JP3625713B2 - Digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a satellite digital television broadcasting service using a broadcasting satellite, one transport stream is used as a transmission capacity capable of broadcasting one channel of HDTV broadcasting to a high-definition television (HDTV) broadcaster. (TS) is assigned.
[0003]
The required transmission bit rate for HDTV signals is about 20 Mbps, whereas the standard definition television (SDTV) signal has a required transmission bit rate of about 6 Mbps. Therefore, it is possible to multiplex and transmit three SDTV signals by using one transport stream (TS).
[0004]
Therefore, since the HDTV broadcaster decides the time organization of the program independently and selects and transmits the HDTV signal and the SDTV signal on the transmitter side, the signal format broadcast according to the time zone Therefore, the so-called mottled broadcast in which HDTV programs and SDTV programs are mixed is performed.
[0005]
As a channel that can be selected by the user, a broadcaster identification channel assigned to each broadcaster and a hierarchical level positioned at a lower level of the broadcaster identification channel are assigned for SDTV program identification at the time of multiplex broadcasting using SDTV signals. A service channel (SDTV program selection channel) is provided.
[0006]
When the user selects a broadcaster channel and designates a specific service channel, the digital broadcast receiver decodes the program of the designated service channel and outputs a video. Even if the signal format changes depending on the program transition as time passes, the receiver continuously decodes the program of the designated channel and outputs the video.
[0007]
FIG. 6 is an example of a program transition table in the digital broadcast receiver.
[0008]
FIG. 7 shows a program display processing procedure of a conventional digital broadcast receiver.
[0009]
For example, it is assumed that the service channel SD1 of the broadcaster channel 1 in FIG. 6 is selected. It is assumed that a program (HDTV program or SDTV program) broadcast on the service channel SD1 is received and broadcast (step 401). When the currently received program ends (step 402), the status of whether or not the broadcast by the currently selected service channel SD1 is paused or ended is determined (step 403).
[0010]
When it is recognized that the broadcast by the currently selected service channel SD1 is continued (NO in step 403), the status of the broadcast signal format of the next program is determined at the start of the next program, and the received program is HDTV. Or the SDTV is identified, and a decoding process corresponding to the format is performed (step 404). Then, regardless of the signal format transition, the SD1 channel video is output (step 405).
[0011]
If it is determined in the above step 403 that the broadcast on the currently selected service channel SD1 is suspended or terminated (YES in step 403), the broadcast on the currently selected broadcaster channel 1 is terminated. A broadcast end message is displayed regardless of whether the broadcast has ended (steps 406, 407, and 408).
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional digital broadcast receiver, when a user is watching an SDTV program while selecting a specific service channel, for example, the service channel SD1 of the broadcaster channel 1, the broadcast signal format to HDTV is switched. In this case, since any HDTV can be received in common even if any service channel of the same broadcaster channel is selected, it is not necessary to be particularly aware of the transition of the broadcast signal format from the standpoint of the user. Absent.
[0013]
However, when the HDTV program is being viewed and the program ends and transitions to the SDTV program time zone, the service channel that was selected at the time of viewing the SDTV program broadcast before the HDTV program is continued. Although the user has selected the desired broadcaster channel accurately, the previously selected service channel continues and it is difficult to understand that other programs exist on the same broadcaster channel. This can lead to oversight of SDTV programs to be viewed and channel confusion.
[0014]
In addition, when only some of the service channels existing in the same broadcaster channel are suspended or terminated, the service channel is provided by the broadcast termination display of that service channel. There is a risk that it may be interpreted that the broadcasters themselves are finished broadcasting. In other words, at the end of the broadcast of the program being viewed, the service channel is provided because the user cannot immediately obtain the contents of the program being broadcast in parallel on other service channels in the same broadcaster channel. There is a risk of interpreting that the broadcaster itself has finished broadcasting.
[0016]
In the present invention, when the broadcast by the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is paused or terminated and the broadcast by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is not terminated, the present selection is performed. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a digital broadcast receiver that can inform a user of information regarding all SDTV programs provided by a transport stream corresponding to a selected SDTV program selection channel.
[0017]
The present invention relates to all SDTVs provided by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel when a new SDTV program broadcast starts on the currently selected SDTV program selection channel. An object of the present invention is to obtain a digital broadcast receiver that can inform a user of information related to a program.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention is a digital broadcast receiver in digital broadcast having a time zone in which one HDTV program is provided by the same transport stream and a time zone in which a plurality of SDTV programs are provided. Determining means for determining whether or not broadcasting by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is terminated when broadcasting by the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is suspended or terminated; When it is determined by the determination means that the broadcast by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel has not ended, the mode shifts to the guide display mode, and the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is set. Depending on the corresponding transport stream Display means for sequentially decoding video of a plurality of provided SDTV programs and displaying them on a multi-screen, and in a guide mode, from a plurality of SDTV programs displayed on a multi-screen within a predetermined time after shifting to the guide mode When a program selection command for selecting one program is input, the selected SDTV program is shifted to a normal mode for display and the program selection command is not input within the predetermined time. In some cases, there is provided means for switching to a normal mode for selecting and displaying an SDTV program corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel after the predetermined time has elapsed .
[0019]
A second digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention is a digital broadcast receiver in digital broadcast having a time zone in which one HDTV program is provided by the same transport stream and a time zone in which a plurality of SDTV programs are provided. Detecting means for detecting that the broadcasting of a new SDTV program is started in the currently selected SDTV program selection channel; that the broadcasting of a new SDTV program is started in the currently selected SDTV program selection channel. When detected, the display shifts to the guide display mode, and sequentially decodes the images of a plurality of SDTV programs provided by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel and displays them on a multi-screen. Means and guide mode in the guide mode. When a program selection command for selecting one program from a plurality of SDTV programs displayed on a multi-screen within a predetermined time from the transition to is input, the selected SDTV program is selected and displayed. When the mode is shifted to the normal mode and the program selection command is not input within the predetermined time, the normal mode for selecting and displaying the SDTV program corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel after the predetermined time has elapsed. It is characterized by having a means to shift to .
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
[0023]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a digital broadcast receiver.
[0024]
A digital television broadcast signal received by the antenna 101 is demodulated by a digital tuner 102 to generate a transport stream (TS). A transport stream obtained by a digital tuner 102 is separated and decoded according to signal contents by a TS separation and decoding unit (TS DeMux) 103.
[0025]
The audio signal separated by the TS separation / decoding unit 103 is decoded by the audio decoding unit (Audio Decoder) 104 and output from the speaker 105. The video signal separated by the TS separation / decoding unit 103 is decoded by a video decoding unit (Video Decoder) 106 and then sent to a CRT 109 via a signal format conversion unit (Format Converter) 107 and an image processing unit (Display Processor) 108. Sent and output as program video. The video decoding unit 106 includes a field memory 110.
[0026]
A status detector 111 and a register 112 process broadcast program information. An input signal from the key operation unit 117 is sent to the CPU 115 via the user interface processing unit (User I / F) 116 for processing. A timer (Timer) 114 and a memory (Memory) 113 are connected to the CPU 115. The CPU 115 controls the entire digital broadcast receiver.
[0027]
FIG. 2 shows a program display processing procedure by the digital broadcast receiver of FIG.
[0028]
Assume that digital television broadcasting is provided in a form in which HDTV programs and SDTV programs are mixed for each broadcaster as shown in the program transition table shown in FIG.
[0029]
It is assumed that a program (HDTV program or SDTV program) broadcast on one service channel selected by the user is received and broadcast (step 201). When a guide display command relating to an SDTV program broadcast in the same TS is input by a key operation by the user (step 202), a guide mode is started (step 203). When the guide mode is started, a guide display process is executed. Details of the guide display process will be described later.
[0030]
When the program currently being viewed ends (step 204), the status information separated and decoded by the TS separation / decoding unit 103 is detected by the status detection unit 111 and recorded in the register 112.
[0031]
Then, based on the status information detected by the status detection unit 111, it is determined whether or not broadcasting by the currently selected service channel is suspended or terminated (step 205).
[0032]
When it is determined that the broadcast by the currently selected service channel is suspended or terminated, the broadcast by the currently selected broadcaster channel is terminated based on the status information detected by the status detection unit 111. It is determined whether or not (step 211). If it is determined that the broadcast by the currently selected broadcaster channel has ended, a broadcast end screen is output (step 213).
[0033]
When it is determined that the broadcast by the currently selected broadcaster channel has not ended, that is, when it is determined that the SDTV program is being broadcast on another service channel in the same TS, the guide mode Is started (step 212).
[0034]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 205 that the broadcast by the currently selected service channel is continued, the video decoding unit 106 continues to perform the video decoding process. Here, when broadcasting of the next program is started, the status information decoded by the TS separation / decoding unit 103 is detected by the status detection unit 111 and recorded in the register 112.
[0035]
Based on the status information detected by the status detection unit 111, it is determined whether the broadcast signal is SDTV or HDTV (step 207). If it is determined that the broadcast signal is HDTV, the video decoding unit 106 is controlled to receive the HDTV program (step 210).
[0036]
If it is determined that the broadcast signal is SDTV, an SDTV program is received (step 208), and the guide mode is started (step 209).
[0037]
As described above, in this embodiment, when a program guide display command is input by a user's key operation, broadcasting by the currently selected service channel is suspended or terminated, and the selected broadcaster channel is used. The guide mode is started when the broadcast is not finished and when a new SDTV program broadcast is started on the currently selected service channel (steps 203, 212, and 209).
[0038]
FIG. 3 shows a guide display processing procedure executed when the guide mode is started.
[0039]
In the guide display process, the three SDTV programs multiplexed in the same TS are decoded and displayed at predetermined time intervals in the order of the service channels SD1, SD2, SD3 (steps 231 to 236). Such decoding and display are sequentially repeated. Accordingly, together with the currently selected service channel program, other service channel programs are regarded as back programs in the same TS, and are displayed in the form of a multi-screen as shown in FIG. 4, for example.
[0040]
In the example of FIG. 4, the program (front program) provided by the currently selected service channel is SDTV1, and the back programs in the same TS are SDTV2 and SDTV3. The front program SDTV1 is displayed on a large screen, and the back programs SDTV2 and SDTV3 are displayed on a small screen.
[0041]
When the program guide display command is input by the user's key operation, the user pauses or ends the broadcast by the currently selected service channel and the broadcast by the selected broadcaster channel has not ended. When a new SDTV program broadcast is started on the currently selected service channel, the contents of the SDTV program broadcast on all service channels in the TS corresponding to the currently selected service channel are displayed. You will be able to know.
[0042]
When the broadcasting of a new SDTV program is started in the currently selected service channel, the contents of the SDTV program broadcast on all the service channels in the TS corresponding to the currently selected service channel are known. Therefore, whenever a transition is made from an HDTV program to an SDTV program, the contents of the SDTV program broadcast on all service channels in the TS corresponding to the currently selected service channel can be known. become able to.
[0043]
FIG. 5 shows a program selection processing procedure executed when the guide mode is started.
[0044]
When the guide mode is started (step 214), the timer 114 for measuring the guide mode period for automatically returning to the normal video output screen is activated to start the measurement of the guide mode period (step 215). In the guide mode period, when the user performs a key operation to select a channel and a channel selection command for the selected channel is input (YES in step 216), the guide mode is terminated (step 220) and the selected channel is selected. A service channel SDTV program is received (step 221).
[0045]
If the user does not select a channel and the guide mode period has elapsed (YES in step 217), it is determined that the channel change is not requested and the guide mode is terminated (step 218). Then, the program reception of the service channel selected before the start of the guide mode is resumed (step 219). The return from the guide mode screen to the normal video screen is executed by either user channel selection or timer interrupt.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the broadcast by the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is paused or terminated, and the broadcast by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is not terminated, The user can be notified of information regarding all the SDTV programs provided by the transport stream corresponding to the selected SDTV program selection channel.
[0048]
According to the present invention, when the broadcasting of a new SDTV program is started in the currently selected SDTV program selection channel, all provided by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel. It is possible to inform the user of information related to the SDTV program.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital broadcast receiver.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a program display processing procedure by the digital broadcast receiver of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a guide display processing procedure executed when a guide mode is started.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a multi-screen displayed by guide display processing.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program selection processing procedure executed when a guide mode is started.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a program transition table.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a program display processing procedure of a conventional digital broadcast receiver.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 101 antenna 102 digital tuner 103 TS separation / decoding unit 104 audio decoding unit 106 video decoding unit 107 signal format conversion unit 108 image processing unit 111 status detection unit 112 register 113 memory 114 timer 115 CPU
117 Key operation part

Claims (2)

In a digital broadcast receiver in digital broadcasting having a time zone in which one HDTV program is provided by the same transport stream and a time zone in which a plurality of SDTV programs are provided,
Determining means for determining whether or not broadcasting by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is terminated when broadcasting by the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is suspended or terminated;
When it is determined by the determination means that the broadcast by the transport stream corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel has not ended, the mode shifts to the guide display mode, and the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is set. Display means for sequentially decoding a plurality of SDTV program videos provided by a corresponding transport stream and displaying them on a multi-screen; and
In the guide mode, when a program selection command for selecting one program from a plurality of SDTV programs displayed in multiple screens within a predetermined time after the shift to the guide mode is input, the selected SDTV program When the program selection command is not input within the predetermined time, the SDTV program corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is selected after the predetermined time has elapsed. Means for shifting to normal mode for local display,
A digital broadcast receiver comprising: In a digital broadcast receiver in digital broadcasting having a time zone in which one HDTV program is provided by the same transport stream and a time zone in which a plurality of SDTV programs are provided,
Detecting means for detecting that broadcasting of a new SDTV program has started in the currently selected SDTV program selection channel;
When it is detected that broadcasting of a new SDTV program is started in the currently selected SDTV program selection channel, the transport stream is shifted to the guide display mode and corresponds to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel. Display means for sequentially decoding and displaying a plurality of SDTV program videos provided by the multi-screen display, and
In the guide mode, when a program selection command for selecting one program from a plurality of SDTV programs displayed in multiple screens within a predetermined time after the shift to the guide mode is input, the selected SDTV program When the program selection command is not input within the predetermined time, the SDTV program corresponding to the currently selected SDTV program selection channel is selected after the predetermined time has elapsed. Means for shifting to normal mode for local display,
A digital broadcast receiver comprising:

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