JPH11164221A - Television broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute viewing limitation also to ground wave television broadcasting by setting a program that is subjected to viewing limitation and making the program with viewing limitation to be normally viewed only when a user inputs a password number which is previously defined. SOLUTION: A selection item that shows a password number registration, a selection item which shows the registration of a viewing limitation to digital satellite television broadcasting and a selection item which shows the registration of a viewing limitation to ground wave television broadcasting are shown in a viewing limitation registration initial image. A password number is common and the number is inputted by using ten keys 21. The broadcasting time zone of a program which you want to perform viewing limitation to is set based on a broadcasting time zone setting image, and if the program that viewing limitation is applied is selected after the setting of a channel number is finished based on a displayed channel setting image, an audio signal is muted by an audio mute circuit 10 and a video signal is muted by a video mute circuit 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a television broadcast receiver.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital satellite broadcast receiver has a function of allowing a user to set parental control for a predetermined program by using broadcast program information. For a program for which viewing restriction is set, for example, video and audio signals are muted, so that the user cannot normally view the program.

[0003] The release of the viewing restriction is performed by inputting a valid password (password). Therefore, if only a specific person, such as the elder, knows the valid PIN, the viewing restriction is set for the program unfavorable for the younger so that the younger can view the program unfavorable for the younger. Can be prevented.

On the other hand, terrestrial television broadcast receivers do not have a function for setting viewing restrictions.

[0005] By the way, a television broadcast receiver having a function of receiving a digital television broadcast and a function of receiving a terrestrial television broadcast has been developed. In such a receiver, it is preferable that the parental control can be set for the terrestrial television broadcast. However, since the program information is not transmitted in the terrestrial television broadcast, the parental control for the digital television broadcast is not performed. It is difficult to apply the setting function as it is.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a television broadcast receiver capable of restricting viewing by inputting a channel and a broadcast time zone.

[0007] The present invention relates to a television broadcast receiver having a function of receiving digital television broadcasts and a function of receiving terrestrial television broadcasts. It is intended to provide a receiver.

[0008]

In a first television broadcast receiver according to the present invention, a means for setting a program for which viewing is restricted by inputting a channel and a broadcasting time zone, and a viewing restriction are set. A program is normally set so that it cannot be viewed normally, and only when a predetermined password is input by the user, a means for broadcasting the program so that the program for which viewing restriction is set can be normally viewed is provided. It is characterized by having.

A second television broadcasting receiver according to the present invention is a television broadcasting receiver having a function of receiving digital television broadcasting and a function of receiving terrestrial television broadcasting. Means for setting a program for which parental control is set by inputting a broadcast time zone, and a program for which parental control is set.
Normally, you can not watch normally, only when a predetermined PIN is entered by the user,
It is characterized by comprising means for broadcasting a program for which viewing restriction is set so that the program can be normally viewed.

[0010] It is preferable that the password used to restrict the viewing of the digital television broadcast program and the password used to restrict the viewing of the terrestrial broadcast program be the same password.

A third television broadcast receiver according to the present invention is a television broadcast receiver having a function of receiving a digital television broadcast and a function of receiving a terrestrial television broadcast. On the other hand, means for setting a program for which viewing restriction is set by inputting a channel and a broadcasting time zone, and for a program for which viewing restriction is set, normally make it impossible to view normally, and Only when a predetermined password is input by the user, means is provided for displaying a program for which viewing restriction is set so that the program can be normally viewed.

It is preferable that the password used to restrict the viewing of the digital television broadcast program and the password used to restrict the viewing of the terrestrial broadcast program be the same password.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[1] Description of the configuration of the television broadcast receiver

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a television broadcast receiver capable of receiving both digital satellite television broadcasts and terrestrial television broadcasts.

Radio waves from a communication satellite are received by a digital satellite television broadcasting antenna 1. The signal received by the antenna 1 is sent to the digital CS tuner 2, where high-frequency processing and demodulation are performed.

The output of the tuner 2 is sent to the CS digital signal processing section 3. From the CS digital signal processing unit 3,
The video signal and the audio signal of the currently selected channel are output. In addition, channel information indicating a viewable channel in digital satellite television broadcasting and program information indicating the content of each program are sent to the system controller 5 via the channel information and the program information processing unit 4.

The audio signal of the currently selected channel is sent to the speaker 12 via the switch 9, the audio mute circuit 10, and the audio processing circuit 11. The video signal of the currently selected channel is sent to the display device 16 via the switch 13, the video mute circuit 14, and the video signal processing circuit 15.

On the other hand, radio waves from a terrestrial television broadcasting station are received by a terrestrial television broadcasting antenna 6. Antenna 6
Is sent to the terrestrial tuner 7 to output the video signal and the audio signal of the currently selected channel.

The audio signal of the currently selected channel is sent to the speaker 12 via the switch 9, the audio mute circuit 10, and the audio processing circuit 11. The video signal of the currently selected channel is sent to the display device 16 via the switch 13, the video mute circuit 14, and the video signal processing circuit 15.

The system controller 5 outputs a channel selection control signal to each of the tuners 2 and 7. The system controller 5 outputs a switching control signal to each of the switches 9 and 13. Further, the system controller 5 outputs a mute control signal indicating whether or not the mute circuits 10 and 14 mute the input signal.

Further, the system controller 5 sends an OSD control signal for displaying a program guide screen, various setting screens and the like on the on-screen display circuit 17.
Output to The on-screen display circuit 17 generates and outputs display data corresponding to the on-screen screen specified by the system controller 5. The display data output from the on-screen display circuit 17 is sent to the display device 16 via the video signal processing circuit 15.

Various input signals are input to the system controller 5 from an operation unit 20 such as a remote control transmitter.
The operation unit 20 includes ten keys 21, a menu key 22, cursor movement keys 23 and 24, an enter key 25, and the like.

In terrestrial television broadcasting, a channel number and a reception frequency uniquely correspond to each other. Generally, available channels for terrestrial television broadcasting are 1 to 9
A one- or two-digit number of 9 is used, and a channel to be selected is specified only by the channel number.

The channel that can be watched on the terrestrial television broadcast is specified, for example, by making a determination based on the reception level detected by the reception level detection circuit 8 at the time of initial setting of the receiver. The viewable channel number of the terrestrial television broadcast specified in this way is stored in a storage device (not shown).

[2] Explanation of parental control

The operation and setting screen for restricting the viewing will be described below.

FIG. 2 shows a parental level registration initial screen. On the viewing restriction registration initial screen, a selection item 31 indicating registration of a personal identification number (password), a selection item 32 indicating registration of viewing restriction for digital satellite television broadcasting, and a selection item indicating registration of viewing restriction for terrestrial television broadcasting. Item 33 is displayed. The parental level registration initial screen can be displayed, for example, by operating the menu key 22.

In order to restrict viewing, it is necessary to first register a password. Therefore, the user selects the selection item 31 indicating registration of the personal identification number on the parental level registration initial screen. This selection is made using the cursor movement keys 23,
After selecting the selection item 31 at 24, the selection is performed by pressing the enter key 25. In this embodiment, a password used for parental control for digital satellite television broadcasting and a personal identification number used for parental control for terrestrial television broadcasting are common (identical). Therefore, it is not necessary to input a different personal identification number for each broadcast.

When the selection item 31 indicating the registration of the personal identification number is selected, a personal identification number registration screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.
The user enters a password on the numeric keypad 2 based on this screen.
Enter using 1.

When a password is registered,
When registering the parental level for terrestrial television broadcasting, the user selects a selection item 33 indicating registration of parental level for terrestrial television broadcasting from the parental level registration initial screen (see FIG. 2).

When a selection item 33 indicating registration of parental control for terrestrial television broadcasting is selected, a screen prompting the input of a personal identification number (a personal identification number input screen) is displayed as shown in FIG.

When the user enters a password, the previously registered password is compared with the entered password, and if they match, as shown in FIG. A screen for setting a time zone (broadcast time zone setting screen) is displayed.

In this example, a start time, an end time, and a day of the week of a program whose viewing is to be restricted are set. If "Daily" is selected in the selection item of the day of the week, regardless of the day of the week,
Viewing restrictions will always be imposed.

When the setting of the broadcast time zone of the program whose viewing is to be restricted is completed based on the broadcast time zone setting screen, FIG.
As shown in (1), a screen (channel setting screen) for setting the channel number of the program whose viewing is to be restricted is displayed.

In this example, only one channel can be set, and all channels can be set.

When the setting of the channel number of the program whose viewing is to be restricted is completed based on the channel setting screen,
As shown in FIG. 7, a setting content confirmation screen is displayed.
When "Yes" is selected on this confirmation screen, the parental level is registered with the contents displayed on the confirmation screen.

Registration of parental control for digital satellite television broadcasting is performed in units of programs using program guide information as is well known.

When a program whose viewing is restricted is selected, the audio signal is muted by the audio mute circuit 10 and the video signal is muted by the video mute circuit 14. 8 is displayed on the display device 16.
A screen indicating that the parental level has been set (a parental level release screen) is displayed.

To release the parental control for the selected program, the user inputs a password on the parental control release screen. When the user inputs a password, the password registered in advance is compared with the input password, and if they match, the mute of audio and video is released.

When the viewing restriction release screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, the menu key 22 is pressed to view another program. Then, a channel selection screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 9, and a channel number of a program to be viewed is input. Thus, the input channel number is selected.

FIG. 10 shows a viewing restriction processing procedure by the system controller.

The mute control flag F1 is a flag for storing whether or not the mute circuits 10, 14 are muted from the system controller 5. When the mute control flag F1 is set (F1 = 1), the control signal sent from the system controller 5 to the mute circuits 10 and 14 is used to activate the mute circuits 10 and 14 (to apply mute). ) Signal. When the mute control flag F1 is reset (F1 = 0), the system controller 5 sends the mute circuit 1
Control signals sent to the mute circuits 10, 1
4 (not to mute).

The parental level release flag F2 is a flag for storing that the parental level has been released for a program for which parental level has been registered.
Is set (F2 = 1), it means that the parental control has been released for the program for which parental control has been registered, and the parental control release flag F2 is reset (F2 =
0) indicates that the parental lock has not been released for the program for which parental lock has been registered. When the viewing restriction is released for the program for which the viewing restriction is registered, the viewing restriction release flag F2 is reset when the channel is changed after the viewing restriction release flag F2 is set.

The default state is a state in which viewing is restricted, that is, a state in which video and audio are muted. Therefore, F1 = 1 and F2 = 0.

First, the current time is fetched (step 1). Then, it is determined whether or not the current time is included in the time zone in which the parental level is registered (step 2).
If the current time is not included in the time zone registered for parental control, the mute control flag F1 is reset (F
1 = 0), and the viewing restriction release flag F2 is reset (F2 = 0) (step 14). Since the mute control flag F1 is reset, the audio and video of the currently selected program are normally presented (step 15). Then, the process returns to step 1.

If the current time is included in the time zone in which the viewing restriction is registered, it is determined whether or not the channel number registered in the viewing restriction is selected (step 3). If the channel number registered for parental control has not been selected, the mute control flag F
1 is reset (F1 = 0), and the viewing restriction release flag F2 is reset (F2 = 0) (step 14). Since the mute control flag F1 is reset, the audio and video of the currently selected program are normally presented (step 15). Then, the process returns to step 1.

If it is determined in step 3 that the channel number registered for parental control has been selected, it is determined whether the parental control release flag F2 has been set (step 4). Viewing restriction release flag F2
Is not set, that is, if F2 = 0, the mute control flag F1 is set (F1 = 1), and the video signal and the audio signal are muted (step 5). Also, the viewing restriction release screen of FIG. 8 is displayed. Then, it waits for a password to be input (step 6) or a change in the selected channel (step 7).

If a password has been entered on the viewing restriction release screen, it is determined whether the entered password is correct (step 8). If the entered password is incorrect, the process returns to step 6. If the input password is correct, the mute control flag F1 is reset (F1 = 0) and the viewing restriction release flag F
2 is set (F2 = 1) (step 9). Since the mute control flag F1 is reset, the audio and video of the currently selected program are normally presented (step 10). Then, the process returns to step 1.

When the channel selection channel is changed while the parental lock release screen is displayed (YES in step 7), the parental lock release flag F2 is reset (F
2 = 0) and the mute control flag F1 is set (F1 = 1) (step 13), and the process returns to step 1.

When it is determined in step 4 that the parental lock release flag F2 is set, the audio and video of the currently selected program are normally presented (step 11). Then, it is determined whether or not the selected channel has been changed (step 12). If the channel has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S14. When the selected channel is changed, the viewing restriction release flag F2 is reset (F2 = 0), and
After the mute control flag F1 is set (F1 = 1) (step 13), the process returns to step 1.

The registration of the parental level for digital satellite television broadcasting may be performed by setting the broadcasting time zone and channel, similarly to the parental level for terrestrial television broadcasting.

[0053]

According to the present invention, it is possible to restrict viewing by inputting a channel and a broadcast time zone.

According to the present invention, in a television broadcast receiver having a function of receiving digital television broadcasts and a function of receiving terrestrial television broadcasts, it is possible to restrict viewing of terrestrial television broadcasts. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a television broadcast receiver capable of receiving both digital satellite television broadcasts and terrestrial television broadcasts.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a parental level registration initial screen.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a personal identification number registration screen.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a password input screen.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a broadcast time zone setting screen.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a channel setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a setting content confirmation screen.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a viewing restriction release screen.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a channel selection screen.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a viewing restriction process performed by a system controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Digital Satellite TV Broadcasting Antenna 2 Digital CS Tuner 3 CS Digital Signal Processing Unit 4 Channel Information and Program Information Processing Unit 5 System Controller 6 Terrestrial TV Broadcasting Antenna 7 Terrestrial Tuner 9 Switch 10 Audio Mute Circuit 11 Audio Processing Circuit 13 Switch 14 Video mute circuit 15 Video signal processing circuit 17 On-screen display circuit 20 Operation unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A means for setting a program for which viewing restriction is set by inputting a channel and a broadcasting time zone, and for a program for which viewing restriction is set, normally set so that normal viewing cannot be performed. Means for displaying a program to which viewing restriction is set so that the program can be normally viewed only when a predetermined password is input by a user. 2. A television broadcast receiver having a function of receiving digital television broadcasts and a function of receiving terrestrial television broadcasts, comprising: inputting a channel and a broadcast time zone for a terrestrial broadcast program; Means for setting a program for which viewing restriction is set, and for a program for which viewing restriction is set, normally, it is normally set so that viewing cannot be normally performed, and only when a predetermined password is input by the user, Means for broadcasting a program in which restrictions are set so that the program can be normally viewed. A television broadcast receiver comprising: 3. A television broadcast receiver having a function of receiving digital television broadcasts and a function of receiving terrestrial television broadcasts, wherein a terrestrial broadcast program and a digital television broadcast program have a channel and a broadcast time zone. By entering
A means for setting a program for which viewing restriction is set, and a program for which viewing restriction is set, are usually set so that viewing cannot be normally performed, and only when a predetermined password is input by the user, the viewing restriction is set. A means for broadcasting a program in which the program is set so that the program can be viewed normally. 4. The password used for parental control of a digital television broadcast program and the password used for parental control of a terrestrial broadcast program are the same password. The television broadcast receiver as described.