning pattern can be set flexibly.
[0190]
  Further claims3According to the channel selection device described in the above, when the user selects a program,First switchBy operating the means, the channels that can be provided are sequentially switched, and from within the program scanfirstBy designating a plurality of favorite channels by the designation means and further operating the second switching means,firstSince it is possible to further scan between designated programs designated by the designation means and select a desired program from among them, even in a system that provides a program with a very large number of channels, the tuning operation can be performed more easily. Can be executed.
[0191]
    Further claims4According to the channel selection system described infirstSince the storage means or the second storage means for storing the channel signal designated by the designation means or the second designation means is provided on the receiving device side that receives the transmission signal from the channel selection device, the user can, for example, ,firstWhen switching the channel by operating the switching means or the second switching means, it is possible to save the trouble of having to continue the channel selection device toward the reception device side, and the channel selection operation becomes simpler.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an external configuration of a channel selection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the channel selection device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a storage configuration in a ROM in the channel selection device.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a storage configuration in a storage device in a channel selection device or a channel selection system.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a CATV home terminal.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a channel selection operation of the channel selection device.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a channel selection operation of the channel selection device.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a channel selection operation of the channel selection system.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a channel selection operation of the channel selection system.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a storage configuration in a storage device in a channel selection device or a channel selection system.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a channel selection operation of the channel selection device.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a channel selection operation of the channel selection device.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a channel selection operation of the channel selection system.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a channel selection operation of the channel selection system.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a conventional channel selection device.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a conventional home terminal.
[Explanation of symbols]
    1 Remote control device
    2 Power supply
    3 Numeric keypad
    4 Scan key
    5 preference scan key
    6 Favorite button
    10 Control unit
    12 Storage device
    14 ROM
    21 Control unit
    24 External memory
    28 Tuner
    70 infrared
    200 TV
    300 users

Claims (4)

A first switching means capable of switching channels;
First designation means for designating a plurality of channels from among the channels switched by the first switching means;
First storage means capable of storing the channel signal designated by the first designation means;
Second switching means for sequentially switching channels based on the channel signal read from the first storage means;
Determining means for determining a desired channel from among the channels sequentially switched by the second switching means ;
After the channel switching operation by the second switching means, at least one second designation means for designating a plurality of channels;
At least one second storage means capable of storing a channel signal designated by the second designation means;
And at least one third switching means for sequentially switching channels based on the channel signal read from the second storage means,
The channel selection apparatus, wherein the determining means is configured to determine a desired channel from among the channels sequentially switched by the third switching means . In the channel selection device according to claim 1 ,
A channel selection apparatus comprising setting means capable of setting the number of the second designation means, second storage means, and third switching means to be operated before the channel is determined by the determination means. In the channel selection apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2,
It said first switching means is channel selection apparatus characterized by switching a sequential channels. A channel selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
In a channel selection system configured with a reception device that receives a transmission signal from the channel selection device,
A channel selection system, wherein at least one of the first storage means or the second storage means is provided on the receiving device side.

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