JPH04252680A - Screen switching method and television receiver utilizing its method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of using a television receiver.

0002

[Prior Art] In addition to viewing received television broadcasts, home television receivers are widely used as image and audio output terminals for other systems such as personal computers, game machines, and captain systems. ing.

[0003] Conventional television receiver screen selection devices select the frequency of broadcast radio waves from which video signals are extracted.
The screen is switching. Many of these systems input radio waves at specific frequencies not used for TV broadcasts from the antenna terminal of the TV receiver or a dedicated input terminal, and process them in the same way as TV broadcast waves. Then, the video signal is extracted and the screen is displayed on the display device of the television receiver.

[0004] Also, by sending a video signal directly to a display device,
There are also systems that display screens, and some television receivers are equipped with input terminals for this purpose.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The prior art described above has the following problems.

That is, although the screen selection device of a television receiver is used as a display device by a plurality of systems, it only has the function of a device for switching channels of television broadcast waves. The selected channel is
Even if it happens to be a frequency band that is not used for television broadcasting, and another device sends a video signal using that frequency band, the television receiver itself will not be able to detect it.
It simply performs the same processing on the input.

[0007] Therefore, a user who is watching a television program cannot display the screen of another system simply by instructing the television receiver to switch the screen. In addition, operations must be performed to enable the use of the system, such as turning on the power of the equipment to be used.

[0008]Furthermore, while using a device that directly sends a video signal to a display device to display a screen, the function of displaying a television broadcast screen becomes completely unavailable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a screen switching method that allows a television receiver to be used for purposes other than viewing television broadcasts by the same operation as switching broadcast channels.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention stores information regarding the input source of video signals necessary for screen display as screen management information for each screen, and when screen switching is instructed, the switching destination is stored as screen management information. Check the screen management information of the screen, and if the input source of the video signal is a broadcast radio wave, restore the video signal from the TV broadcast radio wave of the corresponding channel, and if the input source is other than broadcast radio waves, restore the input source system to the video signal. The system generates a screen from the input video signal and displays it on a display device.

[0011]

[Operation] By having information regarding the input source of the video signal, the screen selection device can be provided with not only the function of selecting channels of television broadcasting but also the function of selecting the input source system. As a result, even if you want to watch a screen other than TV broadcasting, you can simply instruct the screen to change using the same operation as changing the channel of TV broadcasting, and the equipment necessary for display will be automatically made available and the screen will be changed. It can be displayed.

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are flowcharts showing one embodiment of the processing procedure for screen switching processing when the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a table of screen management information in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of a home television receiver to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the main body of the home television receiver shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 3, 300 is a table storing screen management information. 302 is an area for storing the screen number, 304 is an area for storing the type of input source of the video signal used for screen display, and 306 is an area for storing an index to detailed information regarding the input source. Also, 3
10 is a table that stores detailed information regarding television broadcast waves, 312 is an area for storing broadcast channels, and 314 is an area for storing additional information regarding each channel. 320 is a table for storing detailed information regarding programs; 322 is an area for storing program names; 324 is an area for storing the activation status of each program; and 326 is an area for storing additional information regarding each program. 330 is a table for storing detailed information regarding external devices; 332 is an area for storing information regarding terminals to which the devices are connected; 334 is an area for storing information regarding signals input from the devices;
36 is an area for storing additional information regarding each device.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, 400 is a television receiver. 402 is a display device, 404 is a speaker, and 406 is a screen selection device. 408 is a floppy disk device, and 502 is a floppy disk insertion slot. Further, 406 is a screen selection device, 410 is a keyboard, 412 is a mouse, 504 is an audio output controller, and 506 is a power switch. 416 is a storage device that stores screen management information 300 used for screen display and built-in application program 41.
8 is memorized. Further, 420 is an external device controller, which controls the external device 430 through the output terminal 422 and takes in the video signal and audio signal output from the external device 430 through the input terminal 424. 426 is a signal restoration device, which receives broadcast radio waves broadcast from the broadcast station 432 received by the receiving device 428 and some external devices 430 inputted via the external device controller 422.
The video and audio signals are restored from the output of the . Further, all of these are controlled by a control device 414.

Next, based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operations of the respective parts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 when switching screens using the information in the table shown in FIG. 3 will be explained.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the system that can be used by the user through the television receiver includes television broadcasting, application programs stored in a storage device, and external equipment connected to an external equipment controller.

The user inputs a screen switching command to the television receiver from the screen selection device 406 (step 1).
00). The control device 414 checks the screen number of the switching destination screen that is instructed to be displayed by the screen switching command (
Step 102). If the screen number of the designated screen is the same as the screen number of the currently displayed screen (step 104), there is no need to change the display, and the process ends. If not, the current screen is erased (step 108) and a process of displaying the designated switching destination screen is performed (step 110).

First, information regarding the input source of the video signal corresponding to the screen number 302 of the newly displayed screen is checked from the screen management information 300 (step 212).

[0020] If the input source type 304 of the video signal to be displayed on the screen is television broadcasting (step 214),
Using the index 306 to detailed information, from the detailed information 310 regarding television broadcast waves, the broadcast channel 31
2 (step 216). The input is switched to the receiving device 428 (step 218), a video signal is extracted from the received radio waves of the corresponding channel by the signal restoration device 426 (step 220), a screen is displayed on the display device 402, and an audio signal is extracted. , speaker 404
Outputs audio from (step 222).

[0021] When the input source of the video signal is an application program stored in the storage device (step 2
24) Check the activation status of the program corresponding to the screen number from the detailed information 320 regarding the program (step 226).

[0022] If the program has not been started yet, check the program name 322 and select the corresponding program 41.
8 (step 228), detailed information table 3
Update information regarding the startup status of 20 programs (
Step 230).

The input source is switched to the program being executed (step 232), and the output screen is displayed on the display device (step 222).

When a program screen is displayed, input from the keyboard 410 and mouse 412 is passed to the program corresponding to the screen. The user operates the keyboard and mouse to input into the program.
Furthermore, when using a floppy disk, the floppy disk is inserted through the floppy disk insertion slot 502 to input and output data.

[0025] When the input source of the video signal is an external device connected to the external device controller 420 (step 2
34) Check information 332 regarding the terminal of the external device controller to which the device is connected from the detailed information 330 regarding the external device (step 236).

Next, the output terminal 42 of the controller determines whether the device connected to the corresponding terminal is available.
2 and input terminal 424 (step 238
), if not available, through output terminal 422;
The device is powered on, etc. (step 240).

When the device becomes available, the input source is switched from the device to the controller (step 242), and the output of the device is received through the input terminal 424. At that time, check the type 334 of the signal input from the device (step 2
44), if the screen is being output in the same way as television broadcasting, the video signal is extracted by the signal restoration device 426 (step 220); if not, the video signal is directly sent to the display device, and the video signal is sent to the display device. A screen is displayed (step 222).

[0028] Note that programs, devices, etc. started by switching screens will not change their status even if the next screen selection command is input and the display is changed to another screen, unless the user explicitly instructs them to terminate. The termination process for programs, devices, etc. is performed only after an instruction is given to turn off the power to the television receiver without making any changes.

[0029] Also, if no screen is registered for the screen number, or if the registered program is not stored in the storage device 416.
If the specified screen cannot be displayed because the device does not exist on the external device controller or the device is not connected correctly to the terminal of the external device controller, the user will be informed of this and prompted to operate. A guidance screen such as "Please check whether the terminal is disconnected" is displayed (step 246).

According to this embodiment, the user can use a plurality of systems simultaneously through the television receiver simply by issuing an instruction to switch the screen of the television receiver using the screen selection device. That is, a display device can be shared by a plurality of systems, and migration can be made from system to system simply by operating a screen selection device.

[0031] For example, you can watch TV news for a few minutes while creating a document using word processing software, and then return to work using the word processing software once the news has finished, all with a single switch. It can be carried out. The user does not have to start up the TV receiver to watch TV broadcasts or the word processor or computer to create documents, but only needs to operate one TV receiver, which reduces the number of operations required. , multiple systems can be handled with the same operation.

[0032] Moreover, in order to watch a television broadcast, there is no need to close the word processing software, and the user can resume work from the point where he or she left off by simply selecting the original screen.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the keyboard for inputting to the application program and the screen selection device are separate;
06, a power switch 506, a volume control dial 504, and other functions may be provided so that the user can perform all operations using only the keyboard at hand.

In the above example, each program and device is started when the screen is first selected, but all systems that may be used are started at the same time as the television receiver is turned on. You can leave it there. This eliminates the time lag that occurs from when a screen is selected until the system becomes usable, and the user can always perform desired processing at the same time as selecting the screen.

Furthermore, in the above example, once the system is activated, it remains activated until the television receiver is powered off. This is because in the case of a word processor, etc., if you shut down the system, you have to restore the state to the point of interruption every time you restart it, so you have to start and shut down the system every time you switch screens. The aim is to eliminate this problem and allow users to move smoothly between multiple systems. However, even after the user has finished using the system, for example after creating a document using a word processor, there is a possibility that the system that is no longer needed may be left running.
If a certain period of time has elapsed without any screen being selected, it may be determined that the use of the screen has ended and the termination process may be performed. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 5, a button for screen selection is assigned to each screen, and the screen is directly specified by pressing the button, but of course, the method for realizing the screen selection device is as follows. It is not limited to this. For example, the selection device may have a dial type, and the screen instruction method may be such that the screen is moved one by one from the currently displayed screen to the target screen.

In this case, especially regarding programs and external devices, it is necessary to prevent all systems assigned to screens between the current screen and the target screen from being activated. Furthermore, the user does not necessarily remember all the screens, and often searches for the desired screen while switching between screens. Therefore, when a certain screen is selected, an initial screen that informs the user of the contents of the selected screen is displayed, and if the screen remains selected for a certain period of time, the system is started. good.

FIG. 6 is an example of screen management information when the same system is registered for different screen numbers.

In FIG. 6, 602, 604, and 606 are areas for storing detailed information for each screen.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, word processor X is registered in both screen number 2 and screen number 3. The screen switching process in this case is also the same as when using the screen management information shown in FIG.
Word processor X on the screen is started and executed as a separate system.

[0040] As a result, for example, on screen 2, TEST
It is possible to simultaneously edit a file named REPORT and a file named REPORT on screen 3. Further, screen 2 can be used as a word processor for Mr. A, and screen 3 can be used as a word processor for Mr. B. At that time,
In order to edit Mr. A's document, there is no need to store Mr. B's document, and after Mr. A finishes his work, Mr. B can switch screens and immediately resume work from the point where he left off. can do. Therefore, it becomes easier for multiple people to share the system, and the disadvantages of sharing are reduced.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can select the screen of another system and display it on the television receiver using the same method as selecting a broadcast channel. Various systems can be easily used through a television receiver without being aware of differences in media.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the processing procedure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a new screen display processing procedure in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an example of screen management information used in screen switching processing to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a television receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a television receiver according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is still another example of screen management information applied to screen switching processing to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

400...Television receiver, 402...Display device, 404...Speaker, 406...Screen selection device, 408...Floppy disk device, 410...Keyboard, 412...Mouse, 4
14...Control device, 416...Storage device, 420...External device controller, 426...Signal restoration device, 428...Reception device

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim 1: In a television receiver capable of inputting a video signal from a system other than television broadcast radio waves, screen management information is prepared for each screen, including information regarding the input source of the video signal for displaying that screen. When the user's screen switching command is detected, the screen management information of the switching destination screen specified by the screen switching command is checked, the input source of the video signal is switched using the corresponding screen management information, and the input source of the video signal is changed. If the source system is other than television broadcast radio waves and is not in a state where it can output a video signal, the screen management information is used to make it possible to output a video signal and display the screen on the display device. , how to switch screens. 2. The screen switching method according to claim 1, wherein one of the input sources of the video signal is a program stored in a storage device built into the television receiver. 3. Means for receiving television broadcast waves, means for restoring a video signal from the received broadcast waves, means for inputting a video signal from a system other than television broadcast, and displaying a screen using the video signal. means for storing information regarding a screen to be displayed on the display means; means for inputting a screen switching command; a screen to which the screen is to be switched as instructed by the screen switching command; and information regarding the screen stored in the storage means. means for checking the correspondence between the video signal and the input source using the information corresponding to the switching destination screen; and means for switching the input source of the video signal using the information corresponding to the switching destination screen; 1. A television receiver having means for enabling output of a video signal.