KR100752883B1 - Apparatus and Method for searching channel in Digital tv - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a digital TV having a plurality of tuners, and more particularly, to a digital TV channel searching apparatus and a method for performing automatic channel searching in the background using any one tuner according to a set channel search period. .

In the digital TV channel search method according to the present invention, in the digital TV channel search method having a plurality of tuners, if any of the plurality of tuners are operating at the time of background automatic channel search, any one tuner operation is blocked and blocked. Constructing a channel map by performing channel search through the tuner; Comparing the newly generated channel map with the existing channel map through the background automatic channel search; And updating the newly generated channel map when a change in the channel map occurs as a result of the comparison.

Digital TV, Channel Search

Description

Apparatus and Method for searching channel in Digital tv}

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an automatic channel search apparatus of a digital TV according to the prior art.

2 is a digital TV diagram showing an automatic channel search apparatus for a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic channel search method of a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

20 ... Switch section 21-1 ... Main tuner

21-2 ... Sub Tuner 22-1 ... Main Demodulator

22-1 ... Sub demodulator 23 ... Decoder section

24.Video output 25.Audio output

26 Synchronous signal detector 27 Control unit

28 ... storage 29 ... channel comparator

30 ... OSD processing unit 31 ... Key input unit

The present invention relates to a digital TV having a plurality of tuners. In particular, an automatic channel search is performed in the background using any one tuner according to a set channel search period, and a channel is newly created through the automatic channel search. The present invention relates to a channel search apparatus and method for digital TV.

In general, in order to watch a desired program on a TV, the TV is turned on and a program is selected by using a channel selection key attached to the remote control or the main body.

At this time, there is a function of automatically selecting and setting a channel even if a user does not select a desired broadcasting channel. This is called an automatic channel search function.

That is, the channels that do not receive the broadcast signal are skipped and only the channels where the broadcast signal is received are automatically set. When the channel up / down key of the remote controller or the TV set is selected while the channel is set, the set broadcast signal is Since only the received channel is selected, the desired channel can be easily selected.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an automatic channel search apparatus for a digital TV according to the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional TV may include a key input signal for turning on / off a power, a key input unit 10 for providing a channel selection and menu selection key input signal, and a channel provided by the key input unit 10. A tuner 12 which tunes to a channel corresponding to the selection key input signal and receives a TV broadcast signal of a corresponding channel transmitted from a broadcasting station through an antenna, and a demodulator which demodulates a broadcast signal received through the tuned channel 13 ), And a decoder unit 14 for processing the demodulator 13 to display the video signal demodulated and output, and a video output unit 15 for displaying the video signal processed by the decoder 14 on a screen. It is composed.

In addition, when the channel selection signal is applied through the key input unit 10, the tuner 12 provides an international language signal for tuning to the selected channel. When the automatic channel search signal is applied, the tuner 12 starts from the lowest channel. Pre-programmed selection menu data is output when the menu key input signal is applied to perform the automatic channel search function in the key input unit 10 by providing an international language signal to tune to the highest channel and receive the broadcast signals of the corresponding channels. The control part 11 is comprised.

In addition, the OSD 11 processes the program selection menu data output from the control unit 11 to display the menu selection OSD screen on the video output unit 15 and the channel selected during channel search. The synchronization signal detection unit 16 detects a synchronization signal among the received signals.

However, since the conventional TV's automatic channel search function searches channels sequentially from the lowest channel to the highest channel using one tuner, there is a problem in that the TV cannot be watched on the TV screen while searching for the channel.

In addition, if the broadcasting channel is changed by the SO (System Operator), the user must search for the channel by using the automatic channel search function. Also, if the broadcasting channel is not changed, the information of the newly created or disappeared channel is displayed. There is an inconvenience of not watching TV without knowing.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and performs an automatic channel search in the background using a tuner which is not used in a period set by the user, and newly created channel maps through the background automatic channel search. The present invention provides a channel search apparatus and method for digital TV.

Digital TV channel search apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

A plurality of tuners for tuning the broadcast signal respectively;

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A synchronization signal detector for detecting a synchronization signal among signals received through the tuned channel;

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And a control unit which blocks the operation of any one of the plurality of tuners in use at the time of background automatic channel search and performs a channel search through the blocked tuner to configure a channel in which a synchronization signal is detected as a channel map. do.

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Preferably, for the background automatic channel search, a broadcast signal of a main screen is output using a main tuner among a plurality of tuners, and the automatic channel search is performed in the background using a sub tuner.

Preferably, when the plurality of tuners are all in use, the controller notifies the user to select one tuner for background automatic channel search.

Preferably, when the plurality of tuners are all in use, the control unit blocks a single tuner and performs background automatic channel search.

Preferably, the controller controls the background automatic channel search to be performed according to the search period information including at least one of the channel search day, the channel search time, and whether the channel search is repeatedly performed.

On the other hand, the digital TV channel search method according to the present invention,

In the digital TV channel search method having a plurality of tuners,
Constructing a channel map by blocking any one tuner operation and performing a channel search through the blocked tuner if all of the plurality of tuners are operating at the time of background automatic channel search; Comparing the newly generated channel map with the existing channel map through the background automatic channel search; And updating the newly generated channel map when a change in the channel map occurs as a result of the comparison.

Preferably, the search period information including at least one of the channel search day, the channel search time, and whether the channel search is repeated is performed for the background automatic channel search.

Preferably, when all of the plurality of tuners are in operation, one of the preset tuners is blocked to perform background automatic channel search.

Preferably, when the plurality of tuners are in operation, the user is notified to select a tuner for background automatic channel search among the plurality of tuners.

Preferably, the newly generated channel map is compared with the existing channel map, characterized in that when the change occurs, including the addition and deletion of the channel is characterized in that the notification of the change.
In the present invention, a channel is automatically operated through a background task without affecting the user's watching a broadcast program using an unused tuner among a plurality of tuners or any tuner whose operation is blocked while all are in use. Performing a search is described by defining a background automatic channel search.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

2 is a block diagram of a digital TV showing an automatic channel search apparatus for a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the apparatus for controlling broadcast output of a digital TV includes a switch unit 20 for selecting a broadcast signal input through an antenna and a wired input, and a main for tuning the broadcast signal selected by the switch unit 20, respectively. A tuner 21 including a tuner 21-1 and a sub tuner 21-2, and a main demodulator 22-1 and a sub demodulator 22- that demodulate the broadcast signals tuned by the tuner 21; A demodulator 22 including 2), a decoder 23 for decoding and outputting a video signal and an audio signal of a signal demodulated by the demodulator 22, and a video output unit for outputting the processed video signal. 24; An audio output unit 25 for outputting the processed voice signal; A synchronization signal detection unit 26 for detecting a synchronization signal among signals received through the tuned channel during automatic channel search; A memory unit 28 for storing a channel through which the broadcast signal is received by the synchronization signal detector 26; A channel comparison unit 29 for comparing the existing channel map with the newly generated channel map; A key input unit 31 for providing a channel selection and menu selection key input signal; A control unit 27 for receiving a signal from the synchronization signal detection unit 26, the memory unit 28, and the key input unit 31 and controlling channel search and channel information to be stored; and a program selection output from the control unit 27. And OSD processing unit 30 for OSD processing menu data to display a menu selection OSD screen on video output unit 24.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, a digital TV channel search apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

First, the switch unit 20 selects a broadcast signal input through an antenna, a wired input, or the like, and outputs the broadcast signal to the main tuner 21-1 or / and the sub tuner 21-2 of the tuner 21. The tuner 21 tunes the RF signal of the selected broadcast channel and downmixes it to an intermediate frequency (IF), and then the main demodulator 22-1 and the sub demodulator of the demodulator 22. Output to (22-2).

The demodulator 22 is a device for demodulating the downmixed IF signal. When the IF signal is a digital broadcast signal, the demodulator 22 detects a carrier from the broadcast signal, decodes a coded signal made by an RF transmitter, and then decodes the decoded signal. The decoder 23 outputs to the decoder 23 in the form of a stream, and applies the demodulated broadcast signal to the synchronization signal detection unit 26.

Here, the decoder 23 decodes the video and audio signals of the main and sub screens so as to output a high definition (HD) signal in the sub picture output mode such as PIP and POP to the main picture and the sub picture. Can be a dual decoder.

On the other hand, the decoder 23 parses the TP stream to separate the audio and video stream, the separated video stream is variable length decoding (VLD) and then inverse quantization (IQ) process, inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) After the process and the motion compensation (MC) process to restore the pixel value of the original screen. Similarly, the audio stream decodes the reverse of audio coding.

Accordingly, the video signal and the audio signal processed by the decoder 23 are displayed on the screen of the TV through the video output unit 24 and the audio output unit 25 and the audio is output to the speaker.

In addition, the synchronization signal detector 26 detects the presence or absence of a synchronization signal among the signals received through the channel selected during the automatic channel search, and outputs the result to the controller 27 when there is a synchronization signal.

The controller 27 checks the synchronization signal detection result to determine whether a synchronization signal exists in the channel. When the synchronization signal is detected, the controller 27 determines that the TV broadcast signal is a broadcast channel and stores it in the memory unit 28.

At this time, the channel comparison unit 28 compares the newly generated channel map with the existing channel map according to the detection result of the synchronization signal to check whether the channel map is changed.

When the channel comparator 28 confirms that there is a change in the channel map, the OSD processor 30 may OSD display the change in the channel map to be displayed on the video output unit 24.

In addition, when a user selects a channel selection signal from the key input unit 30, the controller 27 provides the tuner 21 with an international language signal for selecting a channel.

At this time, the channel search is performed through the background automatic channel search, and the background automatic channel search is performed using any tuner which is not used or is blocked while in use.

If a background automatic channel search signal is applied, the controller 27 outputs a broadcast signal through the main tuner 21-1 among the tuners 21 and automatically searches for a channel in the background through the sub tuner 21-2. The international language signal is output to perform the operation.

On the contrary, when the background automatic channel search operation is performed using the main tuner 21-1, a broadcast signal may be output through the sub tuner 21-2.

The key input unit 30 outputs a power on / off key, a channel selection key, and the like, and in particular, may directly transmit a command for background automatic channel search by the user. You can also set a background automatic channel search, which allows you to set the automatic channel search interval.

In this case, an OSD menu is provided to set an automatic channel search period in the background, and the OSD menu is displayed to set items such as day, time, and search period, and the setting items input by the user are stored in the memory unit 28. Are stored in.

Then, the control unit 27 periodically compares whether the period stored in the memory unit 28 and the time of the digital TV system coincide. If the period and time coincide, the controller 27 converts a pre-language signal into the tuner 21. The tuner 21 is sequentially tuned from the lowest channel to the highest channel.

At this time, by checking the operation of the tuner 21, if the two tuners are operating, the other one of the tuner to block the operation of the tuner so that only one tuner is used for background automatic channel search, blocking the menu window when the tuner is blocked The user will be notified about the screen or channel being displayed. Using this blocked tuner, automatic channel search is performed in the background.

Here, the tuner of the present invention may include two or more tuners, and the broadcast tuner may be a main tuner or a sub tuner.

In addition, when both tuners are in operation, the user may directly block the operation of the main or sub tuner so that only one of the two tuners is used for background automatic channel search.

Meanwhile, during background automatic channel search, the synchronization signal detector 26 detects whether a synchronization signal is received from a broadcast signal received through a tuned channel when each channel is sequentially tuned, and detects a sync signal with respect to the tuned channel. In this case, the control unit 27 stores the corresponding channel in the memory unit 28 by determining that the TV broadcasting signal is received. The new channel map is generated by the stored channels.

On the contrary, when the synchronization signal is not detected, the channel is determined to be the channel in which the broadcast signal is not received, and the corresponding channel is skipped to detect the synchronization signal for other channels.

After the automatic channel search is performed in the background, the existing channel map is compared with the newly created channel map, and if there is a change in the channel map (for example, deletion or addition), the user is notified of the change. For example, the user is notified of a channel that has disappeared as a result of the comparison between an existing channel and a currently created channel, a channel that has not existed before, and a newly created channel as a result of the current search, and whether the user should update the channel with the newly created channel map. Use the menu window to make a selection.

In addition, the user may directly perform the automatic channel search function by using the key input unit 30 when necessary.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic channel search method of a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the user turns on the digital TV (S10), it is determined whether the background automatic channel search function is set to operate (S11). When the automatic channel search function is set to operate, the memory unit reads the day and time set by the user and the search period set to repeatedly perform the channel search function for the background automatic channel search (S12).

In order to perform the background automatic channel search function, the day, time, channel search period, channel search operation, etc. may be input and selected by activating a menu window, and the menu window may be implemented by an OSD.

On the other hand, by comparing whether the channel search period read from the memory unit and the time of the digital TV system match (S13), and if the period and time coincide, it is checked whether only one tuner is operated to perform the automatic channel search ( S14).

At this time, if only one tuner is operated as a result of the check, automatic channel search is performed in the background using another tuner not used (S15), and the newly generated channel map is compared with the existing channel map through the automatic channel search. (S16).

In addition, when there is a changed channel by comparing the channel map, the user is notified of the changed channel content, and the user may select whether to update the newly created channel map (S17).

Here, whether to update the channel map may be selected by activating a menu window, and the menu window may be implemented as an OSD.

In addition, if the background automatic channel search function is not set, the current TV operation is maintained without performing channel search in the background (S18).

On the other hand, if two or more tuners operate as a result of the check, the user can select whether the background automatic channel search function is operated again (S19).

At this time, if the automatic channel search function is selected to operate, the other tuner operation is blocked so that a broadcast signal is output from only one tuner (S20).

For example, when the PIP and POP functions are operated, only the tuner that outputs the broadcast signal of the main screen is operated, and the operation of the tuner that outputs the broadcast signal of the sub-screen is blocked so that automatic channel search can be performed in the background.

In this case, the menu window is activated to notify that the tuner for performing the background automatic channel search cannot be used, and the operation of the background automatic channel search function can be activated and selected.

So far, the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains to the detailed description of the present invention and other forms of embodiments within the essential technical scope of the present invention. Could be implemented. Here, the essential technical scope of the present invention is shown in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent range will be construed as being included in the present invention.

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic channel search apparatus and method for digital TV, which performs an automatic channel search function in the background using a sub tuner while performing an operation of a main tuner that outputs a broadcast signal of a main screen. There is.

In addition, the automatic channel search function is repeatedly performed in the background at the interval set by the user, and when the channel is changed, the user can be notified of the changed channel and select whether to update to the newly created channel map. It works.

Claims (12)

A plurality of tuners for tuning the broadcast signal respectively; A synchronization signal detector for detecting a synchronization signal among signals received through the tuned channel; And a control unit which blocks the operation of any one of the plurality of tuners in use at the time of background automatic channel search and performs a channel search through the blocked tuner to configure a channel in which a synchronization signal is detected as a channel map. Digital TV channel search device. delete The method of claim 1, The apparatus for digital TV channel search, characterized by outputting a broadcast signal of a main screen using a main tuner among the plurality of tuners for the background automatic channel search, and performing an automatic channel search in the background using a sub tuner. The method of claim 1, And the control unit notifies the user to select one of the tuners for the background automatic channel search when the plurality of tuners are all in use. The method of claim 1, The control unit performs a channel automatic channel search, characterized in that for performing a background automatic channel search by blocking a predetermined tuner when a plurality of tuners are all in use. The method of claim 1, And the controller controls the background automatic channel search to be performed according to the search period information including at least one of a channel search day, a channel search time, and whether the channel search is repeatedly performed. In the digital TV channel search method having a plurality of tuners, Constructing a channel map by blocking a tuner operation and performing a channel search through the blocked tuner if all of the plurality of tuners are operating at the time of background automatic channel search; Comparing the newly generated channel map with the existing channel map through the background automatic channel search; And updating the newly generated channel map when a change occurs in the channel map as a result of the comparison. The method of claim 7, wherein And a search period information including one or more channel search days, channel search times, and whether the channel search is repeatedly performed for the background automatic channel search. The method of claim 7, wherein And when all of the plurality of tuners are in operation, blocking a preset tuner to perform a background automatic channel search. The method of claim 7, wherein And when the plurality of tuners are in operation, notifying the user to select a tuner for background automatic channel search among the plurality of tuners. The method of claim 7, wherein And comparing the newly created channel map with an existing channel map and notifying the change when a change including addition and deletion of a channel occurs. delete

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