KR100626833B1 - Method for processing data transmitted in a digital broadcast signal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for searching and providing data in accordance with a predetermined criterion specified by an operator from data in a digital broadcast signal including digital video and / or audio programs and data for data broadcasting. The method may include receiving a digital broadcast signal including digital video and / or audio programs and data for data broadcasting; Searching for data that meets a predetermined criterion from the data; And providing data that meets a predetermined criterion.

Digital broadcast signals, data packets, transmission channels, browsing

Description

Data processing method transmitted as a digital broadcast signal {METHOD FOR PROCESSING DATA TRANSMITTED IN A DIGITAL BROADCAST SIGNAL}

1 is a diagram illustrating a data casting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 illustrates a sample portion of a digital residual sideband (VSB) having a set of digital programming packets multiplexed with a set of data packets.

3 illustrates a set of three data packets forming a data stream representing a data module.

4A, 4B and 4C are flow charts showing the process performed by the browsing software integrated together and implemented in the present invention.

5 illustrates a second data casting receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Brief description of the main parts of the drawing>

10 ': data casting receiver 12, 12': digital receiver

14, 14 ': demodulator 16, 16': detector

18: Processor 20: Memory

21: operator interface module 22: digital VSB broadcast signal                 

24: DTV Programming Packet 26: Data Packet

30: header of the packet

The present invention relates to a data processing method transmitted in a digital broadcast signal that enables a user to receive, search and browse data broadcast through the digital broadcast signal.
More specifically, it relates to a method for searching and providing data in accordance with a search criterion specified by an operator from data in a digital broadcast signal including data for digital video and / or audio program and data broadcasting.

In general, the ATSC digital broadcast standard for digital television allows transmission of 19 Mbits / sec in an RF channel with a bandwidth of 6 MHz. Although this allocated bandwidth is adequate for a single analog NTSC television channel, the ATSC bit rate does not allow the same channel to display several standard definition television (SDTV) programs (ie, displayable programs with a resolution comparable to NTSC analog programs). Allow simultaneous transmission of Alternatively, the allocated bandwidth at ATSC bit rate allows the channel to transmit a single high definition television (HDTV) at one time. In addition, the ATSC digital broadcast standard allows data to be transmitted within a channel along with the digital program being transmitted. Thus, data packets with video and audio packets of one or more programs may be multiplexed in the channel.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a data transmission feature of the ATSC standard for browsing the entire data stream and portions thereof transmitted as a receiving digital VSB broadcast signal, and for the use of processor-based devices equipped to receive and demodulate digital VSB signals. Consider using As a result, the present invention proposes a method for an operator of a data caster browser to easily search for complex data streams broadcast through digital VSB signals.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for searching and providing data in accordance with a predetermined criterion specified by an operator from data in a digital broadcast signal including digital video and / or audio program and data for data broadcasting.

According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for retrieving at least one data packet comprising data from a digital broadcast signal comprises a receiver, a demodulator, a detector, a memory, a processor, and an operator interface module. The receiver receives a digital broadcast signal. The digital broadcast signal includes at least one digital television programming packet and at least one data packet. The demodulator is coupled to the receiver to demodulate the digital broadcast signal. The detector is coupled to the demodulator to detect at least one data packet. The memory is coupled to the detector to store data contained within the at least one data packet. The memory also stores data browsing software code for searching and browsing data contained in the at least one data packet. The software code also makes it possible to access the data selected by the operator. The processor is coupled to the memory to control the reception of at least one data packet. The processor also executes browsing software code for controlling the inspection of data contained in the digital broadcast signal or contained in the memory. The operator interface module is coupled to the processor to enable the operator to enter instructions for the browsing software code. The operator interface module also displays the output of the browsing software code and allows all displayed data to be selected.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for searching and providing data in accordance with a predetermined criterion specified by an operator from data in a digital broadcast signal comprising data for digital video and / or audio program and data broadcast, Receiving a digital broadcast signal including digital video and / or audio programs and data for data broadcasting; Searching for data that meets a predetermined criterion from the data; And providing data that meets the predetermined criteria.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for searching and providing data in accordance with a predetermined criterion specified by an operator from data in a digital broadcast signal comprising data for digital video and / or audio program and data broadcast Searching for data in accordance with a predetermined criterion among the digital broadcast signals including digital video and / or audio programs and data for data broadcasting; And providing data that meets the predetermined criteria.

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Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more clearly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, like numerals represent like or corresponding parts. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a data casting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the data casting receiver 10 includes a digital receiver 12, a demodulator 14, a detector 16, and multiplexing. It includes a processor 18, a memory 20, and an operator interface module 21 capable of performing tasks. The digital receiver 12 is a tunable receiver and may be tuned to all RF channels in the bands allocated to the digital receiver 12, for example, for digital television viewing. In operation, digital receiver 12 receives a VSB broadcast signal transmitted over one of the RF channels.

2 illustrates a sample portion of a digital residual sideband (VSB) having a set of digital programming packets multiplexed with a set of data packets, wherein the digital VSB broadcast signal 22 is a set of data packets. (26) and a set of digital television (DTV) programming packets 24 having audio and video components multiplexed with it. Both DTV programming packets 24 and data packets 26 are formatted according to the ATSC standard, thus having the symbols and symbol rate assigned thereto. Digital receiver 12 tunes digital VSB broadcast signal 22, and demodulator 14 demodulates digital VSB broadcast signal 22 transmitted from digital receiver 12.

3 illustrates a set of three data packets representing a data module. Referring to this, in accordance with the ATSC standard, each data packet 26 and each DTV programming packets 24 are prearranged of acknowledgment bits (not shown in detail) present at the position allocated as the header 30. -Can be identified by a prescribed sequence.

Preferably, detector 16 is implemented by a browser software application stored in memory 20 and executed by processor 18. The data browser software application preferably has search engine performance. For example, to identify DTV programming packets 24 and data packets 26, the data browser software application includes each incoming header 30, which includes programming packets 24 and specific data. Compare with the pre-defined bit sequences used to identify the data packet 26. Detector 16 sends identified DTV programming packets 24 to appropriate video and / or audio processors (not shown). Upon identifying the data packet 26, the detector 16 sends the data packets 26 to the memory 20 under the control of the processor 18.

This confirmation confirms not only the data packet 26 but also the type of data transmitted in each data packet 26. For example, individual data packets 26 include information such as news, business items, stock quotes, sports scores and statistics, web links, government tax forms, and the like.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a data browser software application running within the detector 16 may also compare pre-defined bit sequences with data contained within the data packet 26 itself. This type of search performance is often referred to as "keyword" search performance. As in the preferred embodiment, once the pre-defined bit sequence associated with the data packets 26 is identified, the detector 16 moves the data packets 26 into the memory 20 under the control of the processor 18. send.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the detector 16 is not executed by the data browser software application, but only detects the presence of data packets 26. Once detector 16 detects the presence of data packet 26, detector 16 sends data packet 26 to memory 20 under the control of processor 18.

As a variant, the detected data packets 26 may be temporarily stored in a memory buffer (not shown), and the data packets 26 may be checked for errors by the processor 18. If no error is detected, the data packets 26 will be sent to the memory 20.

Next, FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show how the operator selects and updates the browsing search criteria known as a pre-defined bit sequence and how the data is returned to the operator interface module 21. . As shown, the method begins at step 40 in which the operator interface module displays a browser software application that contains the current search criteria loaded from memory 20. Proceeding to step 42, the operator uses a browser software application to input a command for the search criteria against which the data packet 26 is to be compared. In the next step 44, the operator may enter a command for the type of browsing desired. For example, in step 44, the operator instructs the browser software application to perform static browsing of data packets 26 loaded into memory 20 for the item defined in the search criteria. In this case, all data packets 26 identified by the detector 16 are stored in the memory 20. In contrast, the operator instructs the browser software application to perform dynamic browsing for real time browsing of incoming data packets 26 for the item defined in the search criteria. In this case, only the confirmed data packet (or data in the data packet 26) is stored in the memory 20.

Once the browsing command is entered, decision step 46 determines whether or not the operator has commanded static browsing. If the operator has instructed static browsing then proceed to step 48 to store the search criteria in memory 20. Following the flow chart of FIG. 4B, step 50 loads the search criteria stored in memory 20 and then compares the search criteria with either the header 30 or one of the stored data packets 76. In a variant embodiment, step 50 loads the search criteria stored in memory 20 and then compares the search criteria with data in one of the data packets 26 stored in memory 20. If these comparisons are determined to match each other, step 50 flags the data packet 26 as a match and continues comparing the next data packet 26 stored in the memory 20. After all data packets 26 stored in the memory 20 have been searched, the process proceeds to step 52 such that the data contained in the matched data packets 26 are displayed by the operator interface module 21. do. The process then proceeds to step 76, which is described in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 4A, if it is determined by step 46 that the operator has commanded dynamic browsing rather than static browsing, step 54 is reached. In step 54, the operator inputs a command for the search criteria inputted by the operator and stored in the memory 20 and the frequency with which the data packets 26 are to be compared. In this embodiment, two frequency selections, one browsing and continuous browsing, can be used. However, those skilled in the art may also provide many other types of browsing frequency selections, including, but not limited to, daily, monthly, hourly, weekly, quarterly, etc., all of which are under the principles of the present embodiment. You can see that.

When the operator enters a command for the frequency of browsing, step 56 stores the search criteria and frequency in memory 20. The process then proceeds to step 58 shown in FIG. 4B. Step 58 loads the search criteria stored in the memory 20 and then compares the search criteria with the header 30 of the incoming data packet 26. In a variant embodiment, step 58 loads the search criteria stored in memory 20 and then compares the search criteria with data contained in the incoming data packet 26. If step 58 determines that a match is found, step 58 will flag the data packet 26 as a match and compare the next data packet 26 that is passed on and flows onto the digital VSB signal. After the data packet 26 has been searched, the process proceeds to step 60 where it is sent to the operator interface module 21 for display of the data in the matched data packets 26. The process then proceeds to step 76, which is described in detail below.

On the other hand, the process proceeds to step 62 in accordance with the determination of step 60 to determine whether the input search command was for one search. If at step 62 it is determined that the command was a single search command, no search is required as indicated by step 64. Step 64 also eliminates all the need for multiple steps by the processor 18. However, if at step 62 it is determined that the search command was not for one search, step 66 may scan incoming data packets 26 according to the search criteria and frequency command input by the operator. will be.

Step 68 compares the incoming header 30 associated with the incoming data packets 26 with the search criteria stored in the memory 20 to determine if there has been an update in the data packet 26. As a variant, step 68 compares the data in incoming data packets 26 with the search criteria stored in memory 20 to determine if there was an update in data packet 26. If at step 68 it is determined that no updated data packets 26 are available, it returns to step 66 to further monitor incoming data packets 26 in accordance with the entered frequency command. However, if it is determined in step 68 that the data packets 26 contain updated information, then step 70 is reached. Step 70 sends the data in the updated data packets 26 to the operator interface module 21 for on-screen display. In other words, part of the method then proceeds to step 76, which is described in detail below, and the remaining method returns to step 66 for further monitoring of the data packets 26.

In this regard, limitations arise in this embodiment with respect to dynamic browsing. Incoming data packets 26 are delivered via a digital VSB signal tuned by the digital receiver 12. The number of channels that can be scanned by steps 58 and 66 is limited to the number of incoming digital VSB signals that may be tuned by the digital receiver 12. As an example, if the operator chooses to perform dynamic browsing and simultaneously uses the digital receiver 12 to watch the designated television channel represented by the audio and video packet 24, the digital browsing is limited to the designated tuning channel. Will be. In this embodiment, in order to monitor multiple digital VSB signals in steps 58 and 66, the operator should not use the digital receiver 12.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second data casting receiver 10 ′ according to another embodiment of the present invention, which overcomes the above limitation. This data casting receiver 10 'comprises a first digital receiver 12, a second digital receiver 12', a first demodulator 14, a second demodulator 14 ', a first detector 16, a second A detector 16 ′, a processor 18 capable of performing multiple tasks, a memory 20, and an operator interface module 21. The first digital receiver 12 and the second digital receiver 12 'are tunable receivers and are assigned to these receivers, including all RF channels in all bands allocated for digital television viewing, for example. It can be tuned to any desired RF channel in the bands. In operation, the first digital receiver 12 and the second digital receiver 12 ′ receive a VSB broadcast signal transmitted over one of the RF channels. The second digital receiver 12 'is tuned to the digital VSB broadcast signal 22, and the second demodulator 14' demodulates the digital VSB broadcast signal 22 from the second digital receiver 12 '. The first detector 16 sends identified DTV programming packets 24 and data packets 26 to the appropriate video and audio processors (not shown), and the second detector 16 ′ identifies the identified data packets. 26 is sent to the memory 20, which is controlled by the processor 18. In this variant embodiment, steps 58 and 66 monitor the multiple digital VSB signals by using the second digital receiver 12 'for data browsing, and the operator monitors the first digital receiver for TV viewing. You may continue to use (12).

Referring to FIG. 4C, step 76 executes a browser software application stored in memory 20, allowing the operator to inspect the data displayed on-screen by operator interface module 21. By manipulating an input device (not shown), the operator may browse the displayed data and may also select the data packets 26 of interest to obtain more information. Step 78 determines which data packets 26 the operator has selected to receive more information. If in step 78 the operator determines that in step 76 no data packets 26 have been selected, then the browsing process ends. However, if it is determined at step 78 that the operator has selected data packets 26 to obtain more details, then step 80 determines what type of search was performed initially. If the search performed initially is determined to be a static search by step 80, step 82 retrieves data from memory 20 related to the data packet 26 selected by the operator, and then step 84 Proceeds to). Step 84 then uses this data (eg, web page URL) to obtain all available online supplementary data for display by operator interface module 21.

In step 80, if it is determined that the search that was performed initially is a dynamic search, the process proceeds to step 86. Step 86 retrieves data associated with the data packet 26 selected by the operator from the incoming digital VSB signal. Step 84 then uses this data (eg, web page URL) to obtain all available online additional data for display by operator interface module 21. Step 84 then returns to step 76 to allow the operator to further browse the displayed data.

As described above, the data retrieved by the browsing software from the memory 20 in the case of static browsing and from the digital VSB signal in the case of dynamic browsing, such as news, business items, stock quotes, sports scores and statistics It may include, but is not limited to, information such as web links, government tax forms, etc.

)과 같은 개인용 전자 데이터 기록 장치, 또는 디지터 텔레비전 같은 모든 프로세서-기반 장치와 대신 결합 될 수도 있다. In order to use the features described above, for example web links, the processor 18 is preferably coupled with a personal computer having a set of peripherals such as, for example, a display device, a keyboard and a mouse. However, the processor 18 is a cellular phone, Palm Pilot

Personal electronic data recording devices, or all processor-based devices such as digital televisions.

Although the invention described above describes an apparatus and method for receiving, searching and browsing digital VSB broadcast signals, the invention also includes other digital broadcast signals, such as, for example, QPSK, COFDM or QAM broadcast signals. It can also be used to search, search, and browse the compiled data.

Particular variations of the invention have been described above. Other variations are also possible.

Accordingly, the foregoing description of the invention should be construed as illustrative only, and is intended to guide those skilled in the art to the best mode for carrying out the invention. The details may be changed without departing from the principles of the invention, and exclusive use of all modifications within the principles of the appended claims is designated.

As described above, the present invention has the effect of receiving, searching and storing data transmitted through a digital broadcast signal, and performing dynamic or static browsing.

Claims (19)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete Receiving a digital broadcast signal including digital video and / or audio programs and data for data broadcasting; Searching data for the data broadcasting from the digital broadcasting signal; Searching data corresponding to a search standard designated by an operator from the data for data broadcasting; And Providing data that meets the search criteria; And a data processing method transmitted as a digital broadcast signal. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing the search criteria. The method of claim 8, wherein the digital broadcast signal is any one of a VSB broadcast signal, a COFDM broadcast signal, a QAM broadcast signal, and a QPSK broadcast signal. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising demodulating the digital broadcast signal. The data processing method of claim 8, wherein the data is repeatedly transmitted. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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