New Zealand No 330520 International No PCT/
TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION
Priority dates 27 05 1997,
Complete Specification Filed 26 05 1998
Classification (6) H03J5/02
Publication date 28 October 1999
Journal No 1445
NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Title of Invention
Output frequency control apparatus for rf converter and video instrument being equipped therewith
Name, address and nationality of apphcant(s) as in international application form
SANYO ELECTRIC CO , LTD , a Japanese company of 5-5 Keihan-hondori 2-chome, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka 570-8677, Japan
Patents Form 5
N.Z. No.
NEW ZEALAND Patents Act .1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
OUTPUT FREQUENCY CONTROL APPARATUS FOR RF CONVERTER AND VIDEO INSTRUMENT BEING EQUIPPED THEREWITH
We, SANYO ELECTRIC CO , LTD , a Japanese Company of, 5-5, Keihan-hondon 2-chome, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka 570-8677, Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described m and by the following statement -
- 1 - (Followed by 1A)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION Output Frequency Control Apparatus for RF Converter and Video Instrument Being Equipped Therewith
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter for setting and controlling output frequencies of an RF converter which converts a video signal into an RF signal to be outputted, and the invention also relates to a video instrument such as a VTR for outputtmg a video signal
Frequencies of television channels are allotted, depending on the country (region), in their interior such that they do not overlap with each other Television channels for outputting an RF (radio frequency) signal for a video tape recorder may be classified into a fixed channel output type which is employed, for instance, in Japan or the USA, and a variable channel output type which is employed, for instance, in Europe A fixed channel output type is arranged, for instance in Japan, such that e g channel 1 and channel 2 are fixed, and either of them may be switched and selected by sliding switch A variable channel output type is arranged, for instance, such that eg a knob of a variable condenser is rotated for arbitrarily selecting among multiple channels lA
In the case of a variable channel output type, one channel of a television receiver is set to an empty channel on which nothing is being broadcast, and an RF output channel of a video tape recorder is adjusted, by rotating the knob of the variable condenser, such that an output image of the video tape recorder is made to be on the screen of the television receiver
In recent years, a type in which frequency setting is performed through digital data (e g PLL method) is alternatively being employed as types suitable for European users Such a type is arranged such that a television receiver is made to select an empty channel and by making an RF output channel of the video tape recorder to be selected for this empty channel through digital data, an output image of the video tape recorder is made to be on the screen of the television receiver
As mentioned above, since frequencies of television channels are allotted as to be different from country to country, setting of RF output frequencies are thus similarly different Accordingly, designing was performed for each RF output frequency which differs from country to country which resulted in a poor designing efficiency, poor production efficiency due to increases in produced types as well as complications in management of stock and shipment
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above discussed circumstances, and it is an object thereof to provide an output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter and a video instrument being equipped therewith which can be sold to multiple countries for which allotted frequencies of television channels are different, and which enables an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment
The output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention is an output frequency control apparatus for setting and controlling output frequencies of an RF converter which converts a video signal into an RF signal to be outputted to a predetermined channel of a reproducing instrument, the apparatus comprising storing means for storing initial values of frequency of video signal and channel number when setting the output frequency, changing means for sequentially changing the output frequency from initial value by turns of channel numbers by following instructions from outside when setting the output frequency, display signal outputting means for outputting a display signal which displays an output frequency and a corresponding channel number, and RF signal setting means for setting the output frequency and the
corresponding channel number indicated by the display signal outputted by the display signal outputting means as an RF signal by following instructions from outside
In such an output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention, the storing means stores therein initial values of frequency of video signal and channel number when setting output frequency of an RF converter, and when setting an output frequency of an RF converter, the changing means sequentially changes output frequency of the RF converter from initial value by turns of channel numbers by following instructions from outside. At this time, the display signal outputting means outputs a display signal for displaying an output frequency and a corresponding channel number, and a display device of the video instrument of the main body displays the output frequency and the corresponding channel number Then, the RF signal setting means sets the output frequency and the corresponding channel number which are displayed by the display device as an RF signal by following instructions from outside
With this arrangement, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with such output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in
designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment
The output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention further comprises returning means for directly returning an output frequency to an initial value by following instructions from outside when setting an output frequency
In such the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention, returning means is capable of directly returning an output frequency of the RF converter to an initial value by following instructions from outside when setting an output frequency for the RF converter
With this arrangement, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with such output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment, and further, the user can easily perform setting of output frequencies for an RF converter
The output frequency control apparatus for an RF
converter according to the present invention is arranged such that a group of frequencies and channel numbers changed by the changing means are preliminarily set
In such an output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter, a group of frequencies and channel numbers changed by the changing means are preliminarily set, whereby the number of frequencies and channel numbers that are to be selected by the user for setting output frequency for an RF converter can be limited, and the user can easily perform setting of output frequency of an RF converter Further, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with such output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment
The output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter accoiding to the present invention further comprises switching means, to which a plurality of groups of frequency and channel number are set as initial values, for changing between a plurality of groups of frequency and channel number by following instructions from outside when setting output frequencies
In such an output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention, a plurality of groups of frequencies and channels numbers are set, and when setting output frequency for an RF converter, the switching means is capable of switching between the groups of frequencies and channel numbers by following instructions from outside
With this arrangement, the number of frequencies and channel numbers that are to be selected by the user for setting output frequency for an RF converter can be limited, and the user can easily perform setting of output frequency of an RF converter Further, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with such output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment
In the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention, the initial values is common to a plurality of groups of frequencies and channel numbers set for each country
In such an output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention, the initial
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value for setting output frequency of an RF converter is common to a plurality of groups of frequencies and channel numbers set for each country, and the user can easily perform setting of output frequency for an RF converter Further, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with such output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment
For instance, FIG 1A denotes a table of UHF channels used in New Zealand, and FIG IB a table of UHF channels used in Australia When comparing these tables, it can be understood that there exist channel 28 in both countries vhich are both of 527 25 VlHz By using this fact, an output frequency control apparatus lor an RF converter as discussed above can be realized.
Further, the video instrument according to the present invention is equipped with the above discussed output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter
Since such a video instrument according to the present invention is equipped with the above discussed output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter, it is made
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possible to sell video instruments being equipped with such output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase m production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment
The above and further objects and features of the invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG 1A is a diagram showing tables of UHF channels as used in New Zealand as one example,
FIG IB is a diagram showing tables of UHF channels as used in Australia as one example,
FIG 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter and a video instrument being equipped therewith according to one embodiment of the present invention,
FIG 3 is a flowchart showing an example of setting operations of the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention, and
FIG 4 is a flowchart showing an example of setting
operations of the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter according to the present invention
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be explained based on the drawings showing an embodiment thereof
FIG 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an output frequency control apparatus for an RF conveiter and a video instrument being equipped therewith according to an embodiment of the present invention
Such a video instrument is a video tape recorder 11, and a video signal as received by an antenna 4 is sent to an RF converter 3 The RF converter 3 converts the video signal into an RF signal that is sent to a television receiver 8 via an output terminal (To-TV)
The video signal received by the antenna 4 is further sent to a video-audio circuit 6 via a tuner/interface (I/F) circuit 5 and is recorded on a video tape loaded on a mecha-servo circuit 7 On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the video signal reproduced from the video tape loaded on the mecha-servo circuit 7 is sent to the video-audio circuit 6, is converted into an RF signal by the RF converter 3, and is sent to the television receiver 8 via the output terminal (To-TV)
Operations of a key switch group 2 for operating the
video tape recorder 11 are transmitted to a microcomputer 1 The microcomputer 1 controls, in accordance with the operations of the key switch group 2, the RF converter 3, tuner/interface circuit 5, video-audio circuit 6, mecha-servo circuit 7 and a display device 9 The microcomputer 1 further reads out, when required, programs and data from a ROM
It should be noted that it is possible to utilize as the display device 9 a fluorescent display tube or LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like, and it is also possible to utilize the television receiver 8 through OSD (on screen display) functions
FIG 3 and FIG 4 are flowcharts showing examples of setting operations of the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter in the video tape recorder 11 of the above arrangement Setting operations of this output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter will now be explained by referring to the flowcharts of FIG 3 and FIG 4
There are stored on the ROM 10 of the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter, a UHF channel table of New Zealand as shown in FIG 1A, a UHF channel table of Australia as shown in FIG IB, and as initial values for setting output frequencies for the RF converter 3 "channel 28" and "527 25 MHz" which are a channel number and an
identical frequency common to both UHF channel tables It should be noted that other similar VHF channel tables and initial values are also being stored
The output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter peiforms the following operations when tho key switch group 2 is operated and an RF converter setting mode for setting an output frequency of the RF converter 3 is selected, an RF signal of 527 25 MHz which is the initial value is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "28
RF", indicating "channel 28" and "RF converter setting mode", is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S10)
Then, when a "CHUP" key (channel up key) included in the key switch group 2 is operated ("YES" at Step S12), an A mode, which is an RF converter setting mode suitable in Australia, is assumed (Step S14), an RF signal of channel 29 of 534 25 MHz is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "29 A RF", indicating "channel 29", "A mode", and "RF converter setting mode", is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S16)
Next, when the "CHUP" key is operated ("YES" at Step S18), an RF signal of channel 30 of 541 25 MHz is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "30 A RF", indicating "channel 30", "A mode", and "RF converter setting mode", is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S20)
At this time, when the "CHUP" key is not operated ("NO" at Step S18) but a "CI1DN" key (channel down key) included in the key switch group 2 is operated ("YES" at Step S26), the process returns to the initial state, an RF signal of 527 25 MHz which is the initial value is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "28 RF" is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S10) Since the initial state is not limited to be the A mode, "A" is not displayed
When the "CHUP" key is similarly operated thereafter, an RF signal of +1 channel is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and a display indicating "+1 channel", "A mode", and "RF converter setting mode" is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 When channel 69, which is the maximum channel is reached, an RF signal of 814 25 MHz is made to be outputted, and "69 A RF", indicating "channel 69", "A mode", and "RF converter setting mode", is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S22)
When being in this state, the process returns to the initial state, no matter which of the "CHUP" key or "CHDN" key is operated (both "YES" at Steps S24, S28), an RF signal of 527 25 MHz which is the initial value is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "28 RF" is displayed on the display device 9 (Step S10)
When the key switch group 2 is operated during the above operations and the RF converter setting mode is completed,
the frequency for a channel number which had been displayed on the screen of the display device 9 at that time is set as the output frequency of the RF converter 3, and the microcomputer 1 stored this channel number and frequency
An NZ mode which is a RF converter setting mode suitable in New Zealand is assumed (Step S32), when the "CHDN" key (channel down key) included in the key switch group 2 is operated ("YES" at Step S30) when the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter is in the initial state, the RF converter 3 outputs an RF signal of 527 25 VlHz, and the screen of the display device 9 displays "28 RF", indicating "channel 28" and "RF converter setting mode" (Step S10) In this case, an RF signal of channel 29 of 535 25 MHz is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "29 n RF" indicating "channel 29", "NZ mode" and "RF converter setting mode" is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S34)
Next, when the "CHDN" key is operated ("YES" at Step S36), an RF signal of channel 30 of 543 25 MHz is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "30 n RF", indicating "channel 30", "NZ mode", and "RF converter setting mode", is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S38)
At this time, when the "CHDN" key is not operated ("NO" at Step S36) but the "CHUP" key included in the key switch group 2 is operated ("YES" at Step S50), the process returns
to the initial state, an RF signal of 527 25 MHz which is the initial value is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "28 RF" is displayed on tho screen of the display device 9 (Step S10) Since the initial state is not limited to be the NZ mode, "n" is not displayed
When the "CHDN" key is similarly operated thereafter, an RF signal of +1 channel is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and a display indicating "+1 channel", "NZ mode", and "RF converter setting mode" is displayed on the screen of the display device 9. When channel 69, which is the maximum channel is reached, an RF signal of 855 25 MHz is made to be outputted, and "69 n RF", indicating "channel 69", "NZ mode", and "RF converter setting mode", is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S40)
When the "CHDN" key is operated in this condition ("YES" at Step S42), it is made to be channel 21, which is the minimum channel, an RF signal of 471 25 MHz is outputted, and "21 n RF", indicating "channel 21", "NZ mode", and "RF converter setting mode", is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S44).
When the "CHDN" key is similarly operated thereafter, an RF signal of +1 channel is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and a display indicating "+1 channel", "NZ mode", and "RF converter setting mode" is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 When channel 27 is reached,
an RF signal of 519 25 MHz is made to be outputted, and "27 RF", indicating "channel 27", "NZ mode", and "RF converter setting mode", is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S46)
When being in this state, the process returns to the initial state, no matter which of the "CHUP" key or "CHDN" key is operated (both "YES" at Steps S48, S54), an RF signal of 527 25 MHz which is the initial value, is made to be outputted by the RF converter 3, and "28 RF" is displayed on the screen of the display device 9 (Step S10)
When the key switch group 2 is operated during the abov operations and the RF converter setting mode is completed, the frequency for a channel number which had been displayed on the screen of the display device 9 at that time is set as the output frequency of the RF converter 3, and the microcomputer 1 stored this channel number and frequency
As discussed so far, according to the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter of the present invention, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with this output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions)in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification
in management of stock and shipment
According to the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter of the present invention, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with this output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (region) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment, and further, the user can easily perform setting of output frequencies for an RF converter
According to the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter of the present invention, the number of frequencies and channel numbers that are to be selected by the user for setting output frequencies for an RF converter are limited, and the user can easily perform setting of output frequencies for an RF converter Further, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with this output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of
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stock and shipment
According to the output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter of the present invention, the user can easily perform setting of output frequencies for an RF converter Further, it is made possible to sell video instruments being equipped with this output frequency control apparatus for an RF converter to multiple countries (regions) m which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment
According to the video instrument of the present invention, it is made possible to sell them to multiple countries (regions) in which the allotted frequencies for television channels are different, and it can thus be achieved for an increase in designing efficiency, an increase in production efficiency due to decreases in produced types as well as simplification in management of stock and shipment
As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather
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than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims
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