JP6556097B2 - Digital broadcast receiving apparatus, digital broadcast receiving method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus and a digital broadcast receiving method. The present invention particularly relates to a mobile digital broadcast receiving apparatus, for example, a digital broadcast receiving apparatus suitable for use as a device mounted on a mobile device such as a portable device or a vehicle, and a digital broadcast receiving method in the digital broadcast receiving device. The present invention also relates to a program for causing a computer to execute processing in the above digital broadcast receiving apparatus or digital broadcast receiving method, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  Digital broadcast receivers that receive digital broadcasts receive and demodulate broadcast signals for each physical channel, confirm the presence of broadcast signals, identify broadcast stations, etc. There is a function called channel scan for acquiring broadcast signal information including. Here, the physical channel is a channel assigned with a specific number corresponding to a specific frequency range defined by each digital broadcasting standard. For example, ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) standard used in Japan. In this case, the physical channel number 13 corresponds to a frequency range from 470 Mhz to 476 Mhz.

  Information (broadcast signal information) indicating a receivable broadcast signal obtained as a result of the channel scan is normally written and stored in a nonvolatile memory in the digital broadcast receiver. When the user gives a channel selection instruction by an operation input using a remote controller or the like, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus performs a channel selection process such as tuning based on the stored broadcast signal information.

 The situation in which the channel scan needs to be executed is based on the situation where the broadcast signal information is not stored in the digital broadcast receiver, such as at the time of initial setting immediately after purchase, and the movement of the digital broadcast receiver or a change in the surrounding environment. There is a situation where the receivable broadcast wave has changed. In particular, the latter situation is more likely to occur in mobile digital broadcast receivers used as portable devices or in-vehicle devices, compared to fixed digital broadcast receivers that are used indoors.

While performing the channel scan, the broadcast receiving system used for searching each physical channel cannot be used for viewing a program. Therefore, when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus does not include a channel scanning receiving system different from the viewing receiving system, the user cannot view the program until the channel scanning ends.
Even when a receiving system for channel scanning is provided in addition to the receiving system for viewing, if the broadcast signal information is not saved in the initial setting, and the broadcast signal information of the program that the user wants to select is still acquired. If not, the user cannot view the program. For this reason, it is desirable that the time required for the channel scan is short.

  As a conventional basic digital broadcast receiving method, there is a method in which physical channels defined by the digital broadcast standard are sequentially selected from the smallest number to the largest physical channel. In this method, since all the channels are always selected, there is a problem that it takes a long time from the start to the end of the channel scan.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, in the method described in Patent Document 1, by creating a broadcasting station table indicating channels existing in the adjacent area, the channel scan target is limited to the channels in the adjacent area. The scan time is to be shortened. In the method of Patent Document 1 described above, a channel for viewing is further obtained by performing channel selection processing sequentially on channels existing in adjacent areas and registering data in a channel list that can be viewed when a receivable broadcast exists. The time required to create the list is reduced.

JP 2009-253813 (paragraphs 0016 to 0017, FIG. 1)

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, since all adjacent areas are subject to channel scanning, the effect of reducing the time required for channel scanning or the time required for creating a viewing channel list is limited. is there. Specifically, when the current position is Osaka, if the channels used in Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, and Wakayama, which are neighboring areas of Osaka, are subject to channel scanning, the total number is 39 channels. When all channels are scanned, the total number is 50, and only Osaka is 22 channels, so if only Osaka is a channel scan target, the channel scan target channel was only 44% of the total, but it is adjacent It will increase to 78% by spreading to the region.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described problems, and does not target all adjacent areas for channel scanning, but only targets adjacent areas with high possibility of reception by channel scanning. The purpose is to shorten the time required for channel scanning and to quickly display the viewing channel list.

The digital broadcast receiver of the present invention is
A controller that sequentially selects a plurality of physical channels;
A receiving unit that receives radio waves transmitted on the physical channel selected by the control unit and extracts a stream from the received radio waves;
A demultiplexer for separating program information from the stream;
A storage unit,
The storage unit
For each broadcasting region, a broadcasting region number transmitting station number table that stores the number of transmitting stations that perform transmission on each of the plurality of physical channels;
An adjacent area table that stores as an adjacent area other broadcast areas where transmitting stations that transmit receivable broadcast radio waves are located in at least a part of each broadcast area;
For each broadcast area, a reception confirmation priority table that stores a reception confirmation priority indicating the degree of priority when confirming whether broadcast reception is possible,
A reception date and time table for storing the oldest reception date and time and the latest reception date and time of broadcasting from a transmitting station in each broadcasting area;
A priority-specific transmitting station number table that stores the total number of transmitting stations that perform transmission on each of the plurality of physical channels for each reception confirmation priority;
Stores the scan order table that stores the channel scan order,
The controller is
A selected channel update processing unit for specifying a physical channel to be next selected in the channel scan from the channel scan order stored in the scan order table;
Let the receiving unit extract the stream corresponding to the physical channel specified by the selected channel update processing unit, and check whether the demultiplexing unit can separate the program information from the stream; A program information separation confirmation processing unit that updates the reception date and time table if it can be separated;
Refer to the adjacent area table, and update the reception confirmation priority of the broadcast area and the adjacent area of the broadcast area in the reception confirmation priority table in accordance with the confirmation result in the program information separation confirmation processing unit A reception confirmation priority processing unit,
Referring to the broadcast area transmission station number table and the reception confirmation priority table, the total number of transmission stations located in the broadcast area having the same reception confirmation priority is calculated for each of the plurality of physical channels. The transmission station number table by priority is updated with the total number of transmission stations, and in the transmission station number table by priority, the channel scanning order is determined in the order of physical channels with the largest total number of transmission stations. A scan order processing unit for storing the channel scan order in the scan order table.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not reception is possible preferentially from a physical channel having a high reception possibility, and therefore it is possible to reduce the time required for channel scanning.

It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the some table stored in the memory | storage part of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the functional block which comprises the channel scan control part of FIG. It is the schematic which shows an example of the transmission area number table of a broadcast area of FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a bit configuration of a service ID used in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a classification table showing area identification classifications used in the first embodiment. It is an allocation table which shows allocation of a region identification code. (A)-(d) is the schematic which shows the structure of the frequency list used in Embodiment 1, (e) is the data of the relationship which shows the relationship between a broadcasting station and transmission output contained in a frequency list. It is a figure which shows a bit structure. It is the schematic which shows an example of the adjacent area table of FIG. It is a schematic map which shows the broadcast area which appears in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the reception date table of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the reception confirmation priority table of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the transmission place number table according to priority of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the scan order table of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the next selection channel table of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing channel scan processing in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the channel scan initialization process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which updates the next selection channel table of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the reception confirmation process of FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an update process based on the earliest reception date and time in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an update process based on the latest reception date and time in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of transition of the reception confirmation priority accompanying the movement of a digital broadcast receiver. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the digital broadcast receiver which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the transmission area number table according to broadcasting area used in Embodiment 3 of this invention. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an adjacent area table used in Embodiment 3. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a computer that executes processing of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a computer that executes processing of a digital broadcast receiving device according to a second embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 is assumed to be compatible with the ARIB standard used in Japan.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 includes a channel scan unit 101 that is a block for performing a channel scan, a program presentation unit 102 that is a block for presenting a program to a user, and a channel scan or program. A storage unit 103 that functions as a database to be referred to or updated at the time of presentation, an operation input unit 104 that receives a user operation, and a service list generation unit 105 are provided.

  The storage unit 103 stores information necessary for processing performed by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 103 includes a broadcasting region-specific transmitting station number table BATL, an adjacent region table NATL, a broadcasting TS table BTTL, a reception date / time table RCVL, a reception confirmation priority table BAVL, A priority-specific transmission number table PRVL, a scan order table CSVL, and a next selection channel table NXVL are stored.

  The channel scan unit 101 includes a tuner unit 111, a demodulation unit 112 connected to the output unit of the tuner unit 111, a demultiplex unit 113 connected to the output unit of the demodulation unit 112, and a channel scan control unit 115. Prepare. The tuner unit 111 and the demodulation unit 112 constitute a reception unit 116 that extracts a stream from the received radio wave.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the channel scan control unit 115 includes a channel scan initialization processing unit 115A, a selected channel update processing unit 115B, a program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C, a reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D, and a scan. And an order processing unit 115E.

  The program presentation unit 102 includes a tuner unit 121, a demodulation unit 122 connected to the output unit of the tuner unit 121, a demultiplexing unit 123 connected to the output unit of the demodulation unit 122, and an output of the demultiplexing unit 123. A decoding unit 124 connected to the unit, and a viewing channel control unit 125. The tuner unit 121 and the demodulation unit 122 constitute a receiving unit 126 that extracts a stream from the received radio wave.

  The tuner unit 121 is connected to the antenna 108 and extracts a received signal from radio waves received by the antenna 108. The tuner unit 121 selects a physical channel in accordance with a tuning instruction from the viewing channel control unit 125, and extracts a received signal of the selected physical channel. Further, the tuner unit 121 gives the extracted reception signal to the demodulation unit 122.

  The demodulation unit 122 performs demodulation processing and error correction processing on the received signal given from the tuner unit 121, and extracts a TS (Transport Stream) as a digital signal. Then, the demodulation unit 122 gives the extracted TS to the demultiplexing unit 123. Further, the demodulator 122 provides the viewing channel controller 125 with a frame lock detection signal or a frame unlock detection signal according to the result of the demodulation process.

  The demultiplexing unit 123 performs demultiplexing processing on the TS given from the demodulation unit 122. For example, the demultiplexing unit 123 includes information necessary for selecting a service (program) such as program specific information (PSI: Program Specific Information) and program arrangement information (service information: SI: Service Information) from the TS. Separate program information. Further, the demultiplexing unit 123 filters the TS based on the value of the PID (TS packet identifier: Packet Identifier) of the video TS packet and the audio TS packet detected from the separated PSI / SI, and the video TS packet And the voice TS packet is separated. Then, the demultiplexing unit 123 gives the separated video TS packet and audio TS packet to the decoding unit 124.

  The decoding unit 124 decodes (decodes) the video TS packet and the audio TS packet given from the demultiplexing unit 123, and extracts the video signal and the audio signal, respectively. Then, the decoding unit 124 provides the extracted video signal and audio signal to the display / audio output device 106.

  The service list generation unit 105 is stored in the storage unit 103 in response to a signal output from the operation input unit 104 when the operation input unit 104 receives an operation input requesting display of the service list from the user. Information indicating a broadcast program (service) that can be viewed at each time point is acquired from the broadcast TS table BTTL at the current position, and based on this information, the display / audio output device 106 can view the broadcast program (service) that can be viewed. ) Is displayed.

The viewing channel control unit 125 selects a channel based on a signal corresponding to an operation input from the operation input unit 104 when the user performs a channel selection operation based on the service list displayed on the display / audio output device 106. Control station processing. When controlling the channel selection process, the viewing channel control unit 125 acquires information indicating the physical channel used by the selected broadcast station based on the broadcast TS table BTTL stored in the storage unit 103. Based on this information, a tuning instruction is sent to the tuner unit 121 to cause the tuner unit 121 to receive broadcast radio waves of a program to be viewed.
In the above channel selection process, the viewing channel control unit 125 generates or updates the broadcast TS table BTTL based on the program information separated by the demultiplexing unit 123.

  The tuner unit 111 is connected to the antenna 107 and extracts a received signal from the radio wave received by the antenna 107. The tuner unit 111 selects a physical channel in accordance with a tuning instruction from the channel scan control unit 115, and extracts a received signal of the selected physical channel. In addition, the tuner unit 111 provides the extracted reception signal to the demodulation unit 112.

  The demodulation unit 112 performs demodulation processing and error correction processing on the received signal given from the tuner unit 111, and extracts a TS (Transport Stream) as a digital signal. Then, the demodulation unit 112 provides the extracted TS to the demultiplexing unit 113. Further, the demodulator 112 gives a frame lock detection signal or a frame unlock detection signal to the channel scan control unit 115 according to the result of the demodulation process.

  The demultiplexing unit 113 performs demultiplexing processing on the TS given from the demodulation unit 112. For example, the demultiplexing unit 113 includes information necessary for selecting a service (program) such as program specific information (PSI: Program Specific Information) and program arrangement information (service information: SI: Service Information) from the TS. Separate program information.

Hereinafter, the table stored in the storage unit 103 will be described.
The broadcast area number transmission station table BATL stores the number of transmission stations that are located in each broadcast area and perform transmission in each physical channel. Here, “transmission” is transmission for digital broadcasting in accordance with a broadcast standard that can be supported by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 having the storage unit 103.
As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the broadcast area-specific transmission station number table BATL includes a broadcast area column BATL1 and a transmission station number column BATL2 for each physical channel.

  Area identification information is stored in the broadcast area column BATL1, and the number of transmitting stations is stored in the transmitting station number column BATL2. The number of transmitting stations is stored in association with each area identification information in the broadcast area column BATL1 and in association with each physical channel.

  In the following, the code “BATL1” indicating the broadcast area column is also used to indicate the area identification information stored in the column, and the code “BATL2” indicating the number of transmitting stations is set to the transmitting station stored in the column. Also used to indicate numbers. The same applies to other tables described later.

  The area identification information stored in the broadcast area column BATL1 is information for identifying the broadcast area. Here, the area identification information is information that can uniquely identify the broadcast area among the information that can be extracted from the TS. For example, in the case of broadcasting in accordance with the ARIB standard in Japan, NIT (Network Information Table) that is information on a network to be transmitted, SDT (Service Description Table) that defines attributes of services broadcast in each TS, and the like are included. The broadcasting area of the TS can be specified by an area code included in the NIT terrestrial distribution system descriptor or a unique value called area identification which is an upper bit of the service ID included in the SDT. In other words, in the case of broadcasting in accordance with the ARIB standard, a predetermined area identification code is stored as an area code included in the NIT or a value of area identification included in the SDT. It can be used as information. In the broadcast area column BATL1 in FIG. 4, area identification information of all areas where broadcasting is performed may be stored, or area identification information of only a part of the areas may be stored.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a bit configuration of service ID 130 in digital terrestrial broadcasting. As shown in FIG. 5, the service ID 130 includes a region identification 130A.

  FIG. 6 is a classification table 131 showing the classification of area identification in digital terrestrial broadcasting. As shown in the classification table 131, in the case of broadcasting according to the ARIB standard, “0” to “9” are set as area identification values for wide-area broadcasting (broadcasting with two or more prefectures as broadcasting areas). “10” to “63” are assigned as area identification values to prefectural broadcasts (broadcasts with one prefecture as a broadcast area).

  FIG. 7 is an assignment table 132 showing assignment of area identification values in digital terrestrial broadcasting. By using the area identification information obtained from the NIT or SDT, for example, the broadcast area corresponding to the area identification information can be specified by referring to the allocation table 132 of FIG.

The number of transmitting stations stored in the transmitting station number column BATL2 in association with each area identification information BATL1 and in association with each physical channel is located in the broadcasting area indicated by the area identification information BATL1. This is the number of transmitting stations that transmit on the physical channel. In the present application, “transmitting station” includes “relay station”.
In FIG. 4, the correspondence between the number of transmitting stations BATL2 and the area identification information BATL1 is shown by entering them in the same row (vertical direction position), and the number of transmitting stations BATL2 and physical channels (13ch, 14ch,...). Is shown by entering them in the same column (horizontal position).

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, it is associated with “Osaka” as a broadcasting area identified by the area identification information BATL1 (in the same row), and is associated with “13ch” as a physical channel (in the same column). “4” is entered as the number of transmission stations BATL2. This indicates that the number of transmitting stations that are located in the broadcast area “Osaka” and that use 13 channels is “4”.

The number of transmitting stations located in each broadcasting area and using each physical channel is obtained from information included in the frequency list included in the broadcasting wave.
FIG. 8A shows the overall structure of the frequency list.
Each record FL1 in the frequency list FL0 corresponds to the area (broadcast area) in FIG. Since a plurality of TSs can be received in one broadcasting area, a plurality (q pieces) of TS information FL2 are allocated to one record FL1, as shown in FIG. 8B. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), each TS information is assigned one series identification FL3 for identifying the broadcasting station series to which the TS belongs and a plurality (r) of transmitting station information FL4. It is done.
As shown in FIG. 8D, the transmitting station information FL4 includes a transmitting station ID for identifying the transmitting station,
It includes a postal code indicating the location of the transmitting station, a physical channel number used for transmission, and a transmission output of radio waves to be transmitted.

The bit assignment of these data is shown in FIG.
As described above, the record FL1 has a plurality (q) of TS information, and each TS has a sequence identification FL3.
From the information indicating the address of each transmitting station included in the frequency list and the information indicating the physical channel used at each transmitting station, the number of transmitting stations located in each broadcasting area and transmitting on each physical channel can be obtained. it can.

Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the adjacent area table NATL stores, for each broadcast area, information indicating a broadcast area (adjacent area) adjacent to the broadcast area. For example, the adjacent area table NATL has a broadcast area column NATL1 and an adjacent area column NATL2, as shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a schematic map showing broadcast areas appearing in FIG.

The broadcast area column NATL1 stores area identification information for identifying the broadcast area.
The adjacent area column NATL2 stores area identification information for identifying the adjacent area of the broadcast area indicated by the area identification information stored in the broadcast area column NATL1.
Here, the adjacent area with respect to each broadcast area means another broadcast area where a transmitting station that transmits receivable broadcast waves is located in at least a part of each broadcast area. That is, when at least a part of the broadcast area indicated by the area identification information of the broadcast area column NATL1 can receive broadcast radio waves from a transmitting station located in another broadcast area, the other broadcast area is selected. Adjacent area. Therefore, even if the boundary of the broadcast area on the map corresponding to each area identification information is not touching, there is a possibility of becoming an adjacent area.

Examples of receiving broadcasts from transmitting stations other than the broadcast area adjacent to the broadcast area corresponding to the area identification information are as follows.
For example, Gunma Prefecture and Ibaraki Prefecture are not in contact, but in the southeastern part of Gunma Prefecture, the closest point to Ibaraki Prefecture (a part of Itakura-cho, Guraku Prefecture) is only about 3km away from the border with Ibaraki Prefecture. , Can receive radio waves from the Furukawa Relay Station in Furukawa City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Therefore, the broadcast area “Ibaraki” corresponds to the adjacent area of the broadcast area “Gunma”.
In addition, Mie Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture are not in contact with each other, but in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, radio waves from the Ikoma Transmitting Station in Higashi Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture can be received. Therefore, the broadcast area “Osaka” corresponds to the adjacent area of the broadcast area “Mie”.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, “41 (Kyoto)”, “42 (Hyogo)”, “44 (Nara)” and “43 (in association with“ 40 (Osaka) ”entered in the broadcast area column NATL1. Wakayama) ”is entered in the adjacent area column NATL2. This means that when the current location is “Osaka”, not only broadcasts transmitted from the transmitting station in “Osaka” but also transmitting stations in “Kyoto”, “Hyogo”, “Nara” and “Wakayama”. It indicates that there is a possibility of receiving broadcasts transmitted from.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the broadcast area transmission station number table BATL and the adjacent area table NATL may be stored in advance in the storage unit 103 in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100, or may be recorded on an external recording medium. It may be read into the storage unit 103 at the start of the channel scanning process. In the case of the ARIB standard, as described above, by downloading a frequency list including information indicating the address and physical channel of each transmitting station from the broadcast radio wave, for example, the channel scan control unit 115 can determine the broadcasting area. The transmitting station number table BATL can also be automatically generated.

  The broadcast TS table BTTL stores information related to TS (TS transmitted by broadcast radio waves) acquired from broadcast radio waves received by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. For example, the broadcast TS table BTTL stores a physical channel, TS identification information (TS_ID), and a service ID indicating each service in the TS in association with each TS extracted from the broadcast radio wave by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. . The broadcast TS table BTTL is generated or updated by the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C in the channel scan control unit 115 based on the program information separated by the demultiplexing unit 113 in the channel scanning process.

  The reception date / time table RCVL stores information indicating the oldest reception date / time and the latest reception date / time for each broadcasting region. For example, the reception date / time table RCVL includes a broadcast area column RCVL1, an oldest reception date / time column RCVL2, and a latest reception date / time column RCVL3 as shown in FIG.

The broadcast area column RCVL1 stores area identification information.
The earliest reception date / time field RCVL2 is associated with the broadcast area identified by the area identification information in the broadcast area field RCVL1, and each oldest reception date / time (receives a broadcast from any transmitting station in the broadcast area). Stored the oldest date and time).

  The latest reception date / time field RCVL3 is associated with the broadcast area identified by the area identification information in the broadcast area field RCVL1, and is associated with the latest reception date / time (the latest reception date from any transmitting station in the broadcast area). Is stored.

  When the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is shipped as a product from the factory, initial values are set in the oldest received date / time field RCVL2 and the latest received date / time field RCVL3. The initial value here is a value indicating that the date / time information is not set, that is, an invalid value.

  The earliest reception date and time is a state in which the initial value is entered in the earliest reception date and time column RCVL2 of the broadcast area (this is not only the state shipped from the factory but also after the start of use as will be described later) The date and time when program information in the broadcasting area (program information indicating that the broadcasting is transmitted from a transmitting station in the broadcasting area) is first received from the state initialized by processing). However, as described later, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the date and time of reception, the date and time of reception is updated to an initial value, and the reception is not performed.

  The latest reception date and time refers to the date and time when the program information in the broadcast area (program information indicating that the broadcast is transmitted from a transmitting station in the broadcast area) was last received.

  The reception confirmation priority table BAVL stores the reception confirmation priority for each broadcasting region. The reception confirmation priority is information indicating the degree of priority in confirming whether broadcast reception is possible, that is, from which broadcast region the confirmation should be performed first. Here, the reception confirmation for each broadcast area means reception confirmation of broadcast from a transmitting station in the broadcast area.

The reception confirmation priority table BAVL has, for example, a broadcast area column BAVL1 and a reception confirmation priority column BAVL2 as shown in FIG.
The broadcast area column BAVL1 stores area identification information.
The reception confirmation priority column BAVL2 stores the reception confirmation priority of the broadcast region identified by the broadcast identification information in association with the broadcast identification information of the broadcast region column BAVL1.
The numerical value entered in the reception confirmation priority column BAVL2 represents the reception confirmation priority. The higher the numerical value, the higher the priority. In the following, it is assumed to be “2”, “1”, or “0”.

  As described later, “2”, “1”, or “0” is set as the reception confirmation priority for each physical channel based on the reception confirmation priority set for each broadcast region, and the channel In scanning, reception confirmation processing is performed in the order of reception confirmation priority for each physical channel. For example, the physical channel with the reception confirmation priority “2” is selected first, and then the physical channel with the reception confirmation priority “1” is selected. A physical channel with a reception confirmation priority of “0” is not subject to channel scanning.

  As will be described later, the reception confirmation priority for each broadcasting region is updated based on the result of the reception confirmation of the broadcast transmitted from each transmitting station on each physical channel, and accordingly, reception for each physical channel is received. The confirmation priority is also updated. For example, when a broadcast from a transmitting station in each broadcasting area can be received, that is, when the program information extracted from the received radio wave indicates that it is a radio wave from a transmitting station in each broadcasting area, The local reception confirmation priority is set to “2” which is the highest value. Thereafter, when it is estimated that the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is away from the broadcast area, the reception confirmation priority of the broadcast area is updated to a lower value.

The number-of-priority transmission station number table PRVL stores the total number of transmission stations that perform transmission on each physical channel for each reception confirmation priority.
For example, the priority-specific transmitting station number table PRVL includes a reception confirmation priority column PRVL1 and a transmitting station total number column PRVL2, as shown in FIG.

In the reception confirmation priority column PRVL1, information indicating “2” and “1” is entered as the value of the reception confirmation priority.
The transmitting station total number column PRVL2 is located in one or more broadcast areas to which the receiving confirmation priority shown in the receiving confirmation priority column PRVL1 is assigned, and is shown in each physical channel (shown in the transmitting station total number column PRVL2). The total number of transmitting stations that transmit data (total number of transmitting stations) is stored in association with each reception confirmation priority and in association with each physical channel.
In FIG. 13, the correspondence between the total number of transmission stations PRVL2 and the reception confirmation priority PRVL1 is indicated by writing them in the same row (vertical position), and the total number of transmission stations PRVL2 and physical channels (13ch, 14ch,...). ) Is indicated by entering them in the same column (horizontal position).

  For example, in FIG. 13, it is associated with “2” as the reception confirmation priority PRVL1 (in the same row) and is associated with “13ch” as the physical channel (in the same column) as the total number of transmission stations PRVL2. “4” is entered. This indicates that the total number of transmission stations (total number of transmission stations) that are located in the broadcast area where the reception confirmation priority PRVL1 is “2” and that transmits on the 13th channel is “4”. Similarly, it is associated with “1” as the reception confirmation priority PRVL1 (in the same row) and is associated with “13ch” as the physical channel (in the same column), and is “33” as the total number of transmission stations PRVL2. Is entered. This indicates that the total number of transmitting stations (total number of transmitting stations) that are located in the broadcast area where the reception confirmation priority PRVL1 is “1” and that transmits on the 13th channel is “33”.

The scan order table CSVL stores the selection order of physical channels in channel scan for each reception confirmation priority.
For example, the scan order table CSVL has a reception confirmation priority column CSVL1 and a scan order column CSVL2 as shown in FIG.

  In the reception confirmation priority column CSVL1, information indicating “2” and “1” is entered as the value of the reception confirmation priority, as in the priority-specific transmitting station number table PRVL. While the reception confirmation priority in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL and the priority-specific transmission number table PRVL is the reception confirmation priority for each broadcast region, the reception confirmation priority in the scan order table CSVL is It is different in that it is the reception confirmation priority for the channel.

As described above, the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is set for the physical channel based on the reception confirmation priority (value in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL and the priority-specific transmission number table PRVL) set for the broadcasting region. , “2”, “1”, or “0” is set, and in the channel scan, reception confirmation processing is performed in the order of the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 for the physical channel.
For example, “2” is set as the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 for the physical channel used by the transmitting station in the broadcast area with the reception confirmation priority “2”. A physical channel other than a physical channel used by a transmitting station in a broadcasting area with a reception confirmation priority “2”, and a physical channel used by a transmitting station in a broadcasting area with a reception confirmation priority “1” “1” is set as the reception confirmation priority CSVL1. “0” is set as the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 for physical channels other than the physical channel with the reception confirmation priority “2” and the physical channel with the reception confirmation priority “1”.

The scan order column CSVL2 stores the physical channel selection order for each reception confirmation priority CSVL1 in the channel scan in association with each reception confirmation priority CSVL1 and in association with each physical channel. ing.
In FIG. 14, the association between the scan order CSVL2 and the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is indicated by entering them in the same row (vertical direction position), and the scan order CSVL2 and physical channels (13ch, 14ch,...) Are shown by entering them in the same column (horizontal position).

  For example, in FIG. 14, “13ch”, “14ch”, “15ch”, “16ch”, “17ch” are associated with “2” as the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 (in the same row) and are physical channels. “5”, “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” are recorded as the scan order. In this case, “14ch” is first selected from the physical channels having the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 of “2”, and thereafter, “15ch”, “16ch”, “17ch”, and “13ch” should be selected in this order. Indicates that

The channel scan order (selection order in channel scan) for each reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is determined as follows, for example.
That is, in the number-of-priority transmitting station number table PRVL, for each reception confirmation priority PRVL1, consecutive integers starting from “1” are assigned to the transmitting station total number PRVL2 in descending order of value. If the total number of transmitting stations PRVL2 is the same, the above allocation may be performed in ascending order of the corresponding physical channel numbers as in the examples shown in FIGS. The above assignment may be performed.
The integer assigned in this way is written in the scan order table CSVL as the scan order for the corresponding physical channel. That is, it writes in the position corresponding to each physical channel corresponding to each reception confirmation priority CSVL1 in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL.

Specifically, the total number of transmitting stations PRVL2 (the total number of transmitting stations in one or two or more broadcasting areas having the receiving confirmation priority “2” with respect to the receiving confirmation priority “2” (PRVL1 = 2). The order assigned to the total number of transmission stations PRVL2) is associated with the corresponding physical channel in the scan order table CSVL, and associated with the reception confirmation priority “2” (CSVL1 = 2) having the same value (correspondence To the column of the physical channel to be received and the row in which the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is “2”).
Similarly, the total number of transmission stations PRVL2 (reception confirmation priority “1” (PRVL1 = 1)) is a total of the number of transmission stations in one or two or more broadcast areas whose reception confirmation priority is “1”. The order assigned to the total number PRVL2) is associated with the corresponding physical channel in the scan order table CSVL and with the reception confirmation priority “1” (CSVL1 = 1) of the same value (corresponding physical Write to the column of the channel and in the row where the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is “1”).

  The next selection channel table NXVL stores physical channels to be selected next in the channel scan. For example, the next selection channel table NXVL includes a reception confirmation priority column NXVL1, a scan order column NXVL2, and a next selection channel column NXVL3 as shown in FIG.

  In the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1, “2” or “1” is stored as the reception confirmation priority for the physical channel. “2” being stored indicates that the current channel scan target is a physical channel having a reception confirmation priority of “2”, and “1” being stored indicates that the current channel is being scanned. The scan target is a physical channel with a reception confirmation priority of “1”.

The scan order column NXVL2 stores the scan order of the physical channel to be selected next.
The next selected channel column NXVL3 stores the number of the physical channel to be selected next.
For example, the information stored in the scan order table CSVL is as shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 15, “1” is stored in the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1, and “1” is stored in the scan order column NXVL2. When “1” is stored, “23” is stored in the next selection channel column NXVL3.

In initialization by the channel scan initialization processing unit 115A (step ST11 in FIG. 16 described later), “1” is set in the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1, and “0” is set in the scan order column NXVL2.
Thereafter (that is, after initialization), “1” is added to the value “0” set in the scan order column NXVL2 to set the scan order to “1”, and the reception confirmation priority in the scan order table CSVL Is “1” and the physical channel whose scan order is “1” is searched, and if a physical channel satisfying such a condition is found, the physical channel is selected and set in the next selected channel column NXVL3. As a result, information in the next selected channel table NXVL is confirmed, and reception confirmation is performed for the physical channel.

In the process of step ST12 of FIG. 16 described later, “2” is set in the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1, and “0” is set in the scan order column NXVL2.
After that, “1” is added to the value “0” set in the scan order column NXVL2, the scan order is set to “1”, and the reception confirmation priority is “2” in the scan order table CSVL. A physical channel with the order “1” is searched, and if a physical channel satisfying such a condition is found, the physical channel is selected and set in the next selection channel column NXVL3. In the example of FIG. 14, “14ch” is selected and set in the next selected channel field NXVL3. As a result, information in the next selected channel table NXVL is confirmed, and reception confirmation is performed for the physical channel.

  When the reception confirmation for one physical channel is completed, the next selected channel table NXVL is updated by the selected channel update processing unit 115B. In this update, “1” is added to the value of the scan order column NXVL2, and the result of the addition is used as a new value of the scan order NXVL2, and the reception of the same value as the reception confirmation priority NXVL1 is received in the scan order table CSVL. A physical channel having the confirmation priority CSVL1 and having the same scan order CSVL2 as the scan order NXVL2 is searched. If such a physical channel is found, the number of the physical channel is set in the next selection channel column NXVL3.

  If no such physical channel is found, it is determined that the reception confirmation for the physical channel of the reception confirmation priority set up to that point has been completed, and “1” is subtracted from the value of the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1. Then, the result of the subtraction is set in a new reception confirmation priority column NXVL1. If the reception confirmation priority set up to that point is “2”, the new reception confirmation priority is “1”. On the other hand, when the reception confirmation priority set up to that point is “1”, the new reception confirmation priority is “0”, and the channel scan is terminated.

The channel scan control unit 115 controls channel scan processing. The channel scan process is executed by automatic determination in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is activated. Further, it may be executed when the operation input unit 104 receives an operation input from the user.
In the channel scan processing, the channel scan control unit 115 controls the tuner unit 111, the demodulation unit 112, and the demultiplexing unit 113 based on the broadcast TS table BTTL stored in the storage unit 103, thereby performing the channel scan. The broadcast radio waves of the target program are received, and information necessary for channel selection is collected from the received radio waves.

The channel scan initialization processing unit 115A includes a reception confirmation priority table BAVL stored in the storage unit 103, a reception date / time table RCVL, a priority-specific transmission number table PRVL, a scan order table CSVL, and a next selected channel. Initial values are set in the table NXVL.
The initial value is always set immediately after the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is activated, for example. Instead, the initial value may be set only immediately after the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is started for the first time after shipment from the factory, and the initial value may not be set at other startups. The initial value may be set when requested by the user.

  The selected channel update processing unit 115B updates the information in the three columns of the next selected channel table NXVL based on the information in the scan order table CSVL. When updating, if no value to be entered in the next selected channel column NXVL3 is found in the scan order table CSVL, the channel scan is terminated.

The program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C determines whether broadcast radio waves can be received for the physical channel specified by the selected channel update processing unit 115B, that is, the demultiplexing unit 113 extracts program information from the received radio waves. Check if it was possible.
When the program information is acquired from the broadcast radio wave, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C identifies the broadcast area from the program information, and the oldest reception date and time column RCVL2 of the broadcast area in the reception date and time table RCVL and Both the latest reception date / time column RCVL3 or only the latest reception date / time column RCVL3 is updated.

  In the above channel scan, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D obtains program information as a result of physical channel selection, and when the reception date / time table RCVL is updated, based on the updated reception date / time table RCVL, The value of the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL is updated.

  The reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D also performs an update process performed periodically or irregularly (as necessary) separately from the channel scan, and the oldest reception date / time column RCVL2 of the reception date / time table RCVL at that time And the value of the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL is updated based on the value of the latest reception date and time column RCVL3.

  The scan order processing unit 115E transmits one or more broadcast regions having the same value of the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL updated by the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D, according to the broadcast region. The number of transmission stations BATL2 stored in the number table BATL is totaled for each physical channel, and the total number of transmission stations PRVL2 in the priority-specific transmission number table PRVL is updated with the totaling result.

Further, the scan order processing unit 115E continues to start from “1” in order from the largest value to the total number of transmission sites PRVL2 for each reception confirmation priority PRVL1 in the updated priority-specific transmission site number table PRVL. Assign an integer.
If the total number of transmitting stations PRVL2 is the same, the above allocation may be performed in ascending order of the corresponding physical channel numbers as in the examples shown in FIGS. The above assignment may be performed.
The integer assigned in this way is written in the scan order table CSVL as the scan order for the corresponding physical channel. That is, it writes in the position corresponding to each physical channel corresponding to each reception confirmation priority CSVL1 in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL.

  The operation input unit 104 receives inputs such as a channel selection operation and a channel scan operation from the user of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100. For example, the operation input unit 104 can be realized by a remote controller and a receiving unit that receives a signal from the remote controller.

  Next, channel scan processing performed by the channel scan control unit 115 will be described. The channel scan process is executed by sequentially selecting a plurality of physical channels and performing a reception confirmation process on the selected physical channels.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing channel scan processing controlled by the channel scan control unit 115 in the first embodiment. In the channel scan processing according to the first embodiment, the rank is set so that the physical channel with the highest possibility of reception comes first based on the broadcast area-specific transmission number table BATL and the reception result when each channel is selected. And determine or update the channel scan order.

At the start of the channel scan process, first, in step ST10, the channel scan initialization processing unit 115A of the channel scan control unit 115 determines whether or not the initialization process should be performed.
For example, when it is determined that the initialization process is always performed when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is activated, it is determined whether the initialization should be performed based on whether the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is activated immediately after the activation. Done.
If it is determined that initialization should be performed (YES in ST10), the process proceeds to step ST11, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST12.

In step ST11, a channel scan initialization process is executed.
Hereinafter, the channel scan initialization process in step ST11 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the channel scan initialization process, the channel scan initialization processing unit 115A first performs the process of step ST30. In step ST30, initial values are set for all broadcast regions in the reception confirmation priority column BAVL2 of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL. As an initial value, for example, “1” indicating the same priority is set.
This is done for the following reason. That is, in the initial state, it is not known in which broadcast area the receiving apparatus is located. Therefore, “1” having the same priority is assigned to all broadcasting regions, and channel selection is performed with the same priority.

Following step ST30, the process of step ST31 is performed. In step ST31, the priority-specific transmitting station number table PRVL is updated.
In this update, the number of transmitting stations (BATL2) that are located in each broadcasting region and transmit in each physical channel is acquired from the broadcasting region number transmitting station number table BATL, and the reception confirmation priority is the same. The total number of transmitting stations located in the region and transmitting on the same physical channel is obtained, and the total is determined as the total number of transmitting stations of the reception confirmation priority for transmitting on the physical channel by priority. The data is written in the transmission station total number column PRVL2 of the transmission station number table PRVL.
Immediately after the processing of step ST30, since “1” is set as the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 for all broadcast regions in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL, the reception confirmation is performed in the priority-specific transmission number table PRVL. The total number of transmission stations PRVL2 for the priority “1” (PRVL1 = 1) is located in one of all the broadcasting areas shown in the broadcasting area-specific transmitting station number table BATL, and is transmitted using the same physical channel. Equal to the total number of places. On the other hand, in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL, there is no transmission station having the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “2”. Therefore, in the priority-specific transmission number table PRVL, the reception confirmation priority “2” (PRVL1 = 2). The total number of transmitting stations PRVL2 for “0” is “0” for any physical channel.

Following step ST31, the process of step ST32 is performed. In step ST32, the channel scan initialization processing unit 115A updates the scan order table CSVL. Specifically, in the row where the reception confirmation priority is “1” in the transmission station total number column PRVL2 of the transmission station number table PRVL by priority, for each transmission station total, in order from the largest value, Assign consecutive integers starting with "1".
When the total number of transmitting stations is the same, the above allocation may be performed in ascending order of the corresponding physical channel numbers, and conversely, the above allocation may be performed in descending order.
The integer assigned in this way is written in the scan order table CSVL as the scan order for the corresponding physical channel. That is, in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL, the data is written in the position corresponding to each physical channel (the same column as the physical channel) in the row where the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is “1”.
In the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL, “0” is written for all physical channels in the row in which the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is “2”.

  Following step ST32, the process of step ST33 is performed. In step ST33, the channel scan initialization processing unit 115A sets an initial value in the reception date / time table RCVL. That is, initial values are set to the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 and the latest reception date and time RCVL3 of all broadcast regions in the reception date and time table RCVL. The initial value here is a value indicating that the date / time information is not set, that is, an invalid value.

Following step ST33, the process of step ST34 is performed. In step ST34, the channel scan initialization processing unit 115A sets an initial value in the next selection channel table NXVL. That is, “1” is written in the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1, “0” is written in the scan order column NXVL2, and “initial value” is written in the next selection channel column NXVL3. This initial value is a value that is not valid, that is, a value that does not indicate any physical channel.
This completes the initialization process (ST11).

  In step ST12, the selected channel update processing unit 115B writes “2” in the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1 of the next selected channel table NXVL and “0” in the scan order column NXVL2.

  When the process of step ST11 or the process of step ST12 is completed, the process proceeds to step ST13 in FIG. In step ST13, the selected channel update processing unit 115B updates the next selected channel table NXVL.

Hereinafter, the process of updating the next selected channel table NXVL in step ST13 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the process of updating the next selected channel table NXVL, the selected channel update processing unit 115B first performs the process of step ST40. In step ST40, the selected channel update processing unit 115B adds “1” to the value of the scan order column NXVL2 of the next selected channel table NXVL, and sets the addition result as a new value, that is, the value of the updated scan order NXVL2.

  Following step ST40, the process of step ST41 is performed. In step ST41, the selected channel update processing unit 115B determines whether there is a scan order CSVL2 having the same value as the scan order NXVL2 in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL. Specifically, the scan order NXVL2 in the portion corresponding to the reception confirmation priority CSLV1 having the same value as the reception confirmation priority NXVL1 of the next selected channel table NXVL in the scan order column CSVL2 (same row in FIG. 13). A scan order CSVL2 having the same value as the value of is searched, and it is determined whether there is a scan order that satisfies such a condition. If a scan order CSVL2 that satisfies such a condition is found (YES in ST41), the process proceeds to step ST42; otherwise, the process proceeds to step ST43.

  In step ST42, the selected channel update processing unit 115B writes the number of the physical channel corresponding to the scan order CSVL2 found in the process of step ST41 in the next selected channel column NXVL3 as the number of the physical channel to be selected next.

  In step ST43, the selected channel update processing unit 115B subtracts “1” from the value of the next selected channel NXVL3, and writes the subtraction result in the next selected channel column NXVL3 as a new value, that is, an updated value of the next selected channel NXVL3.

  Following step ST43, the process of step ST44 is performed. In step ST44, the selected channel update processing unit 115B determines whether or not the updated value of the next selected channel NXVL3 is “1”. If the determination result is “1”, the process proceeds to step ST45, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST46.

In step ST45, the selected channel update processing unit 115B updates the value of the scan order column NXVL2 to “1”.
After step ST45, the process returns to step ST41.

  In step S46, the selected channel update processing unit 115B sets an initial value in NXVL3. The initial value here is a value that does not indicate any physical channel, that is, an invalid value.

As described above, in the channel scan initialization process (ST11), the value of the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1 is set to “1” and the value of the scan order column NXVL2 is set to “0”. When the process of step ST13 is executed next to (ST11), the value of the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1 is maintained at “1”, and the value of the scan order column NXVL2 is updated to “1” (ST40). .
Then, in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL, search for the scan order “1” in the row of the reception confirmation priority “1”, and if such a scan order is found (YES in ST41), it corresponds. The physical channel number is set in the next selected channel field NXVL3 (ST42).

Next, when the process of step ST13 is executed, the value of the scan order column NXVL2 is updated to “2” by adding “1” (ST40).
Then, in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL, search for the scan order “2” in the row of the reception confirmation priority “1”, and if such a scan order is found (YES in ST41), it corresponds. The physical channel number is set in the next selected channel field NXVL3 (ST42).

  Similarly, in step ST40, the scan order NXVL2 is increased by “1”, and the process of determining in step ST41 is repeated for the increased scan order NSVL2. If a scan order CSVL2 having a value equal to the value of the scan order NXVL2 is not found in step ST41 (NO in ST41), “1” is subtracted from the value in the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1 (ST43). If the process of step ST13 is performed following the channel scan initialization process (ST11), the result of this subtraction is “0”. For this reason, the result of the determination in step ST44 is YES, and the process proceeds to step ST46.

As described above, in step ST12, the value of the reception confirmation priority field NXVL1 is set to “2”, and the value of the scan order field NXVL2 is set to “0”. Therefore, the process of step ST13 is performed after the process of step ST12. Is executed, the value of the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1 is maintained at “2”, and the value of the scan order column NXVL2 is updated to “1” (ST40).
Then, in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL, the scan order “1” is searched for in the row of the reception confirmation priority “2”, and if such a scan order is found (YES in ST41), it corresponds. The physical channel number is set in the next selected channel field NXVL3 (ST42).

Next, when the process of step ST13 is executed, the value of the scan order column NXVL2 is updated to “2” by adding “1” (ST40).
Then, in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL, search for the scan order “2” in the row of the reception confirmation priority “2”, and if such a scan order is found (YES in ST41), it corresponds. The physical channel number is set in the next selected channel field NXVL3 (ST42).

Similarly, in step ST40, the scan order NXVL2 is increased by “1”, and the process of determining in step ST41 is repeated for the increased scan order NSVL2. If a scan order CSVL2 having a value equal to the value of the scan order NXVL2 is not found in step ST41 (NO in ST41), “1” is subtracted from the value in the reception confirmation priority column NXVL1 (ST43). After the process of step ST13 is started following step ST12, the result of the first subtraction (ST43) is “1”. For this reason, the result of the determination in step ST44 is NO, and the process proceeds to step ST45.
The process after returning to step ST41 via step ST45 is the same as the case of proceeding to step ST13 after the initialization process (ST11).

  When step ST42 or ST46 ends, the process of updating the next selected channel table NXVL (ST13) ends.

Following step ST13, the process of step ST14 is performed. In step ST14, the selected channel update processing unit 115B refers to the next selected channel column NXVL3 of the next selected channel table NXVL and determines whether or not a valid physical channel is set.
If a valid physical channel is set (YES in ST14), the process proceeds to step ST15.
On the other hand, if a valid physical channel is not set, that is, if an initial value is set (NO in ST14), the channel scan is terminated.

  In step ST15, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C of the channel scan control unit 115 performs reception confirmation processing on the selected physical channel (physical channel specified by the value of the next selection channel column NXVL3).

Hereinafter, the reception confirmation processing in step ST15 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the reception confirmation process is performed for a specific physical channel, the process of step ST50 is first performed. In step ST50, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C gives a tuning instruction to the tuner unit 111 for the physical channel (selected physical channel) that is the object of confirmation processing.

The tuner unit 111 performs a tuning process on the frequency range of the physical channel indicated by the given tuning instruction. Then, tuner section 111 provides demodulating section 112 with a received signal in a specific frequency band extracted as a result of the tuning process.
The demodulator 112 performs demodulation processing on the given received signal, and when the TS can be extracted normally, the frame lock detection signal, and when the TS cannot be extracted normally, the frame unlock detection signal. Is provided to the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C.

After step ST50, the process proceeds to step ST51. In step ST51, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C determines whether a frame lock detection signal or a frame unlock detection signal is given from the demodulation unit 112.
When the frame lock detection signal is given from the demodulator 112, the demultiplexer 113 can separate the program information from the TS. When the frame unlock detection signal is given from the demodulation unit 112, the demultiplexing unit 113 cannot separate the program information from the TS.
If the frame lock detection signal is obtained (YES in ST51), program information separation confirmation processing section 115C proceeds to step ST52, and if the frame lock detection signal is not obtained (NO in ST51). In this case, the reception confirmation process (ST15) of the physical channel that is the object of the confirmation process ends.

In step ST52, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C instructs the demultiplexing unit 113 to extract program information. For example, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C specifies NIT and SDT PIDs, causes the demultiplexing unit 113 to perform filtering processing on the TS, and extracts program information.
In response to this, the demultiplexing unit 113 performs filtering processing to extract program information, and provides the extracted program information to the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C.

When these pieces of program information are given, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C stores TS information obtained from the NIT and SDT in the broadcast TS table BTTL.
When step ST52 ends, the reception confirmation process (ST15) of the physical channel that is the target of the confirmation process ends.

  When the reception confirmation process (ST15) shown in FIG. 19 ends, the process proceeds to step ST16 in FIG. In step ST16, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C determines whether or not the program information has been successfully acquired.

  If the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C succeeds in acquiring the program information (YES in ST16), the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C proceeds to step ST17. If acquisition of the program information fails (NO in ST16), The process returns to step ST13.

  In addition, in order to cope with a situation where program information cannot be received even after waiting for a long time, the time for performing the filtering process is limited in advance, and when this time limit elapses, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C automatically ends the filtering process. You may do it.

In step ST17, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C identifies the broadcast area described in the received program information, and updates the reception date and time of the broadcast area in the reception date and time table RCVL. Specifically, when the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 is an initial value (invalid value), the current date and time are set in both the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 and the latest reception date and time RCVL3 (rewritten with the current date and time ) . If the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 is a valid value, the current date and time are set only for the latest reception date and time RCVL3.

  Following step ST17, the process of step ST18 is performed. In step ST18, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D updates the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the broadcast area in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL to “2” which is the highest value for the broadcast area specified in step ST17.

Following step ST18, the process of step ST19 is performed. In step ST19, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D refers to the latest reception date and time RCVL3 of the reception date and time table RCVL, and determines whether there are two or more broadcast areas in which valid latest reception date and time are set.
If there are two or more corresponding broadcast areas (YES in ST19), the process proceeds to step ST20, and if there are less than two corresponding broadcast areas (NO in ST19), the process proceeds to step ST21.
If there are two or more corresponding broadcast areas, it indicates that the digital broadcast receiving apparatus has a track record of receiving program information of at least two or more broadcast areas due to movement, in other words, a plurality of broadcast areas. This means that there is a digital broadcast receiver near the boundary.

  In both steps ST20 and ST21, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D updates the reception confirmation priority table BAVL. The update in step ST20 and the update in step ST21 are different from each other as follows.

In Step ST20, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D updates the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL to “0” in the broadcast areas other than the following three categories of broadcast areas Ra, Rb, and Rc. To do.
Ra: Broadcast area having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time in the latest reception date and time RCVL3, that is, the broadcast area specified in step ST17.
Rb: Broadcast area having the latest reception date and time next to the current date and time (the latest reception date and time immediately before the latest reception date and time of the broadcast area Ra) in the latest reception date and time RCVL3.
Rc: One or more adjacent areas common to these two broadcast areas Ra and Rb (one or more broadcast areas adjacent to the broadcast area Ra and adjacent to the broadcast area Rb).

  For example, if the broadcast area Ra having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time is Kyoto, and the broadcast area Rb having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time is Osaka, then Kyoto (Ra) and Osaka (Rb) It can be seen from the adjacent area table NATL shown in FIG. 9 that the common adjacent area Rc is Hyogo and Nara. Accordingly, in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 in the broadcasting area other than Osaka (Ra), Kyoto (Rb), Hyogo (Rc), and Nara (Rc) is updated to “0”.

  This is done for the following reason. That is, when there are two or more broadcast areas in which valid latest reception date and time are set, it can be estimated that it means that a digital broadcast receiving apparatus exists near the boundary of the broadcast area. For this reason, the broadcasting area where the transmitting station that is likely to be received is located is one of the broadcasting areas Ra, Rb, and Rc. Accordingly, it is possible to limit the target broadcast area for channel scanning to the broadcast areas Ra, Rb, and Rc.

In step ST21, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D updates the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL to “0” in broadcast areas other than the following two categories of broadcast areas Ra and Rd.
Ra: Broadcast area having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time in the latest reception date and time RCVL3, that is, the broadcast area specified in step ST17.
Rd: Broadcast area adjacent to broadcast area Ra.

  For example, when the broadcasting area Ra having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time is Kyoto, the broadcasting area Rd adjacent to Kyoto (Ra) is selected from the adjacent area table NATL shown in FIG. 9 from Fukui, Mie, Osaka, Hyogo, It turns out that it is Nara and Shiga. Therefore, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 is set to “0” in broadcast regions other than Kyoto (Ra), Fukui (Rd), Mie (Rd), Osaka (Rd), Hyogo (Rd), Nara (Rd), and Shiga (Rd). Update to

  This is done for the following reason. That is, when there is only one broadcast area for which a valid latest reception date and time is set, it can be estimated that there is no digital broadcast receiver near the boundary of the broadcast area. For this reason, the broadcasting area where the transmitting station for transmitting a broadcast that is likely to be received is located only in the broadcasting area Ra. Therefore, the target broadcasting area for the channel scan is generally limited to the broadcasting area Ra having the latest reception date and time. Is done. On the other hand, there is a possibility of approaching the adjacent area Rd in the future, and therefore there is a possibility of receiving a broadcast from a transmitting station in the adjacent area Rd. Considering this, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 is not set to “0” for all the adjacent areas Rd, and the currently set value is maintained. At the same time, the channel scanning target is limited by setting the reception confirmation priority in other broadcast areas to “0”.

  After steps ST20 and ST21, the process proceeds to step ST22. In step ST22, the scan order processing unit 115E updates the priority-specific transmission number table PRVL. This update is performed as follows. That is, the value of the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL updated by the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D is the same as each other, and is stored in the transmission area number table BATL for all broadcast areas. The total number of transmission stations BATL2 is counted for each physical channel, and the aggregation result (the number of transmission stations located in the broadcasting area having the same reception confirmation priority and transmitting on the same physical channel) is classified by priority. The total number of transmission sites PRVL2 in the number of transmission sites table PRVL is updated.

After step ST22, the process proceeds to step ST23. In step ST23, the scan order processing unit 115E updates the scan order table CSVL. For this purpose, first, in the updated priority transmission number table PRVL, for each reception confirmation priority PRVL1, consecutive integers starting from “1” are assigned to the total number of transmission sites PRVL2 in descending order of value.
If the total number of transmitting stations PRVL2 is the same, the above allocation may be performed in ascending order of the corresponding physical channel numbers as in the examples shown in FIGS. The above assignment may be performed.

  The integer assigned in this way is written in the scan order table CSVL as the scan order for the corresponding physical channel. That is, it writes in the position corresponding to each physical channel corresponding to each reception confirmation priority CSVL1 in the scan order column CSVL2 of the scan order table CSVL.

  Specifically, the order assigned to the total number of transmission stations PRVL2 corresponding to each physical channel in the row where the reception confirmation priority PRVL1 of the transmission station number by priority table PRVL is “2” is the scan order table CSVL. In the row in which the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is “2”, it is written in association with the corresponding physical channel (in the column of the corresponding physical channel). Similarly, the order assigned to the total number of transmission stations PRVL2 corresponding to each physical channel in the row in which the reception confirmation priority PRVL1 of the transmission station number table PRVL by priority is “1” is shown in the scan order table CSVL. In a row in which the reception confirmation priority CSVL1 is “1”, writing is performed in association with the corresponding physical channel (in the column of the corresponding physical channel).

  After step ST23, the process returns to step ST13, and the same processing as described above is repeated until NO is determined in step ST14.

  As described above, in the channel scan process described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, 18, and 19, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D updates the reception confirmation priority table BAVL in steps ST18, ST20, and ST21. In step ST17, the program information separation confirmation processing unit 115C updates the reception date / time table RCVL, but separately, the channel scan control unit 115 periodically or irregularly (if necessary) ) Based on the information in the reception date / time table RCVL, the reception date / time table RCVL and the reception confirmation priority table BAVL are updated. As an example in which the update process is performed irregularly, it may be performed in response to a user request. Hereinafter, these update processes will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. FIG.

  In FIG. 20, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D performs the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 of the reception date and time table RCVL and the reception confirmation priority of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL based on the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 and the like of the reception date and time table RCVL. It is a flowchart which shows the process which updates BAVL2.

  In this update process, a plurality of broadcast areas in the reception date / time table RCVL are sequentially selected as the attention broadcast areas, the relationship between the oldest reception date / time and the current date / time for the attention broadcast area, and the oldest reception date / time for the attention broadcast area. And the reception confirmation priority value for the adjacent area of the broadcast area of interest, if necessary, based on the relationship between the broadcast date and the reception date and time of another broadcast area, and the oldest reception date and time of 1 Initialize the oldest reception date and time of the previous broadcast area as necessary.

  Below, the case where it selects as an attention broadcast area in an order from the 1st line of reception date table RCVL, ie, the broadcast area of the 1st record, is explained.

  First, in step ST60, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D selects the broadcast area of the first record in the reception date / time table RCVL and defines it as the attention broadcast area R1.

After step ST60, the process proceeds to step ST61. In step ST61, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D extracts the earliest reception date and time RCVL2 of the target broadcast area R1 from the reception date and time table RCVL, and determines whether or not the extracted oldest reception date and time RCVL2 is valid. Specifically, if the extracted oldest reception date and time RCVL2 is an initial value, it is determined to be invalid, and if it is not an initial value, it is determined to be valid.
If valid (YES in ST61), the process proceeds to step ST62. If invalid (NO in ST61), the process proceeds to step ST69.

  In step ST62, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D determines whether or not a period longer than a predetermined period Δt1 has elapsed from the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 of the target broadcast area R1, that is, the current date and time. It is determined whether or not the difference between the earliest reception date and time RCVL2 of the broadcast area R1 is longer than the predetermined period Δt1. If it is longer than the fixed period Δt1 (YES in ST62), the process proceeds to step ST63. If it is within the fixed period Δt1 (in the case of NO in ST62), the process proceeds to step ST69.

  In step ST63, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D refers to the reception date / time table RCVL and determines whether or not there is a broadcast region having the oldest reception date / time RCVL2 prior to the oldest reception date / time RCVL2 of the target broadcast region R1. Confirm. If there is a broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 before the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 of the target broadcast area R1 (YES in ST63), the process proceeds to step ST64, and if there is no broadcast area (NO in ST63) ), The process proceeds to step ST69.

In step ST64, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D defines the broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 immediately before the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 of the target broadcast area R1 as the preceding broadcast area R2.
“Advance broadcasting area having the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 immediately before the earliest reception date and time RCVL2 of the attention broadcast area R1” means the attention broadcast area before the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 of the attention broadcast area R1 It means a broadcasting area having the oldest reception date and time closest to R1's oldest reception date and time RCVL2.

  After step ST64, the process proceeds to step ST65. In step ST65, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D defines one or more adjacent areas common to the target broadcast area R1 and the preceding broadcast area R2 as a common adjacent broadcast area R3 (ST65).

  After step ST65, the process proceeds to step ST66. In step ST66, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D broadcasts from the preceding broadcast area R2 and any one or more transmitting stations in the common adjacent broadcast area R3 after the earliest reception date and time RCVL2 of the target broadcast area R1. Check whether or not Specifically, among the latest broadcast date / time RCVL3 of the preceding broadcast region R2 and one or more common adjacent broadcast regions R3 in the reception date / time table RCVL, the period from the oldest received date / time RCVL2 to the current date / time of the target broadcast region R1 It is confirmed whether there exists a thing with the value of. If it does not exist (NO in ST66), the process proceeds to step ST67, and if it exists (YES in ST66), the process proceeds to step ST69.

  In step ST67, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D sets the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the broadcast area whose reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL is “0” among the adjacent areas of the target broadcast area R1 to “ Update to “1”.

  After step ST67, the process proceeds to step ST68. In step ST68, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D initializes the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 of the preceding broadcast region R2.

After step ST68, the process proceeds to step ST69. In step ST69, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D determines whether or not there is a next record in the reception date and time table RCVL, that is, is selected as a notable broadcast area in step ST60 or ST70 described below in the broadcast area. Judge whether there is something that does not happen.
If there is no next record (NO), the process of updating the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 is terminated.
If there is a next record, the process proceeds to step ST70.

In Step ST70, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D defines the broadcast area of the next record in the reception date / time table RCVL as the attention broadcast area R1. Then, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D returns to step ST61.
Thereafter, the same processing is repeated until NO is determined in step ST69.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the reception date / time table RCVL stores the oldest reception date / time and the latest reception date / time for each of the nationwide broadcasting regions. The broadcast area of the reception date and time table RCVL is selected in order and defined as the attention broadcast area R1, and the difference between the oldest reception date and the current date and time is longer than a certain period and the oldest reception date and time before the attention broadcast area R1 Broadcast area having the earliest reception date and time before the attention broadcast area R1 (preceding broadcast area) R2 between the earliest reception date and time RCVL2 of the attention broadcast area R1 and the current date and time , As well as one or more common adjacent broadcast areas R3 (a common adjacent area of the target broadcast area R1 and the broadcast area R2) when no broadcast is received (in the case of NO in ST66) It is considered that they are away from their broadcasting area by moving. Therefore, there is a possibility of approaching an adjacent area of the target broadcast area R1 other than the common adjacent broadcast area R3. Therefore, in order to avoid determining that reception is possible but not determining whether reception is possible, in step ST67, in the neighboring areas of the target broadcast area R1, The reception confirmation priority BAVL2 in the broadcast area where the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 is “0” is changed to “1”.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing in which the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D updates the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL based on the latest reception date RCVL3 of the reception date table RCVL.

  In this update process, a plurality of broadcast areas in the reception date / time table RCVL are selected as attention broadcast areas in order, the reception confirmation priority for the attention broadcast area, and the relationship between the latest reception date / time and the current date / time for the attention broadcast area. Based on this, the reception confirmation priority for the broadcast area of interest is changed as necessary.

  Below, the case where it selects as an attention broadcast area in an order from the 1st line of reception date table RCVL, ie, the broadcast area of the 1st record, is explained.

  First, in step ST80, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D selects the broadcast area of the first record in the reception date / time table RCVL and defines it as the attention broadcast area R1.

  After step ST80, the process proceeds to step ST81. In step ST81, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D determines whether or not the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the broadcast area of interest R1 is “2” in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL. If the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 is “2” (YES in ST81), the process proceeds to step ST82. If the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 is not “2” (NO in ST81), the process proceeds to step ST84. move on.

  In step ST82, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D determines whether or not a period longer than a predetermined period Δt2 has elapsed from the latest reception date and time RCVL3 of the target broadcast region R1, that is, the current date and target target broadcast region. It is determined whether or not the difference between the latest reception date and time RCVL3 of R1 is longer than a certain period Δt2. If it is longer than the certain period Δt2 (YES in ST82), the process proceeds to step ST83, and if it is within the certain period Δt2 (in the case of NO in ST82), the process proceeds to step ST84.

In Step ST83, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D updates the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the broadcast area of interest R1 to “1” in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL.
This is because it can be estimated that the current position is away from the target broadcast area R1 when a period longer than the predetermined period Δt2 has elapsed since the latest reception date and time of the target broadcast area R1. In this case, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the broadcast area of interest is lowered from “2” to “1”.

In step ST84, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D determines whether or not there is a next record in the reception date and time table RCVL, that is, has not received the selection in step ST80 or step ST85 described below in the broadcasting area. Judge whether there is.
If there is no next record (NO), the process of updating the latest reception date and time RCVL3 is terminated.
If there is a next record (YES), the process proceeds to step ST85.

  In Step ST85, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D defines the broadcast area of the next record in the reception date and time table RCVL as the attention broadcast area R1, and returns to Step ST81. Thereafter, the same processing is repeated until NO is determined in step ST84.

  A specific example of the transition of the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 by the processing described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21 will be described with reference to FIG. In this specific example, it is assumed that the digital broadcast receiving apparatus moves in the order of “Osaka”, “Kyoto”, and “Nara” as indicated by a line Lm with an arrow in FIG.

  First, it is assumed that channel scan initialization processing (step ST11 in FIG. 16, particularly step ST30 in FIG. 17) has been performed at time T0. As a result of this processing, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of all broadcast regions is set to “1”.

Thereafter, it is assumed that the reception of the broadcast wave from the transmitting station in “Osaka” is confirmed at time T1 (YES in step ST16 in FIG. 16). In this case, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Osaka” is increased to “2” (step ST18 in FIG. 16).
At this time, “Osaka” that was confirmed to be received this time, and the broadcasting area other than the adjacent area of “Osaka”, in the example shown, “Fukui”, “Toyama”, “Mie”, “Gifu”, “Shiga” ”Reception confirmation priority BAVL2 is lowered to“ 0 ”.
This process is performed in step ST21 of FIG. In this case, “Osaka” corresponds to the broadcast area Ra, and “Kyoto”, “Hyogo”, “Wakayama”, and “Nara” correspond to the broadcast area Rd (adjacent area of “Osaka”). The reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the broadcasting area other than the areas Ra and Rd is updated to “0”.

Thereafter, it is assumed that the reception of the broadcast wave from the transmitting station in “Kyoto” is confirmed at time T2 (YES in step ST16 in FIG. 16).
In this case, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Kyoto” is increased to “2” (step ST18 in FIG. 16).
In addition, at this time, “Osaka” in which reception was confirmed immediately before, “Kyoto” in which reception was confirmed this time, and broadcasting areas other than the common adjacent areas of “Osaka” and “Kyoto” The reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Fukui”, “Toyama”, “Mie”, “Gifu”, “Wakayama”, and “Shiga” is lowered to “0”.
This process is performed in step ST20 of FIG. In this case, “Kyoto” corresponds to the broadcasting area Ra, “Osaka” corresponds to the broadcasting area Rb, and “Hyogo” and “Nara” are the broadcasting area Rc (a common area adjacent to “Kyoto” and “Osaka”). However, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the broadcast areas other than the broadcast areas Ra, Rb, and Rc is updated to “0”.

Even when a period (= T3−T2) longer than a certain period Δt1 has elapsed from the time when reception from “Kyoto” was first confirmed at time T3, that is, the earliest reception date and time (T2) for “Kyoto”. It is assumed that broadcast waves are not received from any of “Hyogo” and “Nara”, which are common adjacent areas of “Osaka” and “Kyoto”, and “Osaka” where reception was confirmed immediately before.
In this case, among the adjacent areas of “Kyoto”, the broadcast confirmation area BAVL2 is “0”, that is, the reception confirmation priorities BAVL2 of “Fukui”, “Mie”, and “Shiga” are “1”. To be raised.
This process is performed in steps ST66 and ST67 of FIG. In this case, “Kyoto” corresponds to the attention broadcast area R1, “Osaka” corresponds to the preceding broadcast area R2, and “Hyogo” and “Nara” correspond to the common adjacent broadcast area R3. The broadcast is not received from any of the preceding broadcast area R2 (“Osaka”) and the common adjacent broadcast area R3 (“Hyogo” and “Mie”). In addition, among the adjacent areas of “Kyoto”, which is the noticeable broadcast area R1, the broadcast areas whose reception confirmation priority BAVL2 is “0” are “Fukui”, “Mie”, and “Shiga”. Therefore, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Fukui”, “Mie”, and “Shiga” is updated to “1”.

  It is assumed that a period (= T4-Toe) longer than a certain period Δt2 has elapsed from the time when reception from “Osaka” was finally confirmed at time T4, that is, the latest reception date and time (Toe) for “Osaka”. . In this case, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Osaka” is lowered to “1”. This process is performed in steps ST82 and ST83 in FIG. In this case, “Osaka” corresponds to the attention broadcast area R1.

Assume that reception of a broadcast wave from “Nara” is confirmed at time T5 (YES in step ST16 in FIG. 16).
In this case, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Nara” is increased to “2” (step ST18 in FIG. 16).
In addition, at this time, “Kyoto” in which reception was confirmed immediately before, “Nara” in which reception was confirmed this time, and broadcasting areas other than adjacent areas common to “Kyoto” and “Nara”, The reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Fukui”, “Hyogo”, “Wakayama”, and “Shiga” is lowered to “0”.
This process is performed in step ST20 of FIG. In this case, “Nara” corresponds to the broadcasting area Ra, “Kyoto” corresponds to the broadcasting area Rb, “Mie” and “Osaka” are the broadcasting area Rc (the common adjacent area of “Nara” and “Kyoto”. ), But the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of the broadcast areas other than these broadcast areas Ra, Rb, and Rc is updated to “0”.

Even when a period (= T6-T5) longer than a certain period Δt1 has elapsed from the time when reception from “Nara” was first confirmed at time T6, that is, the oldest reception date and time (T5) for “Nara”. It is assumed that no broadcast wave is received from any of “Osaka” and “Mie”, which are common adjacent areas of “Kyoto” and “Nara”, and “Kyoto” which has been confirmed to be received immediately before.
In this case, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Wakayama” is increased to “1” in the broadcast area where the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 is “0” among the adjacent areas of “Nara”. This process is performed in steps ST66 and ST67 of FIG. In this case, “Nara” corresponds to the target broadcast area R1, “Kyoto” corresponds to the preceding broadcast area R2, and “Mie” and “Osaka” correspond to the common adjacent broadcast area R3. The broadcast is not received from any of the preceding broadcast area R2 (“Kyoto”) and the common adjacent broadcast area R3 (“Mie” and “Osaka”). Of the adjacent areas of “Nara”, which is the notable broadcast area R1, the broadcast area with the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “0” is “Wakayama”. Therefore, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Wakayama” is updated to “1”.

  It is assumed that at time T7, a time (= T7−Tke) longer than a certain period Δt2 has elapsed from the time when reception from “Kyoto” was finally confirmed, that is, from the latest reception date and time (Tke) for “Kyoto”. . In this case, the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 of “Kyoto” is lowered to “1”. This process is performed in steps ST82 and ST83 in FIG. In this case, “Kyoto” corresponds to the attention broadcast area R1.

  As described above, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 updates the reception confirmation priority of each broadcast region based on the result of reception confirmation processing for each physical channel and the reception date and time information. The scanning order is determined, and a physical channel with a high possibility of reception at the present time can be preferentially subjected to reception confirmation processing.

  In the above example, the initialization process is always performed immediately after the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is activated. Whether or not the initialization process should be performed based on whether or not the digital broadcast reception apparatus is activated in step ST10. Judgment is made.

  Instead, the initialization process may be performed only immediately after the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is activated for the first time after shipment from the factory, and thereafter, the initialization process may not be performed even immediately after the activation. The reason is as follows. That is, when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is mounted on the vehicle, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is activated each time the power is turned off accompanying parking and stopping, and thereafter the power is turned on. In that case, since the current position has not changed since the previous operation, the current position has already been estimated, so the data stored in the storage unit 103 can be used continuously rather than initialized. However, it is desirable to shorten the time required for channel scanning and to speed up the viewing channel list.

  The initialization process may also be performed when the user requests initialization using the operation input unit 104.

  Further, in step ST20 of FIG. 16, based on the latest reception date and time of each broadcast area, the broadcast area Ra having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time, the latest reception date and time next to the current date and time (the latest reception date and time of the broadcast area). Broadcast area Rb having the latest reception date before the broadcast area) and broadcast areas other than one or more adjacent areas Rc common to these two broadcast areas (broadcast areas other than broadcast areas Ra, Rb, Rc) ), The reception confirmation priority level BAVL2 of the reception confirmation priority table BAVL is updated to “0”, thereby narrowing down the broadcast areas where the reception confirmation is prioritized. This narrowing down makes it possible to reduce the number of channels subject to channel scanning, shorten the time required for channel scanning, and display the viewing channel list quickly.

  In the processing of FIG. 20, the difference between the oldest reception date / time RCVL2 of the target broadcast area R1 and the current date / time is longer than the predetermined period Δt1 (YES in ST62), and in addition, the oldest reception prior to the target broadcast area R1. There is a broadcast area with the date and time (YES in ST63), and in addition, the broadcast with the earliest reception date and time one before the target broadcast area R1 between the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 of the target broadcast area and the current date and time When the broadcast is not received from any of the transmitting stations in the adjacent area R3 common to the area R2 and the attention broadcast area (NO in ST66), the current position of the digital broadcast receiving device is preceded by the attention broadcast area R1. It can be estimated that it is away from the vicinity of the boundary with the broadcast area R2. Therefore, in step ST67, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus can approach such a broadcast area in the future for a broadcast area whose reception confirmation priority is “0” even though it is an adjacent area of the target broadcast area. Therefore, the reception confirmation priority is updated to “1”. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which, although the broadcast can be received in the future, it is not subject to channel scanning. As a result, the time required for channel scanning can be shortened and the viewing channel list can be displayed quickly.

  In the above situation, the oldest reception date and time of the preceding broadcast area R2 is initialized in step ST68. Thus, when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus approaches the future broadcast area R2 and receives a broadcast from a transmitting station in the area (acquires program information) (YES in step ST16 of FIG. 16), FIG. In the process in step ST17, the date and time of reception can be set as the oldest reception date and time for this broadcast area (hereinafter represented by the symbol Rp).

  As a result, in the process of FIG. 20 performed after that, in the situation where the broadcast area with the earliest reception date RCVL2 after the broadcast area Rp is selected and becomes the attention broadcast area R1, the determination of step ST63 is performed. The result is YES, and the broadcast area Rp is recognized as the preceding broadcast area R2 in the process of step ST64. (If it is not initialized, the oldest reception date and time remains the old value in step ST17, and the oldest reception date and time RCVL2 is no longer recognized as the previous broadcasting region R2 in step ST64.)

  As a result, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus moves from one point (point A) in one broadcast region to another point (point B) in another broadcast region, and after passing through another broadcast region, Even when returning to the point A, it is possible to correctly narrow down the channels to be scanned. As a result, the time required for channel scanning can be shortened and the viewing channel list can be displayed quickly.

  In the process of FIG. 21, when the difference between the latest reception date and time and the current date and time in the selected broadcast region is longer than a certain period based on the latest reception date and time in each broadcast region (YES in ST82), digital broadcasting is performed. It can be estimated that the current position of the receiving device is away from the target broadcast area R1. For this reason, in step ST83, the reception confirmation priority of the broadcast area of interest R1 is lowered from “2” to “1”. As a result, it is possible to lower the priority in the channel scan of the broadcast area where the reception possibility is low. As a result, the time required for channel scanning can be shortened and the viewing channel list can be displayed quickly.

  In the above embodiment, the reception confirmation priority is “2”, “1”, or “0”. However, the value of the reception confirmation degree is not limited to the above example. In short, another highest value is used instead of “2”, another value indicating that the channel scanning is not performed is used instead of “0”, and one or two or more is used instead of “1”. An intermediate value (a value lower than the highest value and higher than a value indicating that it is not subject to channel scanning) may be used.

  Further, in steps ST81 and ST83 of FIG. 21, the reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D performs reception confirmation priority for a broadcast area whose current date and time exceeds a certain period from the latest reception date and time of the broadcast area in the reception date and time table RCVL. If the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 stored in the degree table BAVL is the highest value ("2"), the reception confirmation priority is updated to a lower value ("1"). It is not limited to this. For example, even if the reception confirmation priority BAVL2 stored in the reception confirmation priority table BAVL is not the highest value (“2”), the reception confirmation priority may be updated to a lower value.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Similarly to the first embodiment, the second embodiment also corresponds to the ARIB standard used in Japan.

  As shown in FIG. 23, digital broadcast receiving apparatus 150 according to Embodiment 2 includes channel scan / program presentation unit 160 in addition to storage unit 103, operation input unit 104, and service list generation unit 105. The storage unit 103, operation input unit 104, and service list generation unit 105 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  The channel scan / program presentation unit 160 has both the function as the channel scan unit 101 in FIG. 1 and the function as the program presentation unit 102 in FIG. That is, the channel scan mode operates in the same manner as the channel scan unit 101 in FIG. 1, and the program presentation mode operates in the same manner as the program presentation unit 102 in FIG.

The channel scan / program presentation unit 160 includes a tuner unit 161, a demodulation unit 162 connected to the output unit of the tuner unit 161, a demultiplexing unit 163 connected to the output unit of the demodulation unit 162, and a demultiplexing unit 163 includes a decoding unit 164 connected to the output unit 163 and a control unit 165.
The tuner unit 161 and the demodulation unit 162 constitute a receiving unit 166 that extracts a stream from the received radio wave.
The tuner unit 161 is connected to the antenna 109 and extracts a received signal from the radio wave received by the antenna 109.

  The control unit 165 has the same channel scan initialization processing unit 115A, selected channel update processing unit 115B, and program information separation confirmation processing unit as described with reference to FIG. 3 for the channel scan control unit 115 of FIG. 115C, a reception confirmation priority processing unit 115D, and a scan order processing unit 115E, which function in the same manner as the channel scan control unit 115 in FIG. 1, and have the same functions as the viewing channel control unit 125 in FIG. Have.

  The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a channel scanning unit 101 that is a block for performing channel scanning, and a program presentation unit 102 that is a block for presenting a program to the user. Whereas one block has a separate antenna (107, 108) and a separate reception system, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 150 according to the second embodiment has a single antenna (109) and a reception system. The single reception system is used not only as the reception system of the channel scanning unit 101 in FIG. 1 but also as the reception system of the program presentation unit 102 in FIG.

  Since the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 150 according to the second embodiment has only one reception system, there is a restriction that the channel scan cannot be performed when viewing a program, but the channel scan described in the first embodiment. The processing can be performed, and an equivalent effect can be obtained.

  In addition, since the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 150 according to the second embodiment has one receiving unit (166) and one demultiplexing unit (163), the cost is higher than that of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Can be lowered.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Hereinafter, a modification of the first and second embodiments will be described as a third embodiment.
In the first and second embodiments, the digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 100 and 150 corresponding to the ARIB standard used in Japan have been described. The ARIB standard covers not only television broadcasts with physical channels from 13 to 62 channels, but also multimedia broadcasts with 1 to 12 channels. However, the present invention can cope with not only the ARIB standard but also other broadcast standards used in other countries. Although there are differences in the number of channels subject to channel scanning, the frequency range, the modulation method, etc. depending on the broadcast standard, the channel scanning process is performed in the same procedure as described with reference to FIGS. obtain. Moreover, the process performed regularly or irregularly and the update process can be performed in the same procedure as described with reference to FIGS.

  The area identification code described in the first embodiment is a definition unique to Japanese broadcasting standards, and cannot be used in overseas broadcasting standards. Therefore, the program information of each broadcasting standard or information corresponding to it is used corresponding to the area identification information.

  When the broadcast standard is the DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial) standard mainly used in Europe, the broadcast network is uniquely identified by the network name (network_name) or the network ID (network_id) described in the NIT. The definition of the correspondence between broadcast networks and regional information varies from country to country.

  For example, in the case of the United Kingdom, since the broadcast network is associated with a specific broadcast area as in Japan, the network name or the network ID can be used as it is as the area identification information. FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 respectively show an example of the broadcasting area number transmitting station number table BATL and the adjacent area table NATL when the network ID is used as area identification information.

  As described above, the area identification information is defined according to each broadcasting standard, and the broadcasting area number transmitting station number table BATL and the adjacent area table NATL are used while being switched according to the standard, so that the first or second embodiment can be used. The described channel scan processing and update processing can be executed, and the same effects as those of the first or second embodiment can be obtained even in a digital broadcast receiving apparatus compliant with the DVB-T standard such as the United Kingdom.

  Further, even in cases other than the UK, for example, in Germany or the like, as information in NIT, cell ID (cell_id) when the broadcast range is expressed by a rectangle called a cell, and values of latitude and longitude that serve as the boundary of the corresponding cell And are included. Therefore, in this case, the cell ID can be used as the area identification information. For example, the broadcast area-specific transmitting station number table BATL is information indicating the physical channel used in the cell for each cell, and the adjacent area table NATL is information indicating the adjacent cell of the cell for each cell. That's fine.

  Furthermore, when target_region_descriptor described in NIT or the like is operated, a set of regions represented by a combination of primary_region_code, secondary_region_code, and tertiary_region_code becomes a broadcasting region. Therefore, in this case, the above information can be used as the area identification information.

  As described above, the area identification information is defined according to each broadcasting standard, and the broadcasting area number transmitting station number table BATL and the adjacent area table NATL are used while being switched according to the standard, so that the first or second embodiment can be used. It is possible to execute the described channel scan processing and update processing, and the same effects as those in the first or second embodiment can be achieved in the overseas digital broadcast receiving apparatus using Cell_id in conformity with DVB-T other than the UK. Can be obtained.

  In addition, in the case of the CMMB (China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting) standard used in China, the broadcast standard is unique by combining the network level and network ID described in the NIT defined in the CMMB standard. It corresponds to a specific broadcasting area in China. Therefore, when the CMMB standard is supported, a combination of the network level and the network ID can be used as the area identification information. Further, since the network level and network ID of the adjacent area are also described in the NIT, a combination of the network level and network ID of the adjacent area can be used as the adjacent area table.

  As described above, the area identification information is defined according to each broadcasting standard, and the broadcasting area number transmitting station number table BATL and the adjacent area table NATL are used while being switched according to the standard, so that the first or second embodiment can be used. The described channel scan processing and update processing can be executed, and an effect equivalent to that of the first or second embodiment can be obtained even in an overseas digital broadcast receiving apparatus that conforms to the CMMB standard such as China.

  Furthermore, if the broadcast standard is a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) standard used in Europe and Australia, or a T-DMB (Terrestrial-Digital Media Broadcasting) standard used in Korea, it is included in FIC (Fast Information Channel) information. FIG. 0/11 (type 0, extension 11 of Fast Information Group) includes a list of broadcasting stations and broadcasting range information in each broadcasting region, and each broadcasting region is distinguished by RegionId (Region identifier). Therefore, RegionId can be used as the area identification information when the DAB standard or the T-DMB standard is supported.

  As described above, the area identification information is defined according to each broadcasting standard, and the broadcasting area number transmitting station number table BATL and the adjacent area table NATL are used while being switched according to the standard, so that the first or second embodiment can be used. It is possible to execute the described channel scan processing and update processing, and it is also implemented in a digital broadcast receiver that can comply with the DAB standard adopted in Europe and Australia or the T-DMB standard adopted in Korea. An effect equivalent to that of Form 1 or 2 can be obtained.

  In addition, when the broadcasting standard is ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial) adopted in Latin America and the Philippines, the area code described in the NIT terrestrial distribution system descriptor defined in the ISDB-T standard The broadcasting area of the TS can be specified by. Therefore, when the ISDB-T standard is supported, the area code can be used as the area identification information.

  As described above, the area identification information is defined according to each broadcasting standard, and the broadcasting area number transmitting station number table BATL and the adjacent area table NATL are used while being switched according to the standard, so that the first or second embodiment can be used. The described channel scan processing and update processing can be executed, and an effect equivalent to that of the first or second embodiment can be obtained even in an overseas digital broadcast receiving apparatus compliant with the ISDB-T standard such as Latin America. it can.

  Although the present invention has been described as a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving method implemented by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus also forms part of the present invention.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In Embodiments 1 and 2 above, each part (the part shown as a functional block) of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 23 can be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware or a CPU that executes a program stored in a memory. For example, the functions of the parts in FIG. 1 or FIG. 23 may be realized by separate processing circuits, or the functions of a plurality of parts may be realized by a single processing circuit. The same applies to the modification described as the third embodiment.

  When the processing circuit is a CPU, the function of each part of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus can be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. Software or firmware is described as a program and stored in a memory. The processing circuit reads out and executes the program stored in the memory, thereby realizing the function of each unit. That is, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus includes a memory for storing a program in which the function of each part illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 23 is executed as a result when executed by the processing circuit, for example. . It can also be said that these programs cause a computer to execute a processing method or a procedure in a digital broadcast receiving method implemented by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus.

In addition, a part of the functions of each part of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus may be realized by dedicated hardware, and a part may be realized by software or firmware.
As described above, the processing circuit can realize the functions described above by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a configuration in which the above processing circuit is a CPU, and a computer (indicated by reference numeral 200) including a single CPU realizes all the functions of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus in FIG. , 108 and the display / audio output device 106.
A computer 200 shown in FIG. 26 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, input units 203-1, 203-2, 203-3, and an output unit 204, which are connected by a bus 205.

  The memory 202 stores various tables shown in FIG. 2 in the same manner as the storage unit 103 in FIG. The memory 202 further stores a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 201.

An antenna 107 is connected to the input unit 203-1, and an antenna 108 is connected to the input unit 203-2. Signals received by the antennas 107 and 108 are supplied to the CPU 201 via the input units 203-1 and 203-2.
The input unit 203-3 is configured to receive a signal from an operation unit used for operation input by an operator, such as a remote controller, and supplies an operation input signal from the operator to the CPU 201.

The CPU 201 operates in accordance with a program stored in the memory 202, and in response to an operation input signal input via the input unit 203-3, the CPU 201 converts the received signal input via the input units 203-1 and 203-2. On the other hand, each part of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment performs processing, and an output signal obtained as a result of the processing is output from the output unit 204 and supplied to the display / audio output apparatus 106.
The contents of the processing by the CPU 201 are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example of a configuration in which the above processing circuit is a CPU, and a computer (indicated by reference numeral 200) including a single CPU realizes all the functions of the digital broadcast receiving device in FIG. And the display / audio output device 106.
A computer 200 shown in FIG. 27 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, input units 203-3 and 203-4, and an output unit 204, which are connected by a bus 205.

An antenna 109 is connected to the input unit 203-4, and a signal received by the antenna 109 is supplied to the CPU 201 via the input unit 203-4.
The input unit 203-3 is configured to receive a signal from an operation unit used for operation input by an operator, such as a remote controller, and supplies an operation input signal from the operator to the CPU 201.

  The memory 202 stores various tables shown in FIG. 2 in the same manner as the storage unit 103 in FIG. The memory 202 further stores a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 201.

The CPU 201 operates in accordance with a program stored in the memory 202, and implements the received signal input via the input unit 203-3 according to the operation input signal input via the input unit 203-3. Each part of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the second embodiment is processed, and an output signal obtained as a result of the processing is output from the output unit 204 and supplied to the display / audio output apparatus 106.
The contents of the processing by the CPU 201 are the same as those described in the second embodiment.

In the above, the case where the computer executes each process in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first and second embodiments has been described, but the process performed by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the third embodiment is also executed by the computer in the same manner as described above. It is also possible. Furthermore, the process of each step of the digital broadcasting receiving method implemented by the digital broadcast reception equipment of the first, second and third embodiments in the same manner as described above, it is also possible to execute the computer.

  A digital broadcast receiving method implemented by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first, second, and third embodiments, a process of each part of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus, or a program for causing a computer to execute each process in the digital broadcast receiving method, and the program With respect to the recorded computer-readable recording medium, the same effect as described for the digital broadcast receiving apparatus can be obtained. Accordingly, there is also provided a program for causing a computer to execute part of the processing in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus or part of the processing in the digital broadcast receiving method, and a computer-readable recording medium recording such a program. It forms part of the present invention.

  100: 150: Digital broadcast receiver 101: Channel scan unit 102: Program presentation unit 103: Storage unit 104: Operation input unit 105: Service list generation unit 106: Display / audio output unit 107, 108 109: Antenna 111, 121, 161: Tuner section 112, 122, 162: Demodulator section 113, 123, 163: Demultiplex section 114, 124, 164: Decode section 115: Channel scan control section 115A: Channel scan initialization processing unit, 115B: Selected channel update processing unit, 115C: Program information separation confirmation processing unit, 115D: Reception confirmation priority processing unit, 115E: Scan order processing unit, 116, 126, 166: Reception unit 125: Viewing channel control unit, 16 : Channel scan / program presentation unit, 165: Control unit, BATL: Transmission station number table by broadcast region, BAVL: Reception confirmation priority table, BTTL: Broadcast TS table, CSVL: Scan order table, NATL: Adjacent region table, NXVL : Next selection channel table, PRVL: Number of transmitting stations by priority table, RCVL: Reception date / time table.

Claims (20)

A controller that sequentially selects a plurality of physical channels;
A receiving unit that receives radio waves transmitted on the physical channel selected by the control unit and extracts a stream from the received radio waves;
A demultiplexer for separating program information from the stream;
A storage unit,
The storage unit
For each broadcasting region, a broadcasting region number transmitting station number table that stores the number of transmitting stations that perform transmission on each of the plurality of physical channels;
An adjacent area table that stores as an adjacent area other broadcast areas where transmitting stations that transmit receivable broadcast radio waves are located in at least a part of each broadcast area;
For each broadcast area, a reception confirmation priority table that stores a reception confirmation priority indicating the degree of priority when confirming whether broadcast reception is possible,
A reception date and time table for storing the oldest reception date and time and the latest reception date and time of broadcasting from a transmitting station in each broadcasting area;
A priority-specific transmitting station number table that stores the total number of transmitting stations that perform transmission on each of the plurality of physical channels for each reception confirmation priority;
Stores the scan order table that stores the channel scan order,
The controller is
A selected channel update processing unit for specifying a physical channel to be next selected in the channel scan from the channel scan order stored in the scan order table;
Let the receiving unit extract the stream corresponding to the physical channel specified by the selected channel update processing unit, and check whether the demultiplexing unit can separate the program information from the stream; A program information separation confirmation processing unit that updates the reception date and time table if it can be separated;
Refer to the adjacent area table, and update the reception confirmation priority of the broadcast area and the adjacent area of the broadcast area in the reception confirmation priority table in accordance with the confirmation result in the program information separation confirmation processing unit A reception confirmation priority processing unit,
Referring to the broadcast area transmission station number table and the reception confirmation priority table, the total number of transmission stations located in the broadcast area having the same reception confirmation priority is calculated for each of the plurality of physical channels. The transmission station number table by priority is updated with the total number of transmission stations, and in the transmission station number table by priority, the channel scanning order is determined in the order of physical channels with the largest total number of transmission stations. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: a scan order processing unit that stores a channel scan order in the scan order table.   When the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is activated for the first time after factory shipment, the control unit initializes the scan order table based on the number of transmitting stations stored in the broadcasting region-specific transmitting station number table. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a channel scan initialization processing unit.   The channel scan initialization processing unit does not initialize the scan order table when the digital broadcast receiving device is activated, except when the digital broadcast receiving device is activated for the first time after factory shipment. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 2.   4. The value indicating that the reception confirmation priority stored in the reception confirmation priority table can be excluded from a channel scan target. The digital broadcast receiver according to the item. The reception confirmation priority processing unit identifies broadcast areas adjacent to each broadcast area by referring to the adjacent area table,
A broadcast area having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time when there are two or more broadcast areas having valid latest reception date and time in the reception date and time table;
Adjacent to the broadcast area having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time, and adjacent to the broadcast area having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time and having the latest reception date and time next to the current date and time 1 Alternatively, the reception confirmation priority stored in the reception confirmation priority table in a broadcast area other than two or more broadcast areas is updated to a value indicating that it is not subject to the channel scan. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 4. The reception confirmation priority processing unit identifies broadcast areas adjacent to each broadcast area by referring to the adjacent area table,
In the reception date table, the current date and time exceeds a certain period from the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area, and in addition, there is a broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area. In addition, the broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area is not received between the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area and the current date and time. In addition, any broadcast in one or more broadcast areas adjacent to the broadcast area and adjacent to the broadcast area having the earliest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area is also received. If not, the reception confirmation priority of the broadcast area that is a broadcast area adjacent to the broadcast area and that indicates that the reception confirmation priority is not subject to channel scanning is set to a higher value. It is characterized by updating to The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 4 or 5. The reception confirmation priority processing unit
By referring to the adjacent area table, the broadcast area adjacent to each broadcast area is identified,
In the reception date table, the current date and time exceeds a certain period from the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area, and in addition, there is a broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area. In addition, the broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area is not received between the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area and the current date and time. In addition, any broadcast in one or more broadcast areas adjacent to the broadcast area and adjacent to the broadcast area having the earliest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area is also received. If not, the oldest reception date / time of the broadcasting area having the previous oldest reception date / time is changed to an invalid value. The digital data according to any one of claims 4 to 6, Broadcast receiving device.   In the reception date and time table, the reception confirmation priority processing unit stores the reception confirmation stored in the reception confirmation priority table for a broadcast area whose current date and time exceeds a certain period from the latest reception date and time of the broadcast area. 8. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority is changed to a lower value.   The reception confirmation priority processing unit is configured to receive reception priority stored in the reception confirmation priority table for a broadcast area whose current date and time exceeds a certain period from the latest reception date and time of the broadcast area in the reception date and time table. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein if the degree is the highest value, the reception confirmation priority is updated to a lower value. A digital broadcast receiving method using a digital broadcast receiving device,
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus includes:
For each broadcasting area, a transmitting area count table by broadcasting area that stores the number of transmitting stations that transmit on each of a plurality of physical channels,
An adjacent area table that stores as an adjacent area other broadcast areas where transmitting stations that transmit receivable broadcast radio waves are located in at least a part of each broadcast area;
For each broadcast area, a reception confirmation priority table that stores a reception confirmation priority indicating the degree of priority when confirming whether broadcast reception is possible,
A reception date and time table for storing the oldest reception date and time and the latest reception date and time of broadcasting from a transmitting station in each broadcasting area;
A priority-specific transmitting station number table that stores the total number of transmitting stations that perform transmission on each of the plurality of physical channels for each reception confirmation priority;
A scan order table for storing the channel scan order and a storage unit for storing
A control step of sequentially selecting the plurality of physical channels;
Receiving a radio wave transmitted on the physical channel selected in the control step, and extracting a stream from the received radio wave;
Demultiplexing the program information from the stream,
The control step includes
A selected channel update processing step for specifying a physical channel to be next selected in the channel scan from the channel scan order stored in the scan order table;
A stream corresponding to the physical channel identified in the selected channel update processing step is extracted in the reception step, and it is confirmed whether the program information can be separated from the stream in the demultiplexing step; If separation is possible, a program information separation confirmation processing step for updating the reception date and time table;
Refer to the adjacent area table, and update the reception confirmation priority of the broadcast area and the adjacent area of the broadcast area in the reception confirmation priority table according to the confirmation result in the program information separation confirmation processing step. Receiving confirmation priority processing step,
Referring to the broadcast area transmission station number table and the reception confirmation priority table, the total number of transmission stations located in the broadcast area having the same reception confirmation priority is calculated for each of the plurality of physical channels. The transmission station number table by priority is updated with the total number of transmission stations, and in the transmission station number table by priority, the channel scanning order is determined in the order of physical channels with the largest total number of transmission stations. And a scan order processing step of storing a channel scan order in the scan order table. When the digital broadcast receiver is started for the first time after factory shipment, the control step initializes the scan order table based on the number of transmitting stations stored in the broadcasting region-specific transmitting station number table. The digital broadcast receiving method according to claim 10, further comprising: a channel scan initialization process step.   The channel scan initialization processing step does not initialize the scan order table when the digital broadcast receiving device is activated, except when the digital broadcast receiving device is activated for the first time after factory shipment. The digital broadcast receiving method according to claim 11.   The value indicating that the reception confirmation priority stored in the reception confirmation priority table can take a value indicating that the reception confirmation priority is not subject to channel scanning is included. The digital broadcast receiving method according to the item. The reception confirmation priority processing step identifies broadcast areas adjacent to each broadcast area by referring to the adjacent area table,
A broadcast area having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time when there are two or more broadcast areas having valid latest reception date and time in the reception date and time table;
Adjacent to the broadcast area having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time, and adjacent to the broadcast area having the latest reception date and time closest to the current date and time and having the latest reception date and time next to the current date and time 1 Alternatively, the reception confirmation priority stored in the reception confirmation priority table in a broadcast area other than two or more broadcast areas is updated to a value indicating that it is not subject to the channel scan. The digital broadcast receiving method according to claim 13. The reception confirmation priority processing step identifies broadcast areas adjacent to each broadcast area by referring to the adjacent area table,
In the reception date table, the current date and time exceeds a certain period from the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area, and in addition, there is a broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area. In addition, the broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area is not received between the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area and the current date and time. In addition, any broadcast in one or more broadcast areas adjacent to the broadcast area and adjacent to the broadcast area having the earliest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area is also received. If not, the reception confirmation priority of the broadcast area that is a broadcast area adjacent to the broadcast area and that indicates that the reception confirmation priority is not subject to channel scanning is set to a higher value. It is characterized by updating to The digital broadcast receiving method according to claim 13 or 14. The reception confirmation priority processing step includes:
By referring to the adjacent area table, the broadcast area adjacent to each broadcast area is identified,
In the reception date table, the current date and time exceeds a certain period from the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area, and in addition, there is a broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area. In addition, the broadcast area having the oldest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area is not received between the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area and the current date and time. In addition, any broadcast in one or more broadcast areas adjacent to the broadcast area and adjacent to the broadcast area having the earliest reception date and time before the oldest reception date and time of the broadcast area is also received. The digital broadcasting device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the oldest reception date / time of the broadcasting area having the previous oldest reception date / time is changed to an invalid value when the previous oldest reception date / time is not set. Broadcast receiving method.   In the reception confirmation priority processing step, the reception confirmation stored in the reception confirmation priority table for a broadcast area whose current date and time exceeds a certain period from the latest reception date and time of the broadcast area in the reception date and time table. The digital broadcast receiving method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the priority is changed to a lower value.   In the reception confirmation priority processing step, the reception confirmation priority stored in the reception confirmation priority table for a broadcast area whose current date and time exceeds a certain period from the latest reception date and time of the broadcast area in the reception date and time table. The digital broadcast receiving method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein if the degree is the highest value, the reception confirmation priority is updated to a lower value.   The program for making a computer perform the process of each step in the digital broadcast reception method of any one of Claim 10-18.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 19 is recorded.

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