Patent ID: 7460183

Claim:
A digital television broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna having a first number of signal receiving directions in compliance with a predetermined technical standard, receiving a digital television broadcast signal by making only one signal receiving direction among the first number of signal receiving directions effective, comprising: a tuner for receiving a television broadcast signal through the multi-directional antenna; a controller for switching an effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna, measures a signal receiving condition of a television broadcast signal received by the tuner, and comparing a plurality of signal receiving conditions; and wherein when a multi-directional antenna is connected to the tuner, the tuner receives television broadcast signals of an optional channel and the controller measures signal receiving conditions of the television broadcast signals in all of the first number of signal receiving directions while switching the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna at an interval necessary for switching the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna, and the controller compares the signal receiving conditions in each adjoining two signal receiving directions; when the signal receiving conditions in at least two pairs of adjoining two signal receiving directions are substantially the same, the controller judges that the multi-directional antenna has a second number of signal receiving directions smaller than the first number, and treats the signal receiving directions of the multi-directional antenna showing substantially the same signal receiving conditions of the television broadcast signals as the same direction.