JP5375759B2 - Digital broadcast receiving apparatus, receiving method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving technique, and relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus and a receiving method for receiving digital broadcasting.

  When a digital broadcast receiver is mounted on a mobile body, it becomes possible to receive a digital broadcast signal while moving. When the mobile station moves, the receivable broadcast stations change due to changes in the reception situation and the broadcast station area. Under such circumstances, in order for the digital broadcast receiver to efficiently receive the digital broadcast signal, a list of broadcast station channels (hereinafter referred to as “channel list”) that can be received for each area is stored in advance in the memory. Remembered. In addition, by causing the user to select an area, the channel list is switched according to the area. Here, in order to improve the convenience for the user, instead of allowing the user to select an area, the position information of the current position is detected by GPS, and the area is selected based on the position information (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2009-111602 A

  The digital broadcasting described so far is based on the premise that, for example, a program having the same content is broadcast in a wide area of one prefecture. Note that the wide-area broadcast here is different from the concept of the ARIB standard such as the Kanto wide area, and simply means a broadcast that can be received in a wide area in units of prefectures. Furthermore, even in one-segment broadcasting, programs with the same content are broadcast over a wide area. Since such a one-segment broadcast receiver is mounted on a mobile phone device, the penetration rate is increasing. Under such circumstances, field one-segment broadcasting demonstration experiments are being conducted. This uses transmission power that is smaller than the transmission power in normal one-segment broadcasting. Such transmission power is also called weak power or low power. The reception range in the case of weak power is about 3 m in radius, and the reception range in the case of low power is about 100 m in radius.

  Area one-segment broadcasting is used, for example, for broadcasting in a store or broadcasting in an event venue, and transmits information on products sold in the store, and information on events and performers in the event venue. That is, area one-segment broadcasting is broadcast at a limited place, and the contents of the broadcast are related to the place. Since this can only be received locally, a mobile unit equipped with a receiver receives an area / one-segment broadcast signal when it is in the vicinity of the area where the area / one-segment broadcast is being performed. In such area / one-segment broadcasting, the number of broadcasting stations is frequently increased or decreased as compared with broadcasting in a wide area. Therefore, the aforementioned channel list should be updated with a certain frequency.

  In order to efficiently receive broadcasts even if area / one-segment broadcasting is included, for example, when a channel scan is performed at a specific location, a new channel may be added to the channel list as a result. The channel list is updated. When the site is visited again, frequency information stored in the past is acquired from the channel list, and a digital broadcast signal is received using the information. However, although frequency information can be acquired, channel selection is required because it is not classified as area / one-segment broadcasting or wide-area digital broadcasting. In addition, after the channel selection, the area / one segment broadcast must be specified from the received broadcast signals. As a result, the user's processing becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to suppress the complexity of processing by the user even when receiving a plurality of types of digital broadcasts having different receivable areas. Is to provide technology to do.

In order to solve the above problems, a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention relates to a plurality of physical channels and an area where digital broadcast signals broadcast on the plurality of physical channels can be received in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus. Based on the management unit that manages channel list information, which is a list of information associated with the receivable area information, the acquisition unit that acquires the location information of the digital broadcast receiver, and the location information acquired by the acquisition unit A selection unit that selects a predetermined physical channel from physical channel list information managed by the management unit, and a reception unit that receives a digital broadcast signal of the physical channel selected by the selection unit, and can be received by the reception unit A digital broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area or a data broadcast in a narrow area. The management unit executes management of the channel list information while classifying a plurality of physical channels into a wide area and a narrow area, and the selection unit selects the selected physical channel based on the channel list information. When it is determined that the digital broadcast signal of the channel is a digital broadcast signal that is broadcast in a narrow area, after notifying the user that the digital broadcast signal broadcast in the narrow area can be received, Instruct the reception of the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel, and the selection unit will be able to receive the digital broadcast signal soon before it can receive the digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area. When the reception of the digital broadcast signal is instructed, the reception unit is instructed to receive the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel. To.

According to this aspect, only when a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area is receivable, the digital broadcast signal is received after notifying the fact, so a plurality of types of digital having different receivable area widths are received. Even in the case of receiving a broadcast, the complexity of processing by the user can be suppressed. In this case, when it comes close to an area where digital broadcast signals broadcast in a narrow area can be received, a notice to that effect is made, so that it has approached an area where digital broadcast signals broadcast in a narrow area can be received. Can be notified to the user early.

  You may further provide the setting part which sets whether at least one of the notification in a selection part and a notice is performed. In this case, since it is set whether or not at least one of the notification and the notice is executed, it is possible to execute a process according to the user's preference.

  A display for displaying a region capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow region on the map information stored in the storage unit on the basis of the location information acquired in the acquisition unit and the storage unit storing the map information It is good also as providing a part. In this case, since an area capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area is displayed on the map information, the user can easily recognize an area capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area. Can do.

Another aspect of the present invention is also a digital broadcast receiving apparatus. This apparatus manages channel list information, which is a list of information in which a plurality of physical channels are associated with receivable area information relating to areas where digital broadcast signals broadcast on the plurality of physical channels can be received. A selection unit that selects a predetermined physical channel from the physical channel list information managed by the management unit based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit A receiving unit that receives the digital broadcast signal of the physical channel selected by the selecting unit. The digital broadcast signal receivable by the receiving unit is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area or a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area, and the management unit sets a plurality of physical channels as wide areas. Management of channel list information is performed while classifying into narrow areas, and the selection unit is based on the channel list information and the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area If it is determined, after notifying the user that a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area can be received, the reception unit is instructed to receive the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel, and the map A narrow area on the map information stored in the storage unit based on the storage unit that stores information and the position information acquired in the acquisition unit And a display unit for displaying the receivable area digital broadcast signals broadcast Te.
Another aspect of the present invention is a reception method. This method is a reception method used in a digital broadcast receiver, and associates a plurality of physical channels with receivable area information about areas where digital broadcast signals broadcast on the plurality of physical channels can be received. Managing a channel list information that is a list of received information, a step of acquiring position information of the digital broadcast receiving device, and a predetermined physical channel from the physical channel list information to be managed based on the acquired position information. And receiving a digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel. The digital broadcast signal receivable in the receiving step is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area or a narrow area. Digital broadcasting signal broadcasted, and the managing step is a plurality of physical The step of managing and selecting the channel list information while classifying the channel into a wide area and a narrow area is based on the channel list information, and the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel is broadcast in a narrow area. If it is determined that the digital broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal to be received, after notifying the user that the digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area is receivable, The step of instructing and selecting the reception is to notify that the digital broadcast signal will be received soon before the digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area is ready to be received, and to receive the digital broadcast signal. Is instructed to receive the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel for the receiving step. That.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even when it is a case where several types of digital broadcasting from which the area of the receivable area differs is received, the complexity of the process by a user can be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the TMCC information received in the digital broadcast receiver of FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the NIT information received in the digital broadcast receiver of FIG. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the data structure of the channel list stored in the flash memory of FIG. It is a figure which shows the area | region corresponding to the receivable area information of Fig.4 (a)-(b). It is a figure which shows the driving | running | working state of the vehicle carrying the digital broadcast receiver of FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed by the graphics part of FIG. It is a figure which shows another screen displayed by the graphics part of FIG. It is a figure which shows another screen displayed by the graphics part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the setting screen displayed by the graphics part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the production | generation procedure of the channel list by the digital broadcast receiver of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the production | generation procedure of the channel list by the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the area | region corresponding to the receivable area information before correction | amendment of the correction | amendment part by Example 3 of this invention. FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing the data structure of the channel list stored in the flash memory according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the area | region corresponding to the receivable area information after the correction | amendment of the correction | amendment part by Example 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the correction procedure of the receivable area information by the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on Example 3 of this invention.

Example 1
Before describing the present invention specifically, an outline will be given first. Embodiments described herein relate generally to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that receives a digital broadcast signal. Here, since the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is mounted on a vehicle or has portability, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is movable. In addition, as a digital broadcast signal, a broadcast signal that can be received in a certain wide area such as a prefecture and a broadcast signal that can be received in a narrow area having a radius of about several meters to several hundred meters are defined. Hereinafter, the former broadcast may be referred to as a wide area broadcast, and the latter broadcast may be referred to as a narrow area broadcast. In order to improve the convenience of the user when receiving such a digital broadcast signal, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus uses (1) a management process for generating / updating a channel list and (2) a channel list. Receive processing for receiving signals.

  In the management process, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus receives the digital broadcast signal, and generates a channel list by dividing into wide area broadcast and narrow area broadcast based on the receivable area information included in the digital broadcast signal. At this time, the area name included in the receivable area information is used for the wide area broadcast, and the receivable area information is generated by positioning the reception position for the narrow area broadcast. In the reception process, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus determines the current location and sets the channel by referring to the channel list to receive the digital broadcast signal. At that time, the channel is automatically set for the wide area broadcast based on the channel list, and the user is notified that the narrow area broadcast can be received based on the channel list for the narrow area broadcast. After that, a channel is set according to a reception instruction from the user.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The digital broadcast receiver 100 includes a UHF antenna 10, a tuner unit 12, a descrambler unit 14, a demultiplexer unit 16, a video decoder unit 18, an audio decoder unit 20, a graphics unit 22, a demultiplexer RAM 24, a GPS positioning unit 26, and a switch. A detection unit 28, a CPU 30, a ROM 32, a RAM 34, a flash memory 36, and an RTC (Real Time Clock) 38 are included. The CPU 30 includes an extraction unit 40, a management unit 42, and a selection unit 44. The extraction unit 40 includes a correction unit 46, and the selection unit 44 includes a notification unit 48. Hereinafter, (1) management processing and (2) reception processing will be described in this order.

1. Management Process The UHF antenna 10 receives a digital broadcast signal from a broadcast station or a relay station (not shown). Here, the UHF antenna 10 receives a digital broadcast signal corresponding to each of a plurality of physical channels. Further, the digital broadcast signal corresponds to the above-described wide area broadcast or narrow area broadcast. That is, the digital broadcast signal receivable by the UHF antenna 10 is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area or a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area. The UHF antenna 10 outputs the received digital broadcast signal to the tuner unit 12.

  The tuner unit 12 receives a digital broadcast signal from the UHF antenna 10 and also receives an instruction for selecting one of a plurality of physical channels from the selection unit 44 described later. The tuner unit 12 selects a digital broadcast signal of an instructed physical channel from among a plurality of digital broadcast signals. The tuner unit 12 acquires TMCC information from the selected digital broadcast signal, and demodulates the digital broadcast signal based on the TMCC information. In the TMCC information, the configuration of the strong layer and the weak layer in the broadcast signal in the selected physical channel is shown, and detailed modulation information used in each layer is described. If this cannot be acquired, it cannot be demodulated. . Note that a known technique may be used for demodulation. Further, the tuner unit 12 may include a circuit for detecting whether the radio wave intensity of the digital broadcast signal is sufficient for the set physical channel. The tuner unit 12 may receive only the one segment broadcast, or may receive both the full segment broadcast and the one segment broadcast.

  The descrambler unit 14 performs descrambling on the digital broadcast signal demodulated by the tuner unit 12. A broadcast station (not shown) scrambles full-segment broadcast pay broadcasts and the like. This is to prevent viewing as it is. The descrambler unit 14 unscrambles only when a specific card or the like is inserted in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. When the digital broadcast signal is not scrambled as in the one-segment broadcast, the descrambler unit 14 passes the signal as it is without performing the descrambling process. When the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 supports only reception of one segment broadcast, the descrambler unit 14 may be omitted.

  The demultiplexer unit 16 receives the digital broadcast signal from the descrambler unit 14. The demultiplexer unit 16 separates the digital broadcast signal into video data and audio data. The demultiplexer unit 16 temporarily stores the separated data in the demultiplexer RAM 24. Thereafter, the demultiplexer unit 16 outputs the video data and the audio data from the demultiplexer RAM 24, the video data to the video decoder unit 18, and the audio data to the audio decoder unit 20.

  The video decoder unit 18 receives video data from the demultiplexer unit 16 and decodes the video data. The video decoder unit 18 outputs the decoded video data to the graphics unit 22. The graphics unit 22 superimposes a GUI (graphics user interface) screen on the video data decoded by the video decoder unit 18 and displays it on a monitor (not shown). The audio decoder unit 20 receives audio data from the demultiplexer unit 16 and decodes the audio data. The audio decoder unit 20 outputs the decoded audio data to a speaker (not shown).

  The CPU 30 connects the tuner unit 12, the descrambler unit 14, the demultiplexer unit 16, the video decoder unit 18, the audio decoder unit 20, and the graphics unit 22 through a bus and controls them to operate. In addition to these, a ROM 32 for storing the CPU 30 program, a RAM 34 for storing CPU 30 variables, a flash memory 36, an RTC 38, and a remote controller I / F (not shown) are connected to the bus of the CPU 30.

  The demultiplexer 16 extracts SI / PSI information and data carousel information from the digital broadcast signal in addition to the audio data and video data described above, and temporarily stores them in the demultiplexer RAM 24. The CPU 30 acquires these data by accessing the demultiplexer RAM 24 via the demultiplexer unit 16. The CPU 30 organizes program guide related program information with respect to the SI information, extracts BML document information with respect to the data carousel information, and stores the results in the RAM 34. The BML document is executed automatically or by a user operation, and the graphics user interface portion is displayed on the monitor by the graphics unit 22. The flash memory 36 is a non-volatile memory and retains stored contents even when the power is turned off. The flash memory 36 stores the above-described channel list.

  The RTC 38 is a timepiece, and may include a crystal oscillator to hold time by itself, or may hold time based on time data extracted as SI information from a broadcast signal. In the latter case, the CPU 30 acquires the time information TOT in the SI information from the demultiplexer RAM 24 via the demultiplexer unit 16 and stores it in the RTC 38. In any case, the CPU 30 acquires time data from the RTC 38. The switch detection unit 28 detects an input to a switch (not shown) provided in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. When the monitor of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is a touch panel, the switch detection unit 28 may execute position detection of the touch panel. When a remote controller is connected to the outside, the switch detection unit 28 may receive an input from the remote controller. The GPS positioning unit 26 measures the location of the digital broadcast receiving device 100 as position information. When the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is mounted on a vehicle, the GPS positioning unit 26 may use a wheel encoder (not shown), a gyro output, or the like during positioning.

  Next, the generation of the channel list will be specifically described. As a premise, the plurality of physical channels that can be received by the UHF antenna 10 is from 13 channels to 62 channels, and the tuner unit 12 sets the initial physical channel to 13 channels in accordance with an instruction from the selection unit 44. The tuner unit 12 determines whether a digital broadcast signal exists in the set physical channel. This process is called channel scan. First, it is determined whether the C / N of the digital broadcast signal is greater than a certain value. Further, the tuner unit 12 determines whether there is a digital broadcast signal for all physical channels while changing the physical channel one channel at a time in accordance with an instruction from the selection unit 44. At the start of channel scanning, the CPU 30 clears the channel list stored in the flash memory 36.

  The extraction unit 40 acquires TMCC information from a digital broadcast signal for a physical channel whose C / N of the digital broadcast signal is greater than or equal to a certain value. Further, the extraction unit 40 confirms whether the segment configuration in the digital broadcast signal, specifically, one segment broadcast is included based on the TMCC information. FIG. 2 shows a data structure of TMCC information received by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. For example, the presence of one-segment broadcasting is confirmed by confirming B27. Returning to FIG. The extraction unit 40 filters the TS through the demultiplexer unit 16 and acquires PAT, PMT, and NIT. One-segment broadcasting does not include PAT. At that time, the CPU 30 sets a section filter for the demultiplexer unit 16 and stores the result in the demultiplexer RAM 24. The extraction unit 40 confirms the contents stored in the demultiplexer RAM 24.

  The extraction unit 40 extracts information related to the area where the digital broadcast signal of the physical channel selected by the selection unit 44 can be received from the NIT information of the digital broadcast signal received by the tuner unit 12. This information is receivable area information. FIG. 3 shows a data structure of NIT information received by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Among these, “network_id” indicates information limited to a narrow area. When “network_id” is “0x7e8e”, this broadcast is a broadcast limited to a narrow area such as an area one-segment broadcast. On the other hand, if “network_id” is another value, it is a regional wide area broadcast corresponding to each value, each value is a numerical value specific to the broadcasting station, and in which prefecture the broadcasting station should receive Is decided. That is, the receivable area information is information for specifying a wide area or information indicating a narrow area. Returning to FIG. The extraction unit 40 distinguishes whether the digital broadcast signal is broadcast for a wide area or a narrow area.

  The management unit 42 manages the receivable area information extracted by the extraction unit 40 and the physical channel selected by the selection unit 44 in association with each other. At this time, the management unit 42 classifies the physical channel into a wide area and a narrow area based on the information for specifying the wide area and the information indicating that the area is a narrow area. Generate and manage In the information for specifying a wide area, a specific area name is known because the area name that can be received by the broadcasting station is determined. Of course, some broadcasting stations may be able to receive in neighboring prefectures. On the other hand, the information indicating that the area is a narrow area only indicates that the broadcast is limited to a narrow area, and does not indicate a specific area name. Therefore, when the receivable area information extracted by the extraction unit 40 is information indicating that the area is a narrow area, the management unit 42 receives a position when the area one-segment broadcast is received from the GPS positioning unit 26. Get information. Based on the position information, the management unit 42 generates information for specifying a narrow area as receivable area information and describes it in the channel list.

  4A and 4B show the data structure of the channel list stored in the flash memory 36. FIG. FIG. 4A shows a channel list for broadcasting in a wide area, and FIG. 4B shows a channel list for broadcasting in a narrow area. Both data structures are the same, and include a physical CH column 110, a broadcast column 112 in a narrow area, a receivable area information column 114, and a TMCC information column 116. In the physical CH column 110, physical channels are shown. The narrow area broadcast column 112 indicates whether the broadcast is in a narrow area. If “network_id” is not “0x7e8e”, various information is registered in FIG. 4A, and if “network_id” is “0x7e8e”, various information is registered in FIG. 4B. If “network_id” is not “0x7e8e”, the area A is known from the prefecture where the broadcasting station specified by “network_id” at that time is received, and is registered in the receivable area information column 114. Further, the area Z in the receivable area information column 114 in FIG. 4B corresponds to the position information acquired by the GPS positioning unit 26. Receivable area information corresponds to map information, and is indicated by latitude and longitude. FIG. 5 shows an area corresponding to the receivable area information. In the figure, “A” corresponds to the region A, “B” corresponds to the region B, and “Z” corresponds to the region Z. Returning to FIG.

  The management unit 42 may update the channel list generated in this way as follows. A reception unit (not shown) is connected to a communication network that is different from the broadcast line through which the UHF antenna 10 and the tuner unit 12 should receive digital broadcast signals. The communication network is, for example, a mobile phone line or a wireless LAN. The reception unit receives a channel list from a server (not shown) via a communication network. The management unit 42 receives a channel list from the reception unit. The management unit 42 confirms whether the channel list received from the reception unit includes information that is not included in the channel list stored in the flash memory 36. If there is information not included, the management unit 42 determines the physical channel based on information for specifying a wide area and information indicating that the area is narrow with respect to the information not included. Are classified into a wide area and a narrow area, and the information is added to the channel list stored in the flash memory 36 and managed.

  The management unit 42 may manage the channel list in advance even before the channel list is generated based on the receivable area information extracted by the extraction unit 40. Again, the channel list classifies the physical channels into a wide area and a narrow area based on information for specifying a wide area and information indicating that the area is a narrow area. Such a channel list is stored in the flash memory 36 at the time of manufacture. In the above description, the channel list includes physical channel information. In addition, the service name written in the service descriptor of the SDT is used as the broadcast name of the area one-segment broadcast. May be stored. Further, accompanying information of various text, audio, and image data of area / one-segment broadcasting may be stored in the channel list.

2. Reception Processing As described above, the management unit 42 manages the channel list. Here, the channel list manages physical channels by classifying them into wide areas and narrow areas. When the switch detection unit 28 receives an instruction to receive a predetermined digital broadcast signal from the viewer, the switch detection unit 28 outputs the instruction to the selection unit 44. When the selection unit 44 receives an instruction from the switch detection unit 28, the selection unit 44 checks whether or not the physical channel of the predetermined digital broadcast signal exists in the channel list. If it exists, the selection unit 44 instructs the tuner unit 12 to receive the physical channel regardless of whether the physical channel is classified into a wide area or a narrow area. If not, the selection unit 44 displays a message such as “Not broadcast” on the monitor via the notification unit 48 and the graphics unit 22. Further, the selection unit 44 appropriately acquires position information from the GPS positioning unit 26. Based on the position information from the GPS positioning unit 26, the selection unit 44 determines whether there is a physical channel classified into a narrow area that can be received at the current position. Specifically, position information in the area indicated in the receivable area information column 114 of (b) (narrow area broadcast side) in FIGS. The position information is compared, and a determination is made based on conditions such as whether or not the comparison result is within a first predetermined distance.

  If there is a physical channel classified into a receivable narrow area in the above determination, the notification unit 48 displays on the monitor via the graphics unit 22 that the digital broadcast signal of the physical channel can be received. To do. This may be output by using the audio decoder unit 20 instead of displaying.

  Further, the following process may be performed. The selection unit 44 selects the position information in the area indicated in the receivable area information column 114 of (b) (narrow area broadcast side) in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (b) and the GPS positioning unit 26. In the predetermined area indicated by the position information in the channel list according to the condition such as whether or not the comparison result is within the second predetermined distance longer than the first predetermined distance described above, It is determined whether there is a physical channel classified into a narrow area that can be received soon. If there is a physical channel classified into a narrow area that can be received soon by this determination, the notification unit 48 passes the graphics unit 22 before displaying that the digital broadcast signal of the physical channel can be received. Display on the monitor informing that the digital broadcast signal can be received. This may be output by using the audio decoder unit 20 instead of displaying.

  The flash memory 36 also stores map information. The CPU 30 extracts map information from the flash memory 36 based on the position information measured by the GPS positioning unit 26. The graphics unit 22 combines the map information and the position information and displays them on the monitor. As a result, the function of the car navigation system is realized. Furthermore, the graphics unit 22 displays an area where digital broadcast signals broadcast in a narrow area can be received on the map information stored in the flash memory 36 based on the position information acquired by the GPS positioning unit 26. May be. The map information may be stored not in the flash memory 36 but in a hard disk drive (not shown).

  Here, the case where the vehicle carrying the digital broadcast receiver 100 having the above configuration is traveling will be described in detail. FIG. 6 shows a running state of a vehicle equipped with the digital broadcast receiving device 100. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle is traveling on the road 130 from left to right. Areas Z1 and Z2 are areas that can receive area one-segment broadcasts AOB1 and AOB2, which are broadcasts in a narrow area, respectively. Here, it is assumed that the transmission power of the area / one segment broadcast AOB2 is larger than the transmission power of the area / one segment broadcast AOB1. Therefore, the area Z2 is wider than the area Z1. In FIG. 6, wide-area broadcasting is omitted for the sake of clarity.

  The regions Z10 and Z20 are regions provided outside the regions Z1 and Z2. For example, these radii are 100 m larger than the regions Z1 and Z2. When the vehicle enters the area Z10, Z20, it is predicted that the area one-segment broadcasting AOB1, AOB2 can be received soon. Here, the management unit 42 in FIG. 1 derives an area for notice by expanding the receivable area information for the narrow area broadcast by a predetermined radius. The vehicle travels on the road 130 from the left and reaches the point T1. When the GPS positioning unit 26 detects the arrival at the point T1, the selection unit 44 detects that the region Z10 has been reached.

  FIG. 7 shows a screen displayed by the graphics unit 22. In FIG. 7, the area one segment broadcast AOB1 is transmitted from the A gas station. At this time, the area / one-segment broadcast AOB1 cannot be received, but is approaching to the point where it can be received soon, so the driver is notified by voice of the approach to the area where the area / one-segment broadcast AOB1 can be received. In FIG. 7, the A gas station is surrounded by a thick line so that the driver can easily see it. The correspondence between the voice information and the name A gas station at this time and the area one segment broadcast AOB1 is acquired from broadcast information such as SDT or a communication network. Here, an advertisement related to the A gas station on which the area one segment broadcast AOB1 is broadcast may be included in the above information. For example, a sound such as “Today, if you are full, you will receive a tissue as a present” may be output. Returning to FIG.

  The vehicle further proceeds to reach the point T2. The point T2 is a point where the area / one-segment broadcast AOB1 can be received. FIG. 8 shows another screen displayed by the graphics unit 22. In FIG. 8, the presence of the area one segment broadcast AOB1 is displayed in the window 140. When the driver touches the window 140, the screen of FIG. 8 is switched to the broadcast screen of the area / one segment broadcast AOB1. Even at the time when FIG. 8 is displayed, the audio of the area / one segment broadcast may be output. Returning to FIG. FIG. 9 shows still another screen displayed by the graphics unit 22 when traveling to the point T3. As shown in the figure, the information of the area / one segment broadcast AOB1 disappears at this stage because it passes the transmission point of the area / one segment broadcast AOB1. Also, the area / one-segment broadcast AOB2 to be reached next is not highlighted because it does not reach the point T5 in FIG. Returning to FIG. The notification when entering the reception area as described above is not made for the wide area broadcast, but only for the narrow area broadcast.

  The tuner unit 12 in FIG. 1 receives the digital broadcast signal of the physical channel selected by the selection unit 44. The CPU 30 may be provided with a setting unit for setting whether or not at least one of notification and notice in the selection unit 44 is executed. That is, the driver may set whether to output a notification or a notice. FIG. 10 shows a setting screen displayed by the graphics unit 22. In FIG. 10, three items can be set, and these are operated with buttons, a remote controller, and a touch panel provided in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. In the setting menu at the top, whether or not to provide guidance when approaching the area / one-segment broadcasting area is set. When “No” is selected, the notice of FIG. 7 is not made. In the second setting menu, whether to give guidance when entering the reception area of the area / one-segment broadcasting is set. This corresponds to the notification of FIG. In the setting menu at the bottom, whether or not to switch when entering the reception area of the area / one-segment broadcasting is set. When the window 140 is displayed in FIG. 8, it is set whether to automatically switch to the area / one segment broadcast AOB1 without touching the window 140 or not to touch unless the window 140 is touched.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it can be realized by a program loaded in the memory, but here it is realized by their cooperation. Draw functional blocks. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The operation of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating a channel list by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. The tuner unit 12 sets the initial channel to 13 channels when starting the channel scan, and the CPU 30 clears both the wide-area broadcast channel list and the narrow-area broadcast channel list (S10). If scanning has not been completed up to 62 physical channels (N in S12), the tuner unit 12 tunes to the physical channel (S14). The extraction unit 40 acquires TMCC information (S16). If the acquisition is successful (Y in S18), the extraction unit 40 acquires PMT and NIT (S20).

  If the acquisition is successful (Y in S22) and “network_id” is not “0x7e8e” (N in S24), the management unit 42 registers information in the wide-area broadcast channel list (S26). When “network_id” is “0x7e8e” (Y in S24), the management unit 42 registers information in the channel list for broadcasting in a narrow area (S28). If the acquisition is not successful (N in S18) or if the acquisition is not successful (N in S22), steps 24 to 28 are skipped. The tuner unit 12 shifts to the next physical channel by adding 1 to the physical channel (S30), and returns to step 12. If scanning has been completed up to 62 physical channels (Y in S12), the process is terminated.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the channel list is managed while classifying into information for specifying a wide area and information indicating that the area is a narrow area. Even when a plurality of different types of digital broadcasts are received, the processing can be separated. In addition, when a plurality of types of digital broadcasts having different receivable area sizes are received, the processing is separated according to the receivable area size, and therefore processing suitable for each can be executed. In addition, since processing suitable for the size of the receivable area is executed, even when a plurality of types of digital broadcasts having different receivable areas are received, the processing by the user is complicated. Can be suppressed.

  Further, when the receivable area information is information indicating that it is a narrow area, the acquired position information is used, so that the receivable area can be estimated. Further, since the receivable area is estimated using the acquired position information, a situation where the receivable area is not included in the channel list can be avoided. In addition, when a channel list is received via a communication network, it is managed by adding it, so that the accuracy of the correspondence can be improved. Also, since the channel list is managed in advance, the channel list can be used immediately.

  In addition, only when it is possible to receive a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area, the digital broadcast signal is received after notifying that fact, so multiple types of digital broadcasts with different receivable areas can be received. Even if it is a case where it does, the complexity of the process by a user can be suppressed. Further, since the fact is notified only when a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area can be received, the user can be informed of the presence of the digital broadcast signal broadcast in the narrow area. Further, when a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area can be received, the notification to the user is omitted and the digital broadcast signal is received, so that the complexity of processing by the user can be suppressed.

  In addition, when it comes close to an area where digital broadcast signals broadcast in a narrow area can be received, a notice to that effect is made, so that it is close to an area where digital broadcast signals broadcast in a narrow area can be received. Users can be notified early. In addition, since the user is informed at an early stage that the digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area has been approached, the convenience of the user can be improved. In addition, since whether or not to execute at least one of notification and notice is set, it is possible to execute processing according to user preference. In addition, since an area capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area is displayed on the map information, the user can easily recognize an area capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area. it can. In addition, since the user can easily recognize the area where the digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area can be received, the convenience for the user can be improved.

(Example 2)
The second embodiment of the present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, similar to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a channel scan operation is executed when a channel list already exists. That is, the channel list is updated by channel scanning. Here, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is of the same type as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a channel list generation procedure by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The tuner unit 12 sets the initial channel to 13 channels when starting the channel scan (S50). If the scanning has not been completed up to 62 physical channels (N in S52), if the physical channel is not capable of receiving a wide area broadcast in this region (N in S54), the tuner unit 12 tunes to the physical channel (N). S56). The extraction unit 40 acquires TMCC information (S58). If the acquisition is successful (Y in S60), the extraction unit 40 acquires PMT and NIT (S62).

  If the acquisition is successful (Y in S64) and “network_id” is not “0x7e8e” (N in S66), the management unit 42 does not register for the wide-area broadcast channel list, Information is registered in the channel list (S68). If “network_id” is “0x7e8e” (Y in S66), the management unit 42 registers information in the narrow area broadcast channel list if it is not registered in the narrow area broadcast channel list. (S70). If it is a physical channel that can receive a wide-area broadcast in this area (Y in S54), if acquisition is not successful (N in S60), or if acquisition is not successful (N in S64), step 66 to 70 are skipped. The tuner unit 12 shifts to the next physical channel by adding 1 to the physical channel (S72), and returns to step 52. If scanning has been completed up to 62 physical channels (Y in S52), the process ends.

  The process of FIG. 12 differs from the process of FIG. 11 in the following points. In step 50 of FIG. 12, when the channel scan is started, the channel lists of both the wide area and the narrow area are not cleared, and the tuner unit 12 only sets the physical channel to 13 channels. In step 54 of FIG. 12, the current position information is confirmed, and if the physical channel can be received at the current location in the channel list for wide area broadcasting, channel scanning is not performed. On the other hand, if the physical channel cannot be received at the current location in the channel list for wide area broadcasting, channel scanning is performed. Further, in steps 68 and 70 of FIG. 12, if the result of the channel scan is a broadcast station that has already been registered, the management unit 42 does not register it again, and does not register a broadcast station that has not existed so far. Register only when.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, when a channel list already exists, even if a channel scan is executed, duplicate processing is omitted, so that processing can be simplified. Further, since the processing is simplified, the channel scanning period can be shortened.

(Example 3)
Embodiment 3 of the present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus as before. In the first embodiment, the receivable area information for the narrow area broadcast is generated based on the position information measured by the GPS. In the third embodiment, such receivable area information is corrected. Here, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment is of the same type as that shown in FIG.

  Even after information for specifying a narrow area is generated based on the position information acquired by the GPS positioning unit 26 by the management unit 42, the correction unit 46 newly acquires the position acquired by the GPS positioning unit 26. Based on the information, information for specifying a narrow area is corrected. The corrected information is reflected in the channel list. As described above, even if the channel scan is executed, the receivable area information for the narrow area broadcast is not included. Therefore, the management unit 42 generates receivable area information based on the position information acquired from the GPS positioning unit 26. That is, the periphery of the position information acquired from the GPS positioning unit 26 is regarded as a receivable area.

  FIG. 13 shows an area corresponding to the receivable area information before correction by the correction unit 46 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that a broadcast that can be received in a narrow area is received when a channel scan is performed at the point T131. A region Z132 is set in the receivable region information column 114 of FIG. The region Z132 is, for example, a circle with a radius of 50 m centered on the point T131 where the channel scan was performed. The management unit 42 indicates by a flag that the receivable area information generated in this way is temporary. 14A and 14B show the data structure of the channel list stored in the flash memory 36 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A shows a channel list for wide area broadcasting, which is the same as FIG. On the other hand, FIG. 15 (b) shows a channel list for narrow area broadcasting, but is different from FIG. 4 (b). In the receivable area information column 114 of FIG. 15 (b), the presence / absence of a flag indicating temporary is also shown. The receivable area information generated by the management unit 42 is indicated as “with provisional flag”, and the receivable area information acquired from the external memory or the communication network is accurate. ".

  Here, in the case of “with provisional flag”, the operation when passing the vicinity will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows an area corresponding to the receivable area information after correction by the correction unit 46 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As described above, since the channel scan is performed at the point T131, the point T131 is assumed to be a broadcasting point of the narrow area broadcasting. However, in reality, a narrow area broadcast is broadcast from the point T132. Therefore, the original receivable area information should be the area Z134. When the temporary flag is attached, a circle having a radius of 200 m centering on the point T131 where the previous channel scan was performed is set as the region Z133, which is a region where reception is virtually possible. The radius of 200 m is set to be larger than the radius of 100 m, which is the reach of a normal low power area / one segment broadcast.

  When the vehicle travels from left to right on the road 130 as shown in FIG. 15, it is recognized that the vehicle enters the area Z133 at the point T135. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 tunes from a point T135 to a physical channel for area / one-segment broadcasting that can be received in a narrow area received at the point T131. At that time, the point Z133 is reached in the area Z134 where the original reception is possible. If it recognizes that it has received here and advances as it is, since it will deviate from the area Z134 where the original reception is possible at the point T134, it becomes impossible to receive. Therefore, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 sets the corrected receivable area Z135 as a circle area Z135 having diameters T133 and T134, and the corrected point T136 is set as the center. This is newly stored as receivable area information in the channel list of FIG. It should be noted that here, since it is a virtual reception area, the provisional flag remains.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for correcting the receivable area information by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The GPS positioning unit 26 acquires current running position information (S100). If the current position information is not in the area where the temporary flag is present in the channel list (N in S102), the process returns to step 100. When the current position information is in an area where a temporary flag is present in the channel list (Y in S102), the tuner unit 12 prepares to receive the tuning by tuning to the physical channel. (S104). In FIG. 15, at the point T135, when entering the region Z133 where the provisional flag is present in the receivable region information registered in the channel list, the tuning is performed to the 40 channels used in the region Z133. It corresponds to that.

  Wait until reception is possible, and the point where reception was possible is set to t1 (S106). This corresponds to the point T133 in FIG. The system waits until it can no longer be received, and a point at which it cannot be received is set to t2 (S108). This corresponds to the point T134 in FIG. The correction unit 46 sets a circle having diameters t1 and t2 as the corrected reception available area (S110). This corresponds to a circular area Z135 having diameters at point T133 and point T134 in FIG. The management unit 42 newly stores the corrected receivable area as receivable area information of the channel list (S112).

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the information for specifying the narrow area is corrected based on the newly acquired position information, so that the accuracy of the receivable area can be improved. Moreover, since the receivable area is corrected based on the reception status of the digital broadcast signal, the accuracy of the receivable area can be improved.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  Any combination of Examples 1 to 3 is also effective. According to this modification, the effect of any combination of the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

  In the first to third embodiments, area one-segment broadcasting is illustrated as a broadcast that can be received in a narrow area. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a broadcast that can be received in a narrow area may be a full segment broadcast or a different type of broadcast. According to this modification, the present invention can be applied to various broadcast signals.

  In the first to third embodiments, one CPU 30 is included. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two or more CPUs 30 may be provided and operate in cooperation with each other. According to this modification, the processing capability can be improved.

  10 UHF antenna, 12 tuner unit, 14 descrambler unit, 16 demultiplexer unit, 18 video decoder unit, 20 audio decoder unit, 22 graphics unit, 24 RAM for demultiplexer, 26 GPS positioning unit, 28 switch detection unit, 30 CPU 32 ROM, 34 RAM, 36 Flash memory, 38 RTC, 40 Extraction unit, 42 Management unit, 44 Selection unit, 46 Correction unit, 48 Notification unit, 100 Digital broadcast receiving device.

Claims (6)

In a digital broadcast receiver,
A management unit that manages channel list information that is a list of information in which a plurality of physical channels and receivable area information related to areas where digital broadcast signals broadcast on the plurality of physical channels can be received are respectively associated;
An acquisition unit for acquiring position information of the digital broadcast receiver;
Based on the position information acquired in the acquisition unit, a selection unit that selects a predetermined physical channel from physical channel list information managed by the management unit;
A receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcast signal of the physical channel selected in the selection unit,
The digital broadcast signal receivable by the receiving unit is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area, or a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area,
The management unit performs management of the channel list information while classifying the plurality of physical channels into a wide area and a narrow area,
When the selection unit determines that the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area based on the channel list information, the selection unit selects the digital broadcast signal broadcast in the narrow area. After notifying the user that reception is possible, the reception unit is instructed to receive a digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel ,
When the selection unit is instructed to receive the digital broadcast signal in advance of being ready to receive the digital broadcast signal before it becomes ready to receive the digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area. In addition, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is configured to instruct the receiving unit to receive a digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel . The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a setting unit configured to set whether to execute at least one of notification and notice in the selection unit. A storage unit for storing map information;
A display unit for displaying an area capable of receiving a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area on the map information stored in the storage unit based on the position information acquired in the acquisition unit; The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that: In a digital broadcast receiver,
A management unit that manages channel list information that is a list of information in which a plurality of physical channels and receivable area information related to areas where digital broadcast signals broadcast on the plurality of physical channels can be received are respectively associated;
An acquisition unit for acquiring position information of the digital broadcast receiver;
Based on the position information acquired in the acquisition unit, a selection unit that selects a predetermined physical channel from physical channel list information managed by the management unit;
A receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcast signal of the physical channel selected in the selection unit,
The digital broadcast signal receivable by the receiving unit is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area, or a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area,
The management unit performs management of the channel list information while classifying the plurality of physical channels into a wide area and a narrow area,
When the selection unit determines that the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area based on the channel list information, the selection unit selects the digital broadcast signal broadcast in the narrow area. After notifying the user that reception is possible, the reception unit is instructed to receive a digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel ,
further,
A storage unit for storing map information;
A display unit for displaying an area in which a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area can be received on the map information stored in the storage unit based on the position information acquired in the acquisition unit. A digital broadcast receiver. In the receiving method used in the digital broadcast receiver,
Managing channel list information, which is a list of information in which a plurality of physical channels and receivable area information related to areas where digital broadcast signals broadcast on the plurality of physical channels can be received are associated with each other;
Obtaining position information of the digital broadcast receiver;
A step of selecting a predetermined physical channel from physical channel list information to be managed based on the acquired position information;
Receiving a digital broadcast signal of a selected physical channel,
The digital broadcast signal receivable in the receiving step is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area, or a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area,
The managing step performs management of the channel list information while classifying the plurality of physical channels into a wide area and a narrow area,
If the selecting step determines that the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area based on the channel list information, the digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area And instructing the user to receive the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel for the receiving step ,
In the selecting step, the digital broadcast signal broadcasted in a narrow area is notified before the digital broadcast signal is ready to be received, and the reception of the digital broadcast signal is instructed. In this case, the receiving method is configured to instruct the receiving step to receive a digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel . Managing channel list information, which is a list of information in which a plurality of physical channels and receivable area information related to areas where digital broadcast signals broadcast on the plurality of physical channels can be received are associated with each other;
Obtaining the position information of the digital broadcast receiver;
A step of selecting a predetermined physical channel from physical channel list information to be managed based on the acquired position information;
Receiving a digital broadcast signal of a selected physical channel,
The digital broadcast signal receivable in the receiving step is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a wide area, or a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area,
The managing step performs management of the channel list information while classifying the plurality of physical channels into a wide area and a narrow area,
If the selecting step determines that the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel is a digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area based on the channel list information, the digital broadcast signal broadcast in a narrow area And instructing the user to receive the digital broadcast signal of the selected physical channel for the receiving step ,
In the selecting step, the digital broadcast signal broadcasted in a narrow area is notified before the digital broadcast signal is ready to be received, and the reception of the digital broadcast signal is instructed. In this case, a program for causing a computer to instruct the receiving step to receive a digital broadcast signal of a selected physical channel .

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