Abstract:
A reproducing device provided with at least a reproduction apparatus and a decoding apparatus with decoding transmitted electronic program guide data is provided, and includes a switcher for switching between an antenna received signal and an internally generated signal, and a channel switcher for switching a channel of a display apparatus. When an electronic program guide display request is made, the switcher is automatically switched to the internally generated signal, which is then output on a predetermined channel having a predetermined frequency. Additionally, the channel of the display apparatus to which the internally generated signal is applied is also automatically switched to the predetermined channel number having the predetermined frequency by the channel switcher thus to allow for the display of the electronic program guide. The invention is similarly applicable to a reproduction device also having a recording feature.

Description:
The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/759,430 filed Dec. 5, 1996 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a video device having an electronic program guide decoder, capable of reproducing or recording and reproducing a video signal. 
     A video tape recorder (VTR) conventionally known is capable of reproducing video signals and audio signals recorded on a magnetic tape to display video on a television set. Also, some VTRs have also recording a and reproducing functions capable of recording video signals and audio signals on a magnetic tape. 
     In addition, there is known a video device for recording and reproducing video signals and audio signals in addition to VTR. 
     In such a video device, antenna receiving signals received by an antenna are generally inputted, and a desired channel can be selected from among these antenna receiving signals for reception. The receiving signals are transmitted to a television set, or are demodulated and used for recording. 
     The user selects a desired channel program from among channel programs broadcast to view through television or record in a video device, but at this time, the program is generally selected while seeing a program table. 
     When, however, there are as many channels broadcast as 150 channels, it is not easy to search a program table, on which programs for, for example, 150 channels are printed, for a desired program. 
     Thus, in order to enable a desired program to be easily searched for, data of a program table for each channel is inserted in a vertical blanking interval for video signal for a specified channel for transmission not to cause any obstruction to the television signals. The program table transmitted is caused to be displayed on a television set, whereby the user searches for the channel while seeing the television screen to select his desired channel program. 
     This program table data is called an electronic program guide, and the electronic program guide can be divided into each kind of programs such as sports, news, and movies, to be displayed on the screen. Also, it is arranged that a program can be selected from the displayed screen of this electronic program guide for reception, and that videotape reservation for the program can be made. 
     FIG. 6B shows an example of the program guide screen of the electronic program guide displayed on the television set. Its first step column shows the title of the program guide screen, and is displayed as “Program Guide”. The second step column shows month and day, and the month and day of SEP 7 and two grids showing time of 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm are shown. In columns of the third step and subsequent steps, a channel is shown at the left end, and the names of the programs to be broadcast on the month and day, displayed on the second step, and at the time indicated by the grids are displayed correspondingly to this channel on the right side. It is indicated that in, for example, Channel CSP2, NEWS1 is broadcast for 1 hour from 8:00 pm, and NEWS2 is broadcast from 9:00 pm. Also, it is indicated that in Channel 26, a program of Famous American is broadcast for two hours from 8:00 pm. 
     FIG. 6A is a block diagram showing the structure of a VTR having a function of receiving such an electronic program guide for decoding. 
     In the VTR shown in FIG. 6A, a television broadcast signal received by an antenna  101  is inputted in a tuner circuit  111 . A video signal of a channel selected from the tuner circuit  111  by the user is inputted in a videotape unit (not shown), and is inputted to a microcomputer device (μcon)  113 . The μcon  113  has a slice/decode circuit  113 - 1 , and a video signal from the tuner circuit  111  is inputted to the slice/decode circuit  113 - 1  of μcon  113 . 
     A remote control signal received by an infrared light reception unit  114  is inputted to the μcon  113 , which controls in various ways in response to the remote control signal. In this respect, the infrared light, which transmits the remote control signal, is transmitted from a remote control transmitter  102  when the user operates the key of the remote control transmitting device  102 . 
     Further, a video signal reproduced by a play block  112  is inputted to one input of a first switch SW 1 , while a video signal from the tuner  111  is inputted to the other input of the first switch SW 1 , and the first switch SW 1  selects either of inputted signals for outputting, and inputs the selected signal to an OSD (On Screen Display) control unit  116 . 
     When there is an electronic program guide display instruction, the OSD control unit  116  is adapted to receive an electronic program guide data decoded from μcon  113 , and to on-screen display the electronic program guide. Also, a signal outputted from the OSD control unit  116  is inputted to an RF modulator  117 , which modulates the carrier of a channel selected in advance. A channel signal modulated to be outputted from the RF modulator  117  is inputted to the VTR side, one input of the second switch SW 2 . On the other TV input side of the second switch SW 2 , a receiving signal from an antenna  101  is inputted. An output selected by the second switch SW 2  is supplied to a television (TV) set  121 . 
     In this respect, μcon  113  is a microcomputer, which mainly controls an electronic program guide inserted in a video signal received, and fetches the electronic program guide data inserted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the received video signal for a channel selected by the tuner circuit  111  to accumulate in a memory (SRAM)  115  after decoding. In this case, a slice/decode circuit  113 - 1  conducts waveform shaping of the electronic program guide data, and after the waveform shaping, decodes the electronic program guide data. 
     Although this electronic program guide data is inserted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) for video signal, the electronic program guide data is determined to be, for example, data for seven days, and a memory  115  has such a memory capacity as to accumulate about 70 channels of electronic program guide data for seven days. 
     In a VTR constructed as described above, when the second switch SW 2  is switched to the TV side to select the receiving signal from the antenna  101 , the receiving signal from the antenna  101  is supplied to the television set  121  to display the video of a channel selected by the tuner of the television set  121 . Also, when a reproducing start instruction is given to the VTR and a play block  112  starts reproducing, the first switch SW 1  and the second switch SW 2  are automatically switched so that the reproducing output from the play block  112  passes through the first switch SW 1 , and the OSD control unit  116 , and is inputted to the RF modulator  117 . Thus, the signal of a channel outputted from the RF modulator  117  is inputted to the television set  121  through the second switch SW 2  switched to the VTR side. At this time, the television set  121  is adapted to select a channel outputted from the RF modulator  117  and to display the reproducing output. 
     In this case, when a reproducing stop instruction is given, the play block  112  stops the reproducing operation, and the first switch SW 1  is switched so that a channel selected by the tuner  111  within the VTR is inputted to the RF modulator  117  through the first switch SW 1  and the OSD control unit  116 . The signal of the channel outputted from the RF modulator  117  is inputted to the television set  121  through the second switch SW 2 . At this time, the television set  121  is adapted to select a channel outputted from the RF modulator  117 , and to display the channel selected by the tuner  111  within the VTR. 
     The above-described reproducing start instruction, reproducing stop instruction or the like can be given to the VTR by operating the key of the remote control transmitter  102 . Information of a channel selected by the tuner  111  of the VTR, a counter value and videotape reservation information of the VTR, and the like are given to the OSD control unit  116  by μcon  113  so that they can be on-screen displayed on the television set  121  by the OSD control unit  116  when there is a display instruction for them. 
     When it is desired to on-screen display the electronic program guide on the television set  121 , the key or the like of the remote control transmitter  102  is operated to give an electronic program guide display instruction. This display instruction is received by the infrared light reception unit  114  to input the received signal to μcon  113 . On receipt thereof, the μcon  113  decodes the electronic program guide data from the video signal selected by the tuner  111  to supply it to the OSD control unit  116 . Thus, the OSD control unit  116  transmits the electronic program guide data to the RP modulator  117  to on-screen display it. Then, the signal of the channel modulated by the electronic program data in the RF modulator  117  is inputted to the television set  121  through the second switch SW 2 . At this time, the television set  121  is adapted to select a channel outputted from the RF modulator  117 , and to on-screen-display the electronic program guide. 
     As described above, although the second switch SW 2  is automatically switched to the VTR side when the VTR starts to play back, there is generally mostly a case where it is switched to the TV side at all times except it, and the video selected by the tuner provided for the television set is displayed. 
     The VTR has such problem that, if the second switch SW 2  is switched to the TV side when it is desired to display the electronic program guide or when a message display request internally occurs, the electronic program guide or message cannot be displayed on the television set., 
     In addition, it has also such problem that if the tuner in the television set is not set to select a channel outputted from the RF modulator within the VTR even if it has been switched to the VTR side, the electronic program guide or message cannot be displayed. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a video device capable of on-screen displaying the electronic program guide on a television set connected to the video device without taking into consideration the state of switching means for switching between the antenna receiving output side and the internally generated signal output side. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, a reproducing device according to the present invention has, in a reproducing device provided with at least reproducing means and decoding means for decoding electronic program guide data transmitted, switching means to be switched between the antenna reception/output side, and the internally generated signal output side, and channel switching means for switching a channel of the display means, so that when an electronic program,guide display request occurs, the aforesaid switching means is automatically switched to the aforesaid internally generated signal output side, and the channel of the display means, to which the output is supplied, is automatically switched to the channel number, to which the internally generated signal output is transmitted, by the aforesaid channel switching means. 
     Also, in the aforesaid reproducing device, the channel switching means is adapted to switch the channel when a remote control code allocated to the display means is outputted. 
     Further, the channel switching means is adapted to switch the channel when a channel selection request is outputted to the display means through a control line connected to the display means. 
     According to the present invention as described above, when it is desired to display an electronic program guide, or when a message display request internally occurs, the switching means is automatically switched to the internally generated signal output side, and the channel of display means is automatically switched to a channel number, to which the internally generated signal output is transmitted, by the channel switching,means. Therefore, it is possible to on-screen display an electronic program guide or message on display means connected to outside irrespective of the switched state of the switching means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a view showing the structure of a VTR according to a first embodiment of a video device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 1B is a view showing the structure of a VTR according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2A to  2 C are views showing operation timing to switch a second switch in a VTR according to an embodiment of a video device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a view showing a menu screen to switch a RF channel in a VTR according to an embodiment of a video device of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 4A to  4 C are views showing a data format for control line in a VTR according to an embodiment of a video device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart to switch a second switch in a VTR according to an embodiment of a video device of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6A is a structural view showing a conventional VTR; and 
     FIG. 6B is a view showing a display screen for an electronic program guide. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B is a block diagram showing the structure of a VTR according to an embodiment of a reproducing device of the present invention. 
     The VTR shown in this figure has a function for receiving an electronic program guide to decode it. A television broadcast signal received by the antenna  1  is inputted to the tuner circuit  11 , the video signal of a channel selected by the tuner circuit  11  is inputted to a videotape unit (not shown), and is also inputted to the microcomputer device (μcon)  13 . The μcon  13  has a slice/decode circuit  13 - 1  so that a video signal from the tuner circuit  11  is inputted to the slice/decode circuit  13 - 1  of μcon  13 . 
     A remote control signal received by an infrared light reception unit  14  is inputted to the μcon  13 , which controls in various ways in response to the remote control signal. In this respect, the infrared light is transmitted from a remote control transmitter  2  to the VTR when the user operates the key of the remote control transmitter  2 . 
     Further, a video signal reproduced by a play block  12  is inputted to one input of a first switch SW 1 , while a video signal from the tuner  11  is inputted to the other input of the first switch SW 1 , and the first switch SW 1  selects either of signals inputted for outputting, and it is inputted to an OSD (On Screen Display) control unit  16 . 
     An electronic program guide signal decoded by μcon  13  or message information generated by μcon  13  is inputted to this OSD control unit  16 . When these information is on-screen displayed, these information outputted from the OSD control unit  16  is inputted to a RF modulator  17  to modulate the carrier of a channel selected in advance. A channel signal to be outputted from the RF modulator  17  is inputted to the VTR side, one input of the second switch SW 2 . 
     On the other TV input side of the second switch SW 2 , a receiving signal from an antenna  1  is inputted. An output selected by the second switch SW 2  is supplied to a television (TV) set  23 . 
     In this respect, μcon  13  is a microcomputer, which mainly controls an electronic program guide inserted in a video signal received, and fetches the electronic program guide data inserted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of video signal for a channel selected by the tuner circuit  11  to accumulate in a memory (SRAM)  15  after decoding. In this case, a slice/decode circuit  13 - 1  conducts waveform shaping of the electronic program guide data, and after the waveform shaping, decodes the electronic program guide data. 
     The electronic program guide data, which has been inserted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) and transmitted, is determined to be data for, for example, seven days, and the memory  15  has such a memory capacity as to accumulate about 70 channels of electronic program guide data for seven days, and this memory is not restricted to SRAM, but also may be memory elements other than SRAM. 
     The RF modulator  17  is adapted to select the carrier of either of, for example, channel CH3 and channel CH4, and this selection is adapted to be set while seeing the menu screen displayed on the television set  23 . 
     Further, a channel switching signal for switching the channel of the television set  23  from μcon  13  is transmitted to the control line  18  or  19  (FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively). A switching signal transmitted to the line  19  in FIG. 1B is given to a luminescence unit  22 , which is connected to outside of the VTR through an external terminal  21 , where infrared light, which radiates in response to a remote control code allocated to the television set  23 , is transmitted toward the television set  23 . 
     Further, when the television set  23  and the VTR are connected together by the control line  18 , as shown in FIG. 1A, through an external terminal  20 , μcon  13  gives a channel selection request command to the television set  23  through the control line  18 , and controls the channel selection of the television set  23 . 
     When the luminescence unit  22  is connected to the external terminal  21  of the VTR, as is shown in FIG. 1B, it is not necessary to connect to the television set  23  by connecting the control line  18  of FIG. 1A to the external terminal  20  of the VTR. Also, it may be reversed, and it will suffice so long as either of external terminals  20  and  21  is used. 
     Next, the operation of the VTR thus constructed will be described. When the second switch SW 2  is switched to the TV side to select the receiving signal from the antenna  1 , the receiving signal from the antenna  1  is supplied to the television set  23  so that the video of a channel selected by the tuner within the television set  23  is displayed on the television set  23 . At this time, when a reproducing start instruction is given to the VTR and the play block  12  starts reproducing, the first switch SW 1  and the second switch SW 2  are automatically switched as shown so that the reproducing output from the play block  12  passes through the first switch SW 1 , and the OSD control unit  16 , and is inputted to the RF modulator  17 . When the channel CH4 is selected in the RF modulator  17  as shown, the signal from the channel CH4, which has been modulated and outputted, is inputted to the television set  23  through the second switch SW 2  switched to the VTR side. 
     In this case, when the luminescence unit  22  is connected to the external terminal  21 , μcon  13  transmits a remote control code to the luminescence unit  22  to set the channel of the television set  23  to CH4. This transmission causes the luminescence unit  22  to radiate a remote control code to designate CH4 as the channel selected. 
     In this respect, since the remote control code for controlling the television set  23  differs with the manufacturer of the television set, it is arranged that the user can set it in advance so as to output a remote control code allocated to μcon  13 . 
     Also, when the television set  23  is connected to the external terminal  20  of the control line  18 , μcon  13  transmits a channel selection request command to the control line  18  to select CH4 as the selected channel of the television set  23 . This causes the selected channel in the television set  23  to become CH4, enabling the reproduced image to be displayed on the television set  23 . 
     FIGS. 4A to  4 B show a data format on the control line  18 . The μcon  13  within the VTR and the television set  23  perform serial communication by the use of the control line  18 , and the serial communication is performed in synchronism with a vertical synchronizing signal (Vsync) shown in FIG.  4 A. The data format is composed of status data and command data as shown in FIG.  4 B. These data consist of N words as shown in FIG. 4C, and each word is composed of data of a start bit and 1 byte (eight bits). The duration of each bit is determined to be L sec, and data “0” is represented by H level, and data “1” is represented by L level. 
     When μcon  13  and the television set  23  conduct serial communication, if the μcon  13  outputs a first start bit, the television set  23  recognizes this start bit to receive data to be transmitted next. The μcon  13  successively outputs status data, and this status data includes ON/OFF state of power supply for the television set  23 , channel selected, input information and the like. Following the status data, a command for the television set  23  is outputted. This command includes commands such as an ON/OFF request for power supply, a channel selection request, and an input switching request. 
     Thus, when having the television set  23  select CH 4 as described above, it will suffice if a selection request for CH 4 is outputted by μcon  13  as a command. 
     As another method, status data that an electronic program guide is being displayed, may be outputted to the control line  18  by μcon  13  and this status data may be recognized by the television set  23  to switch the input or channel to adapt to the VTR side. 
     In other words, when the television set  23  and the VTR  10  are connected together by a control line, the television set  23  may automatically switch the input to the VTR  10  side, and when connected by a RF line, a predetermined RF channel in the VTR  10  may be selected in accordance with the menu or the like of the television set  23 . 
     Incidentally, the channel to be outputted by the RF modulator  17  can be set while seeing such a menu screen displayed on the television set  23  as shown in FIG.  3 . This is an optional menu screen, on which “RF UNIT CH3 CH4” is displayed. By operating a cursor moving key to change the display color for any channel, the channel can be set. In the example shown, the display color is changed to that of CH3 to set CH3. 
     Also, when a reproducing stop instruction is given by a remote control transmitter  2  or the like during reproducing, the play block  12  stops the reproducing operation, and the first switch SW 1  is switched so that the channel selected by the tuner  11  within the VTR is inputted to the RF modulator  17  through the first switch SW 1  and the OSD control unit  16 . Then, the signal of the channel outputted from the RF modulator  17  is inputted to the television set  23  through the second switch SW 2 . 
     The aforesaid reproducing start instruction, reproducing stop instruction or the like can be given to the VTR by operating the key of the remote control transmitter  2 . In addition, channel information selected by the tuner  11  of the VTR, the counter value of the VTR, videotape reservation information and the like can be also on-screen displayed on the television set  23  by the control of the OSD control unit  16 . 
     When it is desired to display the electronic program guide on the television set  23 , the key or the like of the remote control transmitter  2  is operated to give an electronic program guide display instruction. This display instruction is received by the infrared light reception unit  14  to input the received signal to μcon  13 . On receipt thereof, the μcon  13  decodes the electronic program guide data from the video signal selected by the tuner  11  to supply it to the OSD control unit  16  and to switch the second switch SW 2  to the VTR side. 
     In this case, the electronic program guide data is outputted from the OSD control unit  116  and is inputted to the RF modulator  17 . A signal of, for example, CH 4 to be outputted from the RF modulator  17  is inputted to the television set  23  through the second switch SW 2 . 
     At this time, the television set  23  is switched to CH 4 by a command outputted to the control line  18  or by a remote control signal transmitted from the luminescence unit  22  so that CH 4 outputted from the RF modulator  17  is selected to on-screen display the electronic program guide. 
     When the key of the remote control transmitter  2  is operated to turn off the display of the electronic program guide, the μcon  13  receives it to switch the second switch SW 2  to the TV side, thereby stopping the display of the electronic program guide. At this time, the output of the electronic program guide data from the OSD control unit  16  is stopped. 
     Also, the second switch SW 2  may be switched to the TV side, and the channel may be returned to the original one so that the television set  23  displays the channel before the electronic program guide is displayed through a command outputted to the control line  18  or a remote control signal transmitted from the luminescence unit  22 . 
     By the way, when the second switch SW 2  is switched to the TV side at the user&#39;s request during display of the electronic program guide so that the television set  23  displays the video from the antenna  1 , and subsequently it is switched to the VTR side to display the video from the VTR, the second switch SW 2  is undesirably switched to the TV side at the time of OFF command of the electronic program guide so that signals from the VTR will not be supplied to the television set  23 . Thus, when the user switches the second switch SW 2  during the display of the electronic program guide, the second switch SW 2  is adapted not to be returned to the original state even if it is commanded to turn off the electronic program guide. 
     Such timing for automatic switching of the second switch SW 2  is shown in FIG. 2, and will be described below. 
     FIG. 2A shows the ON/OFF state of the on-screen display; FIG. 2B shows the switched state between TV and VTR in the second switch SW 2 ; and FIG. 2C shows the state of a flag  1  indicating whether or not the second switch SW 2  should be returned to the original state when the display of the electronic program guide is turned off. 
     In FIGS. 2A to  2 C, when the display of the electronic program guide is turned on (Guide ON) at time t1, the on-screen display is caused to be in a Guide ON state, and simultaneously the second switch SW 2  is switched to the VTR side. Further, the flag rises. When the display of the electronic program guide is turned off (Guide OFF) at time t2, the on-screen display is turned off, and the second switch SW 2  is returned to the TV side because the flag is raised. 
     Also, when a switching command (TV/VTR Key) of the second switch SW 2  is inputted at time 4 after Guide ON is inputted at time t3, the second switch SW 2  is switched to the TV side, and the flag falls. Accordingly, when the second switch SW 2  is switched to the VTR side again at time 5, the second switch SW 2  is not switched to the TV side even if Guide OFF is inputted at time t6, but stays on the VTR side. 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the switching process of the second switch SW 2  which is executed by the μcon  13  when the luminescence unit  22  is connected to the VTR. 
     This process determines at Step  01  whether or not there is an electronic program guide display request, and this is determined to be Yes when the user inputs a guide-related key or when an internal request to display a guide-related alarm message occurs. When it is determined to be Yes, a process for displaying such an electronic program guide as shown in FIG. 6B is performed at Step  02 . 
     Next, it is determined at Step  03  whether the switched state of the second switch SW 2  is on the TV side or on the VTR side, and when it is determined to be on the VTR side, the process jumps to Step  06 . When it is determined to be on the TV side, the second switch SW 2  is switched to the VTR side at Step  04 , and further the flag  1  is set to “1” at Step  05 . In this respect, the flag  1  is set to “1” because the second switch SW 2  has been forcibly switched. 
     Then, the μcon  13  outputs a remote control code which switches the television set  23  so as to receive, for example, CH3 at Step  06  to supply it to the luminescence unit  22 . This causes the receiving channel for the television set  23  to be CH3. Thus, the electronic program guide is on-screen displayed. In this respect, the RF modulator  17  is set to CH3 in this case. 
     Subsequently, it is determined in Step  07  whether or not the key for switching the second switch SW 2  has been inputted,and when the key is inputted, it is determined to be Yes, and the flag  1  is set to “0” in Step  08  to complete the process. When the key for switching the second switch SW 2  is not inputted, the process is completed as it is. 
     In this respect, if neither electronic program guide display request, nor input of a guide-related key, nor internal request for displaying a guide-related alarm message occurs, it is determined to be No in Step  01 , and is branched to Step  09 . At Step  09 , it is determined whether or not there is an electronic program guide display-OFF request. This electronic program guide display-OFF request occurs when the user turns off the display of the electronic program guide by operating the guide-related key, when the display of the electronic program guide is intended to be internally turned off by timeout of screen display time, when it becomes necessary to erase the display of the electronic program guide due to change in mode such as power-off, and tape reproducing or the like. 
     When there is an electronic program guide display-OFF request and it is determined to be Yes, the display of the electronic program guide is cleared at Step  10 . Next, it is determined at Step  11  whether the flag  1  is “1” or “0”, and when it is determined to be “1”, the second switch SW 2  is switched to the TV side at Step  12 . Then, the flag  1  is set to “0” at Step  13  to complete the process. 
     When the flag  1  is determined to be “0” at Step  11 , the process is completed as it is. 
     In this respect, when the control line  18  is used, the same flow chart applies, and in this case, it will suffice if a CH3 selection request command is outputted to the control line  18  at Step  06 . 
     Also, since the VTR side is able to know the status on the TV side in this case, when the power supply for the television set  23  is off, a CH 3 command can be transmitted after a power-ON command is transmitted. Further, when the input to the television set  23  is not set to video input, a command for switching to the tuner within the television set  23  can be also transmitted. 
     In the above description, the description has been made of a VTR capable of recording and reproducing as a video device, but a video device according to the present invention may be a VTR exclusively used for reproducing, and is not restricted to a VTR, but may be a video device such as DVD. 
     Since the present invention is constructed as described above, when an electronic program guide is displayed, or when a message display request internally occurs, the switching means can be automatically switched to the internally generated output side, and the channel of the display means can be switched to a channel number, to which the internally generated output is transmitted, by channel switching means, and therefore, the electronic program guide or message can be displayed on display means connected to outside irrespective of the switched state of the switching means.