JP3901258B2 - Internet television receiver - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an Internet television receiver that enables Internet reception.
[0002]
The present invention also relates to an Internet connection terminal that enables transmission / reception on the Internet, for example, an Internet connection terminal that enables reception of character broadcasts, an Internet television receiver, and improvement of the character broadcast transmission / reception system.
[0003]
[Prior art]
FIG. 22 is a system block diagram of a computer for conventional Internet connection. In the figure, 1 is a CRT, 2 is a CPU, 3 is a hard disk, 4 is a graphic controller, 5 is a video memory, 6 is a work RAM and a work memory used as a video memory, and 7 is a character font. A character font memory, 8 is a serial controller for transferring data with the modem, 9 is an input device such as a keyboard, 10 is a modem device, 11 is a video signal amplifier, and 13 is a deflection high voltage generator.
[0004]
In this example, the computer has a general-purpose OS such as WINDOWS, communication program software such as ΡPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) as application software, and browser software that develops images on the Internet on a screen. Is installed. Moreover, the modem apparatus 10 for performing data communication from a telephone line as hardware is provided.
[0005]
Next, the operation will be described. When the user starts the browser, which is application software, after starting ΟS, first the communication program is started at the same time, and the password is confirmed with the provider company and the protocol is established. Thereafter, the browser software is developed, communication is started by inputting the address of a home page or the like that the user wants to communicate, and data communication is performed via the modem 10. Browser software interprets HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and TEXT data described on the home page and displays them on the browser. During communication, the computer enters a waiting state until a communication display is displayed and connection is established with the other party or data is being transferred.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since such a conventional Internet connection terminal device is configured as described above, the user must wait while watching the screen during connection waiting time or data communication with the host computer of the connection partner. The problem is that it is very painful to the user. Further, when the screen is in a waiting state where there is no change in the screen, there is a problem that an unnecessary anxiety is caused such as whether the Internet terminal or the telephone line used is broken.
[0007]
Also, when simultaneously displaying computer images and television images on the Internet or the like on a television receiver capable of simultaneously displaying two screens on a display device such as a CRT, the deflection of the CRT is caused by the difference in the vertical frequency of the two signals. The beat of the component of the difference between the two vertical frequencies appeared on the screen that is not the signal for operating the circuit, which was not preferable in view.
[0008]
Furthermore, since the conventional Internet connection terminal device is configured as described above, when the connection to the host computer of the connection partner is congested or when the provider's telephone line is congested, before the connection take time. Also, even if it can be connected, it takes time to transfer the data, and the user has to wait for a while, which not only causes great pain to the user but also increases the communication cost caused by the low communication speed. There was a point.
[0009]
In addition to the above problems, a conventional Internet connection terminal device can be used by a user to know a connection partner URL (Uniform Resource Locator: a description format for uniquely representing the location of information on the Internet). There was no way to find out only by searching with magazines or searching with keywords. In addition, there has been a problem that information providers who conduct advertisements and mail order businesses through homepages generally have no means of notifying their own URLs.
[0010]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and eliminates the user's pain in communication waiting time when connected to the Internet, saves communication time, and communication costs due to unnecessary waiting time and line congestion. And it aims at obtaining the internet terminal device which can eliminate the increase in power consumption.
[0011]
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can eliminate the occurrence of beats when two screens of computer images and television images such as the Internet are simultaneously displayed.
[0012]
It is another object of the present invention to obtain an Internet television receiver in which a URL is transmitted through teletext broadcasting and the receiver automatically stores the URL, and a system and service including the Internet receiver apparatus and its transmission side. It is said.
[0017]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Internet according to claim 1Television receiverIsUsing the connection reservation setting screen displayed on the screenA connection destination setting means for setting a connection destination on the Internet, a storage means for storing data such as downloaded characters and images,The actual connection with the destinationA communication speed detecting means for detecting the communication speed;A comparison means for comparing the communication speed of the connection destination with a predetermined communication speed when setting a plurality of connection destinations;Detected by communication speed detection meansThe actualCommunication speedCommunication whose average value for a given time is predeterminedIf it is faster than the speed,ContinuedIt is characterized by doing.
[0018]
  Internet according to claim 2Television receiverIsIf the average value of the actual communication speed detected by the communication speed detection means is equal to or lower than the predetermined communication speed and a plurality of connection destinations are set,A control means for switching the order of the plurality of setting connection destinations to connect to the next connection destination, and the control means reduces the communication time based on the output of the comparison means.RuIt is characterized by controlling in this way.
[0019]
  Internet according to claim 3Television receiverIs,SentenceSpecified communication speed even if it is set to capture character information and picture informationTheControl means for changing to capturing only character information when not reached, and the control means switches to downloading only characters when the communication speed with the connection destination is lower than the set value based on the output of the comparison means. It is characterized by controlling to.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0026]
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the description of the Internet television receiver according to the first embodiment, the same components as those in the Internet system shown in FIG.
[0027]
In the figure, 14 is a tuner for selecting and amplifying a received TV signal, 15 is a video changeover switch for switching between an input TV signal and an external video signal, 16 is a TV microcomputer for controlling the entire TV system, and 17 is a luminance signal. And a YC separation circuit for separating the color signal, 18 is an internet signal processing device (internet connection device) constituting an internet connection terminal unit, and 19 is a composite video signal and a TEXT or image signal processed by the internet signal processing device 18. A two-screen signal generating device that synthesizes into one screen, 20 is a video signal processing device that adjusts brightness, sharpness, black level, hue, and color density, and 21 is a power source.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of the two-screen signal generator 19.
[0029]
In the figure, 31 to 34 are A / D converters for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, 35 is a color demodulation circuit for demodulating a color signal into a color difference signal, and 36 and 37 are time-divided two color difference signals into one signal. A multiplexer (MPX) 38 for converting the signal into a conversion circuit for converting RGB single color signals into luminance signals and color difference signals, 39 for a two-screen processing circuit for performing memory control and timing generation for two-screen processing, and 40 for time A video memory for performing axis conversion, 41 is a demultiplexer (DMPX) for returning a multiplexed color difference signal to two color difference signals, and 42 is a D / A converter for converting a digital signal into an analog signal.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration of the two-screen processing circuit 39 in the two-screen signal signal generating device 19.
[0031]
In the figure, 43 to 48 are low-pass filters (LPF), 49 and 50 are multiplexers (MPX), 51 to 54 are line memories, 55 and 56 are frame memories having line buffers, 57 to 62 are selectors for switching signals, 63 is a blanking addition circuit, and 64 is a demultiplexer (DMPX) for returning the blanked color difference signal to two color difference signals. The demultiplexer (DMPX) 64 corresponds to the demultiplexer (DMPX) 41 in FIG.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the Internet signal processing apparatus 18 constituting the Internet connection terminal unit. The same components as those in the Internet system shown in FIG.
[0033]
In the figure, 65 is a ROM for storing a program, and 66 is a graphic processor 66 for creating RGB signals at a predetermined timing. The graphic processor 66 includes a counter 71, a FIFO (First In First Out) memory 72, a timing generator 73, a palette 74 having various color information, and a D / A converter 75.
[0034]
The operation of the Internet television receiver configured as described above will be described below.
[0035]
As shown in the system configuration of FIG. 1, the television signal received from the antenna is selected and amplified by the tuner 14, and the selected and amplified signal is input to the video switch 15. The input television signal is switched by the video changeover switch 15 according to an external video 1, video 2 and video 3 signal and a command from the TV microcomputer 16 and is output to the YC separation circuit 17.
[0036]
In the YC separation circuit 17, the composite video signal is separated into a luminance signal Y and a color signal C and input to the input 1 of the two-screen signal generation device 19. On the other hand, TEXT and image signals processed by the Internet signal processing device 18 are input to the input 2 of the two-screen signal generation device 19 in the VGA mode.
[0037]
In the two-screen signal generation device 19, the two signals input to the input 1 and the input 2 are combined into one screen and output to the video signal processing device 20. The two-screen signal generation will be described later with reference to FIGS.
[0038]
In the video signal processing device 20, the brightness, sharpness, black level, hue, and color density of the two-screen signal input from the two-screen signal generation device 19 are adjusted and output to the video signal amplification device 11.
[0039]
The video signal amplifier 11 amplifies the adjusted video signal and displays it on the CRT 1.
[0040]
5 and 6 are display examples of the Internet television receiver. The display examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are two-screen displays in which the left screen is a TV image and the right screen is an Internet browser screen.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a display example when the deflection high voltage generator 13 is deflected in the entire vertical direction, and FIG. 6 is a display example when the deflection high voltage generator 13 is deflected by only 3/4 in the vertical direction.
[0042]
The TV microcomputer 16 controls the entire TV system such as music selection including the two-screen signal generator 19 and the Internet signal processor 18. Communication with the Internet signal processing device 18 is performed by serially communicating data with the CPU 2 (see FIG. 4) that controls the Internet unit, so that a signal from an input device such as a TV remote controller is transmitted to the CPU 2 for Internet signal processing. The device 18 is controlled. In addition, a status indicating that communication is being performed by a modem is returned from the Internet unit.
[0043]
Next, the operation of the two-screen signal combination generator 19 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 2, the luminance signal Y inputted from the input 1 from the YC separation circuit 17 is converted into a digital signal and inputted to the two-screen processing circuit 39, and the color signal is inputted to the color demodulation circuit 35. The color difference signal is demodulated, and the two color difference signals are time-divided by a multiplexer (MPX) 36, converted into a digital signal as one signal, and input to the two-screen processing circuit 39.
[0045]
On the other hand, the RGB signal input from the input 2 from the Internet signal processing device 18 is converted by the conversion circuit 38 into a RGB single color signal into a luminance signal and a color difference signal, and the luminance signal Y is converted into a digital signal to display two screens. In addition to being input to the processing circuit 39, the color difference signal is time-divided by the multiplexer (MPX) 37, and the color difference signal is converted into a digital signal as one signal and input to the two-screen processing circuit 39.
[0046]
A memory 40 is connected to the two-screen processing circuit 39, and time-axis compression is performed by doubling the reading speed than the writing speed to the memory 40. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, an image is displayed on the left half of the screen, for example. The internet image is inserted during the period when this signal is moved to the left of the screen. Since the Internet image is VGA mode, that is, non-interlaced with a horizontal frequency of 31.5 KHz, it is simultaneously converted into an interlaced signal with a horizontal frequency of 15.7 KHz. At this time, a filter in the vertical direction of the screen is inserted in order to reduce aliasing distortion (line flicker) due to conversion.
[0047]
FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the two-screen generation timing of the two-screen signal generation device 19 shown in FIG. 3, and the vertical filter calculation of the input 2 is omitted for the sake of schematic representation.
[0048]
The two-screen processing circuit 39 according to the first embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 3, and is different from the conventional one that is simply compressed into two screens and displayed. In other words, the operation is to combine and display input signals of different horizontal frequencies on one screen, and to apply a vertical filter when changing the non-interlaced signal of 480 scanning lines to 480 interlaced signals. .
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 7, the two-screen processing circuit 39 doubles the reading speed than the writing speed to the memory 40, that is, by reading with a clock having a frequency twice that of the clock written to the line memories 51 to 54. Compress to 1/2. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the Internet image is inserted in the period of the right side of the screen that is left to the left side of the screen due to the compression.
[0050]
8 to 10 are diagrams for explaining a synthesis method for synthesizing the above-described two screens into one screen, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a synthesis unit for the luminance Y portion of the two-screen signal generation device 19. Is a timing chart thereof, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a synthesis example thereof.
[0051]
In FIG. 8, in order to synthesize the digital video signal output from the line memories 51 and 52 and the digital video signal read from the frame memory 55 in the process of generating the two-screen signal by the two-screen signal generator 19. The selector 61 is used for switching. As shown in FIG. 9, the display is switched between the left screen side and the right screen side by switching the line memory side a and the frame memory side b by a predetermined period by a horizontal synchronizing signal for display. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the screen “A” for input 1 and the screen “B” for input 2 are combined into one screen.
[0052]
As described above, the two-screen signal generation device 19 according to the first embodiment converts the Internet image of the non-interlace signal with the horizontal frequency of 31.5 KHz in the VGA mode into the interlace signal with the horizontal frequency of 15.7 KHz. Since a filter in the vertical direction is inserted, aliasing distortion (line flicker) due to conversion can be reduced.
[0053]
Next, the operation of the Internet signal processing device 18 of FIG. 4 will be described.
[0054]
The program ROM 65 includes a basic OS and communication protocol software such as TCP / IΡ and ΡPΡ, and a browser and mail software as application software.
[0055]
The work memory 6 is used as a work RAM and video memory for program operation. Information on the Internet is obtained from the public line via the modem 10 (FIG. 1), read to the CPU 2 by the data line from the serial controller 8, and the CPU 2 decodes the program or text written in a language such as HTML or JAVA. Then, the character font memory 7 is used to develop on the work RAM browser which also serves as a video memory.
[0056]
The display information developed in the work RAM is transferred to a FIFO (First In First Out) memory 72 on the graphic processor 66 using a DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer function. The data transferred to the FIFO memory 72 is output as an RGB signal appropriately colored by a palette 74 having color information in accordance with, for example, a VGA timing generator 73.
[0057]
The CPU 2 communicates with the TV microcomputer 16 (FIG. 1). The TV microcomputer 16 transmits a control signal from the user's remote controller or the like to the CPU 2, and the CPU 2 transfers the status of the Internet signal processing device 18 during communication or the like. This status indicates the state of the Internet signal processing device 18, and may be, for example, during connection, connected and communicating, or searching for a connection destination. With this status signal, the TV microcomputer 16 performs control such as switching the screen mode of the Internet television receiver to the single screen mode or the double screen mode. Here, the TV microcomputer 16 basically has the same function as that of the conventional TV system microcomputer, but the Internet signal processing device 18 decodes the remote control code controlled by the user and sends the necessary control signal to the CPU 2. The function of sending and the function of receiving the state (status) of the Internet signal processing device 18 and automatically switching the screen during communication to make two screens are added. The status in this case also indicates the status of the Internet signal processing device 18, and indicates, for example, the status of being connected, connected and communicating, or searching for a connection destination.
[0058]
  As described above, the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 1 has a function of receiving or displaying a television signal, and a two-screen signal for simultaneously displaying two signals of the television signal and the Internet browser signal on two screens. A function of detecting that the generation device 19 and the Internet signal processing device (Internet connection device) 18 are communicating with each other via the modem 10 and sending the communication state to the TV microcomputer 16 and switching between the one-screen mode and the two-screen mode A TV microcomputer 16 that controls the TV screen, and when viewing the Internet screen in a one-screen mode that displays only the Internet browser, it is detected that the communication is in progress, and if the communication is in progress, the TV image and the Internet image are automatically displayed. Switch to the two-screen display mode that is displayed at the same time, and communication ends. Since configured to return to the screen display of the original Internet screen, it is possible to eliminate the pain of the user of the communication waiting time Internet connection.
  In the Internet television receiver described in this embodiment, an Internet terminal communicates with a device that simultaneously displays a plurality of screens of an Internet screen and TV images on at least one screen in a television receiver including an Internet connection device. Since it is configured to include a detecting means for detecting that the medium is in communication and a switching means for automatically switching the screen to a multi-screen mode during the communication, the Internet connection terminal automatically communicates via a modem or the like. Thus, it is possible to view the television image during the waiting time during communication by switching to the two-screen display, and an effect of relieving the user's mental distress for the waiting time during communication can be obtained.
[0059]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
Further, in the first embodiment described above, the timer microcomputer is further provided with the timer function in the configuration of the first embodiment, so that, for example, after one minute has elapsed, the two-screen mode is switched after the communication is started, and immediately after the communication is completed. You can also set to return to the Internet screen. The user can also change the timer setting.
[0060]
In the above two embodiments, the left and right screens have the same size in the two-screen display, but the method in which one screen is displayed as a small screen in the parent screen is the same except that the display method is different. realizable. In this case, it is possible to display with the ratio of the two screens changed.
[0061]
  Of course, when the Internet operation is simply performed, the screen may be switched to the TV image when the communication mode is entered, and the screen may be returned to the Internet screen when the communication is completed after the data is received. A display indicating that communication is in progress when the screen is switched to the television screen can also be displayed on the screen.
  The Internet television receiver described in this embodiment includes a timer, and is configured to automatically switch to a multi-screen display mode after a predetermined time has elapsed since the Internet terminal started communication by the timer. After a predetermined time elapses, the mode is automatically switched to the two-screen mode after a lapse of a predetermined time, and the effect of returning to the Internet screen immediately after the end of communication is obtained.
[0062]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the description of the Internet television receiver according to the third embodiment, the same components as those of the Internet television receiver shown in FIG.
[0063]
The basic configuration is the same as in FIG. The graphic controller 66 in FIG. 4 is configured as shown in FIG.
[0064]
In FIG. 11, 80 is a changeover switch, 81 is a free-running oscillator, 82 is a phase comparator, 83 is a frequency divider, and 84 is a variable frequency oscillator. Further, the data bus and the address bus are connected to the CPU 2 as in FIG. 4 to exchange data.
[0065]
In FIG. 11, when the Internet screen is displayed in the single screen mode, the changeover switch 80 is set to the a side, and a dot clock, a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal are generated based on the clock of the free-running oscillator 81. At the same time, the image data is output via the palette 74 and the D / A converter 75.
[0066]
On the other hand, when the Internet terminal is communicating and the television is in the two-screen mode, the TV microcomputer 16 sends a control signal indicating the state to the CPU 2, and the CPU 2 receives a command for the graphic controller 66 to enter the external synchronization mode. The CPU 2 moves the changeover switch 80 to the b side via the bus to the graphic controller 66.
[0067]
As a result, the signal input to the timing generator 73 is switched to the variable frequency oscillator 84. The phase comparator 82, the oscillator 84, and the frequency divider 83 constitute a LL (Phase Locked Loop) loop 85 (synchronization signal generating means) with an external vertical synchronization signal input, and the vertical synchronization output from the timing generator 66. The signal, the horizontal synchronizing signal and the dot clock are synchronized with the externally inputted vertical synchronizing signal. That is, the synchronization relationship in the vertical cycle of the left and right signals of the two-screen display is the same.
[0068]
As described above, the Internet television receiver according to the third embodiment has the LL loop 85 that divides a local oscillator for Internet display and generates a display dot clock and a horizontal / vertical synchronizing signal. In addition, since the signal generator is configured to change the frequency of the dot clock to synchronize with the external sync signal input, it can be used for Internet display when displaying the Internet screen and TV video in the two-screen display mode. The synchronization signal generator can generate a dot clock for horizontal display and a horizontal synchronization signal in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal of the other TV image on the two screens, and thereby the vertical of the two signals in the two-screen display can be generated. The generation of beats can be eliminated by matching the synchronization periods.
[0069]
Here, in the third embodiment, a PLL device is used as a means for generating a signal synchronized with an external synchronization input. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the Internet display device is synchronized with an external synchronization input. Any device may be used as long as it is a synchronizing signal generating means for generating a signal.
[0070]
  In the third embodiment, the synchronization signal of the Internet screen signal is synchronized with the external synchronization signal. Conversely, the synchronization signal of the TV, video, etc. signal is synchronized with the synchronization signal of the Internet screen signal. It may be.
  In the Internet television receiver described in the present embodiment, a device for simultaneously displaying a plurality of screens of an Internet screen and a television image on at least one screen, and a display dot clock synchronized with an external synchronization input on the Internet display device And a synchronization signal generating means for generating a horizontal / vertical synchronization signal, the effect of eliminating the occurrence of a beat in a signal that is not a signal for operating the deflection circuit of the CRT when two screens are simultaneously displayed. can get.
[0071]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the description of the Internet television receiver according to the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the Internet system shown in FIG.
[0072]
In the figure, 14 is a tuner for selecting and amplifying a received TV signal, 15 is a video changeover switch for switching an input TV signal and an external video signal, 16 is a TV microcomputer for controlling the entire TV system, and 17 is a luminance signal. YC separation circuit for separating color signals, 90 is an internet signal processing device (internet connection device) constituting an internet connection terminal unit, 91 is a switch for switching between internet signals and other external input signals, 20 is brightness, sharpness, A video signal processing device 21 for adjusting the black level, hue, and color density, 21 is a power source.
[0073]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the Internet signal processing apparatus 90 constituting the Internet connection terminal unit. The same components as those of the Internet connection terminal unit shown in FIG.
[0074]
In the figure, 65 is a ROM for storing programs, 7 is a character font ROM for storing character fonts, 66 is a graphic processor for creating RGB signals at a predetermined timing, 8 is a serial controller for transferring data with a modem, and 92 is a storage device. , 93 are drivers for controlling the modem. The graphic processor 66 includes a controller 71, a FIFO (First In First Out) memory 72, a timing generator 73, a palette 74 having various color information, and a D / A converter 75.
[0075]
The program ROM 65 includes a basic OS and communication protocol software, for example, TC / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and ΡPP (Point-to-Point Protocol). E-mail software is installed.
[0076]
The work memory 6 is used as a work RAM and video memory for the program operation.
[0077]
The operation of the Internet television receiver configured as described above will be described below.
[0078]
As shown in the system configuration of FIG. 12, the television signal received from the antenna is selected and amplified by the tuner 14, and the selected and amplified signal is input to the video switch 15. The input television signal is switched by the video changeover switch 15 according to an external video 1, video 2 and video 3 signal and a command from the TV microcomputer 16 and is output to the YC separation circuit 17.
[0079]
In the YC separation circuit 17, the composite video signal is separated into a luminance signal Y and a color signal C and input again to the video switching AV switch 15, and in response to an external video 1, video 2 and video 3 signal and a command from the TV microcomputer 16. It is switched and input to the switch 91.
[0080]
The switch 91 receives TEΧT processed by the Internet signal processing device 9 and an image signal. The switch 91 switches between Internet signals and other external input signals.
[0081]
Then, the RGB signal and the synchronization signal from the switch 91 are input to the video signal processing device 20, and the video signal processing device 20 adjusts the brightness, sharpness, black level, hue, and color density to amplify the video signal. Output to the device 11.
[0082]
The video signal amplifier 11 amplifies the adjusted video signal and displays it on the CRT 1.
[0083]
The TV microcomputer 16 controls the entire V system, such as channel selection, except for the control of the Internet signal processing device 90. Communication between the TV microcomputer 16 and the Internet signal processing device 90 is performed by serially communicating data with the CPU 2 (FIG. 13) that controls the Internet unit, thereby transmitting a signal from an input device such as a TV remote control to the CPU 2. The Internet signal processing device 90 is controlled. In addition, the Internet signal processing device 90 returns a status such as communication by a modem.
[0084]
That is, as shown in FIG. 13, information on the Internet is obtained from a public line via a modem, read from the serial controller 8 to the CPU 2 via a data line, and the CPU 2 reads a program or text written in a language such as HTML or JAVA. The data is decoded and developed on the browser of the work memory (work RAM) 6 which also serves as a video memory using the character font ROM 7.
[0085]
The display information developed in the work RAM 6 is transferred to the FIFO memory 72 on the graphic processor 66 using a DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer function.
[0086]
The data transferred to the FIFO memory 72 is output, for example, as an RGB signal appropriately colored by the palette 74 or the like in accordance with the VGA timing generator 73. The CPU 2 communicates with the TV microcomputer 16, and the TV microcomputer 16 transmits a control signal from the user's remote controller or the like to the CPU 2, and the CPU 2 transfers the status of the Internet unit such as during communication. The TV microcomputer 16 performs control based on this status signal.
[0087]
The Internet connection terminal device according to the fourth embodiment has a clock function and a timer function for counting time, and has a function of setting and storing a connection destination on the Internet, and is set in a time zone set by the user. After automatically connecting to the connection destination, receiving data from the other party and transmitting to the other party, the telephone line is automatically disconnected, and the received data is stored.
[0088]
Specifically, the connection reservation is input using the remote controller on the reservation setting screen displayed on the screen. Then, by making the storage device 92 a rewritable device such as a flash ROM, user information, a connection destination address for connection reservation, a connection time zone, and the like are stored. CΡU2 counts time by providing a clock frequency divider or timer function. Then, the line is automatically connected and the communication is started at a time when the telephone line set by the user or the other party is less congested (time period determined by the user himself / herself). Then, the data is downloaded, the data is stored in the storage device 92, communication is automatically terminated, and the line is disconnected.
[0089]
By the way, the degree of congestion is determined by the degree of congestion of the telephone line, the Internet line and the server of the other party to be connected.
[0090]
In the fourth embodiment, the WWW (World Wide Web) has been described, but the same applies to file transfer and mail transmission / reception.
[0091]
Embodiment 5 FIG.
The system configuration of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention is the same as that of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 4. Since the basic operation of the apparatus is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, only the difference will be described.
[0092]
In FIG. 13, when communication is started at the connection reservation time, the data communication speed is detected from the data transfer speed of the serial controller 8, and compared with the communication speed set in advance by the user, the speed determined in advance. If it is earlier, the communication is performed as it is and the data is stored in the storage device 92.
[0093]
On the other hand, if it is slow, the communication is terminated, and if a plurality of connection destinations are set, the CPU 2 executes a control program for connecting to the next set connection destination. This control program is stored in the ROM 27. A schematic processing flow thereof is shown in FIG.
[0094]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing connection reservation processing of the Internet connection terminal, and ST in the figure indicates each step of the flow.
[0095]
When the program starts, the protocol is established by connecting with the provider in step ST1, and the reservation number is set in step ST2. n is initialized (n = 1).
[0096]
In step ST3, the reservation No. = N is connected to the connection destination, communication is started in step ST4, and data (information desired, information such as a home page) is stored.
[0097]
In step ST5, the communication speed is averaged while communicating for several minutes, and this average value is set to b, and the communication speed a set in step ST6 is compared with the average value b of the communication speed.
[0098]
When the set communication speed a is smaller than the average value b of the actual communication speed (a <b), it is determined that the condition for continuing communication is established, and communication is continued and data is saved in step ST7. That is, when a <b, it indicates that the actual speed b is faster than the preset communication speed a, and the line is not congested and the communication is continued as it is.
[0099]
In step ST8, the reservation No. It is determined whether or not n is equal to or greater than the reservation setting number m (n ≧ m). When n is equal to or greater than the reserved setting number m, it is determined that all the connections have been completed, the processing of this flow is terminated, and the line is disconnected.
[0100]
On the other hand, when the communication speed a set in step ST6 is equal to or higher than the average value b of communication speeds (a ≧ b), it is determined that there is no condition for continuing communication, communication is stopped in step ST9, and step ST10 In order to connect to the connection destination set next in the reservation No. = N is incremented by 1 (n = n + 1), and the process returns to step ST3. That is, when a ≧ b, it indicates that the actual speed b is slower than the preset communication speed a. In this case, the line is congested, and it takes time to transfer data and the efficiency is low. Communication is stopped.
[0101]
In step ST8, the reservation No. When = n has not reached the reserved setting number m, it is determined that the set connection destination has not been connected, and the process proceeds to step ST10.
[0102]
As described above, in the fifth embodiment, by determining the data communication speed, when it is congested, communication can be stopped and the next access can be started, and access can be efficiently performed, and information can be captured. This can be done in as short a time as possible, enabling efficient data transfer.
[0103]
Embodiment 6 FIG.
The system configuration of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention can be realized by the same configuration as that of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 4.
[0104]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a user's connection reservation setting screen, which is a screen display example using http: // that indicates a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a homepage on the Internet. In the figure, a portion surrounded by a rectangle is a setting area for the user to specify a URL to be set and a lower limit setting of characters, images, and communication speed.
[0105]
As shown in FIG. 15, the connection reservation setting screen has a setting screen that can be set when the connection destination, the connection time, and the download information thereof are only characters or when both characters and images are downloaded at the same time, and these information is stored in the storage device 92. Is done.
[0106]
Similarly to the fourth embodiment, the timer function is realized by the CPU 2 and when the set time is reached, the line is connected, the connection setting destination is connected, and communication is started.
[0107]
At this time, if the communication speed is detected from the data transfer speed of the serial controller 8 and is slower than the communication speed set by the user, only the character information can be downloaded even if the character and image are set to be captured. Switch automatically. This means that since the line is congested, transfer of image information that takes time to transfer data is stopped and only transfer of character information that does not take a relatively long time is performed.
[0108]
In this case, it is also possible to access again at a later time and transfer only image information.
[0109]
On the other hand, if it is early, both text and image information are downloaded as set. This control program is written in the program ROM 65 as in the fifth embodiment, and is executed by the CPU 2.
[0110]
Further, the size of the image file to be communicated is compared with the communication speed, and if it is determined that the communication is completed within a preset time, it is possible to perform a control of communicating.
[0111]
Embodiment 7 FIG.
The system configuration of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention can be realized by the same configuration as that of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 4.
[0112]
After the connection reservation is made, the operation of the CRT image receiving circuit is stopped until the set time is reached, and the devices other than the CPU 2 shown in FIG. 13 that have the low power consumption mode are set to the low power consumption mode. The CPU 2 and the TV microcomputer 16 perform control to save power by stopping the operation of the display graphic controller and stopping the DMA transfer.
[0113]
If the user does not see the screen during the download, an operation for stopping the CRT image receiving circuit is performed. Of course, the same can be achieved by controlling the power supply to other circuits by switching the pass line with the CPU 2 and other devices as separate systems.
[0114]
Embodiment 8 FIG.
The system configuration of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention can be realized by the same configuration as that of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 4.
[0115]
In FIG. 13, when the connection destination set by the user, the time required for connection, and the communication speed are written in the storage device 92 and the user selects a screen for viewing the communication record, a communication record screen as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. Is displayed.
[0116]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the communication recording screen. As shown in the figure, the URL, its start time, required time, and data amount are displayed.
[0117]
Embodiment 9 FIG.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention. In the description of the Internet television receiver according to the ninth embodiment, the same components as those in the Internet system according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
[0118]
In the figure, 14 is a tuner for selecting and amplifying a received TV signal, 15 is a video changeover switch for switching an input TV signal and an external video signal, 16 is a TV microcomputer for controlling the entire TV system, and 17 is a luminance signal. YC separation circuit for separating color signals, 100 is an internet signal processing device (internet connection device) constituting an internet connection terminal unit, 101 is a character multiplex decoder device (text broadcast decoding unit), 20 is brightness, sharpness, black level A video signal processing device 21 for adjusting the hue and color density, 21 is a power source.
[0119]
FIG. 18 is a system block diagram of a character multiplexed signal decoding unit (character multiplexed decoder device 101) and an Internet connection terminal unit (Internet signal processing device 100). The same components as those of the Internet connection terminal unit shown in FIG. Reference numerals are assigned and description of overlapping parts is omitted.
[0120]
In the figure, reference numeral 102 denotes a clamp synchronization separation circuit that synchronously separates video input, 103 a waveform equivalent circuit that performs waveform equalization, 104 a character signal extraction error correction circuit that extracts a character signal from the video signal and performs error correction, and 105 denotes data. A data register for storing, a flash ROM for storing user data, URL, etc. 107, a main memory used as a work RAM and a video memory for program operation, 65 a ROM for storing a program, and 7 for storing a character font A character font ROM 66, a graphic processor for generating RGB signals at a predetermined timing, and a serial controller 8 for data transfer with the modem. The graphic processor 66 includes a counter 71, a FIFO (First In First Out) memory 72, a timing generator 73, a palette 74 having various color information, and a D / A converter (not shown).
[0121]
The program ROM 65 includes a basic OS and communication protocol software, for example, TC / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and ΡPP (Point-to-Point Protocol). E-mail software is installed.
[0122]
The flash ROM 106 is a flash ROM that stores user data, a URL, and the like, and may be any device as long as it is a rewritable storage device having a storage function.
[0123]
The main storage device 107 is used as a work RAM and video memory for the program operation.
[0124]
The operation of the Internet television receiver configured as described above will be described below.
[0125]
As shown in the system configuration of FIG. 17, the television signal received from the antenna is selected and amplified by the tuner 14, and the selected and amplified signal is input to the video switch 15. The input television signal is switched by the video changeover switch 15 according to an external video 1, video 2 and video 3 signal and a command from the TV microcomputer 16 and is output to the YC separation circuit 17.
[0126]
In the YC separation circuit 17, the composite video signal is separated into a luminance signal Y and a color signal C and input to the video signal processing device 20.
[0127]
The video signal from the video switch 15 is also input to the character multiplex decoding device 101, and the character signal is extracted by the character multiplex decoding device 101. The Internet signal processing apparatus 100 takes in this character signal as data and stores it as a character string.
[0128]
The internet signal processing apparatus 100 connects to the internet network via a public telephone line via a modem, reads data from a connection destination server, and converts it into an image signal. The captured character string is stored as a URL.
[0129]
If the user designates the stored URL, the user is connected without inputting characters one by one.
[0130]
The image signal is input to the video signal processing device 20, and the brightness, sharpness, black level, hue, and color density are adjusted and output to the video signal amplifying device 11.
[0131]
The video signal amplifier 11 amplifies the adjusted video signal and displays it on the CRT 1.
[0132]
The TV microcomputer 16 controls the entire TV system such as channel selection, excluding the control of the Internet signal processing apparatus 100. Communication with the Internet signal processing device 100 is performed by serially communicating data with the CPU 2 (FIG. 18) that controls the Internet unit, so that a signal from an input device such as a TV remote controller is transmitted to the CPU 2 and the Internet signal processing device. 100 is controlled. In addition, the Internet signal processing apparatus 100 returns a status such as that the modem is communicating.
[0133]
That is, as shown in FIG. 18, information on the Internet is obtained from a public line via a modem, read from the serial controller 8 to the CPU 2 via a data line, and the CPU 2 reads a program or text written in a language such as HTML or JAVA. It is decoded and expanded on the browser of the main memory (work RAM) 107 which also serves as a video memory using the character font ROM 7.
[0134]
The display information expanded in the main storage device 107 is transferred to the FIFO memory 72 on the graphic processor 66 using a DMA (Direct Memory Access) transfer function. The data transferred to the FIFO memory 72 is output, for example, as an RGB signal appropriately colored by the palette 74 or the like in accordance with the VGA timing generator 73.
[0135]
The teletext decoding unit first performs synchronization separation from the video signal by the clamp synchronization separation circuit 102, clamps and then inputs the waveform to the waveform equivalent circuit 103.
[0136]
The waveform-equivalent video signal is subjected to error correction by extracting the character signal by the character signal extraction error correction circuit 104, and the error-corrected data is temporarily stored in the data register 105.
[0137]
The CPU 2 reads the data stored in the data register 105 through the data bus, converts it into character data using the character font ROM 7, and writes the bitmap data directly into the video memory area of the main storage device 107 as image data. Expand. The subsequent conversion to a video signal is the same as the Internet processing unit of each embodiment described above.
[0138]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a character broadcast reception display when the predetermined character string is http: //.
[0139]
FIG. 19 shows a screen display example when the address of the WWW server is sent as a teletext program, for example, by teletext.
[0140]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a process for performing the display of FIG.
[0141]
First, in step ST11, it is searched whether or not there is http: // in the character string sent by text broadcasting. If there is http: // in the character string sent by text broadcasting. In step ST12, the subsequent character string is written in the flash ROM 106 as a URL, the flow is finished, and the drawing process is started. This means that after detecting whether or not there is URL information in the character broadcast transmitted from the broadcasting station, a picture of character broadcasting (character information) is displayed.
[0142]
If there is no http: // in the character string sent by teletext, this flow is finished as it is, and the drawing process is started.
[0143]
The above processing is performed after the character code or bit data after the error correction by the character signal extraction error correction circuit 104 has been read from the data register 105. This is performed in order to improve the reliability by performing error correction on the received signal so that the received teletext signal is not affected by ghosts or weak electric fields.
[0144]
  After the above processing, drawing processing for expanding character fonts and bitmap data into the video RAM is performed.
  The Internet connection terminal described in the present embodiment includes at least a decoding unit that receives and decodes a character multiplex broadcast, and a storage unit that stores a character string, and receives a character string determined in advance by the decoding unit. Since the character string after the character string is stored, the character broadcast is received, the received character string is monitored, and when the character string matches a predetermined character string, the character string and the subsequent character string are stored in the memory. Thus, the user can know the URL efficiently.
[0145]
Embodiment 10 FIG.
The system configuration of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention is the same as that of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 4. Since the basic operation of the apparatus is the same as that of the ninth embodiment, only the difference will be described.
[0146]
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a system example including transmission / reception. The home has a character multiplex broadcast decoder built-in Internet connection device having the function of the ninth embodiment, and the broadcast station side converts the Internet URL into character data as a TV signal. An example of a system that multiplexes characters and sends them as radio waves is shown.
[0147]
  As shown in the figure, a broadcasting station can obtain a fee as a single advertisement for URL data by broadcasting character data including an Internet URL on a television signal. You can search without making any product, and you can get information from the information provider through the Internet, and you can purchase goods by mail order.
  The Internet connection terminal described in this embodiment is configured to include means for transmitting an Internet URL after a predetermined character string on the character broadcast transmission side. Since the URL can be notified, an effect of improving the advertising effect can be obtained.
[0148]
Embodiment 11 FIG.
In addition, as an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, in the system of the tenth embodiment, a feature, a keyword, a genre, and the like of the WWW server are transmitted simultaneously with the URL.
[0149]
The receiver records the character data after the determined character string as a URL, a keyword, and a comment, and can view this list on the Internet connection screen. For example, in the eleventh embodiment, http: // is registered as a determined character string, and http: // WWW. melco. co. jp / so far is stored as a URL, and after the space after / is entered as a comment. For example, the comment in the above case is stored as “general electric company”.
[0150]
In this example, the determined character string is http: // or space, but of course, anything can be determined if determined on the transmission and reception sides.
[0151]
In this case, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user if the receiving device is provided with a keyword search function and a function for notation by genre.
[0152]
In addition, the Internet television receiver according to each of the above embodiments is applied to the television receiver provided with the Internet connection device as described above, but any device having an Internet access function can be used. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to both analog and digital devices.
[0153]
  Needless to say, for example, the circuit type and connection state of the Internet signal processing device 18 constituting the Internet television receiver are not limited to the above-described embodiment.
  Since the Internet connection terminal described in the present embodiment is configured to transmit the Internet URL and its comment at the same time after the character string, the Internet information provider can widely inform his / her URL in general, and the advertising effect As a result, the sender (broadcast station) can obtain an effect of further expecting advertising revenue.
[0158]
【The invention's effect】
  Internet according to claim 1Television receiverThenUsing the connection reservation setting screen displayed on the screenA connection destination setting means for setting a connection destination on the Internet, a storage means for storing data such as downloaded characters and images,The actual connection with the destinationA communication speed detecting means for detecting the communication speed;A comparison means for comparing the communication speed of the connection destination with a predetermined communication speed when setting a plurality of connection destinations;Detected by communication speed detection meansThe actualCommunication speedCommunication whose average value for a given time is predeterminedIf it is faster than the speed,ContinuedSince the power saving mode is provided, the power saving standby mode can be switched to the normal mode and the power consumption can be reduced until the set time is reached by providing the power saving mode.
[0159]
  Internet according to claim 2Television receiverThenIf the average value of the actual communication speed detected by the communication speed detection means is equal to or lower than the predetermined communication speed and a plurality of connection destinations are set,A control means for switching the order of the plurality of setting connection destinations to connect to the next connection destination, and the control means reduces the communication time based on the output of the comparison means.RuSince it is configured so that the communication station time and communication speed for each connected connection destination are stored, the user can grasp the communication fee and the degree of congestion of the connection destination.
[0160]
  Internet according to claim 3Television receiverThen,SentenceSpecified communication speed even if it is set to capture character information and picture informationTheControl means for changing to capturing only character information when not reached, and the control means switches to downloading only characters when the communication speed with the connection destination is lower than the set value based on the output of the comparison means. Therefore, by storing the communication station time and the communication speed for each connected connection destination, the user can grasp the communication fee and the degree of congestion of the connection destination.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a two-screen signal signal generating apparatus of the Internet television receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration of a two-screen processing circuit of the Internet television receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an Internet signal processing apparatus of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example when the deflection high voltage generator of the Internet television receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention is deflected in the entire vertical direction.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example when the deflection high-voltage generator of the Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention deflects only 3/4 in the vertical direction.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the two-screen generation timing of the two-screen signal generation device of the Internet television receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a luminance Y portion synthesis unit of the two-screen signal generation device of the Internet television receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a timing chart of the synthesis unit for the luminance Y portion of the two-screen signal generation device for the Internet television receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of the two-screen signal generation device of the Internet television receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an Internet television receiver according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an Internet connection terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an Internet signal processing apparatus of an Internet connection terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a connection reservation process of the Internet connection terminal according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a connection reservation setting screen for the user of the Internet connection terminal according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of a communication record screen of the Internet connection terminal according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an Internet connection terminal according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an Internet signal processing apparatus of an Internet connection terminal according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a character broadcast reception display example when a predetermined character string of the Internet connection terminal according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention is http: //.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing processing for displaying an Internet connection terminal according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a system example including transmission / reception of an Internet connection terminal according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional conventional Internet connection terminal apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 CPU, 10 modem, 14 tuner, 16 TV microcomputer, 18, 90, 100 Internet signal processing device (Internet connection device), 19 2 screen signal generation device, 20 video signal processing device, 66 graphic controller, 85 Ρ LL loop (synchronization) Signal generating means), 91 switch, 101 character multiplex decoder.

Claims (3)

In a television receiver equipped with an Internet connection device, connection destination setting means for setting a connection destination on the Internet using a connection reservation setting screen displayed on the screen ,
Storage means for storing data such as downloaded characters and images;
Comprising a communication speed detecting means for detecting an actual communication speed with the connection destination ;
A comparison means for comparing the communication speed of the connection destination with a predetermined communication speed when setting a plurality of connection destinations;
The Internet television receiver characterized in that the communication is continued if the average value of the actual communication speed detected by the communication speed detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined communication speed. When the average value of the actual communication speed detected by the communication speed detection means is equal to or lower than the predetermined communication speed and a plurality of connection destinations are set, the order of the plurality of connection destinations is set. Control means for connecting to the next connection destination after replacement,
The control means, the Internet television receiver according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication time is by controlled so that a short on the basis of the output of the comparison means. And control means for changing only capture text information when even set to take the character information and picture information does not reach the communication speed defined,
The control means according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that if the communication speed of the connection destination is less than the set value for controlling to switch to download character only based on the output of the comparing means Internet television receiver .

Images