U.S. patent application number 13/160542 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-20 for broadcast receiving apparatus and starting method thereof.
Invention is credited to Katsunobu Kimura, Takeshi SAKAI.
Application Number | 20110255010 13/160542 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38739894 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110255010 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SAKAI; Takeshi ; et
al. |
October 20, 2011 |
BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS AND STARTING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
Display embodiments including arrangements wherein a waiting
condition of a display apparatus includes a first waiting
condition, and a second waiting condition being shorter in a
starting time, from time when the operation is made for turning a
power source ON until time when the image is displayed on a display
portion, and smaller in a power consumption, comparing to those of
the first waiting condition. A controller portion changes the
waiting condition of the display apparatus into the second waiting
condition, when a sensor detects the presence of a human being
while under the first waiting condition, and changes the waiting
condition of the display apparatus into the first waiting
condition, when no operation is made for turning a power source ON,
for a predetermined time period, after changing the waiting
condition into the second waiting condition.
Inventors: |
SAKAI; Takeshi; (Yokohama,
JP) ; Kimura; Katsunobu; (Yokohama, JP) |
Family ID: |
38739894 |
Appl. No.: |
13/160542 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12788892 |
May 27, 2010 |
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13160542 |
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11748108 |
May 14, 2007 |
7730507 |
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12788892 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/730 ;
348/E5.127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/42222 20130101;
H04N 5/781 20130101; H04N 5/85 20130101; H04N 21/44218 20130101;
H04N 5/63 20130101; H04N 21/426 20130101; H04N 5/4401 20130101;
H04N 21/4436 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/730 ;
348/E05.127 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/63 20060101
H04N005/63 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 25, 2006 |
JP |
2006-228804 |
Claims
1. A display apparatus, comprising: a receiving portion which is
configured to receive a digital broadcasting signal; a decoder
which is configured to decode the digital broadcasting signal
received on said receiving portion; a display portion which is
configured to display an image based upon a signal from said
decoder; a controller portion which is configured to display the
image on said display portion when an operation is made for turning
a power source ON upon a remote controller for controlling said
display apparatus, under a waiting condition of said display
apparatus where no image is displayed on said display portion; and
a sensor which is configured to detect a presence of a human being,
wherein said waiting condition of said display apparatus includes a
first waiting condition, and a second waiting condition, being
shorter in a starting time, from time when the operation is made
for turning said power source ON until time when the image is
displayed on said display portion, and smaller in a power
consumption, comparing to those of said first waiting condition,
said controller portion changes the waiting condition of said
display apparatus into said second waiting condition, when said
sensor detects the presence of the human being while under said
first waiting condition, and changes the waiting condition of said
display apparatus into said first waiting condition, when no
operation is made for turning said power source ON, for a
predetermined time period, after changing the waiting condition
into said second waiting condition.
2. A display apparatus, comprising: a receiving portion which is
configured to receive a digital broadcasting signal; a decoder
which is configured to decode the digital broadcasting signal
received on said receiving portion; a display portion which is
configured to display an image based upon a signal from said
decoder; a controller portion which is configured to display the
image on said display portion when an operation is made for turning
a power source ON upon a remote controller for controlling said
display apparatus, under a waiting condition of said display
apparatus where no image is displayed on said display portion; and
a sensor which is configured to detect a presence of a human being,
wherein said waiting condition of said display apparatus includes a
first waiting condition, and a second waiting condition, being
shorter in a starting time, from time when the operation is made
for turning said power source ON until time when the image is
displayed on said display portion, and smaller in a power
consumption, comparing to those of said first waiting condition,
said controller portion shifts the waiting condition of said
display apparatus into said second waiting condition, when said
sensor detects the presence of the human being while under said
first waiting condition, and shifts the waiting condition of said
display apparatus into said first waiting condition, when no
operation is made for turning said power source ON, for a
predetermined time period, after changing the waiting condition
into said second waiting condition.
3. The display apparatus, as described in the claim 2, wherein said
controller portion shifts the waiting condition from said second
waiting condition to said first waiting condition, when said sensor
detects no presence of the human being while under said second
waiting condition.
4. The display apparatus, as described in the claim 2, further
comprising a remote controller light receiving portion which is
configured to receive a light of a remote control signal from said
remote controller, thereby to output it to said controller portion,
wherein said remote controller light receiving portion is able to
operate in either said first waiting condition or said second
waiting condition.
5. The display apparatus, as described in the claim 2, further
comprising a main controller portion which is configured to control
said receiving portion, said decoder and said display portion,
wherein said main controller portion does not operate under said
first waiting condition, but operates under said second waiting
condition.
6. The display apparatus, as described in the claim 2, wherein said
decoder does not operate under said first waiting condition, but
operates under said second waiting condition.
7. The display apparatus, as described in the claim 5, further
comprising a main controller portion which is configured to control
said receiving portion, said decoder and said display portion,
wherein said main controller portion is unified with said decoder
in one body, and further said main controller portion does not
operate under said first waiting condition, but operates under said
second waiting condition.
8. In a method for controlling a starting operation in a digital
broadcasting signal receiving apparatus, said digital broadcasting
signal receiving apparatus having a receiving portion which is
configured to receive a digital broadcasting signal; a decoder
which is configured to decode the digital broadcasting signal
received on said receiving portion; a controller portion which is
configured to output a signal decoded in said decoder, responding
to an operation for turning a power source ON upon a remote
controller for controlling said digital broadcasting signal
receiving apparatus; and a sensor which is configured to detect a
presence of a human being, wherein said controller portion controls
a waiting condition in either a first waiting condition or a second
waiting condition, depending on a result of detection of said
sensor when said digital broadcasting signal receiving apparatus is
in the waiting condition, wherein said second waiting condition is
shorter in a starting time, from time when the operation is made
for turning said tower source ON until time when the signal decoded
in said decoder is outputted, and is smaller in a power
consumption, comparing to those of said first waiting condition,
and said controller portion changes the waiting condition into the
second waiting condition when said sensor detects the presence of
the human being while under said first waiting condition, and
controls in such a manner that the waiting condition is turned back
to the first waiting condition when no operation for turning said
power source ON is made until time when passing a predetermined
time period after said change.
9. A display apparatus, comprising: a receiving portion which is
configured to receive a digital broadcasting signal; a decoder
which is configured to decode the digital broadcasting signal
received on said receiving portion; a display portion which is
configured to display an image based upon a signal from said
decoder; a controller portion which is configured to display the
image on said display portion when an operation is made for turning
a power source ON upon a remote controller for controlling said
display apparatus, under a waiting condition of said display
apparatus where no image is displayed on said display portion, and
a sensor which is configured to detect a presence of a human being,
wherein said waiting condition of said display apparatus includes a
first waiting condition, and a second waiting condition being
shorter in a starting time, from time when the operation is made
for turning said power source ON until time when the image is
displayed on said display portion, and smaller in a power
consumption, comparing to those of said first waiting condition,
said display portion is connected with an other apparatus through a
home network, and said controller portion exchanges between said
first waiting condition and said second waiting condition in
cooperation with an operation of said other apparatus which is
connected with said home network.
10. The display apparatus, as described in the claim 9, wherein
said other apparatus is a lighting device of a room in which said
display apparatus is installed, and said controller portion changes
the waiting condition of said display apparatus from said first
waiting condition to said second waiting condition, when said
lighting device is turned ON under the condition where said display
apparatus is in said first waiting condition.
11. The display apparatus, as described in the claim 9, wherein
said other apparatus is an air conditioner of a room in which said
display apparatus is installed, and said controller portion changes
the waiting condition of said display apparatus from said first
waiting condition to said second waiting condition, when a power
source of said air conditioner is turned ON under the condition
where said display apparatus is in said first waiting condition.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
12/788,892, filed May 27, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/748,108, filed May 14, 2007 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,730,507). This application relates to and claims priority
from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-228804, filed on Aug. 25,
2006. The entirety of the contents and subject matter of all of the
above is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] (1) Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving
apparatus for receiving a television broadcasting signal and a
radio broadcasting signal, and it relates, in particular, to a
broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving the broadcasting
signal(s) and a method for starting thereof, with treating a
predetermined process upon the broadcasting signal waves, which are
received by means of a signal processing device, including a CPU in
a portion thereof.
[0004] (2) Description of the Related Art
[0005] In television broadcasting, in recent years, there are
provided services of various kinds of methods, such as, terrestrial
digital broadcasting, digital cable broadcasting, etc., in addition
to the conventional analog broadcasting of NTSC method. Also,
accompanying with this, for the broadcast receiving apparatus,
further, it is also required to receive the digital broadcasting,
in addition to the conventional analog broadcasting, and for that
reasons, proposal is made on a broadcast receiving apparatus
executing various kinds of processes therein, including, such as,
tuning, waveform processing, etc., for example, with using a CPU
installing OS therein and/or a digital LSI, and/or it is in
practical use thereof.
[0006] As an example of this, by Japanese Patent Laying-Open No.
2005-191937 (2005), for example, is already known a receiving
apparatus for enabling to receive multi-method broadcastings
therewith, comprising a first CPU for controlling the tuning and
demodulation of analog broadcasting signal, the video signal
processing, and output of the video signal, a second CPU for
controlling the tuning and demodulation of digital broadcasting
signal, the video signal processing, and output of the video
signal, and a switch for changing over the outputs of video
signals, i.e., between the analog broadcasting signal and the
digital broadcasting signal.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] However, with a broadcast receiving apparatus, which is also
receivable of the digital broadcasting signal, in addition to the
analog broadcasting signal, though it was already mentioned in the
Patent Document 1 mentioned above, it is already known that it
takes times for receiving the digital broadcasting signal, in
particular, just after turning ON an electric power of a set, until
when it displays an image on a screen after receiving a channel,
comparing to the receiving of the conventional analog broadcasting
signal.
[0008] Thus, as was mentioned in the above Japanese Patent
Laying-Open No. 2005-191937 (2005), so-called a digital home
equipment, such as, a receiver enabling to receive the analog and
the digital broadcasting signals, in recent years, for example,
loads or mounts a CPU and/or a digital LSI installing OS therein,
and therefore, as a system control thereof, it is necessary to
execute downloading of microcode for each device and initial setup,
by downloading OS and extending the compressed data, after boot-up
of the CPU by turning ON the power source of that apparatus. For
this reason, it consumes much times for startup of the system (for
example, about 10 seconds or more). And therefore, the waiting time
until display on the screen after turning ON the power source of
this set results into a cause of irritating a viewer, and an
improvement of this is waited for.
[0009] However, the receiving apparatus for enabling to receive
multi-method broadcastings known by the Japanese Patent Laying-Open
No. 2005-191937 (2005), since it was accomplished by taking the
fact into the consideration, that a common one is broadcasted at
same hours, between the program on digital broadcast and the
program on NTSC analog broadcast, wherein the first CPU is able to
display a message on the screen during the time when the second
controller portion (i.e., CPU) is preparing an output of the
digital broadcast, by exchanging the switch mentioned above upon
basis of an electronic program information obtained from the
digital broadcast (i.e., by outputting the program of the analog
broadcast being short in the starting time thereof, prior to the
program of the digital broadcast having the long starting time.
Thus, with this, it is tried to reduce the time waiting for display
on the screen.
[0010] However, with the conventional technology mentioned above,
as is apparent from the details thereof, since it is achieved upon
an assumption of coexistence of the programs on the digital
broadcast and also the programs on the analog broadcast, therefore
it is impossible to deal with digitization (i.e., stoppage of the
analog broadcast) of all television broadcasts, since the analog
broadcast will not exist no more in the near future (i.e., starting
from the year 2011).
[0011] The present invention is still effective even in case of
shifting into the digital broadcast, and in particular, an object
thereof is to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus and a method
for staring thereof, for enabling to shorten the waiting time after
starting of that apparatus, irrespective of mounting the CPU and/or
the LSI installing the OS therein, as well as, suppressing
consumption of electric power during when the apparatus is in
waiting condition.
[0012] Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided
a broadcasting apparatus, comprising: a receiving portion, which is
configured to receive a signal broadcasted; a video information
processing portion, which is configured to produce a video signal
by conducting a predetermined process upon the broadcasting signal
received by said receiving portion; a display portion, which is
configured to display the video signal produced within said video
information processing portion; an electric power source apparatus,
which is configured to supply predetermined electric powers to each
of portions mentioned above; an electric power controller portion,
which is configured to control condition of the electric power
conditions of said each of portions mentioned above under waiting
condition; and a proximity detector portion, which is configured to
detect an approach of a human being to said detector portion,
wherein said video information processing portion includes, at
least in a portion thereof, a portion taking time for starting up
thereof, and said electric power controller portion controls the
supply of electric power from said electric power source to that
portion taking time for starting up thereof within said video
information processing portion, upon detection of an approach of
the human being by said proximity detector portion.
[0013] Also, according to the present invention, within the
broadcasting apparatus, as described in the above, preferably, the
portion taking time for starting up thereof includes a CPU
installing OS therein, or said electric power source apparatus has
a first condition for supplying electric power to said electric
power controller portion and said proximity detector portion, a
second condition for supplying electric power to the portion taking
time for starting up thereof within said video information
processing portion, in addition to said electric power controller
portion and said proximity detector portion, and a third condition
for supplying electric power to said each of portions of said
broadcasting apparatus. Further, according to the present
invention, preferably, said electric power source apparatus is
shifted into the third condition for supplying electric power to
said each of portions of said broadcasting apparatus, when starting
the main switch of said broadcasting apparatus, and moreover, said
electric power source apparatus is in the first condition of
supplying electric power to said electric power controller portion
and said proximity detector portion, under a waiting condition
prior to startup of the main switch of said broadcasting apparatus,
and also, said electric power source apparatus comprises a
connector portion to be connected with a commercial power source,
and always supplies electric power to said electric power
controller portion and said proximity detector portion,
accompanying with connection of that connector portion with said
commercial power source. In addition thereto, according to the
present invention, within the broadcasting apparatus, as described
in the above, said proximity detector portion detects the approach
of the human being to said detector by detecting physical change
within a space where said broadcasting apparatus is set up, and
said proximity detector portion is a camera portion, which is
attached on a portion of said display portion, for example.
[0014] Further, according to the present invention, also for
accomplishing the object mentioned above, there is also provided a
method for starting a broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising a
receiving portion, which is configured to receive a signal
broadcasted, a video information processing portion, which is
configured to produce a video signal by conducting a predetermined
process upon the broadcasting signal received by said receiving
portion, a display portion, which is configured to display the
video signal produced within said video information processing
portion, and an electric power source apparatus, which is
configured to supply predetermined electric powers to each of
portions mentioned above, wherein said video information processing
portion includes, at least in a portion thereof, a portion taking
time for starting up thereof, comprising the following steps of:
detecting an approach to said apparatus; and supplying electric
power from said electric power source apparatus to the portion
taking time for starting up thereof within said video information
processing portion, depending upon the approach of said human being
to said apparatus, thereby to shift into a waiting condition. And,
according to the present invention, within the method for starting
the broadcast receiving apparatus, as described in the above,
preferably, under said waiting condition is conducted a startup
operation upon a CPU installing OS therein, included within the
portion taking time for starting up thereof.
[0015] As was mentioned above, with the broadcast receiving
apparatus and the method for starting thereof, according to the
present invention, there can be obtained an effect superior from a
practical viewpoint, i.e., enabling to suppress the consumption of
electric power during the apparatus is in the waiting condition,
while shortening the waiting time after starting up that apparatus,
irrespective of existence of the CPU and/or the digital LSI,
installing OS therein, in other words, portions of taking time for
starting up.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Those and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily apparent from the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for showing the detailed circuit
configuration of a broadcast receiving apparatus, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outlook of the entire of
the broadcast receiving apparatus mentioned above;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for showing an example of the
inner structures of a remote controller, which builds up the
broadcast receiving apparatus mentioned above;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operations within
the broadcast receiving apparatus mentioned above, in particular,
when starting up; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for showing an example of an
arrangement of a camera apparatus, which builds up a human sensor
within the broadcast receiving apparatus mentioned above.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention
will be fully explained by referring to the attached drawings.
[0023] First of all, FIG. 2 attached herewith is a view for showing
the entire structures of a broadcast receiving apparatus for
receiving a digital broadcasting signal, so as to display it,
according to the present invention. Further, in this embodiment,
mentioning will be made upon an example of applying the present
invention, in particular, into a broadcast receiving apparatus, for
enabling to receive various kinds of services of the digital
method, such as, the terrestrial digital broadcasting, the digital
cable broadcasting, etc., i.e., so-called a television receiver
apparatus, for example.
[0024] In this FIG. 2, as will be also mentioned later, a broadcast
receiving apparatus 20 (i.e., being called by a tuner portion or a
control box) comprises a tuner therein, for receiving a television
broadcasting signal, and it is able to receive any one or an
arbitrary combination of a digital BS/CS broadcasting signal, a
terrestrial digital broadcasting signal, and a digital cable
broadcasting signal, or all of those broadcasting signals. Also, as
will be also mentioned later, this broadcast receiving apparatus
may build a hard disk drive (HDD) and/or a digital video
player/recorder (so-called, a DVD player/recorder) within an inside
thereof, or it may be attachable with those, externally, outside
that apparatus. Further, it may have input terminals and output
terminals for a video signal and a component signal.
[0025] On the other hand, a display portion 10, in particular, a
display panel 11 thereof is built up with a liquid crystal panel, a
PDP or a FED, etc., and any one of them is connectable with the
receiving apparatus 20 mentioned above. However, hereinafter,
explanation will be made with an assumption that either the liquid
crystal panel or the PDP is used to be the display panel 11. Also a
reference numeral 12 in the figure depicts speakers for outputting
audio therefrom. In addition thereto, a reference numeral 30 in the
figure depicts so-called a remote controller, to be used for a user
to control the receiving apparatus 20 mentioned above.
[0026] Between the receiving apparatus 20 mentioned above and the
display portion 10, electrical connection is made through a means
for electrically connecting, i.e., a cable 40. However, this cable
40 includes a video line and an audio line for supplying a video
signal and an audio signal (i.e., so-called the video signal) to
the display panel 10, a communication line for transmitting a
control signal, etc., from the receiving apparatus 20 to the
display portion 10, and also an electric power line for supplying
driving electric power from an electric power portion of the
above-mentioned receiving apparatus 20, which will be mentioned
later.
[0027] Next, in FIG. 1 attached herewith is shown the details of
the inner structures of the receiving apparatus 20 mentioned above.
As is apparent from this figure, the receiving apparatus 20
comprises, within an inside thereof, a (digital) tuner circuit 21
for selecting a desired one among the broadcasting signals, which
are received by means of an external antenna 50, and also a video
processing portion 200, being built up with one (1) chip LSI, for
example, which mounts a main CPU 201 in a portion thereof, as a
main controller circuit for controlling that apparatus, as a whole
thereof. Further, in the structures thereof, this video processing
portion 200 further comprises a MPEG decoder 202 and also a video
processing circuit 203, etc., for example, within an inside of that
chip, as well as, the main CPU 201 therein. However, this main CPU
201 has functions of tuning of the digital tuner 21 and also
controlling the respective processing circuits, and also various
kinds of functions for outputting a desired video signal. Also,
this main CPU 201 is also able to store electronic program
information obtainable from the digital broadcast into an
electronic program information storage portion provided within the
built-in HDD or the like, which will be explained later, or to
manage the program information of the digital broadcasts.
[0028] And, when receiving the digital broadcast, tuning of RF
modulation waves inputted from the antenna 50 mentioned above is
made by the main CPU 201 controlling the (digital) tuner circuit
21, upon the desired channel, and the video data is extracted from
it, so that the video data extracted is outputted to the video
processing portion 200. Further, in more details thereof, but not
shown herein, an IF signal outputted from this tuner circuit 21 is
demodulated, in particular, a digital modulation waver thereof
within a digital modulator circuit, and is outputted into a
transport decoder to be a transport data. And, in this transport
decoder, from the transport data is extracted (MPEG) video data,
thereby to output the extracted video data into the video
processing portion 200.
[0029] In this video processing portion 200, also under the control
of the main CPU 201 mentioned above, the MPEG decoder 202 treats a
MPEG decoding process upon the video data, which is obtained from
the tuner circuit 21 and treated with MPEG processing, and further
in the video processing circuit 203, the video data treated with
the MPEG decoding process is outputted into the display panel
(i.e., the display portion) 10, in the form of a predetermined
video signal required by the display portion. However, in this
instance, it is also possible to record that video data into the
built-in HDD 80 shown in the lower right portion in FIG. 1 or the
external DVD recorder 90, etc. Also, a reference numeral 204 in the
figure depicts so-called a memory, as a memory device, which is
provided separate from one (1) chip LSI (i.e., the video processing
portion 200) mentioned above, to be used when the MPEG decoder 202
executes the process thereof.
[0030] However, in the above, the main CPU 201 mentioned above, for
controlling the operations of the apparatus, as a whole thereof,
including those of the tuner circuit 21 and the video processing
portion 200 mentioned above, it is a CPU installing OS therein. For
this reason, it is necessary to execute downloading of micro-code
for each device and initial setup, by downloading the OS stored
within the memory and also extending the compressed data, after
boot-up of the CPU by turning ON the power source of that
apparatus. And for starting up of such system, there are cases of
taking about 10 seconds or more, sometimes.
[0031] Also, within the receiving apparatus 20 mentioned above, as
is shown in the left-hand side in FIG. 1, there are provided a
remote controller light receiver portion 36, for receiving a
control signal (for example, a signal of infrared ray) from the
remote controller 30, for a user to control the operation of the
apparatus mentioned above from a remote, further a human sensor 40
for detecting an approach of a human being to a television
receiver, i.e., the display system (i.e., including the receiving
apparatus 20 and the display panel (display portion) 10), and
further a main switch 22 for building up a switch for the said
display system as a whole, etc., being disposed on the side of that
panel.
[0032] And, in the receiving apparatus 20, according to the present
invention, as well as the main CPU 201 mentioned above, there is
further provided a sub-CPU 60, separately; i.e., a sub-controller
circuit being smaller in the consumption of electric power than the
main CPU 201. And, as is apparent from the figure, the sub-CPU 60
is connected to a STB (i.e., standby) power terminal 71 of a main
power source unit 70 provided within that apparatus. Further, this
STB (standby) power terminal 71 is a terminal, being turned into ON
condition always during a time-period when a power plug 75 is
inserted into (connected with) a commercial power source, which is
connected at a tip of a power cable 72 extending from the main
power source unit 70, i.e., the electric power source portion of
the receiving apparatus 20. For this reason, to this CPU 60 is
always supplied necessary electric power (from 1 watt to several
watts, approximately).
[0033] Also, though not shown in the figure, but the main power
source 70 generates various kinds of power-supply voltages desired,
with using electric power switching elements, etc., for example,
and it also starts supplying the various kinds of power-supply
voltages desired to predetermined power terminals, upon basis of a
control signal (CS.sub.U) from the sub-CPU 60 mentioned above.
However, in this FIG. 1, for the purpose of easy explanation
thereof and avoiding from complication, those power terminals are
shown by "?", collectively. Explaining in more details thereof,
those power terminals "?" are connected with the above-mentioned
tuner circuit 21, the main CPU 201, the MPEG decoder 202, the video
processing circuit 203, and the above-mentioned display 10 and the
panel 11 thereof, and further with the built-in HDD 80 and the
external DVD recorder 90 mentioned above, respectively, through
regulators R, R . . . (such as, a semiconductor switching circuit,
for example), enabling ON/OFF of the power supply, i.e., in such a
manner that each can be turned ON/OFF, electrically. And, to the
control terminals of those regulators R, R . . . are connected a
control signal (CS.sub.R) from the sub-CPU 60 mentioned above,
respectively, and ON/OFF of the regulators are controlled
therewith.
[0034] Thus, with the constructions of the receiving apparatus 20
mentioned above, the above-mentioned sub-CPU 60, which is connected
with the STB (standby) power terminal 71 of the main power source
unit 70 is turned into ON condition through insertion (or
connection) of the power plug 75 into the commercial power source,
and as a result thereof, the sub-CPU 60 is in the condition of
enabling to execute a predetermined process, always, irrespective
of presence of an instruction of power ON from the main switch 22
or the remote controller 30 mentioned above.
[0035] Further, in FIG. 3 attached herewith is shown an example of
the inner structures of the remote controller 30 mentioned above.
Thus, as is apparent from this figure, this remote controller 30
comprises at least a CPU 31 for building up a controller portion,
within a housing made of a plastic, for example, and also an input
portion 32 having ten keys, shift keys (cursor keys) and various
kinds of buttons, for example, for inputting various kinds of
instructions from an operator (or a viewer) to the CPU 31 mentioned
above, an output (display) portion 33 made of a liquid crystal
display or the like, for example, for displaying thereon the
outputs (various kinds of displays) from that CPU 31, and an
infrared ray transmitter portion 34 for converting the various
kinds of instructions, which are inputted by the viewer, into the
infrared ray signals, in accordance with the control signals
outputted from the CPU 32 mentioned above, thereby transmitting
them to the receiving apparatus 20. And also, this shows an example
of the remote controller 30, also providing a human sensor 40' for
detecting an approach of a human being to the television receiver,
within an inside thereof, through detection of being held on a hand
of human being, for example, in addition to the above-mentioned
human sensor 40, which is provided on a side of the receiving
apparatus 20. Also, a reference numeral 36 in the figure depicts a
power source made from a battery for supplying necessary electric
power to each of portions, which build up that remote controller
30.
[0036] Following to the above, detailed explanation will be made
upon the operations within the receiving apparatus 20, according to
the present invention, the detailed structures thereof were already
explained in the above, and in particular, the operations after
setting up the apparatus at a predetermined location, such as,
within a room, for example, starting from the condition of
inserting (or connecting) the power plug 75 of the main power
source unit 70 into the commercial power source up to when the
viewer turns the power of the apparatus ON through the main switch
22 or the remote controller 30 (i.e., the power button of the
remote controller), by referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4
attached herewith. However, the processes shown below are executed
by the sub-CPU 50 mentioned above, which is always in the operating
condition during the time-period when the power plug 75 is inserted
(or connected) into the commercial power source.
[0037] In this FIG. 4, when staring the process, the sub-CPU 60
mentioned above sets the television receiver, including the
receiving apparatus 20 and the display panel (display portion) 10,
into a first waiting condition (S41). Further, explaining this in
more details thereof, under this first waiting condition, supply of
the power from the main power source unit 70 is started, in
addition to the sub-CPU 60 mentioned above, further to the remote
controller light receiver portion 36 and the human sensor 40, and
thereby brining those remote controller light receiver portion 36
and the human sensor 40 also into the waiting conditions. Thus,
under this first waiting condition, the power is supplied to the
sub-CPU 60, the remote controller light receiver portion 36, and
the human sensor 40, so as to enable the operations thereof.
[0038] Thereafter, the sub-CPU 60 makes determination on if a human
being approaches or comes close to the television receiver or not
(i.e., including the receiving apparatus 20 and the display panel
(the display portion) 10 therein), with an aid of the detection
signal, for example, from the human sensor 40, and/or that from the
human sensor 40' provided with the remote controller 30 (S42), and
as a result thereof, in case when determination is made that no
human being approaches (i.e., "NO" in the figure), the process is
turned back to the step S41 mentioned above, again. Thus, this is
repeated until when detecting that a human being approaches thereto
(i.e., "YES" in the figure).
[0039] And, in case when detecting approach of the human being in
the determining step S42 mentioned above (i.e., "YES" in the
figure), the sub-CPU 60 mentioned above brings the television
receiver, including the receiving apparatus 20 and the display
panel (the display portion) 10, into a second waiting condition
(S43). Thus, under this second waiting condition, supply of the
electric power from the main power source unit 70 is started, at
least, to the main CPU 201 mentioned above, and further to the
constituent parts necessitating a relatively long time for starting
thereof, including the MPEG decoder 202 and the memory 204 thereof,
for example. In more details thereof, as was mentioned above, since
the main CPU 201 executes the downloading of micro-code for each
device and the initial setup, by downloading the OS stored within
the memory and also extending the compressed data, after being
boot-up thereof, therefore it consume a time, for example, about
ten (10) seconds or more. However, according to the present
embodiment, as was mentioned above, the apparatus starts various
kinds operations necessary for of the starting, including the
boot-up mentioned above, at the time-point when detecting the
approach of the human being (i.e., the second waiting condition).
And, after completing the starting operations, the apparatus is in
the waiting condition. Under this second waiting condition, since
no image is displayed on the display panel, no electric power is
supplied to the display panel 11 and the video processing circuit
203, etc.
[0040] Thereafter, the sub-CPU 60 further makes determination on if
the viewer turns ON or not the switch for operating the apparatus
(S44), for example, through pushing-down of the power ON button of
the remote controller or the main switch 22 mentioned above. As a
result thereof, in case when determining that the switch of the
apparatus is turned ON (i.e., "YES" in the figure), the normal
starting operation is executed (S45). Thus, in the television
receiver mentioned above, supply of the electric power from the
main power source unit 70 is started, further, to the constituent
parts necessary for the operations thereof, including the
constituent parts that are not yet started under the first waiting
condition and the second waiting condition, for example, the
display panel (the display portion) 10, the video processing
circuit 203, and the tuner circuit 21, etc. Further, it is also
possible to start supply of the necessary electric power, at the
same time, to the built-in HDD 80 and the external DVD recorder 90
mentioned above.
[0041] Thus, with the starting operation within the television
receiver, according to the present embodiment mentioned above,
startup is made in advance, by supplying the electric power, in
particular, to the constituent parts needing a relatively long time
for starting thereof, such as, the CPU and/or the digital LSI
installing OS therein, for example, under the second waiting
condition, i.e., at the time-point when detecting the approach of
the human being, the viewer, to the apparatus, and thereafter, the
electric power is supplied to the constituent parts necessary for
other operations of the apparatus, under the condition where the
switch actually operating the apparatus is turned ON; therefore it
is possible to shorten the waiting time after the starting of the
television receiver. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it
is possible to shorten the time from the time when turning the
power ON of the remote controller up to the time when an actual
image is displayed on the display panel 11, greatly, under the
waiting condition of the display apparatus 10, for example, from
about 10 seconds with the conventional apparatus down to 1 to 2
seconds.
[0042] However, in that instance, for example, the consumption of
electric power within the sub-CPU 60, the remote controller light
receiver portion 35, and the human sensor 40, which are started
under the first waiting condition mentioned above, is equal or less
than 1 W, and further, is 5-10 W at the maximum, even including the
power consumption within the MPEG decoder 202 and the memory 204
thereof; i.e., it is very small comparing to the power consumption
150-200 W of the LCD (liquid crystal display) or the power
consumption 200-300 W of the PDP (i.e., the plasma display panel),
building up the display panel (the display portion) 10. Therefore,
it is also possible to suppress the power consumption within the
broadcast receiving apparatus, in particular, during the waiting
time thereof.
[0043] Although the explanation in the above was made that, in
addition to the main CPU 201 mentioned above, the MPEG decoder 202
and the memory 204 thereof are also the constituent parts to be
started up under the second waiting condition, however the present
invention should not be restricted only to this; i.e., it is also
possible to start up as an unit, for example, if mounting the video
processing circuit 203, etc., on one (1) piece of substrate (or one
(1) chip), including those.
[0044] And, in the embodiment mentioned above, in case when
determining that the switch of the apparatus is not turned ON
(i.e., "NO" in the figure) as a result of the determination (S44),
the apparatus waits as it is until when the switch thereof is
turned ON. However, in the place of this, though not shown in the
figure, it is also possible to provide a timer of several minutes,
for example, so that it turns back, again, to the step S41
mentioned above, i.e., the first waiting condition, when that
condition of not turning this switch ON (i.e., "NO" in the figure)
exceeds the setup timer, and this may be preferable, in particular,
for suppressing the consumption of electric power when it is under
the waiting condition.
[0045] Following to the above, explanation will be made
hereinafter, upon the human sensors 40 and 40' mentioned above. As
is apparent from the above, in the present embodiment, the
above-mentioned human sensors 40 and 40' are provided for detecting
the fact that a human being, i.e., an operator (or the viewer) of
the television receiver approaches to the apparatus, so as to start
(i.e., power ON) that apparatus, in advance to the actual startup
(i.e., the power ON) of the apparatus. For that reason, as such the
human sensors can be adopted one for detecting change of
electrostatic capacitance due to approach of the human being (i.e.,
a proximity switch of electrostatic capacitance method), one for
detecting with using change of temperature due to approach of the
human being (i.e., a thermo-sensor), and further one for detecting
a touch on the remote controller 30 to be utilized for operation
thereof, in many cases, as is shown in FIG. 3 mentioned above
(i.e., a touch sensor), etc. Or, alternatively, in the place of
those, it is also possible to dispose a set, such as, a light
emitting diode (LED) of infrared rays or the like and a light
receiving element thereof, for example, at a predetermined position
(for example, at an entrance of the room where the television
receiver is set up), thereby detecting the approach through
interruption or shutoff of an optical path due to the human being.
Thus, the human sensor for building up the proximity detection
means detects physical changes within a space where the television
receiver is set up, thereby detecting approach of the human being,
i.e., the operator (or the viewer) to that apparatus.
[0046] Further, for example, as is shown in FIG. 5 attached
herewith, it is also possible to build up such the human sensor as
mentioned above, by attaching a single or a plural number of camera
apparatus(es), each of which is made up with a lens and a CCD
element, etc., for example, at a portion of the television
receiver, in particular, at a portion of the display panel (the
display portion) 10 opposing to the viewer when viewing. However,
in case when applying the camera apparatus(es) 110 as the human
sensor, it is possible to detect approach of the human being, with
much certainty, by detecting a skin color on an picture or image
which is picked up. Further, the process for that is executed with
an aid the sub-CPU 60 mentioned above, by inputting the picture
picked up from the camera apparatus(es) 110. Also, the camera
apparatus(es) may be attached at a portion of the receiving
apparatus 20 mentioned above, for example, in the place of the
display panel (the display portion) 10 mentioned above, in
particular, on the panel thereof.
[0047] It is also possible to change the timing for shifting
between the first and second waiting conditions, by changing the
detection sensitivity of the human sensors 40 and 40' mentioned
above. For example, if increasing the detection sensitivity of the
human sensors 40 and 40', since by the sensors 40 and 40' it is
possible to detect the existence of that user when she/he enters
into the room where the display apparatus 10 is set up, it is
possible to shift the apparatus from the first waiting condition
into the second waiting condition, as quickly as possible. The
detection sensitivity of the human sensors 40 and 40' may be shown
on a menu screen on the display, so as to be changed by the remote
controller through this menu screen.
[0048] Also, with the embodiment mentioned above, detection of
approach of the human being to the display apparatus, by means of
the human sensor(s) or the like, brings the apparatus to shift from
the first waiting condition into the second waiting condition.
However, the present invention should not be restricted to this.
For example, detecting is made upon the present time, with using a
timer, which is equipped with the display apparatus 10, inherently,
and the display apparatus may shifted from the first waiting
condition into the second waiting condition depending on that
present time detected. For example, since the time zones when the
viewer watches the television program are 6:00-8:00 and
18:00-24:00, in average, then as predetermined time zone for
shifting into the second waiting condition are set 6:00-8:00 and
18:00-24:00, in advance. And, when the present time detected by the
timer mentioned above enters into the time zones, which are set up
in advance, in case where the display apparatus 10 is in the first
waiting condition, then that display apparatus 10 is shifted,
automatically, from the first waiting condition into the second
waiting condition. On the contrary, when the present time detected
by the timer comes out of the time zones, which are set up in
advance, in case where the display apparatus 10 is in the second
waiting condition, then that display apparatus 10 is shifted,
automatically, from the second waiting condition Ito the first
waiting condition. Such the timer as was mentioned above may be
built in the sub-CPU 60 or the main CPU 201, for example.
[0049] Also, this time zone may be freely settable, by the user.
For example, on the display panel 11 is displayed a menu screen for
time setup, so as to into the time zone from this menu screen. If
that viewer watches the television program within a time zone
13:00-18:00, for example, the time 13:00 and the time 18:00 are
inputted on the menu screen with using the remote controller 30.
And, in case when the present time detected by the timer enters
into the time zone 13:00-18:00, which is set up by the viewer, the
display apparatus is shifted from the first waiting condition into
the second waiting condition, automatically. On the contrary, where
the display apparatus 10 is in the second waiting condition, that
display apparatus 10 is shifted from the second waiting condition
into the first waiting condition, automatically, in case when the
present time detected by the timer mentioned above comes out of the
time zone, which is set up by the viewer.
[0050] As was mentioned above, with shifting the apparatus into the
second waiting condition during only the predetermined time zone
with using the timer, it is possible to shorten the time from the
waiting condition until the display operation, while suppressing
the consumption of electric power under the waiting condition
thereof, at a low cost, without provision of new elements, such as,
the human sensor, etc. Further, also for the purpose of making the
display apparatus acknowledgeable to be in the first waiting
condition or in the second waiting condition, from an outlook
thereof, there may be provided a display or light emitting element,
such as, a LED, etc., for visually distinguishing the waiting
condition thereof. For example, three (3) kinds of LEDs are
provided, i.e., a green color LED, a red color LED, and a yellow
color LED, for example, wherein the red color LED irradiates when
the apparatus is in the normal operation condition, the red color
LED irradiates when it is in the first waiting condition, and the
yellow color LED irradiates when it is in the second waiting
condition. Also, it is possible to provide of two (2) kinds of
LEDs, i.e., a green color LED and a red color LED, wherein the
green color LED irradiates when it is in the normal operation
condition, the red color LED irradiates when it is in the first
waiting condition, and the red color LED turns ON and OFF when it
is in the second waiting condition.
[0051] Furthermore, connecting the display apparatus 10 with an air
conditioner or a lighting apparatus within the room through a home
network, thereby communicating with each other, it is possible to
control shifting between the first waiting condition and the second
waiting condition linking with the power switch of the air
conditioner or the lighting apparatus. For example, when the user
turns the light ON within the room where the display apparatus 10
is set up, a control signal is transmitted from the lighting
apparatus, responding to the turning ON of the light, through the
home network, to the sub-CPU 60 of the display apparatus 10. With
this, the display apparatus 10 can be shifted from the first
waiting condition into the second waiting condition in linkage with
the turning ON of the lighting apparatus. In the similar manner,
when turning the power of the air condition within the room into ON
condition, the control signal may be transmitted from the air
conditioner, responding thereto, to the sub-CPU 60 of the display
apparatus 10 through the home network. With this, it is possible to
execute that shifting mentioned above in linkage with the turning
ON of the power of the air conditioner. With such the structures,
it is possible to control shifting between the waiting conditions
of the display apparatus 10, under the condition of high
probability that the user views the display apparatus 10.
[0052] As was mentioned above, according to the present embodiment,
the display apparatus 10 has the waiting conditions (i.e., the
signal of the remote controller); thus, as the waiting operation
modes, a first waiting operation mode, being a normal waiting
operation mode, and a second waiting operation mode, though being
larger in the consumption of electric power than the first waiting
operation mode, but able to display an image thereon, quickly, when
turning the power ON. And, according to the present embodiment, the
time during when the second waiting operation mode is in effective,
is restricted, appropriately, upon basis of the control signals or
the like from the human sensor, the timer, the external equipments
connected with the home network. With this, according to the
present embodiment, it is possible to reduce or shorten the time
from the turning ON of power until displaying of an image, but
without increasing the electric power consumption, largely, during
the time-period of the waiting condition (i.e., the waiting
operation mode).
[0053] While we have shown and described several embodiments in
accordance with our invention, it should be understood that
disclosed embodiments are susceptible of changes and modifications
without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, we do
not intend to be bound by the details shown and described herein
but intend to cover all such changes and modifications that fall
within the ambit of the appended claims.
* * * * *