Reception device and method for controlling reception device

Abstract

To provide a reception device for selecting, at start-up, a channel that broadcasts a program according to user's preferences.SOLUTION: A reception device includes a reception unit for receiving a broadcast signal, an output unit for outputting the broadcast signal received by the reception unit to the outside, a control unit for controlling the reception unit and the output unit, and a storage unit for storing setting information in which program broadcast times are associated with preference information related to user's program preferences, as well as program information including information about programs scheduled to be broadcast for each channel. At star-tup, the control unit selects a channel of a program that matches the preference information, based on the setting information and program information stored in the storage unit, and controls the reception unit to receive a broadcast signal of the selected channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus and a control method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] A channel selection apparatus for selecting a channel according to a user's needs is disclosed (Patent Document 1). The channel selection apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 selects a channel with a high viewing frequency when the power is turned on.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The channel selection apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not always match the channel that broadcasts a program according to the user's preference when the power is turned on.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a receiving apparatus and a control method thereof that select a channel that broadcasts a program according to a user's preference at startup.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A receiving apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal, an output unit that outputs the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit to the outside, a control unit that controls the receiving unit and the output unit, and setting information in which a broadcast time of a program is associated with preference information regarding the user's preference for the program, and a storage unit that stores program information including information regarding the program scheduled for broadcast for each channel. The control unit, at startup, selects the channel of the program that matches the preference information based on the setting information and the program information stored in the storage unit, and controls the receiving unit to receive the broadcast signal of the selected channel.

[0007] A control method for a receiving apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for a receiving apparatus including a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal, an output unit that outputs the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit to the outside, setting information in which a broadcast time of a program is associated with preference information regarding the user's preference for the program, and a storage unit that stores program information including information regarding the program scheduled for broadcast for each channel. The control method includes, at startup, selecting the channel of the program that matches the preference information based on the setting information and the program information stored in the storage unit, and controlling the receiving unit to receive the broadcast signal of the selected channel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout all the drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. In addition, the embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications. Even outside these embodiments and modifications, various changes can be made according to the design and the like without departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure.

[0010] [First Embodiment] (Broadcast Receiver) The configuration of the broadcast receiver 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the broadcast receiver 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] The broadcast receiver 100 is a device that receives a broadcast signal, which is a digital signal of a television broadcast wave, via the antenna 101 and outputs a video signal and an audio signal. As shown in FIG. 1, the broadcast receiver 100 includes a receiving unit 1, a decoder 2, a video output unit 3, an audio output unit 4, a storage unit 5, an operation unit 6 (instruction receiving unit), a display unit 7, a timing unit 8, and a control unit 9. Note that the video output unit 3 and the audio output unit 4 realize the output unit of the present disclosure. The broadcast receiver 100 can be exemplified by, for example, a recorder with a built-in tuner or a television with a built-in tuner.

[0012] The receiving unit 1 receives a broadcast signal via the antenna 101 and includes a first tuner 1a as a tuning device for selecting the broadcast signal to be received.

[0013] The decoder 2 decodes the broadcast signal received by the receiver 1 and converts it into an analog video signal and an audio signal. The video signal is output to the outside by the video output unit 3, and the audio signal is output to the outside by the audio output unit 4. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is connected to a display device (not shown) and a speaker (not shown). The video output unit 3 outputs the video signal to the display device, and the audio output unit 4 outputs the audio signal to the speaker. Hereinafter, the act of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 outputting the video signal to the display device and the audio signal to the speaker is referred to as playing a program.

[0014] The storage unit 5 is a non-volatile memory that can be read and written by a computer and can be realized by, for example, a flash memory or the like. The storage unit 5 stores information such as programs processed by the control unit 9. In the broadcast receiving apparatus 100, in the storage unit 5, program information 51 and setting information 52 are stored in addition to the information such as the programs described above.

[0015] The program information 51 is program guide information including information on programs scheduled for broadcast for each channel, and is the so-called electronic program guide multiplexed and carried on television broadcast radio waves. The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can periodically receive the program information 51 by the receiver 1 and update the program information 51 stored in the storage unit 5.

[0016] The setting information 52 is preference information regarding the user's preference for the program (viewing program) viewed by the user. The setting information 52 is recorded with the broadcast time associated with the user's preference information. Details of the setting information 52 will be described later.

[0017] Note that the information such as programs, the program information 51, and the setting information 52 are not limited to the storage unit 5 described above, and may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk drive.

[0018] In addition, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 6 and a display unit 7 as user interfaces for performing various information exchanges with the user. The operation unit 6 can receive operation instructions from the user. The display unit 7 can display various information such as the internal information of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 to the user. Further, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 also includes a timing unit 8 that acquires information regarding the current date and time.

[0019] The control unit 9 performs various controls on each unit included in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Specifically, the control unit 9 can control the reception of broadcast signals by the reception unit 1. That is, the control unit 9 controls the tuning process by the first tuner 1a and selects a channel. Then, it controls to receive the broadcast signal of the selected channel. In addition, the control unit 9 controls the output of video signals by the video output unit 3 and the output of audio signals by the audio output unit 4.

[0020] The control unit 9 includes an initial channel determination unit 10 as a functional block that executes the initial channel selection process of the present disclosure described later. The initial channel determination unit 10 selects a channel of a program that matches the user's preference information based on the setting information 52 and the program information 51 stored in the storage unit 5 when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is started up.

[0021] When the control unit 9 is realized by an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, the CPU can read a program stored in the storage unit 5 into a memory (not shown) and execute it to realize the initial channel determination unit 10.

[0022] (Setting Information) Next, the setting information 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of the setting information 52 stored in the storage unit 5 included in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a setting information input screen displayed on the display unit 7 included in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the setting information 52 includes a plurality of settings (for example, [First Setting], [Second Setting], [Third Setting], and [Fourth Setting]) in which conditions indicating the user's preference information are associated with the date and time such as the broadcast time and day of the program. Note that the date and time do not overlap for each of the plurality of settings.

[0024] When the user has a preference for watching anime programs every morning, as shown in [First Setting], 8:00 to 11:59 every day is set as the date and time information. As conditions indicating the user's preference information associated with this set date and time, for example, the genre into which the program is classified, keywords representing the content of the program, personal names related to the program, and the target network and target channel are set as information related to the reception path of the program.

[0025] Specifically, in the case of [First Setting], anime / domestic is set as the genre of the program, BS broadcast is set as the network to be viewed (target network), and all channels are set as the channels to be viewed (target channels). The keyword and personal name items are not set.

[0026] For example, when the user has a preference for watching movie programs every afternoon, as shown in [Second Setting], 12:00 to 17:59 every day is set as the date and time information. On the other hand, as conditions indicating the user's preference for the viewed program, movie / foreign is set as the genre of the program, 4K broadcast is set as the network to be viewed (target network), and all channels are set as the channels to be viewed (target channels). The keyword and personal name items are not set.

[0027] For example, if the user has a preference for watching sports programs every night, as shown in [Setting 3], set every day from 18:00 to 20:59 as the date and time information. On the other hand, as conditions indicating the user's preference for the viewed programs, in the program genre, "Sports / Baseball" is set, in the keyword, the baseball team Y that the user wants to watch is set, and in the person's name, Mr. A who belongs to the baseball team Y is set respectively. Also, for the network to be viewed (target network), 4K / BS / CS / terrestrial digital (terrestrial D) broadcasts are set, and for the channels to be viewed (target channels), all channels are set.

[0028] As described above, the setting information 52 can be information in which conditions indicating the user's preference information for the viewed programs are associated with the date and time of viewing. Furthermore, as shown in [Setting 4], if the user has a preference for watching a specific program at a specific date and time, it is also possible to register information on the program (for example, "News Program α" of the news program) that the user wants to watch at the pinpointed date and time of viewing. That is, in [Setting 4], set from 21:54 to 23:10 on Monday to Friday as the date and time information. Set the conditions for the program that the user wants to watch in association with this date and time information. That is, in the genre, "News / Reporting" is set, in the keyword, "Reporting Program α" is set, in the person's name, Mr. B who appears in the reporting program α is set, in the network to be viewed (target network), terrestrial digital broadcast (terrestrial D) is set, and in the target channel, channel 051 is set respectively.

[0029] Note that the setting information 52 is not limited to the above four [Setting 1] to [Setting 4], and the number of settings included in the setting information 52 is arbitrary. Also, the conditions indicating the user's preference information for the viewed programs are not limited to genre, keyword, person's name, target network, and target channel, and any conditions that can more accurately grasp the user's preference for the viewed programs may be used. As conditions indicating the preference information, for example, other conditions such as the program production company may be further included.

[0030] The above-described setting information 52 can be input into the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 by, for example, causing the display unit 7 to display a setting information input screen as shown in FIG. 3 and the user operating the operation unit 6. In the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 3, setting items included in the setting information 52, such as time, day of the week, genre, keyword, person's name, target network, and target channel, are displayed on the left side of the setting information input screen. On the other hand, information input by the user is displayed on the right side of the setting information input screen corresponding to these setting items. Also, the input timing of the setting information 52 by the user to the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is arbitrary, but it is preferably before the program viewing timing by the user. The setting information 52 input into the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is stored in the storage unit 5.

[0031] (Initial channel selection process) Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the initial channel selection process executed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the present disclosure, initial channel selection means selecting the channel of the program to be first played back when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is started. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial channel selection process executed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] It is assumed as a premise that the program information 51 and the setting information 52 are already stored in the storage unit 5 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100.

[0033] First, the user operates the operation unit 6 to turn on the power of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100. Thereby, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is started (step S11). When the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is started, the initial channel determination unit 10 of the control unit 9 acquires information on the current date and time from the timekeeping unit 8 (step S12). Further, the initial channel determination unit 10 acquires the setting information 52 from the storage unit 5 (step S13).

[0034] The initial channel determination unit 10 determines whether or not the set date and time match the current date and time for the first setting (for example, [First Setting]) among the settings included in the acquired setting information 52 (step S14).

[0035] In the case of "No" in step S14, the initial channel determination unit 10 checks for the presence of other settings in the setting information 52 (step S18). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the setting information 52 includes a plurality of settings from [First Setting] to [Fourth Setting], it is determined that there are other settings. And when it is determined that there are other settings ( "Yes" in step S18), the initial channel determination unit 10 makes the determination of step S14 for the next setting (for example, [Second Setting]) among the other settings. In this way, until it is determined as "Yes" in step S14, the determination of whether the setting date and time match the current date and time is sequentially performed for other settings.

[0036] And when it is determined that there are no other settings in step S18 ( "No" in step S18), the process proceeds to step S20, where normal initial channel selection is performed and the initial channel selection process ends. Note that normal initial channel selection means setting the channel selected at the time of the most recent power-off as the initial channel selection channel.

[0037] In the case of "Yes" in step S14, the initial channel determination unit 10 acquires the program information 51 from the storage unit 5 (step S15). Then, the initial channel determination unit 10 refers to the program information 51 and determines whether there is a program that matches the content of the setting for which it is determined that the setting date and time match the current date and time (step S16). The determination in this step S16 is, for example, when there are channels from channel 1 to channel 10 and channel 1 is set as the first determination target channel, the initial channel determination unit 10 performs the determination in order from channel 1. Also, a program that matches the content of the setting is a program that includes all the set conditions.

[0038] In the case of "No" in step S16, the initial channel determination unit 10 determines whether the determination in step S16 has been made for all channels (step S19). If the determination in step S16 has not been made for all channels ( "No" in step S19), the channel number is incremented, and the process returns to step S16 for the next channel, and it is determined whether there is a program that matches the set content by referring to the program information 51. Thus, while the determination in step S16 is "No", the initial channel determination unit 10 determines whether there is a program that matches the set content one by one for all channels in order.

[0039] If it is determined in step S19 that the determination in step S16 has been made for all channels ( "Yes" in step S19), the initial channel determination unit 10 proceeds to step S20 to perform normal channel selection and ends the initial channel selection process.

[0040] On the other hand, in the case of "Yes" in step S16, the process proceeds to step S17 to perform favorite channel selection and ends the initial channel selection process. Note that the favorite channel selection is to set the channel that broadcasts a program that matches the set content as the initial channel selection channel.

[0041] As described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can select the channel of a program that matches the user's preference based on the setting information 52 set in advance by the user when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is activated. Therefore, when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is activated, the control unit 9 can select the channel of a program according to the user's preference and cause the receiving unit 1 to receive the broadcast signal of the selected channel. Then, the control unit 9 can cause the receiving unit 1 to output the received broadcast signal to the outside via the video output unit 3 and the audio output unit 4.

[0042] Therefore, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can select the channel that broadcasts a program according to the user's preference at the time of activation.

[0043] [Second Embodiment] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is different from the configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment in the following points. That is, the receiving unit 1 included in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes only one tuner (first tuner 1a), whereas the receiving unit 1 included in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is different in that it includes a plurality of tuners, namely, the first tuner 1a, the second tuner 1b, and the third tuner 1c. Further, the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is different in that the control unit 9 further includes an input selection unit 11 as a functional block.

[0045] Except for the above points, the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0046] That is, the receiving unit 1 of the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment includes the first tuner 1a, the second tuner 1b, and the third tuner 1c. Therefore, it is possible to select the broadcast signals received by each tuner. Note that the reception path of the broadcast signal received by the first tuner 1a is referred to as the first system, the reception path of the broadcast signal received by the second tuner 1b is referred to as the second system, and the reception path of the broadcast signal received by the third tuner 1c is referred to as the third system. Note that the number of systems in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 is arbitrary.

[0047] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 200, when there are a plurality of programs that satisfy the conditions for a certain setting included in the setting information 52, the broadcast signals of different channels that satisfy the conditions can be individually received by each of the first system, the second system, and the third system. For example, when the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 is activated, assume that among the settings included in the setting information 52, there is a [First Setting] that matches the date and time at the time of activation. Also, assume that there are three program candidates, Program A, Program B, and Program C, as programs that match the content of the [First Setting]. At this time, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200, the broadcast signal of Program A can be received by the first system, the broadcast signal of Program B can be received by the second system, and the broadcast signal of Program C can be received by the third system. Therefore, for example, by the user selecting any one of the first system to the third system, the user can select the channel of the program that the user wants to view from among the program candidates that match the user's preference in the initial channel selection. Also, since the channel to be selected can be switched only by switching the system, there is no need to perform tuning processing by the tuner as in normal channel switching, and the program can be switched quickly.

[0048] More specifically, the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 performs the initial channel selection process as follows.

[0049] (Initial Channel Selection Process) With reference to FIG. 6, the initial channel selection process executed by the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial channel selection process executed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] It is assumed that the program information 51 and the setting information 52 are already stored in the storage unit 5 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 as a premise. Also, the setting information 52 stored in the storage unit 5 is, for example, the information shown in FIG. 2. Also, when different channels are set as the initial channel selection channels for each of the first system, the second system, and the third system, it is assumed that the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 is preconfigured to reproduce the program of the channel set in the first system at the time of activation.

[0051] When the broadcast receiving device 200 is activated (step S31), first, initial channel selection is set to be performed for the broadcast signal received on the first system. Note that since the processes from step S31 to step S40 are the same as the processes from step S11 to step S20 shown in FIG. 4, the description thereof is omitted.

[0052] In step S37, when initial channel selection is performed for the broadcast signal received on the first system, the initial channel determination unit 10 determines whether the determination in step S36 has been performed for all channels (step S41).

[0053] For example, it is assumed that in step S34, it is determined that [First Setting] among the setting information 52 matches the current date and time. Then, in step S35, program information 51 is acquired, and in step S36, the presence or absence of a program that matches [First Setting] is determined in order from channel 1. When it is determined in step S36 that there is a program that matches [First Setting], preference channel selection is performed, and the channel of that program is set as the channel of the broadcast signal received on the first system in step S37.

[0054] Here, there may be a case where the determination as to whether there is a program that matches [First Setting] has not been performed for all channels. In a channel where the determination as to whether there is a program that matches [First Setting] has not been made, for example, when there is a channel of a further program that matches [First Setting], it is necessary to determine whether there is another system that can receive the broadcast signal of the channel of that further program.

[0055] Therefore, when the result in step S41 is "NO", the initial channel determination unit 10 determines whether there is another system in which the channel selected by preference is not set (step S42). And when the result in step S42 is "Yes", the process returns to step S36 and the processes after step S36 are repeated.

[0056] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S42, the program of the channel selected by the preference channel selection for the first system is played (step S43). If it is set to perform normal channel selection in step S40, in step S43, the program of the channel selected at the time of the most recent power-off for the first system is played.

[0057] Next, the input selection unit 11 determines whether or not a channel switching instruction of the program received from the user via the operation unit 6 is received (step S44). When the input selection unit 11 determines that the switching instruction has been received ( "Yes" in step S44), it switches the channel according to the instruction. Then, the input selection unit 11 controls to play the program of the broadcast signal received on the channel after switching (step S45), and ends the initial channel selection process. If the answer is "No" in step S44, the input selection unit 11 simply ends the initial channel selection process.

[0058] (Modification example) The broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is configured to receive the broadcast signals of a plurality of programs that match arbitrary settings such as [First Setting] respectively on different channels when there are a plurality of such programs. In contrast, the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the modification example of the second embodiment is different in that different settings are assigned to the broadcast signals received for each channel. That is, in the setting information 52, [First Setting], [Second Setting], [Third Setting]... are assigned to the first channel. Also, to the second channel, [First Setting], [Second Setting], [Third Setting]... different from those of the first channel are assigned. Also, to the third channel, [First Setting], [Second Setting], [Third Setting]... different from those of the first and second channels are assigned.

[0059] Note that, the [First Setting] assigned to the first system is expressed as [First System / First Setting], the [Second Setting] as [First System / Second Setting], and the [Third Setting] as [First System / Third Setting]. Also, the [First Setting] assigned to the second system is expressed as [Second System / First Setting], the [Second Setting] as [Second System / Second Setting], and the [Third Setting] as [Second System / Third Setting]. Further, the [First Setting] assigned to the third system is expressed as [Third System / First Setting], the [Second Setting] as [Third System / Second Setting], and the [Third Setting] as [Third System / Third Setting] to distinguish them respectively.

[0060] Regarding points other than those described above, the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the modification example of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. Thus, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0061] First, on the premise that in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the modification example of the second embodiment, program information 51 and setting information 52 are stored in the storage unit 5. Also, the content of the setting information 52 stored in the storage unit 5 is assumed to be, for example, the content shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of the setting information 52 stored in the storage unit 5 provided in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the modification example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 7, in the setting information 52, the [First Setting] and the [Second Setting] are assigned to the first system (First System / First Setting, First System / Second Setting), a [First Setting] different from the [First Setting] of the first system is assigned to the second system (Second System / First Setting), and a [First Setting] (Third System / First Setting) different from the [First Setting] of the first system and the [First Setting] of the second system is assigned to the third system. Note that, when a plurality of settings are assigned to the same system, the dates and times do not overlap for each of the plurality of settings assigned to the same system.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 7, when the user has a preference for watching anime programs every morning, as shown in [First System / First Setting], every day from 8:00 to 11:59 is set as the time information. Corresponding to this set time, as conditions indicating the user's viewing preferences for programs, for example, genre, keyword, person's name, target network, and target channel are set.

[0064] Specifically, in the case of [First System / First Setting], the genre of the program is set to anime / domestic, the network to be viewed (target network) is set to BS broadcast, and the channel to be viewed (target channel) is set to all channels. The items of keyword and person's name are not set.

[0065] For example, when the user has a preference for watching movie programs every afternoon, as shown in [First System / Second Setting], every day from 12:00 to 17:59 is set as the time information. On the other hand, as conditions indicating the user's viewing preferences for programs, the genre of the program is set to movie / foreign film, the network to be viewed (target network) is set to 4K broadcast, and the channel to be viewed (target channel) is set to all channels. The items of keyword and person's name are not set.

[0066] For example, when the user has a preference for watching sports programs all day every day, as shown in [Second System / First Setting], every day from 8:00 to 23:59 is set as the time information. On the other hand, as conditions indicating the user's viewing preferences for programs, the genre of the program is set to sports / soccer, and the keyword is set to the U Soccer Club as the soccer club the user wants to watch. Also, the network to be viewed (target network) is set to CS broadcast, and the channel to be viewed (target channel) is set to all channels. The person's name is not set.

[0067] Also, for example, if the user has a preference for watching quiz shows every day all day long, as shown in [System 3 / Setting 1], every day from 8:00 to 23:59 is set as the date and time information. On the other hand, as the conditions indicating the user's preference for the viewed programs, variety / quiz is set for the program genre, terrestrial digital (Terrestrial D) is set for the network to be viewed (target network), and all channels are set for the channel to be viewed (target channel). Keywords and personal names are not set.

[0068] The above-described setting information 52 can be input into the broadcast receiving apparatus 200, for example, by causing the display unit 7 to display a setting information input screen as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the user operating the operation unit 6. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing an example of a setting information input screen displayed on the display unit 7 provided in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] First, in the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 8, a screen for setting which system of programs is to be preferentially reproduced when the initial channel selection process is performed is displayed. In the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 8, the user sets the first system to "Priority: 1", the second system to "Priority: 2", and the third system to "Priority: 3", respectively. Note that the smaller the number assigned to the priority, the higher the priority.

[0070] When the user sets the priority for the system in the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 8, the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 9 is then displayed on the display unit 7.

[0071] In the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 9, setting items included in the setting information 52 such as time, day of the week, genre, keyword, personal name, target network, and target channel are displayed on the left side of the setting information input screen. On the other hand, the information input by the user is displayed on the right side of the setting information input screen corresponding to these setting items.

[0072] (Initial channel selection process) Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the initial channel selection process executed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to a modified example of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial channel selection process executed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] On the premise that the program information 51 and the setting information 52 are already stored in the storage unit 5 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200. Also, the setting information 52 stored in the storage unit 5 is, for example, the information shown in FIG. 7. Further, when receiving different programs in each of the first system, the second system, and the third system, the program of the broadcast signal received in the first system with the highest priority set is set to be preferentially reproduced.

[0074] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 200, the initial channel selection process is set to be performed in the order of the first system, the second system, and the third system. Therefore, when the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 is activated (step S51), first, the initial channel selection process is performed for the first system.

[0075] Note that each process from step S51 to step S60 is the same as the process from step S11 to step S20 shown in FIG. 4, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

[0076] When the initial channel determination unit 10 performs preference channel selection (step S57) or normal channel selection (step S60) for the program of the broadcast signal received in the first system, it determines whether there is another system for which preference channel selection or normal channel selection has not been performed (step S61).

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the modified example of the second embodiment, in the setting information 52, for each of the first system, the second system, and the third system, settings in which conditions indicating the user's viewing preferences are associated with the date and time such as the broadcast time and day of the week of the program are assigned. Therefore, after performing the initial channel selection for the program of the broadcast signal received in the first system, it is necessary to perform the initial channel selection for the programs of the broadcast signals received in the remaining second and third systems.

[0078] Therefore, in step S61, the initial channel determination unit 10 checks for the presence of other channels for which favorite channel selection or normal channel selection has not been performed. For example, if favorite channel selection (step S57) or normal channel selection (step S60) is performed only for the programs of the broadcast signals received on the first channel, then favorite channel selection or normal channel selection has not been performed for the programs of the broadcast signals received on the second and third channels yet. For this reason, in step S61, it is determined as "Yes", and the initial channel determination unit 10 returns to step S54 and performs favorite channel selection or normal channel selection for the programs of the broadcast signals received on the second channel.

[0079] On the other hand, when favorite channel selection or normal channel selection is performed for all channels from the first channel to the third channel for the programs of the broadcast signals received, the initial channel determination unit 10 determines "No" in step S61 and proceeds to step S62. Then, the initial channel determination unit 10 controls to reproduce the programs of the broadcast signals received on the channel with the highest priority set by the user (step S62).

[0080] Next, the input selection unit 11 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to switch the channel for the broadcast signal from the user via the operation unit 6 (step S63). When the input selection unit 11 determines that it has received the switching instruction ( "Yes" in step S63), it switches the channel according to the instruction. The channel switching may be switched to the channel instructed by the user, or may be configured to switch to the channel with the highest priority among the non-selected channels. Then, the input selection unit 11 controls to reproduce the programs of the broadcast signals received on the switched channel (step S63) and ends the initial channel selection process. When it is "No" in step S63, the input selection unit 11 ends the initial channel selection process as it is.

[0081] [Third Embodiment] Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 11, the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment is different from the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment in that it further includes an external input unit 30. The broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment is the same as the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment except that it further includes an external input unit 30. Therefore, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] The external input unit 30 is connected to an external device (not shown) and receives a digital signal such as a video input from the external device. The external input unit 30 includes a first external input terminal 30a, a second external input terminal 30b, and a third external input terminal 30c as external input terminals for receiving a digital signal from the external device. Note that the number of external input terminals included in the external input unit 30 is arbitrary.

[0084] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, as described above, in the configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, an external input unit 30 is further provided, and the program of the video signal of the digital signal input via the external input unit 30 can also be a selection candidate for the program to be played first when the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is activated.

[0085] The content of the setting information 52 stored in the storage unit 5 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment can be, for example, the content shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a table showing an example of the setting information 52 stored in the storage unit 5 included in the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 12, in the setting information 52, [First Setting] is assigned to the video signal received by the external input ([External Input / First Setting]). Further, [First Setting] is assigned to the first system (First System / First Setting), a [First Setting] different from the [First Setting] of the first system is assigned to the second system (Second System / First Setting), and it is assumed that a [First Setting] (Third System / First Setting) different from the [First Setting] of the first system and the [First Setting] of the second system is assigned to the third system. When a plurality of settings are assigned to the same system, the dates and times do not overlap for each of the plurality of settings assigned to the same system.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 12, in [External Input / First Setting], the target network and the target channel are set in association with a specific date and time (every day from 8:00 to 11:59).

[0088] Specifically, in the case of [External Input / First Setting], the external input is set to the network to be viewed (target network), and the third external input terminal 30c is set to the channel to be viewed (target channel). The items of genre, keyword, and person's name are not set. That is, every day from 8:00 to 11:59, the program of the video signal input via the third external input terminal 30c is set as a selection candidate for the program to be played first at startup.

[0089] Furthermore, in [First System / First Setting], in association with the date and time (8:00 to 11:59), the genre of the program is set to movie / foreign movie, 4K broadcast is set to the network to be viewed (target network), and all channels are set to the channel to be viewed (target channel). The items of keyword and person's name are not set.

[0090] In addition, for [Second System / First Setting], sports / soccer is set for the program genre in association with the date and time (8:00 to 23:59), and U Soccer Club is set for the keyword. Furthermore, CS broadcast is set for the network to be viewed (target network), and all channels are set for the channel to be viewed (target channel). The item for the name of a person is not set.

[0091] In addition, for [Third System / First Setting], variety / quiz is set for the program genre in association with the date and time (8:00 to 23:59), terrestrial digital broadcast (terrestrial D) is set for the network to be viewed (target network), and all channels are set for the channel to be viewed (target channel). The items for the keyword and the name of a person are not set.

[0092] The above-described setting information 52 can be input to the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 by, for example, causing the display unit 7 to display a setting information input screen as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, and the user operating the operation unit 6. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing an example of a setting information input screen displayed on the display unit 7 provided in the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] First, in the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 13, a screen for setting which program of the digital signal received via which path is preferentially reproduced when the initial channel selection process is performed is displayed. That is, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, as a reception path for the video signal (digital signal), there is a path received by the external input unit 30 (any one of the first external input terminal 30a, the second external input terminal 30b, and the third external input terminal 30c), and as a reception path for the broadcast signal (digital signal), there are paths received by the first tuner 1a, the second tuner 1b, and the third tuner 1c of the reception unit 1, respectively. Note that when the video signal and the broadcast signal are collectively referred to, they are referred to as digital signals.

[0094] On the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 13, the user sets the reception path for receiving the video signal by the external input unit 30 to "Priority: 1", sets the first system to "Priority: 2", sets the second system to "Priority: 3", and sets the third system to "Priority: 4", respectively. Note that the smaller the number assigned to the priority, the higher the priority.

[0095] When the priority of the reception path is set on the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 13, next, for example, the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the display unit 7.

[0096] On the setting information input screen shown in FIG. 14, setting items included in the setting information 52 such as time, day of the week, genre, keyword, person's name, target network, and target channel are displayed on the left side of the setting information input screen. On the other hand, the information input by the user is displayed on the right side of the setting information input screen corresponding to these setting items.

[0097] (Initial channel selection process) Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the initial channel selection process executed by the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial channel selection process executed in the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] It is assumed that the program information 51 and the setting information 52 are already stored in the storage unit 5 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 300. Further, the setting information 52 stored in the storage unit 5 is, for example, the information shown in FIG. 12. Also, among the external input, the first system, the second system, and the third system, the video of the digital signal received via the external input with the highest priority set is preferentially reproduced.

[0099] In the broadcast receiving apparatus 300, the initial channel selection process is set to be performed in the order of external input, the first system, the second system, and the third system. Therefore, when the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 is activated (step S71), first, the initial channel selection process is performed for the external input.

[0100] Note that since each process from step S71 to step S74 and from step S76 to step S81 is the same as the process from step S11 to step S20 shown in FIG. 4, the description thereof is omitted.

[0101] The initial channel determination unit 10 acquires the setting information 52 in step S73. When it is determined in step S74 that there is a setting of an external input whose set date and time matches the current date and time (``Yes'' in step S74), the process proceeds to step S75. In the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, the initial channel determination unit 10 refers to the setting information 52 and sets the third external input terminal 30c as the channel for initial channel selection.

[0102] Thus, when the initial channel selection process is performed for an external input, it is determined as ``Yes'' in step S75, and the process proceeds to step S82. Note that when the initial channel selection process is performed for any one of the first system to the third system, it is determined as ``No'' in step S75, and the process proceeds to step S78.

[0103] In step S82, the initial channel determination unit 10 determines whether there are other selection candidates for the reception path of the digital signal (video signal or broadcast signal). Here, when the initial channel determination unit 10 is executing the initial channel selection process for an external input, the initial channel selection process has not yet been executed for the first system, the second system, and the third system. Therefore, it is determined as ``Yes'' in step S82, and the initial channel determination unit 10 returns to step S74 to execute the initial channel selection process for the first system. When the initial channel selection process from step S74 to step S81 is performed for all the reception paths of the digital signals, the initial channel determination unit 10 determines that there are no other selection candidates for the reception path of the digital signal (``No'' in step S82).

[0104] If it is determined "No" in step S82, the initial channel determination unit 10 controls to play the program of the digital signal received through the reception path with a high priority (step S83). In the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, as described above, since the highest priority is set for the external input, the program of the video signal input from the outside through the third external input terminal 30c is played.

[0105] Next, the input selection unit 11 determines whether or not it has received an instruction to switch the reception path for receiving a digital signal from the user via the operation unit 6 (step S84). When the input selection unit 11 determines that it has received a switching instruction ( "Yes" in step S84), it switches the reception path of the digital signal according to the instruction. The switching of the reception path of the digital signal may be switched to the reception path instructed by the user, or may be configured to be switched to the reception path with the highest priority among the non-selected reception paths. Then, the input selection unit 11 controls to play the program of the digital signal received through the reception path after the switching (step S85), and ends the initial channel selection process. On the other hand, if it is "No" in step S84, the input selection unit 11 ends the initial channel selection process as it is.

[0106] Note that in the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, and the broadcast receiving apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, the operation unit 6 is configured to directly receive an operation instruction from the user. However, it may be configured to receive an operation instruction from the user via a remote controller (not shown). When configured in this way, the operation unit 6 can be realized as a signal light receiving unit of a signal transmitted from the remote controller that receives an operation instruction from the user via the remote controller.

[0107] Also, in the broadcast receiver 100 according to the first embodiment, the broadcast receiver 200 according to the second embodiment, and the broadcast receiver 300 according to the third embodiment, the configuration was such that the setting information input screen was displayed on the display unit 7. However, the broadcast receiver 100 according to the first embodiment, the broadcast receiver 200 according to the second embodiment, and the broadcast receiver 300 according to the third embodiment may be configured to display the setting information input screen on an external display device (not shown) connected communicably.

Explanation of Signs

[0108] 1 Receiver unit 1a First tuner 1b Second tuner 1c Third tuner 3 Video output unit 4 Audio output unit 5 Storage unit 6 Operation unit 7 Display unit 8 Timing unit 9 Control unit 10 Initial channel determination unit 11 Input selection unit 30 External input unit 30a First external input terminal 30b Second external input terminal 30c Third external input terminal 51 Program information 52 Setting information 100 Broadcast receiver 200 Broadcast receiver 300 Broadcast receiver

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal; an output unit that outputs the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit to the outside; a control unit that controls the receiving unit and the output unit; a storage unit that stores setting information in which the broadcast time of a program is associated with preference information regarding the user's preference for the program, and program information including information regarding the program scheduled for broadcast for each channel; The control unit, at startup, selects the channel of the program that matches the preference information based on the setting information and the program information stored in the storage unit, and controls the receiving unit to receive the broadcast signal of the selected channel. A receiving device.

2. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the preference information includes a genre into which the program is classified, a keyword representing the content of the program, a person's name related to the program, and information regarding a reception path of the program.

3. The receiving unit includes a plurality of tuners that respectively receive the broadcast signals of different channels, The control unit, at startup, selects the channels of a plurality of programs that match the preference information based on the setting information and the program information stored in the storage unit, and controls the receiving unit to receive the broadcast signals of the channels of the selected plurality of programs with the plurality of tuners respectively. The receiving device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A priority order for outputting the broadcast signals received by the respective plurality of tuners by the output unit is set for each of the plurality of tuners, The control unit controls the output unit to output the broadcast signals received by the respective plurality of tuners according to the priority order. The receiving device according to claim 3.

5. comprising an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to switch the broadcast signal to be output to the outside from the user, The control unit controls the output unit to switch the broadcast signal and output it to the outside based on the instruction to switch the broadcast signal received by the instruction receiving unit. The receiving device according to claim 4.

6. further comprising an external input unit that receives a video signal input from an external device, A priority order for outputting the broadcast signals received by the respective plurality of tuners and the video signal received by the external input unit by the output unit is set for each of the plurality of tuners and the external input unit, The receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the output unit to output the broadcast signals received by the plurality of tuners and the video signal received by the external input unit according to priorities.

7. The receiving apparatus further comprises an instruction receiving unit that receives from a user a switching instruction for the broadcast signal and the video signal to be output externally. The receiving apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit controls the output unit to switch the broadcast signal and the video signal based on the switching instruction for the broadcast signal and the video signal received by the instruction receiving unit and output the switched signals externally.

8. A receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal; An output unit that outputs the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit externally; A control method for a receiving apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores setting information in which a broadcast time of a program is associated with preference information regarding a user's preference for the program, and program information including information regarding the program scheduled for broadcast for each channel. The control method includes: At startup, selecting a channel of the program that matches the preference information based on the setting information and the program information stored in the storage unit; Controlling the receiving unit to receive the broadcast signal of the selected channel.

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