JPH11275477A - Audiovisual display system, high speed tuner audiovisual display system, high speed tuner television system and method for high speed tuning of audiovisual display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the audiovisual display system providing the high speed tuner system to include a display device, pluralities of tuners adaptive to connection to an information source, and a selector connecting to pluralities of the tuners to connect selectively each of pluralities of the tuners to the display device. SOLUTION: A control system 24 connects to pluralities of tuners and a selector 20 to switch the selector 20 to connect periodically pluralities of the tuners 14, 16 to a display device 12 in response to a channel revision instruction. When a 1st tuner of pluralities of the tuners 14, 16 connects to the display device 12 in response to a 1st instruction of the consecutive channel revision instructions, the control system 24 takes precedence of a 2nd tuner of pluralities of the tuners 14, 16 over the 1st tuner to allow the 2nd tuner to tune a succeeding channel. Upon the receipt of the 2nd instruction in the consecutive channel revision instructions, the control system 24 switches the selector to connect the 2nd tuner of pluralities of the tuners 14, 16 to the display device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to audiovisual display systems such as televisions, and more particularly to providing fast tuning during continuous channel changes and quickly displaying information from continuous channels. , An audiovisual display system having two or more tuners and a control system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field, electromagnetic transmission (electrom
Various forms of audiovisual display systems are known which display information received from magnetic transmissions. A common example is a television set used to display information received from a broadcast station or the like by radio broadcast from a cable system or other information source. The television set includes a tuner that receives a signal from an information source and distributes a video signal corresponding to the selected channel to a television screen or display.

Recently, some television sets have included two tuners, for example, picture-in-picture (p
In the ip) system, one tuner provides information for the main display and the other tuner provides information for reduced size pictures. Such televisions include a video selector switch for selectively connecting one or both of these tuners to a television display. When a channel change command to one of the tuners is received, the selected tuner is retuned and then connected to the display (if not already connected) in response to the command.

[0004]

However, since each tuner is tuned only when a new channel change command to a particular tuner is received, the maximum speed at which a conventional dual-tuner television can change channels is: Like a single tuner TV,
The time required for a single tuner to completely retune. This delay is particularly noticeable and inconvenient when the television user is "channel surfing", i.e., quickly changing channels continuously. When the TV receives a channel change signal, do not wait for the selected tuner to completely retune to the new channel before the user can watch it and decide whether to continue in channel order. Not be.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an audiovisual display of a television or the like that tunes faster and faster than a conventional television to shorten the time required for channel change.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an audiovisual display, such as a television, having a high speed tuner system that reduces the time to change channels, especially during successive channel changes. An audiovisual display system according to the present invention generally includes a display, a plurality of tuners adapted for connection to an information source, and a selector connected to the plurality of tuners for selectively connecting one of the tuners to the display. Including. The control system is
In order to periodically connect one of the tuners to the display, it is connected to a plurality of tuners and a selector for switching a selector in response to a channel change command. Preferably, when the first tuner of the plurality of tuners is connected to the display in response to a first successive channel change command, the control system preemptively tunes the second tuner of the plurality of tuners to a subsequent channel. The control system switches the selector to connect the second tuner of the plurality of tuners to the display when receiving a second continuous channel change command.

[0007] The audiovisual display system may also include a user interface adapted to provide a channel change command to the control system, such as a remote control including an input for providing a continuous channel change command. In one preferred embodiment, the audiovisual system is a television set having two or more internal tuners controlled by a control system. Alternatively, the television may include one or more internal tuners and an external tuner removably connected to a control system such as a selector and VCR.

[0008] According to the method of using the fast tuner feature of the audiovisual display system of the present invention, the fast tuning process is initiated upon receiving a first signal indicating a channel change. In response to the first signal, the control system detects a channel change command in the first signal and the first tuner is retuned (to the indicated channel or preemptively tuned to it) ) Connected to the display. When a continuous change command, such as channel up, channel down, or selection from a list of favorite channels, is detected in the first signal, the second tuner is preemptively tuned to the following channel. If the audiovisual display system includes a third tuner, the third tuner is also preemptively tuned to another subsequent channel when a continuous channel change command is detected in the first signal.

Upon receiving the second signal indicating a channel change, the control system preferably compares the first and second signals to determine whether the first and second signals include the same continuous channel change command. To detect the selection pattern. If a selection pattern is detected, ie, the first and second signals include the same continuous channel change command, a second tuner is connected to the display without having to wait for retuning. The disconnected tuner, the first tuner, can then be preemptively connected to another continuous channel in anticipation of a third continuous channel change command.

Accordingly, a control system for an audiovisual display system in accordance with the present invention circulates through a tuner and, in anticipation of receiving a similar continuous channel change command, disconnects one or more tuners in response to the continuous channel change command. Re-tune first. This substantially reduces the time lapse for displaying information from the retuning to the selected channel on the display as compared to a single tuner system or a system without this control method.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an audiovisual display system having a large number of tuners that are periodically and preemptively tuned, which rapidly tunes the system during successive channel changes.

[0012] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent in view of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a high-speed tuner television 1 according to the present invention.
0 shows a first preferred embodiment. TV 10
Is a conventional display 12 and a pair of internal tuners 1
4 and 16 (identified as Tuner 1 and Tuner 2, respectively), each of which is connected to an information source 18 such as a conventional cable television signal source. The tuners 14, 16 are also connected to a video selector switch 20 adapted to selectively connect one of the tuners 14, 16 or a video input 22 to the display 12.

Television 10 includes a control system 24, preferably a microcomputer, connected to tuners 14, 16 and video selector switch 20. Alternatively, control system 24 may include a sequencer, one or more analog or digital devices and / or separate or integrated components, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Preferably, control system 24 is responsive to a user interface, such as a remote control device (not shown). Television 10 may include a receiver (not shown) connected to control system 24 to receive output from a remote control device, such as infrared, having information regarding television control, as is well known in the art. .

The control system 24 includes the tuners 14, 1
6 to alternately tune and / or toggle the video selector switch 20, thereby displaying the selected channel received from the information source 18 on the display 12.
16 are alternately connected to the display 12. Most preferably, one of the tuners, for example Tuner 1
Is connected to the display 12 in response to the first successive channel change command, the control system 24
As described in more detail below, the control system 24
Expects to receive a second successive channel change command, and preemptively tunes to the next channel, the other disconnected tuner, ie, tuner 2
, And switches the video selector switch 20 so that the tuner disconnected therefrom, that is, the tuner 2 is connected to the display 12. Further, control system 24 may include a memory (not shown) for storing previous channel change commands, and / or a comparator (not shown) for comparing channel change commands to detect a selected pattern.

In use, operation of the television 10 generally proceeds as follows. A first signal indicating a channel change is received, for example, from a remote control device controlled by a television user. Control system 24 connects a first tuner (eg, tuner 1) to display 12 in response to the first signal. The first tuner may be already tuned to the "preemptively" selected channel or retuned when connected to the display 12, as described below. The control system 24 determines whether the first signal is channel up, channel down, or a selector for a favorite channel (e.g., super quick view (S
QV)) or the like is detected. If a continuous channel change command is detected, control system 24 retunes the second or disconnected tuner (Tuner 2) to the next successive channel, ie, another similar continuous channel change command. Tune the second tuner "in advance" in anticipation of receiving

When a second signal indicating a channel change is received, control system 24 detects the selection pattern, ie, whether the second signal is the same continuous channel change command as the first signal. Next, the first and second signals are compared. If a selection pattern is detected, the second tuner (Tuner 2) is connected to the display 12 and the first tuner (Tuner 1) is disconnected, thereby the time required to retune to the desired channel. Display information from the second tuner without having to wait. Further, the control system 24 tunes the first tuner or the next disconnected tuner (tuner 1) ahead of the next successive channel. Then, when a third signal indicating a channel change is received, the control system 2
4 repeats the above steps, compares the third signal with the second signal, connects the disconnected tuner (tuner 1) if a selection pattern is detected, then preempts and then disconnects Tuner (tuner 2) to be tuned.

Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of the time for a channel change when the present invention is used is shown, wherein the time progresses uniformly from left to right. Time block 30
Indicates the minimum time required for a single tuner to completely retune when receiving a channel change command. The time blocks 32a-32j may be a sequence of channel commands, such as a series of "channel ups".
2 shows a series of channel changes using the television 10 of FIG. 1 when receiving a signal. In block 32a,
Tuner 1 is tuned (or preemptively tuned) in response to signal 1 and connected to display 12. While tuner 1 is being tuned, tuner 2 is continuously tuned ahead of the next signal in anticipation of signal 2, as shown in block 32b.

When signal 2 is received, tuner 2 is connected to display 12 and, as shown in block 32c, tuner 1 disconnected from display 12 is tuned preemptively in anticipation of signal 3 and so on. These are retuned in block 32j, where signal 10 is received and tuner 2 is shown (partially shown in dashed lines to indicate the time when tuner 2 fully retunes in response to signal 10). Continue until Thus, if the television user is "channel surfing", i.e., quickly ordering channels on the television set, the control system 24 will cycle or "ping-pong" between tuner 1 and tuner 2. And thereby reduce the time for a channel change by as much as fifty percent, as described in further detail below.

Embodiment 2 Referring to FIG. 3, a second preferred embodiment of the television system according to the present invention is shown.
As in the first preferred embodiment, the television system 11
0 includes display 12, video selector switch 20 and control system 24. However, instead of a dual internal tuner, the television system 110 connects the first internal tuner 14 with the television set 1 via line 122.
VCR (video cassette recorder) connected to 10
116 and a second external tuner. For example,
The video output of VCR 116 may be removably connected to an input port 124 such as a video input of television system 110. The control system 24 is connected to the VCR 116 in addition to the internal tuner 14 and the video selector switch 20, for example, via a control port 126 or a remote control (not shown), such that the control system 24 is connected to the VCR 116 and / or its tuner ( (Not shown).

In use, the television system 110 has a VCR
As in the first preferred embodiment, except that 116 replaces the second internal tuner 16 (see FIG. 1), thereby eliminating the need for a second internal tuner. Accordingly, the control system 24 tunes the preemptively disconnected tuner and reduces the time of successive channel changes by using the internal tuner 14.
And VCR 116.

Embodiment 3 FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, a third preferred embodiment of the television system according to the present invention is shown. The television 210 has a display 12 and first and second internal tuners 1 similar to those described above.
4, 16, a video selector switch 20 and a control system 24. Further, similarly to the above-described configuration, an external tuner such as a VCR 116 connected to the video selector switch 20 is also provided. Control system 24
Is the VCR in addition to the pair of internal tuners 14 and 16
116, which further speeds up successive channel changes.

FIG. 5 (c) illustrates the operation of the television 210 of FIG. 4 or a similar three-tuner system that may include another combination of internal and / or external tuners (not shown). During use, for example, when the first signal indicating a continuous channel change is received, the first internal tuner 14 (tuner 1 in FIG.
Is tuned to the first channel or is already preempted by the first channel (FIG. 5).
It may be tuned to channel 1) in (c) and connected to the display 12. The second internal tuner 16 (tuner 2) is tuned to the next successive channel (channel 2) with preemption, and the third internal tuner 116 (tuner 3)
Third channel in a series of preemptive channels (channel 3)
Tuned to Upon receiving a second signal indicating a continuous channel change, the second internal tuner 16
(Tuner 2) is the second channel (Channel 2)
Is connected to the display 12 to display. The external tuner 116 (tuner 3) is held in the third channel, and the first internal tuner 14 (tuner 1) separated from the display 12 at this time is connected to the fourth channel (channel 4) that is continuous in advance. Retuned. Although a specific chain has been described,
In order to provide information to the display 12 more quickly in response to successive channel change commands, the control system 24
Merely exemplifies the manner in which circulates or turns through a tuner.

Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 (a)-(c), the present invention has a plurality of tuners and a control system for circulating through the tuners, wherein the first tuner is followed by a continuous tuner. It is intended for televisions or other audiovisual devices that reduce the time required to change channels. As shown, the horizontal width of each block indicates the time required to completely retune the single tuner. FIG. 5 (a) shows a channel change using conventional single-tuner tuning, i.e., the time required for the single tuner to retune and change channels in response to each signal, with respect to channels 1-6. Changing the channel requires six complete retuning periods.

Conversely, FIG. 5 (b) shows the passage of time for successive channel changes using a dual tuner audiovisual display according to the present invention, such as the television 10 of FIG. 1 or the television system 110 of FIG. Is exemplified. Each tuner only tunes every other channel, so tuner 1 has channels 1, 3, 5
Only, and Tuner 2 retunes only to channels 2, 4, and 6. Thus, a dual tuner system can reduce the time to change channels by at least about 40 percent, and possibly by about 50 percent.

As shown in FIG. 5 (c) with three tuner tunings, the individual tuners retune only every third channel. Thus, the time to continuously change channels is about 33 percent of the time required using a single tuner system, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. If desired, additional tuners may be added to reduce proportionately each time the channel is changed. Conventional TV tuners were expensive devices, but with the development of an integrated internal tuner, a desired number of tuners were provided without substantially increasing the cost of the TV, and further improved to a TV system Fast tuning can be provided.

While the invention is capable of various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However,
The invention is not limited to the specific form or method disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. You should understand that.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An audio-visual display system that provides a high-speed tuner system includes a display, a plurality of tuners adapted for connection to an information source, and a plurality of tuners connected to the display to selectively connect one of the tuners to the display. Including selected selectors. The control system is connected to a plurality of tuners and a selector for switching a selector to periodically connect the tuners to the display in response to a channel change command. When the first tuner of the tuners is connected to the display in response to a first successive channel change command, the control system preemptively tunes the second tuner of the tuners to a subsequent channel. Upon receiving a second successive channel change command, thereby, the control system switches the selector to connect a second tuner of the plurality of tuners to the display. The system may be a television including one or more internal tuners and / or external tuners such as VCRs. Therefore, there is an effect that the time required for changing channels can be shortened by tuning quickly and quickly as compared with the conventional television.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an audiovisual display system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a time required for channel change in the audiovisual display system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an audiovisual display system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an audiovisual display system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a time required for a channel change in the audiovisual display system according to each embodiment of the present invention so as to facilitate comparison.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 TV, 12 display, 14 Tuner 1, 16 Tuner 2, 18 Information source (cable),
20 video selector switches, 22 video inputs, 2
4 control system (microcomputer), 110
TV, 116VCR, 210 TV.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (71) Applicant 598167349 9351 JERONIMO ROAD, IRINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. S. A. (72) Inventor Adrian Hals 607 Brookview Way, Costa Mesa, California, United States

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A display, a plurality of tuners adapted for connection to an information source, and a selector connected to the plurality of tuners for selectively connecting one of the plurality of tuners to the display. And a control system connected to the plurality of tuners and the selector for switching a selector in response to a channel change command in order to periodically connect one of the plurality of tuners to the display, The control system is responsive to a first successive channel change command for a first tuner of the plurality of tuners to preemptively tune a second tuner of the plurality of tuners to a subsequent channel. Adapted when connected to the display, thereby providing a second contiguous channel. Upon receiving the Le change command, the control system audiovisual display system switches the second tuner of said plurality of tuners on the display. 2. The audiovisual display system according to claim 1, wherein said control system comprises a microcomputer. 3. The audiovisual display system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface adapted to provide a channel change command. 4. The audio-visual display system according to claim 3, wherein the user interface is a remote control including an input for giving a continuous channel change command. 5. The audio-visual display system according to claim 1, wherein the continuous channel change command includes one of a channel up signal, a channel down signal, and a super quick view signal. 6. The audiovisual display system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of tuners include an internal tuner and an external tuner. 7. The external tuner is detachably connected to the selector and the control system.
An audiovisual display system as described. 8. The audio-visual display system according to claim 6, wherein the external tuner comprises a VCR. 9. A display, a plurality of tuners adapted for connection to an information source, and a selector connected to the plurality of tuners for selectively connecting one of the plurality of tuners to the display. And a control system connected to the plurality of tuners and the selector for switching a selector in response to a channel change command in order to periodically connect one of the plurality of tuners to the display, When the control system receives the first continuous channel change command, it disconnects the tuner connected to the display, connects the disconnected tuner to the display, and expects a second continuous channel change command, and Preempt one or more detached tuners into a continuous channel Fast tuner audio-visual display system that-tuning. 10. The control system includes a comparator for detecting a selection pattern when a second channel change command is received, and when the selection pattern is detected, the control system causes a preemptively tuned tuner to be detected. 10. The high-speed tuner audiovisual display system of claim 9, wherein the high-speed tuner audiovisual display system is connected to the display and preemptively tunes one or more disconnected tuners to a continuous channel. 11. The control system includes a memory for storing the first channel change command, wherein the comparator compares the first and second channel change commands, thereby comparing the first and second channel change commands. 11. The high-speed tuner audiovisual display system according to claim 10, wherein the selection pattern is detected when the channel change commands of the same include the same continuous channel change commands. 12. A television display, a first tuner adapted for connection to an information source, an input port for receiving television signals from an external tuner connected to the information source, and a channel from the information source. A selector connected to the first internal tuner and the input port for selectively providing the information of the internal tuner to the display; a user interface for providing a channel change signal; And a control system connected to a control port adapted to switch a selector in response to a channel change signal received from a user interface and connected to a connection with an external tuner. The control system includes a first channel of the tuner. Is adapted when the tuner is connected to the display in response to a first successive channel change command to preemptively tune a second one of the tuners to a subsequent channel, thereby adapting the second tuner. A high speed tuner television system, wherein upon receiving a second successive channel change command, the control system switches the selector to connect a second tuner of the tuner to the display. 13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second internal tuner connected to said selector and control system.
2. The high-speed tuning television set described in 2. 14. A method for fast tuning an audiovisual display system including a display and first and second tuners, comprising: receiving a first signal indicating a channel change; and responsive to the first signal. Connecting the first tuner to the display, pre-tuning the second tuner, receiving a second signal indicating a channel change, and detecting a selection pattern. Comparing the first and second signals; and, if a selection pattern is detected, connecting the preemptively tuned second tuner to the display. How to tune. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second signals include a continuous channel change signal, and a selection pattern is detected when the first and second signals include the same continuous channel change signal. Item 15. The method according to Item 14. 16. During the step of connecting the first tuner to the display, the first tuner is tuned to a first channel, and the step of preemptively tuning a second tuner comprises: 15. The method of claim 14, comprising tuning the first tuner to a second channel following the first channel. 17. A method for fast tuning an audiovisual display system including a display and first and second tuners, comprising: receiving a first signal indicative of a channel change; and responsive to the first signal. Connecting the first tuner to the display, detecting a continuous channel change command in the first signal, and detecting a continuous channel change command in the first signal. Tuning the second tuner in advance of successive channels. 18. The continuous channel change command may include:
2. The method of claim 1, including one of a channel up signal, a channel down signal, or a super quick view signal.
7. The method according to 7. 19. The audiovisual display system comprises a third tuner, wherein the method preempts the third tuner with another successive tuner when a subsequent channel change command is detected in the first signal. 18. The method of claim 17, comprising the additional step of tuning to a channel. 20. Receiving a second signal indicating a channel change, detecting a selection pattern, and connecting the second tuner to the display when the selection pattern is detected. 18. The method of claim 17, comprising: 21. The step of detecting the selection pattern includes comparing the first and second signals, and selecting when the first and second signals include the same continuous channel change command. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein a pattern is detected.