Tuner power dissipation reduction in a standby mode

• US 20060082690A1
• Filed: 12/05/2003
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Englert, John Watler
• Granted Patent: US 7,538,826 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/731
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4383 Accessing a communication channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4436 Power management, e.g. shutting down unused components of the receiver power management in computer systems G06F1/3203; hibernate or awake process in computer systems G06F9/4418
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers

Abstract

An apparatus such as a television signal processing apparatus provides a means to control power dissipation by high speed signal processing circuitry associated with tuners while continuing to receive auxiliary data such as administrative data, guide data, or emergency alert notifications. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal processing apparatus comprises a first tuner for tuning a first signal when the television signal processing apparatus is in a first mode of operation and where power is removed from the first tuner during a second mode of operation, a second tuner for tuning a second signal when the television signal processing apparatus is in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein power is applied to the second tuner for a portion of the time the television signal processing apparatus is in the second mode of operation and the portion of the time the television signal processing apparatus is in the second mode of operation is less than percent of the time the television signal processing apparatus is in the second mode of operation.

Claims

1. A television signal processing apparatus comprising:

a first tuner for tuning a first signal when said television signal processing apparatus is in a first mode of operation and where power is removed from said first tuning means during a second mode of operation;

a second tuner for tuning a second signal when said television signal processing apparatus is in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein power is applied for a portion of the time said television signal processing apparatus is in said second mode of operation; and

said portion of the time said television signal processing apparatus is in said second mode of operation is less than 100 percent of the time said television signal processing apparatus is in said second mode of operation.

2. The television signal processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein power is applied to said second tuner during said portion of the time said television signal processing apparatus is in said second mode of operation to facilitate the reception of auxiliary data.

3. The television signal processing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said auxiliary data is program guide information.

4. The television signal processing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said auxiliary data is an emergency alert signal.

5. An apparatus comprising:

a tuner;

a source of operating power; and

a controller for causing the operating power to be applied to the tuner during a normal mode of operation of the apparatus and during a first portion of a standby mode of operation, and for causing the operating power to be removed from the tuner during a second portion of the standby mode of operation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein operating power is applied to said tuner during said first portion of a standby mode of operation to facilitate the reception of auxiliary data.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said auxiliary data is program guide information.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said auxiliary data is an emergency alert signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said controller causes the operating power to be applied during said first portion of a standby mode of operation in response to a temperature measurement.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said controller causes the operating power to be applied during said first portion of a standby mode of operation at a predetermined time.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a control means;

a tuner; and

a power supply for applying power to said tuner in a portion of a standby mode in response to a signal from said control means.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein operating power is applied to said tuner during said first portion of a standby mode of operation to facilitate the reception of auxiliary data.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said auxiliary data is program guide information.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said auxiliary data is an emergency alert signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller causes the operating power to be applied during said first portion of a standby mode of operation in response to a temperature measurement.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said controller causes the operating power to be applied during said first portion of a standby mode of operation at a predetermined time.

17. Signal processing apparatus having a normal mode of operation and having a standby mode of operation and comprising:

a tuner for selecting a signal;

a power supply for applying power to the tuner responsive to a control signal; and

a controller for generating the control signal in response to a parameter of the signal processing apparatus for causing the power supply to apply power to the tuner during the normal mode of operation and during a first portion of the standby mode of operation and for causing the power supply to remove power from the tuner during a second portion of the standby mode of operation.

18. A method for controlling power dissipation in a signal processing apparatus comprising the steps of:

applying power to a tuner in a first mode of operation; and

applying power to said tuner during a portion of a second mode of operation and removing power during the remainder of said second mode of operation.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein power is applied to said tuner during said period of said second mode of operation to facilitate the reception of auxiliary data.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said auxiliary data is program guide information.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein said auxiliary data is emergency alert signals.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein said power is applied during said first portion of a standby mode of operation in response to a temperature measurement.