JPH1023343A - Television receiver and signal supply device for television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a television receiver for illumination by adding a video signal generating means, an output video image changeover means and a lighting substitute instruction means to the television receiver. SOLUTION: In the case of using the television receiver 1 for illumination, when a remote commander reception section 22 receives control data from a remote commander 30, whether or not the television receiver receives a television image is discriminated. When any program is viewed, the television receiver is controlled corresponding to the received data. On the other hand, when any TV program is not viewed and the control data from the remote commander 30 indicate the setting of the lighting function, a video signal generator 14 generates a prescribed video signal such as a white level video image to a picture tube 16 and an audio amplifier circuit 19 is set to a mute state where a zero sound volume is set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a television device and a signal supply device for a television device, which are characterized by control for utilizing light emitted from a television receiver as a light source for illumination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent television devices are provided with a remote control as standard.
When turning on / off or switching channels of a television receiver, it is rare to directly operate switches provided on the television receiver itself, and it is common to use this remote control. I have. Therefore, for example, in the case where a television device is installed in a bedroom or the like, power can be turned off and the like by operating a switch using a remote control while staying on a bed or futon. In this case, it is convenient that the user can operate the switch with the remote control while being on a bed or a futon, turn on the power, and go to sleep as it is. For this reason, the remote controller is often located within reach of the user while sleeping.

[0003] Therefore, utilizing these daily habits,
It is also conceivable to substitute the light of the image emitted from the television receiver for illumination (for example, foot light). However, if the conventional television device is used as it is, if the television broadcast is not finished, the program video / audio accompanied by the audio is naturally output.
Very unpleasant at midnight. If the broadcast itself has ended, a noise sound is output, and further discomfort occurs. Therefore, it is unsuitable to substitute as it is for illumination.

[0004] Some televisions have a function of automatically turning on a blue-back screen and muting the audio when the reception signal is lost at the end of the broadcast. In this case, the above-described problem occurs. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of a user by substituting a television receiver as appropriate lighting regardless of the presence or absence of a broadcast wave. And

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention To achieve this object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a video reproducing means capable of reproducing a video signal received on a selected channel. A television receiver having audio reproducing means capable of reproducing received audio signals, and a television receiver receiving a remote control signal for selecting a broadcast signal of a desired channel or for turning on / off a power supply. In a television apparatus including a remote controller capable of transmitting to a television, a television receiver includes a video signal generation unit capable of generating a predetermined video signal, and a video signal from the video signal generation unit or a channel selected. Output video switching means for selecting one of the video signals received by the selected channel and switching and outputting the video signal to the video reproduction means; Accordingly, when a predetermined remote control signal corresponding to a lighting substitute instruction is received from a remote controller in a power-off state, the output video switching unit outputs the video from the video signal generation unit to the volume control unit for adjusting the reproduced volume. In addition to switching and outputting a signal, the volume control means is provided with an illumination control means for turning on the power after setting a predetermined illumination substitute state for adjusting to a mute state of zero volume.

In this television apparatus, when a predetermined remote control signal corresponding to a lighting substitute instruction is received from a remote controller in a power-off state, a video reproducing means outputs a predetermined video signal from a video signal generating means, and an audio signal is output. The power is turned on after the reproduction volume from the reproduction means is set to a predetermined lighting substitute state in which the volume control means has adjusted the volume to a mute state of zero volume. Therefore, in the past, if the television broadcast was not finished, naturally the program video and audio accompanied by the sound would be output, and it would be very uncomfortable at midnight, and if the broadcast itself was finished, Had a noise sound, which caused further discomfort.
According to the present invention, since the sound is muted and only a predetermined video signal is output, such a disadvantage is solved. That is, the television receiver can be used as appropriate illumination regardless of the presence or absence of the broadcast wave.

The television apparatus according to the present invention is different from a conventional television apparatus in that a video signal generating means and an output video switching means are provided on a television receiver side and an illumination substitute instruction is provided on a remote controller side. Since only a configuration capable of transmitting a predetermined remote control signal is added, it can be realized easily and at low cost. In order to transmit a predetermined remote control signal in response to a lighting substitute instruction, the remote controller needs a configuration for the user to input the instruction, but this may be provided with a dedicated key separately, For example, it can be realized by a special input operation using a certain numeric keypad or the like. Further, as the predetermined video signal from the video signal generating means, for example, a signal that emits a single color of white is preferable. This is because not only white light is natural as a light source but also a luminance signal is used as a video signal, and there is an advantage that a circuit for generating a signal can be simplified.

On the other hand, in this television device,
As described in claim 2, when a predetermined remote control signal according to an instruction to end the lighting substitute state is received from a remote controller while the main power is on in a predetermined lighting substitute state, a video signal generating means is provided. It is conceivable to perform control to switch and output the video signal received by the selected channel in place of the predetermined video signal from, and to release the mute state by the volume control means.
This takes into account the convenience of using the device as an original television device from the state of being substituted for lighting, and returning to a normal state by a remote control signal in response to an instruction to end the lighting substitute state from a remote controller. It was.

A case has been described above in which the present invention is realized as a television apparatus. As described in claim 3, a video reproducing means capable of reproducing a video signal and an audio reproducing means capable of reproducing an audio signal are provided. Signal supply means for supplying a video signal and an audio signal to a television receiver having the same, and power supply means for supplying and stopping power to the television receiver side by turning on / off the power of the apparatus itself And a remote controller capable of transmitting a video signal and an audio signal to the television receiver or a remote control signal for instructing switching between power supply and stop to the supply unit main body. It can also be realized as a signal supply device for a television set. That is, since it is only necessary that a predetermined video signal is finally output from the television device and the sound is muted, it is conceivable to devise a device that supplies a signal to the television device without changing the television device. . However, in this case, as described above, the power of the own device is turned on and off.
It is necessary to have a configuration capable of supplying and stopping power to the television receiver with turning off.

In the case of the present invention, the supply unit body is
Video signal generating means capable of generating a predetermined video signal, output video switching means for selecting either the video signal from the video signal generating means or the video signal from the signal supply means, and switching and outputting to the television receiver Volume control means for controlling the volume supplied by the signal supply means,
When a predetermined remote control signal corresponding to the illumination substitute instruction is received from the remote controller in the power-off state, the output video switching means switches and outputs the video signal from the video signal generation means, and the volume control means mutes the volume to zero. A lighting substitute control means for turning on the power after setting to a predetermined lighting substitute state for adjusting the state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the signal supply device selects only a broadcast signal of an arbitrary channel from a plurality of broadcast signals transmitted from a broadcast center. And a video signal and an audio signal read out from a recording medium such as a video tape and reproduced by the signal supply means, for example, as a television receiver. It is conceivable to configure as a video playback device that can be supplied to the video playback device. When a CATV system is used, it is often set not to reproduce a normal television broadcast but to reproduce a signal from a CATV converter.
It is practically preferable to be able to control on the converter side. Also, in the case of a video reproducing apparatus, a channel or the like of a normal television broadcast can be switched by a remote controller for the video reproducing apparatus in many cases. This is actually preferable.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a television apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The television device 1 is mainly composed of a television receiver 10 and a remote controller (hereinafter, abbreviated as “remote controller”) 30.

For example, a television broadcast wave transmitted by a coaxial cable or the like is input to a tuner 11 of a television receiver 10. The tuner 11 receives the control of the channel setting from the microcomputer / logic circuit 20 as "lighting substitute control means" and selects a desired channel. The channel set here is the operation unit 21
Alternatively, the channel number is input by the remote controller 30 and the set channel number is displayed on the display unit 23. In addition,
The remote control 30 of the present embodiment includes the television receiver 1
It is assumed that a lighting function on / off key for operating 0 instead of lighting is newly provided.

The channel selection signal from the tuner 11 is input to a video detection circuit 12, and is input to a video signal switch 15 as "output video switching means" via a video amplification circuit 13. "Video signal generating means" is provided in the video signal switch 15
The video signal from the video signal generator 14 is also input, and the output signal can be switched under the control of the microcomputer / logic circuit 20.
Then, the output from the video signal switch 15 is input to the picture tube 16 as "video playback means", and the video is output.

The tuning signal from the tuner 11 is also input to an audio detection circuit 18, and is output from a speaker 17 as "audio reproduction means" through an audio amplification circuit 19 as "volume adjustment means". It will be. Here, the audio amplification circuit 19 is controlled by the microcomputer / logic circuit 20 to increase or decrease the volume, and can be put into an audio mute state.

When the television receiver 10 of the present embodiment is used as illumination, the microcomputer / logic circuit 20 mutes the audio to the audio amplifier 19, and the video signal switch 15 sends the video signal from the video signal generator 14. Control is performed to output the signal of
The video signal switch 15 outputs a signal from the video amplification circuit 13, and the mute of the audio amplification circuit 19 is released.

Further, in the present embodiment, these controls are not performed during the viewing of the television broadcast wave, and operate only when the television power is off. (However, the TV power here means ON / OFF of a power controlled by operation of a remote controller, and commercial AC power is always input to the TV.) Next, the video signal generator 14 will be described. explain. In the present embodiment, the video signal generated by the video signal generator 14 is a signal that causes the picture tube 16 to emit only white color. As a light source, not only natural white light but also a luminance signal is used as a video signal, so that there is an advantage that the circuit of the video signal generator 14 can be simplified.

Next, the operation when the present television set 1 is used as illumination will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the first step S10, the remote controller 30
Of the control data from. The received control data is stored in the microcomputer / logic circuit 20.

Then, the flow shifts to S20, where it is determined whether or not the television image is being viewed. The reason why the TV power is not simply turned off here is that the TV power is turned on even when the lighting function is turned on, and is distinguished from the TV power being turned on by the lighting function. At S20, it is determined whether or not the television image is being viewed.

If the user is watching a television image (S20: Y
ES), and the flow shifts to S30, where control of the television corresponding to the received data (for example, channel switching, volume increase / decrease, etc.) is performed, and the present process is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if the television image is not being viewed (S20: NO), the process proceeds to S40, and it is determined whether the received data corresponds to the lighting function on / off key. If it is the data of the lighting function on / off key (S40: YES), go to S50, otherwise (S4
0: NO) The process proceeds to S100.

In S100, it is further determined whether or not the received data corresponds to the TV power on / off key, and if it corresponds (S100: YES), the flow shifts to S110. S
At 110, a process of turning off the lighting function is performed because it is assumed that the lighting function is on. After that, the flow shifts to S30, where control corresponding to the received data (here, the television power is turned on) is performed.

If the received data does not correspond to the TV power on / off key in S100, the process directly proceeds to S30 and thereafter ends. On the other hand, in S50, it is determined whether or not the lighting function is on. If the lighting function is on (S50: YES), the process shifts to S60 to perform off control of the lighting function. That is, the video signal from the tuner 11 is output from the video signal switch 15, and the audio mute for the volume amplification circuit is released to return to the original state. Then, after the TV power is turned off in S70, the process ends. If it is off (S50: NO), S8
At 0, the lighting function is turned on, and then at S90, the television power is turned on, and the process ends.

As described above, when the television apparatus 1 receives a predetermined remote control signal corresponding to the illumination substitute instruction from the remote control 30 in the power-off state, the television apparatus 1 transmits a predetermined video signal from the video signal generator 14 to the picture tube 16. The sound output from the speaker 17 is set to a predetermined lighting substitute state in which the sound amplification circuit 19 sets a mute state of zero volume, and then the power is turned on. Therefore, in the past, if the television broadcast was not finished, naturally the program video and audio accompanied by the sound would be output, and it would be very uncomfortable at midnight, and if the broadcast itself was finished, Output a noise sound, and further caused discomfort. However, since the television device 1 mutes the sound and outputs only a predetermined video signal (for example, only white), such inconvenience is solved. . That is, the television receiver 10 can be used as appropriate illumination regardless of the presence or absence of a broadcast wave.

In the present embodiment, there is a case where it is desired to use the original television apparatus from the above-mentioned illumination substitute state. Therefore, in consideration of the convenience in this case, if the power-on is instructed while the illumination function is on, The lighting function is turned off, and the mode shifts to a mode used as a normal television device. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 shows a CAT as a second embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a V converter 101. The CATV converter 101 is used to connect to a television device and supply a CATV signal to the television device.
, And a remote controller for CATV converter (hereinafter abbreviated as “converter remote controller”) 130.

From a CATV broadcasting center (not shown), a CAT
The broadcast signal transmitted via the V transmission path is transmitted to the tuner 1
11 is input. The tuner 111 receives the control of the channel setting from the microcomputer / logic circuit 120 as "lighting substitute control means" and selects a desired channel. The channel set here is the operation unit 12
The channel number is input on the remote controller 130 or 1 and the set channel number is displayed on the display unit 123. The converter remote controller 130 of the present embodiment is provided with a lighting function on / off key for operating the television receiver instead of lighting.

The tuning signal from the tuner 111 is input to a video detection circuit 112, and is input to a video signal switch 115 as “output video switching means” via a video amplification circuit 113. The video signal from the video signal generator 114 as “video signal generating means” is also input to the video signal switch 115, and the output signal can be switched under the control of the microcomputer / logic circuit 120. I have. The video signal from the video signal switch 115 is supplied to the video output terminal 1
The signal is output to a video input terminal of the television device via the communication terminal 31.

The channel selection signal from the tuner 111 is also input to an audio detection circuit 118, and is sent to a television via an audio amplification circuit 119 as "volume adjustment means" and an audio output terminal 132 constituting "signal supply means". Output to the audio input terminal of the television set. Here, the audio amplifier 119 is a microcomputer / logic circuit 1
20 controls the increase / decrease of the volume so that the audio mute state can be set.

The AC output control unit 124 outputs AC (AC power) to an AC input terminal of the television device via an AC output terminal 133 constituting a "power supply means" under the control of the microcomputer / logic circuit 120. Have been able to. That is, the converter body 110
Is AC input from outside through an AC input unit (not shown).
Power can be supplied to the inside of the converter main body, and AC power can also be supplied to the television receiver through an AC input terminal of the television receiver connected to the AC output terminal 133. Have been.

The CATV converter 101 according to the present embodiment
When the connected television receiver is used as an illumination, the microcomputer / logic circuit 120 sends an audio mute signal to the audio amplifier circuit 119 and the video signal switch 1
15 is controlled so as to output a signal from the video signal generator 114, and when not used as illumination, the video signal switch 115 outputs a signal from the video amplification circuit 113 and the audio amplification circuit 119 Mute is released. The video signal generator 114 is the same as the video signal generator 14 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the CATV converter 101,
When a remote control signal corresponding to the lighting function on / off key is received from converter remote control 130, a predetermined video signal from video signal generator 114 is output to video output terminal 131.
Output to the video input terminal of the television device side,
The audio output from the audio output terminal 132 is set to a predetermined lighting substitute state in which the audio amplifier 119 sets the volume to a mute state of zero volume, and then the AC output terminal 13
3 to the AC input terminal of the television device. Therefore, in the CATV converter 101, since the sound is muted to the television device side and only a predetermined video signal is output, the conventional inconvenience is solved. That is, the CATV converter 101 can perform control to substitute a connected television receiver as appropriate illumination regardless of the presence or absence of a broadcast wave. In this case, the configuration of the television device does not need to be changed at all.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments at all, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the video signal generator 14 in the first or second embodiment,
Although the description has been made assuming that the predetermined video signal 114 is always generated, the configuration may be such that the video signal is generated only when the lighting function is performed in accordance with the instructions from the microcomputer / logic circuits 20 and 120.

Although the second embodiment has been described as being implemented as the CATV converter 101, it is possible to supply a video signal and an audio signal to a television device.
In terms of a device that can also output AC to the television device in conjunction with the operation of the own device, the present invention can be similarly applied to a video reproducing device and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a television device as a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation in a case where a television device is used as lighting;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a CATV converter as a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Television apparatus 10 ... Television receiver 11 ... Tuner 12 ... Video detection circuit 13 ... Video amplification circuit 14 ... Video signal generator 15 ... Video signal switch 16 ... Picture tube 17 ... Speaker 18 ... Audio detection circuit 19 ... Audio amplifier circuit 20 ... Microcomputer / logic circuit 21 ... Operation unit 23 ... Display unit 30 ... Remote control 101 ... CATV converter 110 ... Converter body 111 ... Tuner 112 ... Video detection circuit 113 ... Video amplification circuit 114 ... Video signal generator 115 ... Video Signal switch 118 ... Audio detection circuit 119 ... Audio amplification circuit 120 ... Microcomputer / logic circuit 121 ... Operation unit 123 ... Display unit 124 ... AC output control unit 130 ... Converter remote controller 131 ... Video output terminal 132 ... Audio output terminal 133 ... AC output terminal

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A television receiver having a video reproducing means capable of reproducing a video signal of a selected channel, an audio reproducing means capable of reproducing a received audio signal, and a broadcast of a desired channel. A remote controller capable of transmitting a remote control signal for selecting a signal or switching power on / off to the television receiver, the television receiver comprising: A video signal generating means capable of generating a signal, and an output video switch for selecting either a video signal from the video signal generating means or a video signal received by the selected channel and switching and outputting the selected video signal to the video reproducing means. Means, volume control means for controlling the volume reproduced by the audio reproduction means, and When a predetermined remote control signal according to the illumination substitute instruction is received from the remote controller, the output video switching means causes the video signal from the video signal generation means to be switched and output, and the volume control means has a volume of zero. A television set comprising: a lighting substitution control unit that sets a predetermined lighting substitution state for adjusting to a mute state and then turns on the power. 2. The lighting substitute control means receives a predetermined remote control signal according to an instruction to end the lighting substitute state from the remote controller when the main power supply is turned on in the predetermined lighting substitute state. In this case, the output video switching unit is configured to switch and output a video signal received by the selected channel, and to perform control to release a mute state by the volume control unit. John device. 3. A signal supply means capable of supplying a video signal and an audio signal to a television receiver having a video reproduction means capable of reproducing a video signal and an audio reproduction means capable of reproducing an audio signal. A supply unit main body having a power supply unit capable of supplying and stopping power to the television receiver with turning on and off the power of the device; and a video signal and an audio signal to the television receiver. In a signal supply device for a television device, comprising: a remote controller capable of transmitting a remote control signal for instructing switching of supply or power supply / stop to the supply unit body, wherein the supply unit body generates a predetermined video signal. Possible video signal generating means, and selecting either a video signal from the video signal generating means or a video signal from the signal supplying means. Output video switching means for switching and outputting to the television receiver; volume adjusting means for adjusting the volume supplied by the signal supply means; and When a remote control signal is received, the output video switching means switches and outputs a video signal from the video signal generation means, and the volume control means sets a predetermined illumination substitute state for adjusting to a mute state of zero volume. And a lighting substitute control unit for turning on the power supply. 4. The signal supply means is capable of selecting only a broadcast signal of an arbitrary channel from a plurality of broadcast signals transmitted from a broadcast center and supplying the selected broadcast signal to the television receiver, and is configured as a CATV converter. The signal supply device for a television device according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal supply means is capable of supplying a video signal and an audio signal read and reproduced from a recording medium to said television receiver, and is configured as a video reproduction device. 3. The signal supply device for a television device according to item 3.