Abstract:
This invention provides a broadcast receiver apparatus capable of reducing power consumption that is not intended by the user. The broadcast receiver apparatus ( 100 ) comprises: a reception processing unit ( 140 ) for receiving the broadcast data of a program by switching between a high definition broadcast system and a low definition broadcast system that consumes less power than the high definition broadcast system; audio and video processing units ( 150, 170 ) for outputting the program based on the received broadcast data; and a broadcast standard switch processing unit ( 250 ) for causing the reception processing unit ( 140 ) to switch to the low definition broadcast system on the condition that no terminal operation has been done in response to a program change in the high definition broadcast system.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a portable broadcast receiving apparatus and a broadcast receiving method for the apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Portable apparatuses have become popular in recent years with which the user can view broadcast programs, such as mobile phones and mobile televisions corresponding to one-segment broadcast, a broadcast service using one segment among a plurality of segments. Such apparatuses operate on battery power and thus it is important to reduce power consumption. 
         [0003]    In this respect, a technique is disclosed in which an operation of a decoding process is switched to an operation consuming less power when the remaining battery level is a threshold or less (see PLT 1). This technique can extend a time in which the battery power can last without impairing the user&#39;s comfortability with viewing programs where possible. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1 
       [0000]    
       
         Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-124646 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0005]    By the way, a reception process using a high-quality broadcasting scheme consumes large power. Examples of the high-quality broadcasting scheme include full-segment broadcast which is a broadcast service using all segments of a plurality of segments. Hence, even when the technique disclosed in PLT 1 is employed, a larger amount of battery power than expected by the user may be consumed. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus and a broadcast receiving method that can reduce waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0007]    A broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes: a reception processing section that receives broadcast data of a program by switching broadcasting schemes between a high-quality broadcasting scheme and a low-quality broadcasting scheme consuming less power than the high-quality broadcasting scheme; a program output section that outputs the program based on the received broadcast data; and a broadcast standard switching processing section that, in the high-quality broadcasting scheme, causes the reception processing section to switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-quality broadcasting scheme if no terminal operation is performed in response to a change of the program to the next one. 
         [0008]    A broadcast receiving method according to the present invention includes: starting reception of broadcast data of a program in accordance with a high-quality broadcasting scheme; starting output of the program based on the received broadcast data; determining whether a terminal operation is performed in response to a change of the program to the next one; and switching schemes for the reception from the high-quality broadcasting scheme to a low-quality broadcasting scheme if the terminal operation is not performed in response to the change in program, the low-quality broadcasting scheme consuming less power than the high-quality broadcasting scheme. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0009]    According to the present invention, the broadcasting scheme can be switched to a low-quality scheme consuming less power when the terminal is not being operated even though the program has changed to the next one, i.e. there is a high probability that the user is not viewing the program. With this configuration, the present invention can reduce waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a configuration of a broadcast receiving terminal as a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a configuration of an operation status detection section according to the present embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing an operation of the operation status detection section according to the present embodiment; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing an operation of a broadcast standard switching processing section according to the present embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a configuration of a broadcast receiving terminal as a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment describes an example in which the present invention is applied to a folding mobile phone for receiving the digital terrestrial television broadcast by switching from full-segment broadcast to one-segment broadcast and vice versa. 
         [0016]    Broadcast antenna  110  receives broadcast signals of the digital terrestrial television broadcast that broadcasts television programs, and outputs the received broadcast signals to tuner section  120  corresponding to high-definition standard and tuner section  130  corresponding to low-definition standard. 
         [0017]    In response to control by reception processing section  140 , tuner section  120  corresponding to a high-definition standard performs a demodulation process such as 64QAM on signals of a channel of full-segment broadcast among the received broadcast signals. Full-segment broadcast is a standard for high-definition (high-quality) broadcast. Tuner section  120  corresponding to a high-definition standard outputs the demodulated stream data of full-segment broadcast to reception processing section  140 . 
         [0018]    In response to control by reception processing section  140 , tuner section  130  corresponding to a low-definition standard performs a demodulation process such as QPSK on signals of a channel of one-segment broadcast among the received broadcast signals. One-segment broadcast is a low-quality standard for mobile devices consuming less power. Tuner section  130  corresponding to a low-definition standard outputs the demodulated stream data of one-segment broadcast to reception processing section  140 . 
         [0019]    Reception processing section  140  operates by switching stream data between full-segment broadcast and one-segment broadcast (hereinafter collectively referred to as “broadcast data”) when receiving the stream data. Reception processing section  140  performs a reception process including a decoding process, such as moving picture experts group-2 (MPEG-2), on the stream data of full-segment broadcast. Reception processing section  140  performs a reception process including a decoding process, such as H.264, on the stream data of one-segment broadcast. During the reception process, reception processing section  140  acquires audio data, video data, and program information from the broadcast data. The program information includes at least information for determining the program of broadcast data that is being received and information about the end time of the program. 
         [0020]    Reception processing section  140  outputs the audio data to audio processing section  150  and outputs the video data to video processing section  170 . Reception processing section  140  outputs the program information and broadcast standard information to operation status detection section  240 . The broadcast standard information is information indicating either the status for receiving full-segment broadcast (hereinafter referred to as “high-definition standard”) or the status for receiving one-segment broadcast (hereinafter referred to as “low-definition standard”). 
         [0021]    Audio processing section  150  converts the received audio data into analog audio signals that can be output from speaker  160 , and outputs the signals to speaker  160 . 
         [0022]    Speaker  160  is a loud speaker, for example, and converts the received analog audio signals into audio and outputs the audio. That is, speaker  160  outputs audio of programs. 
         [0023]    Video processing section  170  converts the received video data into video signals that can be processed in display  180  and outputs the video signals to display  180  via screen display processing section  260 . 
         [0024]    Display  180  is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays images based on the received video signals. That is, display  180  outputs video images of programs. 
         [0025]    Terminal operation detection section  190  is a touch panel arranged on the above liquid crystal display or a key switch, for example, and detects a user operation of broadcast receiving terminal  100  (hereinafter referred to as “terminal operation”). Terminal operation detection section  190  outputs operation information indicating contents of the detected terminal operation to operation status detection section  240 . 
         [0026]    When the terminal displays an application other than a television application, front screen display detection section  200  detects the status. Front screen display detection section  200  outputs display status information indicating whether the application other than the television application is displayed to operation status detection section  240 . When using a mobile phone, generally, the user can operate other applications such as email software, even during the operation of the television application. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the terminal operation currently undergoing is the operation of the television application from the display status information. Hereinafter, the terminal operation for the television application is referred to as “television operation.” 
         [0027]    Terminal open/close detection section  210  is a rotary switch, for example, and detects whether broadcast receiving terminal  100  is in an opened or closed status. Terminal open/close detection section  210  outputs open/close status information indicating whether the terminal is in the opened or closed status to operation status detection section  240 . It is possible to determine whether video images of the television application are displayed on the screen from the open/close status information. 
         [0028]    Battery  220  is a lithium ion battery, for example, and stores power for the operation of broadcast receiving terminal  100 . 
         [0029]    Battery level detection section  230  detects the remaining power level of battery  220  (hereinafter referred to as “battery level”) and outputs battery level information indicating the battery level to operation status detection section  240 . 
         [0030]    Operation status detection section  240  determines whether the television operation has been performed in response to a change in program to the next one (hereinafter referred to as “program change”) in the high-definition standard. Hereinafter, a time in which no television operation is performed and the length of the time are correctively referred to as “non-operation time.” 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a configuration of operation status detection section  240  according to the present embodiment. For easier explanation, the peripheral functional sections of operation status detection section  240  are also shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0032]    Program information acquisition section  241  acquires the program information and broadcast standard information from reception processing section  140 . Program information acquisition section  241  outputs the broadcast standard information to broadcast standard switching determination section  243  and outputs the program information to broadcast standard switching determination section  243  and program information storage area  242 . 
         [0033]    Broadcast standard switching determination section  243  determines whether the broadcast information is the high-definition standard based on the received broadcast standard information. Furthermore, broadcast standard switching determination section  243  compares the past program information stored in program information storage area  242  with the received current program information, and determines whether program change has been performed. Furthermore, broadcast standard switching determination section  243  determines whether the television operation is performed in response to program change in the high-definition standard, using timer  244 . Specifically, broadcast standard switching determination section  243  determines whether all of the following three operations are performed based on the received operation information, display status information, and terminal open/close information: whether the terminal operation is performed, the television application is displayed, and the terminal is in the opened status. Then, broadcast standard switching determination section  243  determines that the television operation has been performed when the terminal operation is performed, when the television application is displayed, and when the terminal is in the opened status. 
         [0034]    Broadcast standard switching determination section  243  outputs a broadcast standard instruction, to broadcast standard switching processing section  250 , giving an instruction to switching to the low-definition standard when program change occurs during non-operation time or a predetermined time after the non-operation time. Broadcast standard switching determination section  243  outputs a broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on switching to the high-definition standard to broadcast standard switching processing section  250  when the television operation is performed in the low-definition standard. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, broadcast standard switching determination section  243  outputs a broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on the end of the broadcast reception (end of the television application) to broadcast standard switching processing section  250  when the battery level is a predetermined threshold value or less or the non-operation time is a predetermined threshold value or greater in the low-definition standard. 
         [0036]    Furthermore, broadcast standard switching determination section  243  outputs switching operation information indicating information about switching of broadcasting schemes (hereinafter referred to as “broadcasting scheme switching”) to screen display processing section  260 . The switching operation information indicates non-operation time up to the current time, the program change, broadcasting scheme switching, and the existence or absence of the television operation, for example. 
         [0037]    Screen display processing section  260  of  FIG. 1  generates an image indicating contents of the received switching operation information and superimposes the image on the video signals received in display  180  to display the image on display  180 . The image displayed by screen display processing section  260  is a predetermined pictogram (icon), for example. The predetermined pictogram changes its form such as the color or design according to, for example, an elapsed time after the last television operation. Alternatively, the predetermined pictogram changes its form at the timing when the program change, broadcasting scheme switching, or the television operation (i.e. initialization of the elapsed time after the last television operation) occurs. This enables the user to know the status of operation about power reduction of broadcast receiving terminal  100  and to maintain the high-definition standard by appropriately performing a television operation (described later). 
         [0038]    Broadcast standard switching processing section  250  causes reception processing section  140  to switch the broadcasting schemes for the reception process or to stop the reception process, based on the received broadcast standard instruction. 
         [0039]    Broadcast receiving terminal  100  may be configured by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a storage medium such as a read only memory (ROM) storing a control program, a working memory such as a random access memory (RAM), and a radio communication circuit, all of which are not shown. That is, functions of above sections can be achieved by a control program performed by the CPU. Furthermore, in broadcast receiving terminal  100 , application software with which the user can view digital terrestrial television broadcast (hereinafter referred to as “television application”) is achieved through functions of components ranging from broadcast antenna  110  to display  180 . 
         [0040]    Generally, an user viewing the digital television broadcast performs operations such as channel switching or volume adjustment before and after program change. Thus, the user is not likely to be viewing the program, for example, in the case where the user does not perform any television operation within the time from ten minutes before to one minute after program change even though the program change occurs. 
         [0041]    By the way, less power is consumed in the demodulation and decoding processes of stream data of one-segment broadcast compared to those of stream data of full-segment broadcast. Continuation of the broadcast in the high-definition standard consuming large power while the user is not viewing the program leads to waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. 
         [0042]    To overcome the above problem, broadcast receiving terminal  100  having the above configuration switches the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition standard if no television operation is performed in response to the program change in the high-definition standard. With this configuration, in the case where program change occurs while the user is not viewing the program, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition broadcast that consumes less power. Thus, it is possible to reduce waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. 
         [0043]    The operation of broadcast receiving terminal  100  will now be explained. 
         [0044]    While broadcast receiving terminal  100  is being operated, operation status detection section  240  continuously receives program information, operation information, terminal open/close information, display status information, and battery level information. In response to control on broadcasting scheme switching from broadcast standard switching processing section  250 , reception processing section  140  continuously outputs the audio data, video data, and program information. 
         [0045]    That is, the operation of broadcast receiving terminal  100  is achieved mainly by operations of operation status detection section  240  and broadcast standard switching processing section  250 . Hence, in the present embodiment, mainly, the operations of operation status detection section  240  and broadcast standard switching processing section  250  will now be explained. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing the operation of operation status detection section  240 . Program information acquisition section  241  of operation status detection section  240  continuously outputs the broadcast standard information to broadcast standard switching determination section  243 . 
         [0047]    First, in step S 1100 , operation status detection section  240  allows broadcast standard switching determination section  243  to determine whether broadcast receiving terminal  100  receives a new television operation based on the operation information and display status information. If the television operation is performed (S 1100 : YES), operation status detection section  240  proceeds to step S 1200 . If no television operation is performed (S 1100 : NO), operation status detection section  240  proceeds to step S 1300  (described later). 
         [0048]    In step S 1200 , operation status detection section  240  sets timer  244  at the initial value of 0 and starts to count time in timer  244  in broadcast standard switching determination section  243 . 
         [0049]    Then, in step S 1400 , operation status detection section  240  acquires the program information in program information acquisition section  241  and stores the program information in program information storage area  242 . 
         [0050]    Then, in step S 1500 , operation status detection section  240  allows broadcast standard switching determination section  243  to output a broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on switching to the high-definition standard to broadcast standard switching processing section  250 . 
         [0051]    In step S 1300 , operation status detection section  240  determines whether the counted value of timer  244  reaches a predetermined time in broadcast standard switching determination section  243 . That is, operation status detection section  240  determines whether non-operation time reaches the predetermined time after the last television operation. Operation status detection section  240  returns to step S 1100  if the non-operation time does not reach the predetermined time (S 1300 : NO), and proceeds to step S 1600  if the non-operation time reaches the predetermined time (S 1300 : YES). 
         [0052]    In step S 1600 , operation status detection section  240  allows program information acquisition section  241  to determine whether the broadcasting scheme is the low-definition standard based on the broadcast standard information. If the broadcasting scheme is not the low-definition standard (S 1600 : NO), operation status detection section  240  proceeds to step S 1700 . If the broadcasting scheme is the low-definition standard (S 1600 : YES), operation status detection section  240  proceeds to step S 1650 . 
         [0053]    In step S 1650 , operation status detection section  240  determines whether the battery level is a given threshold value or less. Operation status detection section  240  returns to step S 1100  if the battery level is greater than the given threshold value (S 1650 : NO), and proceeds to step S 1800  if the battery level is the given threshold value or less (S 1650 : YES). Alternatively, operation status detection section  240  may proceed to step S 1800  if the non-operation time also reaches a predetermined threshold value, as with in step S 1300 , in addition to the above determination process for the battery level. 
         [0054]    In step S 1700 , operation status detection section  240  allows broadcast standard switching determination section  243  to acquire the last program information (i.e. program information at the time when the last television operation is performed) among pieces of the program information stored in program information storage area  242 . Furthermore, operation status detection section  240  acquires program information (i.e. current program information) from program information acquisition section  241 . 
         [0055]    Then, in step S 1900 , operation status detection section  240  allows broadcast standard switching determination section  243  to determine whether program change occurs within non-operation time or within a predetermined time after the non-operation time based on the program information. Specifically, operation status detection section  240  determines whether program change occurs by determining whether the program indicated by the program information at the time of the last television operation is the program indicated by the current program information. Operation status detection section  240  returns to step S 1100  if the program change does not occur (S 1900 : NO) and proceeds to step S 2000  if the program change occurs (S 1900 : YES). For the length of the above predetermined time, any values of 0 or greater can be set. The predetermined time, however, is preferably short enough during which the user is estimated to be not viewing the television application in view of the timing of program change. 
         [0056]    In step S 2000 , operation status detection section  240  allows broadcast standard switching determination section  243  to output a broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on switching to the low-definition standard to broadcast standard switching processing section  250 , and returns to step S 1100 . 
         [0057]    In step S 1800 , operation status detection section  240  allows broadcast standard switching determination section  243  to output a broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on the end of the television application to broadcast standard switching processing section  250 , and complete a series of the process. 
         [0058]    With this operation, operation status detection section  240  can output the broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on switching to the low-definition standard if non-operation time reaches the predetermined time and when program change occurs during the non-operation time in the high-definition standard. Operation status detection section  240  can output the broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on switching to the high-definition standard if the television operation is performed in the low-definition standard. Furthermore, operation status detection section  240  can output the broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on the end of the television application if non-operation time reaches the predetermined time while no television operation is performed in the low-definition standard. 
         [0059]    Operation status detection section  240  may determine whether the program change occurs by comparing the current program information with the program information at any time during non-operation time, not with the program information at the starting time of the non-operation time. Specifically, operation status detection section  240  performs the process of step S 1400  immediately before step S 1600 , for example. In this case, broadcast receiving terminal  100  detects the occurrence of program change at the timing of the first program change after non-operation time has elapsed, and thus performs switching to the high-definition standard at the timing of switching to the next program, not in the middle of the program. With this configuration, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can lessen the impact of abrupt reduced image quality on the user. 
         [0060]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing an operation of broadcast standard switching processing section  250 . It is noted that broadcast standard switching processing section  250  can always confirm which broadcasting scheme reception processing section  140  is currently using to perform the reception process. 
         [0061]    First, in step S 2100 , broadcast standard switching processing section  250  determines whether it receives the broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on the end of the television application from operation status detection section  240 . If not receiving the broadcast standard instruction (S 2100 : NO), broadcast standard switching processing section  250  proceeds to step S 2200 . If receiving the broadcast standard instruction (S 2100 : YES), broadcast standard switching processing section  250  proceeds to step S 2300 . 
         [0062]    In step S 2200 , broadcast standard switching processing section  250  determines whether it receives the broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on switching to the low-definition standard from operation status detection section  240 . If receiving the broadcast standard instruction (S 2200 : YES), broadcast standard switching processing section  250  proceeds to step S 2400 . If not receiving the broadcast standard instruction (S 2200 : NO), broadcast standard switching processing section  250  proceeds to step S 2500 . 
         [0063]    In step S 2400 , broadcast standard switching processing section  250  determines whether the broadcasting scheme is the low-definition standard. Broadcast standard switching processing section  250  returns to step S 2100  if the broadcasting scheme is the low-definition standard (S 2400 : YES), and proceeds to step S 2600  if the broadcasting scheme is not the low-definition standard (i.e. the broadcasting scheme is the high-definition standard) (S 2400 : NO). 
         [0064]    In step S 2600 , broadcast standard switching processing section  250  causes reception processing section  140  to switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition standard, and returns to step S 2100 . 
         [0065]    Furthermore, in step S 2500 , broadcast standard switching processing section  250  determines whether it receives the broadcast standard instruction giving an instruction on switching to the high-definition standard from operation status detection section  240 . If receiving the broadcast standard instruction (S 2500 : YES), broadcast standard switching processing section  250  proceeds to step S 2700 . If not receiving the broadcast standard instruction (S 2500 : NO), broadcast standard switching processing section  250  returns to step S 2100 . 
         [0066]    In step S 2700 , broadcast standard switching processing section  250  determines whether the broadcasting scheme is the high-definition standard. Broadcast standard switching processing section  250  returns to step S 2100  if the broadcasting scheme is the high-definition standard (S 2700 : YES), and proceeds to step S 2800  if the broadcasting scheme is not the high-definition standard (i.e. the broadcasting scheme is the low-definition standard) (S 2700 : NO). 
         [0067]    In step S 2800 , broadcast standard switching processing section  250  causes reception processing section  140  to switch the broadcasting schemes to the high-definition standard, and returns to step S 2100 . 
         [0068]    In step S 2300 , broadcast standard switching processing section  250  performs a process of causing reception processing section  140  to stop the reception process (i.e. process of stopping the television application), and completes a series of the process. 
         [0069]    With this operation, broadcast standard switching processing section  250  can control the broadcasting scheme switching and the end of the reception process in reception processing section  140  according to the instructions from operation status detection section  240 . 
         [0070]    As explained above, broadcast receiving terminal  100  according to the present embodiment switches the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition standard if no television operation is performed in response to the program change in the high-definition standard. With this configuration, in the case where program change occurs while the user is not viewing the program, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition broadcast consuming less power. Thus, it is possible to reduce waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. Accordingly, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can reduce unnecessary power consumption that may occur, for example, in the case where the user forgets to end the television application. 
         [0071]    Furthermore, broadcast receiving terminal  100  limits the operation of a terminal that is subject to the determination of switching to the low-definition standard or stop of the reception process to the television operation. Hence, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can prevent inappropriate extension of the counted time of non-operation time from extending and prevent the high-definition standard and the reception process from continuing? while the user is not viewing the program. Furthermore, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can adjust the balance between power reduction and achievement of the required audio quality and image quality in accordance with the purpose of the use. 
         [0072]    Broadcast receiving terminal  100  may not switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition standard in the case where the battery level can afford the reception process even if the broadcast is continued in the high-definition standard until the end of the receiving program, especially during recording of the program. In this case, for example, broadcast receiving terminal  100  acquires the remaining time of the current program from the program information, for example, and calculates the power consumption for continuing the broadcast in the high-definition standard for the acquired remaining time. Then, broadcast receiving terminal  100  compares the calculated power consumption with the battery level indicated by the battery information, and does not give an instruction on switching to the low-definition standard if the calculated power consumption exceeds the battery level. With this configuration, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can continue displaying a program in the high-definition standard when the battery level is sufficient enough while reducing waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. 
         [0073]    Alternatively, broadcast receiving terminal  100  may change the above-described predetermined time, which is used as the reference for determining whether to switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition standard, according to the battery level, the type of program, viewing style of the user, and other conditions. In this case, for example, broadcast receiving terminal  100  stores in advance a table in which each condition is associated with a predetermined time corresponding to that condition. Then, broadcast receiving terminal  100  determines the current condition and selects the predetermined time corresponding to the determined condition. Broadcast receiving terminal  100  may extend the length of the predetermined time in the following cases: where the battery level is high, where the program falls upon some type which may not often receive the television operation, such as classical music performance, where the viewing style falls upon some type which may not often receive the television operation, such as the case where only audio of the program is output from a closed broadcast receiving terminal  100 . Likewise, broadcast receiving terminal  100  may change the above-described predetermined threshold value according to various conditions. With the above techniques, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can also continue displaying a program in the high-definition standard where possible while reducing waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. 
         [0074]    Alternatively, broadcast receiving terminal  100  may change the above-described predetermined time that is used as the reference for determining whether to switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition standard according to the battery level. In this case, broadcast receiving terminal  100 , for example, creates, in advance, a correspondence between the battery level and the predetermined time, where a longer predetermined time is associated with higher battery level, and changes the predetermined time according to the battery level. Likewise, broadcast receiving terminal  100  may change the above-described predetermined threshold value according to the battery level. With the above techniques, broadcast receiving terminal  100  can also continue displaying a program in the high-definition standard where possible when the battery level is sufficient enough, while reducing waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. 
         [0075]    Alternatively, broadcast receiving terminal  100  may separately set times before and after the program change and switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition standard when no television operation is performed during the both times in the high-definition standard. In this way, separately setting times and setting the length of the times appropriately can prevent the broadcasting schemes from being switched to the low-definition standard even though the television operation has been performed immediately before and after the program change. 
         [0076]    Alternatively, in the above embodiment, broadcast receiving terminal  100  defines the condition in which non-operation time elapses and program change occurs during the non-operation time as a trigger for switching to the low-definition standard or stop of the reception process. Broadcast receiving terminal  100 , however, may define only the occurrence of the program change as the trigger for switching to the low-definition standard or stopping the reception process. This is because the image quality level required by the user or the frequency of viewing by the user may lower in line with the program change. This can further reduce the waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. Furthermore, the user can immediately switch the broadcasting scheme to the high-definition standard when necessary by performing the television operation. 
         [0077]    Alternatively, broadcast receiving terminal  100  may switch the broadcasting schemes to the low-definition standard or stop the reception process at the same time of the detection of the program change in the case where broadcast receiving terminal  100  defines the occurrence of program change during non-operation time or during a subsequent predetermined time as the above trigger. With this configuration, switching to a power reduction operation can be performed approximately at the same time of the program change and waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user can be reduced. 
         [0078]    Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the high-quality broadcasting scheme and the low-quality broadcasting scheme are defined as full-segment broadcast and one-segment broadcast, respectively. The present invention, however, is not limited to this application. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to various types of broadcast other than the television broadcast, the various types of broadcast employing a plurality of broadcasting schemes consuming different power, such as digital radio broadcast. That is, the important feature of the present invention is to switch the quality standards for broadcast between the high-quality standard consuming greater power and the low-quality standard consuming smaller power: for example, in the standard for a digital radio, the high-quality standard and the low-quality standard correspond to the high audio quality standard and the low audio quality standard, respectively. The present invention can be applied to systems employing various combinations of a high-quality broadcasting scheme and a low-quality broadcasting scheme in which a user can view a single program using both schemes. 
         [0079]    The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-102294, filed on Apr. 27, 2010, including the specification, drawings and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0080]    The broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention is useful as an apparatus and method for receiving broadcast that can reduce the waste power consumption which may not be expected by the user. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               100  broadcast receiving terminal 
               110  broadcast antenna 
               120  tuner section corresponding to high-definition standard 
               130  tuner section corresponding to low-definition standard 
               140  reception processing section 
               150  audio processing section 
               160  speaker 
               170  video processing section 
               180  display 
               190  terminal operation detection section 
               200  front screen display detection section 
               210  terminal open/close detection section 
               220  battery 
               230  battery level detection section 
               240  operation status detection section 
               241  program information acquisition section 
               242  program information storage area 
               243  broadcast standard switching determination section 
               244  timer 
               250  broadcast standard switching processing section 
               260  screen display processing section