KR19990032223A - How to Display Channel Information on Satellite Broadcasting Receivers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention receives a transmission stream including program service data and program guide data, such as television broadcasting and data broadcasting, from a satellite, and when a program menu screen service request signal from a viewer is input, program guide data is formed into a menu screen. A method for displaying channel information of a satellite broadcast receiver displayed on a monitor, wherein the satellite body includes program guide data including first broadcast program promotion screen data of a still image and character program introduction information data of a still image representing characteristics of each broadcast program. And a first step of transmitting a transport stream including second broadcast program promotion screen data capable of representing characteristics of each broadcast program. The satellite broadcasting receiver stores the program guide data including the first broadcast program promotion screen data of the still picture and the text program introduction information data, and when the program menu screen service request signal is input, the broadcast program promotion screen data of the still picture is input. A second step of displaying a menu screen on a monitor; In the menu screen, when a selection signal for selecting a predetermined program of a predetermined channel is input, the character program introduction data is configured as a menu screen, and then the second broadcast program promotion screen corresponding to the selected program and the text program menu screen are mixed and displayed. And splitting the screen on the monitor into two screens, displaying a second broadcast program promotion screen on one screen, and displaying a text program menu screen on the other screen.

Description

How to Display Channel Information on Satellite Broadcasting Receivers

The present invention relates to an improved method of displaying channel information in a satellite broadcast receiver, which is particularly suitable for providing viewers with various types of menu screen guide information such as channel information received through satellite channels and broadcast program information for each channel. It is about.

In recent years, the broadcast method using satellites, which is rapidly expanding its use, is a method of providing a broadcast signal to a wider area by using a satellite (communication satellite) located at an altitude of about tens to hundreds of kilos on the surface of the earth. In this satellite broadcasting system, for example, an old band RF (Radio Frequency) signal having a frequency band of 11.7 GHz to 12.0 GHz is used.

for teeth. The antenna for satellite broadcasting reception is provided with a low noise converter for converting an RF signal into an IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal. The low noise converter is capable of receiving an ultra high frequency RF signal from a satellite broadcasting receiver (receiver). It is converted into an IF (middle frequency) signal in a band (e.g., 950 MHz-2050 MHz).

Therefore, in the satellite broadcasting tuner provided in the satellite broadcasting receiver, the IF signal received through the low noise converter is input, and the channel selected by the viewer is tuned. Such a satellite broadcasting receiver maximizes the channel utilization and the quality of the video and audio signals. Besides the improvement and the ease of additional digital service data transmission, the significant improvement of the viewer interface is a big advantage.

Meanwhile, in satellite broadcasting, a transmission signal of a digital broadcasting signal received from a satellite through a fixed channel to a satellite broadcasting receiver is restored to a transport stream through a process of converting to an intermediate frequency, demodulating, and correcting an error. The stream includes program service data such as television broadcasting and data broadcasting, and program guide data.

That is, satellite broadcasting transmits data to the satellite broadcasting receiver through a packet aging based on the MPEG-2 standard, for example, in a packet stream of 188 bytes, in which the packet is mainly divided into a program guide packet and a program service data packet. Each packet contains 4 bytes of header information.

Here, the program guide packet includes a channel information packet having program combination table (PAT) information including N bits of program identifiers (PIDs) (eg, 13 bits of program identifiers) representing a program number of each channel. A program introduction information packet having program map table (PMT) information of N bits of program identifier (PID) information meaning audio, video, text, etc. of a specific channel, and the program service data packet includes audio of each channel. Data packets, video data packets, text data packets, and the like, wherein program guide packets are continuously inserted and transmitted at intervals of several seconds between program service data packets.

Therefore, the satellite broadcasting receiver extracts program guide packets inserted at intervals of several seconds between program service data packets based on the header information (ie, PID) when the viewer is powered on by the viewer. (Ie, channel guide information and channel identifier (CID), program introduction information and program identifier (PID), text information and text identifier (TID), etc.) of each channel are stored in the memory area of the satellite broadcasting receiver. More specifically, the program guide information includes a channel ID, a program name, a start time and a broadcast time of a program, a grade of a program, a voice mode, presence or absence of euro broadcasting, and the like.

The program guide information stored in this area in the memory is then used to tune a particular channel selected in the transport stream received over the satellite channel when the particular channel is selected by the viewer, and also by the viewer to display a plurality of channel information and When providing the program introduction information (i.e., display) of each channel is required, it is composed of a menu screen and displayed on the monitor. Herein, the present invention relates to an improvement of a technique of providing channel information and program introduction information of each channel on a monitor according to a viewer's request.

That is, in the conventional satellite broadcasting receiver, when there is a request signal of a program guide menu screen from a viewer, channel information stored in a memory area and program introduction information of a corresponding channel (that is, channel information and program information that can be displayed on a monitor). By using a graphical tool prepared by withdrawing), as an example, a menu screen in the form of a letter as shown in FIG. 4 is configured, and then displayed on a monitor.

Therefore, the user can view or search for programs that are to be broadcasted or broadcasted in each channel or select a desired channel to watch or watch through a program guide menu screen service based on a simple key operation while watching a satellite broadcast.

However, as described above, the conventional method of guiding only channel information and program information of each channel on the menu screen in a text form is insufficient to satisfy viewers' desire for providing more various types of information.

Therefore, in recent years, the need for new techniques for providing a variety of services, rather than simply providing a program guide service has emerged in reality.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, when the satellite broadcasting receiver provides a program guide service to the viewer, a menu screen consisting of a still picture broadcast program promotion screen that can represent the characteristics of each program well, An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of displaying channel information in a satellite broadcast receiver that can provide a guide service consisting of a broadcast program promotion screen of a video for each program on a monitor.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention receives a transport stream including program service data and program guide data, such as television broadcasting and data broadcasting, from a satellite, and receives a program menu screen service request signal from a viewer. A channel information display method of a satellite broadcasting receiver for forming guide data into a menu screen and displaying the same on a monitor, wherein the satellite body introduces a first broadcast program promotional screen data and a text program of a still image, which shows characteristics of each broadcast program. A first step of transmitting a transport stream including program guide data including information data and second broadcast program promotion screen data capable of representing characteristics of each broadcast program; The satellite broadcast receiver stores program guide data including first broadcast program promotion screen data and text program introduction information data of the still picture, and when the program menu screen service request signal is input, broadcast of the still picture. A second step of organizing program promotion screen data into the menu screen and displaying the same on the monitor; In the menu screen, when a selection signal for selecting a predetermined program of a predetermined channel is input, the text program introduction data is configured as the menu screen, and then a second broadcast program promotion screen corresponding to the selected program and the text program menu screen are displayed. And displaying the second broadcast program promotion screen on one screen by splitting the screen on the monitor into two, and displaying the text program menu screen on the other screen. .

1 is a hardware configuration diagram for performing a channel information display method of the present invention;

2 is a flow chart according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

3A illustrates an example of a menu screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

3B is a view showing another example of a menu screen according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a view showing an example of a menu screen based on the channel information display method of the prior art.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

102: tuner and demodulation block 104: MPEG decoding block

106: video encoding block 108: control block

110: memory block 112: menu generation block

114: image mixing block

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

1 is a block diagram of a satellite broadcast receiving system for performing the method of displaying channel information according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a satellite broadcast reception system includes a tuner and demodulation block 102, an MPEG decoding block 104, a video encoding block 106, and a control block 108. , A memory block 110, a menu generation block 112, and an image composition block 114.

In order to provide the viewer with improved channel information according to the present invention, video data for a broadcast program promotion of a moving picture or a still picture for promoting a broadcast program of each channel is provided on a transport stream received by the satellite broadcast receiving system through a satellite receiving antenna. In fact, promotional packets are inserted at predetermined intervals, and the identifier (PID) information for these promotional packets is included in program introduction information packet data having program introduction information of each channel. In addition, the program introduction information packet data carrying the program introduction information includes, for example, still image program introduction information composed of still images for promoting each program as shown in FIG. 3A, and a character program as shown in FIG. 3B. Introduction information is included.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the tuner and demodulation block 102, additional information (ie, channel information, program introduction information) inserted on a transport stream received through an antenna when power of a satellite broadcasting system is turned on. ), That is, channel information packet data having program combination table (PAT) information of N-bit program identifier (PID) information representing a program number of each channel, and audio, video, text, etc. of a specific channel. Extracts program introduction information packet data having program map table (PMT) information of N-bit program identifier (PID) information, and converts the extracted packet data into an intermediate frequency, demodulation, and error correction. After restoring to the transport stream through the process, it is provided to the control block 108 to be described later through the line L12.

At this time, the channel information packet data and the program introduction information packet data extracted from the transport stream and provided to the control block 108 through the line L12 are received through the satellite channel when a specific channel desired by the viewer is selected. It is used to tune a specific channel selected in U. In addition, it is used as actual content information of a menu screen when a user needs to provide (i.e., display) a plurality of channel information and broadcast program information of each channel.

In the tuner and demodulation block 102, the broadcast signal received through the broadcast signal receiver (i.e., the satellite reception antenna), not shown, is transmitted to the viewer based on the tuning control signal provided from the control block 108 through the line L11. Tunes the selected broadcast channel, restores the tuned broadcast channel signal to a transport stream through a process of converting to an intermediate frequency, demodulation, and error correction, and then restores the transport stream to Provided to the MPEG decoding block 104.

The tuner and demodulation block 102 also includes a promotional packet extraction signal provided from the control block 108 via line L11, i.e., a broadcast program promotion packet identifier (PID), when a viewer requests a program guide service while watching satellite broadcast television. Extracts and restores the broadcast program promotion video packet of the moving picture or still picture of a specific channel inserted into the transport stream at predetermined time intervals and restores it to the original signal. It is provided to the MPEG decoding block 104 via L13.

On the other hand, the control block 108 includes, for example, a microprocessor that performs overall operation control of the reception system. When the user broadcast channel selection signal is input from the outside, the control block 108 generates a corresponding tuning control signal to receive the line L11. To the above-described tuner and demodulation block 102, and when program guide data (i.e., channel information and program introduction information of each channel) is provided from the tuner and demodulation block 102 via line L12, To sequentially store in predetermined areas of the memory block 110.

In addition, the control block 110, when a broadcast channel menu service request signal is input from the outside, the tuner and demodulation block 102 is a broadcast program promotion packet corresponding to a promotional video or still image for a specific broadcast program of a specific channel selected In order to extract the data, the PR packet identifier (PID) information in the program guide information of a specific channel (that is, the selected channel) previously stored in the memory block is extracted and transmitted to the tuner and the demodulation block 102 through the line L11. Here, the selected specific channel may be a channel currently being watched, may be a channel arbitrarily selected by the viewer among a plurality of channels, and a cursor that is movable up, down, left and right according to the viewer's key manipulation is located. It can be a channel.

At this time, the base station which transmits the satellite broadcast signal can insert and transmit broadcast program promotional video data of a moving picture or still image for program guide service for each channel, and also broadcast program promotional video that is pre-assigned to each channel at predetermined time intervals. You can also change the data and send it.

In addition, when the broadcast channel menu service request signal is input from the outside, the control block 108 extracts the channel information data previously stored in the predetermined area of the memory block 110 and the program introduction information data of each channel, and then menus through the line L17. While providing to the generating block 112, a program guide menu composed of still images of a predetermined size for promoting each program is displayed, or a program promotion menu of a moving picture / still picture and a text program guide menu are mixed and displayed. A select signal to be generated is generated on line L19.

Here, the screen configuration control signal is a selection signal for displaying a tuned broadcast program, a program guide menu consisting of still images, or a program display of a character program guide menu and a program promotion image of a moving picture / still picture on one screen. Act as.

The MPEG decoding block 104 takes into account the spatio-temporal correlation of the compressed coded audio signal and the video signal, for example the video signal, of the selected broadcast channel provided from the above-described tuner and demodulation block 102 through line L13. The decoded video signal is restored to the original signal before encoding using a decoding technique such as variable length decoding, inverse DCT, inverse quantization, motion compensation, and the like. The promotional video data of the image is restored to the original signal before encoding. Here, the reconstructed digital broadcast video signal and the promotional video data of the moving picture / still picture are provided to the next video encoding block 106 via the line L15, and the reconstructed audio signal is provided to an audio signal processor (not shown).

In addition, the video encoding block 106 converts the selected digital broadcast video signal and the broadcast program promotional video data of the moving picture / still picture provided in the MPEG decoding block 104 described above into NTSC or PAL analog video signals, and then through the line L16. To the image synthesis block 114.

In the menu generation block 112, when there is a service request signal, the menu screen data (i.e., the program information information data of each channel and the channel information data provided from the above-described control block 108 via the line L17 is used by using graphics). , Menu screen data occupying approximately the entire monitor), and converts the generated menu screen data into an NTSC or PAL analog signal, which is then provided to the image synthesizing block 114 via line L18, where the menu screen The data can be divided into program guide menu screen data consisting of still images, or character program guide menu data.

Image synthesizing block 114 selects menu screen data consisting of a tuned analog satellite broadcast signal on line L16 or still images on line L18, based on the selection signal provided from control block 108 via line L19. To the display side (not shown). In addition, when a specific program of a specific channel is selected on a menu screen including still images, the image synthesizing block 114 omits a broadcast program promotion image of a moving image / still image of the selected program and a text program guide menu. The screen is divided into two parts, and the screen is divided into two, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 (C) so that a character program guide menu is located on the left screen, and a broadcast program promotion image of a moving picture or still picture is located on the right screen. .

Therefore, on the monitor on the display side, not shown, as shown in Fig. 3A, a menu screen made up of broadcast program promotion screens of still images that can well represent the characteristics of each program is displayed, or in Fig. 3C. As shown, a screen in which a broadcast program promotion screen of a moving image / still image and a text program guide menu are mixed will be displayed.

Next, a process of performing the channel information display method according to the present invention based on the satellite broadcasting reception system having the above-described configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

2 is a menu screen consisting of channel information, broadcast program promotion screens that can well represent characteristics of each channel program, and a broadcast program promotion screen of a moving picture / still image in a satellite broadcast receiving system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. And a flow chart illustrating a process of providing the monitor with a screen in which the character program guide screen is mixed.

Here, in order to implement the improved channel information display according to the present invention, the base station that transmits the satellite broadcast signal broadcast program for moving picture / still image to promote the broadcast program on each channel for the program guide service for each channel The promotional data is inserted into a packet and transmitted. In addition, the channel information packet on the transport stream includes a delimiter for distinguishing each channel and character program title information, and the identifier (PID) information for the promotion packets of moving / still images for promoting a broadcast program is included in each channel. The program introduction information packet data having the program introduction information is included in the program introduction information packet data, and the still image program introduction information composed of still images for promoting the program and the character program introduction information are contained in the program introduction information packet data.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a viewer is watching satellite broadcast television in a state in which program guide packet data, that is, channel information data and program introduction information data for each channel are received and stored in the memory block 110 of FIG. 1 ( In step 202, it is checked whether there is a program menu guide service request (step 204).

At this time, the program content information received and stored in the memory block 110 is program introduction information of a still picture for promoting each program of each channel as shown in FIG. 3A, and a character program as shown in FIG. 3B. Introduction information.

If it is determined in step 204 that there is a request for program menu screen guidance service from the outside, the control block 108 of FIG. 1 stops to promote the program among the program guide information data previously stored in the memory block 110. The still image program introduction information consisting of the images is extracted and output to the menu generation block 112 through the line L17, and the menu generation block 112 displays the channel information and the still image program introduction information using the graphic in the menu screen data ( In other words, it converts the generated menu screen data into an NTSC or PAL analog signal (step 206).

At this time, each broadcast program guide information in the channel includes not only various information such as title, airing time, paid broadcasting, etc., but also broadcast program promotion screens of still images which are the most characteristic elements of the present invention.

In the image synthesizing block 114, menu screen data is selected and provided on a monitor on the display side. Therefore, on the monitor, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, broadcast program promotion screens consisting of still images of a predetermined size for promoting each program will be displayed as a menu screen.

As described above, when the program guide information is displayed on the monitor as a menu screen according to a program menu screen service request from the viewer, the control block 108 checks whether the viewer selects a specific program of a specific channel ( Step 208).

If the selection signal is not input within a predetermined time (T = t1) as a result of step 208 (step 210, 212), the control block 108 causes the menu screen to be turned off (step 214), and then the satellite broadcasting reception system is placed in the viewing mode. Automatic switching (step 216).

On the other hand, as a result of checking in step 208, when a selection signal for selecting a specific program of a specific channel, for example, the Jurassic park program of CH11, is input to the control block 108, the control block 108 writes to the memory block 110. The program introduction information data of the selected channel is searched, and the identifier (PID) of the broadcast program promotion video packet data of the moving / still image of the specific program of the selected specific channel is extracted, and then the tuner and the demodulation block 102 are executed through the line L11. The program information is extracted from the program guide information data pre-stored in the memory block 110 and output to the menu generation block 112 through the line L17, and the selected program in the image composition block 114. Screen composition control to display a broadcast program promotion video of a moving picture / still picture of a and a text program guide menu It provides call.

In the menu generation block 112, channel information and character program introduction information are converted into menu screen data using graphics, and the generated menu screen data is converted into NTSC or PAL analog signals.

The tuner and demodulation block 102 detects only the broadcast program promotion video packet data of the moving / still image from the input data stream based on the identifier (PID) of the broadcast program promotion video packet data, and transmits it to the MPEG decoding block 104. In the MPEG decoding block 104, the video encoding block 106 reconstructs the promotional video data of the encoded video / still image provided from the above-described tuner and demodulation block 102 through the line L13 to the original signal before encoding. To provide.

The video encoding block 106 converts the broadcast program promotional video data of the selected channel provided in the MPEG decoding block 104 described above into an NTSC or PAL analog video signal and then provides the video synthesis block 114 through the line L16. .

The image synthesizing block 114 includes a text program guide menu signal and a broadcast program promotion video for a specific program of a specific channel, for example, a promotional video of a moving picture or a still picture for promoting the Jurassic Park program of CH11. It is displayed in two parts and output to the display side.

Accordingly, the monitor will display a text program guide menu and a promotional screen of a moving picture or a still picture for promoting a specific program as shown in FIG. 3C (step 218).

At this time, in the above-described image composition block 114, there are various algorithms for displaying the character program guide menu and the promotion screen of a moving picture or a still picture for promoting a specific program in two divided screens. For the promotional screen of a moving image or still image, sub-sampling is 2: 1 in the horizontal / vertical direction, respectively, and the screen size is reduced in half. Similarly, the character program guide menu is also 2: 2 in the horizontal / vertical direction, respectively. After sampling and reducing the screen size by half, it may be desirable to form it into one screen.

Thereafter, the control block 208 checks whether the program selected in the above-mentioned step 208 is again selected within a predetermined time T = t2 (steps 220, 222, and 228). As a result of the check, if a selection signal for reselecting the program selected in the above-described step 208 is input to the control block 208 within a predetermined time, the control block 208 mixes the promotion screen of the moving image / still image and the character program guide menu. After the screen is turned off (step 224), the satellite broadcasting reception system is switched to the viewing mode so that a service for a specific program of the selected specific channel is performed (step 226).

However, if the selection signal for reselecting the program selected in step 208 described above is not input to the control block 208 within a predetermined time, the promotion screen of the moving picture / still picture displayed in step 218 and the text program guide menu screen are mixed. After the screen is turned off (step 230), as in step 206, broadcast program promotion screens consisting of still images of a predetermined size for promoting each program are controlled to be displayed as a menu screen.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a viewer requests a guide of a broadcast program, the present invention provides a viewer with a guide service including broadcast program promotion screens that can display characteristics of each program on a monitor. There is an effect that can provide a variety of information.

Claims (7)

Receiving a transmission stream including program service data such as television broadcasting and data broadcasting and program guide data from a satellite, and receiving a program menu screen service request signal from a viewer, the program guide data is formed into a menu screen and displayed on a monitor. In the channel information display method of the satellite broadcasting receiver to display: The satellite body includes program guide data including first broadcast program promotion screen data of a still image and character program introduction information data of a still image well representing characteristics of each broadcast program, and a second broadcast program that can well represent characteristics of each broadcast program. A first step of transmitting a transport stream including promotional screen data; The satellite broadcast receiver stores program guide data including first broadcast program promotion screen data and text program introduction information data of the still picture, and when the program menu screen service request signal is input, broadcast of the still picture. A second step of organizing program promotion screen data into the menu screen and displaying on the monitor; In the menu screen, when a selection signal for selecting a predetermined program of a predetermined channel is input, the text program introduction data is configured as the menu screen, and then a second broadcast program promotion screen corresponding to the selected program and the text program menu screen are displayed. And displaying the second broadcast program promotion screen on one screen by splitting the screen on the monitor into two, and displaying the text program menu screen on the other screen. How to display channel information. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel information display method of the satellite broadcasting receiver is: And in the third step, if a predetermined program of the predetermined channel is selected again within the preset time, further comprising a fourth step of servicing a broadcast program for the selected program. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: displaying the menu screen; Channel information display method of a satellite broadcasting receiver displayed according to the NTSC system. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: displaying the menu screen; Channel information display method of a satellite broadcast receiver to display based on the PAL method. According to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second broadcast program promotion screen corresponding to the selected program is: Method of displaying channel information of a satellite broadcasting receiver which is a moving picture. According to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second broadcast program promotion screen corresponding to the selected program is: A channel information display method of a satellite broadcast receiver which is a still picture. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second broadcast program promotion screen corresponding to the selected program is sampled 2: 1 in the horizontal and vertical directions, and the text program menu screen is sampled 2: 1 to the second. A channel information display method of a satellite broadcasting receiver which displays by mixing a broadcast program promotion screen and the menu screen.