KR19990000992A - How to Automatically Tun Channels on TV - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a channel setting method in a television, comprising a microprocessor (200) for controlling various operations of a television and controlling a tuning circuit (110) for tuning channels, and a memory for storing various data processed by the microprocessor. In the method of autotuning a channel in a television having a section 240:

A first step of tuning a broadcast channel using the tuning circuit 110, a second step of measuring the strength of the broadcast signal tuned in the first step with a predetermined signal strength detecting means 120, and the micro The processor 200 receives a measurement result of the second process and stores a third process of storing the number of the broadcast channel in the memory unit 240 according to a magnitude relationship with a predetermined reference level for signal strength. It is characterized in that it is repeated every time, and if the user sets the reference level through a predetermined key input means 220, it is possible to check only the channel number that is a higher level, the effect of shortening the tuning time and high sensitivity Only the channels with good image quality can be tuned.

Description

How to Automatically Tun Channels on TV

The present invention relates to a method of tuning a channel in a television, and more particularly, to a method of automatically tuning a channel in a television such that in tuning an over-the-air broadcast signal, a channel whose reception sensitivity is below a user set level is not automatically tuned. .

In general, the main configuration of the television is largely, as shown in Figure 1, the microprocessor 200 for controlling the overall operation of the television, the tuner 100 for receiving and tuning the broadcast signal through an antenna or cable, An image processor 400 for processing the video signal of the broadcast signal tuned by the tuner, a water pipe (CRT) 700 for receiving the processed video signal and displaying the same on the screen; A horizontal / vertical synchronization processing unit 600 for deflecting to be displayed, and an on-screen display (OSD) generating unit 500 for separately displaying characters and the like on the receiving tube screen.

Also, a voice processor 300 for processing a voice signal among broadcast signals, a speaker 800 for outputting an amplified voice signal, a key input unit 220 which is a means for a user to input an operation mode of a television, and the micro The memory unit 240 stores data or programs to be processed by the processor.

In general, the tuning circuit 110 of the tuner 100 is largely composed of a high frequency amplifying circuit, a local oscillating circuit, and a mixer. The local oscillation circuit may include a reference frequency generator for generating a pulse having a reference frequency under the control of the microprocessor 200, a circuit for integrating the pulse having the reference frequency, and automatic fine tuning (AFT). It includes a circuit, and in particular a variable capacitance diode for tuning the broadcast channel.

The electronically tuned tuner tunes by connecting a variable capacitor diode in series to the open end of the coaxial resonator and supplying a tuning voltage corresponding to the receiving channel in the reverse direction. And a receiving block switching voltage generation circuit (voltage generation for changing reactance) for switching the electronic tuning tuner to a desired band. Therefore, the microprocessor 200 can tune (select) the reception channel by setting the voltage.

By tuning the frequency of the circuit to the frequency (frequency band) assigned to the particular channel to be watched for tuning, resonance occurs and it is possible to detect the (voltage) signal of the transmitted broadcast wave. However, when the detected signal strength, i.e., the reception sensitivity, is poor, the regeneration of the original transmission signal is poor. It is the viewer's judgment that the reception sensitivity is bad, which can be quantified in decibels (dB).

Decibel is the first to describe the transmission attenuation of a telephone. It is generally a term that describes the attenuation or gain of an output voltage relative to an input voltage (or reference voltage). The reception sensitivity in the television is determined by the electric field strength of the broadcast signal propagated and the (design) characteristics of the tuning circuit. Therefore, the reception sensitivity varies depending on the location of the broadcast signal, the channel selected, and the characteristics of the tuner.

Conventional television sets all channels as viewable channels when auto-tuning a channel detects a broadcast signal weakly. It takes a little longer to tune a channel that is detected as a weak signal, and as a result, there are usually about 30 broadcast channels in the band of about 100 channels (about 10 channels with the reception sensitivity enough to be actually watched). The disadvantage is that the time to autotune the channel is very long.

In addition to the first purchase of a television, the user mainly remembers the channels that he watches separately, and sometimes there is a disadvantage that it takes a long time to automatically search for channels to view other channels. In particular, since the channel is broadcast for a few seconds because the sensitivity is low and the image quality is poor, there is a problem that the viewer feels uncomfortable.

The present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a method for automatically tuning a channel in a television for tuning the over-the-air broadcast signal, the channel whose reception sensitivity is below a user set level is not automatically tuned. have.

1 is a block diagram showing a system of a television for explaining the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically tuning channels according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: tuner 110: tuning circuit

120: signal strength detection means 200: microprocessor

220: key input unit 240: memory unit

400: image processor 700: water tube (CRT)

A feature of the present invention for achieving the above object is a microprocessor 200 for controlling various operations of a television and tuning a channel for tuning channels, and a memory for storing various data processed by the microprocessor. In the method of autotuning a channel in a television having a section 240:

A first step of tuning a broadcast channel using the automatic tuning circuit 110, a second step of measuring the strength of the broadcast signal tuned in the first step with a predetermined signal strength detecting means 120, and The microprocessor 200 receives the measurement result of the second process and stores a third process of storing the broadcast channel number in the memory unit 240 according to a magnitude relationship with a predetermined reference level for signal strength. Iterate on each channel.

An additional feature of the present invention for achieving the above object is that the numerical value of the reference level of the third process is set before the user starts tuning using the predetermined key input means 220, so that the user desires sensitivity. Only the channel number above the level can be confirmed.

According to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the third step is to divide the reference level into a plurality of TV production in the production of the television set to the specific storage location of the memory unit 240 corresponding to each level section; By storing the number of the corresponding channel according to the result of the second process, when the user inputs a specific level by using the predetermined key input means 220, it is possible to check the number of channels whose signal strength is not smaller than the specific level. It is in becoming.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The apparatus for the present invention is the same as the apparatus system of the television shown in FIG. In relation to the present invention, the tuner 100 tunes an over-the-air broadcast signal, and outputs an audio signal to the voice processor 300, an image signal to the image processor 400, and various control signals to the microprocessor 200. . In addition, the tuner 100 generally includes a signal strength detecting unit 120. The apparatus measures the decibels of the tuned broadcast signal and outputs the decibels to the microprocessor 200.

The memory unit 240 may be embedded in the microprocessor 200. The role of the present invention is to store channel numbers under the control of the microprocessor. In the present invention, since the channel numbers are classified by intervals of the signal strength, the storage area must also be distinguished according to the interval of the signal strength.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an automatic tuning method of a channel according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

When the television is connected to a commercial power source and the user turns on a function for finding a channel number that can be viewed by automatic tuning through the key input unit 220 (S10), the microprocessor 200 changes the tuning circuit 110. Tune the channel by adjusting the voltage across the capacitive diode. Usually tune from channel 1 (S20).

As the broadcast signal is tuned, the tuned broadcast signal is input to the signal strength detecting means 120 and the signal strength is measured (S30). The microprocessor 200 receives the result and determines a section to which the level value belongs. The level section for the strength of the tuned signal may be set at the time of manufacture or may be designated by the user through the key input unit 220. First, suppose that 20 decibels are set as the first reference level and 30 decibels are set as the second reference level at the time of manufacture (for example, more small sections may be set).

As a result of checking whether the measured signal intensity of channel 1 is greater than or equal to 20 decibels and less than 30 decibels (S40), then (eg, a specific region of the memory unit 240 may be referred to as a low-sensitivity channel region). Store the channel number in step S41). If not (No), the microprocessor checks again whether the 30 decibels or more (S42).

As a result of the check, the channel number is stored in a specific region (which may be referred to as a high-sensitivity channel region) different from the region of the memory unit 240 (S43). On the other hand, if it is not this section (no), since the picture quality is so bad that the first reference level of 20 decibels or less cannot be viewed, the channel number is not stored (S44).

After the automatic tuning process for one channel is performed in the above-described manner (a method of storing channel numbers in a specific storage area according to a level section compared with a plurality of reference levels), it is determined whether the tuned channel is the last number. (S50). If so (yes), autotune ends.

If not the last number (No), the microprocessor 200 returns to step S21 to tune the next channel by raising the channel number by one. Repeat this process to check that all channels up to the last channel number are automatically available.

As a result, when the signal strength is, for example, a good image quality of 30 decibels or more, when the user sequentially checks a channel that can be viewed (ie, desired), only the channel number stored in the high-sensitivity channel region is displayed in the microprocessor 200. ) Will be accessed, tuned and aired in turn.

Another example of application according to the present invention is as follows.

A plurality of reference levels are set to 10 decibels, 20 decibels, 30 decibels, 40 decibels, 50 decibels, and the like, and each channel number is classified into the plurality of level sections according to the signal strength and stored. The user may view only 30 decibels or more of channels at some time through the key input means 220, and may view only 40 decibels or more of the channels at other times. Of course, there may be other cases. Those skilled in the art will be able to easily apply.

The present invention operated as described above has the effect of reducing the time of autotuning because it allows the user to identify only channels that are good for viewing by the user in autotuning. In addition, since the user can avoid a channel of poor quality, the satisfaction is increased. In particular, since only the decibel or more channels according to the user's preference can be easily checked without tuning again, the user's satisfaction is further increased.

Claims (3)

The microprocessor 200 which controls various operations of the television and tunes the tuning circuit 110 to tune the channel, and the memory unit 240 which stores various data processed by the microprocessor, have a In the automatic tuning method: A first process of tuning a broadcast channel using the tuning circuit 110; A second step of measuring the strength of the broadcast signal tuned in the first step by a predetermined signal strength detecting means 120; The microprocessor 200 receives the measurement result of the second process and stores the broadcast channel number in the memory unit 240 according to a magnitude relationship with a predetermined reference level for signal strength. A method of autotuning a channel in a television, characterized by the above-mentioned. The reference level value of the third process is set before the user starts tuning by using the predetermined key input unit 220, so that the user can check only the channel number above the desired sensitivity level. Automatic tuning of a channel in a television. The method of claim 1, wherein the third process comprises setting the plurality of reference levels at a time of making a television set according to the result of the second process at a specific storage location of the memory unit 240 corresponding to each level section. By storing the channel number, when the user inputs a specific level using a predetermined key input means 220, the number of channels whose signal strength is not smaller than the specific level can be identified. Auto tuning method.