Receiver, program, and receiving method

Abstract

To promote more adaptive correspondence to a user when detecting deterioration of a reception quality.SOLUTION: A receiver comprises: a broadcast reception part in which existence of at least part of a broadcast signal of broadcast signals is confirmed, and which measures the reception quality of a first broadcast signal as a broadcast signal that can perform channel selection; and a control part that determines that the reception quality is less than a predetermined threshold value. The control part recognizes a total broadcast signal number as a sum of the number of first broadcast signals and the number of second broadcast signals, in which the second broadcast signal is the broadcast signal of which an existence of at least one part of the broadcast signals is confirmed, and is a broadcast signal different from the first broadcast signal. The control part outputs notification information indicating a possibility of a deterioration of the reception quality caused by the second broadcast signal in the case where the control unit determines that the reception quality is less than the predetermined threshold value, and the total broadcast signal number is increased after a specific time point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a receiver, a program, and a receiving method.

Background Art

[0002] When receiving digital television broadcasts, reception failures may occur. In order to comfortably view broadcast programs, it has been proposed to provide hints on the causes of reception failures and countermeasures. For example, the receiving apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a television apparatus main body and a remote control apparatus. The television apparatus main body includes an antenna, an analog modulated wave demodulation unit, a signal control unit, a system control unit, a digital modulated wave demodulation unit, a digital decoding processing unit, a graphic drawing multiplex display processing unit, an audio output processing unit, a speaker, a built-in or external display device, a known defect display processing unit, and a user information holding unit. The known defect state holding unit holds known information related to reception failures. The known information is held, for example, as a table associating channels with the contents of defects.

[0003] In addition to the current terrestrial digital broadcast (referred to as "current broadcast" in the present application), the introduction of a terrestrial enhanced broadcast (sometimes simply referred to as "enhanced broadcast") is being considered. In the terrestrial enhanced broadcast, a new data signal (referred to as "enhanced signal" in the present application) having a higher resolution is broadcast by different broadcast waves.

[0004] The current apparatus measures the reception quality of the data signal transmitted in the current broadcast and monitors the measured reception quality. As an index of the reception quality, for example, a modulation error ratio (MER) is obtained. Some current apparatuses calculate a carrier-to-noise ratio (C / N) from the measured MER.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-72335 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Current terrestrial digital broadcast receivers (referred to as "current devices" in this application) cannot filter out or decode advanced signals. Therefore, when advanced terrestrial broadcasting begins, the reception quality of current signals may deteriorate due to reception interference caused by multi-wave reception. Users may take unnecessary actions because they cannot identify the cause of the deterioration in reception quality. For example, users may suspect a defect in the broadcasting service or the receiver as the cause of the deterioration in reception quality and make unnecessary inquiries to broadcasters, receiver manufacturers, or sellers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one aspect of the present invention is a receiver comprising: a broadcast receiving unit that measures the reception quality of a first broadcast signal, which is a broadcast signal in which the presence of at least a part of the broadcast signal is confirmed and which is a broadcast signal that can be selected; and a control unit that determines that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold, wherein the control unit identifies the total number of broadcast signals, which is the sum of the number of first broadcast signals and the number of second broadcast signals, and the second broadcast signal is a broadcast signal in which the presence of at least a part of the broadcast signal is confirmed and which is a broadcast signal different from the first broadcast signal, and the control unit determines that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold, and if it determines that the total number of broadcast signals has increased after a certain point in time, it outputs notification information indicating the possibility of a decrease in the reception quality due to the second broadcast signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to embodiments of the present invention, when a deterioration in reception quality is detected, the user can be prompted to take more appropriate action. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example configuration of a receiving system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing a first example of channel search processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing a first example of the output determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows a first example of a first type display screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows a second example of a first type display screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows a second example of the output determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing a third example of the output determination process according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. If a configuration described in a particular embodiment, modification, or section is the same as a configuration described in another embodiment, modification, or section, that description may be referenced and not repeated. Furthermore, components having the same function as those shown in each section will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be referenced unless otherwise specified.

[0011] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example configuration of the receiving system 1 according to this embodiment. First, an example configuration of the receiving system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. The receiving system 1 comprises an antenna unit 80 and a receiver 100. In the following description, we will mainly consider the case where the receiver 100 provides broadcasting services for current broadcasts and does not provide broadcasting services for advanced terrestrial broadcasts.

[0012] The antenna unit 80 receives broadcast signals contained in broadcast waves transmitted from a broadcasting station. The broadcast signals include at least a first broadcast signal. The first broadcast signal is a broadcast signal whose existence is confirmed to be at least a part of the broadcast signal and which is tuneable. The first broadcast signal includes at least a first video signal. Tuning will be described later.

[0013] The antenna unit 80 comprises an antenna 82 and a booster 84. The antenna 82 receives the electrical signal generated by receiving the incoming broadcast wave as a broadcast signal. The antenna 82 is, for example, a parabolic antenna. The antenna 82 outputs the received broadcast signal to the booster 84. The booster 84 amplifies the strength of the broadcast signal input from the antenna 82 and outputs the amplified broadcast signal to the receiver 100.

[0014] The receiver 100 identifies the total number of broadcast signals, which is the sum of the number of first broadcast signals and the number of second broadcast signals, through a synchronization process. After the synchronization process, the receiver 100 identifies the number of channels on which at least a portion of the first broadcast signals can be tuned through a channel selection process.

[0015] The first broadcast signal is a signal included in the current broadcast. The first broadcast signal is a signal that can be selected for broadcasting. Selectability may also mean that the broadcast signal can be demodulated by the processing of the broadcast receiving unit 13 of the receiver 100. Selectability may also mean that the service (programmed channel) provided by the broadcast signal can be selected. Selectability may also mean that the video and audio constituting the service (programmed channel) can be viewed by the user as a result of the processing of the broadcast receiving unit 13. The video signal of the video constituting the programmed channel and the audio signal of the audio constituting the programmed channel are obtained as a result of processing the broadcast signal by each functional block included in the main system unit 10. Details of this processing will be described later.

[0016] The second broadcast signal is a broadcast signal among broadcast signals where the presence of at least a part of the broadcast signal is confirmed, and is a broadcast signal different from the first broadcast signal. The second broadcast signal is a signal included in the terrestrial digital enhanced television broadcast. The second broadcast signal includes the video signal of the next-generation terrestrial digital enhanced television broadcast as the second video signal. "The presence of at least a part of the broadcast signal is confirmed" may mean that synchronization by the receiver 100 is possible but it is not selectable. When terrestrial digital enhanced television broadcast is performed in addition to the current broadcast, the total number of broadcast signals may be more than the number of the first broadcast signals.

[0017] The receiver 100 extracts a data signal from the broadcast signal input from the antenna unit 80 and presents the audio and video of the broadcast program as the content transmitted by the extracted data signal. The receiver 100 measures the reception quality of the broadcast data signal.

[0018] The receiver 100 determines whether the reception quality is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. The receiver 100 determines the changes in the number of the first broadcast signals and the total number of broadcast signals respectively. The receiver 100 outputs notification information indicating the possibility of the reception quality degradation of the first broadcast signal caused by the increase in the number of the second broadcast signals for the first broadcast signal based on its reception quality and at least one of the changes in the number of the first broadcast signals and the total number of broadcast signals.

[0019] The receiver 100 includes a main system unit 10, a transceiver module 40, an operation input unit 50, a speaker 60, and a display unit 70. The speaker 60 and the display unit 70 function as a notification unit 55 for notifying various types of information. The notified information includes, for example, notification information for guiding the start of the terrestrial digital enhanced television broadcast.

[0020] The main system unit 10 separates a data signal and a pilot signal (reference signal) from the broadcast signal input from the antenna unit 80. The main system unit 10 separates a control signal and a content signal from the separated data signal. The control signal is a signal that carries various control information used for the reception processing of the broadcast signal. The content signal is a signal that carries content. The main system unit 10 decodes an audio signal and a video signal indicating the audio that makes up the content. The main system unit 10 outputs the decoded audio signal to the speaker 60 and outputs the decoded video signal to the display unit 70.

[0021] The speaker 60 outputs sound based on the audio signal input from the main system unit 10. The display unit 70 displays an image based on the video signal input from the main system unit 10 on the display surface. The display unit 70 includes, for example, a display element and a drive circuit for driving the display element. The display element may be any type of display such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic electroluminescence display, etc.

[0022] The transmission / reception module 40 is connected to a communication network wirelessly or by wire and transmits and receives various data with devices connected to the communication network. The transmission / reception module 40 is connected to an in-house communication network compliant with standard specifications such as IEEE802.3, IEEE802.11, IEEE802.15.3, etc. The transmission / reception module 40 connects to a target device via the network and transmits and receives data with that device. The transmission / reception module 40 transmits the transmission data input from the main system unit 10 to the target device and outputs the received data received from the source device to the main system unit 10.

[0023] The operation input unit 50 acquires operation signals based on user operations and outputs the acquired operation signals to the main system unit 10. The main system unit 10 controls the operation based on the operation signals input from the operation input unit 50. The operation signals instruct the execution and stopping of predetermined functions, broadcast channels, settings of various information, volume, color, etc. The operation input unit 50 may be equipped with components that accept operations. Such components may be dedicated components such as buttons, dials, knobs, etc., or general-purpose components such as touch sensors, mice, etc.

[0024] The touch sensor may be integrated with the display and function as a touch panel. The operation input unit 50 may include a sensor that wirelessly receives operation signals from a remote controller (remote control). The sensor may be any component capable of detecting electromagnetic waves that carry operation signals, such as an infrared sensor.

[0025] The main system unit 10 comprises a control unit 12, a broadcast receiving unit 13, an audio processing unit 20, a display processing unit 24, a storage unit 26, a flash memory 28, and a digital I / F 30.

[0026] The control unit 12 controls the processing of each part of the receiver 100 and enables the receiver 100 to perform its functions. The control unit 12 may be composed of dedicated hardware, or it may be composed of a general-purpose computer system. The computer system includes at least an arithmetic processing unit and a storage medium. As the arithmetic processing unit, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) may be used. A storage unit 26 and flash memory 28 are used as the storage medium.

[0027] The arithmetic processing unit reads a program pre-stored in the flash memory 28, for example, and loads the read program into the storage unit 26. The arithmetic processing unit executes the program loaded into the storage unit 26 to realize the functions of the control unit 12. In this application, "execution of a program" or "executing a program" includes the meaning of executing the processing related to the instructions described in that program.

[0028] The control unit 12 may receive operation signals from the operation input unit 50. The control unit 12 may perform processing using various information indicated by the operation signals. The control unit 12 may output audio signals or video signals acquired by the processing it performs to the audio processing unit 20 or the display processing unit 24, respectively. The functions of the control unit 12 may be realized by executing a program acquired by software download. In software download, the program is carried over a broadcast wave as part of a data signal. The presence or absence of the program or the time the program is transmitted may be notified, for example, using notification information multiplexed into the content signal.

[0029] When the content signal of a broadcast program is multiplexed using the MMT-TLV (MPEG Media Transport - Length Value) method, notification information may be transmitted as an information element, for example, using an MH-SDTT (Software Download Trigger Table). The control unit 12 can extract the program from the data signal obtained at the time notified by the notification information.

[0030] The current signal and the advanced signal may be modulated using different modulation schemes. Even if receiver 100 successfully demodulates the current signal, it may not be able to demodulate the advanced signal. When receiving the current broadcast, the reception quality may deteriorate due to multi-wave reception (for example, intermodulation distortion due to other signal inputs) caused by the addition of the advanced broadcast.

[0031] Therefore, the control unit 12 determines whether the deterioration of reception quality is due to the enhanced signal using the following method. More specifically, the control unit 12 identifies the number of first broadcast signals and the total number of broadcast signals. The control unit 12 also identifies whether the reception quality is above a predetermined threshold.

[0032] In this embodiment, the control unit 12 generates a display screen representing the first type of notification information (referred to as the "first type display screen" in this application) based on the reception quality and at least one of the number of first broadcast signals and the total number of broadcast signals, and outputs a video signal showing the generated display screen to the display processing unit 24. The display unit 70 presents the first type of notification information based on the video signal input via the display processing unit 24.

[0033] The first type of notification information indicates the possibility of reception problems associated with the commencement of advanced terrestrial broadcasting. In other words, the first type of notification information indicates the possibility of deterioration in reception quality due to an increase in the number of data signals in the first broadcast signal that are part of the second broadcast signal. The control unit 12 may determine whether or not the reception quality of the data signals in the first broadcast signal falls below a predetermined reception quality threshold (referred to as the "reception quality threshold" in this application).

[0034] The timing at which the control unit 12 performs the output determination process for the notification information described above is, for example, when a new broadcast channel is selected due to user operation of the receiver 100. The broadcast channel provided by the first broadcast signal may be the broadcast channel indicated by the operation signal input from the operation input unit 50. The selection of a new broadcast channel includes not only changing from the broadcast channel currently receiving the broadcast signal to another broadcast channel, but also, for example, after the power supply is restored, identifying a receiving channel indicated by the receiving channel information previously stored in the storage unit 26 before the power was cut off.

[0035] The broadcast receiving unit 13 demodulates the data signal transmitted by the broadcast signal input from the antenna unit 80, and extracts the audio signal and video signal of the broadcast program from the demodulated data signal. The broadcast receiving unit 13 outputs the extracted audio signal and video signal to the audio processing unit 20 and the display processing unit 24, respectively. The broadcast receiving unit 13 includes a tuner unit 14, a demodulation unit 16, and a descramble / demax unit 18.

[0036] The tuner unit 14 selects the broadcast channel indicated by the tuning information input from the control unit 12 as the first broadcast channel of the broadcast signal input from the antenna unit 80. The tuning information is indicated by an operation signal input from the operation input unit 50. The tuner unit 14 downconverts the input broadcast signal based on the center frequency (broadcast frequency) corresponding to the selected broadcast channel and converts it into an intermediate frequency (IF: Inter-frequency) signal.

[0037] The tuner unit 14 measures the strength of the incoming received signal as the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). The tuner unit 14 outputs the measured received signal strength to the control unit 12. Based on the measured received signal strength, the tuner unit 14 adjusts the amplitude so that the signal level of the IF signal falls within a predetermined range. The tuner unit 14 outputs the amplitude-adjusted IF signal to the demodulation unit 16.

[0038] The demodulation unit 16 demodulates the IF signal input from the tuner unit 14 using a predetermined demodulation method and converts it into a digital signal. The demodulation unit 16 performs error detection and error correction on the converted digital signal. The demodulation unit 16 uses a method corresponding to the modulation method used to modulate the broadcast digital signal as the predetermined demodulation method. For example, a method corresponding to modulation methods such as 64QAM or 16QAM may be used as the demodulation method.

[0039] The demodulation unit 16 measures the reception quality of the input IF signal. The demodulation unit 16 measures indicators of reception quality, such as C / N (signal-to-noise ratio) and bit error rate (BER). The demodulation unit 16 calculates the modulation error ratio (MER) from the demodulated signal using a known method, for example. The modulation error ratio is an indicator that shows the magnitude of fluctuation from a predetermined reference value of the values ​​of individual symbols representing the IF signal.

[0040] The demodulation unit 16 can convert MER to C / N using a known conversion formula. C / N is an indicator that a higher value indicates higher reception quality. BER is an indicator that shows the ratio of bits containing errors to the total number of bits. In error detection, the demodulation unit 16 compares a calculated value obtained by performing a certain arithmetic process on each block that forms part of the digital signal with an error detection code and determines whether the two match.

[0041] When transmitting a data signal, the calculated value obtained by the arithmetic processing for each block is added as an error detection code. The demodulation unit 16 detects a bit error when the two do not match, and can determine the BER based on the frequency of bit error detection. A smaller BER indicates higher reception quality. The demodulation unit 16 outputs reception quality information, which is an indicator of the measured reception quality, to the control unit 12.

[0042] In this embodiment, the demodulation unit 16 uses the demodulated data signal when measuring the reception quality. The demodulation unit 16 can identify the data region of the IF signal to which data symbols constituting the data signal are assigned, and the pilot region to which symbols constituting the pilot signal are assigned. The pilot signal is a reference signal whose primary purpose is to measure the reception quality and is not intended for the transmission of information.

[0043] The demodulation unit 16 can generate data signals and pilot signals by concatenating bits represented by symbols assigned to the identified data area and pilot area, respectively. Symbol arrangement may be indicated, for example, by a TMCC signal that constitutes a control signal. The data area includes a control area (e.g., the TMCC area) where symbols constituting control signals are carried, and other areas.

[0044] Symbols representing content signals are assigned to the remaining areas. The demodulation unit 16 can generate control signals and content signals by concatenating the bits represented by the symbols assigned to the specified control area and the remaining areas. The demodulation unit 16 outputs the generated content signals to the descramble demax unit 18.

[0045] The descramble demax unit 18 performs descrambling on the content signal input from the demodulation unit 16. Descrambling is equivalent to descrambling. In descrambling, the bit sequence of the input content signal is rearranged in the reverse order of scrambling, which is performed on the bit sequence of the broadcast content signal.

[0046] The descrambled demax unit 18 demultiplexes the data signal obtained by descrambling by referring to the configuration information multiplexed into the content signal, separating it into its constituent signals such as audio and video signals (demultiplexing). When the MMT-TLV method is used for multiplexing the content signal, the configuration information is described in the MPT (MMT Package Table). The descrambled demax unit 18 outputs the extracted audio and video signals to the audio processing unit 20 and the display processing unit 24, respectively.

[0047] The audio processing unit 20 decodes the audio signal input from the descramble demax unit 18 using a predetermined audio decoding method. The predetermined audio decoding method can be any method that corresponds to the audio encoding method used to encode the broadcast audio signal (for example, AAC: Advanced Audio Coding, MPEG-4 AUDIO, etc.).

[0048] The audio processing unit 20 outputs the decoded audio signal or the audio signal input from the control unit 12 to the speaker 60. If audio signals are input simultaneously from the control unit 12 and the descramble demax unit 18, the audio processing unit 20 may add (mix) the decoded audio signal and the audio signal input from the control unit 12 and output the resulting audio signal to the speaker 60.

[0049] The display processing unit 24 decodes the video signal input from the descramble demax unit 18 using a predetermined video decoding method. The predetermined video decoding method can be any method that corresponds to the video encoding method used to encode the broadcast video signal (for example, HEVC: High Efficiency Video Coding, AVC: Advanced Video Coding, etc.).

[0050] The display processing unit 24 outputs the decoded video signal or the video signal input from the control unit 12 to the display unit 70. If video signals are input simultaneously from the control unit 12 and the descramble demax unit 18, the display processing unit 24 may superimpose the decoded video signal and the video signal input from the control unit 12 and output the resulting superimposed video signal to the speaker 60.

[0051] The memory unit 26 is an example of the main memory that constitutes the computer system of the receiver 100. The memory unit 26 is a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 26 is mainly used as a work area for the control unit 12. That is, the control unit 12 reads the program and parameters to be executed from the flash memory 28 and stores the read program and parameters in the memory unit 26. The control unit 12 temporarily stores intermediate values ​​obtained by executing a certain process in the memory unit 26, and the stored intermediate values ​​can be used when executing other processes.

[0052] The flash memory 28 is an example of an auxiliary storage device that permanently stores various programs and data. The flash memory 28 can store setting information used in processing, parameters, and measurement data such as reception quality. The receiver 100 may also be equipped with an SSD (Solid Storage Device), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc., as an auxiliary storage device, either in place of or in conjunction with the flash memory 28.

[0053] The digital interface unit 30 inputs and outputs various types of data to and from the transmitting / receiving module 40. The digital interface unit 30 outputs the transmission signal input from the control unit 12 to the transmitting / receiving module 40. The digital interface unit 30 outputs the reception signal input from the transmitting / receiving module 40 to the control unit 12.

[0054] The receiver 100 performs a channel search in response to user operation during installation (first use). During the channel search, the receiver 100 detects broadcast channels that can stably receive broadcast signals in the receiving environment where the receiver 100 is installed, and registers the broadcast channel information indicating the detected broadcast channels in the receiver.

[0055] In the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, the control unit 12 of the main system unit 10 is instructed to start channel searching by an operation signal input from the operation input unit 50 in response to user operation. At this time, the control unit 12 reads the control program from the storage unit 26, loads it into the flash memory 28, and starts its execution.

[0056] The control unit 12 sets the frequency for each terrestrial digital broadcast channel in the tuner unit 14. The tuner unit 14 outputs an IF signal based on the broadcast signal carried at the set frequency to the demodulation unit 16. The control unit 12 obtains the received signal strength from the tuner unit 14 and determines whether or not there is a broadcast wave on the selected channel based on the obtained received signal strength.

[0057] The control unit 12 may determine whether the conditions for tuning a channel with this device are met based on the control information indicated by the control signal acquired from the demodulation unit 16. The control unit 12 monitors the reception quality information input from the demodulation unit 16 and determines whether stable reception is possible based on the reception quality information. The control unit 12 sequentially performs these processes for each of the broadcast channels assigned to terrestrial digital broadcasting.

[0058] The control unit 12 counts the number of actual broadcast waves and the number of broadcast waves that can be stably received based on the presence or absence of broadcast waves and reception quality information for each broadcast channel. The number of actual broadcast waves corresponds to the number of broadcast channels from which broadcast signals can be received. The number of broadcast waves that can be stably received corresponds to the number of broadcast channels that can be selected by the user. The control unit 12 stores the number of selectable broadcast channels as the number of first broadcast signals in the flash memory 28.

[0059] The control unit 12 stores in the flash memory 28 the sum of the number of broadcast channels that can be selected and the number of broadcast channels that could not be selected despite successful synchronization, as the number of second broadcast signals. The control unit 12 also stores in the flash memory 28 the information obtained through channel search as channel search information.

[0060] The control unit 12 periodically performs a channel search after the receiver 100 is installed to check for the presence of newly receivable broadcast waves. The control unit 12 may, for example, have a predetermined execution time set in advance and perform the channel search during the set execution time. The control unit 12 may also perform the channel search as a background process, regardless of whether the user is watching a broadcast program or not.

[0061] For example, if the broadcast receiving unit 13 has the capability to process broadcast signals that provide multiple broadcast channels simultaneously, the control unit 12 may acquire reception quality information based on broadcast signals that provide channels other than the selected channel selected by the user.

[0062] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a first example of the channel search process according to this embodiment. An example of the channel search process according to this embodiment will be explained using Figure 2.

[0063] (Step S102) When the current time reaches a preset execution time, the control unit 12 starts the channel search process. In the channel search, the control unit 12 performs the following processing for each broadcast channel.

[0064] (Step S104) The control unit 12 obtains the number of broadcast wave channels and the number of existing 2K broadcast reception channels. The number of broadcast wave channels corresponds to at least the number of broadcast signals that have successfully undergone synchronization processing. In this case, the number of broadcast wave channels may correspond to the sum of the number of first broadcast signals and the number of second broadcast signals (i.e., the total number of broadcast signals). The number of existing 2K broadcast reception channels is the number of first broadcast signals that have successfully undergone channel selection processing in addition to synchronization processing.

[0065] (Step S106) Based on the control information obtained from the demodulation unit 16, the control unit 12 compares the number of first broadcast signals and the total number of broadcast signals obtained in the current channel search with the number of first broadcast signals and the total number of broadcast signals obtained in the previous channel search for the broadcast channel in question, which are included in the channel search information stored in the flash memory 28, and determines whether or not there has been a change in the number of channels.

[0066] If there is a difference between the number of first broadcast signals acquired this time and the number of first broadcast signals acquired last time, or if there is a difference between the total number of broadcast signals acquired this time and the total number of broadcast signals acquired last time, the process proceeds to step S108. If there is no difference between the number of first broadcast signals acquired this time and the number of first broadcast signals acquired last time, or if there is no difference between the total number of broadcast signals acquired this time and the total number of broadcast signals acquired last time, the process in Figure 2 is terminated.

[0067] (Step S108) The control unit 12 stores in the flash memory 28 the number of broadcast wave channels (total number of broadcast signals) and the number of existing 2K broadcast reception channels (number of first broadcast signals) acquired in the current channel search, as well as the number of broadcast wave channels (total number of broadcast signals) and the number of existing 2K broadcast reception channels (number of first broadcast signals) acquired in the previous channel search.

[0068] (Step S110) The control unit 12 stores the current date and time in the flash memory 28 as the acquisition date and time for the current broadcast wave channel count (total number of broadcast signals) and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count (number of first broadcast signals) for the broadcast channel to be processed. The information stored in steps S108 and S110 constitutes part of the channel search information.

[0069] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of the output determination process according to this embodiment. Next, an example of the output determination process according to this embodiment will be described. In Figure 3, we take the case where a broadcast channel is selected that provides 2K broadcasting using video with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 as the current broadcast. The data signal basically includes the 2K signal on which the video is transmitted as the current signal, and the terrestrial advanced signal is not multiplexed. The terrestrial advanced signal may include a 4K signal on which video with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 is transmitted.

[0070] (Step S202) The control unit 12 identifies the broadcast channel indicated by the operation signal input from the operation input unit 50 and outputs tuning information indicating the identified broadcast channel to the tuner unit 14 (2K broadcast tuning).

[0071] (Step S204) The tuner unit 14 measures the received strength of the IF signal selected from the broadcast signal input from the antenna unit 80 to the broadcast channel indicated by the tuning information. The demodulation unit 16 demodulates the IF signal obtained from the tuner unit 14 and measures the BER and C / N of the data signal extracted from the IF signal as reception quality. The control unit 12 acquires reception strength information indicating the received strength measured from the tuner unit 14 and reception quality information indicating the BER and C / N measured from the demodulation unit 16.

[0072] (Step S206) The control unit 12 determines whether the reception status of the selected broadcast channel is good or bad based on the acquired reception quality information. In determining whether the reception status is good or bad, the control unit 12 determines, for example, whether the BER shown in the reception quality information is greater than or equal to the Shannon limit. The Shannon limit corresponds to the upper limit of the BER at which the original bit sequence can be restored by error correction. If the reception status is determined to be poor (if YES in step S206), the process proceeds to step S208. If the reception status is determined to be good (if NO in step S206), the process shown in Figure 3 is terminated.

[0073] (Step S208) The control unit 12 obtains the current broadcast wave channel count (total number of broadcast signals) and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count (number of first broadcast signals), as well as the previous broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count.

[0074] (Step S210) The control unit 12 refers to the channel search information stored in the flash memory 28 and determines whether there has been a change in either the current broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, or the previous broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count. If there has been a change in either the current broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, or the previous broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, the process proceeds to step S212. If there has been no change in either the current broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, or the previous broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, the process ends.

[0075] (Step S212) The control unit 12 determines whether it has been within X days since a change was detected in either the current broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, or the previous broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count. The time when a change was detected in either the current broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, or the previous broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, is determined by the acquisition date and time of the current broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, and the previous broadcast wave channel count and the existing 2K broadcast reception channel count, as described in the channel search information.

[0076] X is a predetermined number of days (for example, 3 to 5 days). If it is determined that the time is within X days (if the result is YES in step S212), the process proceeds to step S214. If it is determined that the time exceeds X days (if the result is NO in step S212), the process ends.

[0077] (Step S214) The control unit 12 generates a Type 1 display screen representing Type 1 notification information indicating the possibility of deterioration in the reception quality of the current broadcast signal due to the increase in the advanced terrestrial broadcast signal following the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting, and outputs a video signal showing the generated Type 1 display screen to the display unit 70 via the display processing unit 24. The display unit 70 is shown Type 1 notification information indicating the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting and the possibility of deterioration in the reception quality of the current broadcast signal due to the increase in the advanced terrestrial broadcast signal following the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting. After that, the processing ends.

[0078] Figure 4 shows a first example of the Type 1 display screen according to this embodiment. Next, an example of a display screen according to this embodiment will be described. The Type 1 display screen illustrated in Figure 4 may be displayed immediately after channel selection when watching a broadcast program. The Type 1 display screen includes reception status information of the selected channel, reception signal quality, and Type 1 notification information. As Type 1 notification information, the message "Please check the website, etc., to see if next-generation terrestrial advanced broadcasting has started." is included in the area enclosed by the dashed frame.

[0079] Users who receive the Type 1 notification information will be made aware of the possibility of deterioration in the reception quality of current broadcast signals due to the commencement of advanced terrestrial broadcasting, and will be informed of the need to improve their reception environment. Unnecessary user support from broadcasters providing broadcasting services on the channel, as well as from receiver manufacturers or sellers, can be prevented.

[0080] Furthermore, the Type 1 notification information may include location information for guidance information indicating the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting by selected channel. Such location information may include a link to the address of the web server where the guidance information is stored (for example, URL: Uniform Resource Locator). When the control unit 12 detects that the link has been clicked, it may use the digital I / F 30 and the transmit / receive module 40 to request the guidance information from the device indicated by the URL and obtain the requested guidance information.

[0081] In this application, "pressed" includes not only the actual act of "pressing" but also the input of an operation signal indicating a position within that area. The control unit 12 may generate a video signal showing a display screen including guidance information and output it to the display unit 70 via the display processing unit 24.

[0082] The display screen shown in Figure 4 illustrates "Terrestrial-15" as the selected channel. "Terrestrial-15" refers to channel 15 of terrestrial digital broadcasting. The reception status information shows a reception status level of "E" and the explanatory text for that state, "The received signal quality is insufficient." The control unit 12 selects a reception status level corresponding to the measured received signal quality from a set of multiple reception status levels.

[0083] The control unit 12 has pre-set value ranges and explanatory texts for different reception status levels, and can identify the reception status level and explanatory text corresponding to the value range that the measured reception signal quality falls within. The display screen includes a message indicating things to check for the user regarding the reception status, such as "Please check if the antenna wire is loose and if the antenna power settings are correct. If the problem persists, the outdoor antenna needs to be inspected. Please consult your dealer or other service provider for inspection." This encourages the user to improve their reception environment.

[0084] In Figure 4, the received signal quality is represented using an approximate conversion value. This approximate conversion value is equivalent to, for example, 2.6 times the C / N ratio expressed in decibels. The current approximate conversion value is shown as "10," and the maximum value measured in the past is shown as "60." The current value is represented by a bar graph along with the recommended range. The recommended range is between 60 and 100, and is displayed as the "range in which stable viewing is possible." Because the current value is significantly lower than the recommended range, the user is prompted to check their reception environment. In the example in Figure 4, the first type of notification information includes a message indicating the possibility of deterioration in reception quality for the selected channel at that time due to the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting.

[0085] Figure 5 shows a second example of the Type 1 display screen according to this embodiment. The Type 1 display screen illustrated in Figure 5 shows the reception status of all broadcast channels, including terrestrial digital broadcasting and satellite broadcasting. The reception status information shows the reception strength for each broadcast channel and a symbol from A to E as the reception status level. However, for terrestrial digital broadcasting (terrestrial digital), past (YYYY / MM / DD) and current reception strength values ​​are shown. For satellite broadcasting (BS / CS antenna), the current reception quality and reception strength values ​​are shown.

[0086] However, in the example in Figure 5, the Type 1 notification information includes a message indicating the possibility of deterioration in reception quality for the selected channel at that time due to the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting. The selected broadcasting station and channel are identified as "Broadcasting Station B" and "U26," respectively.

[0087] If the receiver 100 has a recording function, the reserved broadcast channel may be selected immediately before the reserved recording start time. In that case, the user is not expected to see the screen of the display unit 70. Therefore, the control unit 12 may use a user notification function to provide Type 1 notification information. More specifically, the control unit 12 generates a video signal representing an icon indicating the presence of a message, outputs it to the display unit 70 via the display processing unit 24, and displays the icon.

[0088] The control unit 12 may continue displaying the icon even after the recording end time. The icon may be configured to represent, for example, a pattern that depicts an envelope, letter, etc. When the control unit 12 detects that the icon has been pressed, it clears the icon display and outputs a video signal showing a Type 1 display screen including a message representing Type 1 notification information to the display unit 70 via the display processing unit 24. At this time, the display unit 70 displays a Type 1 notification screen including a message representing Type 1 notification information. Note that the part of the Type 1 notification screen exemplified in Figures 4 and 5 with the Type 1 notification information removed may be used as the Type 2 notification screen.

[0089] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a second example of the output determination process according to the first embodiment. The process in Figure 6 includes steps S202, S204, S206, S216, S218, S220, and S214.

[0090] The processing in steps S202, S204, S206, and S214 is the same as in Figure 3.

[0091] (Step S216) The control unit 12 obtains the current broadcast wave channel count (total number of broadcast signals) and the previous broadcast wave channel count. The process proceeds to step S218.

[0092] (Step S218) The control unit 12 refers to the channel search information stored in the flash memory 28 and determines whether the number of broadcast channels has increased Y times consecutively since the first day on which the number of broadcast channels increased before the screen shown in Figure 4 or 5 was displayed. Y is a predetermined integer of 2 or more (for example, 3 to 5). The day on which the number of broadcast channels increased before the screen shown in Figure 4 was displayed is also referred to as a specific day or a specific point in time. If it has increased Y times consecutively (if YES in step S218), the process proceeds to step S220. If it has not increased Y times consecutively (if NO in step S218), the process ends.

[0093] Furthermore, by setting conditions related to the processing in step S218, it is possible to avoid displaying the screen shown in Figure 4 or 5 when the increase in the number of broadcast wave channels occurs for some reason unrelated to the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting.

[0094] (Step S220) The control unit 12 determines whether it has been within X days since the number of broadcast channels increased Y times consecutively. If it has been within X days since the number of broadcast channels increased Y times consecutively (if YES in step S220), the process proceeds to step S214. If more than X days have passed since the number of broadcast channels increased Y times consecutively (if NO in step S220), the process ends.

[0095] If more than X days have passed since the number of broadcast channels increased Y times consecutively, it is possible that the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting is not the main cause. Furthermore, since the screen shown in Figure 4 or 5 is displayed to the user, there is a high probability that the user is aware of the deterioration in reception quality due to the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting. Therefore, by setting conditions for the processing in step S220, it is possible to avoid notifying the user of redundant or unnecessary information.

[0096] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a third example of the output determination process according to the first embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 7 has an additional step S222 in addition to the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0097] (Step S222) The control unit 12 determines whether it has been within Y days since the start of displaying the screen related to Figure 4 or 5 in a given cycle. If it has been within Y days since the start of displaying the screen related to Figure 4 or 5 in a given cycle, the process proceeds to step S214. If more than Y days have passed since the start of displaying the screen related to Figure 4 or 5 in a given cycle, the process proceeds to step S214.

[0098] Here, a certain cycle refers to the period from when the series of output determination processes in Figure 7 are executed up to the final "termination" step, resulting in the presentation of Type 1 notification information, until the series of output determination processes in Figure 7 cease to present Type 1 notification information.

[0099] As described above, the receiver 100 according to this embodiment includes a broadcast receiving unit that measures the reception quality of a first broadcast signal, which is a broadcast signal in which the presence of at least a portion of the broadcast signal is confirmed and which is a broadcast signal that can be tuned to, and a control unit that determines that the reception quality is less than a predetermined threshold, and the control unit identifies the total number of broadcast signals, which is the sum of the number of first broadcast signals and the number of second broadcast signals.

[0100] The second broadcast signal is a broadcast signal in which the presence of at least a portion of the broadcast signal is confirmed, and is a different broadcast signal from the first broadcast signal. If the control unit determines that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold and that the total number of broadcast signals has increased after a certain point in time, it outputs notification information indicating the possibility that the deterioration in reception quality is due to the second broadcast signal.

[0101] This configuration allows users of the receiver 100 to be notified of the possibility of a decline in reception quality due to the increase in the terrestrial advanced broadcast signal relative to the current broadcast signal, resulting from the commencement of advanced terrestrial broadcasting. Therefore, users of the receiver 100 can understand that the possibility of the decline in reception quality being caused by a defect in the broadcast service or the receiver is relatively low. Unnecessary inquiries assuming defects in the broadcast service or receiver are reduced or eliminated, thus reducing or eliminating the need for user support for broadcasters, manufacturers, or sellers of the receiver 100. Furthermore, users of the receiver 100 can be encouraged to take effective measures against the decline in reception quality, such as inspecting or replacing the antenna or purchasing an advanced broadcast-compatible receiver.

[0102] The broadcast receiving unit 13 may measure the reception quality of the pilot signal added to the first broadcast signal as a measure of reception quality.

[0103] This configuration allows for a comparison of reception quality between the data signal and the pilot signal. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably estimate the decline in reception quality of the current broadcast signal caused by the increase in terrestrial broadcast signals due to the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting.

[0104] The broadcast receiving unit 13 may measure the carrier-to-noise ratio (C / N ratio) as an indicator of reception quality. This quantifies the degree of noise components relative to the data signal.

[0105] The broadcast receiving unit 13 may measure the BER as an indicator of reception quality. This quantifies the degree of bit error in the data signal.

[0106] The control unit 12 may output Type 1 notification information until a predetermined period has elapsed since the first occurrence of a quality degradation state in which it has determined that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold and that the total number of broadcast signals has increased after a specific point in time. With this configuration, Type 1 notification information is output when the number of broadcast wave channels repeatedly increases depending on the transmitted content and reception environment. Therefore, with regard to the deterioration of reception quality caused by the increase in terrestrial broadcast signals for the current broadcast signal due to the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting, it is possible to avoid false notifications due to accidental failures in the channel selection process, etc.

[0107] If the quality degradation condition occurs repeatedly a predetermined number of times or more, starting from the day the quality degradation condition first occurred, the control unit outputs the notification information. With this configuration, the notification stops after a sufficient period has elapsed for the user to become aware of the possibility of a decline in reception quality due to the increase in terrestrial broadcast signals relative to the current broadcast signal following the start of advanced terrestrial broadcasting. Therefore, the inconvenience to the user caused by the notification can be reduced or eliminated.

[0108] Furthermore, if a quality degradation condition occurs within a predetermined period from the first occurrence of the quality degradation condition, or within a predetermined period from the first output of the Type 1 notification information, the control unit outputs the Type 1 notification information.

[0109] Furthermore, the broadcast signal may also be a signal transmitted via a communication network, such as an IP broadcasting network, fiber optic network, cable television network, or mobile network.

[0110] Furthermore, in broadcast waves, the current broadcast signal (first broadcast signal) and the advanced terrestrial broadcast signal (second broadcast signal) may be superimposed at the intensity level.

[0111] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and include designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. The configurations described in the embodiments described above can be combined in any way.

[0112] The above explanation uses the example of a case where the receiver 100 provides broadcasting services using current broadcasting methods and does not provide broadcasting services using advanced broadcasting methods, but it is not limited to this. The receiver 100 may also have a function to provide broadcasting services using advanced broadcasting methods. In that case, the broadcast receiving unit 13 modulates the demodulated IF signal using the modulation scheme used for modulation.

[0113] When an advanced broadcast is selected in response to user operation, the broadcast receiving unit 13 may cause the notification unit 55 to present the content of the advanced broadcast based on the content signal separated from the demodulated data signal. When a current broadcast is selected in response to user operation, the broadcast receiving unit 13 causes the notification unit 55 to present the first type of notification information in accordance with the above method.

[0114] Furthermore, some components of the receiver 100 may be omitted, or other components may be added. For example, in the receiver 100, one or more combinations of the transmitting / receiving module 40, operation input unit 50, speaker 60, and display unit 70 do not necessarily have to be integrated into the receiver 100, as long as they can be connected to the main system unit 10 to input and output various types of data.

[0115] For example, in a receiver 100 configured as a dedicated television receiver, the transmit / receive module 40 may be omitted. In a receiver 100 configured as a set-top box or recording device, the display unit 70 may be omitted. The receiver 100 may also include an antenna unit 80 and be configured as an integrated unit.

[0116] Alternatively, a program to implement some of the functions of the receiver 100, for example, some or all of the functions of the control unit 12, may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (e.g., flash memory 28), and these functions may be implemented by having a computer system read and execute the program recorded on this recording medium.

[0117] The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as the operating system and peripheral devices. Furthermore, a "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0118] 1...Receiving system, 10...Main system unit, 12...Control unit, 13...Broadcast receiving unit, 14...Tuner unit, 16...Demodulation unit, 18...Descramble / Demax unit, 20...Audio processing unit, 24...Display processing unit, 28...Flash memory, 30...Digital I / F, 40...Transmit / receive module, 50...Operation input unit, 55...Notification unit, 60...Speaker, 70...Display unit, 80...Antenna unit, 84...Booster, 100...Receiver

Claims

1. A broadcast receiving unit that measures the reception quality of a first broadcast signal, which is a broadcast signal in which the presence of at least a portion of the aforementioned broadcast signal is confirmed and which is a broadcast signal that can be selected, The system includes a control unit that determines whether the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold, The control unit identifies the total number of broadcast signals, which is the sum of the number of first broadcast signals and the number of second broadcast signals. The second broadcast signal is a broadcast signal in which the presence of at least a part of the first broadcast signal is confirmed, and is a broadcast signal different from the first broadcast signal. If the control unit determines that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold and that the total number of broadcast signals has increased after a specific point in time, it outputs notification information indicating the possibility of a decrease in reception quality caused by the second broadcast signal. Receiver.

2. The broadcast receiving unit measures the reception quality of the pilot signal added to the first broadcast signal as the reception quality. The receiver according to claim 1.

3. The broadcast receiving unit measures the signal-to-noise ratio as an indicator of reception quality. The receiver according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned broadcast receiving unit measures the bit error rate as an indicator of reception quality. The receiver according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control unit determines that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold and that the total number of broadcast signals has increased since a certain point in time. The control unit outputs the notification information until a predetermined period has elapsed since the first occurrence of this quality degradation state. The receiver according to claim 1.

6. The control unit determines that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold, and that the total number of broadcast signals has increased since a specific point in time. If the quality degradation state occurs for a predetermined number of times or more, starting from the day the quality degradation state first occurred, the control unit outputs the notification information. The receiver according to claim 1.

7. The control unit determines that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold and that the total number of broadcast signals has increased since a specific point in time. If the quality degradation state occurs within a predetermined period from the first occurrence of this state, or within a predetermined period from the first output of the notification information, the control unit outputs the notification information. The receiver according to claim 1.

8. The first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal are superimposed in terms of intensity level. The receiver according to claim 1.

9. to the computer A program for causing a receiver to function as described in claim 1.

10. A receiving method in a receiver, The aforementioned receiver A first step is to measure the reception quality of a first broadcast signal, which is a broadcast signal in which the presence of at least a portion of the broadcast signal is confirmed and which is a broadcast signal that can be selected. A second step of determining whether the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold, A third step of identifying the total number of broadcast signals, which is the sum of the number of first broadcast signals and the number of second broadcast signals, If it is determined that the reception quality is below a predetermined threshold, and that the total number of broadcast signals has increased since a specific point in time, the system performs a fourth step of outputting notification information indicating the possibility of a decrease in reception quality caused by the second broadcast signal. The second broadcast signal is a broadcast signal in which the presence of at least a part of the first broadcast signal is confirmed, and is a broadcast signal different from the first broadcast signal. Reception method.

Images