KR100619413B1 - Apparatus and method for converting external A/V input in TV SET - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, in a TV provided with a plurality of external input units, an external input, characterized in that when the external input change key (key) provided in the TV is pressed, is switched to the external input most recently viewed by the user. A switching device and method are disclosed.

In the TV according to the present invention, the external input switching key includes a single number or an external input terminal type, and the external input switching key provided by the single number or terminal type is pressed in a standby state. ; Switching to the most recently watched external input; Reproducing the contents of the switched external input on a screen; Storing the reproduction information in a memory unit; Characterized in that it comprises a.

Digital TV, External Input, Composite, Component, RGB, HDMI

Description

Apparatus and method for converting external A / V input in TV SET}

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a TV applied to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of switching an external input according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart showing that the external input switching method according to the present invention is applied to an external input switching method when a conventional input switching key is separately provided for each input terminal type.

4 is a flowchart showing that the external input switching method according to the present invention is applied to an external input switching method of detecting and switching only a terminal connected to a conventional external input device.

5 is an external input switching method according to the present invention, an external input switching method for detecting and switching only a terminal connected to a conventional external input device, and an external input for switching only the displayed external input by using a separate menu by a user. Flowchart showing simultaneous application to the switching method.

6 illustrates an example in which a list is displayed on a screen when an external input key is switched to an external input by pressing an external input key in order in order to memorize an external input recently viewed by a user for a predetermined time by an external input switching method according to the present invention. drawing.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Antenna 102 Synchronization signal detector 104 Digital signal detector 106 Error correction 108 Demultiplexer 110 Video decoder

112: video display unit 114: microprocessor 116: external input unit

118: memory unit 120: key input unit

The present invention relates to a TV external input management method.

Recently, the analog TVs used in homes are gradually replaced by digital TVs (DTVs) that support digital images, and the number and types of external input terminals supported in this process are increasing every year.

In the conventional analog TV, it was common to have one or two composite input terminals or S-video input terminals, but component input terminals were included due to the spread of digital versatile discs (DVDs). It became.

Recently, it is common to include RGB or Digital Visual Interface (DVI), and even High-bandwidth Digital Media Interface (HDMI) terminal, and more and more include IEEE1394 terminal.

The reason is the external input such as video recorder (VCR), DVD, game equipment, terrestrial set top box, cable set top box, satellite set top box, high capacity recording video (DVHS) for digital video recording This is because various types of transmission methods have been developed to improve device types and improve image quality. In addition, a plurality of external input terminals may also cause inconvenience to users.

In fact, from the standpoint of making TVs, it is only natural to develop a product that supports all possible types of input terminals and has enough input terminals, but most users still have one or two external input devices. It is also true that connecting and writing.

For most of the above users, many input terminals are only factors that make external input switching time take longer.

The typical method for the majority of users to switch the external input is to repeatedly press the external input switch key named TV / Video or video on the remote controller, to improve this conventionally The same three methods have been used.

First, for example, to increase the number of keys that can switch external input to the TV remote controller.

In other words, for each terminal type such as Composite (or S-Video), Component, RGB, DVR, or IEEE1394, a key is provided on a separate remote controller to switch to a desired input. This is how you can do it.

However, the method has a problem in that the number of keys to be provided due to the increase in the number of terminals increases the complexity of the remote controller.

For example, if four component input terminals are provided, even if a separate key is provided on the remote controller for component input, the same key must be pressed at least four times before the user can switch to the desired component input. There is a problem that can be.

Secondly, it detects only external input terminals connected to other external devices and switches only those terminals. That is, in the case of a composite (or S-video) or component input terminal, there is a method of detecting a connected terminal mechanically and switching only to the connected external input terminal.

However, the method also has some problems. First, it is not possible to detect an external input terminal connected to the TV by the above method.

In other words, in the case of a composite (or S-video) terminal or a component terminal, the connected external input device may be detected even when only the external input terminal is not turned on, but RGB, DV, HHD, etc. Since it can be detected only when the connected external input device is powered on, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform a consistent operation.

In addition, the user may use the external input device, of course, there is a method of switching to the corresponding external input of the TV after turning on the external input device, but on the contrary, since the external device is often turned on after switching to the corresponding external input. The latter case does not work.

Thirdly, the use of external input itself can be specified through a separate OSD menu. That is, it is a method of designating (editing) on the OSD menu by distinguishing between an external input terminal and an external input terminal that are not directly used by the user among a plurality of external input terminals.

However, this method also has a problem in that when the external input switch key on the remote controller is pressed for external input switch, only the external input terminal designated by the user is switched.

As listed above, the three conventional external input management methods have many problems in terms of usability. In particular, many TV users often use only one device connected to the TV. If all the conventional methods are mobilized, the external input management method becomes very complicated, which causes a problem of degrading practicality.

An object of the present invention is to provide an external input switching device and method that can be switched to the external input most recently viewed by the user when the external input switching key (key) provided in the TV or remote controller is pressed.

In addition, the device may store up to N external input terminals that have been watched by a user for a predetermined time as well as the most recently viewed external input, and when the external input switching key is pressed, the most recently viewed Another object of the present invention is to provide an external input management method that enables the display of up to N external input terminals that have been viewed by a user for a predetermined time in the past while being switched to external input.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external input switching device comprising: an external input unit connected to an external input device and including a plurality of types of external input terminals for delivering contents of the external input device; A key input unit having a key for performing an external input switching function; A video display unit which displays the contents of the connected external input device in response to the external input switch command; A memory unit for storing the previously viewed external inputs in order when the external input switching command is received and providing the most recently viewed external input information; A microprocessor which transmits a control signal to the video display unit to output the most recently viewed external input information from the memory unit; Characterized in that it comprises a.

In addition, the external input switching method according to the present invention, in the TV provided with a single number or the type of the external input terminal, the external input switching key provided by the single number or terminal type in the standby state is pressed Losing step; Switching to the most recently watched external input; Reproducing the contents of the switched external input on a screen; Storing the reproduction information in a memory unit; Characterized in that it comprises a.

In addition, a TV having a function of detecting and switching only an external input terminal connected to an external input device, the external input switching key being pressed in a standby state; Determining whether a most recently watched external input is connected to the TV; If connected to the TV, switching to the external input and playing the contents on the screen; Storing the reproduction information in a memory unit; Characterized in that it comprises a.

In addition, a TV having a function of detecting and switching only an external input terminal connected to an external input device and a function of switching only the displayed external input by using a separate menu, the external input switching key being pressed in a standby state; If it is determined that the external input is in a viewing state, and the external input is being viewed, the next input currently displayed on the screen is reproduced on the screen, and if the external input is not being viewed, the most recently stored in the memory unit is stored. Playing the watched external input on the screen; Storing the reproduction information in a memory unit; Characterized in that it comprises a.

The image made in RGB is converted into three signals such as brightness (luminance signal, Y) and color combination (color difference signal-Cb, Cr), and is displayed on the TV receiver. When the three signals are bundled into one, divided into two, divided into two, and the like, there is a difference in the output format.

The output format specified in the present invention is a composite output for tying the three signals together, a component output for distributing all the signals, an RGB output, a digital visual interface (DVI) output, and HDM. HDMI (High-bandwidth Digital Media Interface) output, IEEE1394 output, etc.

It will be apparent that the TV is also provided with a plurality of external input terminals in order to accept the plurality of output formats as described above.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a TV applied to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the TV may include a sync signal detector 102 for detecting a sync signal from a digital signal input through the antenna 100, and a digital signal may be detected when the sync signal is detected by the sync signal detector 102. And a digital signal detector 104 which detects a digital signal by determining that it exists.

In addition, the TV receives an error corrector 106 and an output signal of the error corrector 106 to correct an input stream when a synchronization signal is detected through the digital signal detector 104. And a video decoder 110 for receiving and decoding the video signal output from the demultiplexer 108.

In addition, the TV receives the output signal of the video display unit 112, the digital signal detector 104 and the error correction unit 106 for receiving and displaying the signal decoded by the video decoder 110 and And a microprocessor 114 for outputting control signals to the demultiplexer 108, the video decoder 110, and the video display unit 112.

In addition, the TV may include an external input unit 116 having a plurality of types of external input terminals that may be used in connection with various types of external input devices, and types of external input terminals previously viewed and contents provided by the external input devices. When the external input key provided on the remote controller of the TV is pressed, the memory unit 118 for providing the previous viewing contents and the external input key and the TV key are provided according to the command of the microprocessor 114. It is configured to include a key input unit 120.

Here, the memory unit 118 is a nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), and the previous viewing contents are stored even if the TV is turned off.

In the following embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the external input unit 116 of the TV can accept 10 external inputs, and four external input terminals are provided for each type.

The acceptable external inputs are Composite1, Composite2, Component1, Component2, Component3, Component4, RGB1, RGB2, HDMI1, HDMI2 and the like, respectively.

Since the external input switching method according to the present invention can be used alone and can be applied to a conventional external input switching method, FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of the external input switching method according to the present invention. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a conventional external input management method.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an external input switching method according to the present invention. Referring to Figure 2, the TV waits for a user input while the power is turned on (S200).

Here, the various keys that can be input by the user may be provided in the TV itself, but according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an external input switch key and two TV keys are provided on the remote controller. Assume

After step 200, the microprocessor 114 of the TV determines whether an external input switch key has been input by the user (S202). As a result of the determination, if the key input by the user is not the external input switching key, the TV key is pressed according to the assumption of the present invention (S204), and then, the most recently viewed data among the data stored in the memory unit 118 is viewed. Switch to the TV channel (S206).

In step 202, when the external input switching key is input by the user, the microprocessor 114 of the TV finds and switches the most recent external input viewed by the user among the data stored in the memory unit 118 (S208). ).

That is, the TV stores the external input previously viewed by the user in the memory unit 118, so that the external input viewed immediately before the TV is turned off is stored. Assume that the value at this time is last_ext_input.

After step 208, the microprocessor 114 of the TV determines whether the external input switched in step 208 has not changed again (S210). If the most recently watched external input provided in step 208 by the user is not viewed as it is, it can be changed to another external input by the user.

As a result of the determination in step 210, if the switched external input is changed again by the user, the user changes the external input through an operation of pressing the external input switching key until an external input to be used again occurs (S212). The changed external input is stored in the memory unit 118 as last_ext_input (S214), and then ends.

On the other hand, if the external input switched in step 210 is not changed again by the user and is used as it is, the external input is stored in the memory unit 118 as last_ext_input (S214), and then ends.

As previously assumed, the TV has 10 external inputs such as Composite1, Composite2, Component1, Component2, Component3, Component4, RGB1, RGB2, HDMI1, and HDMI2 set in the above enumeration order. Is set to Composite1.

Then, the external input switching key is pressed by the user so that the last_ext_input information is updated in the above order every time the external input is switched. Thereafter, after the TV key is pressed by the user, if the external input switch key is pressed again, the switch is switched to the external input terminal 116 stored in last_ext_input.

For example, when the last_ext_input is 'Component3', if the external input switch key is pressed in the TV viewing state, the switch is switched to 'Component3', and if the external input switch key is pressed continuously in this state,

Switching from Component4 to RGB1 to RGB2 to HDMI1 to HDMI2 to Composite1 to Composite2 to ...

3 is a flowchart showing that the external input switching method according to the present invention is applied to an external input switching method when a conventional external input switching key is separately provided for each type of external input.

Referring to Figure 3, the TV waits for a user input while the power is turned on (S300).

Here, the user input key may be provided in the TV itself, but according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that a TV key and an external input switching key are separately set for each external input type on a remote controller. .

In this case, four external input switching keys of Composite, Component, RGB, and HDMI are provided on the remote controller.

After step 300, the microprocessor 114 of the TV determines whether one type of external input change key is input by the user among the four external terminal change keys provided on the remote controller (S302).

As a result of the determination, if the key input by the user is not one of the four external input switching keys, the TV key is pressed according to the assumption of the present invention (S304), and then stored in the nonvolatile memory 118. The data is switched to the most recently watched TV channel (S306).

In step 302, if the key input by the user is one of the four types of external input switching keys, the device automatically switches to the most recently viewed external input among the selected one external input switching keys (S308).

After step 308, the microprocessor 114 of the TV determines whether the external input changed in step 308 is not changed again (S310). If the most recently watched external input provided in step 308 by the user is not viewed as it is, it can be changed to another external input by the user.

As a result of the determination in step 310, if the switched external input is changed again by the user, the user changes the external input by pressing an external input switching key until an external input to be used again occurs (S312). The changed external input is stored in the memory unit 118 as last_ext_input (S314), and then ends.

The Composite, Component, RGB, and HDMI external input switching keys cycle through the corresponding input terminals when each key is pressed repeatedly. For example, if the component external input switch key is pressed, the component cycles 1/2/3/4.

In addition, the most recently watched external input for each terminal is stored in the memory unit 118 as last_ext_input. The values are set as last_composite_input, last_component_input, last_rgb_input, and last_hdmi_input, respectively, according to the external input type.

On the other hand, if the external input changed in step 310 is not changed again by the user and is used as it is, the external input is stored in the memory unit 118 as last_ext_input (S314), and then ends.

In summary, when an external input switching key for each type is provided on the remote controller, pressing the external input switching key first switches to each recently viewed external input terminal 116, and then cycles sequentially.

For example, if the component input most recently viewed by the user is 'Component3', when the user is watching TV input or other external input, pressing the component external input switch key switches to 'Component3' first. If you press the component external input switching key in this state,

Switch to Component4 → Component1 → Component2 → Component3 → ...

4 is a flowchart illustrating that the external input switching method according to the present invention is applied to an external input switching method for detecting and switching only a terminal connected to a conventional external input device. Referring to FIG. 4, the user waits for a user input while the TV is turned on (S400).

Here, although the user input key may be provided in the TV itself, it is assumed that two external input switch keys and a TV key are provided on the remote controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

After step 400, the microprocessor 114 of the TV determines whether an external input switch key is input by the user (S402). As a result of the determination, if the key input by the user is not the external input switching key, the TV key is pressed according to the assumption of the present invention (S404), and then most recently viewed by the data stored in the memory unit 118. The TV channel is switched (S406).

In step 402, when the external input switch key is input by the user, the microprocessor 114 of the TV determines whether the external input watched by the user most recently stored in the memory unit 118 is connected to the TV. (S408).

As a result of the determination, if the most recently watched external input is not connected to the TV, it is switched to the first external input among the external input terminals currently connected to the TV, and the external input is stored as last_ext_input (S410).

On the other hand, if the most recently watched external input is connected to the TV, it is switched to the connected external input and the external input is stored as last_ext_input (S412).

For example, when the most recently viewed external input is 'Component3', when the external input switch key is pressed in the TV viewing state, 'Component3' is switched to 'Component3' if it is connected to the TV. However, if 'Component3' is not connected, it switches to the external input connected to the TV among the next external inputs in order.

5 is an external input switching method according to the present invention, an external input switching method for detecting and switching only a terminal connected to a conventional external input device, and an external input for switching only the displayed external input by using a separate menu by a user. It is a flowchart showing that it is applied simultaneously to a switching method.

Referring to Figure 5, the TV waits for a user input while the power is turned on (S500).

Here, although the user input key may be provided in the TV itself, it is assumed that two external input switch keys and a TV key are provided on the remote controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

After step 500, the microprocessor 114 of the TV determines whether an external input switch key is input by the user (S502). As a result of the determination, if the key input by the user is not the external input switching key, the TV key is pressed according to the assumption of the present invention (S504), and then, most recently by the data stored in the nonvolatile memory 118. Switched to the watched TV channel (S506).

In step 502, the microprocessor 114 of the TV determines whether an external input is currently being viewed by the user (S508).

As a result of the determination, if the external input is currently being viewed by the user, an external input corresponding to the next order is brought in the order of the external input currently being viewed (S510).

However, if the user is not currently viewing the external input in step 508, the value of the most recently viewed external input by the user is taken from the memory) (S512).

Then, it is determined whether the imported external input is an external input set by the user as 'not used' (S514). As a result of the determination, if the user inputs an external input set to 'not used', the process proceeds to step 510.

However, if it is not the external input set by the user to 'not in use' in step 514, it is determined whether the external input is a composite or component input (S516).

As a result of the determination, if the external input is a composite or component input, it is determined whether the external input is connected to the device (S518).

That is, if the external input stored in last_ext_input is a composite or component input while watching TV, if the external input terminal is connected and the external input is set to be used by the user, the input is converted to the external input stored in last_ext_input. Switch to switchable input among the external input located.

When the external input stored in the last_ext_input is an external input of an unknown type, such as RGB or HDMI, whether the external input is set to be used by the user regardless of whether the terminal is connected or not is switched to the external input stored in last_ext_input. If not, switch to the switchable input among the next external inputs in the sequence.

On the other hand, if the external input is not connected to the device in step 518, and enters step 510, if the external input is connected to the device, switch to the given external input, and stores the external input as last_ext_input ( S520).

In addition, if the external input is not a composite or component input in step 516, regardless of whether the external input is connected to the device, immediately after switching to a given external input and storing the external input as last_ext_input (S520), It ends.

That is, when the most recently watched external input is currently connected and is not an external input except for an external input set not to be used by the user, the external input is switched to the external input.

In addition, when the most recently watched external input is not connected or is set to not be used by the user, the external input is connected next to the external input and the external input terminal is connected, and the user decides to use the external input. Switch to

The above method takes into account the fact that only the composite input and the component input can know whether the terminal is connected. In reality, all the RGB and HDMI inputs whose terminals are not connected are considered to be connected to the terminal.

6 illustrates an example in which a list is displayed on a screen when an external input key is switched to an external input by pressing an external input key in order in order to memorize an external input recently viewed by a user for a predetermined time by an external input switching method according to the present invention. Drawing.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the external input key provided on the remote controller is pressed, the corresponding content of the external input viewed by the most recent user stored in the memory unit 118 of the TV is displayed. At the same time, a list 602 representing external inputs recently watched by a user for a certain time is also displayed.

For example, in the case of a user connecting and using four external input devices, the TV memorizes all four external input devices in the order of the most recent viewing, and when the user presses an external input key in the TV viewing state. In this case, the user may switch to the most recently watched external input and simultaneously display all recently watched external inputs on the screen.

In order to be included in the "recently viewed external input" list 602 here, the following requirements must be satisfied. First, the user must have been switched to the corresponding external input, and second, the signal must have existed when the external input has been switched. Must be watched by

By applying the above criteria, if Composite1 → Component2 → RGB2 → HDMI1 is watched by the user, when the external input key is pressed in the TV viewing state, the user inputs HDMI1 (604) which is the most recently watched external input by the user. While switching, it simultaneously displays the watchlist 602, allowing the user to quickly select the desired external input using the up and down arrow keys and the confirmation key.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely exemplary and will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. .

Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

According to the present invention, when an external input switch key (key) provided in the TV is pressed, the user can switch to the external input most recently viewed by the user so that the user can switch to the desired external input more quickly and simply.

In addition, even if a user connects a plurality of external inputs, the present invention can quickly switch to a desired input even if there is no connection detection algorithm by applying a method of storing all recently viewed external inputs in chronological order.

In addition, the present invention is a one-piece digital TV, terrestrial broadcasting to watch using TV, in the case of satellite broadcasting to purchase a separate set-top box connected to the external input, these two signals TV key And can be switched quickly using the external input switching key.

Claims (8)

An external input unit connected to an external input device and including a plurality of types of external input terminals for delivering contents of the external input device; A key input unit having a key for performing an external input switching function; A video display unit which displays the contents of the connected external input device in response to the external input switch command; A memory unit for storing the previously viewed external inputs in order when the external input switching command is received and providing the most recently viewed external input information; A microprocessor which transmits a control signal to the video display unit to output the most recently viewed external input information from the memory unit; External input switching device comprising a. In the TV provided with a single external input switch type or a single external input terminal type, Pressing the external input switching key provided for each of the number of terminals or the type of terminal in a standby state; Switching to the most recently watched external input; Reproducing the contents of the switched external input on a screen; Storing the reproduction information in a memory unit; External input switching method comprising a. In a TV having a function of detecting and switching only an external input terminal connected to an external input device, Pressing the external input switching key in the standby state; Determining whether a most recently watched external input is connected to the TV; If connected to the TV, switching to the external input and playing the contents on the screen; Storing the reproduction information in a memory unit; External input switching method comprising a. In a TV having a function of detecting and switching only an external input terminal connected to an external input device and a function of switching only the displayed external input by using a separate menu, Pressing the external input switching key in the standby state; If it is determined that the external input is in a viewing state, and the external input is being viewed, the next input currently displayed on the screen is reproduced on the screen, and if the external input is not being viewed, the most recently stored in the memory unit is stored. Playing the watched external input on the screen; Storing the reproduction information in a memory unit; External input switching method comprising a. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The external input is reproduced on the screen and at the same time, the external input switching method, characterized in that the most recently watched external input in the first priority can be displayed on the screen up to the N-th rank according to the time elapsed. The method of claim 3, wherein If not connected to the TV, the external input switching method further comprises the step of reproducing the external input currently being reproduced. The method of claim 4, wherein When the most recently watched external input is currently connected to the TV and is not an external input except for an external input set not to be used by the user, the external input switching method is switched to the external input. . The method of claim 4, wherein If the most recently watched external input is not connected to the TV or is an external input set not to be used by the user, the external input terminal is connected in order than the external input and is connected to the user. External input switching method characterized in that the conversion to one external input.

Images