Television receiver, power saving conversion control method, and non-volatile storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a television receiver capable of eliminating complexity, a power saving conversion control method, and a non-volatile storage medium. A television receiver is provided with: a sensor that detects a person present within a predetermined detection range and outputs a detection result indicating that a person is detected or not detected; a detection unit that detects a user operation and outputs a detection result; and a processing device that switches between a normal state and a power-saving state, and that eliminates the complexity of viewing from outside the detection range by prohibiting the power-saving state on the basis of the detection results from the sensor and the detection results from the detection unit.

Description

Television receiver, power-saving switching control method, and non-volatile storage medium

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2023-095471 filed with the Japan Patent Office on June 9, 2023, entitled “Television Receiver, Power-Saving Conversion Control Method, and Power-Saving Conversion Control Program,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present application relate to a television receiver, a power-saving conversion control method, and a non-volatile storage medium. Background Art

[0004] In addition to normal operating mode, electronic devices can operate in a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption. For example, some television receivers have a function that detects that a user has not watched a program for a specified period of time and switches to a power-saving mode by extinguishing the display. For example, such a television receiver may include a human presence sensor that switches to a power-saving mode if no human is detected for a specified period of time (e.g., one minute). In the power-saving mode, if a person enters the detection range of the human presence sensor, the device returns to normal operating mode.

[0005] However, there are times when a user is outside the detection range of the human presence sensor, such as when watching a TV on a kitchen counter, which is far away from the TV receiver. In such cases, if the user wants to continue watching the TV, they need to move back into the detection range each time the power saving mode is activated. For example, the user needs to move from the kitchen counter to the detection range every minute, which is very cumbersome.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-228475.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] An object of the embodiments is to provide a television receiver, a power-saving switching control method, and a nonvolatile storage medium capable of eliminating cumbersome power-saving switching control.

[0011] A television receiver in an embodiment includes: a sensor that detects a person present in a specified detection range and outputs a detection result of whether a person is detected or not; a detection unit that detects a user operation and outputs a detection result; and a processing device that switches the state between a normal state and a power saving state, and prohibits the power saving state based on the detection result from the sensor and the detection result from the detection unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG1 is a block diagram showing a television receiver according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0013] FIG2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining transition to the power saving mode in the television receiver 10A of the comparative example;

[0014] FIG3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining transition to the power saving mode in the television receiver 10A of the comparative example;

[0015] FIG4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining transition to the power saving mode in the television receiver 10;

[0016] FIG5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the comparative example;

[0017] FIG6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the comparative example;

[0018] FIG7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment;

[0019] FIG8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment;

[0020] FIG9 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment;

[0021] FIG10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment;

[0022] FIG11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment;

[0023] FIG12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment;

[0024] FIG13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment;

[0025] FIG14 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fourth embodiment.

[0027] DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1…processing device, 10…television receiver, 2…storage unit, 20…antenna, 3…broadcast receiving unit, 5…remote controller receiving unit, 6…human motion sensor unit, 8…timing circuit, 9…power supply circuit, 30…display device, 4…display control unit, 40…remote controller DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] (First embodiment)

[0030] 1 is a block diagram showing a television receiver according to a first embodiment of the present application. This embodiment performs power saving switching control based on the user's position and operation of a remote controller.

[0031] Television receiver 10 includes a processing device 1, a storage unit 2, a broadcast receiving unit 3, a display control unit 4, a remote control receiving unit 5, a human motion sensor unit 6, a timing circuit 8, and a power supply circuit 9. The processing device 1, storage unit 2, broadcast receiving unit 3, display control unit 4, remote control receiving unit 5, and human motion sensor unit 6 are interconnected via a bus 7.

[0032] Processing device 1 centrally controls the entire television receiver 10. Processing device 1 can be comprised of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a SoC (System on a Chip). Processing device 1 can operate according to a program stored in storage unit 2 to control various components, or it can implement some or all of its functions through hardware electronic circuits. Storage unit 2 stores variables, settings, and other information generated during processing by programs or processing device 1.

[0033] The broadcast receiving unit 3 receives television broadcasts, for example, through the antenna 20. In addition, the broadcast receiving unit 3 can also receive content from a network not shown in the figure. In the case of receiving a television broadcast signal from the antenna 20, the broadcast receiving unit 3 can be composed of a tuner and a decoder not shown in the figure. The tuner is controlled by the processing device 1 to select the broadcast signal of the desired channel. The decoder demodulates the broadcast signal selected in the tuner to obtain a transport stream (Transport Stream) containing the desired program. The decoder performs TS decoding processing on the signal multiplexed with the transport stream (TS) to obtain digital video data and sound data of the desired program. The video data and sound data received and obtained by the broadcast receiving unit 3 are provided to the processing device 1.

[0034] The processing device 1 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the supplied digital video data and then outputs the data to the display control unit 4. The display control unit 4 converts the input video data into a video signal in a format displayable on the display device 30 and then outputs the converted data to the display device 30. The display device 30 is composed of a predetermined display device such as a flat display panel, and displays a video based on the input video signal.

[0035] Furthermore, processing device 1 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the provided digital audio data and then outputs the data to a speaker (not shown) provided on display device 30. Thus, the program audio is output from the speaker. It should be noted that display control unit 4 can display not only broadcasts or content, but also various messages and operation screens on display device 30.

[0036] The processing device 1 controls each component based on the operation information received from the remote controller 40, or other operating units (not shown) on the main body of the television receiver 10. The remote controller 40 generates and transmits an operation signal based on the user's operation. The remote controller receiver 5 of the television receiver 10 receives the remote controller signal from the remote controller 40, generates operation information based on the remote controller operation, and outputs it to the processing device 1. The processing device 1 controls each component based on this operation information.

[0037] Such remote control can also be performed by voice. For example, a voice receiving unit (not shown) composed of a microphone or the like receives the user's voice and outputs a voice signal based on the user's voice to processing device 1. Processing device 1 analyzes the voice of the user's command, etc. through known voice recognition processing and controls various components based on the user's voice.

[0038] The television receiver 10 is provided with a human presence sensor unit 6. The human presence sensor unit 6 uses, for example, millimeter-wave radar or infrared light to detect people. The human presence sensor unit 6 is capable of detecting people within a predetermined detection range (hereinafter referred to as the human presence detection range). Specifically, the human presence sensor unit 6 detects whether a person is within the predetermined human presence detection range. Alternatively, various position sensors, such as radio wave sensors or cameras, that detect whether a person's position is within the predetermined human presence detection range may be employed in place of the human presence sensor unit 6. Upon detecting a person, the human presence sensor unit 6 outputs a detection signal to the processing device 1.

[0039] The timing circuit 8 measures the time and outputs the time information to the processing device 1. The power supply circuit 9 generates the power supply voltage used by the various components of the television receiver 10. The power supply circuit 9 can control and stop the power supply by operating a main switch (not shown). In addition, the power supply circuit 9 controls the power supply to the various components of the television receiver 10 through the processing device 1. The processing device 1 can set the normal mode or the power saving mode by controlling the power supply circuit 9. The normal mode is a mode in which the various components of the television receiver 10 are powered and normal viewing is possible, while the power saving mode is a mode in which power consumption is suppressed. It should be noted that the normal mode is a state in which power consumption is greater than that of the power saving mode, such as a state in which all functions of the television receiver 10 can be performed. In addition to reducing the power consumption of the television receiver 10, the power saving mode can also reduce power consumption by controlling the display device 30, for example, by turning off the display.

[0040] (Transition to Power Saving Mode in Comparative Example)

[0041] Figures 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the transition to power saving mode in a television receiver 10A according to a comparative example. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the operating modes of television receiver 10A based on the relationship between the human detection range (illustrated as a sector) and the human position (hereinafter referred to as the viewing position). It should be noted that while the transition process between normal mode and power saving mode by processing device 1 in television receiver 10A differs from that in television receiver 10, the hardware structure is substantially the same as that of television receiver 10.

[0042] The television receiver 10A switches between normal mode and power saving mode using human detection by a human sensor, etc., and time information from a timer circuit. The left side of FIG. 2 shows that when a user P is within a human detection range A, the television receiver 10A enters normal mode (normal state). The center of FIG. 2 shows that when the user P disappears from the human detection range A in the normal state, the television receiver 10A switches to power saving mode (power saving state) after a predetermined time has passed since the user P disappeared from the human detection range A. Furthermore, the right side of FIG. 2 shows that when the user P returns to the human detection range A in the power saving state, the television receiver 10A returns to normal mode (normal state).

[0043] By such an operation, the television receiver 10A of the comparative example determines whether the user P is watching the television receiver 10A, sets the normal mode if the user is watching, and automatically switches to the power saving mode if the user is not watching, thereby suppressing wasteful power consumption.

[0044] However, user P may be viewing a program on television receiver 10A from a location relatively far from television receiver 10A, such as a kitchen counter. Figure 3 illustrates this situation. In the example of Figure 3 , user P is located near kitchen counter K, which is outside human detection range A. Therefore, in this case, television receiver 10A enters a power-saving mode.

[0045] In this case, in order for user P to return the TV receiver 10A to normal state and continue watching, he needs to move into the human detection range A once, but if he returns to the original viewing position outside the human detection range A, it will return to the power saving state after a specified time (for example, 1 minute). Therefore, he needs to move into the human detection range A multiple times, which is extremely cumbersome.

[0046] (Transition to Power Saving Mode in First Embodiment)

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, by making the human body sensing sensor unit 6 as a position sensor and the operation of the remote controller 40 cooperate, it is inferred that there is a person watching from outside the human detection range, and the control is switched to the power saving state. It should be noted that the remote controller 40 is used to detect human operations, and an appropriate device for detecting human operations can be used instead of the remote controller 40. For example, wireless operations using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) mouse, etc., wired operations using CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), etc., and operations based on sound or gestures can also be detected. By determining the output of a receiver that receives wireless operations or wired operations, a microphone that detects human voices, a camera that detects human gestures, etc. in the processing device 1, it is possible to detect human operations.

[0048] FIG4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition to power saving mode in the television receiver 10. The upper half of FIG4 is similar to FIG2 , with the fan-shaped representation of the human detection range A. In each state J1 to J4, the viewing position of the user P relative to the human detection range A is indicated. Furthermore, the lower half of FIG4 , with bold lines, indicates the transition between the normal state (normal mode) and the power saving state (power saving mode) of the television receiver 10.

[0049] State J1 in FIG4 shows an example of a case where a user P who is within the human detection range A moves outside the human detection range A and switches to a power saving state and operates the remote controller 40 in the power saving state. As shown by the bold line, the normal state is as of time T1 in FIG4 . The human body sensing sensor unit 6 detects at time T1 that a person is not present in the human detection range A. Hereinafter, the detection of the absence of a person is referred to as no person being detected. Upon receiving the detection result of the human body sensing sensor unit 6 , the processing device 1 instructs the power supply circuit 9 to switch to the power saving mode at time T2 after no person is detected for a predetermined waiting time (hereinafter referred to as the switching waiting time) (bold dashed line portion) since the detection of no person being detected, based on the time information from the timing circuit 8. As a result, for example, the power supply to the display device 30 is controlled, and the display screen of the display device 30 is turned off.

[0050] In this embodiment, when user P wishes to watch a program outside of person detection range A, a user operation is performed in power-saving mode. In the example of Figure 4 , user P operates remote control 40 at time T3 in power-saving mode. Remote control receiver 5 detects signal Si from remote control 40, and the operation information is provided to processing device 1. Upon receiving operation information based on the user operation in power-saving mode, processing device 1 determines that user P wishes to watch the program and switches television receiver 10 to normal mode. Specifically, processing device 1 controls power supply circuit 9 to supply power to various components, restoring normal mode.

[0051] State J2 in FIG. 4 represents the following state (hereinafter referred to as the power-saving prohibited state), which is a state in which the power-saving state is prohibited. The power-saving prohibited state of state J2 is established by the following operation, that is, the user P whose viewing position is outside the human detection range A performs a user operation in the power-saving state. In the power-saving prohibited state, the processing device 1 controls in such a manner that it does not switch to the power-saving mode even when the user P is not within the human detection range A. The processing device 1 releases the power-saving prohibited state by detecting the user P within the human detection range A. State J3 represents the following state. At time T4 in the power-saving prohibited state, the human body sensing sensor unit 6 detects the user P. Based on the detection result of the human body sensing sensor unit 6, the processing device 1 releases the power-saving prohibited state and returns to the normal state.

[0052] In this normal state, when the human detection sensor unit 6 does not detect the user P (time T5), the processing device 1 switches to the power saving mode at time T6 after the human detection continues for the switching waiting time. State J4 in FIG4 shows this power saving mode.

[0053] This operation allows the television receiver 10 to determine that the user P is watching and prohibit the transition to the power saving state even if the user P is outside the human detection range A. This allows the user P to continue watching without complicated operations even outside the human detection range.

[0054] (action)

[0055] Next, the operation of the embodiment constructed as above will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Figures 5 to 8 are flowcharts for illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. Figures 5 and 6 are a set of flowcharts for illustrating the operation of the comparative example, and Figures 7 and 8 are a set of flowcharts for illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. The circular symbols A to D in Figure 5 and the circular symbols A to D in Figure 6 indicate that the processing is connected to each other. Similarly, the circular symbols A to D in Figure 7 and the circular symbols A to D in Figure 8 indicate that the processing is connected to each other. It should be noted that in Figures 5 and 7, the same symbols are marked for the same sequence and repeated descriptions are omitted. In addition, in Figures 6 and 8, the same symbols are marked for the same sequence and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0056] First, the operation of the comparative example will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. The following variables are used in the comparative example. Processing device 1 calculates various time-related variables using the output of timing circuit 8. It should be noted that to easily distinguish variable names from values, variable names are enclosed in parentheses () and values ​​are enclosed in parentheses ().

[0057] The variable (TV status) indicates whether the television receiver is in normal mode or power saving mode ("Normal mode" or "Power saving mode"). The variable (Detection) indicates whether a person is detected within the human detection range ("Person detected" or "No person detected"). The variable (Status) indicates whether a person is detected within the human detection range based on the detection result from the human body sensor unit 6, whether a countdown is being performed until the transition wait time has elapsed, or whether power saving mode is being executed ("Detecting," "Counting down," or "Power saving"). The variable (Change time) indicates the value of the time when the value of the variable (Status) changes ("○ year ○ month ○ day ○ hour ○ minute ○.○ second"). The variable (Wait time) indicates the transition wait time, which is the value from when no person is detected until the power saving mode is switched ("○.○ second"). The variable (Duration) indicates the time from when the value of the variable (Status) starts to change ("○.○ second").

[0058] When the power is turned on, various variables are initialized. Specifically, the current time is substituted into the variable (Change Time) (S1 in Figure 5), "Detecting" is substituted into the variable (State) (S2), and "Normal State" is substituted into the variable (TV State) (S4). In the following S5, the human body sensor unit 6 is activated and the detection status is acquired (S7). Next, "Current Time - Variable (Change Time)" is substituted into the variable (Duration) (S8).

[0059] In the next S12, it is determined whether the value of the variable (state) is "detecting," "counting down," or "power saving." If it is "detecting," the process moves to the circle A in FIG6 ; if it is "counting down," the process moves to the circle B in FIG6 ; if it is "power saving," the process moves to the circle C in FIG6 .

[0060] Now assume that the power has just been turned on, that is, the television receiver 10A is operating in normal mode, and user P is viewing the program within person detection range A. In this case, the value of the variable (status) is the initial value of "detecting." In this case, a determination is made in S21 of FIG6 whether the value of the variable (detection) is "person detected." Since user P is viewing the program within person detection range A, the value of the variable (detection) is "person detected" (No in S21), and the process shifts from circle D to S7. In S7, the detection status is repeatedly acquired.

[0061] Here, assume that user P has left the human detection range A. Consequently, the value of the variable (detection) becomes "No person detected" in S7. The judgment in S21 becomes "Yes," and the process moves to S28. In S28, "Current time" is substituted into the variable (Change time), and in S29, "Countdown in progress" is substituted into the variable (Status). Based on the judgment of the variable (Status) in S12, the process moves to circle B and proceeds to S32.

[0062] If the variable (detection) is not "person detected" (No in S32), that is, if the user P is outside the human detection range A, S33 determines whether the value of the variable (duration) is greater than the value of the variable (wait time). Specifically, S33 determines whether the variable (duration) has reached the transition wait time, the time elapsed since the human sensor unit 6 determined that the user P was outside the human detection range A (no person detected). If not reached (No in S33), the process transitions from circle D to S7, repeats the acquisition of the detection status (S8), and then returns to S32 from circle B. If the transition wait time has elapsed since the determination that no person was detected, S33 returns to "Yes," and in S37, "Current Time" is substituted into the variable (Change Time), in S38, "Power Saving" is substituted into the variable (State), and in S39, "Power Saving State" is substituted into the variable (TV State).

[0063] That is, when the transition waiting time elapses after determining that the user P is not within the human detection range A and no human is detected, the television receiver 10A transitions to the power saving mode, and the variable (state) becomes “power saving”.

[0064] Then, based on the determination of the variable (state) in the following S12, the process transitions to circle C and proceeds to S42. If the variable (detection) does not indicate "person detected" (No in S42), that is, if the user P is outside the human detection range A, the process returns from circle D7 to S7 and repeats. In other words, if the user P is outside the human detection range A, the values ​​of the variables (TV state) and (state) do not change, and the power saving mode continues.

[0065] Here, when user P enters the human detection range A, the judgment of S42 becomes a "yes" judgment, and in S44, "current moment" is substituted into the variable (change moment), in S45, "detecting" is substituted into the variable (status), and in S46, "normal state" is substituted into the variable (TV state).

[0066] That is, when the user P returns to the human detection range A, the television receiver 10A returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode, shifts from the circle mark D7 to S7, and repeats the process.

[0067] In this way, in the television receiver 10A of the comparative example, the mode is switched to the power saving mode only by confirming the detection result of the human body based on the human body detection sensor unit 6 and the switching waiting time after no human body is detected. However, when the user P wants to watch the program from outside the human detection range A, there is a disadvantage that it is relatively troublesome for the user P to move to the human detection range A.

[0068] Next, the control of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In Figures 7 and 8, the same steps as those in Figures 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0069] The flowchart of Fig. 7 differs from the flowchart of Fig. 5 in that steps S3 and S6 are added. Furthermore, the flowchart of Fig. 8 differs from Fig. 6 in that steps S22, S27, S41, and S43 are added.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the following two variables are used in addition to the variables used in the comparative example.

[0071] During initial setup immediately after power is turned on, processing device 1 substitutes the current time into a variable (Change Time) (S1 in FIG. 7 ), "Detecting" into a variable (State) (S2), "False" into a variable (Not Operating) (S3), and "Normal State" into a variable (TV State) (S4). Next, processing device 1 activates human motion sensor unit 6 (S5) and begins receiving signals from remote control receiver 5 (S6 in FIG. 7 ). Following S6, processing device 1 executes step S7.

[0072] In the comparative example of FIG6 , once the power-saving state is entered, the power-saving state is continued until the variable (detection) becomes "person detected" in S42. In contrast, in the first embodiment, when the variable (state) is determined to be "power-saving" in S12 and transferred to the circular mark C, the processing device 1 determines in S41 whether the value of the variable (remote control operation) is "true". When the remote control receiving unit 5 receives the signal of the remote control 40 and the processing device 1 detects the user operation, the variable (remote control operation) becomes "true". It should be noted that when returning from the circular mark D to S7, the processing device 1 returns the variable (remote control operation) to "false". When the variable (remote control operation) is "false", the processing device 1 transfers the processing to S42 and performs the same action as the comparative example.

[0073] On the other hand, if the variable (remote control operation) is "true," processing device 1 substitutes "true" into the variable (not in operation) in S43 and then proceeds to S44. That is, while in the comparative example, the process proceeds to S44 only when the variable (detection) is "person detected" in S42, the first embodiment also proceeds to S44 when the variable (remote control operation) is "true." Thus, processing device 1 sets the variable (status) to "detecting" and the variable (TV status) to "normal state," and then returns to S7 from circle D. In other words, the power saving mode of television receiver 10 is released, and the television receiver 10 operates in normal mode. Thus, the variable (not in operation) being "true" indicates the power saving disabled state.

[0074] Based on the determination of the variable (state) in the following S12, the processing device 1 transitions to the circle A and performs the determination in S22. If the variable (detection) is not "person detected" (yes in S21), that is, if the user P is outside the person detection range A, the processing device 1 determines in S27 whether the variable (not in operation) is "true." In this case, "true" is substituted into the variable (not in operation) in S43, and the processing device 1 transitions from the circle D to S7. In other words, in this case, since "counting down" is not substituted into the variable (state) in S29, the variable (state) remains "detecting," and the television receiver 10 continues in the normal state.

[0075] Furthermore, when user P returns to human detection range A, the variable (detection) becomes "person detected," and processing device 1 transitions processing from S21 to S22. In S22, processing device 1 substitutes "false" for the variable (not in operation) and transitions processing from circle D to S7. This releases the power-saving prohibition state, allowing the system to transition to the power-saving state if user P leaves human detection range A.

[0076] Thus, in this embodiment, when the user leaves the human detection range and enters the power saving state, the user operation is detected, and the power saving disabled state can be returned to the normal state. Thus, even if the user subsequently stays outside the human detection range, they can continue watching without complicated operations.

[0077] (Second embodiment)

[0078] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of Fig. 1 , but the control of the processing device 1 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0079] In the first embodiment, an example of detecting a user operation in the power saving state and transitioning to the power saving prohibited state was described. This embodiment uses an example of detecting a user operation during the period from when no person is detected until the transition waiting time has elapsed (hereinafter referred to as the transition waiting period) and transitioning to the power saving prohibited state.

[0080] FIG9 illustrates the transition to power saving mode in the second embodiment using the same notation as FIG4 . The upper half of FIG9 shows, as in FIG4 , a sector representing the human detection area A. In each state J11 to J14 , the viewing position of the user P relative to the human detection area A is indicated. Furthermore, the lower half of FIG9 , with bold lines, shows the transition between the normal state (normal mode) and the power saving state (power saving mode) of the television receiver 10.

[0081] State J11 in Figure 9 , represented by the bold line and the bold dashed line portion between times T11 and T12, represents the transition waiting period until the transition to power saving mode begins when user P, who was within human detection range A, moves outside human detection range A. While in the first embodiment, the transition to power saving mode occurs when user P remains outside human detection range A and the transition waiting period elapses, in this embodiment, the transition to power saving disabled mode occurs when user P performs a user operation during the transition waiting period.

[0082] In this embodiment, if user P wishes to watch a program outside of human detection range A, a user operation is performed during the transition waiting period. In the example of FIG9 , user P operates remote control 40 during the transition waiting period from time T11 to T12. Signal Si from remote control 40 is detected by remote control receiver 5, and the operation information is provided to processing device 1. Upon receiving operation information based on the user operation during the transition waiting period, processing device 1 determines that user P wishes to watch the program and switches television receiver 10 to the power saving disabled state. Specifically, processing device 1 controls power supply circuit 9 to supply power to various components, maintaining the normal state.

[0083] State J12 in Figure 9 indicates that user P remains outside of human detection range A in the power saving prohibited state. In the power saving prohibited state, processing device 1 controls the system so that it does not switch to power saving mode even when user P is no longer within human detection range A. Processing device 1 releases the power saving prohibited state by detecting user P within human detection range A. State J13 illustrates the following. At time T14 during the power saving prohibited state, human presence sensor unit 6 detects user P. Based on the detection result of human presence sensor unit 6, processing device 1 releases the power saving prohibited state and returns to normal operation.

[0084] In this normal state, when the human sensor unit 6 fails to detect the user P (time T15), the processing device 1 switches to the power saving mode at time T16 after the human detection continues for the switching waiting time. State J14 in FIG9 shows this power saving mode.

[0085] This operation allows the television receiver 10 to determine that the user P is watching the program based on the user's operation and prohibit the transition to the power saving mode even if the user P is outside the human detection range A. This allows the user P to continue watching the program from outside the human detection range without complicated operations.

[0086] (action)

[0087] Next, the operation of the embodiment thus configured will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment. Circles A to D in Fig. 11 indicate that the processes are linked to the circles A to D in Fig. 7 .

[0088] It should be noted that, although the example of Figure 10 shows an example of combining the functions of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a flowchart that only performs the functions of the second embodiment can also be easily realized. In Figure 10, the same reference numerals are used for the same steps as in Figure 8 and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0089] The flowchart of FIG10 differs from the flowchart of FIG8 in that steps S32 and S35 are added.

[0090] In the example of Figure 8 , once the countdown to the transition wait time begins, the countdown continues until the variable (detection) does not reach "person detected" in the determination of S32, and the determination of S33 is performed. In contrast, in the second embodiment, if the variable (remote control operation) is determined to be "true" in S31 (YES in S31), the variable (not in operation) indicating the power saving disabled state becomes "true" in S34, and the process transitions to S35. Specifically, if the user operates the remote controller 40 during the transition wait period before the transition wait time is determined to have elapsed in S33, the variable (remote control operation) becomes "true," and the power saving disabled state is entered.

[0091] That is, the television receiver 10 enters the power saving prohibited state before entering the power saving state and continues to operate in the normal state. In S36, the processing device 1 sets the variable (state) to "detecting", returns the process from the circle D to S7, and repeats the process.

[0092] The remaining functions are the same as those of the first embodiment. The power-saving prohibited state continues until the variable (absent operation) becomes "false." When the user P returns to the human detection range A, the variable (detection) becomes "person detected," and the processing device 1 transitions from S21 to S22. In S22, the processing device 1 substitutes "false" for the variable (absent operation) and transitions from the circle D to S7. This releases the power-saving prohibited state, allowing the device to transition to the power-saving state if the user P leaves the human detection range A.

[0093] In this embodiment, the user operation is detected during the transition waiting period after the user leaves the human detection range, so that the normal state can be continued as the power saving disabled state. As a result, even if the user subsequently remains outside the human detection range, viewing can be continued without complicated operations.

[0094] (Third embodiment)

[0095] Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of Fig. 1 , but the control of the processing device 1 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0096] In the first embodiment, an example of detecting a user operation in the power saving state and transitioning to the power saving disabled state was described, while in the second embodiment, an example of detecting a user operation during the transition wait period and transitioning to the power saving disabled state was described. This embodiment is an example of transitioning to the power saving disabled state when no human is detected within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the no-operation consideration time) from a user operation in the normal state.

[0097] FIG11 illustrates the transition to power saving mode in the third embodiment using the same notation as FIG4 or FIG9 . The upper half of FIG11 shows, as in FIG4 and FIG9 , a sector representing the human detection area A. In each state J21 to J24 , the viewing position of the user P relative to the human detection area A is indicated. Furthermore, the lower half of FIG11 , with bold lines, indicates the transition between the normal state (normal mode) and the power saving state (power saving mode) of the television receiver 10.

[0098] State J21 in Figure 11 shows that at time T21, user P, who was within human detection range A, performed a remote control operation. In this embodiment, if user P wishes to view the video from outside human detection range A, they can move outside human detection range A by operating the remote control (user operation) within the no-operation consideration time. In the example in Figure 11 , user P leaves human detection range A at time T22, before the no-operation consideration time has elapsed since the remote control operation at time T21.

[0099] State J22 in Figure 11 illustrates this situation, indicating that the processing device 1 fails to detect a person within the inactivity period following a remote control operation by user P, thereby transitioning to the power-saving disabled state. The processing device 1 detects user P within human detection range A, thereby releasing the power-saving disabled state. State J23 illustrates this situation. At time T24 during the power-saving disabled state, the human presence sensor unit 6 detects user P. Based on the detection result of the human presence sensor unit 6, the processing device 1 releases the power-saving disabled state and returns to normal operation.

[0100] In this normal state, when the human sensor unit 6 does not detect the user P (time T25), the processing device 1 shifts to the power saving mode at time T26 after the human detection continues for the transition waiting time. State J24 in FIG11 shows this power saving mode.

[0101] This operation allows the television receiver 10 to determine that the user P is watching the program and prohibit the transition to the power saving mode even if the user P is outside the human detection range A as in state J22. This allows the user P to continue watching the program even when outside the human detection range without complicated operations.

[0102] (action)

[0103] Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the third embodiment. Circles A to D in Figure 12 and Figure 13 indicate that the processes are linked.

[0104] It should be noted that while the examples in Figures 12 and 13 combine the functions of the first to third embodiments, a flowchart that only implements the functions of the third embodiment can also be easily implemented. In Figure 12, the same reference numerals are used for the same steps as in Figure 7, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, in Figure 13, the same reference numerals are used for the same steps as in Figure 10, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0105] The flowchart of Fig. 12 differs from the flowchart of Fig. 7 in that steps S9 to S11 are added. The flowchart of Fig. 13 differs from the flowchart of Fig. 10 in that steps S23 and S24 are added.

[0106] In the third embodiment, the following three variables are used in addition to the variables used in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0107] After determining the variable (duration) in S8 of FIG. 12 , processing device 1 determines whether the variable (remote control operation) is "true" in S9. If the variable (remote control operation) is "false," processing device 1 substitutes "current time - variable (final operation time)" into the variable (no operation time) in S11 (S11). Furthermore, if the variable (remote control operation) is "true," processing device 1 substitutes the current time into the variable (final operation time) in S10 (S10) and then executes the process of S11.

[0108] In each of the above embodiments, when the power saving disabled state is not in progress (the variable (not in operation) is "false"), if it is determined that no person has been detected, the countdown to the transition wait time is switched (the variable (status) is "counting down"). In contrast, in the third embodiment, processing device 1 determines in S23 whether the value of the variable (no operation time) is less than the value of the variable (no operation consideration time). The variable (no operation time) indicates the time since the last remote control operation, and in S23, it is determined whether the time since the last remote control operation has exceeded the no operation consideration time.

[0109] If the variable (no operation time) exceeds the no operation consideration time (No in S23), processing device 1 transfers the process to S27 and performs the same operations as the above-mentioned embodiments. On the other hand, if the variable (no operation time) does not exceed the no operation consideration time (Yes in S23), processing device 1 transfers the process to S24, substitutes "true" for the variable (no operation), and enters the power saving disabled state.

[0110] That is, the user P leaves the human detection range A within the no-operation-considered time since the last user operation in the normal state of the television receiver 10 , thereby entering the power saving prohibited state. The user P can continue watching outside the human detection range A.

[0111] The remaining functions are the same as those in the above embodiments. The power saving disabled state continues until the variable (absent operation) becomes "false." When user P returns to human detection range A, the variable (detection) becomes "person detected," and processing device 1 transitions from S21 to S22. In S22, processing device 1 substitutes "false" for the variable (absent operation) and transitions processing from circle D to S7. This releases the power saving disabled state, allowing the device to transition to the power saving state when user P leaves human detection range A.

[0112] In this embodiment, the user leaves the human detection range within the inactivity time from the last user operation, thereby maintaining the normal state as the power saving disabled state. This allows the user to continue watching without complicated operations even if they subsequently remain outside the human detection range.

[0113] (Fourth embodiment)

[0114] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth embodiment. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of Fig. 1 , but the control of the processing device 1 is different from that of the first embodiment. It should be noted that the remote control receiver 5 can be omitted in the fourth embodiment.

[0115] The first to third embodiments describe an example of transitioning to the power saving prohibited state by detecting whether a person is within the human detection range and by detecting a user operation. The fourth embodiment describes an example of transitioning to the power saving prohibited state based on detecting whether a person is within the human detection range and when no person is detected.

[0116] FIG14 illustrates the transition to power saving mode in the fourth embodiment using the same notation as in FIG4 , FIG9 , and FIG11 . The upper half of FIG14 shows, as in FIG4 , the sector representing the human detection area A, and the viewing position of the user P relative to the human detection area A in each state J31 to J35 , as in FIG4 , FIG9 , and FIG11 . Furthermore, the lower half of FIG14 uses bold lines to indicate the transition between the normal state (normal mode) and the power saving state (power saving mode) of the television receiver 10.

[0117] 14 shows that the user P who was in the human detection range A at time T31 has left the human detection range A. When the user P stays outside the human detection range A, the state transitions to the power saving state at time T32 after the transition waiting time from time T31.

[0118] In this embodiment, when user P wishes to watch from outside of human detection range A, he or she temporarily returns to human detection range A and then leaves human detection range A again within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the instantaneous presence allowable time) after being detected by the human body sensor unit 6. State J32 in FIG. 14 shows that user P has returned to human detection range A at time T34. Furthermore, if user P leaves human detection range A at time T35 within the instantaneous presence allowable time from time T34, the state transitions to the power saving prohibited state.

[0119] That is, the instantaneous presence allowed time is a time condition for establishing the transition to the power saving prohibited state. The transition to the power saving prohibited state can be achieved by detecting a person from not detecting a person and then detecting no person again within the instantaneous presence allowed time from the time the person is detected.

[0120] State J33 in Figure 14 illustrates this situation, indicating that the processing device 1 transitions to the power saving disabled state by detecting both the presence and absence of user P within the instantaneous presence allowable time. The processing device 1 detects user P within human detection range A, thereby releasing the power saving disabled state. State J34 illustrates the following state. At time T36 during the power saving disabled state, the human presence sensor unit 6 detects user P. Based on the detection result of the human presence sensor unit 6, the processing device 1 releases the power saving disabled state and returns to normal operation.

[0121] In this normal state, when the human sensor unit 6 does not detect the user P (time T37), the processing device 1 switches to the power saving mode at time T38 after the human detection continues for the switching waiting time. State J35 in FIG14 shows this power saving mode.

[0122] By this operation, the television receiver 10 determines that the user P is watching and prohibits the transition to the power saving state even when the user P is outside the human detection range A as in state J33. This allows the user P to continue watching without complicated operations even when outside the human detection range.

[0123] (action)

[0124] Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the fourth embodiment. Circles A to D in Fig. 15 indicate that the processes are linked to those in Fig. 12.

[0125] It should be noted that although the example of FIG15 shows an example in which the functions of the first to fourth embodiments are combined, a flowchart that only implements the functions of the fourth embodiment can also be easily implemented. In FIG15, the same reference numerals are used for the same steps as in FIG13, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0126] The flowchart of FIG15 differs from the flowchart of FIG13 in that steps S25 and S26 are added.

[0127] In the fourth embodiment, the following variable is adopted in addition to the variables used in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0128] In the third embodiment described above, when the power saving is not prohibited (the variable (absent operation) is "false"), if no user operation is performed and no person is detected (No in S27), the process switches to a countdown of the switching wait time (the variable (status) is "counting down"). In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the processing device 1 determines in S25 whether the value of the variable (duration) is less than the value of the variable (instantaneous presence permission time). In this case, the variable (duration) is the time that has elapsed since the value of the variable (status) changed to "detecting" in S45 during power saving. If this elapsed time is within the instantaneous presence permission time, the processing device 1 determines that the user wishes to watch from outside the human detection range A, sets the variable (absent operation) to "true" in S26, and switches to the power saving prohibited state. It should be noted that if the value of the variable (duration) exceeds the instantaneous presence permission time (No in S25), the processing device 1 transfers the process to S27 and performs the same actions as the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0129] That is, when the television receiver 10 is in the power saving mode, the user P temporarily enters the human detection range A, and then leaves the human detection range A again within the instantaneous allowed time, thereby entering the power saving prohibited mode. The user P can continue watching from outside the human detection range A.

[0130] The remaining functions are the same as those of the above embodiments. The power saving disabled state is maintained until the variable (not in operation) becomes "false." In the power saving disabled state, if the user P returns to the human detection range A (becoming the normal state), the normal state is established after the permitted instantaneous presence time within the human detection range A has elapsed.

[0131] In this embodiment, if a user enters the human detection range within the permitted time in the power saving mode and then leaves, the power saving disabled mode can be switched to the normal mode. This allows the user to continue watching without complicated operations even if the user subsequently remains outside the human detection range.

[0132] It should be noted that, in the description using the above-mentioned flowcharts, although examples of control for implementing the first embodiment, the first and second embodiments, the first to third embodiments, and the first to fourth embodiments are described, control can also be performed when each embodiment is used alone or control can be implemented by combining any embodiment in each embodiment.

[0133] (Variation)

[0134] In each of the above embodiments, when the processing device 1 enters the power saving disabled state, it is controlled so that operations in the power saving state are disabled and the processing device 1 operates in the normal state. Alternatively, when the processing device 1 enters the power saving disabled state, a time period can be set until the processing device 1 enters the power saving disabled state. In other words, in this case, after the processing device 1 enters the power saving disabled state, it enters the power saving state after a predetermined period of time.

[0135] Furthermore, when the power saving prohibition state is controlled as setting the time until the power saving state is entered, processing may be performed to gradually lengthen the time until the power saving state is entered according to the frequency of transition to the power saving prohibition state.

[0136] Note that even when the power saving state is switched due to a person not being within the human detection range, a process of gradually lengthening the switching waiting time may be performed according to the frequency of switching to the power saving state.

[0137] This application is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made during the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the main purpose. In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, even if several constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved in the application can be solved. In the case of obtaining the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention, an application with the structure of the deleted constituent elements can be extracted.

[0138] Furthermore, in the technology described herein, most of the control and functions illustrated primarily by the flowcharts can be configured using a program. This control and functions can be implemented by a computer reading and executing this program. This program, as a computer program product, can be recorded or stored, in whole or in part, on removable media such as floppy disks and non-volatile storage devices, or on storage media such as hard disks and volatile memories. This can be distributed or provided at the time of product shipment, via removable media, or via communication lines. Users can easily implement the television receiver of this embodiment by downloading and installing this program on a computer via a communication network, or by installing it on a computer from a recording medium.

Claims

1. A television receiver, wherein: The television receiver comprises: A sensor that detects a person present in a prescribed detection range and outputs a detection result that the person is detected or not detected; A detection unit, which detects user operations and outputs detection results; as well as A processing device is a processing device that switches between a normal state and a power saving state, and prohibits the power saving state based on the detection result from the sensor and the detection result from the detection unit.

2. The television receiver according to claim 1, wherein The processing device performs at least one of the following power saving controls: a first power saving control, when the user operation outside the prescribed detection range is detected in the power saving state, prohibiting the power saving state; a second power saving control for prohibiting the power saving state when the user operation from outside the prescribed detection range is detected within the first time after the sensor outputs a detection result that no person is detected in the normal state, and The third power saving control prohibits the power saving state when a detection result that no person is detected is output from the sensor within a second time after the user operation from within the predetermined detection range is detected.

3. A television receiver, wherein: The television receiver comprises: A sensor that detects a person present in a prescribed detection range and outputs a detection result that the person is detected or not detected; A timing circuit that calculates the time; as well as A processing device that switches between a normal state and a power saving state, and prohibits the power saving state when the sensor outputs a detection result that no person is detected within a third time after the sensor outputs a detection result of detection in the power saving state.

4. A power saving switching control method, which is a power saving switching control method based on a processing device that switches between a normal state and a power saving state, wherein: Detecting a person existing within a specified detection range and obtaining a detection result of whether a person is detected or not detected, and detecting a user operation to obtain a detection result, Perform at least one of the following power saving controls: a first power saving control, when the user operation outside the prescribed detection range is detected in the power saving state, prohibiting the power saving state; a second power saving control, in the normal state, when the user operation from outside the prescribed detection range is detected within the first time after the sensor outputs a detection result indicating that no person is detected, prohibiting the power saving state; and a third power saving control for prohibiting the power saving state when a detection result that no person is detected is output from the sensor within a second time from detection of the user operation from within the prescribed detection range.

5. A non-volatile storage medium storing a power saving switching control program, wherein the power saving switching control program is used to switch between a normal state and a power saving state, wherein: The power saving conversion control program causes the computer to execute the following processing: Detecting a person existing within a specified detection range and obtaining a detection result of whether a person is detected or not detected, and detecting a user operation to obtain a detection result, Perform at least one of the following power saving controls: The first power saving control is to detect the user operation from outside the prescribed detection range in the power saving state. When the power saving state is disabled; a second power saving control, in which the power saving state is prohibited when the user operation from outside the prescribed detection range is detected within the first time after the sensor outputs a detection result that no person is detected in the normal state; and a third power saving control for prohibiting the power saving state when a detection result that no person is detected is output from the sensor within a second time from detection of the user operation from within the prescribed detection range.

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