Receiving device for receiving a hybrid broadcast

Abstract

A receiving device reduces a frequency of performing AF check per a predetermined amount of time during a reception of a digital broadcast through a hybrid broadcast to less than a frequency of performing AF check per a predetermined amount of time during a reception of an analog broadcast through the hybrid broadcast.

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A receiving device which receives a hybrid broadcast containing an analog broadcast and a digital broadcast, and performs an alternative frequency (AF) check for examining frequency of broadcast stations broadcasting identical contents to receive a broadcast wave in a good reception status, the receiving device comprising: an antenna for receiving the analog broadcast of the hybrid broadcast; an antenna for receiving the digital broadcast of the hybrid broadcast; and a control unit configured to set, upon initial receipt of an analog broadcast, a default number of times per a given time period for performing the AF check during reception of the analog broadcast; determine whether a digital broadcast is receivable through the hybrid broadcast; calculate a rate of the digital broadcast from the received station against all broadcast stations corresponding to an AF list for the received station; acquire a moving speed of a mobile object equipped with the receiving device; and set the number of times per a given time period for performing the AF check during reception of the digital broadcast to less than the default number based on the determination of whether a digital broadcast is receivable, the rate of digital broadcast station for all AF stations for the received broadcast station, and the moving speed. 
     
     
       2. A receiving device which receives a hybrid broadcast containing an analog broadcast and a digital broadcast, and performs an alternative frequency (AF) check for examining frequency of broadcast stations broadcasting identical contents to receive a broadcast wave in a good reception status, the receiving device comprising: an antenna for receiving the analog broadcast of the hybrid broadcast; an antenna for receiving the digital broadcast of the hybrid broadcast; and a control unit configured to set, upon initial receipt of an analog broadcast, a default reception quality level threshold for determining whether to start performing the AF check during reception of the analog broadcast; determine whether a digital broadcast is receivable through the hybrid broadcast; calculate a rate of the digital broadcast from the received station against all broadcast stations corresponding to an AF list for the received station; acquire a moving speed of a mobile object equipped with the receiving device; and set a reception quality level threshold for determining whether to start performing the AF check during reception of the digital broadcast to less than the default reception quality based on the determination of whether a digital broadcast is receivable, the rate of digital broadcast station for all AF stations for the received broadcast station, and the moving speed. 
     
     
       3. A receiving device which receives a hybrid broadcast containing an analog broadcast and a digital broadcast, and performs an alternative frequency (AF) check for examining frequency of broadcast stations broadcasting identical contents to receive a broadcast wave in a good reception status, the receiving device comprising:
 an antenna for receiving the analog broadcast of the hybrid broadcast; 
 an antenna for receiving the digital broadcast of the hybrid broadcast; and 
 a control unit configured to
 set, upon initial receipt of an analog broadcast, a default number of times per a given time period for performing the AF check and a default reception quality level threshold for determining whether to start performing the AF check during reception of the analog broadcast; 
 determine whether a digital broadcast is receivable through the hybrid broadcast; 
 calculate a rate of the digital broadcast from the received station against all broadcast stations corresponding to an AF list for the received station; acquire a moving speed of a mobile object equipped with the receiving device; and 
 vary the default number of times per a given time period for performing the AF check or the default reception quality level threshold utilized for determining whether to start the AF check in order to reduce the number of times per a given time period for the AF check during reception of the digital broadcast based on the determination of whether a digital broadcast is receivable, the rate of digital broadcast station for all AF stations for the received broadcast station, and the moving.