FIELD
[0001] Embodiments described herein relate generally to an antenna control apparatus and
a method for controlling an antenna.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, to receive satellite broadcasting from a plurality of satellites with
one satellite antenna and a low noise block converter (LNB), the satellite antenna
is moved by a rotationally driven motor. This is defined in the Digital Satellite
Equipment Control (DiSEqC) standard.
[0003] The DiSEqC standard comes mainly in four versions of DiSEqC 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, and 2.0.
In the DiSEqC 1.2, bi-directional communication cannot be performed between a receiver
side for receiving satellite broadcasting and a motor. More specifically, in the DiSEqC
1.2, although the receiver side can control the motor, the receiver side cannot acquire
information on the motor such as the present positional information of a satellite
antenna from the motor.
[0004] Accordingly, after outputting a command to the motor to move the satellite antenna,
the receiver side cannot determine whether the satellite antenna is moved by the rotationally
driven motor to a position at which it can receive satellite broadcasting from a satellite.
The receiver side cannot also determine how long a timeout period the satellite antenna
requires to move to the position. Therefore, when satellite broadcasting of a channel
selected by a user cannot be received, unless waiting for the longest timeout period
required to move the satellite antenna, the receiver side cannot determine whether
this is due to lack of signal or because the satellite antenna is being moved. That
is, the receiver side cannot specify the reason why the satellite broadcasting cannot
be received.
[0005] It is therefore an object to provide an antenna control apparatus and a method for
controlling an antenna capable of reducing the timeout period required for selecting
a channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] A general architecture that implements the various features of the invention will
now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions
are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope
of the invention.
[0007]
FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a receiving system of satellite broadcasting
according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram of channels that can be selected in the receiving
system of satellite broadcasting according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart of a measurement process of the moving time and the
moving direction during the set-up of a receiving device in the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an exemplary flowchart of the measurement process of the moving time and
the moving direction during the set-up of the receiving device in the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart of a moving process of an antenna main body when
a channel is selected while satellite broadcasting is being viewed, and a satellite
from which satellite broadcast radio waves are received is changed from a satellite
B to a satellite A in the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the antenna
main body when a channel is selected while satellite broadcasting is being viewed,
and a satellite from which satellite broadcast radio waves are received is changed
from the satellite B to the satellite A in the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a message displayed on a display module
while an antenna is being moved in the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a message displayed on the display module
after a timeout period has passed in the first embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a message displayed on the display module
after a timeout period has passed in the first embodiment;
FIG. 10 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a message displayed on the display module
while an antenna is being moved in the first embodiment;
FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart of a measurement process of the moving time and
the moving direction during the set-up of the receiving device according to a second
embodiment; and
FIG. 12 is an exemplary flowchart of a moving process of an antenna main body when
a channel is selected while satellite broadcasting is being viewed, and a satellite
from which satellite broadcast radio waves are received is changed from a satellite
B to a satellite A in the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a receiving system of satellite broadcasting according
to a first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a receiving system 1 of satellite
broadcasting of the first embodiment comprises a receiving device 10, a satellite
antenna 20, and the like.
[0010] The satellite antenna 20 receives satellite broadcasting from a plurality of satellites
A and B. In the first embodiment, the satellite antenna 20 comprises an antenna main
body 21, a motor 22, a low noise block converter (LNB) 23, and the like.
[0011] The antenna main body 21 receives satellite broadcast radio waves from the satellites
A and B; satellites from which satellite broadcasting is received.
[0012] The LNB 23 serves as a converting device that, after amplifying the satellite broadcast
radio waves received from the satellites A and B to a level that can be handled by
the receiving device 10 (satellite tuner 11), converts the frequency of the amplified
radio waves. The LNB 23 also serves as a switching device that, depending on the voltage
of 13 V or 18 V applied by the receiving device 10 (LNB controller 15) (hereinafter,
"LNB voltage"), switches the polarization (polarization method) of the satellite broadcast
radio waves received by the antenna main body 21 from the satellites A and B.
[0013] In the first embodiment, when the LNB voltage of 13 V is applied by the receiving
device 10, the LNB 23 switches the polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves
received by the antenna main body 21 from the satellites A and B to a vertically polarized
wave. When the LNB voltage of 18 V is applied by the receiving device 10, the LNB
23 switches the polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves received by the
antenna main body 21 from the satellites A and B to a horizontally polarized wave.
[0014] Based on a command output from the receiving device 10, the motor 22 is rotationally
driven and moves the antenna main body 21 to a position capable of receiving satellite
broadcast radio waves (hereinafter, "receiving position") from the satellites A and
B. The motor 22 is rotationally driven by the LNB voltage applied to the LNB 23. In
the first embodiment, the motor 22 is rotationally driven by two types of LNB voltages
of 13 V and 18 V, and depending on the increase in the LNB voltage applied to the
LNB 23, the speed of moving the antenna main body 21 is increased. Specifically, in
the motor 22, the speed of moving the antenna main body 21 when the LNB voltage of
18 V is applied to the LNB 23 (when the polarization of the satellite broadcast radio
waves received from the satellites A and B is horizontally polarized wave) is faster
than the speed of moving the antenna main body 21 when the LNB voltage of 13 V is
applied to the LNB 23 (when the polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves
received from the satellites A and B is vertically polarized wave).
[0015] In the first embodiment, the motor 22 comprises a storage 22b and a controller 22a.
The storage 22b stores therein receiving positions of satellites and a reference position
of the antenna main body 21 set in advance. The controller 22a read the receiving
position or the reference position from the storage 22b based on a command output
from the receiving device 10. The controller 22a rotationally drives the motor 22
and moves the antenna main body 21 to the read receiving position or the reference
position.
[0016] The receiving device 10 converts a signal converted from the satellite broadcast
radio waves by the LNB 23 of the satellite antenna 20 to a video signal and an audio
signal, and displays video on a display module 14 and outputs audio based on the video
signal and the audio signal.
[0017] The receiving device 10 comprises the satellite tuner 11, a demodulator 12, a decoder
13, the display module 14, the LNB controller 15, a controller 16, a memory 17, and
the like.
[0018] The satellite tuner 11 extracts a signal converted from the satellite broadcast radio
waves of a channel selected by the controller 16 from the signals converted by the
LNB 23.
[0019] The demodulator 12 demodulates the signal of the channel extracted by the satellite
tuner 11. The demodulator 12, for example, comprises a phase shift keying (PSK) demodulator,
an amplitude phase shift keying (APSK) demodulator, and the like. The demodulator
12 demodulates a moving picture experts group-transport stream (MPEG-TS) signal from
the signal extracted by the satellite tuner 11.
[0020] The decoder 13 performs TS decoding on the MPEG-TS signal supplied from the demodulator
12. In the TS decoding performed by the decoder 13, digital broadcasting signals (digital
video signal and digital audio signal) of a program broadcasted by a broadcasting
station are extracted from the signals extracted by the satellite tuner 11. The decoder
13 outputs the digital video signal and the digital audio signal obtained by the TS
decoding to the display module 14.
[0021] The display module 14 displays video based on the video signal among the digital
broadcasting signals supplied from the decoder 13 under the control by the controller
16. The display module 14 performs various image processes on the video or the like.
For example, the display module 14 comprises an on-screen display (OSD) combining
function. By using this function, for example, when character information is supplied
from the controller 16, the display module 14 converts the character information to
display data, and displays the data. The display module 14 also comprises a speaker
(which is not illustrated) for outputting audio based on an audio signal.
[0022] Based on the polarization set by the controller 16, the LNB controller 15 applies
the LNB voltage to the LNB 23 of the satellite antenna 20. Specifically, when the
controller 16 sets the vertically polarized wave, the LNB controller 15 applies the
LNB voltage of 13 V to the LNB 23 of the satellite antenna 20, and when the controller
16 sets the horizontally polarized wave, the LNB controller 15 applies the LNB voltage
of 18 V to the LNB 23 of the satellite antenna 20.
[0023] The controller 16 is the main portion of the receiving device 10, and intensively
controls the modules. In the first embodiment, the LNB controller 15 and the controller
16 serve as an antenna control apparatus that rotationally drives the motor 22 based
on the change of a satellite from which the satellite antenna 20 receives satellite
broadcasting between the satellites A and B, and that moves the satellite antenna
20 to the receiving position.
[0024] The controller 16 is a microprocessor comprising a central processing unit (CPU)
and the like, and controls the modules so that the operation content from an operation
module, which is not illustrated, is reflected. In this case, the controller 16 uses
the memory 17. The memory 17 mainly comprises a read only memory (ROM) in which a
control program executed by the CPU is stored, a random access memory (RAM) for providing
a working area for the CPU, and a nonvolatile memory in which various types of setting
information, control information, and the like are stored. The controller 16 is realized
by causing the CPU to execute the control program stored in the memory 17.
[0025] The controller 16 comprises a setting module 101, a movement controller 102, a measuring
module 103, an acquiring module 104, a display controller 105, and the like.
[0026] The setting module 101 sets the polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves
received from the satellites A and B, and the satellite broadcast band received from
the satellites A and B during the set-up of the receiving device 10 and while a channel
is selected. In the first embodiment, the setting module 101 sets a horizontally polarized
wave or a vertically polarized wave as the polarization of the satellite broadcast
radio waves received from the satellites A and B. When a satellite from which the
antenna main body 21 receives satellite broadcasting is changed while a channel is
selected and the antenna main body 21 is to be moved to the receiving position, the
setting module 101 sets the polarization by which the LNB voltage applied to the LNB
23 by the LNB controller 15 becomes highest (horizontally polarized wave) among the
polarizations (horizontally polarized wave and vertically polarized wave) of the satellite
broadcast radio waves received from the satellites A and B. The setting module 101
also sets a Low band or a High band as the satellite broadcast band received from
the satellites A and B. The Low band herein is from 9.6 to 10.6 gigahertz, and the
High band herein is from 10.6 to 11.6 gigahertz. In the first embodiment, the setting
module 101 sets the polarization and the band based on a selection made by a user
through the operation module, which is not illustrated.
[0027] The setting module 101 selects a channel based on the set polarization and band.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of channels that can be selected in the receiving system
of satellite broadcasting according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.
2, if the satellite antenna 20 has been moved to a receiving position capable of receiving
satellite broadcasting from the satellite A, the setting module 101 can select channels
1 and 2. If the satellite antenna 20 has been moved to a receiving position capable
of receiving satellite broadcasting from the satellite B, the setting module 101 can
select channels 3 and 4.
[0028] When a channel is selected while satellite broadcasting is being viewed, the setting
module 101 tunes the frequency of a signal extracted by the satellite tuner 11 to
the frequency of the satellite broadcast radio waves of the selected channel. If the
demodulator 12 is not locked even if the time required for tuning (hereinafter, "tuning
time") is equal to or longer than the maximum tuning time set in advance (hereinafter,
"maximum tuning time") , or if the demodulator 12 is locked within the maximum tuning
time, the setting module 101 finishes the tuning. While tuning, the setting module
101 calculates the time by adding a predetermined time to the tuning time stored in
the memory 17 as a new tuning time every time the predetermined time has passed, and
stores the new tuning time in the memory 17. The setting module 101 also resets the
tuning time stored in the memory 17 before starting tuning.
[0029] The movement controller 102 controls the motor 22. The movement controller 102 controls
the rotational drive of the motor 22 and moves the antenna main body 21 from the reference
position to the receiving position while a channel is selected and during the set-up
of the receiving device 10.
[0030] In the first embodiment, during the set-up of the receiving device 10, the movement
controller 102 rotationally drives the motor 22 at every predetermined period of time
by a Continuous mode, and moves the antenna main body 21 eastward or westward until
the antenna main body 21 is moved to the receiving position. The Continuous mode herein
is a mode for roughly moving the antenna main body 21 to the receiving position by
continuously and rotationally driving the motor 22.
[0031] The movement controller 102 stops the rotational drive of the motor 22 when the demodulator
12 is locked, when the level of the signal supplied to the demodulator 12 reaches
the maximum, or when a carrier-to-noise (C/N) ratio of the signal supplied to the
demodulator 12 becomes good, by determining that the antenna main body 21 has been
moved to the receiving position. The movement controller 102 determines whether the
demodulator 12 is locked based on whether the demodulator 12 has received a signal
from the satellite tuner 11 and is in a state capable of demodulating the received
signal.
[0032] When the antenna main body 21 has been moved to the receiving position and the rotational
drive of the motor 22 is stopped, the movement controller 102 rotationally drives
the motor 22 by a Step mode, and finely adjusts the position of the antenna main body
21 by moving the antenna main body 21 eastward or westward. The Step mode herein is
a mode for finely moving the antenna main body 21 by rotationally driving the motor
22 in units of steps set in advance. When the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to
the demodulator 12 becomes good, the movement controller 102 stores the present position
as the receiving position of the antenna main body 21 in the storage 22b of the motor
22.
[0033] During the set-up of the receiving device 10, the measuring module 103 measures the
moving time required for moving the antenna main body 21 from the reference position
to the receiving position for each satellite. In the first embodiment, the measuring
module 103 resets the total time indicating the total predetermined time during which
the motor 22 is rotationally driven by the Continuous mode, and the total step indicating
the total number of steps of the motor 22 being rotationally driven by the Step mode
before the movement of the antenna main body 21 is started. The total time and the
total step are stored in the memory 17.
[0034] While the motor 22 is rotationally driven by the Continuous mode, the measuring module
103 adds or subtracts a predetermined time to and from the total time every time the
predetermined time has passed, and stores the calculated total time in the memory
17. For example, when the motor 22 is rotationally driven by the Continuous mode and
a predetermined time has passed since the antenna main body 21 moved eastward, the
measuring module 103 adds the predetermined time to the total time. When the motor
22 is rotationally driven by the Continuous mode and a predetermined time has passed
since the antenna main body 21 moved westward, the measuring module 103 subtracts
the predetermined time from the total time.
[0035] While the motor 22 is rotationally driven by the Step mode, the measuring module
103 adds or subtracts the number of steps of the motor 22 being rotationally driven
to and from the total step, and stores the calculated total step in the memory 17.
For example, when the motor 22 is rotationally driven by the Step mode and the antenna
main body 21 has been moved eastward, the measuring module 103 adds the number of
steps to the total step. When the motor 22 is rotationally driven by the Step mode
and the antenna main body 21 has been moved westward, the measuring module 103 subtracts
the number of steps from the total step.
[0036] If the polarization set by the setting module 101 during the set-up of the receiving
device 10 is the vertically polarized wave, or if the total step calculated by the
controller 16 is greater than the reference step, the measuring module 103 recalculates
the total time. Specifically, the measuring module 103 rotationally drives the motor
22 through the movement controller 102, and moves the antenna main body 21 to the
reference position. The measuring module 103 also resets the polarization (horizontally
polarized wave) and band, and reselects a channel through the setting module 101.
The measuring module 103 then resets the total time. The measuring module 103 rotationally
drives the motor 22 through the movement controller 102, moves the antenna main body
21 from the reference position to the receiving position, and calculates the time
during which the antenna main body 21 is moved from the reference position to the
receiving position as the total time. In other words, the measuring module 103 can
calculate the total time during which the highest voltage is supplied among the voltages
applied to the LNB 23 by the LNB controller 15.
[0037] When the total time is calculated by the process described above, the measuring module
103 measures an absolute value of the calculated total time as the moving time required
for moving the antenna main body 21 from the reference position to the receiving position.
Because the measuring module 103 recalculates the total time when the polarization
set by the setting module 101 during the set-up is the vertically polarized wave,
it is possible to measure the moving time during which the highest LNB voltage is
supplied among the LNB voltages applied to the LNB 23 by the LNB controller 15.
[0038] During the set-up of the receiving device 10, the measuring module 103 measures the
moving direction in which the antenna main body 21 has been moved from the reference
position to the receiving position for each satellite. In the first embodiment, the
measuring module 103 measures the moving direction depending on whether the calculated
total time is greater than "0" . Specifically, if the calculated total time is greater
than "0", the measuring module 103 determines that the antenna main body 21 has been
moved eastward. If the calculated total time is smaller than "0", the measuring module
103 determines that the antenna main body 21 has been moved westward.
[0039] The measuring module 103 then stores the measured moving time and the moving direction
in the memory 17.
[0040] When a channel is selected by a user while satellite broadcasting is being viewed,
and a satellite from which the antenna main body 21 receives satellite broadcast radio
waves is changed between the satellites A and B, the acquiring module 104 acquires
the moving time and the moving direction measured for a satellite before being changed,
and the moving time and the moving direction measured for a satellite after being
changed (other satellite) from the memory 17. The acquiring module 104 then acquires
the time (hereinafter, "timeout period") required for moving the antenna main body
21. from the receiving position capable of receiving satellite broadcasting from the
satellite before being changed to the receiving position capable of receiving satellite
broadcasting from the satellite after being changed based on the moving time and the
moving direction measured for the satellite before being changed and the moving time
and the moving direction measured for the satellite after being changed.
[0041] The display controller 105, depending on the timeout period, displays a message related
to the movement of the antenna main body 21 or the reception status of a signal on
the display module 14, such as "moving", "currently moved by ?% ", "reception disabled",
"received signal level is low", and the like.
[0042] While the setting module 101 is tuning, the display controller 105 determines whether
the demodulator 12 is locked. If the tuning is finished in a state where the demodulator
12 is not locked even if the tuning time is equal to or longer than the maximum tuning
time, the display controller 105 determines that satellite broadcasting cannot be
received from the satellites A and B, and finishes the receiving process of satellite
broadcasting. If the demodulator 12 is locked within the maximum tuning time, the
display controller 105 supplies a signal demodulated by the demodulator 12 to the
decoder 13, and outputs a digital video signal and a digital audio signal on which
TS decoding is performed by the decoder 13 to the display module 14.
[0043] The measurement process of the moving time and the moving direction during the set-up
of the receiving device 10 is described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIGS.
3 and 4 are flowcharts of measurement processes of the moving time and the moving
direction during the set-up of the receiving device.
[0044] The movement controller 102 rotationally drives the motor 22 by outputting a command
to the controller 22a of the motor 22, and moves the antenna main body 21 to the reference
position (S301). The setting module 101 then sets the polarization of the satellite
broadcast radio waves received from the satellite A and the satellite broadcast band
received from the satellite A (S302) . The setting module 101 also selects a channel
based on the set polarization and band (S303). The measuring module 103 resets the
total time and the total step stored in the memory 17 to "0" (S304) .
[0045] The movement controller 102 rotationally drives the motor 22 by the Continuous mode,
and moves the antenna main body 21 eastward or westward (S305). While the antenna
main body 21 is being moved, the movement controller 102 determines whether the demodulator
12 is locked, whether the level of the signal supplied to the demodulator 12 has reached
the maximum, or whether the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to the demodulator 12
is good (S306).
[0046] While moving the antenna main body 21 for a predetermined period of time, if the
demodulator 12 is not locked, if the level of the signal supplied to the demodulator
12 does not reach the maximum, and if the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to the
demodulator 12 is not good (No at S306), the movement controller 102 temporarily stops
the rotational drive of the motor 22 (S307). The measuring module 103 then determines
whether the antenna main body 21 has been moved in the moving direction of either
east or west (S308) . If the antenna main body 21 has been moved in the moving direction
of east (EAST at S308), the measuring module 103 calculates the time by adding the
predetermined time to the total time stored in the memory 17 as a new total time,
and stores the new total time in the memory 17 (S309). If the antenna main body 21
has been moved in the moving direction of west (WEST at S308), the measuring module
103 calculates the time by subtracting the predetermined time from the total time
stored in the memory 17 as a new total time, and stores the new total time in the
memory 17 (S310).
[0047] While the antenna main body 21 is being moved for the predetermined period of time,
if the demodulator 12 is locked, if the level of the signal supplied to the demodulator
12 reaches the maximum, or if the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to the demodulator
12 becomes good (Yes at S306), the movement controller 102 determines that the antenna
main body 21 has been moved to the receiving position, and stops the rotational drive
of the motor 22 (S311).
[0048] The movement controller 102 then finely adjusts the position of the antenna main
body 21 by rotationally driving the motor 22 by the Step mode in units of steps set
in advance, and moving the antenna main body 21 eastward or westward (S312) . The
measuring module 103 then determines whether the moving direction in which the antenna
main body 21 has been moved is east or west (S313). If the moving direction in which
the antenna main body 21 has been moved is east (EAST at S313), the measuring module
103 calculates a value by adding the number of steps of the motor 22 being rotationally
driven to the total step stored in the memory 17 as a new total step, and stores the
new total step in the memory 17 (S314) . If the moving direction in which the antenna
main body 21 has been moved is west (WEST at S313), the measuring module 103 calculates
a value by subtracting the number of steps of the motor 22 being rotationally driven
from the total step stored in the memory 17 as a new total step, and stores the new
total step in the memory 17 (S315). The movement controller 102 repeats the movement
of the antenna main body 21 by rotationally driving the motor 22 (S312 to S315) until
the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to the demodulator 12 becomes good (No at S316).
[0049] If the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to the demodulator 12 becomes good (Yes at
S316), the movement controller 102 stores the present position of the antenna main
body 21 as the receiving position in the storage 22b of the motor 22 (S317).
[0050] When the receiving position of the antenna main body 21 is stored in the storage
22b of the motor 22, the measuring module 103 determines whether the total time stored
in the memory 17 is greater than "0" (S401). If the total time stored in the memory
17 is greater than "0" (Yes at S401), the measuring module 103 determines that "east"
is the moving direction of the antenna main body 21 (S402). If the total time stored
in the memory 17 is smaller than "0" (No at S401), the measuring module 103 determines
that "west" is the moving direction of the antenna main body 21 (S403).
[0051] When the moving direction is determined, the measuring module 103 determines whether
the set polarization is the vertically polarized wave (S404). If the set polarization
is the horizontally polarized wave (No at S404) , the measuring module 103 determines
whether the total step stored in the memory 17 is greater than the reference step
set in advance (S405).
[0052] If the set polarization is the vertically polarized wave (Yes at S404), and if the
total step is greater than the reference step (Yes at S405), the measuring module
103 recalculates the total time.
[0053] Specifically, the movement controller 102 outputs a command to the controller 22a
of the motor 22, rotationally drives the motor 22, and moves the antenna main body
21 to the reference position (S406). The measuring module 103 then waits for as much
as the time obtained by adding the time (α) corresponding to the total step stored
in the memory 17 to the total time stored in the memory 17 (total time+α) (S407).
The setting module 101 then sets the polarization (horizontally polarized wave) and
band of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite A (S408),
and selects a channel based on the set polarization (horizontally polarized wave)
and band (S409). The measuring module 103 then resets the total time stored in the
memory 17 to "0" (S410).
[0054] The movement controller 102 then outputs a command to the controller 22a of the motor
22, rotationally drives the motor 22, and moves the antenna main body 21 to the receiving
position (S411). While moving the antenna main body 21 to the receiving position,
the measuring module 103 measures the time during which the antenna main body 21 is
being moved, and calculates the time by adding the measured time to the total time
stored in the memory 17 as the total time (S412). The measuring module 103 waits until
the demodulator 12 is locked, until the level of the signal supplied to the demodulator
12 reaches the maximum, or until the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to the demodulator
12 becomes good (S413).
[0055] If the demodulator 12 is locked, if the level of the signal supplied to the demodulator
12 reaches the maximum, or if the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to the demodulator
12 becomes good (Yes at S413), or if the total step is equal to or smaller than the
reference step (No at S405), the measuring module 103 measures the absolute value
of the total time stored in the memory 17 as the moving time (S414). The measuring
module 103 then stores the measured moving time and the moving direction in the memory
17 (S415). The controller 16 performs the processes described above on all the satellites
from which the satellite antenna 20 receives satellite broadcast radio waves.
[0056] The moving process of the antenna main body 21 when a channel is selected while satellite
broadcasting is being viewed, and a satellite from which satellite broadcast radio
waves are received is changed from the satellite B to the satellite A is described
below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a moving process of
the antenna main body when a channel is selected while satellite broadcasting is being
viewed, and a satellite from which satellite broadcast radio waves are received is
changed from the satellite B to the satellite A. FIG. 6 illustrates the movement of
the antenna main body when a channel is selected while satellite broadcasting is being
viewed, and a satellite from which satellite broadcast radio waves are received is
changed from the satellite B to the satellite A.
[0057] The acquiring module 104 acquires the moving time and the moving direction (FTIME
and FDIR) measured or determined for the satellite B from the memory 17 (S501). FTIME
is the moving time from the reference position to a receiving position B capable of
receiving satellite broadcast radio waves from the satellite B. FDIR is the moving
direction from the reference position to the receiving position B. The acquiring module
104 also acquires the moving time and the moving direction (TTIME and TDIR) measured
or determined for the satellite A from the memory 17 (S502). TTIME is the moving time
from the reference position to a receiving position A capable of receiving satellite
broadcast radio waves from the satellite A. TDIR is the moving direction from the
reference position to the receiving position A.
[0058] The acquiring module 104 then determines whether the moving directions determined
for the satellites A and B are the same (S503). If the moving directions determined
for the satellites A and B are the same (Yes at S503), as illustrated in FIG. 6, the
antenna main body 21 need not be passed through the reference position while being
moved from the receiving position B to the receiving position A. Accordingly, the
acquiring module 104 acquires the time obtained by subtracting the moving time measured
for the satellite A based on the moving time measured for the satellite B as the timeout
period (S504).
[0059] If the moving directions determined for the satellites A and B are different (No
at S503), as illustrated in FIG. 6, the antenna main body 21 needs to pass through
the reference position while being moved from the receiving position B to the receiving
position A. Accordingly, the acquiring module 104 acquires the time obtained by adding
the moving time measured for the satellite A to the moving time measured for the satellite
B as the timeout period (S505).
[0060] When the timeout period is acquired, the setting module 101 temporarily sets the
polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite A
to the horizontally polarized wave (S506), and the movement controller 102 rotationally
drives the motor 22 and moves the antenna main body 21 to the receiving position A
(S507). In the first embodiment, the moving time when the horizontally polarized wave
is set as the polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the
satellites A and B is measured. Accordingly, the highest LNB voltage (18 V) among
the LNB voltages (13 V and 18 V) to be applied to the LNB 23 by the LNB controller
15 is applied to the LNB 23 by setting the horizontally polarized wave as the polarization
of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite A. Consequently,
the rotational driving speed of the motor 22 is increased, thereby increasing the
moving speed of the antenna main body 21. As a result, it is possible to reduce the
time required for selecting a channel.
[0061] While the antenna main body 21 is being moved to the receiving position A, the setting
module 101 waits for as much as the time obtained by adding the time required for
finely adjusting the antenna main body 21 to the timeout period acquired at S505 (timeout
period+α) (S508). During the time, the display controller 105 may display a message
as illustrated in FIG. 7 or 10 on the display module 14. FIGS. 7 and 10 illustrate
examples of messages displayed on the display module while the antenna is being moved.
[0062] After waiting for the timeout period+α, the setting module 101 sets the polarization
and band of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite A (S509).
The setting module 101 also resets the tuning time stored in the memory 17 to "0"
(S510).
[0063] The setting module 101 then selects a channel of satellite broadcasting received
from the satellite A based on the set polarization and band, and performs tuning (S511).
During that time, the setting module 101 determines whether the demodulator 12 is
locked (S512). If the demodulator 12 is locked (Yes at S512), the setting module 101
finishes the tuning, and the display controller 105 supplies a signal demodulated
by the demodulator 12 to the decoder 13, and outputs a digital video signal and a
digital audio signal on which TS decoding is performed by the decoder 13 to the display
module 14.
[0064] If the demodulator 12 is not locked (No at S512), the setting module 101 determines
whether the tuning time stored in the memory 17 is shorter than the maximum tuning
time set in advance (S513) . If the tuning time is equal to or longer than the maximum
tuning time (No at S513), the setting module 101 finishes the tuning. The display
controller 105 may display a message as illustrated in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 on the display
module 14. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate examples of messages displayed on the display
module after the timeout period has passed.
[0065] If the tuning time is shorter than the maximum tuning time (Yes at S513), the setting
module 101 calculates the time by adding a predetermined time to the tuning time as
a new tuning time, and after waiting for a predetermined period of time, the setting
module 101 determines whether the demodulator 12 is locked again (S514).
[0066] In this manner, in the receiving system 1 of satellite broadcasting according to
the first embodiment, the motor 22 is rotationally driven, the antenna main body 21
is moved from the reference position to the receiving position, and the moving time
required for moving the antenna main body 21 from the reference position to the receiving
position is measured for each satellite from which the antenna main body 21 receives
satellite broadcasting. If a satellite from which the antenna main body receives satellites
broadcasting is changed, the timeout period required for moving the antenna main body
21 from the receiving position capable of receiving satellite broadcasting from the
satellite before being changed to the receiving position capable of receiving satellite
broadcasting from the satellite after being changed is acquired based on the moving
time measured for the satellite before being changed and the moving time measured
for the satellite after being changed. Accordingly, when satellite broadcasting of
a channel selected by a user cannot be received, there is no need to wait for the
longest timeout period required for moving the antenna main body 21. Consequently,
it is possible to reduce the timeout period while a channel is selected.
[0067] A second embodiment is an example of setting the polarization by which the LNB voltage
applied to the LNB by the LNB controller becomes highest among the polarizations of
the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite, when the satellite
antenna is moved to the reference position during the set-up of the receiving device.
In the following explanation, descriptions of the same portions as those in the first
embodiment will be omitted, and only the portions different from those in the first
embodiment are described.
[0068] When the antenna main body 21 is moved to the reference position during the set-up
of the receiving device 10, the setting module 101 sets the polarization of the satellite
broadcast radio waves received from the satellites A and B to the horizontally polarized
wave. Accordingly, the LNB voltage applied to the LNB 23 by the LNB controller 15
is the highest LNB voltage among the LNB voltages applied to the LNB 23, thereby increasing
the rotation speed of the motor 22. Consequently, the time required for moving the
antenna main body 21 to the reference position is reduced. After the antenna main
body 21 has been moved to the reference position, the setting module 101 resets the
polarization of satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellites A and
B, and the satellite broadcast band received
from the satellites A and B.
[0069] During the set-up of the receiving device 10, the movement controller 102 rotationally
drives the motor 22 and moves the antenna main body 21 to the reference position.
The movement controller 102 then rotationally drives the motor 22 by the Step mode,
and moves the antenna main body 21 from the reference position to the receiving position.
If the demodulator 12 is locked and the C/N ratio of the signal supplied to the demodulator
12 becomes good, the movement controller 102 stores the present position as the receiving
position of the antenna main body 21 in the storage 22b of the motor 22.
[0070] In the second embodiment, during the set-up of the receiving device 10, the movement
controller 102 rotationally drives the motor 22 and temporarily moves the antenna
main body 21 to the reference position. However, if the receiving position is already
stored in the storage 22b of the motor 22, the receiving position may be used as the
starting position, and the antenna main body 21 may be moved from the starting position
to another receiving position. Accordingly, the antenna main body 21 need not be moved
to the reference position every time the total step is calculated. Consequently, it
is possible to reduce the time required for calculating the total step.
[0071] During the set-up of the receiving device 10 and before the antenna main body 21
starts to be moved to the receiving position, the measuring module 103 resets the
total step stored in the memory 17. When the antenna main body 21 starts to be moved
from the receiving position already stored in the storage 22b of the motor 22, the
total step required for moving the antenna main body 21 to the receiving position
already stored in the storage 22b of the motor 22 is used as the total step.
[0072] Similarly to the first embodiment, while the motor 22 is rotationally driven by the
Step mode, the measuring module 103 calculates the number of steps by adding or subtracting
the number of steps of the motor 22 being rotationally driven to and from the total
step as the total step.
[0073] When a channel is selected while satellite broadcasting is being viewed and a satellite
from which satellite broadcast radio waves are received is changed, the acquiring
module 104 acquires the total step and the moving direction calculated for the satellite
before being changed, and the total step and the moving direction calculated for the
satellite after being changed (other satellite) from the memory 17. The acquiring
module 104 then calculates the number of moving steps required for moving the antenna
main body 21 from the receiving position capable of receiving satellite broadcasting
from the satellite before being changed to the receiving position capable of receiving
satellite broadcasting from the satellite after being changed based on the total step
and moving direction calculated for the satellite before being changed and the total
step and moving direction calculated for the satellite after being changed (other
satellite).
[0074] Specifically, the acquiring module 104 determines whether the moving directions determined
for the satellite before being changed and the satellite after being changed are the
same. If the moving directions determined for the satellite before being changed and
the satellite after being changed are the same, the acquiring module 104 calculates
the number of steps by subtracting the total step calculated for the satellite after
being changed from the total step calculated for the satellite before being changed
as the number of moving steps. The acquiring module 104 then acquires the time by
multiplying the time corresponding to one step of the motor 22 by the number of moving
steps thus calculated as the timeout period.
[0075] If the moving directions determined for the satellite before being changed and the
satellite after being changed are different, the acquiring module 104 calculates the
number of steps by adding the total step calculated for the satellite after being
changed to the total step calculated for the satellite before being changed as the
number of moving steps. The acquiring module 104 then acquires the time by multiplying
the time corresponding to one step of the motor 22 by the number of moving steps thus
calculated as the timeout period.
[0076] In the second embodiment, the time corresponding to one step of the motor 22 is a
constant. Accordingly, because of the characteristics of the motor 22 and the like,
the acquired timeout periods fluctuate. However, in the second embodiment, the timeout
period can be acquired from the number of steps required for moving the antenna main
body 21 by rotationally driving the motor 22 by the Step mode during the set-up of
the receiving device 10. Consequently, it is possible to measure the moving time with
relatively easy control compared with that of the first embodiment.
[0077] The measurement process of the moving time and the moving direction during the set-up
of the receiving device 10 is described below with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is
a flowchart of the measurement process of the moving time and the moving direction
during the set-up of the receiving device.
[0078] The setting module 101 sets the polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves
to the horizontally polarized wave (S1101). The movement controller 102 outputs a
command to the controller 22a of the motor 22, rotationally drives the motor 22, and
moves the antenna main body 21 to the reference position (S1102). The measuring module
103 then waits until the antenna main body 21 is moved to the reference position and
resets the total step (S1103 and S1104). The setting module 101 sets the polarization
of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite A and the satellite
broadcast band received from the satellite A (S1105), and selects a channel based
on the set polarization and band (S1106).
[0079] The movement controller 102 rotationally drives the motor 22 by the Step mode, and
moves the antenna main body 21 eastward or westward (S1107). While the antenna main
body 21 is being moved, the measuring module 103 determines whether the moving direction
of the antenna main body 21 is east or west (S1108) . If the antenna main body 21
has been moved eastward (EAST at S1108) , the measuring module 103 calculates a value
by adding the number of steps of the motor 22 being rotationally driven to the total
step as a new total step, and stores the new total step in the memory 17 (S1109).
If the antenna main body 21 has been moved westward (WEST at S1108), the measuring
module 103 calculates a value by subtracting the number of steps of the motor 22 being
rotationally driven from the total step as a new total step, and stores the new total
step in the memory 17 (S1110).
[0080] While moving the antenna main body 21, if the demodulator 12 is locked and the C/N
ratio of the signal supplied to the demodulator 12 becomes good (Yes at S1111 and
Yes at S1112) , the movement controller 102 stops the rotational drive of the motor
22, and stores the present position of the antenna main body 21 as the receiving position
in the storage 22b of the motor 22 (S1113).
[0081] When the receiving position of the antenna main body 21 is stored in the storage
22b of the motor 22, the measuring module 103 determines whether the total step stored
in the memory 17 is greater than "0" (S1114). If the total step stored in the memory
17 is greater than "0" (Yes at S1114), the measuring module 103 determines that "east"
is the moving direction of the antenna main body 21 (S1115). If the total step stored
in the memory 17 is smaller than "0" (No at S1114), the measuring module 103 determines
that "west" is the moving direction of the antenna main body 21 (S1116).
[0082] When the moving direction is determined, the measuring module 103 stores the calculated
total step and the determined moving direction in the memory 17 (S1117). The controller
16 performs the processes described above on all the satellites from which the satellite
antenna 20 receives satellite broadcast radio waves.
[0083] The moving process of the antenna main body 21 when a channel is selected while satellite
broadcasting is being viewed and a satellite from which satellite broadcast radio
waves are received is changed from the satellite B to the satellite A is described
below with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the moving process of the
antenna main body when a channel is selected while satellite broadcasting is being
viewed, and a satellite from which satellite broadcast radio waves are received is
changed from the satellite B to the satellite A.
[0084] The acquiring module 104 acquires the total step and the moving direction (Fstep
and FDIR) calculated or determined for the satellite B from the memory 17 (S1201)
. Fstep is the number of steps from the reference position to the receiving position
B capable of receiving satellite broadcast radio waves from the satellite B. FDIR
is the moving direction from the reference position to the receiving position B. The
acquiring module 104 also acquires the total step and the moving direction (Tstep
and TDIR) calculated or determined for the satellite A from the memory 17 (S1202).
Tstep is the number of steps from the reference position to the receiving position
A capable of receiving satellite broadcast radio waves from the satellite A. TDIR
is the moving direction from the reference position to the receiving position A.
[0085] The acquiring module 104 determines whether the moving directions determined for
the satellites A and B are the same (S1203). If the moving directions determined for
the satellites A and B are the same (Yes at S1203), as illustrated in FIG. 6, the
antenna main body 21 need not be passed through the reference position while being
moved from the receiving position B to the receiving position A. Accordingly, the
acquiring module 104 calculates the number of moving steps by subtracting the total
step calculated for the satellite A from the total step calculated for the satellite
B. The acquiring module 104 also acquires the time by multiplying the time corresponding
to one step of the motor 22 by the number of moving steps as the timeout period (S1204).
[0086] If the moving directions determined for the satellites A and B are different (No
at S1203), as illustrated in FIG. 6, the antenna main body 21 needs to be passed through
the reference position while being moved from the receiving position B to the receiving
position A. Accordingly, the acquiring module 104 calculates the number of moving
steps by adding the total step calculated for the satellite A to the total step calculated
for the satellite B. The acquiring module 104 also acquires the time by multiplying
the time corresponding to one step of the motor 22 by the number of moving steps as
the timeout period (S1205).
[0087] When the timeout period is acquired, the setting module 101 temporarily sets the
polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite A
to the horizontally polarized wave (S1206), and the movement controller 102 rotationally
drives the motor 22 and moves the antenna main body 21 to the receiving position A
(S1207). In the second embodiment, the measuring module 103 calculates the total step
required for moving the antenna main body 21 to the receiving position of each of
the satellites. Accordingly, the polarization of the satellite broadcast radio waves
received from the satellite A is set to the horizontally polarized wave, and the highest
LNB voltage (18 V) among the LNB voltages (13 V and 18 V) applied to the LNB 23 by
the LNB controller 15 is applied to the LNB 23. Consequently, the rotational driving
speed of the motor 22 is increased, thereby increasing the moving speed of the antenna
main body 21. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time required for selecting
a channel.
[0088] While the antenna main body 21 is being moved to the receiving position A, the setting
module 101 waits for as much as the time obtained by adding the time required for
finely adjusting the antenna main body 21 to the timeout period acquired at S1205
(timeout period+ α) (S1208) . During that time, similarly to the first embodiment,
the display controller 105 may display a message as illustrated in FIG. 7 or 10 on
the display module 14.
[0089] After waiting for the timeout period + α, the setting module 101 sets the polarization
and band of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite A (S1209),
and resets the tuning time stored in the memory 17 to "0" (S1210).
[0090] The setting module 101 then selects a channel of the satellite broadcasting received
from the satellite A based on the set polarization and band, and performs tuning (S1211).
During the time, the setting module 101 determines whether the demodulator 12 is locked
(S1212). If the demodulator 12 is locked (Yes at S1212), the display controller 105
supplies a signal demodulated by the demodulator 12 to the decoder 13, and outputs
a digital video signal and a digital audio signal on which TS decoding is performed
by the decoder 13 to the display module 14.
[0091] If the demodulator 12 is not locked (No at S1212), the setting module 101 determines
whether the tuning time stored in the memory 17 is shorter than the maximum tuning
time set in advance (S1213). If the tuning time is equal to or longer than the maximum
tuning time (No at S1213), the setting module 101 determines that the satellite broadcasting
of the selected channel cannot be received from the satellite A, and finishes the
process. Similarly to the first embodiment, the display controller 105 may display
a message as illustrated in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 on the display module 14.
[0092] If the tuning time is shorter than the maximum tuning time (Yes at S1213), the setting
module 101 calculates the time by adding a predetermined time to the tuning time as
a new tuning time. After waiting for the predetermined period of time, the setting
module 101 determines whether the demodulator 12 is locked again (S1214).
[0093] In this manner, in the receiving system 1 of satellite broadcasting according to
the second embodiment, when the satellite antenna 20 is moved to the reference position
during the set-up of the receiving device 10, the polarization by which the LNB voltage
applied to the LNB 23 by the LNB controller 15 becomes highest is set among the polarizations
of the satellite broadcast radio waves received from the satellite. Accordingly, the
LNB voltage applied to the LNB 23 by the LNB controller 15 is the highest LNB voltage
among the LNB voltages applied to the LNB 23, thereby increasing the rotation speed
of the motor 22. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the time required for moving
the antenna main body 21 to the reference position.
[0094] As described above, with the first and second embodiments, it is possible to reduce
the timeout period required for selecting a channel.
[0095] Moreover, the various modules of the systems described herein can be implemented
as software applications, hardware and/or software modules, or components on one or
more computers, such as servers. While the various modules are illustrated separately,
they may share some or all of the same underlying logic or code.
[0096] While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented
by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the
embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the
inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such
forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
1. An antenna control apparatus (16), comprising:
a movement controller (102) configured to control a moving module (22) to move an
antenna (21) from a reference position to a receiving position at which the antenna
(21) can receive satellite broadcasting, the moving module (22) configured to move
the antenna (21) to the receiving position in response to a change of a target satellite
from which the antenna (21) receives the satellite broadcasting;
a measuring module (103) configured to measure a moving time required to move the
antenna (21) from the reference position to the receiving position for each satellite
from which the antenna (21) receives the satellite broadcasting; and
an acquiring module (104) configured to acquire, when the target satellite changes
from a first satellite to a second satellite, a timeout period required to move the
antenna (21) from a receiving position of the first satellite to a receiving position
of the second satellite based on a moving time measured for the first satellite and
a moving time measured for the second satellite.
2. The antenna control apparatus (16) of Claim 1, further comprising a display controller
(105) configured to display the timeout period acquired by the acquiring module (104)
on a display module (14) while the antenna (21) is being moved in response to a change
of a satellite from which the antenna (21) receives the satellite broadcasting.
3. The antenna control apparatus (16) of Claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a setting module (101) configured to set polarization of a satellite broadcast radio
wave; and
an applying module (15) configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the polarization
set by the setting module (101) to a switching device (23) that switches polarization
of the satellite broadcast radio wave received by the antenna (21) according to the
voltage being applied, wherein
the moving module (22) is configured to increase speed for moving the antenna (21)
corresponding to an increase of the voltage applied to the switching device (23),
and
the measuring module (103) is configured to measure the moving time when a highest
voltage is applied among voltages applied to the switching device (23) by the applying
module (15).
4. The antenna control apparatus (16) of Claim 3, wherein the setting module (101) is
configured to set polarization by which the voltage applied to the switching device
(23) by the applying module (15) becomes highest among polarizations of the satellite
broadcast radio wave when the antenna (21) is moved to the receiving position in response
to a change of a satellite from which the antenna (21) receives the satellite broadcasting.
5. The antenna control apparatus (16) of Claim 3 or 4, wherein the setting module (101)
is configured to set polarization by which the voltage applied to the switching device
(23) by the applying module (15) becomes highest among polarizations of the satellite
broadcast radio wave when the antenna (21) is moved to the reference position.
6. The antenna control apparatus (16) of one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the movement controller
(102) is configured to use one of receiving positions of the antenna (21) as the reference
position, and move the antenna (21) from the receiving position used as the reference
position to another receiving position.
7. The antenna control apparatus (16) of one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein
the measuring module (103) is configured to measure a moving direction in which the
antenna (21) has been moved from the reference position to the receiving position
for each satellite from which the antenna (21) receives the satellite broadcasting,
and
when the first satellite from which the antenna (21) receives the satellite broadcasting
is changed to the second satellite, the acquiring module (104) acquires the timeout
period required to move the antenna (21) from the receiving position of the first
satellite to the receiving position of the second satellite based on the moving time
and a moving direction measured for the first satellite and the moving time and a
moving direction measured for the second satellite.
8. An antenna control apparatus (16), comprising:
a setting module (101) configured to set polarization of a satellite broadcast radio
wave received by an antenna (21);
an applying module (15) configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the polarization
set by the setting module (101) to a switching device (23) that switches polarization
of the satellite broadcast radio wave received by the antenna (21) according to the
voltage being applied;
a movement controller (102) configured to move the antenna (21) to a receiving position
at which the antenna (21) can receive satellite broadcasting in response to a change
of a target satellite from which the antenna (21) receives the satellite broadcasting,
and control a moving module (22) that increases a speed of moving the antenna (21)
according to an increase of the voltage applied to the switching device (23) to move
the antenna (21) from a reference position to the receiving position;
a measuring module (103) configured to measure a moving time required to move the
antenna (21) from the reference position to the receiving position for each satellite
from which the antenna (21) receives satellite broadcasting; and
an acquiring module (104) configured to acquire, when the target satellite changes
from a first satellite to a second satellite, a timeout period required to move the
antenna (21) from a receiving position of the first satellite to a receiving position
of the second satellite based on a moving time measured for the first satellite and
a moving time measured for the second satellite, wherein
the setting module (101) is configured to set polarization by which the voltage applied
to the switching device (23) by the applying module (15) becomes highest among polarizations
of the satellite broadcast radio wave when the antenna (21) is moved to the reference
position.
9. A method for controlling an antenna applied to an antenna control apparatus comprising
a controller and a storage module, the method comprising, in the controller:
controlling, by a movement controller, a moving module to move an antenna from a reference
position to a receiving position at which the antenna can receive satellite broadcasting,
the moving module configured to move the antenna to the receiving position in response
to a change of a target satellite from which the antenna receives the satellite broadcasting;
measuring, by a measuring module, a moving time required to move the antenna from
the reference position to the receiving position for each satellite from which the
antenna receives the satellite broadcasting; and
acquiring, by an acquiring module, when the target satellite changes from a first
satellite to a second satellite, a timeout period required to move the antenna from
a receiving position of the first satellite to a receiving position of the second
satellite based on a moving time measured for the first satellite and a moving time
measured for the second satellite.