KR100793757B1 - The broadcasting receiver for displaying various electronic program guide, and the method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A broadcasting receiver for providing various EPG information and a control method thereof are provided to distinguish broadcasting channels on the basis of specific information to display the channels on a screen to help a user to select a channel. A broadcasting signal is received through the first tuner. Broadcasting signals of at least one channel are cyclically received through the second tuner. EPG(Electronic Program Guide) information including at least one of resolution, a service type, and addition information of a present broadcasting program of each channel is read out by using the broadcasting signal of channels received through the first and second tuners. A plurality of EPG screen images including the EPG information is output.

Description

The broadcasting receiver for displaying various Electronic Program Guide, and the method for controlling the same}

1 illustrates an example of an EPG screen to be displayed according to the prior art;

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast receiver providing various EPG information according to the present invention (block diagram).

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a terrestrial virtual channel table (TVCT) of a program and system information protocol (PSIP);

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a value of a "service_type" field of the TVCT;

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an extended text table (ETT) of a PSIP;

6 illustrates an example of an EPG screen to be displayed according to the present invention;

7 is a diagram illustrating another example of an EPG screen to be displayed according to the present invention;

8 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a broadcast receiver for providing various EPG information according to the present invention (flow chart).

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

200: broadcast receiver 201: tuner

202: main tuner 203: sub-tuner

204: demodulator 205: demultiplexer

206: A / V decoder 207: Audio decoder

208: Video decoder 209: Display unit

210: PSI / SPIP database 211: PSI / PSIP decoder

212: Channel Manager 213: Channel Map

214: application control unit 215: flash memory

The present invention relates to a broadcast receiver, and more particularly, to a broadcast receiver for providing various Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information and a control method thereof.

In the conventional analog broadcasting system, the broadcasting environment has recently been changed from the digital broadcasting system.

The digital broadcast system refers to a broadcast system that digitizes broadcast radio waves and transmits them as digital signals.

In addition, as the digital broadcasting system is settled to some extent, the era of multi-mode service broadcasting in which multiple channels can be viewed on one channel of the digital TV, unlike the conventional method, has come.

Accordingly, the number of broadcast channels has increased exponentially, various types of broadcast services are provided, and it is clear that this trend will intensify with time.

Therefore, interest in a broadcast program preferred by a user and a technology for providing various information about the same has increased.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an EPG screen to be displayed according to the prior art.

Hereinafter, an EPG screen displayed according to the prior art will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

For example, when a user applies a command signal for outputting an EPG screen to a broadcast receiver through a remote controller or the like, the EPG screen as shown in FIG. 1 is displayed.

The conventional EPG screen displays only the most basic information such as the title and start time of a broadcast program.

However, the EPG service according to the prior art has the following problems.

First, in the conventional EPG screen, there is a problem that other additional information that can be an important factor in the user's channel selection cannot be provided at all.

For example, there is a problem in that the resolution of the broadcast program, the service type of the broadcast program, and additional information (eg, a story, a character, etc.) of the broadcast program cannot be confirmed on the EPG.

In particular, at the time of MMS commercialization, the resolution of a broadcast program, the service type of a broadcast program, etc. may be a very important problem in selecting a channel of a user.

Second, in the conventional EPG screen, there is a problem in that there is no function to substantially help the user's channel selection by distinguishing broadcast channels based on specific information preferred by the user.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a variety of EPG information that enhances the user's convenience by providing a variety of additional information that can be an important element in the user's channel selection in the EPG, etc. A broadcast receiver and a control method thereof.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a variety of EPG information that can substantially help the user's channel selection by displaying the broadcast channel on the EPG based on the specific information that the user prefers and control thereof It is about a method.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for controlling a broadcast receiver having two or more tuners, the method comprising: receiving a broadcast signal through a first tuner, and broadcasting signals of one or more channels through a second tuner; Cyclically receiving and reading multi-EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information of a program currently being broadcast on each of the channels by using the broadcast signals of the respective channels received through the first and second tuners. And outputting a multi-EPG screen including the read multi-EPG information.

The multi-EPG information may include at least one of resolution of a broadcast program, a service type of a broadcast program, and additional information of a broadcast program.

The multi-EPG information of the program currently being broadcast in each of the channels is read using the broadcast signals of the channels received through the first and second tuners. Decoding the video data of the received broadcast signal in the case of the resolution of a broadcast program; recognizing the resolution of a program currently being broadcasted in HD class when the number of pixels is 720P or more as a result of the decoding; and the decoding As a result, when the number of pixels is 480P or less, the method may include recognizing the resolution of a program that is currently being broadcast in SD class.

The multi-EPG information of the program currently being broadcast in each of the channels is read using the broadcast signals of the channels received through the first and second tuners. In the case of a service type of a broadcast program, parsing a Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table (TVCT) of the received broadcast signal, and according to a service type (service_type) field value of the parsed TVCT, a service of a program currently being broadcasted. And recognizing whether the type is audio broadcast or data broadcast.

The multi-EPG information of the program currently being broadcast in each of the channels is read using the broadcast signals of the channels received through the first and second tuners. In case of additional information of a broadcast program, a program currently being broadcast is parsed according to parsing an extended text table (ETT) of the received broadcast signal, and an extended text message (extended_text_message ()) of the parsed ETT. Recognizing the additional information of may be made.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first tuner unit for receiving a broadcast signal, a second tuner unit for receiving a broadcast signal of one or more channels while circulating within a predetermined range, and each of the received channels. Controls to output a multi-EPG screen including the multi-EPG information of the program currently being broadcast on the respective channels and the multi-EPG screen including the read multi-EPG information by using the broadcast signal. It provides a broadcast receiver for providing a variety of EPG information characterized in that it comprises a control unit.

The broadcast receiver may further include a user input unit configured to receive a command signal for setting a range of channels to which the multi-EPG information is to be read.

The multi-EPG information may include at least one of resolution of a broadcast program, a service type of a broadcast program, and additional information of a broadcast program.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily identify a broadcast program of a user's preferred broadcast type, and to display various EPG information on one screen.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention that can specifically realize the above object will be described.

2 is a block diagram (block diagram) showing a configuration of a broadcast receiver providing various EPG information according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a terrestrial virtual channel table (TVCT) of a program and system information protocol (PSIP).

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a "service_type" field value of the TVCT.

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an extended text table (ETT) of the PSIP.

2 to 5, an embodiment in which the broadcast receiver according to the present invention detects various EPG information will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the broadcast receiver 200 according to the present invention includes a tuner 201, a demodulator 204, a demultiplexer 205, an A / V decoder 206, and a display 209. ), A PSI / PSIP database 210, a PSI / PSIP decoder 211, a channel manager 212, a channel map 213, an application controller 214, and a flash memory 215.

The broadcast receiver 200 may be, for example, a digital television (DTV) capable of receiving digital broadcasts.

The tuner 201 may receive a digital broadcast signal including a program and system information / program and system information protocol (PSI / PSIP) table, an A / V signal, and the like.

The PSI / PSIP table may be, for example, an event information table (EIT), a virtual channel table (VCT), an extended text table (ETT), or the like.

On the other hand, the tuner unit 201 may be composed of two or more tuners, such as the primary tuner 202, the secondary tuner 203, in this case, there is an advantage that can simultaneously process broadcast signals transmitted from different channels. .

In addition, the operation of the tuner unit 201 may be controlled by the channel manager 212.

The tuner unit 201 records the result of the received digital broadcast signal in the channel manager 212 again.

The demodulator 204 is responsible for demodulating the signal tuned by the tuner 201 into a VSB / EVSB (Vestigal Side Band / Enhanced Vestigal Side Band) signal.

The demultiplexer 205 demultiplexes the audio data, the video data, and the PSI / PSIP table data from the signal demodulated by the demodulator 204.

The demultiplexing of the audio data and the video data may be controlled by the channel manager 212, and the demultiplexing of the PSI / PSIP table data may be controlled by the PSI / PSIP decoder 211.

The demultiplexed PSI / PSIP table is transmitted to the PSI / PSIP decoder 211, the demultiplexed audio data and video data are transmitted to the A / V decoder 206, and the A / V. The decoder 206 decodes the received data.

The PSI / PSIP decoder 211 parses a PSI / PSIP section, reads all remaining sections of the actual section data that are not performed by section filtering of the demultiplexer 205, and The data is recorded in the PSI / PSIP database 210.

The channel manager 212, with reference to the channel map 213, requests to receive a channel related information table and receives the result.

At this time, the PSI / PSIP decoder 211 demuxes the channel related information table and transmits an A / V PID list to the channel manager 212.

The channel manager 212 controls the A / V decoder 206 by directly controlling the demultiplexer 205 using the transmitted A / V PID.

The application control unit 214 controls a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying a state of the broadcast receiver system on an on screen display (OSD).

In particular, the operation of the components related to the present invention will be described in more detail as follows.

The broadcast receiver 200 according to the present invention preferably includes two or more tuners. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the main tuner 202 and the sub tuner 203 are provided, the sub tuner 203 which is not used to output the broadcast screen is intended to be used for other purposes. It is one feature of the present invention.

The main tuner 202 receives a broadcast signal currently being output on the screen.

On the other hand, under the control of the channel manager 212, the sub-tuner 203 receives, while circulating the broadcast signal of the channel of a predetermined range.

The predetermined range of channels may be all broadcast channels, broadcast channels selected by a user, and broadcast channels (for example, about five) currently set and output on the EPG screen.

The reason why the sub-tuner 203 is configured to receive broadcast signals of channels in a predetermined range while circulating is to read more various multi-EPG information.

The multi-EPG information proposed in the present invention is a concept including all other additional information except for the title and start time of a broadcast program provided by the conventional EPG.

In particular, the multi-EPG information includes, for example, resolution of a broadcast program, service type of a broadcast program, and additional information of a broadcast program.

A method of determining the resolution of a broadcast program for the remaining channels that the user is not currently watching will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

Information on the aspect ratio, resolution, etc. of the image cannot be checked through the PSIP information, and can be checked only when a TS information packet is received (tuned).

However, video data of the broadcast signal received through the sub tuner 203 is decoded by the video decoder.

The resolution is determined by using the Vsync value of the decoded video data.

For example, when the number of pixels is 720P or more as a result of the decoding, the resolution of the program currently being broadcast through the sub tuner 203 is determined to be HD.

On the other hand, when the decoding result shows that the number of pixels is 480P or less, it is determined that the resolution of the program currently being broadcast through the sub-tuner 203 is SD.

The resolution of the program of each channel determined as described above is stored in a memory (not shown), and under the control of the application control unit 214 or the like, through the display unit 209 or the like, as shown in FIG. 6 or 7. Print the EPG screen.

Unlike the related art, it is also possible to display information on the resolution (HD, SD, etc.) of the broadcast program currently being broadcast, and to display only the channels for which the broadcast program of the same resolution is output.

As described above, when distinguishing and displaying, there is an advantage of facilitating selection of a user's preferred channel.

Meanwhile, a method of determining a service type of a broadcast program for the remaining channels that the user is not currently watching will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

In order to determine a service type of a broadcast program for channels that the user is not currently watching, the sub-tuner 203 receives the broadcast signal of each channel while circulating.

The broadcast signal includes a virtual channel table (VCT) of PSIP (Program and System Information).

Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table (TVCT), Cable Virtual Channel Table (CVCT) and the like exist in the VCT, but the present specification is described using TVCT as an example, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

For reference, TVCT is shown in FIG. 3.

At this time, the PSI / PSIP decoder 211 parses the TVCT of the received broadcast signal and reads a service type (service_type) field value of the parsed TVCT.

As shown in FIG. 4, the service type defines information about a broadcast type of virtual channels.

For example, the above service types define analog television broadcasting, digital television broadcasting, audio broadcasting, data broadcasting, and the like.

Accordingly, when the sub-tuner 203 obtains information on the service type of each channel currently being broadcast while cycling, the sub-tuner 203 stores the information on the PSI / PSIP database 210 and the like.

The service type of each channel stored as described above is output on the EPG screen as shown in FIG. 6 or 7 through the display 209 or the like under the control of the application controller 214.

Unlike the related art, it is also possible to display information on a service type (audio broadcast, data broadcast, etc.) of a broadcast program currently being broadcast, and to distinguish and display only channels for which a broadcast program of the same service type is output.

Meanwhile, a method of determining additional information of a broadcast program for the remaining channels which the user is not currently watching will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5.

In order to determine additional information of the broadcast program for the channels that the user is not currently watching, the sub-tuner 203 receives the broadcast signal of each channel while circulating.

The broadcast signal includes an extended text table (ETT) of PSIP (Program and System Information).

For reference, the ETT is shown in FIG. 5. The ETT is a table that stores detailed information of each event of the EIT (Event Information Table).

At this time, the PSI / PSIP decoder 211 parses an ETT of the received broadcast signal and reads an extended text message (extended_text_message) field value of the parsed ETT.

The extended text message (extended_text_message) includes additional information of the current broadcast program in a text form and the like, and the additional information relates to, for example, a story, content, and characters.

Accordingly, when the sub tuner 203 obtains additional information of each channel currently being broadcast while cycling, the sub tuner 203 stores the additional information on the PSI / PSIP database 210 and the like.

The additional information of each channel stored as described above is output on the EPG screen as shown in FIG. 7 through the display unit 209 or the like under the control of the application controller 214.

In FIG. 7, a case in which a plot is displayed as additional information of each channel is illustrated as an example, but other additional information defined in the extended text message field may be displayed together.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a broadcast receiver providing various EPG information according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a control method of a broadcast receiver for providing various EPG information according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

However, the control method to be described later, since the description of the above-described Figs. 2 to 7 sequentially described in the order of time, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

However, those skilled in the art can easily understand the embodiment through the above description of FIGS. 2 to 7.

The broadcast receiver according to the present invention determines whether to execute the multi-EPG function (S801).

However, the determination of whether to execute the multi-EPG function (S801) may be designed to be performed automatically when the power of the broadcast receiver is turned on. It is also possible to design so as to be made only when a specific command signal is applied.

As a result of the determination (S801), when executing the multi-EPG function, the sub-tuner is controlled to receive broadcast signals of respective channels in a predetermined range (S802).

However, the reception step (S802) is not a tuning for displaying the A / V signal, and when the parsing of the TVCT and the ETT ends or the decoding of the video data ends, the broadcast signal of another channel is received.

That is, the sub tuner is controlled to tune while circulating each channel in a predetermined range in a predetermined period.

Each channel of the predetermined range may be all broadcast channels, broadcast channels selected by a user, and broadcast channels (for example, about five) currently set and output on the EPG screen.

The multi-EPG information of the program currently being broadcast on the respective channels is read out (S803).

The multi-EPG information is proposed by the present invention and is a concept including all other additional information except for a broadcast program title and start time provided by the conventional EPG.

In particular, the multi-EPG information includes, for example, resolution of a broadcast program, service type of a broadcast program, and additional information of a broadcast program.

However, the method of reading the multi-EPG information as described above in the description of FIGS. 2 to 7 will be omitted.

Then, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) display screen as shown in FIG. 6 or 7 is output (S804).

For reference, the difference between FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is that the additional information based on the extended text message (extended_text_message) of the ETT is also output in FIG. 7.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as can be seen in the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

And, the above-mentioned numerical value is a preferred embodiment or merely an example, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the numerical values, and as can be seen in the appended claims, Modifications are possible by those skilled in the art and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

The effects of the broadcast receiver providing various EPG information and the control method according to the present invention described above are as follows.

First, according to the present invention, by providing various additional information that can be an important factor in the user's channel selection in the EPG, etc., there is an effect to enhance the user's convenience.

In particular, when MMS broadcasting is commercialized, there is an advantage in that a user's preferred resolution or service type of a broadcasting program can be easily identified.

Second, according to the present invention, by distinguishing the broadcast channel based on the specific information that the user prefers to display on the EPG, there is also an effect that can substantially help the user's channel selection.

Claims (8)

In the control method of a broadcast receiver having two or more tuners, Receiving a broadcast signal through a first tuner; Cyclically receiving a broadcast signal of one or more channels through a second tuner; At least one or more of the resolution of the broadcast program currently being broadcast in each of the channels, the service type of the broadcast program, and the additional information of the broadcast program using the broadcast signals of the respective channels received through the first tuner and the second tuner. Reading multi-EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information including a; And And outputting a multi-EPG screen including the read multi-EPG information. delete The method of claim 1, The reading of the multi EPG information may include: If the multi-EPG information is the resolution of the broadcast program, Decoding video data of the received broadcast signal; Recognizing the resolution of a program currently being broadcast in HD class when the number of pixels is 720P or more as a result of the decoding; And If the number of pixels is 480P or less as a result of the decoding, the control method of the broadcast receiver for providing a variety of EPG information characterized in that it comprises the step of recognizing the resolution of the currently broadcast program in the SD class. The method of claim 1, The reading of the multi EPG information may include: If the multi-EPG information is a service type of a broadcast program, Parsing a Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table (TVCT) of the received broadcast signal; And According to the service type (service_type) field value of the parsed TVCT, providing a variety of EPG information comprising the step of recognizing whether the service type of the currently broadcast program is audio broadcasting or data broadcasting Control method of a broadcast receiver. The method of claim 1, The reading of the multi EPG information may include: When the multi-EPG information is additional information of a broadcast program, Parsing an extended text table (ETT) of the received broadcast signal; And Recognizing additional information of a program currently being broadcast, according to the extended text message (extended_text_message ()) of the parsed ETT, a control method of a broadcast receiver providing various EPG information . A first tuner unit configured to receive a broadcast signal; A second tuner unit which circulates and receives a broadcast signal of one or more channels within a preset range; At least one of resolution of a broadcast program currently being broadcast in each of the channels, a service type of a broadcast program, and additional information of a broadcast program using broadcast signals of respective channels received through the first and second tuner units. A reading unit that reads multi-EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information including the above; And And a controller for controlling to output a multi-EPG screen including the read multi-EPG information. The method of claim 6, The broadcast receiver, And a user input unit configured to receive a command signal for setting a range of channels to which the multi-EPG information is to be read. delete

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