Abstract:
A broadcasting reception apparatus comprising an input section configured to receive a password a registration section configured to allow a plurality of such passwords to be registered, a broadcasting reception section configured to have its starting controlled on the basis of a result of comparison between the password registered in the registration section and any password input through the input section, a storage section configured to gain information relating to a reception history with the broadcasting reception section in a started state, and a control section configured to control setting contents, at a starting time of the broadcasting reception section, on the basis of the information relating to the reception history stored in the storage section.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-022154, filed Jan. 30, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to an improvement in a broadcasting reception apparatus and method for receiving, for example, television broadcasting.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    As is well known in the art, a current TV receiver is such that, by operating a key on a remote controller, power supply is started and the TV receiver is turned on.  
           [0006]    In this case, the TV receiver is turned on while retaining the last set state in effect immediately before the power supply was stopped. For example, the receiver is automatically turned on at the channel selected immediately before the power supply was stopped.  
           [0007]    Where one television receiver is used exclusively by a single user, it is turned on so as to retain the last set state each time the power supply is started and is, therefore, convenient for the user.  
           [0008]    On the other hand, where one television receiver is shared by a number of users, it is necessary to re-set it to a desired program each time the power supply is started, inconveniencing each user and thus presenting a problem.  
           [0009]    Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-57996 discloses a structure in which a television signal corresponding to a channel desired by the user is automatically selected by broadcasting the television signal with a digital code superimposed thereon and comparing the code with a code previously registered by the viewer in the receiver.  
           [0010]    However, in the structure set out in this KOKAI PUBLICATION, because it is necessary to broadcast the television signal with the digital code superimposed thereon, it is difficult to readily achieve the structure in practice.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcasting reception apparatus comprising: an input section configured to receive a password; a registration section configured to allow a plurality of such passwords to be registered; a broadcasting reception section configured to have its starting controlled on the basis of a result of comparison between the password registered in the registration section and any password input through the input section; a storage section configured to gain information relating to a reception history with the broadcasting reception section in a started state; and a control section configured to control setting contents, at a starting time of the broadcasting reception section, on the basis of the information relating to the reception history stored in the storage section.  
           [0012]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcasting reception method using a broadcasting reception section comprising a channel selection section configured to receive broadcasting and select a signal of a predetermined channel, and a signal processing section configured to apply predetermined signal processing to the signal selected at the channel selection section, comprising: registering a password; inputting any password; controlling a starting of the broadcasting reception section on the basis of a result of comparison between the input password and the registered password; obtaining information relating to a reception history with the broadcasting reception section in a started state and storing the information in such a way as to correspond to the password; and controlling setting content at the starting time of the broadcasting reception section on the basis of the stored reception history. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0013]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention which is used in explaining a television reception apparatus;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a view for explaining one example of operation keys on a remote controller in the embodiment;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a flowchart for use in explaining one portion of a mode setting operation in the embodiment;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for use in explaining the remaining portion of the mode setting operation in the present embodiment;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a flowchart for use in explaining the operation of a mode-set TV reception apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a flowchart for use in explaining the operation of a mode-set TV reception apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for use in explaining a set-content modifying operation in the embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for use in explaining a set-content modifying operation in the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]    One embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. FIG. 1 shows a television receiver as explained in connection with this embodiment. This television receiver is generally classified into a standby block  11  and a reception block  12 .  
         [0023]    Of these blocks, the standby block  11  is normally supplied with electric power from a power supply through a plug  13  and is set to a starting state. The reception block  12 , on the other hand, is such that only when a power supply switch  14  is closed is it supplied with the electric power from the power supply through the plug  13 .  
         [0024]    Here, the standby block  11  comprises a receiving section  16  for receiving operation information which is transmitted by means of light from a remote controller  15 , a microcomputer  17  for allowing the operation information which has been received at the receiving section  16  to be analyzed and outputting a corresponding control signal, and a timer  18  for measuring the time involved.  
         [0025]    When a power supply key on the remote controller  15  is operated, the microcomputer receives corresponding operation information via the receiving section  16  to close the power supply switch  14 .  
         [0026]    The reception block  12  is equipped with a central processing unit (CPU)  19 . The CPU  19  is so configured as to receive a control signal from the microcomputer  17  in the standby block  11  as well as time information measured by the timer  18 .  
         [0027]    The CPU  19  generally controls the reception block  12  in such a manner as to allow a program which has been recorded in compressed form in a nonvolatile memory  20  to be output according to a program in a main memory  21 , that is, also with the use of time information, etc., as required, to be output with a control signal from the microcomputer  17  in such a manner as to reflect the user&#39;s operation.  
         [0028]    That is, a TV signal which has been received by an antenna  22  is supplied to a tuner section  23  where a video signal and audio signal of a desired channel are selected. The video and audio signals thus selected in the tuner section  23  are supplied via the CPU  19  to a signal processing unit  24  where they are demodulated.  
         [0029]    The video signal thus demodulated in the signal processing section  24  is supplied to a monitor  25  for video display, while, on the other hand, the audio signal thus demodulated in the signal processing section  24  is fed to a speaker  26  for speech reproduction.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 shows one example of operation keys on the remote controller  15 , that is, the above-mentioned power supply key  15   a , an input changeover key  15   b , numeric keys  15   c  numbered  1  through  12 , set menu key  15   d , up/down keys  15   e  for reception channel, and volume up/down keys  15   f.    
         [0031]    Here, this TV receiver can be set to either a common mode available to any non-specific user or a personal mode accessible by an input operation of a password by a registered specific user only or to both modes.  
         [0032]    For the common mode and personal mode, a database is provided with their set mode contents stored in it. For the personal mode, in particular, a database is provided with its stored content set for each registered user. The data involved is stored in the nonvolatile memory  20 .  
         [0033]    As the set contents, for example, there are various items such as a history of view channels (selected channel numbers, view start/end time, view start/end week days, etc.), a parental lock level, various kinds of parameters for volume control, various kinds of parameters for video adjustment, and so on. These are automatically stored in a database for each variation involved.  
         [0034]    It is to be noted that, when the power supply switch  14  is changed over from closed to open, the changed-over time is set to a view end time and view end week day. Further, when the power supply switch  14 , being closed, is placed in the power off state by forcibly removing the plug  13  from the associated outlet, the next time the power is supplied to the reception block  12  a view end time and view end week day are set.  
         [0035]    Here, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a combined operation flowchart for setting the television receiver to a common mode, personal mode or both modes. This mode setting operation is realized in the case where, with a power supply switch  14  of a newly bought TV receiver being initially closed, a menu screen is displayed on a monitor  25  for allowing the user to effect a mode setting at each insertion of a plug  14  into an associated outlet, and so on.  
         [0036]    First, when a mode setting is started at step S 1 , the CPU  19  allows a message indicating “Register in personal mode?” to be displayed on the monitor  25  at step S 2 . At step S 3 , a wait is made for YES/No decision in this connection and, at step S 4 , either YES or NO is decided as being input.  
         [0037]    In this case, for example, YES information is input in the case of the personal registration by operating an input changeover key  15   b  on the remote controller  15  and then operating the channel up key  15   e . On the other hand, NO information is input by operating the input changeover key  15   b  and operating the channel down key  15   e.    
         [0038]    In the case where NO is decided for personal registration at step S 4 , then the CPU  19  automatically sets the TV receiver to a common mode at step S 5  and ends the mode setting operation.  
         [0039]    In the case where YES is decided for personal registration at step S 4 , the CPU  19  sets a wait state for any password of a prescribed number of characters at step S 6  and decision is made whether or not an input password is duplicated as being already registered one at step S 7 .  
         [0040]    If decision is made that the input password is duplicated (YES) at step S 7 , the CPU  19  allows a message indicating “Cannot be registered” to be displayed on the monitor  25  at step S 8  and the process goes to step S 6 .  
         [0041]    If decision is made that, at step S 7 , the password is not duplicated (NO), the CPU  19  allows the input password to be recorded on the nonvolatile memory  20  at step S 9  and, here, a personal registration is ended.  
         [0042]    Further, the CPU  19  allows a message indicating “Allow starting of receiver in common mode?” to be displayed on the monitor  25  at step S 10  and, at step S 11 , sets a wait state in which such an input is allowed or not allowed. And the CPU allows a result of inputting to be stored in the nonvolatile memory  20  at step S 12 .  
         [0043]    If, in this case, an “allowed” input is received, both the personal mode and common mode are set by the CPU  19 . If, on the other hand, a “not allowed” input is set, then only a personal mode is set by the CPU  19 .  
         [0044]    After this, the CPU  19  allows a message indicating “Allow addition of personal registration when common mode is started?” to be displayed on the monitor  25  at step S 13 . And a wait state is made as to whether “Allow” or “Do not allow” is input (step S 14 ). At step S 15 , a result of inputting is recorded on the nonvolatile memory  20  and a mode setting operation is ended at step S 16 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIGS. 5 and 6 show a combined operation flowchart of the TV receiver to which the above-mentioned mode setting is effected. First, starting is made at step S 17  and the microcomputer  17  waits for any keys on the remote controller  15  to be operated at step S 18 . If decision is made that any keys are operated (YES), the power supply switch  14  is so controlled as to be turned ON.  
         [0046]    Then, electric power from the power supply is fed to the reception block  12  and the CPU  19  decides whether or not any numeric keys  15   c  are operated at step S 19 . If YES, the CPU  19  decides whether or not the input numbers reach any prescribed digit number at S 20 . If the answer is NO, then at step S 21  the input numbers are stored in the main memory  21  and the process is transferred to step S 18 .  
         [0047]    In the case where the numbers input at step S 20  reach a prescribed digit number (YES), the CPU  19  decides whether or not the input numbers are matched to any password registered on the nonvolatile memory  20  at step S 22 . If NO, the input numbers are deleted from the main memory  21  at step S 23  and the CPU  17  allows the power supply switch  14  to be opened through the microcomputer  17  and the process is transferred to step S 18 .  
         [0048]    If, at step S 22 , the input numbers are decided as being matched to any registered password (YES), the CPU  19  allows the set content to be read out from a corresponding database in the nonvolatile memory  20  and allows the read-out data to be stored in the main memory  21  at step S 24 .  
         [0049]    In the case where any numeric keys  15   c  are decided as not being operated (NO) at step S 19 , the CPU  19  decides whether or not any power supply key  15   a  is operated at step S 25 . If NO, the numbers input at step S 26  are deleted from the main memory  21  and, after the power supply switch  14  has been opened through the microcomputer  17 , the process is transferred to step  18 .  
         [0050]    In the case where it is decided that the power supply key  15   a  is operated (YES) at step S 25 , the CPU  19  reads out information of “whether or not to allow starting in common mode” from the nonvolatile memory  20  at step S 27  and decides whether or not the starting is allowed in the common mode at step S 28 .  
         [0051]    If the starting is decided as not being allowed (NO), the CPU  19  allows this “not allowed” information to be displayed on the monitor  25  and the process is transferred to step S 26 . If, on the other hand, this is decided as being allowed (YES), the CPU  19  reads out a set content from a corresponding database of the nonvolatile memory  20  and allows the read-out data to be stored in the main memory  21  at step S 29 .  
         [0052]    Here, after steps S 24  or S 29 , the CPU  19  automatically decides any selecting channel from the view history of the set contents stored in the main memory  21  at step S 30  and, at step S 31 , allows a corresponding channel to be selected at the tuner section  23 . After this, the CPU  19  restores various kinds of setting on the basis of the set contents stored in the main memory  21  at step S 32  and the process is ended at step S 33 .  
         [0053]    According to the above-mentioned embodiment, with respect to a plurality of registered users, their set content accumulated database is prepared and, for the user whose password is matched, the various kinds of setting can be done based on the set contents read out from the corresponding database.  
         [0054]    For this reason, with respect to a plurality of users, the receiver can be easily started, in a simpler structure, with their corresponding set contents. From the view history stored for each registered user, for example, channel selection can be automatically made at a starting time of a receiver under a highly frequently viewing channel.  
         [0055]    Further it is possible for those registered users to obtain an image display and voice reproduction corresponding to their own setting contents simply by operating the numeric keys  15   c  on the remote controller  15  and inputting their own passwords. It is, therefore, not necessary to operate the power supply key  15   a  and this insures easier handling.  
         [0056]    Further, when the common mode is “allowed”, the power supply key  15   c  is normally operated and, in this way, various kinds of setting can be effected based on the set contents read out from the database corresponding to the common mode. It is also possible for those not-registered users to easily use this setting.  
         [0057]    Further, the television receiver according to the embodiment above may be normally of an installed type, but it may be of a portable compact type such as a so-called mobile type. Since, in particular, the mobile TV receiver tends to be utilized on his or her own use, if setting is made not to be allowed in the common mode, then it is possible for the user to effectively use it under a highly secure environment.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIGS. 7 and 8 show a combined operation flowchart for modifying setting contents. The modification of the setting contents is started (step S 34 ) by operating the setting menu key  15   d  of the remote controller  15 .  
         [0059]    Then the CPU  19  decides whether or not starting is made in a personal mode at step S 35 . If it is decided that the starting is made in the personal mode (YES), all the setting menu is displayed on the monitor  25  at step S 36  and, at step S 37 , it is decided whether or not any addition of a personal registration is selected.  
         [0060]    If it is decided that the starting is not made in the personal mode (NO) at step S 35 , the CPU  19  decides whether or not any personal registration is allowed in the common mode at step S 38  and, if YES, the process is transferred to step S 37 .  
         [0061]    If it is decided that any personal registration is not allowed in the common mode (NO) at step S 38 , the CPU  19  displays the set menu other than that of the personal registration on the monitor  25  at step S 39  and the process is transferred to step S 37 .  
         [0062]    In the case where any addition of the personal registration is decided as being selected (YES) at step S 37  above, the CPU  19  receives the incoming password of a prescribed number of characters at step S 40  and, at step S 41 , allows the input contents to be stored in the nonvolatile memory  20  and ends the processing at step S 42 .  
         [0063]    In the case where, at step S 37 , any addition of the personal registration is decided as not being selected (NO), the CPU  19  decides whether or not the “allowing” of a starting in the common mode is selected at step S 43 . If YES, the CPU  19  waits for the receipt of an “allowed” or “not allowed” input at step S 44  and the process is transferred to step S 41 .  
         [0064]    In the case where, at step S 43  above, the “allowing” of a starting in the common mode is decided as not being selected (NO), the CPU  19  decides whether or not the “allowing” of any personal registration is selected at step S 45 . If NO, the process is transferred to step S 37 .  
         [0065]    If YES, the CPU  19  waits for the receipt of an “allowed” or “not allowed” input at step S 46  and the process is transferred to step S 41 .  
         [0066]    The present invention is not restricted to the above-mentioned embodiment and various changes or modifications of the present invention can be made without departing from the essence in practice. Further, by properly combining a plurality of constituent elements of the above-mentioned embodiment, it is possible to achieve the above-mentioned invention. For example, any several constituent elements may be properly eliminated from the remaining portion of the present invention.  
         [0067]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.