MXPA96005054A - Apparatus and method for detection, storage and change of channel to high speed - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting, storing, and changing transmission channels at high speed, it is discriminated that the transmission signal exists based on an automatic gain control signal, this discrimination is performed at a very high speed when using acceleration driving units, the invention also performs storage operations and channel change at high speed when using acceleration driving units

Description

FLEET AND METHOD PRRFl DETECTION, BLUFFING AND CHANNEL CROSSING AT HIGH SPEED BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to a technique and apparatus for use in signal transmission receivers such as for example TV sets, which automatically search and store channels in which there are transmission signals. In addition, the technique and apparatus provide signal discrimination of Very high speed transmission to be used during channel selection and change operations. 2. Description of the Conventional Technique. Figure 1 is a step diagram of an automatic channel storage apparatus of a conventional TV set. Referring to Figure 1, the conventional automatic channel storage apparatus comprises a tuner 1, which selects the relevant channel according to the tuning data sent from a microcomputer 8. The tuner 1 sends intermediate frequency signals to a unit of intermediate frequency processing 2, which processes the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal sent from the tuner 1. The intermediate frequency processing unit 2 also detects the original image signal. A signal processing / color / deviation unit 3 receives the image signal sent from the intermediate frequency processing unit 2 and converts it into a form suitable for exposure over a CPT 4. A synchronization detection unit 5 it is used to detect the synchronous signals sent from the intermediate frequency processing unit 2. The microcontroller 8 sends, sequentially, a series of tuning data to the tuner 1. In the conventional system, the automatic channel storage mode It operates in the following way. First, the key signals are received in a key matrix 6 to micialize an automatic storage mode of cane storage]. The storage mode operates to distinguish that there is a transmission signal in the per + channel. Each time a synchronous signal is received through the synchronization detecting unit 5, the associated da + or tuned e stores, as a channel, in the memory 7. Figure 2 is a detailed step diagram of the tuner 1 and the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 2. Figure 2 represents a block diagram of the tuner 1 and the processing unit + or intermediate frequency signal 2. The tuner 1 comprises an amplifier of al + a frequency to amplify the high frequency signals obtained from the input of the antenna 9 on the basis of the relevant channel data received from the microcomputer 8 to a closed phase circuit unit (PLL) Ib. The PLL Ib unit does PLL processing as well. The PLL Ib unit is adjusted to the oscillation frequency of a local oscillation unit le. A mixing unit Id receives the output of the high frequency amplifier and sends and receives signals at the tuned or established frequency, by the local oscillation frequency le. The output of the mixing unit Id is transmitted to a surface elastic wave filter to configure the intermediate frequency of the output. The output of the elastic surface wave filter of the tuner 1 is received by the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 2. The intermediate frequency signal processing unit 2 comprises an amplifier I'F 2a for amplifying the output of the signal. Elastic wave filter of surface it in a 1st, 2nd and 3rd amplifiers. The amplified signal is sent to an image detector 2b to detect the image signals and transmit the signals to an image amplifier 2c to amplify and send the image signals to an image processing unit / color / deviation 3 and unit of processing. synchronization detection 5. The output of the image detector 2b is also sent to an AGC detector 2d to detect the OGC signals of the output of the image detector 2d. The output of the OGC 2d detector is amplified with an IF OGC 2e amplifier whose output is in turn, inverted and amplified by an RF AGC 2f inversion amplifier. Tuner 1 also contains a high frequency AGC amplifier lf which amplifies the RF AGC voltage sent from the RF AGC 2f RF amplifier. The RF AGC voltage has the frustration eliminated by the resistor Rl and the capacitor Cl. The frustration of the RF AGC voltage is eliminated after it is sent from the RF inversion amplifier AGC 2f. The output of the high frequency AGC amplifier If is transmitted to the high frequency amplifier la. Finally, the output of the image detector 2b is sent to the AFT voltage through the compensator 2g. Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c) are waveform diagrams of each unit of the microcomputer 8 as shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a location diagram of the automatic gain control voltage showing the operation of tuning by conventional techniques. Figure 5a is a flow chart showing how the automatic channel storage odo applies to conventional TV sets. Finally, Figure 5b is a flow chart showing a channel change method of conventional TV sets. The storage mode of the automatic channel and the channel selection change method of a conventional TV device hereafter is described with reference to Figures 1, 5a, and 5b. When a viewer sends a pertinent key in the key matrix to carry out the automatic channel storage, the microcomputer 8 perceives it, looks for the channels in which there are transmission signals increasing the channel number one by one and stores that number of the perceived channel having a transmission signal in the memory 7. In the case in which the viewer wishes to change the channel in operation, it sends the channel increment and decrement key (not shown) and the next selected channel, each time by up / down, it is the next relevant channel stored in memory 7, during the period of automatic channel storage (described above) from the channel in current use. First, the automatic channel storage mode as shown in Fig. 5 (a) is described by reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. When the automatic channel storage mode is set, the microcomputer 8 first initializes the channels for tuning, step SI of figure A, and then operate the PLL data of the relevant channel, send the damage PLL operated to tuner 1. Therefore, the first channel is selected in tuner 1 and, at that time the initiator 8 remains in wait for the necessary signal for the reading of the synchronous signals, this is for the waiting time (approximately 300 rns) which is the time for the synchronous signals to be detected through the elastic wave filter of surface of the tuner l the image detector 2b of the intermediate signal processing unit 2, and the detection unit 5, step S of figure 5a. This is shown in the waveform diagrams of each unit of the computer 8 in Figure 3 (a) and 3 (b). That is, if a channel change signal, CD as shown in Figure 3a, is sent to the tuner (if a PLL DATA tuning data of the relevant channel is sent to the tuner), and if there is a transmission signal, it takes approximately 300 ms until the recognition of the ID signal is received through the synchronization detection unit 5, as shown in the waveform diagram in figure 3d. After confirming yes. there are synchronous signals in the selected channel through the current path, step S5 of figure 5a, if at all, it is discriminated that there is a transmission signal in the selected channel. The data of the relevant channel (channel number or frequency) is stored in the memory 7. In the next step, it is confirmed if all the channels have been searched, step S7 in figure 5a. If some channels remain to be searched, the channel number increases by one (channel increment N + 1), step S8 of figure 5a, and the search is repeated until all the channels have been searched. After searching all the channels, the operation ends. Secondly, the channel change and selection method as shown in Figure 5b are described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 4. When a viewer wishes to change a channel in operation, he presses the numeric key corresponding to the channel. Relevant channel number or select the next channel using the channel increment and decrement keys. The microcomputer 8 operates the PLL DATA of the selected channel, and sends it to the tuner 1, step SI of FIG. 5b. Therefore, the relevant channel is selected in the tuner 1, and at that time the microcomputer 8 remains in standby for the time necessary for the reading of exactly the synchronous signals, that is, the waiting time is 300 rus until the synchronous signals are detected through the elastic wave filter of the surface of the tuner 1, image detector 2b of the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 2 and the synchronization detection unit 5, step of S2 of figure 5b . Then, if any synchronous signal exists, step S3 of FIG. 5b, and if any signal is described, the optimum image is received by fine auto-tuning (AFT) (not shown), step S4 of FIG. 5B. This is shown in the waveform diagrams of the microcomputer 8 in figures 3 (a, b, c). In other words, if a CD channel change signal, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), is sent to tuner 1, and if any transmission signal exists, it returns approximately 300 rns until the ID recognition signal is received. through the synchronization detection unit 5, as shown in the waveform diagram in Figure 3 (b). If there is any synchronous signal, a waveform diagram to make an AFT adjustment is shown in Figure 3 (c). It takes approximately 500 ms until a stable image is sent after selecting the channel change operation. Consequently, methods such as putting the mute image or sending a blue-black image for approximately 500 ms are used to avoid any screen flares during the channel change. The process for outputting the high frequency automatic gain control (RF AGC) and the intermediate frequency automatic gain control (IF AGC) is described hereinafter with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 4. Co o In Figure 2, the transmission signals received through the antenna (ANT) 9, are amplified at the prescribed level through the high-frequency amplifier la, and mixed with the oscillation signals of the local oscillation unit In the mixer Id. The surface elastic wave generated by the mixture is filtered by the surface filter and the signal processing unit is supplied with the frequency signal mt errrtedia 2. In the signal processing unit intermediate frequency 2, the received intermediate frequency signals are amplified through the intermediate frequency amplification 2a and any image signal is detected through the image detector 2b. The detected image signal is sent to an iris / color / deflection processing unit 3 and synchronization detection unit 5 after being amplified through the image amplifier 2e. The output of the image detector 2b is also sent to the AGC 2d detector to detect the AGC. The AGC detector 2d has its output rectified by a resistor R2 and a capacitor C2. The rectified output of the AGC detector 2d is sent to the amplifier lf AGC 2e. This IF voltage AGC sent as a direct current (DC) value is adjusted for the gain for the first and second amplification of the amplifier If 2a through the amplifier lf AGC 2e. The AGC RF voltage is obtained by inverting and amplifying the IF AGC voltage using the AGC 2f RF amplification. The RF AGC voltage has the jitter removed by a resistor Rl and a capacitor Cl. The RF AGC voltage after the jitter has been eliminated is sent to the high frequency amplifier AGC lf. The IF AGC and RF AGC voltages, are described using the AGC voltage location diagram in Figure 4. Upon receipt of the signals from the AGC 2d detector the AGC amplifier 2e, an attempt is made to change the value of the IF IF3GC voltage, and when attempting to change the resistance of the IF AGC voltage, the IF AGC voltage changes such that the RF AGC voltage value remains constant, and as the IF AGC voltage field increases further, the AGC IF voltage decreases and because the gain of the frequency amplifier decreases high on tuner 1, a stable image can be guaranteed even on the occasion of a strong field. In the aforementioned conventional automatic storage apparatus and method, it takes approximately 300 ms delay per channel for the detection of synchronous signals through the surface elastic wave filter of the tuner 1, image detector 2d of the processing unit of intermediate frequency signal 2, and synchronization detection unit 5, to read exactly the synchronous signals, which are the fundamentals used to discriminate that the channel transmission signal exists at the time of automatic channel storage. In the case of PAL B / G mode in the Europe area, it requires approximately 2 to 5 minutes to scan 115 channels. NTSCfl mode of 180 channels requires approximately the same amount of time.

This is disadvantageous because viewers get bored. In addition, the method and apparatus for changing conventional channel selection to approximately 500 rns to send a stable image after selecting the channel with the channel change operation. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a superlative medium, such as putting the image mute or sending a blue-black signal for that period, to avoid a screen flash during the channel change.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for developing a discrimination on whether there is any transmission signal on a relevant channel using the automatic gain control signal, for example IF AGC signals, as signal identification signals of transmission. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for developing high-speed automatic channel storage, using the automatic gain control signals as identification signals, by reducing the AGC output time using acceleration conduction units for AGC signals, and therefore reducing the time for discrimination if there is any transmission signal in the relevant channel. The additional object of the present invention is to provide the apparatus and method for developing the channel change operation at high speed, reducing the time taken until the channel is selected at the time of change of channel selection using the acceleration conduction unit of said automatic gain control signals. The very high-speed transmission signal discrimination apparatus which achieves the objects according to the present invention comprises a tuning means for selecting a relevant channel according to the tuning data and a transmission discrimination means that discriminates if there is a transmission signal in the relevant channel based on an AGC signal. An additional high-speed transmission signal discrimination apparatus that achieves the objects according to the present invention comprises a tuning means for selecting a relevant channel according to tuning data, and for sending intermediate frequency signals; an intermediate frequency processing means for processing the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal sent from the tuner, for detecting and sending the image signals and then sending automatic gain control signals, and signal discrimination means, for transmission to receive AGC signals from the intermediate frequency processing means and to discriminate, based on these signals, if any transmission signal exists. The high-speed automatic channel storage apparatus, which is another object of the present invention, comprises a tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with tuning data and a transmission discrimination means that discriminates if there is a transmission signal in the relevant channel based on an AGC signal. If it is discriminated that there is a transfer signal in the relevant channel, then the information of the relevant channel is stored in the channel storage medium. An additional very high speed automatic channel storage apparatus, which is another object of the present invention, comprises a tuning means for selecting a relevant channel according to tuning data, and sending intermediate frequency signals; an intermediate frequency processing means for processing intermediate frequency signals of an image signal sent from the tuner, for detecting and sending the image signals, and then sending the AGC signals; an acceleration driving means for controlling the speed of the output of the AGC signals; transmission signal discrimination means for receiving the AGC signals from the intermediate frequency processing means, and for discriminating on the basis of these signals, if any transmission signal exists; and a channel information storage means for storing the relevant channel having the transmission data. The very high-speed channel changing apparatus, which is a further object of the present invention, comprises a tuning means for selecting a relevant channel according to tuning data, and for sending intermediate frequency signals; an intermediate frequency processing means for processing intermediate frequency signals of an image signal sent from the tuner, to detect and send the image signals, and then send AGC signals; an acceleration driving means for controlling the speed of the output of the flGC signals; a synchronization detecting means for detecting synchronous signals from the image signals sent from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit; and a channel change control means for sending the tuning data, by the tuning means, in a command to change the channel, to receive the synchronous signals input from the synchronization detecting means, after the conduction of the acceleration driving unit, and to turn off the acceleration driving units after completing the channel change operation by performing an AFT adjustment. According to the present invention, as covered herein, the technique and apparatus carry out, at high speed, the discrimination of transmission signal by discriminating on the basis of automatic gain control signals (AGC) that there is a signal of transmission in a channel. The sine also provides a very high speed channel television and storage method designed to discriminate based on the AGC signals if there is any transmission signal, and to search and store the channels, at very high speed, using units of acceleration driving. Finally, the techniques and apparatus provide selection and channel change at very high speed using acceleration driving units. Additional objects, embodiments and advantages of the invention are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects, modalities and advantages of the invention are realized and achieved by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a step diagram for the automatic channel storage apparatus of conventional T.V apparatus; Fig. 2 is a detailed step diagram of the tuner and the intermediate frequency signal processing unit of the conventional T.V. apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c) are diagrams in wave form of each unit of the computer in Figure 1; Figure 4 is the voltage location diagram AGC showing the tuning operation in accordance with the conventional technique; Figure 5a is a signal flow diagram for the automatic channel storage mode of conventional TV sets; Figure 5b is a signal flow diagram for the channel change method of general TV sets; Figure 6 is a stepped diagram for the very high-speed channel storage apparatus of the TV set according to the present invention; Figures 7a to 7c are waveform diagrams of each unit of the microcomputer in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a waveform diagram of each unit of the microcomputer in Figure 6 for the channel change operation in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 is the voltage location diagram AGC showing the high-speed tuning operation according to the present invention; Fig. 10 is a signal flow diagram for the very high speed channel storage mode according to the present invention; Fig. 11 is a signal flow diagram for the channel change method of rnu and high speed according to the present invention; and Figure 12 is another embodiment for the very high speed channel storage apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Figure 6 is a step diagram illustrating one embodiment of the very high-speed channel storage apparatus according to the present invention, and as shown in Figure S, comprises a tuner 11 for selecting the relevant channels in accordance with the tuning data sent from the microcomputer 18. The tuner 11 sends intermediate frequency signals to an intermediate frequency signal processing unit 12, which processes the intermediate frequency signals of the image signal sent from the tuner 11 and detects the original image signal. The iris / color / deviation processing unit 13 receives the image signals sent from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 12 to be processed in a suitable manner to display them in the CTP 14. A synchronization detection unit 15 detects the synchronous signals sent from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 12 to discriminate if there is any transmission signal at the time of channel change and supply them to the microcomputer 18. The microcomputer 18 sends a series of tuning data from the mode of automatic channel storage to the tuner 11 and simultaneously drives the acceleration driving units 19 and 20 for high-speed tuning. The microcomputer 18 discriminates whether there is any transmission signal in the relevant channel based on the IF AGC supplied from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 12 via the level 22 shunt. If a transmission signal is discriminated, then the microprocessor .1.8 stores such channel data in memory 17. Acceleration driving units comprise speed driving unit 19 which, at high speed, changes the AGC RF under the control of microcomputer 18; the acceleration driving unit 20 changing, at high speed, the AGC IF under the control of the microcomputer 18; and an acceleration driving unit 21 that unloads, at high speed, the AGC voltage charged in the acceleration driving unit 19 for the high-speed AGC operation. The operation and effect of the present invention hereinafter are described with reference to Figs. 7 to 11. First, the very high speed automatic channel storage method according to the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 7. , figure 9 and figure 10. First, the channels are initialized for automatic channel storage, UPS step or figure 10, the acceleration conduction units 19 and 20 are turned on, step SA2 of figure 10 (the rapid control signals of OSC speed are sent from the microcomputer 18 as shown in Figure 8 (b)). Then the PLL DATA of the relevant channel is operated and sent, that is, the relevant channel is selected in the tuner 11 according to the tuning data, sending the tuning data to the relevant channel, step SA3 and SA4 of figure 10. In other words, the computer starter 18 sends the CD signals as shown in FIG. 8a, to the tuner 11. The intermediate frequency signals are sent and, in the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 12, the intermediate frequency signals are transmitted. process and AGC signals are sent. Therefore, the microcomputer 18 sends the tuning data of the relevant channel, step SA3 of Figure 10, and, after a delay of a prescribed time (approximately 15 ms in reference to the time elapsed until the AGC signals are sent through the tuner 11 and the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 12), it receives the input of the AGC signals from the level 22 shunt through the high speed identification terminal OID to discriminate if there is any signal from transmission, step SA5 of Figure 10 (if at all, the signals co or shown in Figure 7c are received in OID). If any signal is found as a result of the discrimination, the current channel data is stored, step SA6 of Figure 10. Subsequently, it is discriminated if all the channels have been searched, step SA7 of Figure 10, and if it has been found that all channels have been searched, then the speed driving units 19 and 20 are turned off, step SA9 of Fig. 10, and the automatic channel storage operation is closed. Otherwise, the current channel data increases, step SA8 of Figure 10, and the operation is repeated until all the channels have been searched. The automatic channel storage hereinafter is described in detail with reference to Figure 6. The procedure. Automatic channel storage begins when a viewer sends a relevant key signal in key matrix 16 to perform automatic channel storage. The microcomputer 18 senses the signal and drives the acceleration driving units 19 and 20, and sends the channel data to the tuner 11 to select a channel. The AGC RF voltage and the IF AGC voltage are sent from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 12. Because the microcomputer 18 drives the acceleration conduction unit 19 and the acceleration conduction unit 20, the RF voltage AGC and the IF AGC voltage change at high speed, and the channel search time is reduced from the search time of the conventional technique. That is, the microcomputer 18 sends a low potential, as shown in FIG. 7b, during the automatic channel storage mode from the high speed control terminal O? C. The low potential turns off the transistors 01 of the acceleration conduction unit 19, and 02 of the acceleration conduction unit 20. When the transistors 01 and 02 are turned off, the capacitors Cl and C2 are placed in a floating state in the Earth terrninalee. Therefore, because the capacitor Cl is connected in parallel with the capacitor C3 and the capacitor C2 is connected in parallel with the capacitor C4 in ordinary times, C3 and C4 are in a single state, respectively, the capacitance value of all capacitors during the automatic channel storage mode is reduced below the capacitance during normal operation (eg C1 >; C3, C2 > C4). This allows the RF voltage AGC and the IF AGC voltage to be charged at high speed through the capacitors C3 and C4 during the automatic channel storage mode. In this case, the level 22 shunt converts the level of the charged IF AGC voltage and transmits it to the OID of the microcomputer 18. For example, assuming that Cl = 10 uF, C3 = l uF, Rl = 10 K, time is required constant t 1 = C3 x Rl = 10 ms, at high speed times (Cl OFF), and (Cl + C3) x Rl = 110 me, at ordinary times, respectively. Also, assuming that C2 = 2.2 uF, C4 = 0.1 uF, R2 (internal impedance) = 33 K, constant time is required (C2 OFF) t 2 = C4 x R2 = 3.3 ms at high speed times (C2 OFF) , and (C2 + C4) X R2 = 76 s to the ordinary times, respectively. It is possible to set the speed of the RF AGC and the IF AGC within approximately 15 ms (10 ms + 3.3 rns). The microcomputer 18 can, after sending the tuning data to the tuner 11, discriminate at high speed (15 s) if there are transmission signals in the channel currently selected based on the supplied OID within 15 ms, as shown in the figure 7 (c). If it is discriminated, after confirming if there is any transmission signal in the selected channel through the described process, that a transmission signal does not exist, then the tuning data of said channel is stored in the memory 17. Once it is perform the 00 discrimination, the next channel is immediately selected and this process is carried out repeatedly until all the channels have been reviewed. When the auto-channel storage operation is complete, a high potential is sent from the QSC of the microcomputer-18. The high potential turns on the transietoree 01 and 02 that turn off the acceleration conduction units 19 and 20, so that the capacitors Cl and C2 are connected to the ground terminals and perform a stable AGC operation in normal state. Figure 9 shows the principles of the acceleration conduction units 19 and 20. The dotted line part in the figure shows the changed location of the IF AGC voltage and the AGC RF voltage when using acceleration conduction units 19, 20, and 21 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Figure 9, it can be found that the present invention operates more rapidly than the conventional technique (in solid lines) (as shown in Figure 9, the IF AGC voltage time and the AGC RF voltage are stabilized decreases). of the operational time from ti to ti 'and from t3 to t3', respectively). The decrease in time is possible, as described above, by changing the capacitor capacity Cl to C4 using transistors 01 and 02. In other words, when the acceleration conduction units 19 and 20 are on, the capacitance of capacitors C3 and C4, respectively, is converted so that the transistors 01 and 02 are turned off, during the auto-channel storage mode. During ordinary operation, the transistors 01 and 02 are turned on so that the capacitance of the capacitors becomes C1 + C3 and C2 + C4, respectively, also the acceleration conduction units 19 and 20 are turned off when the transistors 01 and 02 are on. The acceleration conduction unit is formed by adding a DI diode to the conventional construction, to prevent the feedback speed from falling due to the constant time RC through the resistor R3. In other words, when the AGC voltage charged in the capacitor C3 or Cl parallel with the C3 is discharged, in any case where the capacitor Cl exists separately in the circuit or is connected in parallel with the capacitor C3 at the time of the AGC operation , the AGC voltage loaded in the C3 connador or Cl parallel with the C3 is downloaded directly through the DI diode instead of the resistor R3, the AGC speed is improved. As described above, it is possible to discriminate a channel in about 15 ms as shown in Figure 7, by recognizing the 0ID transmitted through the level shunt 22, then the acceleration driving units 19 and 20 are driven. In this way, yes. there are 180 channels in all, it takes approximately 3 seconds, 180 x 15 s = 270 ms, to confirm all. The very high speed channel deviation method which is another object of the present invention, is described below with reference to Figure 11. When a viewer sends a key signal using the key matrix 16, the microcomputer 18 perceives the key signal and reads the selected channel data, step SB1 of FIG. 11. The microcomputer sends a low potential from the QSC, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), which turns off the transistor 01 and 02. When the transistors 01 and 02 are turned off, the acceleration driving units 19 and 20 are turned on, step SB2 of Figure 11. The microcomputer 18 operates the PLL (not shown) of the relevant channel and then sends the PLL data, ie the data of tuning the relevant channel, to the tuner 11, as shown in Fig. 8 (a), the channel deviation signal is, therefore, sent, step SB3 of Fig. 11. Subsequently, the microcomputer 18 discriminates if any signal s Incomplete is received from the receiving end ID, and if any, the AFT tuning operation is performed to search for a positive signal for AFT by adjusting the tuning data bit by bit up or down, at the same time comparing the AFT voltage with the reference value, step SB5 of FIG. 11. Upon completion of an individual process or a series of channel change processes, the microcomputer 18 sends a high potential from the OSC that turns on the transistors 01 and 02. This turns off the acceleration drive units 1.9 and 20. Therefore, the channel change process is completed. When the acceleration conduction units 19 and 20 are turned on during the channel change operation, the detection of the synchronous signals and the AFT adjustment are completed, and the channel change is also completed in less time than in the conventional technique . As shown in Figure 8, it takes 50 rns until the synchronous signals are detected, and 250 ms until the AFT adjustment is completed, which has an effect to considerably shorten the conventional technique time of 300 rns and 500 ms, respectively, see figure 3. The increase in speed eliminates the problems that arose with the screen flicker when a channel is changed. Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the very high channel automatic storage apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the operating principles are similar to those shown in Figure 6, but differ in that the embodiment of the Figure 6 discriminates whether any transmission signal exists upon receipt of the IF AGC voltage of the RF voltage AGC and the IF voltage AGC sent from the intermediate frequency signal processing unit 12, to the 0ID, while in the embodiment of Figure 12, it is carried out when receiving the AGC RF voltage input at 0ID. As described in detail above, "the present invention has the effect that it uses the AGC signals as identification signals to discriminate if there is any transmission signal, and also uses the acceleration conduction unit of the AGC signals to detect them. channels at very high speed, so that the automatic channel storage operation is completed at high speed without the viewer being bored.In addition, the present invention has an effect that solves the problems, such as screen flicker at the time of change channel, etc., when changing the channels at high speed, using the acceleration driving unit in the channel change operation.

Claims (25)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A high-speed transmission signal discrimination apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with tuning data; and (b) transmission signal discrimination means for discriminating whether a signal exists in the relevant channel based on an automatic gain control signal (AGC).

2. An acceleration driving unit comprising: acceleration driving means for controlling the speed at which an automatic gain control signal (AGC) is developed.

3. A high-speed transmission signal discrimination apparatus comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with tuning data; and (b) transmission signal discrimination means for discriminating whether a signal exists in the relevant channel based on an automatic gain control signal (AGC); and (c) acceleration driving means for controlling the speed at which the automatic gain control signal (AGC) is developed.

4. A high-speed transmission signal discrimination according to claim 3, further ccterized in that it comprises synchronization signal discrimination means for discriminating whether there is a transmission signal based on a synchronous signal of the image signal.

5. A high-speed transmission signal discrimination apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) intermediate frequency processing means for processing the intermediate frequency signals sent from the tuning means, and sending image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); and (c) transmission signal signaling means for receiving the automatic gain control (AGC) signals from the intermediate frequency processor means and discriminating, based on the received automatic gain control signals ( AGC), if there is a transmission signal.

6. A high-speed transmission signal discrimination apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data; and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) intermediate frequency processing means for processing the intermediate frequency signals sent from the tuning means, and sending image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (c) acceleration driving means for controlling the speed of sending automatic gain control signals (AGC) sent from the intermediate frequency processing means; and (d) transmission signal discrimination means for receiving the automatic gain control (AGC) signals from the intermediate frequency processing means and discriminating, based on the received automatic gain control (AGC) signals, if there is a transmission signal.

7. A high-speed automatic channel storage apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data; and (b) discrimination signal transrniation means for determining if there is a signal in the relevant channel based on an automatic gain control signal (AGC); and (c) channel information storage means for storing the relevant channel information of channels where a transmission signal has been discriminated.

8. A high-speed automatic channel storage apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data; and (b) transmission signal discrimination means for discriminating whether a signal exists in the relevant channel based on an automatic gain control signal (AGC).; (c) acceleration driving means for controlling the speed at which the automatic gain control signal (AGC) is developed; and, (d) channel information storage means for storing the relevant channel information of channels in which a transmission signal has been discriminated.

9. A high-speed automatic channel storage apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) intermediate frequency processing means for processing the intermediate frequency signals sent from the tuning means, and sending image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (c) transmission signal discrimination means for receiving the automatic gain control (AGC) signals from the intermediate frequency processing means and discriminating, based on the received automatic gain control signals (AGC), if there is a transmission signal; and, (d) channel information storage means for storing the relevant channel information of channels where a transmission signal has been discriminated.

10. A high-speed automatic channel storage apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) intermediate frequency processing means for processing the intermediate frequency signals sent from the tuning means, and sending image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (c) acceleration driving means for controlling the speed of automatic gain control signal (AGC) signaling; (d) transmission signal discrimination means for receiving the automatic gain control (AGC) signals from the intermediate frequency processing means and discriminating, based on the received automatic gain control signals (AGC), if there is a transmission signal; and, (e) channel information storage means for storing the relevant channel information of channels where a transmission signal has been discriminated.

11. The apparatus according to claims 5, 6, 9 or 10, further characterized in that the automatic gain control signal (AGC) is an intermediate frequency automatic gain control signal.

12. The apparatus according to claim 5, 6, 9 or 10, further characterized in that the automatic gain control signal (AGC) is an automatic radio frequency gain control signal.

13. The apparatus according to claims 5, 6, 9 or 10, further characterized in that it comprises a level shunt for converting the automatic gain control signals (AGC) sent from the frequency signal processing unit. intermediate to a prescribed level, and send the converted signal to the transmission signal discrimination means.

14. A high-speed transfer signal discrimination apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) intermediate frequency processing means for processing the intermediate frequency signals sent from the tuning means, and sending image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (c) a first acceleration conduction means for controlling the speed of sending automatic RF gain control (AGC) signals sent from the intermediate frequency processing means; (d) a second acceleration driving means for controlling the speed of sending automatic gain control signals TF (AGC) sent from the intermediate frequency processing means and (e) transmission signal discrimination means for receiving them Automatic gain control (AGC) signals from intermediate frequency processing and discriminating means, based on the received automatic gain control signals (AGC), if there is a transmission signal.

15. A high-speed transfer signal discriminating apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) intermediate frequency processing means for processing the intermediate frequency signals sent from the tuning, and sending image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (c) a first acceleration conduction means for controlling the speed of sending automatic RF gain control (AGC) signals sent from the intermediate frequency processor means; (d) a second acceleration driving means for controlling the speed of sending automatic gain control signals IF (AGC) sent from the intermediate frequency processing means, (e) transmission signal discrimination means for receiving the signals of automatic gain control (AGC) from the intermediate frequency processing means and discriminate, based on the automatic gain control (AGC) signal, if there is a transient signal; and (f) channel information storage edioe for storing the relevant channel channel information in which a transmission signal has been discriminated.

16. The apparatus according to claims 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 14 or 15, further characterized in that the acceleration conduction unit controls the speed of the transmission of the automatic gain control signal (AGC) to the Control the speed of loading and unloading through a change in capacitor capacity to send automatic gain control (AGC) signals.

17. A method of high-speed signal signal discrimination comprises: (a) selecting a relevant channel when tuning a tuner in accordance with the tuning data; and (b) discriminating, based on the automatic gain control signal (AGC), if a transmission channel exists.

18. A method of discrimination of high-speed transmission signal comprises: (a) selecting a relevant channel when tuning a tuner in accordance with the tuning data; and (b) discriminating, based on the automatic gain control signal (AGC), if a transmission channel exists; and, (c) controlling the speed at which the automatic gain control signal (AGC) is developed.

19. A high-speed transmission signal discrimination method comprises: (a) selecting a relevant channel by tuning a tuner in accordance with the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) process the intermediate frequency signals, and send image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (c) discriminate, based on the received automatic gain control signals (AGC), if a transmission signal exists. 20.- A high-speed automatic channel storage method comprises: (a) selecting a relevant channel when tuning a tuner in accordance with the tuning atoms; (b) discriminate, based on the automatic gain control signal (AGC), if a transmission channel exists; and, (c) storing the relevant channel information of the channels where a transfer signal has been discriminated in step (b). 21. A high-speed automatic channel storage method comprises: (a) selecting a relevant channel when tuning a tuner in accordance with the tuning data; (b) discriminate, based on the automatic gain control signal (AGC), and there is a transmission channel; (c) controlling the speed at which an automatic gain control signal (AGC) is developed; and, (d) storing the relevant channel information of the channels where a transmission signal has been discriminated in step (c). 22. A high-speed automatic channel storage discrimination method comprises: (a) selecting a relevant channel by tuning a tuner in accordance with the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) process the intermediate frequency signals, and send image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (c) discriminating, based on the received automatic gain control (AGC) signals, if a transmit signal exists; and (d) storing the relevant channel information of the channels where a transmission signal has been discriminated in step (c). 23.- A high speed automatic channel storage method comprises: (a) igniting an acceleration driving unit; (b) send tuning data to a tuner; (c) selecting a relevant channel when tuning a tuner according to the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (d) processing the intermediate frequency signals sent from the tuning means, and sending automatic gain control signals (AGC); (e) discriminating, based on the automatic gain control (AGC) signals, if a transmission signal exists; (f) storing the relevant channel information of the channels where a transmission signal has been discriminated in step (e); (g) discriminate whether all relevant channels have been discriminated for a transmission signal; (h) increasing the tuning data to the next relevant channel if, in step (g), it is discriminated that all relevant channels have not been discriminated for a transmission signal and repeated steps (b) to (h); and (i) turn off the acceleration drive unit and close the op > eration, if, in step (g), it is discriminated that all relevant channels have been discriminated for a transmission signal. 24. A high-speed channel changing apparatus, comprising: (a) tuning means for selecting a relevant channel in accordance with the tuning data, and sending the intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (b) intermediate frequency processing means for processing the intermediate frequency signals sent from the tuning means, and sending image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (c) acceleration driving means for controlling the speed of automatic gain control signal (AGC) signaling; (d) channel change control means for sending tuning data to the tuning means in accordance with a channel change command, the channel change control means includes means for driving the acceleration conduction unit, upon receiving the synchronous signals from the synchronization detecting means, carrying out the AFT adjustment, and closing the channel change operation, and then turning off the acceleration conduction unit. 25.- A high-speed channel change method, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a channel change instruction; (b) ignite an acceleration driving unit; (c) sending tuning data to a tuner in accordance with the channel change instruction of step (a); (d) selecting a relevant channel by means of the tuner in accordance with the tuning data and, sending intermediate frequency signals of an image signal; (e) processing intermediate frequency signals, and sending image signals and automatic gain control signals (AGC); (f) detect synchronous signals from the image files, and discriminate if there is a synchronous signal; (g) carrying out the adjustment operation ab AFT, if a synchronous signal is discriminated in step (f); and (h) turn off the acceleration driving unit and close the operation.