JP4066999B2 - Mobile terminal, broadcast reception control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone capable of receiving a radio broadcast such as a television broadcast, and a broadcast reception control program executed on the mobile terminal. The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a broadcast reception control program that enable continuous viewing of the program even when the channel changes.

  In recent years, terrestrial digital broadcasting in Japan and other countries around the world are scheduled to start TV broadcasting that can be viewed with a TV receiver mounted on a mobile terminal (mobile phone, PDA, etc.).

  By carrying a mobile terminal equipped with such a TV broadcast receiver, it is possible to view a desired TV program or record a favorite program while moving.

  By the way, when listening to a TV broadcast program by a mobile terminal equipped with a TV broadcast receiver, the channel for broadcasting the program changes by moving out of the radio wave range of the broadcasting station that broadcasts the program being viewed while moving. As a result, viewing of the program is interrupted.

  When such interruption occurs, to continue watching the same program at the destination, broadcast the same program as the TV broadcast program that you have been watching from the channel of the broadcasting station that is broadcasting at the destination. It is necessary to search for a channel that is available.

  As a mobile terminal equipped with a conventional TV broadcast receiver for simplifying channel selection when continuing to watch the same program at a destination that has moved in this way, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-158690 (patent) Document 1), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-125303 (Patent Document 2), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-344291 (Patent Document 3), and the like.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the receivable channels of each broadcast area are stored in a memory in advance, and the broadcast area is specified from the current position and a channel list is displayed. Channel selection is performed by the user selecting from the displayed channel list. In this way, by specifying the moved broadcast area and displaying the channel list, the number of channels to be selected is narrowed down, so that the channel selection of the same program becomes easy.

Further, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, a search scan for receivable channels is performed, and an area including the acquired position information and information on all channels receivable in the area are stored in association with each other. At the same time, by specifying the current position, a list of channels that can be received in the area including the position is displayed, and the user selects a broadcast station from the displayed channel list. Accordingly, since the receivable channels are displayed in a list in relation to the current position, the number of channels to be selected is narrowed down as in Patent Document 1, and the channel selection of the same program is facilitated.
JP 2003-158690 A JP 2003-125303 A JP 2002-344291 A

  The mobile terminal provided with the above-described conventional TV broadcast receiver has the following problems.

  First, a list of receivable channels corresponding to the location information of the mobile terminal is displayed, and the channel selection is performed by the user selecting from the displayed channel list. Channel selection is easier than selecting from the channel, but the channel is not displayed in consideration of the identity of the program for each location information, so if you want to audition the same program continuously, There is a disadvantage in that it is necessary to select a channel from the channel list one by one and check whether or not it is the same program. In particular, when the number of channels displayed in the channel list is large, it takes a lot of time to select channels of the same program.

  Second, even if a channel is receivable in a specific broadcasting area, the same channel may be localized within the broadcasting area depending on the terrain of the place where the TV broadcast program is watched or the situation of the existing building. May not be received. In the prior arts of Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above, only the list of channels that can be received in the area including the current position of the mobile terminal is displayed. Therefore, even the channels displayed in the channel list are received at the current position. There is a possibility that some channels cannot be included, and there is a problem that it is not possible to cope with the situation such as the terrain of the place where the TV broadcast program is viewed and the existing building.

  The broadcast area refers to a regional area where a certain broadcast station can be received on the same channel.

  The first object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and when the reception status of a broadcast program being viewed has deteriorated due to movement or when the channel for broadcasting the same broadcast program has changed, the same TV broadcast It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal and a broadcast reception control program that make it possible to quickly and easily select other channels that broadcast programs.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a broadcast reception control program that can efficiently search for other channels that broadcast the same broadcast program as the broadcast program being viewed.

  The present invention that achieves the above object is to provide a mobile terminal equipped with a radio broadcast receiving function to search for a broadcast program that is the same as the broadcast program that has been viewed and searched when it is difficult to receive the broadcast program being viewed. The channel to be broadcast is stored in the channel information table as search channel information in association with the acquired position information, and search channel information is searched using the designated channel and current position information as a key to select the broadcast program. Means for performing.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the channel information table includes, for each of a plurality of broadcast areas, information on broadcast stations belonging to each broadcast area, and channels that broadcast the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that has been viewed. The search result and the position information are stored in association with each other.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being watched, a search for confirming whether the channel is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program. For channels sequentially selected from the rank table, it is determined whether or not the channel broadcasts the same broadcast program. If the channel broadcasts the same broadcast program, the channel is associated with the position information and searched. Means for storing in the channel information table as channel information.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the search process of a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed, the acquired position information and the information of the channel that was viewed as a key In a search order table for searching for a channel corresponding to the position information from the channel information table, and confirming whether the channel corresponding to the searched position information is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program. It is characterized by setting so as to be selected with priority.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed, the acquired position within the same broadcast area as the channel that was viewed Search channel information including information is searched from the channel information table, a broadcast area including the searched channel is searched from the channel information table, and channels included in the searched broadcast area are searched for the same broadcast program. It is set so that it is preferentially selected in a search order table for confirming whether it is a broadcast channel.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in a channel search process for broadcasting the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being watched, a broadcast station belonging to each broadcast area is registered for each broadcast area, and Each channel has an adjacent broadcast area and an adjacent area information table in which information on the channel of the adjacent broadcast area is registered, and the channel of the broadcast area adjacent to the broadcast area of the channel being viewed is set to the adjacent area information. The channel is searched from the table, and the channel included in the adjacent broadcast area searched from the adjacent area information table is preferentially selected in the search order table for confirming whether the channel broadcasts the same broadcast program. It sets so that it may be.

  According to the mobile terminal and the broadcast reception control program of the present invention, when it is difficult to receive a broadcast program, a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program is searched and stored as search channel information in association with the acquired position information. Then, by searching for this search channel information using the channel and current position information as a key and selecting a channel, it becomes possible to quickly and easily select another channel that broadcasts the same TV broadcast program. . As a result, even when the channel for broadcasting the same broadcast program changes during movement or when the reception state of the TV broadcast program being viewed deteriorates, the same TV broadcast program can be continuously viewed without much interruption. .

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone capable of receiving TV broadcast in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A mobile terminal 10 having a TV receiving function according to the present embodiment can watch and record a program selected by a user by receiving a broadcast wave from a TV broadcast station. As the mobile terminal 10, for example, a mobile phone or a PDA having a TV broadcast program receiving function can be considered.

  In FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 10 includes a broadcast receiving unit 11, an antenna 12, a key input unit 13, a position information acquisition unit 14, a display unit 15, a search channel information table 16, and a control unit 17. Configured.

  The broadcast receiving unit 11 is a circuit that receives a TV broadcast program received by the antenna 12.

  The key input unit 13 includes various operation keys for operating the mobile terminal 10 and keys for inputting characters and numbers. By operating the key input unit 13, a broadcast station and a program are selected. .

  The position information acquisition unit 14 has a function of acquiring position information (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the mobile terminal 10 using, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System). This position information can be acquired by GPS. If the mobile terminal is also equipped with a mobile phone function, the ID of the base station whose mobile phone function is being updated can be used as location information.

  The display unit 15 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays the contents of the TV program received by the broadcast receiving unit 11 and other various information based on the functions of the mobile terminal 10.

  The search channel information table 16 is a table for storing the result of searching for TV broadcast program channels, which is a feature of the present invention, and is stored in a nonvolatile memory, DRAM, memory card or the like.

  The search channel information table 16 stores default channel information (broadcast station name (network ID) and channel number (frequency)) for each broadcast area, and results of a search operation for TV broadcast programs. (Search channel information) is sequentially stored. The search channel information includes a combination of the position information of the mobile terminal 10 and TV broadcast channel information (broadcast station name (network ID) and channel number (frequency)) through which the same program found by the search process can be viewed.

  A specific example of the contents of the search channel information table 16 is shown in FIG.

  4, a plurality of broadcast areas “A”, “B”, “C”,... Are set in the broadcast area column 161 of the search channel information table 16, and the broadcast area “A” is set in the default column 162. ”,“ B ”,“ C ”,..., The broadcast station name (network ID) of the broadcast station belonging to each broadcast area and its channel number (frequency) are stored in advance as defaults. For example, for broadcast area A, three channels including network ID “0x7EB0” and channel number “25” are set as defaults.

  Further, in the search channel information column 163-1 of the search channel information table 16, for each channel of the default column 162, information on the position where the search process was performed and the network as the information of the channel confirmed by the search process to be described later. ID (broadcast station name) and channel number (frequency) are set.

  For example, (1) Network ID “default” at each of the positions “a”, “b”, and “c” by the search process for the channel with the network ID “0x7EB0” and the channel number “25” in the broadcast area “A”. Channel number “default”, (2) Channel ID “0x7F90” and channel number “30” are stored as search channel information.

  Further, in the search channel information column 163-2, when the range indicated by the position information is wide and other different search channels can be obtained with the same position information, the network ID (broadcast station name) and channel number ( Frequency).

  In the example of FIG. 4, the case where the setting is such that two search channel information can be saved for the same position information is shown, but the setting for saving three or more search channel information can also be made. It is.

  The control unit 17 is a circuit for controlling the processing operation of the mobile terminal 10 and controls functions related to TV broadcast reception.

  The control unit 17 realizes a table creation function for storing search channel information in the search channel information table 16 and a search function for the same program using the search channel information table 16, which are characteristic functions of the present invention.

  The function of the control unit 17 is realized by executing a program (application) that provides a function related to TV broadcast reception stored in a nonvolatile memory or DRAM on the CPU mounted on the mobile terminal 10.

  In addition, about each component shown in FIG. 1, although the component for mainly implement | achieving the TV reception function of the mobile terminal 10 was shown, in addition to these components, it has other functions which the mobile terminal 10 has. It goes without saying that various components are provided accordingly.

  For example, it is possible to assume a case where components that realize a camera function and a telephone / communication function are provided.

  Next, the overall operation in viewing a TV broadcast program by the mobile terminal 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When a predetermined TV broadcast program selected by the channel selection operation from the key input unit 13 is being viewed, the TV broadcast program is continuously viewed unless a search trigger is generated due to input of a search processing instruction or the like. (Step 201).

  When a search trigger is generated by an input of search processing instructions from the key input unit 13 (step 202), a search process for the channel of the same program as the TV broadcast program being viewed is executed (step 203).

  The trigger for executing the search process is when the channel for broadcasting the same broadcast program is changed while the user is moving, or when the reception state of the TV broadcast program being viewed has deteriorated. When a search process instruction is explicitly input from the user by an operation, or when the mobile terminal 10 automatically detects a deterioration in the reception state of the TV broadcast program being watched, Etc. are considered.

  When the deterioration of the reception state is detected and the search process is automatically executed, the control unit 17 constantly monitors the reception state signal of the TV broadcast radio wave input from the broadcast reception unit 11 and the reception state is a preset threshold value. When it falls below, search processing is executed by detecting the deterioration of the reception state. The reception state is determined by the electric field strength, C / N, BER, and the like.

  In this search processing, processing such as searching for the channel of the same TV broadcast program as the TV broadcast program being viewed, storing search channel information found in the search channel information table 16 (table creation), and the like are performed. Details of the search process will be described later.

  If there is a channel of the same program as the TV broadcast program that was being viewed in the channel search process (step 204), other channels found in the search process remain selected and were viewed before the search process. The same program as the TV broadcast program is continuously viewed (step 205).

  If no other channel of the same program is found in the search process, the channel that was viewed before the search process is selected (step 206).

  Next, details of search processing for the same program in step 203 of the operation of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the search process starts for the channel of the same program, the position information acquisition unit 14 first acquires the position information of the mobile terminal 10 (user) (step 301). The location information acquisition unit 14 acquires location information (latitude, longitude, altitude) using GPS or the like or location information (base station ID) of the nearest mobile phone base station as location information of the mobile terminal 10.

  Next, using the broadcast station name (network ID) and channel number (frequency) of the channel that was viewed before the search process and the acquired position information as keys, the search channel information table 16 is searched and the channel for which reception confirmation is performed is performed. The order is determined (step 302).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for determining a channel search order for performing channel search and reception confirmation from the search channel information table 16.

  In the search of the search channel information table 16, the channel (network ID, channel number) in the default column 162 is searched using the broadcast station name (network ID) and channel number (frequency) of the channel being viewed as keys. The channels existing in the search channel information columns 163-1 and 163-2 corresponding to the searched channel are searched using the acquired position information as a key (step 501).

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a search trigger such as deterioration of the reception state occurs in the state where the broadcast with the network ID “0x7EB0” and the channel number “25” is being viewed, the acquired position information The case where is “b” will be described.
(1) The channel (network ID “0x7EB0”, channel number “25”) in the default column 162 of the search channel information table 16 is searched.
(2) A search is made for a channel using the position information “b” as a key in the search channel information column 163-1 stored corresponding to the searched channel.
(3) As a result, in the case of FIG. 7, the channel (network ID “0x7F90”, channel number “30”) corresponding to the position information “b” is searched.

  As a result, a channel (network ID or channel number) corresponding to the position information is searched from the channels (network ID and channel number) stored as search channel information in the search channel information columns 163-1 and 163-2. The

  When a channel is searched from the search channel information in the search channel information table 16 (step 502), the search order is determined so that the searched channel is preferentially selected at the time of reception confirmation (step 503). . As the default search order, for example, the order of the smallest possible channel numbers may be considered.

  For example, if there is a channel searched from the search channel information columns 163-1 and 163-2 of the search channel information table 16 based on the position information, the channel searched and read is preferentially searched. By positioning at the head of the rank table, the searched channel is preferentially searched. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 7, the channel (network ID “0x7F90”, channel number “30”) corresponding to the position information “b” is arranged at the head of the search order table.

  Further, when a plurality of channels are searched for the same position information (for example, in the example of FIG. 4, when two channels are searched from the search channel information columns 163-1 and 163-2), a plurality of channels are selected. The search channel information column (163-1 → 163-2) is positioned in order from the top of the search order table.

  Note that the channel search order is not the order in the search order table. For example, when a number specifying a search order for performing reception confirmation for each channel in the search order table is given, a lower number is assigned to the searched channel. By preferentially, it is selected preferentially.

  Further, if the channel stored as the search channel information is not searched based on the position information in step 502, for example, the order of the smallest possible channel number is set as the search order as it is.

  Next, for each channel existing in the determined search order table, it is determined whether or not there is a channel that has not been confirmed for reception, and if there is, a channel for confirmation of reception is set according to the search order (step). 303, 304).

  For example, when the search order is determined in the order from the top of the search order table, channels are set in order from the top.

  Then, it is determined whether or not reception synchronization is established (can be received) in the set channel (step 305).

  If reception synchronization is not established, the process returns to step 303 to determine establishment of synchronization for the next channel.

  If synchronization is established in step 305, the reception state in that channel is acquired (step 306). That is, the control unit 17 acquires the reception state based on the reception state signal indicating the reception state from the broadcast reception unit 11.

  The control unit 17 determines whether or not the acquired reception state is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value (step 307). If not greater than the threshold value, the process returns to step 304 and the processing from step 303 is performed for the next channel. .

  As for this threshold value, for example, a minimum reception state that enables viewing of TV broadcasts is set in advance as the threshold value.

  If the reception state is equal to or greater than the threshold, the TV broadcast program name is acquired from the received channel radio waves (step 308).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the acquired TV broadcast program name is the same program as the TV broadcast program that has been viewed (before the search process) (step 309).

  If the TV broadcast program names are not the same, the process returns to step 303 and the processing from step 303 is performed for the next channel.

  If the acquired TV broadcast program name is the same as the TV broadcast program that has been viewed, the channel information (network ID, channel number) is the search channel information column 163-1 of the search channel information table 16 or In 163-2, it is determined whether or not it is already stored in association with the acquired position information (step 310).

  If the searched channel is not stored, the channel information (network ID, channel number) is stored in the search channel information column 163-1 or 163-2 of the search channel information table 16 as a result of the search process ( Step 312).

  In storing the search processing result for the search channel information table 16, for example, the channel of the TV broadcast program that has been viewed up to now is the channel shown in FIG. 4 (network ID “0x7EB0”, channel number “25”), and acquired. If the position information is “b” and the search channel information corresponding to the position information is not stored, the channel (network ID “0x7F90”, channel number “30”) is searched as the channel of the same program. In this case, the channel information is stored in correspondence with the position information “b”.

  In the search process for the same program, when the channel of the same program as the TV broadcast program that was viewed before the search is searched or when the processing from step 305 to step 309 is completed for all channels in the search order table And the process proceeds to step 204 in FIG.

  As described above, whenever a search trigger occurs due to a change in the channel for broadcasting the same broadcast program during movement or a deterioration in the reception state of the TV broadcast program being watched, the same program as described above is displayed. By performing search processing of the broadcast channel, a channel that broadcasts the same TV program as the TV program of the channel that was viewed is searched for each position information where the search trigger has occurred, and the search channel information is used as search channel information. It is stored in the table 16.

  Accordingly, if a large number of search channel information as described above is registered in the search channel information table 16, the reception status of the TV broadcast program being viewed at the same place (position) as before deteriorates or the same broadcast program is broadcast. Even when the channel changes, it is possible to easily select another channel that broadcasts the same TV broadcast program based on the registered search channel information only by acquiring the position information. As a result, the same TV broadcast program can be continuously viewed without much interruption.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a process in the case of selecting a channel using the search channel information in the search channel information table 16.

  First, a list of channels is displayed (step 601). In this channel list, a list of broadcast stations set and stored in advance by the user, a list of broadcast stations existing in the broadcast area where the mobile terminal 10 is located, and the like are displayed.

  Next, the broadcast station name (channel) to be viewed is selected from the displayed channel list (step 602).

  Further, the current position information where the mobile terminal 10 is located is acquired by the position information acquisition unit 14 (step 603).

  Using the selected broadcast station name and the acquired position information as a key, search for a matching broadcast station (channel) from channel information stored as a search result in the search channel information table 16, and whether there is a matching broadcast station. It is determined whether or not (steps 604 and 605).

  If there is a matching broadcast station as a result of the search, the searched channel is selected (step 606).

  If there is no matching item, a channel registered as a default in the broadcast area where the mobile terminal 10 is located is selected (step 507). For example, the channel number of the broadcast station name registered in the default field 162 in FIG. 4 is selected.

  According to the first embodiment, as described above, whenever a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program changes due to movement or when a search trigger is generated due to a deterioration in the reception state of the TV broadcast program being viewed, By searching for a channel that broadcasts the same program, a channel that broadcasts the same TV program as the TV program of the channel that was being watched is searched for each position information where the search trigger has occurred, and is used as search channel information. Since it is stored in the search channel information table 16, position information is acquired when the reception state of the TV broadcast program being viewed at the same place (position) as before deteriorates or when the channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program changes. Simply select other channels that broadcast the same TV broadcast program based on the registered search channel information. To continue the same TV broadcast program will be able to watch.

  Next, a mobile terminal capable of receiving TV broadcast in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the mobile terminal in the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the same program confirmation method in steps 308 and 309 in the search process for the same program shown in FIG.

  In step 309 in the search process for the same program shown in FIG. 3, whether or not the TV broadcast program name of the received channel is the same as the name of the TV broadcast program that has been viewed up to now is obtained. This is done by comparing with the name of the TV broadcast program that has been viewed so far, but in this second embodiment, the user has viewed the TV broadcast program displayed on the display unit 15 by viewing it. It is also possible to confirm whether the program is the same as the TV broadcast program and input the confirmation result from the key input unit 13.

  FIG. 8 shows search processing for the same program in that case. In the process of FIG. 8, only differences from the process shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

  In this case, instead of acquiring the TV broadcast program name in step 308 of FIG. 3, the content of the broadcast program broadcast on the channel whose reception state is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value in step 307 is displayed on the display unit 15. (Step 808).

  Then, it is determined whether or not a confirmation that the program is the same program has been input by the user who has viewed the contents of the broadcast program (step 809).

  As for confirmation of the same program, for example, when displaying the contents of a broadcast program, a display for inquiring whether or not the program is the same is displayed on the display unit 15, and whether the user is the same is selected on the screen. This can be realized by inputting confirmation.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the mobile terminal capable of receiving TV broadcast in the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the search for the channel to be received and the method for determining the search order in step 302 in the search process for the same program shown in FIG.

  In the third embodiment, when the search channel information exists in the search channel information table 16 for the current position indicated in the position information of the mobile terminal 10 acquired in step 301, the broadcast indicated in the search channel information is displayed. A broadcast area corresponding to a station name (network ID) and a channel (frequency) is searched, and the search order is determined so as to preferentially confirm reception of a channel corresponding to the broadcast area.

  With reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a description will be given of the search for channels to be confirmed for reception and the search order determination processing in this embodiment.

  Search channel information table 16 is searched for search channel information including the acquired current position in the same broadcast area as the broadcast station being viewed (step 901).

  If no search channel information exists (NO in step 902), search channel information including the acquired current position is searched for all broadcast areas in the search channel information table 16 (step 903).

  If the search channel information exists in step 902 or the search channel information exists in step 904, a broadcast area including the broadcast station name (network ID) and channel (frequency) indicated in the searched search channel information is displayed. The search channel information table 16 is searched (step 905).

  If a broadcast area exists (step 906), the channels included in the searched broadcast area are preferentially arranged in the search order table (arranged so that reception is confirmed preferentially) (step 907).

  If no search channel information exists in step 904 and no broadcast area exists in step 906, the search order is in a default state without giving priority to a specific channel.

  A specific example of searching for a channel to be confirmed for reception will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 10, in the broadcast area (= B), the broadcast station name (network ID (= 0x7F91)) and channel number (= 31) are viewed and confirmed based on the acquired current position (= a). An example in the case of performing channel and search order determination processing is shown.
(1) In the search channel information table 16 as shown in FIG. 10, in the same broadcast area (= B) as the channel being viewed, as a search result including the acquired current position (= a), the broadcast station name (network ID (= 0x7EB0)) and channel number (= 25) are searched.
(2) As a result, the broadcast area (= A) including the searched broadcast station name (network ID (= 0x7EB0)) and channel (= 25) in the default column 162 is searched.
(3) Then, channel numbers (= 25, 26, 27) existing corresponding to the searched broadcast area (= A) are searched, and these searched channels are preferentially arranged in the search order.

  According to the third embodiment, when the search channel information exists in the search channel information table 16 for the position information acquired by the mobile terminal 10, the broadcast station name (network ID) indicated in the search channel information is provided. And the channel number (frequency) are searched for, and the channel search order is determined so as to preferentially confirm the reception of the channel corresponding to the broadcast area. The search process (search for a channel that broadcasts the same TV broadcast program) is executed more efficiently.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the mobile terminal capable of receiving TV broadcast in the fourth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, an adjacent area information table 20 storing information on adjacent broadcast areas is provided. I have. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the processing of the first embodiment and the third embodiment, in the search of the channel to be received and the search order determination processing in step 302 in the search processing of the same program shown in FIG. Perform the following process.

  In the fourth embodiment, as described above, in addition to the search channel information table 16, the adjacent area information table 20 that stores information on adjacent broadcast areas is provided, so that the information is stored in the adjacent area information table 20. Prioritize channels in adjacent areas in search order. This is because the channel that broadcasts the same TV broadcast program as the TV broadcast program being viewed is likely to be a channel in the broadcast area adjacent to the broadcast area of the channel being viewed. By giving priority in the search order, the search for channels of the same TV program is efficiently performed.

  With reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a description will be given of the search for the channel to be confirmed for reception and the search order determination process according to this embodiment.

  Before and after searching the search channel information table 16 using the network ID and channel number of the channel being viewed and the acquired position information as keys, the adjacent area information table 20 using the network ID and channel number of the channel being viewed as a key. Is searched for a channel in the adjacent information area registered corresponding to the network ID and the channel number, and the channel is preferentially arranged in the search order for confirming reception of the channel.

  The adjacent area information table 20 includes a broadcast area column 201, a default column 202, and an adjacent area column 203, as in the example shown in FIG. Each broadcast area is registered in the broadcast area column 201, and default channel information (broadcast station name (network ID) and channel number (frequency)) belonging to each broadcast area is registered in the default column 202. . In the adjacent area column 203, for each channel in the default column 202, adjacent broadcast areas (adjacent areas) and channel information (broadcast station names (network IDs)) included in the adjacent areas are registered. .

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing when searching for a channel in the adjacent information area in addition to searching for a channel to be confirmed for reception and determining the search order in the third embodiment.

  In FIG. 12, the processing from Step 1201 to Step 1207 is the same as Step 901 to Step 907 in FIG. 9 in the third embodiment. After those processing, the channel search of the adjacent information area (from Step 1208 1210).

  First, from the adjacent area information table 20, a channel stored as an adjacent area is searched in the broadcast area being viewed, using the name of the broadcasting station (network ID) and the channel number (frequency) being viewed as keys (step). 1208).

  If there is no channel in the adjacent area (NO in step 1209), the reception unconfirmed channel is checked without performing any processing, and the process proceeds to step 303.

  If there is a channel in step 1209, the searched adjacent area channel is preferentially placed in the search order (placed so that reception is confirmed preferentially) (step 1210).

  Note that the preferential arrangement in the search order in step 1210 is set so that the channel searched by the search channel information table 16 has the highest priority and is given priority next to those channels.

  A specific example of searching for a channel to be confirmed for reception using the adjacent area information table 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 shows an example of a plurality of adjacent broadcast areas.

FIG. 13 shows an example of searching for a channel to be received while viewing the broadcast station name (network ID (= 0x7EB1)) and channel number (= 26).
(1) In the adjacent area information table 20 as shown in FIG. 13, as a channel of the adjacent area corresponding to the name of the broadcasting station being watched (network ID (= 0x7EB1)) and the channel number (= 26), the broadcast area (= The broadcast station name (= 0x7F91) of B), the broadcast station name (= 0x7F91) of the broadcast area (= C), and the broadcast station name (= 0x7EC1) of the broadcast area (= D) are respectively searched.
(2) The broadcast station name (= 0x7F91) of the searched broadcast area (= B), the broadcast station name (= 0x7F91) of the broadcast area (= C), and the broadcast station name (= D) of the broadcast area (= D) 0x7EC1) is preferentially arranged in the search order.

  Note that according to the fourth embodiment, a channel that broadcasts the same TV broadcast program as the TV broadcast program being viewed is likely to be a channel in a broadcast area adjacent to the broadcast area of the channel being viewed. Since the adjacent area channel is searched using the adjacent area information table 20 and priority is given in the search order, channel search processing for the same TV program (search for channels broadcasting the same TV broadcast program) Is executed more efficiently.

  In the fourth embodiment, the channel search and search order determination using the adjacent area information table 20 is performed in the channel search and the search order determination process shown in FIG. 9 in the third embodiment. Although the case where the determination process is added has been described, it is of course possible to combine the search for the channel to be received and the search order determination process shown in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.

  The TV viewing control function of the mobile terminal according to the above embodiment can be realized not only by hardware but also by software. In this case, as described above, the computer program (TV viewing control program) that realizes the processing contents described in each embodiment is executed on the CPU (control unit 17) of the mobile terminal 10 and can be realized in software. .

  The present invention has been described above with reference to a plurality of preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the technical idea. Can do.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a mobile terminal capable of receiving a TV broadcast as a radio broadcast has been described. However, the present invention can be applied not only to a TV broadcast but also to a mobile terminal capable of receiving a radio broadcast. Needless to say. In addition to terrestrial analog broadcasting, terrestrial digital broadcasting and various satellite broadcasting, which are becoming popular in the future, are included.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile terminal which has TV receiving function by 1st Example of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an overall operation in viewing a TV broadcast program by the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating details of search processing for the same program shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the content of the search channel information table in the mobile terminal by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process of determining the search order of the channel which performs the search of the channel from the search channel information table and the reception confirmation in the search process of the same program of the 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process in the case of selecting a channel using the search channel information of the search channel information table by the 1st Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the channel search by the search channel information table in the search process of the same program. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the search process of the same program by the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the content of the search of the channel which confirms reception by the 3rd Example of this invention, and the determination process of search order. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the search of the channel which confirms reception in the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile terminal which has TV receiving function by 4th Example of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the content of the search of the channel which confirms reception by the 4th Example of this invention, and the determination processing of search order. It is a figure which shows the example of a specific content of the adjacent area information table by 4th Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the some broadcast area adjacent to each other.

Explanation of symbols

10: Mobile terminal 11: Broadcast receiving unit 12: Antenna 13: Key input unit 14: Position information acquisition unit 15: Display unit 16: Search channel information table 17: Control unit 20: Adjacent area information table 161: Broadcast area column 162: Default column 163-1, 163-2: Search channel information 201: Broadcast area column 202: Default column 203: Adjacent area column

Claims (26)

In a mobile terminal equipped with a radio broadcast reception function,
A channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being searched, searched when reception of the broadcast program being viewed becomes difficult, is stored as search channel information in association with the acquired position information,
A mobile terminal comprising: means for searching the search channel information by using a designated channel and current position information as a key and selecting the broadcast program.   The search channel information is stored as a channel information table, and for each of the plurality of broadcast areas, the channels belonging to the broadcast area and the same broadcast program as the searched broadcast program are broadcast. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein a channel to be stored and the position information are stored in association with each other. In a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed,
For the channels sequentially selected from the search order table for confirming whether they are the channels that broadcast the same broadcast program, determine whether they are the channels that broadcast the same broadcast program,
The movement according to claim 2, further comprising means for associating the channel with the position information and storing it in the channel information table as search channel information when the same broadcast program is broadcast. Terminal. In a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed,
The channel corresponding to the position information is searched from the channel information table using the acquired position information and the information of the channel being viewed as keys.
4. The channel corresponding to the searched position information is set so as to be preferentially selected in a search order table for confirming whether it is a channel for broadcasting the same broadcast program. The mobile terminal according to. In determining whether the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program,
Obtain the broadcast program name from the received radio wave of the channel,
5. The mobile terminal according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not the acquired broadcast program name is the same as the broadcast program name being viewed. In determining whether the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program,
Output the contents of the broadcast program of the channel,
When the confirmation of whether the content of the output broadcast program is the same as the broadcast program being viewed is input, it is determined that the broadcast program name is the same as the broadcast program being viewed. The mobile terminal according to claim 3 or 4, wherein In determining whether the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program,
The reception channel synchronization is determined for the channel selected from the search order table, and if the reception synchronization is not established, the next channel shown in the search order table is selected. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 6. In determining whether the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program,
It is determined whether or not the reception state of the channel selected from the search order table is equal to or greater than a certain threshold value. If the reception state is not equal to or greater than the certain threshold value, the next channel shown in the search order table is selected. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that it is a mobile terminal. When the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program, it is determined whether the channel is stored as search channel information in the channel information table in association with the position information,
9. If not stored, the channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program is stored in the channel information table in association with the position information. Mobile terminals. In a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed,
Search the channel information table for search channel information including the acquired location information in the same broadcast area as the channel being viewed,
A broadcast area including the searched channel is searched from the channel information table,
The channel included in the searched broadcast area is set so as to be preferentially selected in a search order table for confirming whether it is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 5 to 9.   When the search channel information including the acquired position information is not searched within the same broadcast area as the channel being viewed, the search channel information including the position information is searched from all broadcast areas. The mobile terminal according to claim 10. In a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed,
For each broadcast area, a channel belonging to each broadcast area is registered, and for each channel, an adjacent broadcast area and an adjacent area information table in which information on the channel of the adjacent broadcast area is registered are provided.
The channel of the broadcast area adjacent to the broadcast area of the channel that was being watched is searched from the adjacent area information table,
A channel included in the adjacent broadcast area searched from the adjacent area information table is set so as to be preferentially selected in a search order table for confirming whether the channel broadcasts the same broadcast program. The mobile terminal according to claim 3, wherein the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal.   The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the radio broadcast is a television broadcast. A broadcast reception control program executed on a computer that constitutes a mobile terminal having a radio broadcast reception function,
For the mobile terminal
A channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being searched, searched when reception of the broadcast program being viewed becomes difficult, is stored as search channel information in association with the acquired position information,
A broadcast reception control program for executing a function of selecting the broadcast program by searching the search channel information using a designated channel and current position information as a key. For the mobile terminal
The search channel information is stored as a channel information table, and the channel information table includes a channel that was viewed, a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the searched broadcast program, and the position information. The broadcast reception control program according to claim 14, wherein a function of storing and associating is executed. For the mobile terminal
In a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed,
For the channels sequentially selected from the search order table for confirming whether the channel is the same broadcast program broadcast channel, determine whether the channel is the same broadcast program broadcast channel,
16. The function according to claim 15, wherein when a channel broadcasts the same broadcast program, a function of associating the channel with the position information and storing the channel as search channel information in the channel information table is executed. Broadcast reception control program. For the mobile terminal
In a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed,
The channel corresponding to the position information is searched from the channel information table using the acquired position information and the information of the channel being viewed as keys.
A function of executing a function of setting a channel corresponding to the searched position information so as to be preferentially selected in a search order table for confirming whether the channel is a channel for broadcasting the same broadcast program. The broadcast reception control program according to claim 16. For the mobile terminal
In determining whether the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program,
Obtain the broadcast program name from the received radio wave of the channel,
18. The broadcast reception control program according to claim 16, wherein a function for determining whether or not the acquired broadcast program name is the same as the broadcast program name being viewed is executed. For the mobile terminal
In determining whether the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program,
Output the contents of the broadcast program of the channel,
When the confirmation of whether the content of the output broadcast program is the same as the broadcast program being viewed is input, the function of determining that the broadcast program name is the same as the viewed broadcast program is executed The broadcast reception control program according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein For the mobile terminal
In determining whether the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program,
It is determined whether or not reception synchronization is established for a channel selected from the search order table, and when reception synchronization is not established, a function of selecting a next channel shown in the search order table is executed. The broadcast reception control program according to any one of claims 16 to 19. For the mobile terminal
In determining whether the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program,
A function of determining whether or not a reception state of a channel selected from the search order table is equal to or greater than a certain threshold value, and selecting a next channel indicated in the search order table when the reception state is not equal to or greater than a certain threshold value; The broadcast reception control program according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the broadcast reception control program is executed. For the mobile terminal
When the channel selected from the search order table is a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program, it is determined whether the channel is stored as search channel information in the channel information table in association with the position information,
22. If not stored, a function for storing a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program in the channel information table in association with the position information is executed. The broadcast reception control program according to item 1. For the mobile terminal
In a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed,
Search the channel information table for search channel information including the acquired location information in the same broadcast area as the channel being viewed,
A broadcast area including the searched channel is searched from the channel information table,
A function of setting a channel included in the searched broadcast area to be preferentially selected in a search order table for confirming whether the channel is a channel for broadcasting the same broadcast program is executed. The broadcast reception control program according to any one of claims 16 and 18 to 22. For the mobile terminal
When search channel information including the acquired position information is not searched within the same broadcast area as the channel being viewed, a function for searching the search channel information including the position information from all broadcast areas is executed. The broadcast reception control program according to claim 23. For the mobile terminal
In a search process for a channel that broadcasts the same broadcast program as the broadcast program that was being viewed,
For each broadcast area, a channel belonging to each broadcast area is registered, and for each channel, an adjacent broadcast area and an adjacent area information table in which information on the channel of the adjacent broadcast area is registered are provided.
The channel of the broadcast area adjacent to the broadcast area of the channel that was being watched is searched from the adjacent area information table,
A channel included in the adjacent broadcast area searched from the adjacent area information table is set so as to be preferentially selected in a search order table for confirming whether the channel broadcasts the same broadcast program. The broadcast reception control program according to any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein a function is executed.   The broadcast reception control program according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the radio wave broadcast is a television broadcast.

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