KR100987657B1 - Television system with controlled tuning - Google Patents

Abstract

Tuners 1, controllers 2 for controlling the tuners 1, and stages 3 for receiving tuned signals from the tuners 1 and for supplying control signals to the controllers 2. Television systems, including NW, use time-consuming automatic fine tuning signals during fast tuning. By using the lock signals 53 from the phase locked loops 31 in the stages 3 as control signals, an indication of whether the channel is active is a lock available much faster than the automatic fine tuning signals. Due to the signals, it can be obtained very quickly. By using the synchronization signals 54 from the synchronization generators 4 as other control signals, another indication is obtained. In fast tuning mode, frequencies near active channels are detected, and in fine tuning mode, channel frequencies are identified. According to the basic idea, the lock signals generated from the phase locked loops 31 in the stages 3 can give first indications indicating whether the channel is active and a second indication based on the synchronization signals 54. Combinations with these are preferred and advantageous.

Television system, tuner, fine tuning mode, fast tuning mode, phase locked loop, active channel

Description

Television system with controlled tuning

The invention includes a tuner for tuning video signals, a controller for controlling the tuner, and a stage for receiving tuned signals from the tuner and supplying at least one control signal to the controller. It relates to a television system.

The invention also relates to a controller, method and processor program product for use in a television system.

Conventional systems include a tuner for tuning RF (radio frequency) signals (video signals), a microprocessor (controller) for controlling the tuner, and tuned signals from the tuner and receiving an automatic fine tuning signal ( It is known from US Pat. No. 4,763,195 which discloses a television system comprising an intermediate frequency (IF) stage for supplying at least one control signal) to said processor (controller). The first search for identifying active channels is limited to only predictable non-standard frequencies associated with major cable distribution networks, and the second search for identifying active channels includes more search frequencies and extends over a wider frequency range. . During the automatic programming mode, only the first search allows to minimize time.

Known television systems are not advantageous, in particular because too much time is required to detect active channels, and automatic fine tuning signals are time consuming because they include the detection of humps. Signal (US 4,763,195-col. 8).

It is an object of the present invention, in particular, to obtain a first indication faster indicating whether the channel is active (at the tuned frequency). The invention is defined by the independent claims. Dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

A television system according to the invention comprises a tuner for tuning video signals, a controller for controlling the tuner, and a stage for receiving tuned signals from the tuner and supplying at least one control signal to the controller; The stage includes a phase-locked-loop, and the control signal includes a lock signal generated from the phase-locked loop.

By using the lock signals from phase locked loops in the stages as control signals, the first indication of whether the channel is active (at the tuned frequency) is available much faster than the automatic fine tuning signals. Due to the signals, it can be obtained very quickly. In the case of the lock signal with a confirming value, there may be an active channel (at the tuned frequency), but in the case of the lock signal with a denying value there will be no active channel. (At the tuned frequency).

When controlling the tuner, it is to be considered that the controller generates signals and supplies signals to the tuner in order to define operating frequencies for the tuner. This tuner also always includes a phase locked loop, but this tuner-phase locked loop is only for tuning a tuner oscillator at the operating frequencies. Thus, this tuner-phase locked loop is different from the phase locked loop in the stage located after the tuner has not supplied the lock signal to the controller. In fact, an oscillator in the tuner-phase sync loop is controlled by the controller.

A first embodiment of a television system according to the invention is defined by claim 2. By using the synchronization signal from the synchronization generator as other control signals, a second indication indicating whether the channel is active (at the tuned frequency) can now be obtained. The controller includes a switch, depending on the lock signal, for considering the synchronization signal (in the case of the lock signal with a confirmation value) or not (in the case of the lock signal with a negative value). This synchronization signal consumes more time than the lock signal. However, if there is any doubt as to whether or not an active channel exists (for the lock signal with a confirmation value), and if there is no doubt as to whether or not an active channel exists (with a negative value) Due to the unchecked synchronization signal (in the case of the lock signal), the television system can perform fast tuning and detect active channels faster than conventional television systems.

A second embodiment of a television system according to the invention is defined by claim 3. In the fast tuning mode, by controlling the tuner such that one or more frequencies near one or more active channels are detected, fast tuning is performed by obtaining a first indication and a possible second indication, while in fine tuning mode, one or more Frequencies are identified.

A third embodiment of a television system according to the invention is defined by claim 4. By supplying the control signal further comprising a fine tuning signal to the controller, for example, in the fine tuning mode, all active channels present can be identified.

A fourth embodiment of a television system according to the invention is defined by claim 5. By using a frequency table to predefine a number of channels, this number of channels can be predefined, depending on the world in which the television system is served to television viewers. The frequency table may be an actual table including all predefined frequencies or may be a predefined frequency starting with one or more frequency steps (per possible frequency bands) to be subsequently taken to find the predefined frequencies. .

A fifth embodiment of a television system according to the invention is defined by claim 6. By using the phase locked loop lock bit derived from the alternating current content of the oscillator input signal in the phase locked loop as the lock signal, a bit signal always available through the integrated circuit output in the stage is used.

Embodiments of a controller according to the invention, and a method according to the invention and a processor program product according to the invention correspond to embodiments of the system according to the invention.

The present invention is based in particular on the finding that fine tuning signals are time consuming signals that are not strictly necessary for fast tuning searches, and in particular, that the lock signals resulting from phase locked loops in intermediate frequency stages are channel active (tuning). Based on the basic idea that a first indication may be given).

The present invention particularly addresses the problem of providing a television receiver that obtains a first indication more quickly indicating whether or not the channel is active (at the tuned frequency), and in particular, this first indication can tune the active channels at high speed and It is advantageous in that it forms a first foundation for detecting active channels faster than conventional television systems, and the second indication forms another beneficial second foundation for the high speed synchronization.

These and other features of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment (s) described hereinafter.

1 is a block diagram of a television system according to the present invention, including a controller according to the present invention.

2 also illustrates a software stage machine configuration of a controller in accordance with the present invention.

3 illustrates in flow chart form a method according to the invention and / or a processor program product according to the invention.

The television system according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 is coupled to an antenna for receiving and amplifying modulated video signals and to an amplifier / mixer 12 for amplifying and mixing signals generated from the amplifier 11. A tuner 1 having an amplifier 11. The amplifier / mixer 12 is coupled to a VCO 13 for receiving a first oscillation signal required for the mixing from a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 13. The VCO 13 is coupled to the frequency divider 14 controlled by the setting unit 15 for dividing the second oscillation signal from the VCO 13 at a rate defined by the division ratio setting unit 15. The comparator 16 is located between the divider 14 and the reference generator 17 to compare the divided second oscillation signal with the reference signal generated from the generator 17. Comparator 16 is also coupled to VCO 13 to supply a comparison signal to VCO 13 for control.

An amplifier / mixer 12 is also coupled to the stage 3 for supplying tuned signals to the intermediate frequency stage 3, the intermediate frequency stage demodulating the tuned signals and synchronizing the video signals with a synchronization generator 4. A demodulator 33 for supplying the < RTI ID = 0.0 > 1, < / RTI > The demodulator 33 is controlled by the phase locked loop 31 which generates a control signal including the lock signal 53. This lock signal 53 corresponds, for example, to a phase locked loop lock bit derived from the alternating current content of the oscillating input signal in the phase locked loop 31.

The synchronization generator 4 comprises an image synchronization information block 41 for receiving the video signals from the demodulator 33 and for receiving the oscillation signal from a deflection oscillator 42. The block 41 generates a synchronization signal 54.

The controller 2 includes a processor 21 to receive the lock signal 53, the fine tuning signal 52, and the synchronization signal 54 via the switch 22, the switch 22 being It is controlled by the lock signal 52. The processor 21 is coupled to the memory 23 and generates a setting signal to be supplied to the setting unit 15 for the control tuner 1.

2 also illustrates a controller according to the invention in the form of a software stage machine. The first software stage 60 corresponds to the start of the software stage machine and the start frequency write in the tuner 1 (proceeding to stage 61). The second software stage 61 examines the synchronization signal and, if present, stores the corresponding channel in the nonvolatile memory (proceeds to stage 62). The third software stage 62 increases the frequency by a factor (proceeds to stage 64 if the highest frequency is reached, otherwise proceeds to stage 63). The fourth software stage 63 checks the lock signal (proceeds to stage 61 if there is a lock signal, otherwise proceeds to stage 62). The fifth software stage 64 corresponds to the end of the software stage machine.

As shown in Fig. 1, the television system according to the present invention functions, for example, in consideration of Fig. 2 as follows.

In the fast tuning mode, the tuner 1 is controlled by the controller 2 such that one or more frequencies near one or more active channels are detected and, for example, to predefine a number of channels, for example, the memory 23. By using the frequency table stored therein, this number of channels can be predefined, depending on the world in which the television system is served to television viewers. The frequency table may be a predefined frequency starting with one or more frequency steps (per possible frequency band) to be subsequently taken to find predefined frequencies, as shown in software stages 60 and 62. have. Alternatively, the frequency table may be an actual table containing all predefined frequencies.

The lock signal 53 from the phase locked loop 31 in the stage 3 is used to obtain a first indication indicating whether the channel is active (tuned frequency), as shown in the software stage 63. , As a control signal to the controller 2. In the case where the lock signal 53 has a confirmation value (going to software stage 61), there may be an active channel, but in the case where the lock signal 53 has a negative (or unconfirmed) value (software Proceeding to stage 62), there will be no active channel (at the tuned frequency).

The synchronization signal 54 from the synchronization generator 4, as shown in the software stage 61, obtains another control signal to obtain a second indication indicating whether the channel is active (at the tuned frequency). Used as The controller 2, depending on the lock signal 53, does not consider (in the case of the lock signal 53 having a confirmation value) or not (in the case of the lock signal 53 with a confirmation value) (the lock with a negative value) Switch (in the case of signal 53). If the synchronization signal 54 indicates synchronization, then the corresponding channel is stored in non-volatile memory (such as memory 22, for example) as shown in software stage 61. Due to the synchronization signal which is checked if there is any doubt as to whether an active channel is present (at the tuned frequency) and which is not checked when there is no doubt as to whether an active channel is present, the television system Fast tuning can be performed and active channels can be detected faster than conventional television systems.

In the fine tuning mode, the tuner 1 is controlled by the controller 2 so that one or more frequencies are identified (hence using the fine tuning signal 52, for example).

In addition, the fast tuning mode and the fine tuning mode are as follows. In the case of a cable channel slightly drift from 175.25 MHz to 174.25 MHz, for example at 175.25 MHz, which is a standard cable channel, the tuner 1 is controlled by the controller 2 in such a way that the tuner 1 is tuned to 175.25 MHz. Controlled by In the case of tuned frequency and channel frequency for two different MHz, due to the lock signal 53 still available, the lock signal 53 in the case of having one MHz distance between the tuned frequency and the channel frequency is identified. Will get the value. Then in fast tuning mode, this frequency 175.25 MHz is stored. In the fine tuning mode, for example, when the television viewer selects a particular channel to watch, the correct channel frequency is found in the case of 174.25 MHz.

In Figure 3 illustrating a flowchart of a method according to the invention and / or a processor program product according to the invention, the blocks have the following meanings.

Block 70: Start, proceed to 71.

Block 71: Fast (or fast) tuning mode, proceed to 72.

Block 72: Start tuning at 48.25 MHz, proceed to 73.

Block 73: Does the lock signal 53 have a confirmation value? If yes, proceed to 74, otherwise proceed to 75.

Block 74: Does the lock signal 54 have a confirmation value? If yes, proceed to 76, otherwise proceed to 75.

Block 75: Is Tuning Frequency> 303 MHz? If yes, proceed to 78, otherwise proceed to 77.

Block 76: store channel, proceed to 79.

Block 77: Add 7 MHz to the tuning frequency and add 20 ms of delay, proceed to 79.

Block 78: Add 8 MHz to the tuning frequency and add 20 ms of delay, proceed to 79.

Block 79: Is Tuning Frequency> 856 MHz? If yes, proceed to 80, otherwise proceed to 73.

Block 80: Standard (or Fine) Tuning Mode, proceed to 81

Block 81: End

The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is an example for the Asia Pacific region. Each implementation between each (part of each) blocks 70-81 and each of the two blocks 70, 81 may be implemented in accordance with the method and / or processor program product according to the present invention. ) May be a (bottom) step. The delays are introduced to give time to stabilize the phase locked loop 31 in the stage 3 and the phase locked loops 13, 14, 16, 17 in the tuner 1.

The phase locked loop 31 may be implemented according to the phase locked loops 13, 14, 16, and 17, for example. Other units in the tuner 1, such as, for example, general registers, buffers, filters, etc. and more particularly phase-1-loops with phase-1-comparators and horizontal oscillators in synchronization generator 4, and the like. Fields / blocks, stage 3, synchronization generator 4 and controller 2 are not excluded.

Switch 22 is merely an example of a possible method for considering the synchronization signal 54, depending on the value of lock signal 53, excluding other methods such as gates, latches, switching buffers / amplifiers, and the like. It doesn't work. Of course, the switch 22 will always be (functionally) integrated into the processor 21.

It is to be noted that the above-described embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art can design many other embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between insertions shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word "one" or "one" before an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several one means can be embodied by hardware and the same article of hardware. The simple fact that certain measuring instruments are mentioned in different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measuring instruments cannot be used advantageously.

For example, the expressions “to tune” and “to control” and “to synchronize” and “to receive” do not exclude that other functions are, of course, performed simultaneously or separately. Expressions such as "X bound to Y" and "bond between X and Y" and "X and Y bonds / bonds" do not exclude that element Z is between X and Y. Expressions such as "P includes Q" and "P including Q" and the like do not exclude that the element R is included, of course. The terms "one" and "an" do not exclude possible existence of one or more plurality.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention can be summarized as follows. Tuners 1, controllers 2 for controlling the tuners 1, and stages 3 for receiving tuned signals from the tuners 1 and for supplying control signals to the controllers 2. Television systems, including NW, use time-consuming automatic fine tuning signals during fast tuning. By using the lock signals 53 from the phase locked loops 31 in the stages 3 as control signals, an indication of whether the channel is active is a lock available much faster than the automatic fine tuning signals. Due to the signals, it can be obtained very quickly. By using the synchronization signals 54 from the synchronization generators 4 as other control signals, another indication is obtained. In fast tuning mode, frequencies near active channels are detected, and in fine tuning mode, channel frequencies are identified. According to the basic idea, the lock signals generated from the phase locked loops 31 in the stages 3 can give first indications indicating whether the channel is active and a second indication based on the synchronization signals 54. Combinations with these are preferred and advantageous.

Claims (10)

A television system comprising a tuner for tuning video signals, a controller for controlling the tuner, and a stage for receiving tuned signals from the tuner and supplying at least one control signal to the controller. Wherein the stage comprises a phase locked loop and the control signal comprises a lock signal generated from the phase locked loop. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the television system comprises a synchronization generator for synchronizing video signals generated from the stage and for supplying at least one synchronization signal to the controller, wherein the controller relies on the lock signal to synchronize the synchronization signal. And a switch for considering or not considering a signal. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller controls the tuner such that, in a fast tuning mode, one or more frequencies near one or more active channels are detected and the controller is in a fine tuning mode. And control the tuner such that one or more channel frequencies are identified. 4. The television system of claim 3 wherein the stage comprises an intermediate frequency stage for supplying the control signal to the controller further comprising a fine tuning signal. delete 2. The television system of claim 1 wherein the lock signal is a phase locked loop lock bit derived from the alternating current content of an oscillator input signal in the phase locked loop. A controller for use in a television system, the television system receiving a tuner for tuning video signals, the controller for controlling the tuner, and tuned signals from the tuner and supplying at least one control signal to the controller. And a stage comprising a phase locked loop, wherein the control signal comprises a lock signal generated from the phase locked loop. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the television system comprises a synchronization generator for synchronizing video signals generated from the stage and for supplying at least one synchronization signal to the controller, wherein the controller is dependent on the lock signal. And a switch for considering or not considering a synchronization signal. A method for use in a television system, the television system comprising a tuner for tuning video signals and a stage for receiving tuned signals from the tuner, the method comprising: at least one control signal generated from the stage; In response, controlling the tuner, wherein the stage comprises a phase locked loop and the control signal comprises a lock signal generated from the phase locked loop. delete

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