JP4225077B2 - Channel selection apparatus and channel selection method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a channel selection device and a channel selection method. Specifically, when a desired channel is selected by controlling a plurality of tuners based on stored preset information, whether the channel selected by the tuner is a used channel or an unused channel for each tuner. A determination signal is output, and a plurality of tuners are used at the same time, and the channels to be selected are sequentially set so as not to be overlapped by the plurality of tuners, and are used by the determination signal for the set channel and the determination signal. The preset information is generated using the tuner setting information for selecting the channel indicated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional television receiver searches for the presence or absence of a broadcast signal and automatically searches for a channel with a broadcast signal (hereinafter referred to as “used channel”) and a channel without a broadcast signal (hereinafter referred to as “unused channel”). Auto-preset operation is possible.
[0003]
When this auto-preset operation is executed, it is determined whether the channel is used or unused for all receivable channels, and the determination result for each channel, that is, information indicating whether the channel is used or unused, When the channel is used, tuner setting information for receiving broadcast signals is stored in the nonvolatile memory as preset information.
[0004]
After that, when a channel selection operation is performed, the preset information of the selected channel number is read from the nonvolatile memory, and the tuner channel selection operation is controlled based on the tuner setting information included in the preset information. The signal of the selected channel number can be received. In addition, by using the preset information stored in the non-volatile memory, the viewer operates the channel up key or the channel down key to sequentially select only the used channels and easily select the desired channel. I can station.
[0005]
Also, with the recent diversification of broadcasting systems, terrestrial analog broadcasting, cable TV, satellite broadcasting, Internet distribution, etc. are being carried out, and the number of channels (number of broadcasting stations) that viewers can select has increased dramatically. Yes. For example, digital satellite broadcasting can secure hundreds of channels with one satellite. For this reason, as the number of selectable channels increases, the processing time when the auto-preset operation is executed becomes longer.
[0006]
On the other hand, many types of television receivers have been developed that have a recording function, a function of simultaneously displaying a plurality of broadcast programs, etc., and in a television receiver having such a function, a program selected by a viewer is selected. In addition to a tuner used for displaying the video, a tuner for realizing a recording function, a function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of broadcast programs, and the like are separately provided.
[0007]
For this reason, in Patent Document 1, an auto-preset operation is performed with a tuner different from the tuner used to display a program selected by the viewer, and a desired program can be viewed even during the auto-preset operation. It is possible.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-321580
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, it is possible to view a desired program with one tuner, and when an auto preset operation is executed with the other tuner, a recording function or a function for simultaneously displaying a plurality of broadcast programs is used during the auto preset operation. I can't. Furthermore, if the number of selectable channels increases and the auto preset operation time becomes longer, the period during which these functions cannot be used becomes longer. Therefore, it is desirable that the time required for the auto preset operation is short.
[0010]
Therefore, the present invention provides a channel selection device and a channel selection method that can shorten the time required for the auto-preset operation by using a plurality of tuners simultaneously.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The channel selection device according to the present invention includes: Multiple sensitivity A judgment signal output means provided for each tuner, which outputs a judgment signal indicating whether the channel selected by the tuner is a used channel or an unused channel, and the plurality of tuners are used simultaneously. Tuner setting information for sequentially setting the channels to be stationed so as not to be overlapped by the plurality of tuners, and selecting the discrimination signal for the set channel and the channel indicated by the discrimination signal as the channel to be used And And Generate reset information And select a desired channel by controlling the plurality of tuners based on the generated preset information. Control means When Have The control means selects a channel selected by the tuner having the first sensitivity and determined to be the used channel by using a tuner having a better sensitivity than the first sensitivity, and determines the channel to be used. The preset information is generated using tuner setting information to select the selected channel with the tuner having the good sensitivity. Is.
[0012]
The channel selection method according to the present invention is as follows: Multiple sensitivity For each tuner, a discrimination signal indicating whether the channel selected by the tuner is a used channel or an unused channel is output. A discrimination signal output step; The plurality of tuners are used at the same time, and the channel to be selected is sequentially set so as not to be overlapped by the plurality of tuners, and the discrimination signal for the set channel and the discrimination signal indicate that the channel is a use channel The preset information is generated using tuner setting information for channel selection. And select a desired channel by controlling the plurality of tuners based on the generated preset information. Do A control step, wherein in the control step, the channel selected by the tuner having the first sensitivity and determined as the use channel is selected by the tuner having a sensitivity better than the first sensitivity, The preset information is generated using tuner setting information for selecting a channel determined to be the used channel by the tuner having the good sensitivity. Is.
[0013]
In the present invention, tuners having the same sensitivity or tuners having different sensitivities are used in a channel selection device or a channel selection method for selecting a desired channel by controlling a plurality of tuners based on stored preset information. Alternatively, equal or different signals are input to the tuner, and the channels to be selected are sequentially set so that the plurality of tuners do not overlap. Here, a determination signal indicating whether the selected channel is a used channel or an unused channel, and tuner setting information for selecting a channel indicated by the determination signal as being a used channel Using this, preset information is generated. When multiple tuners have different sensitivities, the channel selected by the first sensitivity tuner and determined as the used channel is selected by the tuner having a better sensitivity than the first sensitivity and determined as the used channel. Preset information is generated using tuner setting information for selecting a selected channel with a tuner having good sensitivity. Further, when the input signals input to the plurality of tuners are different, the channels to be selected for each input signal are sequentially set so as not to overlap.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an embodiment, for example, a configuration when the present invention is applied to a television receiver.
[0015]
A signal received by the antenna 11 is supplied to a plurality of tuners, for example, a main tuner 12-1 and a sub tuner 12-2. Alternatively, the signal received by the antenna 11 is supplied to the main tuner 12-1, and the signal received by the antenna 11 'is supplied to the sub tuner 12-2.
[0016]
The main tuner 12-1 selects a desired channel by controlling the local oscillation frequency based on a channel selection signal from the control unit 51 described later. Further, the intermediate frequency signal obtained by the main tuner 12-1 is supplied to the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1. Further, when the automatic frequency adjustment signal is supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1, the deviation of the local oscillation frequency is corrected based on the automatic frequency adjustment signal.
[0017]
The intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1 performs amplification of the intermediate frequency signal, video detection, and audio detection, generates a video signal and an audio signal, and supplies them to the signal selection unit 14. Also, by comparing the video carrier frequency specified in the broadcasting system with the video carrier frequency extracted from the intermediate frequency signal, the deviation of the local oscillation frequency in the main tuner 12-1 is adjusted so that the two video carrier frequencies are equal. An automatic frequency adjustment signal to be corrected is generated. This automatic frequency adjustment signal is supplied to the main tuner 12-1. Furthermore, when it is detected that the video carrier frequency specified from the broadcasting system is equal to the video carrier frequency extracted from the intermediate frequency signal and the channel selection of the desired channel is completed, a synchronization signal is added to the signal after the video detection. It is determined whether the selected channel is included, and a determination signal indicating whether the selected channel is a used channel or an unused channel is generated. That is, when a synchronization signal is detected, a video signal is obtained, so that a used signal is generated. When a synchronization signal is not detected, a video signal is not obtained, and therefore a discrimination signal is generated as an unused channel. This determination signal is supplied to the control unit 51. The discrimination signal only needs to indicate whether the selected channel is a used channel or an unused channel, and is not limited to a signal generated by detecting a synchronization signal as described above.
[0018]
Similar to the main tuner 12-1, the sub tuner 12-2 selects a channel based on the channel selection signal from the control unit 51, generates an intermediate frequency signal, and supplies the intermediate frequency signal to the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2. When the automatic frequency adjustment signal is supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2, the deviation of the local oscillation frequency is corrected based on the automatic frequency adjustment signal.
[0019]
Similar to the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1, the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2 performs amplification of the intermediate frequency signal, video detection, and audio detection, generates a video signal and an audio signal, and sends them to the signal selection unit 14. Supply. It also generates an automatic frequency adjustment signal for correcting a local oscillation frequency shift in the sub-tuner 12-2 and indicates whether the channel selected by the sub-tuner 12-2 is a used channel or an unused channel. A discrimination signal is generated. The automatic frequency adjustment signal generated by the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2 is supplied to the sub tuner 12-2, and the determination signal is supplied to the control unit 51.
[0020]
The video signal input to the external video input terminal 21 and the audio signal input to the external audio input terminal 22 are supplied to the signal selection unit 14.
[0021]
The signal selection unit 14 is connected to the video signal processing units 31-1, 31-2 and the audio signal processing unit 41. The signal selection unit 14 is based on the selection signal supplied from the control unit 51, and performs video signal processing. The video signal supplied to the units 31-1 and 31-2 and the audio signal supplied to the audio signal processing unit 41 are selected.
[0022]
The video signal processing units 31-1 and 31-2 separate the supplied video signal into a luminance signal and a color signal. Further, the color signal is converted into a color difference signal, and the luminance signal and the color difference signal are supplied to the multi-screen display processing unit 32.
[0023]
The multi-screen display processing unit 32 switches display modes based on the display setting signal supplied from the control unit 51. For example, when the multi-screen display mode is set, the luminance signal and color difference supplied from the video signal processing unit 31-1 are used by using the luminance signal and color difference signal supplied from the video signal processing units 31-1 and 31-2. A display signal for simultaneously displaying the video based on the signal and the video based on the luminance signal and the color difference signal supplied from the video signal processing unit 31-2 on one screen is generated and supplied to the drive processing unit 33. Further, when the one-screen display mode is set, the luminance signal and the color difference signal supplied from the video signal processing unit 31-1 are converted into the luminance signal and the color difference signal supplied from the video signal processing unit 31-1. A display signal for displaying only the video based on the screen is generated and supplied to the drive processing unit 33.
[0024]
The drive processing unit 33 is connected to a display unit 34 configured by using a cathode ray tube, a liquid crystal display element, a plasma display element, or the like. The drive processing unit 33 displays the display unit 34 based on the supplied display signal. A drive signal for driving is generated. Further, the drive processing unit 33 performs image distortion correction of the video. Further, image quality adjustment (for example, adjustment of brightness, hue, sharpness, etc.) is performed based on the display control signal supplied from the control unit 51.
[0025]
The display unit 34 is based on the drive signal supplied from the drive processing unit 33, and in the multi-screen display mode, the video and video signal processing unit based on the luminance signal and the color difference signal supplied from the video signal processing unit 31-1. A plurality of images based on the luminance signal and the color difference signal supplied from 31-2 are simultaneously displayed on one screen. When the single screen display mode is set, only the video based on the luminance signal and the color difference signal supplied from the video signal processing unit 31-1 is displayed on the screen.
[0026]
The audio signal processing unit 41 adjusts the volume and sound quality of the supplied audio signal based on the audio control signal supplied from the control unit 51. Further, when the audio signal is a stereo signal, balance adjustment and the like are performed, and the adjusted audio signal is supplied to the amplifier 42. The amplifier 42 amplifies the supplied audio signal and supplies it to the audio output unit 43 as an audio output signal.
[0027]
The control unit 51 is connected to an operation unit 52 that is operated by a viewer and a control signal reception unit 53 that receives a remote control signal. The control unit 51 is configured using a microcomputer or the like, and includes operation information input from the operation unit 52 and the control signal receiving unit 53, and preset information and last channel information stored in a nonvolatile memory 61 described later. A channel selection signal is generated based on the above. Further, a selection signal, a display setting signal, a display control signal, an audio control signal, and the like are generated based on the operation information and various setting information stored in the nonvolatile memory 61, and each unit using the generated signal is connected via the bus 70. By supplying, the television receiver is operated based on the operation information. Further, the control unit 51 executes an auto-preset operation, generates preset information based on the discrimination signals supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing units 13-1 and 13-2, which are discrimination signal output means, and is nonvolatile. Stored in the memory 61.
[0028]
The automatic frequency adjustment signal generated by the intermediate frequency signal processing units 13-1 and 13-2 is supplied to the control unit 51, and the control unit 51 generates a channel selection signal so as to cancel the deviation of the local oscillation frequency. Then, it may be supplied to the main tuner 12-1 or the sub tuner 12-2.
[0029]
The nonvolatile memory 61 stores information and the like necessary for controlling the operation of each unit by the control unit 51. For example, preset information used at the time of channel selection, last channel information read out at the start of operation and displaying the channel that was selected at the end of operation, various setting information indicating the display mode and setting status related to video and audio, etc. To do.
[0030]
Next, the auto preset operation will be described. When performing auto-preset operation using a plurality of tuners, there are a case where a plurality of tuners having the same sensitivity are used and a case where tuners having different sensitivities are used. For example, when a tuner having the same sensitivity is used as the main tuner 12-1 and the sub tuner 12-2 shown in FIG. 1, the main tuner 12-1 used mainly uses a tuner with good sensitivity, and the sub tuner 12-2 It is conceivable that a tuner having a lower sensitivity than the main tuner 12-1 is used. When a plurality of tuners are used, it can be considered that the signals input to the tuners are the same or different. For example, when the signal from the antenna 11 is supplied to the main tuner 12-1 and the sub tuner 12-2 shown in FIG. 1, the signal from the antenna 11 is supplied to the main tuner 12-1 to the sub tuner 12-2. Is considered to supply a signal from the antenna 11 '. For this reason, in the auto preset operation, an operation corresponding to each configuration is performed.
[0031]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an auto-preset operation when the input signal and the tuner sensitivity are equal.
[0032]
When the auto-preset operation is started, in step ST1, the channel to be first selected for each tuner is set, and the process proceeds to step ST2. In step ST2, it is confirmed whether or not the main tuner 12-1 is being selected. Here, when channel selection is performed by varying the local oscillation frequency in order to receive a channel that has already been set, the process proceeds to step ST4. When channel selection for the already set channel is completed, the process proceeds to step ST3.
[0033]
In step ST3, channel selection set in step ST1 or step ST12 described later is started by the main tuner 12-1, and the process proceeds to step ST4. Channel selection is started by supplying a channel selection signal from the control unit 51 to the main tuner 12-1 so as to select a signal having a frequency corresponding to the set channel. Can be made.
[0034]
In step ST4, it is confirmed whether or not the sub-tuner 12-2 is being selected. When the channel selection is completed, the process proceeds to step ST5. When the channel selection is being performed, the process proceeds to step ST6.
[0035]
In step ST5, similarly to step ST3, channel selection of the channel set in step ST1 or step ST12 is started by the sub-tuner 12-2, and the process proceeds to step ST6. Channel selection is started by supplying a channel selection signal from the control unit 51 to the sub-tuner 12-2 so as to select a signal having a frequency corresponding to the set channel. Can be made.
[0036]
In step ST6, it is detected whether or not the channel selection of the set channel has been completed and the discrimination signal has been supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1 or the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2. Here, when both the main tuner 12-1 and the sub tuner 12-2 are being selected and no discrimination signal is supplied, the process returns to step ST6. In addition, the channel selection of either the main tuner 12-1 or the sub tuner 12-2 is completed, and a discrimination signal is supplied from either the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1 or the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2. When it is detected that this has been done, the process proceeds to step ST7.
[0037]
In step ST7, processing for writing the preset information into the nonvolatile memory is performed. Here, when the discrimination signal is supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processor 13-1, the channel number of the channel selected by the main tuner 12-1 and the channel discrimination result (selected channel) indicated by the discrimination signal. Information indicating whether the channel is a used channel or an unused channel) is stored in the nonvolatile memory 61 as preset information. When the discrimination signal is supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2, the channel number of the channel selected by the sub tuner 12-2 is associated with the discrimination signal and stored in the nonvolatile memory 61 as preset information. To do.
[0038]
Next, in step ST8, it is determined whether or not the determination signal detected in step ST6 indicates a used channel. Here, when it indicates that it is a used channel, it proceeds to step ST9, and when it indicates that it is an unused channel, it proceeds to step ST10.
[0039]
In step ST9, tuner setting information for selecting this channel is added to the preset information stored in step ST7, and the process proceeds to step ST10. When the main tuner 12-1 and the sub-tuner 12-2 are frequency synthesizer systems, the tuner setting information is, for example, a frequency division to obtain a local oscillation frequency corresponding to a channel to be selected by dividing the reference oscillation frequency. The ratio or the pull-in frequency is used as tuner setting information. When the main tuner 12-1 or the sub tuner 12-2 is a voltage synthesizer system, for example, a setting value for generating a tuning voltage is used as tuner setting information.
[0040]
FIG. 3 shows one configuration of the preset information. As described above, the preset information includes a channel number, a channel discrimination result, and tuner setting information. Here, for example, when the channel number “Chmin” is selected, if it is determined that the channel is used by the determination signal, the channel number “Chmin”, the channel determination result “used channel”, and the tuner setting information “TU-min” are stored. Correspondingly, the preset information of one channel is stored in the nonvolatile memory 61. For example, when the channel number “Chmin + 2” is selected, when it is determined as an unused channel by the determination signal, the channel number “Chmin” and the channel determination result “unused channel” are associated with each other, The preset information for one channel is stored in the nonvolatile memory 61.
[0041]
In step ST10, a completion flag indicating that the preset of the set channel is completed is set on the tuner side where the preset information is stored, and the process proceeds to step ST11.
[0042]
In step ST11, it is determined whether or not all channels have been preset. Here, when the preset of all channels is not completed, the process proceeds to step ST12, and when the preset of all channels is completed, the auto-preset operation is terminated.
[0043]
In step ST12, a new channel not preset is set for the tuner side for which the completion flag is set, and the process proceeds to step ST13. In step ST13, the completion flag is canceled and the process returns to step ST2.
[0044]
In this way, using a plurality of tuners, different channel presets are independently performed in each tuner in parallel, and the channel discrimination result indicating whether the channel is a used channel or an unused channel is determined. Tuner setting information is stored in the non-volatile memory 61 as preset information in association with the channel number of the set channel. When the preset of one channel is completed, a new channel is set and the next preset is automatically performed. Therefore, the auto preset operation can be completed efficiently and in a short time compared to the case where the auto preset operation is performed with one tuner. For example, by performing the preset operation in parallel with two tuners, the time required for the auto-preset operation can be substantially halved.
[0045]
Next, an auto-preset operation when the input signals are equal and the tuner sensitivity is different, for example, when the sensitivity of the sub tuner 12-2 is lower than that of the main tuner 12-1, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. .
[0046]
When the auto-preset operation is started, in step ST21, a channel to be first selected by each tuner is set, and the process proceeds to step ST22. In step ST22, it is confirmed whether or not the main tuner 12-1 is being selected. If not, the process proceeds to step ST23, and if it is being selected, the process proceeds to step ST24. In step ST23, similarly to step ST3 described above, channel selection set in step ST21 or step ST33 described later is started by the main tuner 12-1, and the process proceeds to step ST24.
[0047]
In step ST24, it is confirmed whether or not the sub tuner 12-2 is being selected. If not, the process proceeds to step ST25. If it is being selected, the process proceeds to step ST26. In step ST25, in the same manner as in step ST5 described above, channel selection set in step ST21 or step ST33 described later is started by the sub tuner 12-2, and the process proceeds to step ST26.
[0048]
In step ST26, it is detected whether or not the channel selection of the set channel has been completed and the discrimination signal has been supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1 or the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2. Here, when both the main tuner 12-1 and the sub-tuner 12-2 are being selected and no discrimination signal is supplied, the process returns to step ST26. Further, the channel selection in either the main tuner 12-1 or the sub tuner 12-2 is completed, and determination is made from either the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1 or the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2. When it is detected that a signal has been supplied, the process proceeds to step ST27.
[0049]
In step ST27, the preset information is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Here, when the discrimination signal is supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1, the channel number of the channel selected by the main tuner 12-1 is associated with the channel discrimination result indicated by the discrimination signal, Stored in the nonvolatile memory 61 as preset information. Further, when the discrimination signal is supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2, the channel number of the channel selected by the sub tuner 12-2 is associated with the channel discrimination result indicated by the discrimination signal and preset. Information is stored in the nonvolatile memory 61.
[0050]
Next, in step ST28, it is determined whether or not the determination signal detected in step ST26 indicates a used channel. Here, when it indicates that it is a used channel, it proceeds to step ST29, and when it indicates that it is an unused channel, it proceeds to step ST31.
[0051]
In step ST29, it is determined whether or not the determination signal is supplied from the main tuner side, that is, from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1 connected to the main tuner 12-1. Here, when supplied from the main tuner side, the process proceeds to step ST30. When the determination signal is supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-2 on the sub tuner side, the process proceeds to step ST31.
[0052]
In step ST30, tuner setting information for selecting this channel is added to the channel preset information stored in step ST27, and the process proceeds to step ST31.
[0053]
In step ST31, a completion flag indicating that the preset of the set channel is completed is set on the tuner side where the preset information is stored, and the process proceeds to step ST32.
[0054]
In step ST32, it is determined whether or not channel selection for all channels has been completed. Here, when channel selection for all channels is not completed, the process proceeds to step ST33, and when channel selection for all channels is completed, the process proceeds to step ST35 of FIG.
[0055]
In step ST33, a new channel that is not preset is set for the tuner side for which the completion flag is set, and the process proceeds to step ST34. In step ST34, the completion flag is canceled and the process returns to step ST22.
[0056]
When channel selection for all channels is completed and the process proceeds from step ST32 to step ST35, the channel is reset for the main tuner 12-1 in step ST35. In this channel resetting, a channel not selected by the main tuner 12-1 among the channels determined to be used by the sub-tuner 12-2 is set as the main tuner 12-1, and the process proceeds to step ST36. . Here, in the channel selected by the main tuner 12-1 and determined as the use channel, the tuner setting information is added to the preset information by the processing of step ST29 and step ST30 and step ST38 described later. For this reason, if a channel that does not include tuner setting information in the preset information is detected among the channels determined to be used channels, the main tuner among the channels determined to be used by the sub-tuner 12-2. Channels not selected by 12-1 can be easily identified. The preset information includes use tuner information indicating whether the main tuner 12-1 or the sub tuner 12-2 has been selected, and the sub tuner 12-2 is selected with reference to the use tuner information. It is also possible to determine the channel.
[0057]
In step ST36, channel selection of the set channel is started by the main tuner 12-1, and the process proceeds to step ST37. In step ST37, it is detected whether or not a discrimination signal is supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 13-1. Here, when the determination signal is not supplied, the process returns to step ST37, and when the channel selection is completed and the determination signal is supplied, the process proceeds to step ST38.
[0058]
In step ST38, tuner setting information for selecting this channel is added to the preset information of the channel set in step ST35, and the process proceeds to step ST39.
[0059]
In step ST39, it is determined whether or not all the used channels selected by the sub tuner 12-2 have been selected by the main tuner 12-1. Here, when channel selection for all channels has not been completed, the process returns to step ST35 to select the remaining channels. When all the tuning is completed, the auto preset operation is terminated.
[0060]
In this way, when the sensitivity of a plurality of tuners provided is different, whether a channel is a used channel or an unused channel is determined in parallel by a plurality of tuners and used to select a desired channel. The tuner setting information is determined using a tuner with good sensitivity. For this reason, even if the tuner sensitivity is different, the auto-preset operation can be completed efficiently in a short time. In addition, tuner setting information used when selecting a desired channel can be set correctly.
[0061]
Next, a case where input signals are different will be described. For example, when a signal receiving terrestrial analog broadcasting is supplied to the main tuner 12-1 and a signal receiving satellite broadcasting is supplied to the sub-tuner 12-2, processing similar to the flowchart shown in FIG. I do. That is, the main tuner 12-1 performs channel presetting for terrestrial analog broadcasting, and the sub-tuner 12-2 performs channel presetting for satellite broadcasting in parallel. Even when the input signals are different as described above, the preset operation can be completed efficiently and in a short time by performing the preset operation in parallel between the main tuner 12-1 and the sub tuner 12-2.
[0062]
When channels are set in the main tuner 12-1 and the sub tuner 12-2 by auto-preset operation, the search direction in the main tuner 12-1 (channel setting order direction) and the search direction in the sub tuner 12-2 (channel) Is set in the reverse direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the main tuner 12-1 searches in the direction from the minimum channel Chmin to the maximum channel Chmax (note that a circle indicates a channel to be selected). The sub-tuner 12-2 searches in the direction from the maximum channel Chmax to the minimum channel Chmin. In this case, when the preset channels are equal, the auto-preset operation is terminated, so that tuning can be performed without causing channel duplication and preset information can be stored in the nonvolatile memory 61.
[0063]
If the input signals are equal, the search may be performed in one direction, and new channels may be sequentially allocated to the tuners for which the preset operation has been completed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the channel to be selected is allocated from the minimum channel Chmin side, and the auto-preset operation is terminated when there is no channel to be allocated (note that the circle indicates the channel to be selected). In this way, if the channel to be selected is set, even if three or more tuners are used, the channel to be selected can be easily set for each tuner without causing channel duplication.
[0064]
Further, during the auto-preset operation, the display unit 34 may display an image related to the search operation of one tuner. However, when the display unit 34 can perform multi-screen display, the main tuner 12-1 selects the image. It is good also as what performs the display regarding station operation | movement and the channel selection operation | movement in the sub tuner 12-2. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, if a channel selection image Pa at the main tuner 12-1 and a channel selection image Pb at the sub-tuner 12-2 are displayed, the channel selection status at each tuner is displayed according to the displayed image. User can grasp visually. Further, the channel selection image Pc1 of the newest channel determined as the used channel is displayed in the center of the display screen as shown in FIG. 7B, and the channel selection images Pc2 to Pc13 of the already used channel are displayed as thumbnail images. If displayed, the user can visually grasp what channel is used.
[0065]
Of course, the present invention can be applied not only to a television receiver but also to a device having a plurality of tuners, such as a recording device for recording a received broadcast program on a video tape, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or the like.
[0066]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the channel preset operation can be automatically performed by operating a plurality of tuners in parallel, so that the auto preset operation is performed by using one tuner as in the related art. Thus, the time required for auto-preset operation can be greatly reduced.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a plurality of tuners are used simultaneously, and for each tuner, a determination signal indicating whether the channel selected by the tuner is a used channel or an unused channel is output. The plurality of tuners are sequentially set so that the channels to be selected do not overlap with each other, and are used to select a discrimination signal for the set channel and a channel indicated by the discrimination signal as a use channel. Preset information is generated using the tuner setting information. Thus, since preset information can be generated using a plurality of tuners in parallel, the auto-preset operation can be completed in a short time even when the number of channels is large.
[0068]
Further, the channel selected by the tuner having the first sensitivity and determined to be the use channel is selected by the tuner having the sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity, and the channel determined to be the use channel is improved. Preset information is generated using tuner setting information for tuning with a sensitivity tuner. For this reason, even when tuners having different sensitivities are used, the auto-preset operation can be completed in a short time.
[0069]
further 1 Since images of channels selected by multiple tuners are displayed simultaneously on one screen, the auto-preset operation can be visually confirmed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an auto-preset operation when the input signal and tuner sensitivity are equal.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing preset information.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an auto-preset operation (1/2) when input signals are equal and tuner sensitivity is different.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an auto-preset operation (2/2) when the input signals are the same and the tuner sensitivity is different.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a search direction.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display image during an auto preset operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 11 '... Antenna, 12-1 ... Main tuner, 12-2 ... Sub tuner, 13-1, 13-2 ... Intermediate frequency signal processing part, 14 ... Signal selection part 21 ... external video input terminal, 22 ... external audio input terminal, 31-1, 31-2 ... video signal processing unit, 32 ... multi-screen display processing unit, 33 ... drive processing 34, display unit, 41 ... audio signal processing unit, 42 ... amplifier, 43 ... audio output unit, 51 ... control unit, 52 ... operation unit, 53 ... Control signal receiving unit, 61... Non-volatile memory, 70.

Claims (4)

A discrimination signal output means provided for each of a plurality of tuners having different sensitivities and outputting a discrimination signal indicating whether the channel selected by the tuner is a used channel or an unused channel;
Using the plurality of tuners at the same time, the channel to be selected is sequentially set so as not to overlap with the plurality of tuners, and the discrimination signal for the set channel and the discrimination signal indicate that the channel is a use channel by using the tuner setting information for selecting a channel, to generate a preset information, and controls the plurality of tuners on the basis of the generated preset information have a control means for selecting a desired channel ,
The control means selects a channel selected by the tuner having the first sensitivity and determined to be the used channel by using a tuner having a sensitivity better than the first sensitivity, and determined to be the used channel. A channel selection apparatus that generates the preset information using tuner setting information in order to select a channel with the tuner having the good sensitivity . That having a display means for displaying an image at the same time the tuning channel in the plurality of tuners on a single screen
The channel selection apparatus of 請 Motomeko 1, wherein the. For each of a plurality of tuners having different sensitivities, a determination signal output step for outputting a determination signal indicating whether the channel selected by the tuner is a used channel or an unused channel ;
The plurality of tuners are used at the same time, and the channel to be selected is sequentially set so as not to be overlapped by the plurality of tuners, and the discrimination signal for the set channel and the discrimination signal indicate that the channel is a use channel by using the tuner setting information for selecting a channel, the generated preset information, and controls the plurality of tuners on the basis of the generated preset information and a control step of selecting a desired channel ,
In the control step,
The channel selected by the tuner having the first sensitivity and determined as the use channel is selected by the tuner having the sensitivity better than the first sensitivity, and the channel determined as the use channel is selected by the good channel. A tuning method for generating the preset information by using tuner setting information for tuning with a tuner of sensitivity. Wherein the plurality of channel selection has been 請 Motomeko 3 channel selecting method according that displays an image of the channel at the same time the tuner on a single screen.

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