JPH1146110A - Portable antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily adjust a direction of a reception antenna and to reduce the power consumption. SOLUTION: A control circuit 10 discriminates whether or not a reception antenna 1 is accurately directed in a direction of a satellite based on reception level data sent from a reception level detection circuit 9. In the case that the control circuit 10 discriminates it that the reception antenna 1 is not directed in the direction of the satellite, the reception level detection circuit 9 detects a reception level and the control circuit 10 controls drive of an elevating angle direction drive motor 6 and an azimuth direction drive motor 8 to searches the direction of the satellite. Furthermore, when the reception antenna 1 is directed in the direction of the satellite and searching is finished, the control circuit 10 stops supply of power from a battery to the elevating angle direction drive motor 6 and the azimuth direction drive motor 8. Then the reception antenna 1 is easily directed in the direction of the satellite at an optional place to acquire the satellite and when the reception antenna 1 acquires the satellite, useless power consumption is suppressed to prevent the worn battery.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable antenna device having a receiving antenna for receiving satellite radio waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become common to watch television outdoors due to an outdoor boom or the like. In this case, the need for receiving a satellite broadcast in order to obtain a clearer image is increasing. A portable antenna device is convenient for receiving satellite broadcasting at an arbitrary place such as outdoors.
Also, in order to receive weak radio waves from satellites, it is generally necessary to use a high-gain antenna with sharp directivity,
The antenna must be pointed exactly at the satellite.

FIG. 13 is an external view of a conventional foldable portable antenna device. A receiving antenna (plane antenna) 1 for receiving microwaves from a satellite, and a receiving antenna 1
(Low noise block down converter) 2 which converts a microwave signal (satellite radio wave) received by the antenna into an intermediate frequency signal (IF signal), supports the receiving antenna 1 at a fixed angle at the time of installation, and points the receiving antenna 1 toward the satellite. A supporting mechanism 25 for holding the antenna 1 in an upright position, an elevation setting section 26 having a mechanism for adjusting and fixing the elevation of the receiving antenna 1 to an optimum value, a receiver 11 for demodulating the IF signal received from the LNB 2, and an LNB 2 Signal from the receiver 11
And a video transmission line 12 for transmitting the data.

By the way, in order to receive satellite broadcasts as described above, it is necessary to point the receiving antenna 1 accurately toward the satellite, but in the above-mentioned conventional example, the elevation angle (E) is first manually set.
L) to an appropriate angle, and then fix the azimuth (A
Both the elevation angle and the azimuth angle of the receiving antenna 1 are manually adjusted by using the support mechanism 25 and the elevation angle setting unit 26, such as searching for a position where satellite radio waves can be received by moving in the Z) direction. At this time, if the setting cannot be made at first glance, the user does not know which of the elevation angle and the azimuth angle is deviated. Was accompanied.

[0005]

As described above, in the above-described conventional example, it was very difficult to adjust the receiving antenna 1 so as to be accurately directed to the satellite at an arbitrary place such as outdoors. On the other hand, as an antenna device mounted on a moving body such as an automobile, various antenna devices that automatically track a satellite in accordance with a reception level or the like that changes with the movement of the moving body have been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-281172). No., JP-A-6
174817, JP-A-7-202545 and the like).

However, in the mobile antenna apparatus, it is necessary to always supply power to a mechanism for changing the elevation angle and azimuth angle of the receiving antenna. Since the device is hardly moved after being once installed, there is a problem that power is supplied to the mechanism unit, so that useless power is consumed. Moreover, in the case of a portable antenna device, since a battery (rechargeable battery) is used as a power source, there is a problem that the operating time is shortened due to the above-described wasteful power consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a portable antenna device in which the direction of a receiving antenna can be easily adjusted and power consumption can be suppressed. .

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving antenna for receiving a satellite radio wave, a table rotatably provided on a base, and an elevation angle on the table. A supporting means for variably supporting the receiving antenna, a driving means for rotating the table, a receiving level determining means for determining a reception level of a radio wave at the receiving antenna, and a receiving antenna according to the determination result by the receiving level determining means. Control means for controlling the supporting means and the driving means so as to be directed toward the satellite to adjust the elevation angle and azimuth of the receiving antenna, the control means comprising at least the supporting means and the receiving antenna in a state where the receiving antenna is directed toward the satellite. The power supply to the driving means is stopped, and the support means and the driving means hold the positions at the time when the power supply is stopped, and the control means The direction of the satellite is more automatically searched, so that the receiving antenna can be directed to the satellite. In addition, the power supply to the supporting means and the driving means is stopped while the receiving antenna is directed to the satellite, which is wasteful. Power consumption can be suppressed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting that at least one of the elevation angle and the azimuth of the receiving antenna is moved by an external factor, and the control means detects the detecting means. According to the result, the supporting means and the driving means are controlled again to adjust the elevation angle and azimuth of the receiving antenna so as to direct the receiving antenna toward the satellite. Even if it deviates, the direction of the satellite can be automatically searched again and the receiving antenna can be directed to the satellite.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the detecting means can simultaneously detect the direction in which the receiving antenna has moved due to an external factor, and the control means can detect the direction detected by the detecting means. The elevation and azimuth of the receiving antenna are adjusted by controlling the supporting means and the driving means so as to return to the direction opposite to that of the satellite. The direction can be searched to direct the receiving antenna toward the satellite.

[0011] The invention of claim 4 is the invention of claim 1 or 2 or 3.
In the invention of the above, while providing a level on the table,
It is equipped with adjustment means to adjust the level of the table, so that the user can check the level of the table using a level, and if it is not horizontal, adjust the level using the adjustment means. The table can always be installed horizontally.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing data indicating an elevation angle of a receiving antenna with respect to satellites in various places, and the control means includes a receiving area. It is characterized in that the elevation angle data of the ground with a high probability of being selected is sequentially read from the storage means and the supporting means is controlled, and the elevation angle at which the probability of reception is high is predicted, and the direction of the satellite is searched, so that the receiving antenna is connected to the satellite. , The probability that the initial setting time required to move in the direction of (1) is shortened, and by shortening the initial setting time, the power consumption in the supporting means and the driving means is reduced, and energy can be saved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a selection means for the user to select any elevation data from the elevation data stored in the storage means, and the control means comprises a selection means. Reading the elevation angle data selected from the storage means and controlling the support means,
Initial settings can be made even faster. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acquisition means for acquiring GPS data indicating a current position obtained from signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, and the control means includes a GPS data acquired from the acquisition means. Characterized by adjusting the elevation and azimuth of the receiving antenna so as to direct the receiving antenna toward the satellite by controlling the supporting means and the driving means based on the
Since the receiving point can be more accurately known by using the GPS data, the initial setting can be performed earlier.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an azimuth sensor for detecting an azimuth, wherein the control means determines a general direction of the satellite based on the azimuth detected by the azimuth sensor and controls the driving means. It is characterized in that the direction of the receiving antenna is adjusted to the vicinity of the direction determined by controlling, the driving range by the driving means can be narrowed by mainly searching in the determined direction, and the initial setting can be performed in a short time. it can.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view showing a schematic configuration. The portable antenna device according to the present embodiment includes a receiving antenna 1 for receiving satellite radio waves, and an L for converting a microwave signal (satellite radio waves) received by the receiving antenna 1 into an intermediate frequency signal (IF signal).
NB (low noise block down converter) 2, a table 3 rotatably provided on a base 4 via an azimuth direction drive mechanism 7, and a receiving antenna 1 supported on the table 3 so that the elevation angle can be varied. Elevation drive mechanism 5 and elevation drive motor 6 as support means, and azimuth drive motor 8 as drive means for rotating table 3
A reception level detection circuit 9 for detecting a reception level of a radio wave at the reception antenna 1, determining whether satellite radio reception is successful from the reception level detected by the reception level detection circuit 9, and setting the reception antenna 1 according to the determination result. A control circuit 10 for controlling the elevation angle drive motor 6 and the azimuth direction drive motor 8 to adjust the elevation angle and the azimuth of the receiving antenna 1 so as to direct the satellite toward the satellite;
A receiver 11 for demodulating the received IF signal, and an LNB 2
Transmission line 1 for transmitting IF signals from
2 is provided. Although not shown, a battery for supplying operating power to the above-described units is also provided.

The azimuth direction drive mechanism 7 supports the table 3 rotatably in the azimuth direction with respect to the base 4 and has a gear 13 connected to the table 3 as shown in FIG.
Is provided. Thus, by rotating the gear 13 with the worm gear 14 attached to the motor shaft of the azimuth direction drive motor 8, the table 3 can be rotated to rotate the receiving antenna 1 in the azimuth direction. Has become.

The elevation driving mechanism 5 supports the receiving antenna 1 so as to be rotatable in the elevation direction with respect to the table 3, and is similar to the azimuth driving mechanism 7 shown in FIG. The receiving antenna 1 can be rotated in the elevation direction by rotating the gears with a worm gear attached to the motor shaft of the elevation direction drive motor 6. I have.

The receiver 11 is connected to the LN by the video transmission line 12.
It is connected to B2 and is externally attached to the base 4. However,
The receiver 11 may be installed on the table 3. Further, the receiver 11 is provided with a reception level detection circuit 9, which detects the level of the IF signal transmitted from the LNB 2 via the video transmission line 12, and transmits the data of the detected reception level via the signal line Ls. To the control circuit 10 installed on the table 3 (see FIG. 1).

The control circuit 10 includes a microcomputer as a main component, and determines whether or not a satellite wave is being received by the receiving antenna 1 based on the received level data sent from the received level detecting circuit 9, in other words, the receiving antenna. It is determined whether or not the antenna 1 is correctly oriented in the direction of the satellite. If it is determined that the receiving antenna 1 is not oriented in the direction of the satellite, the reception level is detected by the reception level detection circuit 9 while the elevation angle direction is detected. The drive motor 6 and the azimuth drive motor 8 are driven and controlled to search the direction of the satellite,
The above search is continued until the reception level becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value and it can be determined that the reception antenna 1 is facing the satellite.

Further, the control circuit 10 performs control so as to stop the power supply from the battery to the elevation drive motor 6 and the azimuth drive motor 8 after the search is completed with the receiving antenna 1 facing the satellite. . Here, as described above, the elevation drive mechanism 5 and the elevation drive motor 6, and the azimuth drive mechanism 7 and the azimuth drive motor 8 engage the gear 13 and the worm gear 14 as shown in FIG. 3. With the structure, even when the power supply to the elevation drive motor 6 and the azimuth drive motor 8 is stopped, the elevation drive mechanism 5 and the azimuth drive mechanism 7 are held at the positions at the time when the power supply is stopped. Is done. As a result, after capturing the satellite by pointing the receiving antenna 1 in the direction of the satellite, the receiving antenna 1 can lose its own weight or wind without supplying power to the elevation drive motor 6 and the azimuth drive motor 8 as in the related art. , The power is prevented from being wasted by the elevation direction drive motor 6 and the azimuth direction drive motor 8 to save energy. Instead of using the worm gear 14, a configuration may be employed in which the elevation drive mechanism 5 and the azimuth drive mechanism 7 are held at the positions when the power supply is stopped by a mechanical stopper or a brake mechanism using friction.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a search operation in the satellite direction in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the search operation will be described in more detail with reference to this flowchart. First, when the portable antenna device of the present embodiment is installed and power supply from a battery is started, the control circuit 10 enters a satellite search mode to initialize the direction of the receiving antenna 1 to the direction of the satellite. Then, the elevation level drive motor 6 is driven to set the elevation angle of the receiving antenna 1 to the maximum value. From this state, the azimuth direction drive motor 8 is driven to rotate the table 3 once, and the reception level detection circuit 9 receives the signal. Perform level detection. Control circuit 10
Controls the elevation direction drive motor 6 to set the elevation angle of the receiving antenna 1 to a value that is lower by half-width until the reception level detection circuit 9 receives a satellite wave of a predetermined level or more. , The operation of driving the azimuth direction drive motor 8 to rotate the table 3 once is repeated. When the reception level detection circuit 9 receives a satellite radio wave of a predetermined level or more, the control circuit 10 determines that the satellite has been captured and supplies power from the battery to the elevation drive motor 6 and the azimuth drive motor 8. Is stopped, and the elevation angle and the azimuth angle of the receiving antenna 1 are fixed at the optimum positions.

Further, the control circuit 10 keeps monitoring the reception level of the satellite radio wave even after the satellite is captured by the reception level detection circuit 9. That is, even when the direction of the receiving antenna 1 has moved due to an external factor such as vibration or the like, when the reception level in the reception level detection circuit 9 decreases, the control circuit 10 enters the satellite search mode, and Elevation direction drive motor 6 and azimuth direction drive motor 8
The power supply to the satellite is resumed, and the direction of the satellite is searched again and captured.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the portable antenna device automatically searches for the direction of the satellite, captures the satellite, and turns the receiving antenna 1 toward the satellite. The power supply to the drive motors 6 and 8 for adjusting the elevation angle and azimuth of the satellite is stopped, so that the receiving antenna 1 can be easily turned to the direction of the satellite at an arbitrary place such as outdoors to capture the satellite. After the satellite is captured by the receiving antenna 1, useless power consumption can be suppressed, battery consumption can be prevented, and the operating time of the portable antenna device can be prolonged. In this embodiment, the reception level detection circuit 9 keeps monitoring the satellite radio wave even after the satellite is captured. However, once the satellite is captured, power supply to all the circuit units including the reception level detection circuit 9 is performed. May be stopped, and if the reception state deteriorates, the user may manually turn on the power and reacquire the satellite, and further reduce the power consumption of the battery.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration according to the first embodiment.
Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the configuration that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the gyroscope 1 detects the direction in which the receiving antenna 1 once set and fixed in the satellite direction moves when it is moved by an external factor.
7 in that the control circuit 10 performs control to return the direction of the receiving antenna 1 in a direction opposite to the direction detected by the gyroscope 17.

By the way, as described in the first embodiment, the receiving antenna 1 once set in the satellite direction and fixed is shifted from the satellite direction only when the base 4 moves due to an external factor. Therefore, in most cases, the elevation angle does not change, and only the azimuth angle changes. Therefore, even when the satellite is reacquired by the receiving antenna 1, only the azimuth angle needs to be adjusted without changing the elevation angle. However, the elevation drive motor 6 and the azimuth drive motor 8 are small and compact.
If a low-cost one is used, a high-speed search cannot be performed.

Therefore, as in this embodiment, the direction in which the receiving antenna 1 has moved is detected by the gyroscope 17 and the direction in which the receiving antenna 1 should be moved is known so that the satellite can be reacquired in a short time. . The gyroscope 17 moves in the direction in which the base 4 moves (azimuth direction).
Since it is only necessary to be able to detect only these, it is not necessary to use very high accuracy and an inexpensive one can be used.

When the direction in which the base 4 moves is detected by the gyroscope 17, the detection result is sent to the control circuit 10, and the table 3 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction in which the control circuit 10 is detected. By driving the azimuth direction drive motor 8 to rotate, the receiving antenna 1 can be directed again toward the satellite. Note that the processing for reacquiring a satellite has been described in the first embodiment, and will not be described here.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the receiving antenna 1 moves due to an external factor, the direction in which the receiving antenna 1 moves is detected by the gyroscope 17, and the control circuit 10 detects the direction detected by the gyroscope 17. Since control is performed to return the direction of the receiving antenna 1 in the reverse direction, there is an advantage that the receiving antenna 1 can be directed to the satellite again more quickly.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 shows Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
1 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the present embodiment. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. I will explain only. In the present embodiment, the table 3
It is characterized in that a level 18 is provided on the upper side and fixed legs 19 are provided as adjusting means for adjusting the level of the table 3.

One end of each of the fixed legs 19 is screwed to the four corners on the lower surface side of the base 4 and is hung downward.
And the level of the table 3 can be adjusted. At the lower end of the fixed leg 19, a wide base portion 19a is provided to enhance stability. Thus, in the present embodiment, the user can visually check the level of the table 3 using the level 18 at the time of installation, and if the table 3 is not horizontal, the appropriate fixed leg 19 is rotated. Thus, the level of the table 3 can be adjusted. As a result, the table 3 can be always kept horizontal, and the apparatus of the present invention can be always installed in a stable state, and the receiving antenna 1 loses its balance and falls down, or the table 3 tilts. It is also possible to prevent an overload on the elevation direction drive motor 6 and the azimuth direction drive motor 8.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 shows Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the second embodiment.
Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and only the configuration that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. The present embodiment is provided with a storage device 20 for storing data indicating the elevation angle of the receiving antenna 1 with respect to satellites in various places, and the storage device 20 stores elevation angle data of a place where the control circuit 10 has a high probability of being selected as a receiving place. , And the drive is controlled in order to drive the elevation direction drive motor 6.

The storage device 20 is composed of a semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM, for example, and is a satellite in a main city as shown in FIG. 8 (in this embodiment, JCSAT3 is exemplified).
Is incorporated in the control circuit 10 in a state where the data of the elevation angles are stored in advance. By providing the level 18 and the adjusting means (fixed legs 19) as in the third embodiment, the table 3 can be always kept horizontal.
May be managed only by the inclination angle of the receiving antenna 1 with respect to the table 3, and this can be managed by the control circuit 10 using the rotation speed of the elevation angle drive motor 6 as a management value.

Next, the operation of the satellite search mode in this embodiment will be described. First, at the time of initial setting of the receiving antenna 1 after the power is turned on, the control circuit 10 reads data from the storage device 20 in order from the elevation angle data of a city (for example, a city with a large population) which is considered to have a high probability of using the device of the present invention. The elevation angle of the receiving antenna 1 is adjusted by controlling the elevation direction drive motor 6 so as to match the read-out elevation angle data, and the azimuth direction drive motor 8 is controlled while the elevation angle is fixed to rotate the table 3 once. Search for a satellite. Then, until the satellite is captured, as shown in FIG.
The above operation is repeated while sequentially reading the elevation angle data of each city, such as Osaka, Sapporo, and so on. However, since the receiving antenna 1 has directivity, it is possible to capture a satellite within a predetermined angle θ even when the angle of elevation is fixed according to the elevation angle data.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time required for initial satellite acquisition can be reduced by sequentially reading elevation angle data stored in advance in the storage device 20 and performing an initial satellite search. it can. As a result, the drive time of the elevation direction drive motor 6 and the azimuth direction drive motor 8 can be shortened, so that there is an advantage that energy can be saved.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 4, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted, and only the configuration that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the type of satellite (for example, B type) is stored in the storage device 20 incorporated in the control circuit 10.
Broadcasting satellites such as S-3a, BS-3b and JCSAT-3
Communication satellites, etc.) and elevation angle data at the receiving location such as a major city or region for each satellite are stored in advance in correspondence with each other, and the user receives from the above data stored in the storage device 20 A location / satellite selector 21 for selecting the location and the type of satellite to be captured is provided, and the control circuit 10 stores elevation data corresponding to the location / satellite selected by the location / satellite selector 21. The feature is that a satellite is searched by reading from the device 20.

The receiving location / satellite selecting device 21 is, for example, provided to the receiver 11 with a touch panel. It can be constituted by an input device. Next, the operation of the satellite search mode in the present embodiment will be described. First, at the time of initial setting of the receiving antenna 1 after the power is turned on, a point where the user installs the device of the present invention using the receiving location / satellite selecting device 21 (receiving location)
And the type of satellite to be received. Then, the control circuit 10 reads the elevation angle data corresponding to the reception location and the satellite selected by the reception location / satellite selection device 21 from the storage device 20 and controls the elevation direction drive motor 6 to match the read elevation angle data. Receiving antenna 1
The azimuth direction drive motor 8 is controlled while the elevation angle is fixed, and the satellite is searched while rotating the table 3 once. In this case, since the elevation angle is set to a substantially appropriate value, it is possible to capture the satellite by rotating the table 3 almost once.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can use the receiving location / satellite selecting device 21 to store elevation data corresponding to the receiving location and the type of satellite stored in the storage device 20 in advance.
, And an initial satellite search is performed based on the selected elevation data, so that the time required for the initial satellite acquisition can be further reduced. In addition, the elevation drive motor 6 and the azimuth drive motor can be used. 8 can also reduce the driving time, which is advantageous in that energy can be saved.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Since the basic structure is the same as that of Embodiment 5, the same reference numerals are given to the common structures. The description is omitted, and only the configuration that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a G that captures GPS data indicating the current position obtained from signals from a plurality of GPS (global positioning system) satellites
The control circuit 10 is provided with a PS signal input terminal 22, and the control circuit 10 determines the receiving location based on the input GPS data, determines the elevation angle from the type of satellite selected by the user and the determined receiving location, and There is a feature in that the search is performed.

The GPS data is position data (data including latitude and longitude) of a receiving place obtained by a system including a GPS antenna and a receiver. Although not shown in the present embodiment, the GPS antenna and the receiver are prepared separately from the portable antenna device according to the present invention, and the GPS signal output terminal and the control circuit 10 included in the receiver are provided. Is connected to a GPS signal input terminal 22 provided with a signal cable so that GPS data can be captured. Since the configurations of the GPS antenna and the receiver are well known in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the satellite search mode in this embodiment will be described. First, at the time of initial setting of the receiving antenna 1 after power-on, the control circuit 10 fetches GPS data from the GPS signal input terminal 22 and
The exact latitude and longitude of the current position (reception location) are known from the S data. On the other hand, the user selects the type of satellite to be received by using the receiving location / satellite selecting device 21. Then
The control circuit 10 reads the elevation data corresponding to the satellite selected by the reception location / satellite selection device 21 and the latitude and longitude of the reception location obtained from the GPS data from the storage device 20 so as to match the read elevation data. The elevation direction drive motor 6 is controlled to adjust the elevation angle of the receiving antenna 1, and the azimuth direction drive motor 8 is controlled while the elevation angle is fixed to search the satellite while rotating the table 3 once. In this case, since the elevation angle is set to a substantially appropriate value, it is possible to capture the satellite by rotating the table 3 almost once. The storage device 20 stores elevation data corresponding to the latitude and longitude and the satellite type in advance.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user selects a satellite to be received by using the receiving location / satellite selecting device 21, and the control circuit 10 fetches the GPS data from the GPS signal input terminal 22. Knowing the exact location (latitude / longitude) of the receiving location and performing an initial satellite search based on elevation data corresponding to the selected satellite and the receiving location, required for initial satellite acquisition at any receiving location Since the time can be further reduced and the drive time of the elevation direction drive motor 6 and the azimuth direction drive motor 8 can be reduced, there is an advantage that energy can be saved. Moreover, since the user only needs to select the satellite to be received, the usability can be improved.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing Embodiment 7 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 6, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted, and only the configuration that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described. The present embodiment includes a geomagnetic sensor 23 serving as an azimuth sensor for detecting an azimuth.
However, it is characterized in that the approximate direction of the satellite is determined based on the azimuth detected by the geomagnetic sensor 23 and the satellite is searched near the determined direction. In other words, since broadcast satellites and communication satellites are stationary in orbit,
By knowing the bearing using the geomagnetic sensor 23, the approximate direction of the satellite can be determined.

When the control circuit 10 determines the approximate direction of the satellite based on the azimuth detected by the geomagnetic sensor 23, the control circuit 10 mainly searches within a range of ± 30 ° in the azimuth direction around the direction. The elevation angle adjustment has been described in the sixth embodiment and will not be described. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the approximate direction of the satellite is known by the geomagnetic sensor 23, and the satellite is intensively searched within a predetermined range centered on the direction. The time required for the initial satellite acquisition can be further reduced, and the drive time of the elevation drive motor 6 and the azimuth drive motor 8 can be reduced, thereby saving energy.

[0044]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving antenna for receiving satellite radio waves, a table rotatably provided on a base, and a supporting means for supporting the receiving antenna so that the elevation angle can be freely changed on the table. Driving means for rotating the table, receiving level determining means for determining the reception level of the radio wave at the receiving antenna, supporting means and driving means for directing the receiving antenna toward the satellite according to the determination result by the receiving level determining means Control means for controlling the elevation angle and azimuth of the receiving antenna by controlling the power supply to at least the supporting means and the driving means with the receiving antenna facing the satellite. Since the driving means holds the position at the time when the power supply is stopped, the control means automatically searches for the direction of the satellite, and It can be directed in the direction of the satellite, yet there is an effect that the power supply to the support means and the drive means in a state with its receiving antenna in the direction of the satellite can be suppressed wasteful power consumption by stopping.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting means for detecting that at least one of the elevation angle and the azimuth of the receiving antenna has moved due to an external factor, and the control means re-supports the supporting means in accordance with the detection result of the detecting means. In addition, the elevation angle and azimuth of the receiving antenna are adjusted so that the receiving antenna is directed to the satellite by controlling the driving means, so that even if the receiving antenna moves due to an external factor and deviates from the satellite direction, the automatic operation is performed again. There is an effect that the direction of the satellite can be searched for and the receiving antenna can be directed to the satellite.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the detecting means can simultaneously detect the direction in which the receiving antenna has moved due to an external factor, and the control means returns to the direction opposite to the direction detected by the detecting means. Since the elevation and azimuth of the receiving antenna are adjusted by controlling the supporting means and the driving means, when the receiving antenna moves due to an external factor and deviates from the direction of the satellite, the direction of the satellite is searched earlier, and the receiving antenna is moved to the satellite. There is an effect that it can be directed in the direction.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the level is provided on the table and the adjusting means for adjusting the level of the table is provided, so that the user can check the level of the table using the level, and the table is not horizontal. In this case, there is an effect that the table can always be installed horizontally by adjusting the level using the adjusting means. The invention according to claim 5 further comprises storage means for storing data indicating the elevation angle of the receiving antenna with respect to satellites in various places, wherein the control means stores, from the storage means, the elevation angle data of a place having a high probability of being selected as a receiving place. By sequentially reading and controlling the support means, it is possible to increase the probability that the initial setting time until the receiving antenna is directed to the satellite is shortened by predicting the elevation angle with a high probability of reception and searching for the direction of the satellite. Since the initial setting time is shortened, there is an effect that the power consumption of the supporting unit and the driving unit can be reduced and energy can be saved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a selection means for the user to select arbitrary elevation data from the elevation data stored in the storage means, and the control means stores the elevation data selected by the selection means. Since the support means is controlled by reading from the storage means, there is an effect that the initial setting can be performed more quickly. The present invention according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of GPS
A receiving unit for receiving GPS data indicating a current position obtained from a signal from the satellite, wherein the control unit controls the supporting unit and the driving unit based on the GPS data captured from the capturing unit to change the receiving antenna of the satellite. Since the elevation and azimuth of the receiving antenna are adjusted so that
Since the receiving point can be more accurately known by using the PS data, there is an effect that the initial setting can be performed more quickly.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an azimuth sensor for detecting an azimuth, and the control means determines the approximate direction of the satellite based on the azimuth detected by the azimuth sensor and controls the driving means to control the vicinity of the determined direction. Since the azimuth of the receiving antenna is adjusted, the driving range of the driving means can be narrowed by intensively searching the determined direction, and the initial setting can be performed in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the above.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of the above.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the above operation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing data stored in a storage device of the above energy management system;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Receiving antenna 2 LNB 5 Elevation direction drive mechanism 6 Elevation direction drive motor 7 Azimuth direction drive mechanism 8 Azimuth direction drive motor 9 Reception level detection circuit 10 Control circuit 11 Receiver

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A receiving antenna for receiving satellite radio waves, a table rotatably provided on a base, supporting means for supporting the receiving antenna so that the elevation angle can be freely changed on the table, and driving means for rotating the table. Receiving level determining means for determining the reception level of the radio wave at the receiving antenna; supporting means and driving means for directing the receiving antenna toward the satellite according to the determination result by the receiving level determining means; Control means for adjusting the elevation angle and the azimuth, wherein the control means stops power supply to at least the support means and the drive means in a state where the receiving antenna is directed toward the satellite, and the power supply to the support means and the drive means is stopped. A portable antenna device characterized by holding a position at the time of stopping. A detecting means for detecting that at least one of the elevation angle and the azimuth of the receiving antenna has moved due to an external factor, wherein the controlling means controls the supporting means and the driving means again according to a detection result of the detecting means. The portable antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the elevation angle and the azimuth of the reception antenna are adjusted so that the reception antenna is directed toward the satellite. 3. The detecting means is capable of simultaneously detecting a direction in which the receiving antenna has moved due to an external factor, and the control means is configured to return the receiving antenna to a direction opposite to the direction detected by the detecting means. The portable antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the elevation angle and the azimuth of the receiving antenna are adjusted by controlling the height of the receiving antenna. 4. The portable antenna device according to claim 1, further comprising a level provided on the table and an adjusting means for adjusting the level of the table. 5. A storage unit for storing data indicating an elevation angle of a receiving antenna with respect to a satellite in each place, wherein the control unit sequentially reads out elevation angle data of a place having a high probability of being selected as a receiving place from the storage unit. The portable antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the supporting means is controlled by a switch. 6. The apparatus further comprises selection means for the user to select arbitrary elevation data from the elevation data stored in the storage means, and the control means reads out the elevation data selected by the selection means from the storage means. The portable antenna device according to claim 5, wherein the supporting means is controlled. 7. A control device, comprising: loading means for capturing GPS data indicating a current position obtained from signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, wherein the control means controls the supporting means and the driving means based on the GPS data captured from the capturing means. 7. The portable antenna device according to claim 6, wherein the elevation angle and the azimuth of the receiving antenna are adjusted so that the receiving antenna is directed toward the satellite. 8. An azimuth sensor for detecting an azimuth, wherein the control means determines the approximate direction of the satellite based on the azimuth detected by the azimuth sensor, and controls the driving means to control the azimuth of the receiving antenna near the determined direction. 8. The portable antenna device according to claim 7, wherein the distance is adjusted.