Broadcast Receiver Automatic Input Switching During Non-Broadcasting Time Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing broadcast receivers lack the ability to automatically switch to video content from external devices when there is no receivable broadcast signal, requiring user intervention to select preferred content, leading to inefficiencies in power management and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A broadcast receiver with a receiving unit, external device connecting section, program outputting unit, non-broadcasting time zone detecting section, switching time zone setting section, timing determination section, and input signal switching section, which automatically switches to video content from external devices during non-broadcasting or switching time zones, eliminating the need for user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the broadcast receiver switches to power saving mode or turns off power supply circuit when broadcasting is not conducted, then electric power consumption is suppressed, but the receiver cannot automatically switch to external device input to provide video content that meets user preference
Solution Approach 1:
The control section stores broadcasting time zone information in advance and uses it to determine whether the current time falls within a non-broadcasting period. This preliminary preparation enables the receiver to proactively switch to external device input when broadcasting is not conducted, rather than waiting for user manual intervention, thus achieving both power savings and automatic content switching
Solution Approach 2:
The broadcast receiver automatically determines whether to switch input sources based on stored broadcasting time zone information without requiring user input. The system serves itself by autonomously deciding when to switch to external device input during non-broadcasting periods, eliminating the need for manual operation while managing power consumption
2Extent of automation
If the broadcast receiver automatically switches to other channels when synchronized signal is not detected, then program switching is automated, but there is no channel to switch to when broadcasting is over at all channels
Solution Approach 1:
The broadcast receiver is designed to handle multiple input sources (antenna input and external device input) through a single control mechanism. When all broadcast channels are over, the system universally switches to external device input (such as DVD player, video replay device) to continue providing video content, thus maintaining automation while adapting to the situation where no broadcast channels are available
3Productivity
If the broadcast receiver outputs recorded video and audio when broadcasting is over, then content can be provided during non-broadcasting periods, but the outputted content does not meet user preference or mood
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the receiver proactively outputting recorded content, the system inverts the approach by switching to external device input when broadcasting is not conducted. This allows the user's external devices (DVD player, video replay device) to provide content that the user has selected, ensuring content meets user preference and mood rather than the receiver unilaterally deciding what to play
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a broadcast receiver that can automatically enable input of a predetermined signal from external device, when there is no broadcast of program that is receivable at the broadcast receiver. The broadcast receiver 100 detects non-broadcasting time zone in which broadcast program is not broadcasted according to broadcast information (EPG data) included in broadcast signal received by antenna 10 or tuner 2. When it is determined that timing in which power was turned on to start the broadcast receiver 100 falls within the detected non-broadcasting time zone, the broadcast receiver 100 is capable to switch so as to enable broadcasting of video content that corresponds to video signal outputted by the external device connected to a group of external device connecting terminals 8 (connecting terminal 8a-8e), such as video replay device or the DVD player, at a display device 20.