Receiving apparatus and control method for receiving apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a receiving apparatus and a control method for a receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus can use a single sensor to expand the range for detecting the presence of a person. The receiving apparatus is provided with a sensor, an accumulation determination unit, an accumulation unit, an operation unit, and an indoor-presence determination unit, wherein the sensor acquires a plurality of pieces of distance-angle information; the accumulation determination unit determines whether to accumulate the plurality of pieces of distance-angle information; the accumulation unit accumulates the number of the plurality of pieces of distance-angle information, the accumulation of which is determined by the determination unit; the operation unit uses the number of the plurality of pieces of distance-angle information, which are accumulated in the accumulation unit, to calculate a threshold value used for absence determination; and the indoor-presence determination unit compares the number of the plurality of pieces of distance-angle information with the threshold value used for absence determination, and when it is determined that the number of the plurality of pieces of distance-angle information is greater than the threshold value, the indoor-presence determination unit determines that a person is indoors.

Description

Receiving device and control method of receiving device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2024-050369, filed with the Japan Patent Office on March 26, 2024, and entitled “RECEIVING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING RECEIVING DEVICE,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to a receiving device and a control method for the receiving device. Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, various sensors are used to detect people, objects, and the like, and to notify users of the detection results or to control various systems based on the detection results. Typically, sensors have areas where they can accurately detect location information and areas where they cannot.

[0005] Therefore, if a person is in an area where a sensor cannot accurately detect their location, their location cannot be accurately determined. For example, it is possible to install multiple sensors to detect the location of a person in an area where a single sensor cannot accurately detect their location. However, installing multiple sensors increases costs.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-225583

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-73574

[0010] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-66877. Summary of the Invention

[0011] An object of the present application is to provide a receiving device and a method for controlling the receiving device that can expand the range of detecting the presence of a person using a single sensor.

[0012] The receiving device of the present application includes a sensor, an accumulation determination unit, an accumulation unit, a calculation unit, and an indoor presence determination unit. The sensor acquires a plurality of distance angle information. The accumulation determination unit determines whether to accumulate the plurality of distance angle information. The accumulation unit accumulates the plurality of distance angle information determined by the determination unit to be accumulated. The calculation unit uses the plurality of distance angle information accumulated in the accumulation unit to calculate a threshold value for absence determination. The indoor presence determination unit compares the plurality of distance angle information with the threshold value for absence determination, and if it determines that the plurality of distance angle information is greater than the threshold value, determines that a person is indoors. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] 1 is a structural diagram showing the structure of a television receiver including a receiving device according to an embodiment;

[0014] FIG2 is a structural diagram showing an example of the structure of a sensor;

[0015] FIG3A is a diagram showing an example of DoA detected in a state where no one is present in a room;

[0016] 3B is a diagram showing an example of DoA detected in a state where a person exists in a non-detection area of ​​a sensor;

[0017] 3C is a diagram showing an example of DoA detected in a state where a person exists in the detection area of ​​the sensor;

[0018] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow for determining the presence of a person in a room by a receiving device;

[0019] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining whether the number of DoAs is accumulated;

[0020] 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the number of DoAs is accumulated;

[0021] 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the number of DoAs is accumulated;

[0022] 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the number of DoAs is accumulated;

[0023] 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the determination process of whether the number of DoAs is accumulated;

[0024] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the DoA number is accumulated.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1…receiving device, 2…monitor, 3…speaker, 4…receiving unit, 5…connecting unit, 6…communication unit, 10…control unit, 11…tuner, 12…memory, 13…device status detecting unit, 14…remote control event acquiring unit, 15…action history accumulating unit, 16…brightness detecting unit, 17…detecting unit, 18…sensor, 21…position information acquiring unit, 22…DoA acquiring unit, 23…DoA accumulation determining unit, 24…DoA accumulating unit, 25…absence determination DoA number calculating unit, 26…presence determining unit, 31…antenna, 34…remote control unit, 35…video recorder, 36…network line, 37…server, 41…modulated signal generator, 42…transmitting antenna, 43a to 43c…receiving antenna, 44a to 44c…mixers, 45a to 45c…ADC, 46…DSP, 100…television receiving device DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] FIG1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a television receiver including a receiving device according to an embodiment.

[0028] As shown in FIG1 , a television receiver 100 includes a receiver 1, a monitor 2, a speaker 3, a receiver 4, a connector 5, and a communication unit 6. The receiver 1 includes a control unit 10, a tuner 11, a memory 12, a device status detector 13, a remote control event acquisition unit 14, an action history storage unit 15, a brightness detector 16, a detector 17, and a sensor 18.

[0029] The control unit 10 includes a position information acquisition unit 21 , a DoA acquisition unit 22 , a DoA accumulation determination unit 23 , a DoA accumulation unit 24 , an absence determination DoA number calculation unit 25 , and a presence determination unit 26 .

[0030] The control unit 10 controls each unit of the receiving device 1. The control unit 10 is configured by a processor such as a CPU, and controls each unit of the receiving device 1 by reading and executing a program stored in the memory 12.

[0031] The monitor 2 is a liquid crystal, OLED (electroluminescence), plasma display, SED (surface electric field display), projection television, rear projection (rear projection type), or cathode ray tube (including flat panel type), etc.

[0032] A remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 34 is a terminal used by a user to operate the receiving device 1. When the user operates the remote controller 34, the signal transmitted is received by the receiving unit 4 and input into the receiving device 1. It should be noted that the remote controller 34 may also be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, an AI speaker, or the like.

[0033] The tuner 11 selects one channel from a plurality of channels of terrestrial digital television broadcasting and satellite digital television broadcasting received by the antenna 31 to receive the broadcast.

[0034] The connection unit 5 is connected to a recorder 35. The video content recorded in the recorder 35 is input to the receiving device 1 via the connection unit 5. The communication unit 6 communicates with the server 37 via the network line 36. The video content recorded in the server 37 is input to the receiving device 1 via the communication unit 6.

[0035] The receiving device 1 processes the input video and outputs an image signal and an audio signal. The image signal is output to the monitor 2, and the audio signal is output to the speaker 3, thereby allowing the user to watch the program.

[0036] The device state detection unit 13 detects the state of the device, such as whether the power of the monitor 2 is on or off, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 10 .

[0037] The remote control event acquisition unit 14 acquires a remote control event indicating that the remote control 34 has been operated by the user, and outputs the acquired event to the control unit 10 .

[0038] The action history storage unit 15 stores information such as the day of the week and time period when the monitor 2 is turned on and the user watches a program as an action history. The action history storage unit 15 outputs the stored action history information to the control unit 10 .

[0039] The brightness detection unit 16 is, for example, an illuminance sensor, detects the brightness of the room in which the receiving device 1 is installed, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 10 .

[0040] The detection unit 17 detects whether or not the moving image content recorded in the recorder 35 or the server 37 has been input, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 10 .

[0041] Sensor 18 is, for example, a frequency-continuously modulated wave (FMCW) radio wave sensor. Sensor 18 transmits a wave whose frequency changes over time and receives a wave reflected by an object. Based on information from the transmitted and received waves, sensor 18 estimates distance and angle. Distance and angle information (DoA), representing distance and angle information, is detected as points. Multiple DoA points are extracted as a cluster of points by detecting multiple DoA points and output to control unit 10. The detailed structure of sensor 18 is described using FIG2 .

[0042] The position information acquisition unit 21 uses the detection results of the sensor 18, namely, multiple distance angles (DoAs), to acquire the position information of people within the detection area 51 of the sensor 18 (see FIG3A ). As shown in FIG3A , with the front of the television receiver 1 at 0 degrees, the detection area 51 is defined by the angles +θ degrees to the right and -θ degrees to the left, and the distance D, facing the front. The area outside of the detection area 51 is the non-detection area 52 of the sensor 18 (see FIG3A ).

[0043] The DoA acquisition unit 22 acquires the number of pieces of distance angle information (DoA) (DoA number) using the detection result of the sensor 18 .

[0044] The DoA accumulation determination unit 23 determines whether to accumulate the information on the number of DoAs acquired by the DoA acquisition unit 22 .

[0045] The DoA accumulation unit 24 accumulates the number of DoAs determined to be accumulated by the DoA accumulation determination unit 23 .

[0046] The absence determination DoA number calculation unit 25 calculates a DoA number (threshold value) for absence determination based on the DoA numbers accumulated in the DoA accumulation unit 24. For example, the absence determination DoA number calculation unit 25 calculates the average value of the DoA numbers accumulated over time as the DoA number (threshold value) for absence determination.

[0047] The presence determination unit 26, which constitutes the indoor presence determination unit, determines whether a person is present in the detection area 51 and the non-detection area 52 of the sensor 18 based on the threshold value calculated by the absence determination DoA number calculation unit 25. Specifically, the presence determination unit 26 compares the currently acquired DoA number with the DoA number used for absence determination. If the currently acquired DoA number is greater than the DoA number used for absence determination, the presence determination unit 26 determines that a person is present in the detection area 51 and the non-detection area 52 of the sensor 18.

[0048] Next, the configuration of the sensor 18 will be described using Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor.

[0049] As shown in FIG2 , sensor 18 includes a modulation signal generator 41, a transmitting antenna 42, multiple receiving antennas 43a to 43c, multiple mixers 44a to 44c, multiple analog-to-digital converters (hereinafter, referred to as ADCs) 45a to 45c, and a digital signal processor (hereinafter, referred to as DSP) 46. It should be noted that in the example of FIG2 , sensor 18 includes a single transmitting antenna 42, but may also include multiple transmitting antennas.

[0050] The modulated signal generator 41 generates a modulated wave (transmission wave) whose frequency changes linearly with time, and outputs it to the transmission antenna 42 and multiple mixers 44a to 44c. The transmission wave generated by the modulated signal generator 41 is transmitted from the transmission antenna 42, hits an object and is reflected.

[0051] The plurality of receiving antennas 43a to 43c receive reflected waves (received waves) that have hit an object and reflected, and output the reflected waves to the plurality of mixers 44a to 44c, respectively.

[0052] The plurality of mixers 44a to 44c mix the transmission waves input from the modulation signal generator 41 and the reception waves received by the plurality of reception antennas 43a to 43c to generate IF (intermediate frequency) signals, and output them to the plurality of ADCs 45a to 45c.

[0053] The plurality of ADCs 45 a to 45 c convert the input IF signals from analog signals to digital signals, and output the converted digital signals to the DSP 46 .

[0054] The DSP 46 performs various signal processing on the digital signals input from the multiple ADCs to obtain position information (distance, angle) and velocity information of the object. Specifically, the DSP performs a Fourier transform (range FFT) on the input data in chirp units to obtain distance information. Next, based on the results of the range FFT, the DSP 46 performs a Fourier transform (velocity FFT) on a frame-by-frame basis to obtain velocity information. Finally, based on the results of the velocity FFT, the DSP 46 performs a Fourier transform (angle FFT) on all of the multiple receiving antennas 43a-43c to obtain angle information.

[0055] The sensor 18 performs distance estimation and angle estimation based on the distance FFT and angle FFT, thereby extracting a plurality of distance angle information (DoA) as a point group. The control unit 10 determines the presence of a person based on the plurality of distance angle information (DoA) extracted by the sensor 18.

[0056] FIG3A is a diagram illustrating an example of the DoA detected when no one is present in a room. FIG3B is a diagram illustrating an example of the DoA detected when a person is present in the sensor's non-detection area. FIG3C is a diagram illustrating an example of the DoA detected when a person is present in the sensor's detection area.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C , the sensor 18 includes a detection area 51 that can detect the accurate position of a person or the like, and a non-detection area 52 that cannot detect the accurate position of a person or the like.

[0058] 3A , even when a person is not present, the DoA is detected by the DoA sensor 18 due to slight swinging of the object, etc. However, the number of detected DoAs is small, and the position information of the person cannot be determined.

[0059] 3B , when a person is in non-detection area 52 (outside detection area 51) of sensor 18, a certain degree of DoA is detected in a dispersed manner by sensor 18. However, the number of detected DoAs is small and dispersed, so the person's position information cannot be determined.

[0060] 3C , when a person is present in the detection area 51 of the sensor 18, the sensor detects many DoAs. Furthermore, the many detected DoAs are concentrated at one point, and the distance angle can be determined, thereby determining the position information of the person.

[0061] 3A to 3C , the number of detected DoAs is correlated with whether a person is present in the room. In this embodiment, the number of detected DoAs is used to determine whether a person is present in the room.

[0062] More specifically, when a moving object is present in a space (room), multiple DoAs (DoAs) are detected using distance and angle estimation. In other words, a large number of DoAs indicates the presence of several moving objects in the space. Therefore, the number of DoAs detected is monitored, and if it exceeds a certain threshold, it can be considered that a moving object or person is present in the space.

[0063] Next, a description will be given of a process for determining whether a person is in a room performed by the receiving device 1 configured as described above. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a process for determining whether a person is in a room performed by the receiving device.

[0064] First, the control unit 10 acquires multiple distance and angle information (DoAs) from the sensor 18 (S1). The position information acquisition unit 21 acquires the position information of the person (moving object) based on the acquired multiple DoAs. Furthermore, the DoA count acquisition unit 22 obtains the number of acquired DoAs (DoA count). Here, all distance and angle information (DoAs) is acquired, without distinguishing between those within the detection area 51 and those within the non-detection area 52.

[0065] The control unit 10 determines whether the position information acquiring unit 21 has acquired the position information of a person within the detection area 51 (S2). If the control unit 10 determines that the position information of a person has been acquired (S2: Yes), it determines that the person is indoors (S3) and ends the process.

[0066] On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the position information of the person cannot be acquired ( S2 : NO), it determines whether to use the acquired DoA number for DoA absence determination ( S4 ). The process of S4 is executed by the DoA accumulation determination unit 23 .

[0067] If the control unit 10 determines that the acquired DoA number is to be used for DoA determination (S4: Yes), it accumulates the DoA number in the DoA accumulation unit 24 (S5). The control unit 10 then calculates the DoA number for absence determination based on the accumulated DoA number (S6). The process of S6 is performed by the absence determination DoA number calculation unit 25.

[0068] On the other hand, the control unit 10 does not use the acquired DoA number for the DoA for absence determination (S4: No), and proceeds to S6 to calculate the DoA number for absence determination based on the accumulated DoA number. In other words, if the acquired DoA number is not used for the DoA for absence determination, the DoA number for absence determination is calculated based on the DoA number accumulated so far.

[0069] Next, the control unit 10 compares the DoA number for absence determination with the acquired DoA number ( S7 ), and determines whether the acquired DoA number is larger than the DoA number for absence determination ( S8 ).

[0070] If the control unit 10 determines that the acquired DoA number is not greater than the DoA number used for absence determination (S8: No), it determines that the person is absent (S9) and ends the process. On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that the acquired DoA number is greater than the DoA number used for absence determination (S8: Yes), it proceeds to S3, determines that the person is present indoors, and ends the process. The processes of S3, S7, S8, and S9 are performed by the presence determination unit 26.

[0071] Next, a description will be given of a process for determining whether or not the acquired DoA counts are accumulated.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining whether the DoA number is accumulated.

[0073] First, the control unit 10 acquires a plurality of distance angle information (DoAs) from the sensor 18 ( S11 ). The position information acquisition unit 21 acquires the position information of the person (moving object) from the acquired plurality of DoAs. Furthermore, the DoA number acquisition unit 22 acquires the number of acquired DoAs (DoA number).

[0074] The control unit 10 determines whether the position information has been acquired by the position information acquisition unit 21 (S12). If the control unit 10 determines that the position information has been acquired (S12: Yes), the control unit 10 does not accumulate the DoA number (S13) and ends the process.

[0075] On the other hand, when the control unit 10 determines that the position information cannot be acquired (S12: No), the control unit 10 accumulates the DoA number (S14) and then calculates the DoA number for absence determination based on the accumulated DoA number (S15).

[0076] Thus, the DoA number when the sensor 18 does not detect the position information of a person is calculated as the number of DoAs for absence determination. On the other hand, the DoA number when the sensor 18 detects the position information of a person is excluded from the calculation of the number of DoAs for absence determination.

[0077] Thus, the DoA counts detected during the time period when it is highly likely that a person is not indoors are accumulated, and the DoA count (threshold) for absence determination is calculated. It should be noted that whether to accumulate the DoA counts can also be determined by the processes shown in FIG6 to FIG10.

[0078] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the DoA number is accumulated. In Fig. 6 , the same processes as those in Fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0079] If the control unit 10 determines in step S12 that the person's location information has not been acquired, it then determines whether a remote control event has occurred within a predetermined time period (S21). The remote control event acquisition unit 14 acquires a remote control event indicating that a signal indicating an operation of the remote controller 34 on the receiving device 1 has been detected and inputs the remote control event to the control unit 10.

[0080] If the control unit 10 determines that a remote control event is within the specified time (S21: Yes), it proceeds to S13 and does not accumulate the DoA count. On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that there has been no remote control event within the specified time (S21: No), it proceeds to S14 and accumulates the DoA count. Specifically, if a remote control event occurs and the specified time has not elapsed since then, the control unit 10 determines that the remote control event is within the specified time. On the other hand, if a remote control event occurs and the specified time has elapsed since then, the control unit 10 determines that there has been no remote control event within the specified time.

[0081] When a remote control event occurs, it can be considered that a person is present in the space (indoors). Therefore, after the remote control event occurs, the DoA number acquired within a predetermined time is excluded from the calculation of the DoA number used for absence determination.

[0082] On the other hand, if no remote control event has occurred, there is a high probability that a person is not present. Therefore, if a predetermined time has passed after a remote control event has occurred and the sensor 18 has not detected a person, the acquired DoA number is used as the target for calculation of the DoA number for absence determination.

[0083] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the DoA number is accumulated. In Fig. 7 , the same processes as those in Fig. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0084] If the control unit 10 determines in the process of S21 that there has been no remote control event within the prescribed time, it determines whether it is a time period and a day of the week during which the receiving device 1 is normally used (S31). The control unit 10 refers to the action history information stored in the action history storage unit 15 to determine whether it is a time period and a day of the week during which the receiving device 1 is normally used.

[0085] If the control unit 10 determines that it is a time period or day of the week during which the video is normally viewed (S31: YES), the process proceeds to S13 and the DoA count is not accumulated. On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that it is not a time period or day of the week during which the video is normally viewed (S31: NO), the process proceeds to S14 and the DoA count is accumulated.

[0086] Generally, there are habits regarding the time period and day of the week for watching TV. Therefore, even if the sensor 18 does not detect a person during the time period and day of the week during which TV is usually watched, the acquired DoA number is excluded from the calculation of the DoA number for absence determination.

[0087] On the other hand, regarding time periods and days of the week when viewing is not generally performed, the acquired DoA number is used as a target for calculation of the DoA number for absence determination.

[0088] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the DoA number is accumulated. In Fig. 8 , the same processes as those in Fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0089] If the control unit 10 determines that the person's position information cannot be acquired in the process of S12, it determines whether the panel of the monitor 2 is closed (S41). The control unit 10 determines whether the panel of the monitor 2 is closed based on the detection result of the device state detection unit 13.

[0090] If the control unit 10 determines that the panel of the monitor 2 is not closed (S41: No), the process proceeds to S13 and does not accumulate the DoA number. On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that the panel of the monitor 2 is closed (S41: Yes), the acquired DoA number is weighted and accumulated (S42).

[0091] When the panel of the monitor 2 is on, the possibility of a person being present is high. Therefore, the acquired DoA number is excluded from the calculation of the DoA number for absence determination.

[0092] On the other hand, when the panel of monitor 2 is closed, there's a high probability that a person is not present. Therefore, when the sensor 18 detects no person, the acquired DoA number is used to calculate the DoA number used for absence determination, and the DoA number is weighted as more reliable information. For example, if the acquired DoA number is "5," it is determined to be a more reliable value for the DoA number when a person is not present, and "5" is accumulated multiple times as the DoA number in the DoA accumulation unit 24. This makes the DoA number (threshold) for absence determination calculated by the absence determination DoA number calculation unit 25 closer to the DoA number when a person is not present, resulting in a more accurate value.

[0093] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the DoA number is accumulated. In Fig. 9 , the same processes as those in Fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0094] If the control unit 10 determines that the person's position information cannot be acquired in the process of S12, it acquires the detection result of the brightness detection unit 16 (S51). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the room is bright based on the detection result of the brightness detection unit 16 (S52).

[0095] If the control unit 10 determines that the room is bright (S52: Yes), the process proceeds to S13 and does not accumulate the DoA number. On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that the room is not bright (S52: No), the process proceeds to S14 and accumulates the DoA number. For example, the control unit 10 determines that the room is bright when the lights are on, and determines that the room is not bright when the lights are off. Typically, the ideal brightness for the living room where the television receiver 1 is installed is 30 to 75 lx. Therefore, the control unit 10 may determine that the room is bright when the brightness detected by the brightness detection unit 16 is 30 lx or higher, and determine that the room is not bright when it is less than 30 lx. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may determine that the room is bright when the brightness detected by the brightness detection unit 16 is 30 to 75 lx, and determine that the room is not bright when it is not between 30 and 75 lx.

[0096] If the brightness detection unit 16 detects brightness and determines that the room is bright, there is a high possibility that a person is present. Therefore, even if the sensor 18 does not detect a person, the acquired DoA number is excluded from the calculation of the DoA number for absence determination.

[0097] On the other hand, if the room is judged to be dark, there is a high possibility that no one is present. Therefore, if the sensor 18 does not detect a person, the acquired DoA number is not included in the calculation of the DoA number for the absence determination.

[0098] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the process of determining whether the DoA number is accumulated. In Fig. 10 , the same processes as those in Fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0099] If the control unit 10 determines that the position information of the person cannot be obtained in the process of S12, it obtains the detection result of the detection unit 17 (S61). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the video content is input via the recorder 35 or the network line 36 based on the detection result of the detection unit 17 (S62).

[0100] If the control unit 10 determines that the video content is input via the recorder 35 or the network line 36 (S62: Yes), the process proceeds to S13 and does not accumulate the DoA number. On the other hand, if the control unit 10 determines that the video content is not input via the recorder 35 or the network line 36 (S62: No), the process proceeds to S14 and accumulates the DoA number.

[0101] When playing back a moving image recorded in the recorder 35 or a moving image recorded in the server 37 via the network line 36, there is a high probability that a person is present in the room. Therefore, even if no person is detected by the sensor 18, the acquired DoA number is excluded from the calculation of the DoA number used for absence determination.

[0102] On the other hand, even when the video recorded in the recorder 35 is not being played, there is a possibility that the person is watching a program received from the tuner 31, and it cannot be determined with certainty that a person is not present. Therefore, when the sensor 18 does not detect a person, the acquired DoA number is used as the basis for calculating the DoA number used for absence determination.

[0103] As described above, when there's a high probability of a person not being present, that is, when sensor 18 detects no person, the detected DoA counts are accumulated. When there's a high probability of a person being present, the DoA counts are not accumulated. Thus, by excluding DoA counts in situations where a person is present from the DoA counts used for absence determination, a more accurate DoA count can be accumulated. The DoA count (threshold) used for absence determination is then calculated based on these accumulated DoA counts.

[0104] Even if sensor 18 fails to detect a person's location information, control unit 10 determines that a person is present in the space if the DoA count detected by sensor 18 exceeds the threshold. As a result, even if a person is present in non-detection area 52 of sensor 18, which is outside the sensor's detection area and therefore cannot detect a person, the presence of a person can still be accurately determined using a single sensor. Therefore, receiving device 1 of this embodiment can expand the range within which a person's presence can be detected using a single sensor.

[0105] It should be noted that, as long as the steps in the flowcharts in this specification do not violate their nature, the execution order can be changed, multiple steps can be executed simultaneously, or they can be executed in a different order each time.

[0106] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other forms and can be omitted, replaced, or modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention and are intended to be included in the technical solutions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A receiving device comprising: A sensor that acquires multiple distance and angle information; an accumulation determination unit configured to determine whether to accumulate the number of the plurality of distance and angle information; an accumulation unit configured to accumulate the number of pieces of the plurality of distance and angle information determined to be accumulated by the accumulation determination unit; a calculation unit that calculates a threshold value for absence determination using the number of the plurality of distance and angle information accumulated in the accumulation unit; as well as The indoor determination unit compares the number of the plurality of distance and angle information with the absence determination threshold, and determines that the person is indoors if the number of the plurality of distance and angle information is equal to or greater than the threshold.

2. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein The receiving device includes a position information acquiring unit, which acquires the position information of the person based on the plurality of distance angle information. The accumulation determination unit determines whether to accumulate the number of the plurality of distance and angle information items in the accumulation unit based on whether the position information of the person can be acquired by the position information acquisition unit.

3. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein The receiving device includes a remote control event acquisition unit that acquires a remote control event indicating that the remote control has been operated. The accumulation determination unit determines whether to accumulate the number of the plurality of distance and angle information items in the accumulation unit based on whether the remote control event is acquired by the remote control event acquisition unit. The receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein: The receiving device includes an action history storage unit that stores user action history information. The accumulation determination unit determines whether to accumulate the number of the plurality of distance and angle information in the accumulation unit based on the action history information accumulated in the action history accumulation unit. The receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein: The receiving device includes a device state detection unit that detects an open / closed state of a panel of a monitor. The accumulation determination unit determines whether to accumulate the number of the plurality of distance and angle information items in the accumulation unit based on the detection result of the device state detection unit. The receiving device according to claim 5 , wherein: The accumulation determination unit accumulates a plurality of pieces of the distance and angle information in the accumulation unit when the device state detection unit detects that the panel of the monitor is in the closed state.

7. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving device includes a brightness detection unit that detects the brightness of the room. The accumulation determination unit determines whether to accumulate the number of pieces of distance and angle information in the accumulation unit based on the detection result of the brightness detection unit. The receiving device according to claim 1 , wherein: The receiving device includes a detection unit that detects whether a moving image content is input via a video recorder or a network line. The accumulation determination unit determines whether to accumulate the number of the plurality of distance and angle information items in the accumulation unit based on the detection result of the detection unit.

9. A method for controlling a receiving device, comprising the following steps: Get multiple distance and angle information, Determine whether to accumulate the number of the plurality of distance and angle information, The number of the plurality of distance and angle information items determined to be accumulated is accumulated in the accumulation unit, calculating a threshold value for absence determination using the number of the plurality of distance and angle information stored in the storage unit, and The number of the plurality of distance and angle information is compared with the threshold for absence determination, and when it is determined that the number of the plurality of distance and angle information is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is determined that a person is present indoors.

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