JPH07288795A - Television reception terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To switch the channel selected by a tuner based on both of the key input operation and set relations of a related channel. CONSTITUTION:When a channel selection mode signal e1 indicates the interlocking channel selection mode, a conversion circuit 17 converts a channel selection signal b1 from a second input terminal 12 into a channel selection signal g1 of the related channel indicated by a related channel information signal f1 from a related channel information storage circuit 16 and supplies this signal g1 to a second tuner 19. Channel selection of the second tuner 19 is controlled by the channel selection signal g1 from the conversion circuit 17. Thus, the channel selected by the tuner is switched based on both of the key input operation and set relations of the related channel.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television receiving terminal device for selecting a television broadcasting signal sent from a television broadcasting station, and particularly, to effectively utilize a set relation of related channels. The present invention relates to a television receiving terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, cable television (hereinafter referred to as CATV) broadcasting has become widespread in Japan due to diversification of hobbies.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a channel selection circuit system of a conventional CATV receiving terminal device for receiving such a CATV broadcast.

In FIG. 6, a CATV receiving terminal device 80
A tuner 81 is provided in the. On the other hand, the tuning signal a8 set by a tuning key (not shown) is guided to the input terminal 82. The tuner 81 has an input terminal 82.
The tuning signal is controlled by the tuning signal a8.

In such a CATV receiving terminal device, the tuner 81 has a CAT sent from a CATV broadcasting station.
One channel indicated by the tuning signal a8 is tuned to the V broadcast signal and converted to an intermediate frequency signal. The intermediate frequency signal thus converted is subjected to video signal processing by a circuit in the subsequent stage, converted into a video signal, and displayed on a display device such as a television receiver.

[0006] Since cable television broadcasting has a large number of channels, for convenience of user's program selection, channels having similar program contents such as sports programs, news programs, and the like are set in a set relationship. .

[0007] Here, the set relationship of channel selection will be described with reference to the following table.

[0008]

[Table 1] As shown in this table, channels having a difference of 20 between channel numbers have a set relationship. Channels having such a relationship are called related channels. Here, it is assumed that 1ch and 21ch are related channels of a news program, and 3ch and 23ch are related channels of a sports program.

First, it is assumed that the user wants to watch a news program and selects channel 1ch. In this case, the tuner 81 selects channel 1 by pressing the "1" tuning key and then the confirmation key. As a result, the display device
The 1ch news program is displayed. When the user wants to watch another news program, he / she presses the "2" tuning key and then the "1" tuning key to cause the tuner 81 to select channel 21. This allows the display device to
The 1ch news program is displayed.

Next, suppose that the user wants to watch a sports program and selects channel 3ch. In this case, the tuner 81 selects channel 3 by pressing the "3" tuning key and then the confirmation key. As a result, the display device
The 3ch sports program is displayed. When the user wants to watch another sports program, he / she presses the "2" tuning key and then the "3" tuning key to cause the tuner 81 to select channel 23. This allows the display device to
The 3ch sports program is displayed.

If the user understands such a set relationship, it is possible to reduce the need to watch the program section when selecting a channel. However, in such a channel selection method, when switching to a related channel that is in a set relationship, the same operation as a normal channel selection operation must be performed, and in addition to this, the number of the related channel is determined. I had to do that, and I couldn't say that I was fully utilizing the set relationship.

Since there are a large number of channels in CATV broadcasting, two tuners are provided in the CATV receiving terminal device for receiving them, and multi-screen display such as picture-in-picture is displayed on the video display device to facilitate channel selection. Has been used.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a channel selection circuit system of a CATV receiving terminal device provided with two such conventional tuners.

In FIG. 7, a CATV receiving terminal device 90 is provided.
Are provided with first and second tuners 91 and 92.

The first and second input terminals 93 and 94 are connected to
Individual tuning signal a set by a tuning key (not shown)
9 and b9 are introduced. First and second tuner 9
Reference numerals 1 and 92 denote first and second input terminals 93 and 9 respectively.
Channel selection control is independently performed by the channel selection signals a9 and b9 from 4 to convert the CATV broadcast signal into the first and second intermediate frequency signals, respectively. The first and second intermediate frequency signals thus converted are subjected to video signal processing by a circuit in the subsequent stage and converted into first and second video signals, respectively, and are displayed on a display device such as a television receiver. It is designed to be displayed on multiple screens such as in-picture.

In the tuner section of such a CATV receiving terminal device, the channels having a set relationship are set to the first channel in advance.
A combination of selecting the second tuners 91 and 92 for tuning will be described below using a table.

[0017]

[Table 2] As shown in this table, the number of channels selected by the second tuner 92 is the number obtained by adding 20 to the channel selected by the first tuner 92.

Thus, the first and second tuners 91,
If a related channel having a set relationship with 92 is selected in advance, the program of the related channel can be confirmed on the small screen by one operation of the small screen display key. However, when causing the first and second tuners 91 and 92 to tune to channels in another set relationship, the
The second tuner 91 and the second tuner 92 have to be individually tuned in, and this operation is troublesome. Therefore, many users did not actually utilize this function.

[0019]

As described above, in the conventional technique, when switching from the selected channel to another channel having a set relationship with this channel, the same operation as the normal channel selection operation must be performed. Therefore, it cannot be said that the set relationship is fully utilized. Further, in the television receiving terminal device provided with the first and second tuners, when the first and second tuners are made to tune to channels having another set relationship, the first and second tuners are again selected. Each tuner had to be individually tuned in, which made this operation a nuisance. Therefore, many users did not actually utilize this function.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems and to provide a television receiving terminal device capable of switching the channel selected by the tuner based on both the key input operation and the set relationship of the related channels. To do.

[0021]

In a television receiving terminal device of the present invention, a related channel information storage circuit for storing a set relationship of related channels and a related channel set relationship stored by the related channel information storage circuit. A conversion circuit for converting an input channel set by a key input operation into a related channel having a set relationship, and a tuner for selecting the related channel converted by the conversion circuit. To do.

[0022]

According to this structure, the conversion circuit sets the input channel set by the key input operation to the related channel having the set relationship based on the set relationship of the related channel stored in the related channel information storage circuit. Since the conversion is performed and the tuner selects the related channel converted by the conversion circuit, it is possible to switch the channel selected by the tuner based on both the key input operation and the set relationship of the related channel.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a channel selection circuit system showing a case where an embodiment of a television receiving terminal device according to the present invention is applied to a CATV receiving terminal device.

In FIG. 1, a CATV receiving terminal device 10 is provided.
Include first to fourth input terminals 11, 12, 13, 14
Is provided.

To the first input terminal 11, a mode setting signal a1 indicating a tuning mode created by a user's key input is introduced. The channel selection modes indicated by the mode setting signal a1 include a linked channel selection mode for selecting a set-related channel and an independent channel selection mode for independently selecting a channel.

A channel selection signal b1 set by a channel selection key of a user (not shown) is guided to the second input terminal 12.

The related channel information signal c1 set by the user's key input is led to the third input terminal 13.

The related channel information signal d1 set by the command input from the CATV center is led to the fourth input terminal 14.

The first tuner 15 includes a first input terminal 1
The channel selection control is performed by the channel selection signal b1 from 2, and the CATV broadcast signal is converted into the first intermediate frequency signal.

The mode information storage circuit 16 stores the tuning mode indicated by the mode setting signal a1 when the mode setting signal a1 is supplied from the first input terminal 11, and indicates the stored tuning mode. The tuning mode signal e1 is created and supplied to the conversion circuit 17.

The associated channel information storage circuit 18 erases the stored data by operating a key input means (not shown), and the associated channel information from the fourth input terminal 14 with the stored data erased. When the signal d1 is derived, the set relationship of the related channel indicated by the related channel information signal d1 is stored. The related channel information storage circuit 18 has a third input terminal 1
When the related channel information signal c1 from 3 is introduced, the set relationship of the related channel indicated by the related channel information signal c1 is stored regardless of whether data is stored in the storage unit. Then, the related channel information storage circuit 18 supplies the related circuit information signal f1 indicating the stored set relationship of the related channels to the conversion circuit 17.

When the tuning mode signal e1 indicates the interlocked tuning mode, the conversion circuit 17 converts the tuning signal b1 from the second input terminal 12 into the related channel information signal f1 from the related channel information storage circuit 18. Is converted into the channel selection signal g1 of the related channel and is supplied to the second tuner 19. Further, the conversion circuit 17 does not supply a signal to the second tuner 19 when the tuning mode signal e1 indicates the single tuning mode.

The second tuner 19 is tuning-controlled by the tuning signal g1 from the conversion circuit 17, and converts the CATV broadcast signal into a first intermediate frequency signal.

The first and second intermediate frequency signals converted by the first and second tuners 15 and 19 are subjected to video signal processing by a circuit in the subsequent stage to be converted into first and second video signals, respectively. Multi-screen display such as picture-in-picture on a display device such as a television receiver.

The operation of such an embodiment will be described below.

First, a case will be described in which a related channel is set by a user's key input and the first and second tuners 15 and 19 select a related channel having a set relationship.

In this case, first, the related channel information signal c1 is set by the user's key input and led to the third input terminal 13. As a result, the related channel information storage circuit 18 stores the set relationship of the related channels indicated by the related channel information signal c1, and supplies the related circuit information signal f1 indicating the stored set relationship of the related channels to the conversion circuit 17.

Next, the mode setting signal a1 indicating the interlocked channel selection mode is input by the first input terminal 1 by the user's key input.
Supply to 1. As a result, the mode information storage circuit 16
Stores the interlocked channel selection mode, creates a channel selection mode signal e1 indicating the interlocked channel selection mode, and supplies it to the conversion circuit 17.

Next, the second key is input by the user inputting a tuning key.
The channel selection signal b1 of a predetermined channel A is supplied to the input terminal 12 of. As a result, the first tuner 15 selects channel A. On the other hand, the conversion circuit 17 supplies the channel selection signal g1 of the related channel B of the channel A indicated by the related channel information signal f1 to the second tuner 19. As a result, the second tuner 19 tunes to the related channel B, which has a set relationship with the channel A.

In such an operation, a combination of channels selected by the first and second tuners 15 and 19 will be described below with reference to a table.

[0042]

[Table 3] As shown in this table, the first tuner 15 selects the same numerical channel as the tuning key, and the channel selected by the second tuner 19 is the same as the channel selected by the first tuner 20. It becomes the number which added.

Next, a case will be described in which the related channel set by the command input of the CATV center is set and the related channels having the set relationship are selected in advance by the first and second tuners 15 and 19.

In this case, first, the data stored in the associated channel information storage circuit 18 is erased by operating a key input means (not shown). Thereafter, the related channel information signal d1 set by the command input from the CATV center is guided to the related channel information storage circuit 18 via the fourth input terminal 14, and the related channel information storage circuit 18 receives the related channel information. The related channel set relationship indicated by the signal d1 is stored, and the related channel information signal f1 indicating the stored related channel set relationship is supplied to the conversion circuit 17. After this, perform the same operation as when setting the related channel by the user's key input,
The second tuner 19 tunes to a related channel B that has a set relationship with the channel A tuned to by the first tuner 15.

Next, a case where only the first tuner 15 alone selects a channel will be described.

In this case, first, the mode setting signal a1 indicating the single tuning mode is supplied to the first input terminal 11 by the user's key input. As a result, the mode information storage circuit 16 stores the single tuning mode, creates the tuning mode signal e1 indicating the single tuning mode, and supplies it to the conversion circuit 17.

Next, the second key is input by the user inputting a tuning key.
The channel selection signal b1 of a predetermined channel A is supplied to the input terminal 12 of. As a result, the first tuner 15 selects channel A. On the other hand, since the conversion circuit 17 does not output the tuning signal, the second tuner 19 does not tune.

According to such an embodiment, the first and second tuners 15 and 19 are selected based on both the user's channel selection key input and the set relationship of the channels stored in the related channel information storage circuit 18. Since the channel to be tuned to can be switched, if the set relation of the related channel is stored in the storage circuit 18 for the related channel information, another set relation is set for the first and second tuners by one tuning operation. You can select a channel in
The operation is simpler than that of the conventional example shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a channel selection circuit system showing another embodiment of the television receiving terminal device according to the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. ing.

In FIG. 2, in the CATV receiving terminal device 20 of this embodiment, the set number setting signal b2 indicating the set number created by the user's key input of the set number is led to the second input terminal 22. . Conversion circuit 27
When the tuning mode signal e1 indicates the interlocked tuning mode,
Based on the set number indicating the set number setting signal b2 from the second input terminal 22 and the related channel information signal f1 from the related channel information storage circuit 18, the channel selection signals g21 and g22 of the set related channels are selected. It is created and supplied to the first and second tuners 25 and 29, respectively. The first and second tuners 25 and 29 perform channel selection based on channel selection signals g21 and g22 from the conversion circuit 27, respectively. The other structure is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG.

The tuning operation according to such an embodiment will be described with reference to the following table.

[0052]

[Table 4] As shown in this table, the first tuner 25 tunes to the same numeric channel as the key input of the set number, and the second tuner 29 adds 20 to the channel tuned to by the first tuner 25. Select a number of channels.

According to such an embodiment, the same effect as that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is obtained, and since the user only has to key in the set number, the user can easily understand such a function and operate it. Can be facilitated.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the television receiving terminal device according to the present invention.
The same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the one in which the channel of the television broadcast signal and the channel of the CATV broadcast are set.

The remote control signal h3 from the remote control transmitter (hereinafter referred to as remote control transmitter) 100 is
It is received by the receiving unit 32 of the television receiver 30 and the receiving unit 42 of the CATV receiving terminal device 40.

The receiving section 32 of the television receiver 30 is
The received remote control signal h3 is used as the tuning signal b3
And is supplied to the tuner 31. The tuner 31 is
Based on the channel selection signal b3 from the receiving unit 42, the television broadcast channel is selected and converted into a first intermediate frequency signal.

Receiving section 42 of CATV receiving terminal device 40
Converts the received remote control signal h3 into a tuning signal b4 and supplies it to the conversion circuit 47. Conversion circuit 47
When the tuning mode signal e1 indicates the interlocked tuning mode,
The channel selection signal b4 from the receiving section 42 is converted into a channel selection signal g4 of the related channel indicated by the related channel information signal f1 from the related channel information storage circuit 18, and the tuner 4 is converted.
Supply to 9. Further, the conversion circuit 47 does not supply a signal to the tuner 49 when the tuning mode signal e1 indicates the single tuning mode. The tuner 49 is channel-selected and controlled by the channel selection signal g4 from the conversion circuit 47, selects a CATV broadcast signal, and converts it into a second intermediate frequency signal.

The first intermediate frequency signal converted by the tuner 31 of the television receiver 30 is subjected to video signal processing by a circuit in the subsequent stage and converted into a first video signal. On the other hand, the first intermediate frequency signal converted by the tuner 49 of the CATV receiving terminal device 40 is subjected to video signal processing by a circuit in the subsequent stage and converted into a first video signal respectively, and an external video signal of the television receiver 30. It is supplied to the input terminal. The television receiver 30 displays the first and second video signals as described above on a multi-screen by operating a switch, or displays one of them on a single screen.

The tuning operation according to such an embodiment will be described with reference to the following table.

[0061]

[Table 5] As shown in this table, the tuner 31 of the television receiver 30 tunes to the same numeric channel as the tuning key input of the remote control transmitter 100, and the tuner 49 of the CATV receiving terminal device 40 tunes to the television receiver 30. Tuner 3
Channels of the number obtained by adding 20 to the channel selected by 1 are selected. As a result, the tuner 31 of the television receiver 30 and the tuner 4 of the CATV receiving terminal device 40.
Even when 9 and 9 are interlocked by the input of the remote control transmitter 100, the same effect as the embodiment of FIG. 1 can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the television receiving terminal device according to the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. There is.

The television receiver 50 includes a tuner 5
1 is provided. On the other hand, the tuning signal a5 set by a tuning key (not shown) is led to the input terminal 52. The tuner 51 receives the tuning signal a from the input terminal 52.
5, the channel selection signal a5 is used as the channel selection signal b4, and the conversion circuit 4 of the CATV receiving terminal device 60 is used.
Supply to 7.

The related channel information storage circuit 68 stores the set relationship of the related channels indicated by the related channel information signal c1 from the third input terminal 13. And
The related channel information storage circuit 68 stores the related channel information signal f indicating the set relationship of the stored related channels.
1 is supplied to the conversion circuit 47. The other structure is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG.

The channel selection operation according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the following table.

[0066]

[Table 6] As shown in this table, the tuner 51 of the television receiver 50 selects the same numerical channel as the channel selection key input, and the tuner 49 of the CATV receiving terminal device 60 selects 20 for the channel selected by the tuner 51. Select the added number of channels. As a result, the same effect as the embodiment of FIG. 3 can be obtained.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the television receiving terminal device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 5, a CATV receiving terminal device 70 is provided.
Are provided with first to third input terminals 71, 72, 73.

A related channel tuning designation signal a7 indicating ON / OFF of a related channel tuning key of a user (not shown) is led to the first input terminal 71.

To the second input terminal 72, a tuning signal b7 from a tuning control circuit set by a tuning key of a user (not shown) is introduced.

The related channel information signal c7 set by the user's key input is led to the third input terminal 73.

The related channel information storage circuit 78 stores the set relationship of related channels based on the related channel information signal c7. Then, the related channel information storage circuit 78 supplies the related circuit information signal f7 indicating the stored set relationship of the related channels to the conversion circuit 77.

When the tuning signal b7 from the second input terminal 72 is switched, the conversion circuit 77 is reset and supplies the tuning signal b7 as a tuning signal g7 to the tuner 79 and the receiving channel discrimination circuit 76. To do. In addition, the conversion circuit 7
When the related channel tuning designation signal a7 indicates ON, the related channel information storage circuit 7 stores the related channel having a set relationship with the channel indicated by the reception channel judgment signal e7 from the reception channel judgment circuit 76 described later. The channel selection signal g7 indicating the related channel thus determined is supplied to the tuner 79 and the receiving channel discriminating circuit 76.

The receiving channel discriminating circuit 76 discriminates the receiving channel based on the channel selection signal g7 from the converting circuit 77, and supplies the receiving channel discriminating signal e7 as a result of this discrimination to the converting circuit 77.

The tuner 79 is tuned and controlled by the tuned signal g7 from the conversion circuit 77.

The tuning operation according to such an embodiment will be described with reference to the following table.

[0077]

[Table 7] As shown in this table, when the related channel tuning key is turned on, the tuner 79 selects the number of channels obtained by adding 20 to the channel selected before the related channel tuning key was turned on. As a result, the related channel can be called by a simple operation, and the same effect as the embodiment of FIG. 3 can be obtained.

The related channel information storage circuit used in the embodiments and the modified examples of FIGS. 1 to 5 stores the set relationship of the related channels by an external input, but stores it in the read-only memory from the beginning. You may do it. Further, although the television receiving terminal device of the present invention is applied to the CATV receiving terminal device in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5, it may be applied to other television receiving terminal devices, for example, satellite television broadcast receiving devices. Good.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, the channel selected by the tuner can be switched based on both the key input operation and the set relationship of the related channels. If the set relationship of the channels is stored, the tuner can select a channel having another set relationship by a simple operation, and the set relationship of the related channels can be effectively used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a television receiving terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the television receiving terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the television receiving terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the television receiving terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the television receiving terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a conventional CATV receiving terminal device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional CATV receiving terminal device having two tuners.

[Explanation of symbols]

 15 First Tuner 16 Mode Information Storage Circuit 17 Conversion Circuit 18 Related Channel Information Storage Circuit 19 Second Tuner

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A related-channel information storage circuit for storing a set relationship of related channels, and an input channel set by a key input operation based on the related-channel set relationship stored in the related-channel information storage circuit. A television receiving terminal device comprising: a conversion circuit for converting to a related channel having a set relationship and a tuner for selecting a related channel converted by the conversion circuit.