JP7743466B2 - Television receiver, power saving transition control method, and power saving transition control program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments relate to a television receiver, a power saving transition control method, and a power saving transition control program.

Some electronic devices can operate in a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption in addition to the normal operating mode. For example, some television receivers have the ability to detect when the user has not watched a program for a specified period of time and transition to a power-saving state, such as turning off the display. For example, this type of television receiver is equipped with a human presence sensor, and transitions to a power-saving state if no human presence is detected for a certain period of time (e.g., one minute). In the power-saving state, if a human enters the detection range of the human presence sensor, the device will return to normal operating mode.

However, there are cases where the user is outside the detection range of the motion sensor, such as when watching from a kitchen counter that is relatively far from the television receiver. In this case, if the user wants to continue watching, they must move into the detection range every time the power saving mode is activated. For example, the user must move into the detection range from the kitchen counter every minute, which is extremely cumbersome.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-228475

The embodiments aim to provide a television receiver, a power-saving transition control method, and a power-saving transition control program that enable power-saving transition control that eliminates complexity.

The television receiver of this embodiment includes a sensor that detects a person within a predetermined detection range and outputs a detection result indicating whether or not a person is detected; a detection unit that detects user operations and outputs the detection result; and a processing device that transitions between a normal state and a power-saving state and prohibits the power-saving state based on the detection result from the sensor and the detection result from the detection unit.

1 is a block diagram showing a television receiver according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining transition to a power saving mode in a television receiver 10A of a comparative example. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining transition to a power saving mode in a television receiver 10A of a comparative example. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining transition to a power saving mode in the television receiver 10; 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the comparative example. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the comparative example. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fourth embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 is a block diagram showing a television receiver according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which performs power-saving transition control based on the user's location and the operation of a remote controller.

The television receiver 10 includes a processing unit 1, a memory unit 2, a broadcast receiving unit 3, a display control unit 4, a remote control receiving unit 5, a human presence sensor unit 6, a timer circuit 8, and a power supply circuit 9. The processing unit 1, the memory unit 2, the broadcast receiving unit 3, the display control unit 4, the remote control receiving unit 5, and the human presence sensor unit 6 are interconnected by a bus 7.

Processing device 1 provides overall control of the entire television receiver 10. Processing device 1 may be configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or SoC (System on Chip). Processing device 1 may operate in accordance with programs stored in memory unit 2 to control each unit, or may implement some or all of its functions using hardware electronic circuits. Memory unit 2 stores programs, variables being processed by processing device 1, settings, etc.

The broadcast receiving unit 3 receives television broadcasts, for example, via the antenna 20. The broadcast receiving unit 3 may also receive content from a network (not shown). When receiving television broadcast signals from the antenna 20, the broadcast receiving unit 3 may be composed of a tuner and decoder (not shown), etc. The tuner is controlled by the processing unit 1 to select the broadcast signal of the desired channel. The decoder demodulates the broadcast signal selected by the tuner to obtain a transport stream containing the desired program. The decoder performs TS decoding processing on the signal multiplexed with the transport stream (TS), to obtain digital video data and audio data of the desired program. The video data and audio data received and obtained by the broadcast receiving unit 3 is supplied to the processing unit 1.

The processing device 1 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the supplied digital video data and then outputs it to the display control unit 4. The display control unit 4 converts the input video data into a video signal in a format that can be displayed on the display device 30 and then outputs it to the display device 30. The display device 30 is composed of a predetermined display device, such as a flat display panel, and displays an image based on the input video signal.

The processing device 1 also performs predetermined digital signal processing on the supplied digital audio data, and then outputs it to a speaker (not shown) provided on the display device 30. In this way, the audio of the program is output from the speaker. The display control unit 4 can also display not only images of broadcasts and content, but also various messages, operation screens, etc. on the display device 30.

The processing device 1 controls each component based on operation information sent from the remote controller 40 or from operation units such as switches (not shown) provided on the television receiver 10 body, so that the operation content is reflected. The remote controller 40 generates and transmits operation signals based on user operations. The remote control receiving unit 5 of the television receiver 10 receives the remote control signal from the remote controller 40, generates operation information based on the operation of the remote controller, and outputs it to the processing device 1. The processing device 1 controls each component based on this operation information.

Such remote control may be performed by voice. For example, the user's voice is received by an audio receiving unit (not shown) consisting of a microphone or the like, and an audio signal based on the user's voice is output to the processing device 1. The processing device 1 analyzes the voice of the commands issued by the user using known voice recognition processing, and controls each part based on the user's voice.

The television receiver 10 is provided with a human presence sensor unit 6. The human presence sensor unit 6 detects people using, for example, millimeter-wave radar or infrared light. The human presence sensor unit 6 can detect people within a predetermined detection range (hereinafter referred to as the human detection range). In other words, the human presence sensor unit 6 detects whether a person is present within the predetermined human detection range, and various position sensors such as radio wave sensors or cameras that detect whether a person is located within the predetermined human detection range may be used instead of the human presence sensor unit 6. When the human presence sensor unit 6 detects a person, it outputs a detection signal to the processing device 1.

The timer circuit 8 measures the time and outputs the time information to the processing device 1. The power supply circuit 9 generates the power supply voltage used by each component of the television receiver 10. The power supply circuit 9 can control the power supply and cut-off by operating a main switch (not shown). The power supply circuit 9 is also configured to control the power-on and power-off of each component of the television receiver 10 via the processing device 1. By controlling the power supply circuit 9, the processing device 1 can set the television receiver 10 to operate in a normal mode, which supplies power to each component of the television receiver 10 to enable normal viewing, or in a power-saving mode, which operates in a power-saving state that reduces power consumption. The normal mode is a state in which power consumption is greater than that of the power-saving mode, such as a state in which all functions of the television receiver 10 are operable. The power-saving state may reduce power consumption by reducing the power consumption of the television receiver 10, or by controlling the display of the display device 30, for example.

(Transition to power saving mode in comparative example)
2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the transition to the power saving mode in a television receiver 10A of a comparative example. Figures 2 and 3 show the operating modes of the television receiver 10A based on the relationship between the fan-shaped human detection range and the position of the person (hereinafter referred to as the viewing position). The television receiver 10A differs from the television receiver 10 in the transition process by the processing device 1 between the normal mode and the power saving mode, but the hardware configuration of the television receiver 10 is substantially the same as that of the television receiver 10.

The television receiver 10A transitions between normal mode and power saving mode using human detection by a human sensor or the like and time information from a timer circuit. The left side of Figure 2 shows that the television receiver 10A is in normal mode (normal state) due to the presence of user P within human detection range A. The center of Figure 2 shows that when user P leaves human detection range A in normal state, the television receiver 10A transitions to power saving mode (power saving state) a certain amount of time after user P leaves human detection range A. The right side of Figure 2 also shows that when user P returns to human detection range A in power saving state, the television receiver 10A returns to normal mode (normal state).

Through this operation, the television receiver 10A of the comparative example determines whether user P is watching the television receiver 10A, and switches to normal mode if user P is watching, and automatically switches to power-saving mode if user P is not watching, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption.

However, user P may sometimes want to watch television on television receiver 10A from a location relatively far from television receiver 10A, such as a kitchen counter. Figure 3 shows this situation. In the example of Figure 3, the area near counter kitchen K where user P is located is outside human detection range A. Therefore, in this case, television receiver 10A enters a power-saving state.

In such a case, user P must move within human detection range A to return the television receiver 10A to normal mode and continue watching. However, if user P returns to the original viewing position outside human detection range A, the television receiver will return to power saving mode after a certain period of time (e.g., one minute), so user P must move within human detection range A multiple times, which is extremely cumbersome.

(Transition to power saving mode in the first embodiment)
Therefore, in this embodiment, by coordinating the operation of the human presence sensor unit 6, which is a position sensor, with the operation of the remote controller 40, it is possible to infer that someone is watching from outside the human detection range, and to control transition to a power-saving state. Note that the remote controller 40 is used to detect human operations, but an appropriate device for detecting human operations may be used instead of the remote controller 40. For example, wireless operations using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) mouse or the like, wired operations using CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), operations by voice or gesture, etc. may be detected. Human operations can be detected by the processing device 1 by determining the output of devices such as a receiver that receives wireless operations or wired operations, a microphone that detects human voices, and a camera that detects human gestures.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the transition to power saving mode in the television receiver 10. As with Figure 2, the upper part of Figure 4 shows the fan-shaped human detection range A, and indicates the viewing position of user P relative to human detection range A in each of states J1 to J4. The lower part of Figure 4 uses thick lines to indicate the state transition between the television receiver 10's normal state (normal mode) and its power saving state (power saving mode).

State J1 in Figure 4 shows an example in which user P, who was within human detection range A, moves out of human detection range A, transitioning to a power-saving state and operating the remote controller 40 in this power-saving state. The normal state is maintained until timing T1 in Figure 4, as indicated by the bold line. The human presence sensor unit 6 detects the absence of a person in human detection range A at timing T1. Hereinafter, the detection of the absence of a person will be referred to as non-detection. Upon receiving the detection result from the human presence sensor unit 6, the processing device 1 instructs the power supply circuit 9 to transition to the power-saving mode at timing T2, based on the time information from the timer circuit 8, after the non-detection has continued for a predetermined waiting time (hereinafter referred to as the transition waiting time) (bold dashed line). This, for example, controls the power supply to the display device 30, turning off the display screen of the display device 30.

In this embodiment, if user P wishes to watch from outside human detection range A, he or she performs a user operation in the power-saving state. In the example of Figure 4, user P operates remote controller 40 at timing T3 in the power-saving state. A signal Si from remote controller 40 is detected by remote control receiver 5, and operation information is supplied to processing device 1. When processing device 1 receives operation information based on the user operation in the power-saving state, it determines that user P wishes to watch and transitions television receiver 10 to normal mode. That is, processing device 1 controls power supply circuit 9 to supply power to each component and return to the normal state.

State J2 in Figure 4 shows this state (hereinafter referred to as the power saving prohibited state), in which entering the power saving state is prohibited. The power saving prohibited state of state J2 is established when user P, whose viewing position is outside human detection range A, performs a user operation while in the power saving state. In the power saving prohibited state, the processing device 1 controls so as not to transition to power saving mode even when user P is not within human detection range A. The processing device 1 releases the power saving prohibited state when user P is detected within human detection range A. State J3 shows this state. At timing T4 during the power saving prohibited state, the human sensor unit 6 detects user P. Based on the detection result of the human sensor unit 6, the processing device 1 releases the power saving prohibited state and returns to the normal state.

In this normal state, when the human presence sensor unit 6 no longer detects user P (timing T5), the processing device 1 transitions to power-saving mode at timing T6 after the non-detection continues for the transition standby time. State J4 in Figure 4 shows this power-saving mode.

By performing this operation, the television receiver 10 determines that user P is watching even when user P is located outside human detection range A, and prohibits transition to a power-saving state. This allows user P to continue watching from outside the human detection range without requiring any complicated operations.

(operation)
Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIGS. 5 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIGS. 5 and 6 are a set of flowcharts for explaining the operation of a comparative example, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are a set of flowcharts for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. The circle symbols A to D in FIG. 5 and the circle symbols A to D in FIG. 6 indicate that the processes are linked to each other. Similarly, the circle symbols A to D in FIG. 7 and the circle symbols A to D in FIG. 8 indicate that the processes are linked to each other. Note that identical steps in FIGS. 5 and 7 are designated with the same reference symbols, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Also, identical steps in FIGS. 6 and 8 are designated with the same reference symbols, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

First, the operation of the comparative example will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In the comparative example, the following variables are used. The processing device 1 calculates various time-related variables using the output of the timer circuit 8. Note that to make it easier to distinguish between variable names and values, variable names will be enclosed in parentheses and values will be enclosed in "" throughout the specification.

<Variable name>:<Contents>:<Value>
(TV status): Indicates the status of the television receiver. Normal status, power saving status (detection): Indicates the human detection status. Detected, not detected (state): Manages the processing status. Detecting
: Countdown in progress
: Power saving in progress (change time) : Time when the state changed : Year/Month/Day/Hour/Minute/Seconds (Waiting time) : Time until power saving starts after non-detection : Seconds (Duration) : Time since the state changed : Seconds

The variable (TV state) indicates whether the television receiver is in a normal state or a power-saving state ("normal state" or "power-saving state"). The variable (detection) indicates whether a person has been detected in the human detection range ("detected" or "not detected"). The variable (state) indicates whether the television is detecting or determining whether a person is present in the human detection range based on the detection results from the human sensor unit 6, whether a countdown is being performed until the transition standby time has elapsed, or whether power-saving mode is in operation ("detecting," "countdown," or "power-saving"). The variable (change time) indicates the time when the value of the variable (state) changed ("xx year xx month xx day xx hour xx minute xx.xx seconds"). The variable (waiting time) indicates the transition standby time, and is the value from when the television becomes non-detected until it enters the power-saving state ("xx seconds"). The variable (duration) indicates the time from when the value of the variable (state) changed ("xx.xx seconds").

When the power is turned on, various variables are initialized. That is, the current time is assigned to the variable (change time) (S1 in Figure 5), "detecting" is assigned to the variable (state) (S2), and "normal state" is assigned to the variable (TV state) (S4). Next, in S5, the human presence sensor unit 6 is activated and the detection state is acquired (S7). Next, "current time - variable (change time)" is assigned to the variable (duration) (S8).

Next, in S12, it is determined whether the value of the variable (state) is "detecting," "counting down," or "power saving." If it is "detecting," the process moves to circle symbol A in Figure 6; if it is "counting down," the process moves to circle symbol B in Figure 6; and if it is "power saving," the process moves to circle symbol C in Figure 6.

Let's assume that the state is immediately after power is turned on, that is, the television receiver 10A is operating in normal mode, and user P is watching within human detection range A. In this case, the value of the variable (state) is the initial value of "detecting." In this case, in S21 of Figure 6, it is determined whether the value of the variable (detection) is not "detected." Because user P is watching within human detection range A, the value of the variable (detection) is "detected" (NO in S21), and the process proceeds from circle D to S7. In S7, the detection state is repeatedly acquired.

Now, let's assume that user P leaves human detection range A. Then, in S7, the value of the variable (detection) becomes "not detected." The judgment in S21 is YES, and processing moves to S28. In S28, the variable (change time) is assigned the "current time," and in S29, the variable (state) is assigned the value "countdown in progress." Then, based on the judgment of the variable (state) in the next S12, processing moves to circle symbol B, and the judgment in S32 is made.

If the variable (detection) is not "detected" (NO in S32), i.e., if user P continues to be outside human detection range A, S33 determines whether the value of the variable (duration) is greater than the value of the variable (waiting time). That is, S33 determines whether the "variable (duration)", which is the time since the human sensor unit 6 determined that user P was not in human detection range A (non-detection), has reached the transition waiting time. If it has not reached that time (NO in S33), processing transitions from circle D to S7, detection status acquisition is repeated (S8), and processing returns from circle B to S32. When the transition waiting time has elapsed since the non-detection determination, a YES determination is made in S33, and the "current time" is assigned to the variable (change time) in S37, "power saving" is assigned to the variable (state) in S38, and "power saving state" is assigned to the variable (TV state) in S39.

In other words, after it is determined that user P is not within human detection range A, once the transition waiting time has elapsed, the television receiver 10A transitions to power saving mode, and the variable (state) becomes "power saving."

Then, depending on the determination of the variable (state) in the next step S12, the process moves to circle symbol C, and the determination in S42 is made. If the variable (detection) is not "detection" (NO in S42), that is, if user P continues to be outside the human detection range A, the process returns from circle symbol D7 to S7 and the process is repeated. In other words, if user P continues to be outside the human detection range A, the values of the variable (TV state) and variable (state) do not change, and power saving mode continues.

Here, when user P enters human detection range A, the judgment in S42 becomes YES, and in S44, the variable (change time) is assigned the "current time", in S45, the variable (state) is assigned the "detecting" value, and in S46, the variable (TV state) is assigned the "normal state".

In other words, when user P returns to human detection range A, the television receiver 10A returns from power saving mode to normal mode, transitions from circle symbol D7 to S7, and the process is repeated.

As such, the television receiver 10A of the comparative example transitions to power-saving mode only by checking the results of human detection by the human sensor unit 6 and the transition standby time after non-detection. This has the disadvantage that if user P wants to watch from outside human detection range A, they have to move into human detection range A relatively frequently.

Next, control in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In Figures 7 and 8, the same steps as in Figures 5 and 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

The flow in Figure 7 differs from the flow in Figure 5 in that steps S3 and S6 have been added. Furthermore, Figure 8 differs from the flow in Figure 6 in that steps S22, S27, S41, and S43 have been added.

In the first embodiment, in addition to the variables used in the comparative example, the following two variables are adopted:

<Variable name>:<Contents>:<Value>
(Absent operation): User operation occurred in an undetected state: true, false
(Remote control operation): Remote control operation was performed: true, false

In the initial settings after powering on, the processing device 1 assigns the current time to the variable (change time) (S1 in FIG. 7), assigns "detecting" to the variable (state) (S2), assigns "false" to the variable (away operation) (S3), and assigns "normal state" to the variable (TV state) (S4). Next, the processing device 1 activates the human presence sensor unit 6 (S5) and starts reception by the remote control receiver 5 (S6 in FIG. 7). After S6, the processing device 1 executes step S7.

In the comparative example of FIG. 6, once the power saving state is entered, the power saving state continues until the variable (detection) becomes "detected" in S42. In contrast, in the first embodiment, when the variable (state) is determined to be "power saving" in S12 and the process transitions to circle symbol C, the processing device 1 determines in S41 whether the value of the variable (remote control operation) is "true." The variable (remote control operation) becomes "true" when the remote control receiver 5 receives a signal from the remote controller 40 and the processing device 1 detects a user operation. Note that when returning from circle symbol D to S7, the processing device 1 resets the variable (remote control operation) to "false." If the variable (remote control operation) is "false," the processing device 1 transitions to S42 and performs the same operation as in the comparative example.

On the other hand, if the variable (remote control operation) is "true," the processing device 1 assigns "true" to the variable (unattended operation) in S43 and then proceeds to S44. That is, in the comparative example, the processing device proceeds to S44 only if the variable (detection) became "detected" in S42, whereas in the first embodiment, the processing device proceeds to S44 even if the variable (remote control operation) is "true." As a result, the processing device 1 sets the variable (state) to "detecting" and the variable (television state) to "normal state," and then returns the processing to S7 from the circle symbol D. That is, the television receiver 10 is released from the power saving state and operates in the normal state. In this way, the variable (unattended operation) being "true" indicates that power saving is prohibited.

The processing device 1 then proceeds to circle symbol A based on the determination of the variable (state) in S12 and makes a determination in S22. If the variable (detection) is not "detection" (YES in S21), i.e., if user P remains outside the human detection range A, the processing device 1 determines in S27 whether the variable (absence operation) is "true." In this case, "true" is assigned to the variable (absence operation) in S43, and the processing device 1 proceeds to processing from circle symbol D to S7. In other words, in this case, since "countdown in progress" is not assigned to the variable (state) in S29, the variable (state) remains "detection in progress," and the television receiver 10 continues in the normal state.

Furthermore, when user P returns to the human detection range A, the variable (detection) becomes "detected," and the processing device 1 transitions from S21 to S22. In S22, the processing device 1 assigns "false" to the variable (absent operation) and transitions to S7 via the circle symbol D. This cancels the power saving prohibited state, and the next time user P leaves the human detection range A, it becomes possible to transition to the power saving state.

In this way, in this embodiment, when the user leaves the human detection range and enters power saving mode, user operation is detected, and the device can be returned to normal mode as a power saving prohibited state. This allows the user to continue watching without the need for complicated operations, even if they remain outside the human detection range.

Second Embodiment
9 is an explanatory diagram showing the second embodiment. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1, but the control of the processing device 1 differs from that of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which a user operation was detected in a power-saving state and the device transitioned to a power-saving prohibited state. In this embodiment, a user operation is detected during the period from when a person is not detected until the transition standby time has elapsed (hereinafter referred to as the transition standby period) and the device transitions to a power-saving prohibited state.

Figure 9 uses the same notation as Figure 4 to explain the transition to power saving mode in the second embodiment. As with Figure 4, the upper part of Figure 9 shows the fan-shaped human detection range A, and indicates the viewing position of user P relative to human detection range A in each of states J11 to J14. The lower part of Figure 9 uses thick lines to indicate the state transition between the television receiver 10 being in a normal state (normal mode) and a power saving state (power saving mode).

In state J11 in Figure 9, the bold line and the bold dashed line between timings T11 and T12 indicate that user P, who was within human detection range A, has moved outside of human detection range A, entering the transition standby period before transitioning to power saving mode. In the first embodiment, if user P remains outside human detection range A and the transition standby period has elapsed, the device transitions to the power saving state. However, in this embodiment, user P can perform a user operation during the transition standby period to transition to the power saving prohibited state.

In this embodiment, if user P wishes to watch from outside human detection range A, he or she performs a user operation during the transition standby period. In the example of Figure 9, user P operates remote controller 40 during the transition standby period from timing T11 to T12. Signal Si from remote controller 40 is detected by remote control receiver 5, and operation information is supplied to processing device 1. When processing device 1 receives operation information based on user operation during the transition standby period, it determines that user P wishes to watch and transitions television receiver 10 to a power saving prohibited state. In other words, processing device 1 controls power supply circuit 9 to supply power to each component to maintain normal operation.

State J12 in Figure 9 shows that user P remains outside human detection range A in the power saving prohibited state. In the power saving prohibited state, the processing device 1 controls so as not to transition to power saving mode even if user P is not within human detection range A. The processing device 1 releases the power saving prohibited state when user P is detected within human detection range A. State J13 shows this state. At timing T14 during the power saving prohibited state, the human sensor unit 6 detects user P. Based on the detection result of the human sensor unit 6, the processing device 1 releases the power saving prohibited state and returns to the normal state.

In this normal state, when the human presence sensor unit 6 no longer detects user P (timing T15), the processing device 1 transitions to power saving mode at timing T16 after the non-detection continues for the transition waiting time. State J14 in Figure 9 shows this power saving mode.

By operating in this manner, even if user P is located outside human detection range A, the television receiver 10 determines that user P is watching based on user operation and prohibits transition to a power-saving state. This allows user P to continue watching from outside the human detection range without requiring any complicated operations.

(operation)
Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment. Circles A to D in Fig. 11 indicate that the processes are interconnected with circles A to D in Fig. 7.

Note that while the example in Figure 10 shows an example in which the actions of the first and second embodiments are performed together, a flow in which only the actions of the second embodiment are performed can also be easily implemented. In Figure 10, the same steps as in Figure 8 are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

The flow in Figure 10 differs from the flow in Figure 8 in that steps S32 and S35 have been added.

In the example of Figure 8, once the transition waiting time is counting down, if the variable (detection) is not "detected" in the determination of S32, the countdown continues and the determination of S33 is made. In contrast, in the second embodiment, if the variable (remote control operation) is determined to be "true" in S31 (YES in S31), the variable (unattended operation) indicating the power saving prohibited state becomes "true" in S34, and the process proceeds to S35. In other words, if the user operates the remote controller 40 during the transition waiting period before it is determined in S33 that the transition waiting time has elapsed, the variable (remote control operation) becomes "true" and the power saving prohibited state is entered.

In other words, the television receiver 10 enters the power saving prohibited state before entering the power saving state, and continues operating in the normal state. In S36, the processing device 1 sets the variable (state) to "detecting," and returns the process to S7 from circle D to repeat the process.

Other operations are the same as in the first embodiment, and the power saving prohibited state continues until the variable (not present operation) becomes "false." When user P returns to the human detection range A, the variable (detection) becomes "detected," and the processing device 1 transitions from S21 to S22. In S22, the processing device 1 assigns "false" to the variable (not present operation) and transitions to S7 from the circle symbol D. This cancels the power saving prohibited state, and the next time user P leaves the human detection range A, it becomes possible to transition to the power saving state.

In this way, in this embodiment, by detecting user operation during the transition standby period after the user leaves the human detection range, the normal state can be maintained with power saving prohibited. This allows the user to continue watching without the need for complicated operations, even if they remain outside the human detection range.

(Third embodiment)
11 is an explanatory diagram showing the third embodiment. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1, but the control of the processing device 1 differs from that of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which a user operation was detected in the power saving state and the device transitioned to the power saving prohibited state, while in the second embodiment, an example was shown in which a user operation was detected during the transition waiting period and the device transitioned to the power saving prohibited state. In this embodiment, the device transitions to the power saving prohibited state if no user operation is detected within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the no-operation consideration time) from the time of the normal state.

Figure 11 explains the transition to power saving mode in the third embodiment using the same notation as Figures 4 and 9. As with Figures 4 and 9, the upper part of Figure 11 shows the fan-shaped human detection range A, and indicates the viewing position of user P relative to human detection range A in each of states J21 to J24. The lower part of Figure 11 uses thick lines to indicate the state transition between the television receiver 10 being in a normal state (normal mode) and a power saving state (power saving mode).

State J21 in Figure 11 shows that user P, who was within human detection range A, performed a remote control operation at timing T21. In this embodiment, if user P wishes to watch from outside human detection range A, they move out of human detection range A within the no-operation consideration time from the remote control operation (user operation). In the example in Figure 11, user P leaves human detection range A at timing T22, before the no-operation consideration time has elapsed since the remote control operation at timing T21.

State J22 in Figure 11 shows the state in this case, indicating that the processing device 1 has transitioned to a power-saving prohibited state by detecting no detection within the considered time of no operation after user P operates the remote control. The processing device 1 releases the power-saving prohibited state when user P is detected within human detection range A. State J23 shows this state. At timing T24 during the power-saving prohibited state, the human sensor unit 6 detects user P. Based on the detection result of the human sensor unit 6, the processing device 1 releases the power-saving prohibited state and returns to the normal state.

In this normal state, when the human presence sensor unit 6 no longer detects user P (timing T25), the processing device 1 transitions to power saving mode at timing T26 after the non-detection continues for the transition waiting time. State J24 in Figure 11 shows this power saving mode.

By operating in this manner, the television receiver 10 determines that user P is viewing the television even when user P is located outside human detection range A, as in state J22, and prohibits transition to the power-saving state. This allows user P to continue viewing the television from outside the human detection range without requiring any complicated operations.

(operation)
Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the third embodiment. Circles A to D in Figure 12 and circles A to D in Figure 13 indicate that the processes are linked to each other.

Note that while the examples in Figures 12 and 13 show examples in which the actions of the first to third embodiments are performed together, a flow in which only the action of the third embodiment is performed can also be easily implemented. In Figure 12, the same steps as in Figure 7 are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. Also, in Figure 13, the same steps as in Figure 10 are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

The flow in Figure 12 differs from the flow in Figure 7 in that steps S9 to S11 have been added. The flow in Figure 13 differs from the flow in Figure 10 in that steps S23 and S24 have been added.

In the third embodiment, in addition to the variables used in the above embodiments, the following three variables are adopted:

<Variable name>:<Contents>:<Value>
(Last operation time): Time of last operation: Year, Month, Day, Hour, Minute, and Seconds (No operation time): Time since last operation: Seconds (Consideration time for no operation): Indicates the consideration time for no operation: Value: Seconds

In S8 of FIG. 12, the processing device 1 determines the variable (duration), and then in S9 determines whether the variable (remote control operation) is "true." If the variable (remote control operation) is "false," the processing device 1 assigns "current time - variable (last operation time)" to the variable (no operation time) in S11 (S11). Furthermore, if the variable (remote control operation) is "true," the processing device 1 assigns the current time to the variable (last operation time) in S10 (S10), and then executes the process of S11.

In the above embodiments, if the power saving prohibition state is not active (the variable (unattended operation) is "false"), and it is determined that no detection has occurred, the process transitions to a countdown state (the variable (state) is "countdown in progress") that counts the transition waiting time. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the processing device 1 determines in S23 whether the value of the variable (no-operation time) is smaller than the value of the variable (no-operation consideration time). The variable (no-operation time) indicates the time since the last remote control operation, and in S23 it is determined whether the time since the last remote control operation has exceeded the no-operation consideration time.

If the variable (no-operation time) exceeds the no-operation consideration time (NO in S23), the processing device 1 proceeds to S27 and performs the same operation as in the above embodiments. On the other hand, if the variable (no-operation time) does not exceed the no-operation consideration time (YES in S23), the processing device 1 proceeds to S24, assigns "true" to the variable (unattended operation), and enters a power saving prohibited state.

In other words, if user P leaves human detection range A within the considered no-operation time from the last user operation in the television receiver 10's normal state, the power saving state will be prohibited, and user P will be able to continue watching from outside human detection range A.

Other operations are the same as in the above embodiments, and the power saving prohibited state continues until the variable (not present operation) becomes "false." When user P returns to the human detection range A, the variable (detection) becomes "detected," and the processing device 1 transitions from S21 to S22. In S22, the processing device 1 assigns "false" to the variable (not present operation) and transitions to S7 from the circle symbol D. This cancels the power saving prohibited state, and the next time user P leaves the human detection range A, it becomes possible to transition to the power saving state.

In this way, in this embodiment, if the user leaves the human detection range within the considered no-operation time from the last user operation, the power saving is prohibited and normal operation can be continued. This allows the user to continue watching without the need for complicated operations even if they remain outside the human detection range.

(Fourth embodiment)
Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth embodiment. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of Fig. 1, but the control of the processing device 1 differs from that of the first embodiment. Note that in the fourth embodiment, the remote control receiving unit 5 can be omitted.

In the first to third embodiments, examples were shown in which the presence or absence of a person in the human detection range was detected and a transition to a power saving prohibited state was made by detecting a user operation. The fourth embodiment is an example in which a transition to a power saving prohibited state is made based on the timing of whether or not a person is detected in the human detection range.

Figure 14 explains the transition to power saving mode in the fourth embodiment using the same notation as Figures 4, 9, and 11. The upper part of Figure 14, like Figures 4, 9, and 11, shows the fan-shaped human detection range A and the viewing position of user P relative to human detection range A in each of states J31 to J35. The lower part of Figure 14 uses thick lines to indicate the state transition between the television receiver 10 being in a normal state (normal mode) and a power saving state (power saving mode).

State J31 in Figure 14 indicates that at timing T31, user P, who was within human detection range A, has left human detection range A. If user P continues to remain outside human detection range A, the device will transition to the power saving state at timing T32, which is the transition waiting time after timing T31.

In this embodiment, if user P wishes to watch from outside human detection range A, they first return to human detection range A and then leave human detection range A again within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the momentary allowable time) after being detected by the human sensor unit 6. State J32 in Figure 14 shows that user P returned to human detection range A at timing T34. Furthermore, if user P leaves human detection range A at timing T35, within the momentary allowable time from timing T34, the system transitions to a power saving prohibited state.

In other words, the permissible momentary time is the time condition for transitioning to the power saving prohibited state, and transitioning from non-detection to detection, and then back to non-detection within this permissible momentary time, enables transition to the power saving prohibited state.

State J33 in Figure 14 shows this state, indicating that the processing device 1 has transitioned to a power-saving prohibited state by detecting that user P has been detected and not detected within the momentary allowable time. The processing device 1 releases the power-saving prohibited state when user P is detected within human detection range A. State J34 shows this state. At timing T36 during the power-saving prohibited state, the human sensor unit 6 detects user P. Based on the detection result of the human sensor unit 6, the processing device 1 releases the power-saving prohibited state and returns to the normal state.

In this normal state, when the human presence sensor unit 6 no longer detects user P (timing T37), the processing device 1 transitions to power saving mode at timing T38 after the non-detection continues for the transition waiting time. State J35 in Figure 14 shows this power saving mode.

By performing this operation, the television receiver 10 determines that user P is viewing the television even when user P is located outside human detection range A, as in state J33, and prohibits transition to the power-saving state. This allows user P to continue viewing the television from outside the human detection range without requiring any complicated operations.

(operation)
Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fourth embodiment. Circles A to D in Fig. 15 indicate that the processes are interconnected with circles A to D in Fig. 12.

Note that while the example in Figure 15 shows an example in which the actions of the first to fourth embodiments are performed together, a flow in which only the action of the fourth embodiment is performed can also be easily implemented. In Figure 15, the same steps as in Figure 13 are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

The flow in Figure 15 differs from the flow in Figure 13 in that steps S25 and S26 have been added.

In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the variables used in the above embodiments, the following variable is adopted:

<Variable name>:<Contents>:<Value>
(Allowable time for momentary interruption): Allowable time for momentary interruption: ○.○ seconds

In the third embodiment, when the device is not in the power saving prohibited state (the variable (unattended operation) is "false"), if the device becomes undetected without any user operation (NO in S27), the device transitions to a countdown state (the variable (state) is "countdown in progress") that counts the transition waiting time. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the processing device 1 determines in S25 whether the value of the variable (duration) is smaller than the value of the variable (allowable momentary presence time). In this case, the variable (duration) is the time elapsed since the value of the variable (state) changed to "detecting in progress" in S45 during power saving. If this elapsed time is within the allowable momentary presence time, the processing device 1 determines that the user wishes to watch from outside the human detection range A, sets the variable (unattended operation) to "true" in S26, and transitions to the power saving prohibited state. Note that if the value of the variable (duration) exceeds the allowable momentary presence time (NO in S25), the processing device 1 transitions to S27 and performs the same operation as in the above embodiments.

In other words, if user P enters human detection range A while the television receiver 10 is in power-saving mode, and then leaves human detection range A again within the permissible momentary time, the power-saving state will be prohibited, and user P will be able to continue watching from outside human detection range A.

Other operations are the same as in the above embodiments, and the power saving prohibited state continues until the variable (absent operation) becomes "false." In the power saving prohibited state, when user P returns to the human detection range A (returning to the normal state) and the momentary presence allowance time within the human detection range A has elapsed, the normal state is established.

In this way, in this embodiment, if the user enters or leaves the human detection range within the momentary allowable time in the power-saving state, the power-saving prohibited state will be entered and normal mode can be continued. This allows the user to continue watching without the need for complicated operations, even if they subsequently remain outside the human detection range.

Note that the explanations using the above flowcharts have been given as examples that enable control of the first embodiment, the first and second embodiments, the first to third embodiments, and the first to fourth embodiments, but it is also possible to perform control using each embodiment alone or to perform control by combining any of the embodiments.

(Modification)
In the above embodiments, when the processing device 1 transitions to the power saving prohibited state, the processing device 1 is controlled to prohibit operation in the power saving state and operate in the normal state. However, the processing device 1 may be configured to set a time period until transition to the power saving state when the processing device 1 transitions to the power saving prohibited state. In other words, in this case, the processing device 1 transitions to the power saving state after a predetermined time has elapsed since transitioning to the power saving prohibited state.

Furthermore, if the power saving prohibited state is controlled by setting the time until the power saving state is entered, processing may be performed to gradually increase the time until the power saving state is entered depending on the frequency of entering the power saving prohibited state.

In addition, even when the device transitions to power-saving mode because there is no one within the human detection range, the transition wait time may be gradually increased depending on the frequency of transitions to power-saving mode.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining the multiple disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all of the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, if the problem stated in the "Problem to be Solved by the Invention" section can be solved and the effect stated in the "Effects of the Invention" section can be obtained, the configuration from which these constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

Furthermore, among the technologies described herein, many of the controls and functions, primarily illustrated in flowcharts, can be set by a program, and the above-mentioned controls and functions can be realized by a computer reading and executing the program. The program can be recorded or stored, in whole or in part, as a computer program product on portable media such as flexible disks, CD-ROMs, non-volatile memory, or storage media such as hard disks and volatile memory, and can be distributed or provided at the time of product shipment, via portable media, or via communication lines. Users can easily realize the television receiver of this embodiment by downloading the program via a communication network and installing it on their computer, or by installing it from a recording medium on their computer.

1...Processing device, 10...Television receiver, 2...Memory unit, 20...Antenna, 3...Broadcast receiving unit, 5...Remote control receiving unit, 6...Human presence sensor unit, 8...Timer circuit, 9...Power supply circuit, 30...Display device, 4...Display control unit, 40...Remote controller.

Claims (3)

a sensor that detects a person present within a predetermined detection range and outputs a detection result of whether or not a person is detected;
a detection unit that detects a user operation and outputs a detection result;
a processing device that transitions between a normal state and a power saving state, the processing device prohibiting transition to the power saving state based on a detection result from the sensor and a detection result from the detection unit;
The processing device includes:
a first power saving control that prohibits the power saving state when the user operation from outside the predetermined detection range is detected while the device is in the power saving state;
a second power saving control that prohibits the power saving state when the user operation from outside the predetermined detection range is detected within a first time period after the sensor outputs a detection result of no detection in the normal state;
a third power saving control that prohibits the power saving state if a detection result of non-detection is output from the sensor within a second time period from the detection of the user operation from within the predetermined detection range;
and performing control to change the time from when the power saving state is prohibited to when the power saving state is transitioned to the power saving state, depending on the frequency of power saving control to prohibit the power saving state.
Television receiver. A power-saving transition control method for performing power-saving transition control using a sensor that detects a person present within a predetermined detection range and outputs a detection result of whether or not the person is detected, a detection unit that detects a user operation and outputs the detection result, and a processing device that transitions between a normal state and a power-saving state and prohibits transition to the power-saving state based on the detection result from the sensor and the detection result from the detection unit,
In the processing device,
a first power saving control that prohibits the power saving state when the user operation from outside the predetermined detection range is detected while the device is in the power saving state;
a second power saving control that prohibits the power saving state when the user operation from outside the predetermined detection range is detected within a first time period after the sensor outputs a detection result of no detection in the normal state;
a third power saving control that prohibits the power saving state if a detection result of non-detection is output from the sensor within a second time period from the detection of the user operation from within the predetermined detection range;
and performing control to change the time from when the power saving state is prohibited to when the power saving state is transitioned to the power saving state, depending on the frequency of power saving control to prohibit the power saving state.
Power saving transition control method. A computer program for causing a computer of the processing device to execute power-saving transition control, the computer program comprising: a sensor that detects a person present within a predetermined detection range and outputs a detection result of whether or not the person is detected; a detection unit that detects a user operation and outputs the detection result; and a processing device that transitions between a normal state and a power-saving state, the processing device prohibiting transition to the power-saving state based on the detection result from the sensor and the detection result from the detection unit, the computer program comprising:
a first power saving control that prohibits the power saving state when the user operation from outside the predetermined detection range is detected while the device is in the power saving state;
a second power saving control that prohibits the power saving state when the user operation from outside the predetermined detection range is detected within a first time period after the sensor outputs a detection result of no detection in the normal state;
a third power saving control that prohibits the power saving state if a detection result of non-detection is output from the sensor within a second time period from the detection of the user operation from within the predetermined detection range;
and executing control to change the time from when the power saving state is prohibited to when the power saving state is transitioned to the power saving state, depending on the frequency of power saving control to prohibit the power saving state.
Computer program.