Device for controlling power supplied to a satellite broadcast receiver in a television

• US 5,313,282 A
• Filed: 09/03/1992
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hayashi, Toshihide
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Murrell, Jeffrey S.
• Application Number:
  US07/939,829
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 358/188, 358/191.1, 358/190, 358/194.1, 455/3.2, 455/6.2, 455/132, 455/140, 455/188.1
• US Class Current: 348/729
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling electrical power to a satellite broadcast receiver forming a part of a television device. The television device receives a command receiving a command (e.g. from a remote controller) to turn off electrical power. The television device determines if broadcast satellite recording is currently being executed, for example by an external VTR connected to an output port of the television device. If broadcast satellite recording is being executed, power is turned off power to a portion of the television device while retaining electrical power to the satellite broadcast receiver. If broadcast satellite recording is not being executed, power is turned off to the broadcast satellite receiver also.

Claims

1. A television device, comprising:

a satellite broadcast receiver for receiving a satellite broadcast and for recording said satellite broadcast;

a television receiver for receiving a television broadcast; and

power supply means for independently supplying power to said satellite broadcast receiver and said television receiver wherein during the recording of said satellite broadcast said satellite broadcast receiver is continuously powered by said power supply means when said television receiver is not supplied with said power.

2. A television device, comprising in combination:

a television receiver for receiving conventional television broadcasts;

a satellite broadcast receiver for receiving a televisions signal from a satellite and converting said television signal to a converted television signal;

an output terminal;

switching means for selectively supplying said converted television signal to said output terminal;

power supply means for independently supplying electrical power to said television receiver and said satellite broadcast receiver; and

control means for controlling said power supply means so that said electrical power is supplied to said satellite broadcast receiver when said converted television signal is supplied to said output terminal, and said electrical power si not supplied to said television receiver.

3. The television device of claim 2, further comprising a video tape recorder connected to said output terminal and receiving said converted television signal.

4. The television device of claim 2, wherein said control means includes a microcomputer.

5. The television device of claim 4, further comprising:

a remote controller having an infrared transmitter for transmitting command signals to said television device;

an infrared receiver, coupled to said microcomputer, for receiving said command signals from said remote controller and providing said command signals to said microcomputer.

6. A television device, comprising in combination:

a television receiver for receiving conventional television broadcasts;

a satellite broadcast receiver for receiving a television signal from a satellite and converting said television signal to a converted television signal;

an output terminal;

switching means for selectively supplying said converted television signal to said output terminal;

power supply means for independently supplying electrical power to said television receiver and said satellite broadcast receiver;

control means including a microprocessor for controlling said power supply means so that said electrical power is supplied to said satellite broadcast receiver when said converted television signal is supplied to said output terminal, and said electrical power is not supplied to said television device;

a video tape recorder connected to said output terminal and receiving said converted television signal;

a remote controller having an infrared transmitter for transmitting command signals to said television device; and

an infrared receiver, coupled to said microcomputer, for receiving said command signals from said remote controller and providing said command signals to said microcomputer.

7. A method of controlling electrical power to a satellite broadcast receiver forming a part of a television device, comprising the steps of:

receiving a command to turn off electrical power;

determining if broadcast satellite recording is being executed;

if broadcast satellite recording is being executed, turning off power to a portion of said television device while retaining electrical power to said satellite broadcast receiver;

if said broadcast satellite recording is not being executed, turning off power to said broadcast satellite receiver.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said command is received from a remote controller.