KR19990042287A - Improved Display Method of Channel Information in Satellite Broadcasting Receivers - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, when a satellite broadcasting receiver provides a program guide service to a user, a text menu content information and a still picture advertisement assigned to each channel are configured on a monitor and displayed on a monitor, and the broadcast program on the menu screen is displayed. The present invention relates to an improved method of displaying channel information in a satellite broadcasting receiver configured to display text program content information and a still image reference image of a selected broadcast program on a monitor when selected. When the satellite broadcasting reception system is in the viewing mode with the program guide packet data received and stored in the memory area, the program guide packet data is sent to the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel stored in the memory area. Based on delimiter information Extracting the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel on the received transport packet stream, and restoring the extracted corresponding still picture advertisement image data to a displayable signal; The channel information and program content information drawn out using the graphic are generated as displayable initial menu screen data, and the restored corresponding still image video data and the generated initial menu screen data are mixed with the text program title and content information area and the still image advertising. A second process of generating and displaying an entire menu screen of an image area; It is checked whether a plurality of still picture reference pictures previously assigned to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the first and second processes are repeatedly performed until all of the still picture reference pictures previously assigned to the selected broadcast program are displayed. A third step of sequentially assigning the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen and continuously displaying the advertisement image region; It checks whether a key signal for changing to another channel or selecting a broadcast program in a selected channel is input for a predetermined time, and repeats the first to third steps when a change key signal for another channel is input. When the selection key signal of the broadcast program is input, restoring a still image reference image data of the selected broadcast program extracted from the received transport stream to a displayable signal; A fifth process of creating and displaying a new full menu screen including the text program title and content information area and the still image reference video area of the selected broadcast program by mixing the restored still image reference image data with channel information and program content information. ; It is checked whether all the still picture reference pictures allocated to the selected broadcast program are all displayed, and the fourth and fifth processes are repeated until all of the still picture reference pictures allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed. A sixth step of sequentially assigning the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program to an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen and continuously displaying the advertisement image region; It is checked whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting another broadcast program in the selected channel for a predetermined time, and repeats the first to third processes when the change key signal is input to another channel. A seventh process of performing the fourth to sixth processes repeatedly if a change key signal to another broadcast program is input; And an eighth step of turning off the entire new menu screen being displayed and automatically switching the satellite broadcasting reception system to a viewing mode if there is no input of a change to another channel or a change to another broadcast program within a predetermined time. It includes.

Description

Improved Display Method of Channel Information in Satellite Broadcasting Receivers

The present invention relates to a satellite broadcasting receiver, and more particularly, to display various types of menu screen guide information such as channel information received through a satellite channel and broadcasting program information of each channel, and a general advertisement or a promotional advertisement of a specific program in a selected channel. The present invention relates to an improved method of displaying channel information in a satellite broadcasting receiver suitable for providing to a user.

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

To this end, an antenna for satellite broadcasting reception is provided with a low noise blockdown converter for converting a radio frequency (RF) signal into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, which is a high frequency RF signal. Is converted into an IF (intermediate frequency) signal in the hundreds to thousands of MHz bands (e.g., 950 MHz-2050 MHz) receivable by a satellite broadcasting receiver (receiver).

Therefore, in the satellite broadcasting tuner provided in the satellite broadcasting receiver (receiver), the user selects and tunes a channel selected by inputting an IF signal received through a low noise converter. Along with the improvement of signal quality and the ease of transmitting additional digital service data, the significant improvement of the user 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 transport 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 packet aging based on the MPEG-2 standard, for example, in a 188-byte packet stream. The packet is largely a program guide packet and a program service data packet. Each packet includes 4 bytes of header information.

Herein, the program guide packet includes a channel information packet having program combination table (PAT) information including N-bit program identifier (PID) information (eg, 13-bit program identifier) indicating a program number of each channel. A program information packet having program map table (PMT) information of N-bit program identifier (PID) information meaning audio, video, text, etc. of a specific channel; and the program service data packet includes audio data of each channel. Packet, a video data packet, a text data packet, 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 (that is, PID) when the power is turned on by the user. (I.e., channel guide information and channel identifier (CID), program information and program identifier (PID), text information and text identifier (TID), etc.) for each channel are stored in the memory area of the satellite broadcasting receiver. In more detail, 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, and the presence or absence of paid broadcasting.

The program guide information stored in the memory area as such is then used to tune a particular channel selected in the transport stream received over the satellite channel when a particular channel is selected by the user, and also by the user. When the provision of broadcast program information of the channel (i.e., display) is requested, it is composed of a menu screen and displayed on the monitor. Here, the present invention relates to an improvement of a technique for providing channel information and program information of each channel on a monitor according to a user's request.

That is, in the conventional satellite broadcasting receiver, when there is a request signal of a program guide menu screen from a user, the channel information stored in the memory area and the program information of the corresponding channel (that is, the channel information and the program information that can be displayed on the monitor) are displayed. Using a graphical tool prepared for withdrawal, a menu screen in the form of a letter as shown in FIG. 6 is configured as an example, and then displayed on a monitor.

Therefore, users can view or search for programs that are to be broadcasted or broadcasted in each channel through the program guide menu screen service based on simple key operation while watching satellite broadcasts, or select viewing or switching of desired specific channels.

However, as described above, the conventional method of guiding only channel information and program information of each channel on the menu screen in the form of a character is insufficient to satisfy a user's desire for providing more various types of information. Therefore, in recent years, the need for new service techniques for providing a wider variety of services, rather than simply providing a program guide service, has emerged in reality.

For example, satellite broadcasting can be used to realize various kinds of information services using pictures, etc., in the form of textual information services, or through various commercial advertisements on the Internet. Whenever the receiver requests the guidance of a broadcast program, the receiver provides a specific advertisement image along with the program guide information on the menu screen displayed on the monitor, or a reference to the broadcast program selected by the user (or the cursor is located) on the menu screen. If it is possible to provide a video (ie, a video or still picture that can represent the broadcast program representatively), the program guide service can be diversified, and a natural and effective advertising effect can be obtained. To increase advertising revenue Will.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above, when the satellite broadcasting receiver provides a program guide service to the user, by configuring the text program content information and the still picture advertisement assigned to each channel as a single menu screen Improved channel in satellite broadcasting receiver which can display on monitor and display text program contents information and still image reference image of selected broadcast program as one menu screen when selecting broadcast program on menu screen The purpose is to provide a method of displaying information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a program guide service to the user in the satellite broadcasting receiver, display the shape program content information in the form of a figure or picture and a still picture advertisement assigned to each channel as a menu screen to display on the monitor And, when selecting a broadcast program on the menu screen, the shape of the program content information in the form of a figure or a picture and the still image reference image of the selected broadcast program can be configured as a menu screen and displayed on a monitor. The purpose is to provide a channel information display method.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program guide packet including an N-byte channel information packet of channel information transmitted from a satellite and an N-byte program information packet of program content information of each channel. Receives N bytes of program service data packets of broadcast program data, restores them to a transport stream through demodulation and error correction, stores the restored program guide packet data in a memory area, and stores a specific channel based on the stored program guide data. A method for displaying channel information in a satellite broadcasting receiving system that tunes to and services a program guide menu on a monitor, wherein the program guide packet includes still picture advertisement image data packets corresponding to each channel and each broadcast in each channel. Program still image reference image data panel Wherein the N-byte program information packet includes character program title information and identifier information of at least one still image advertisement video data packet and identifier information of at least one still image reference image data packet for each broadcast program. The method includes: a first step of checking whether there is a program menu guide service request according to a user's operation when the satellite broadcasting receiving system is in a viewing mode with the program guide packet data received and stored in the memory area; If the program menu guide service request is requested, the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel is extracted on the received transport packet stream based on the identifier information of the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel stored in the memory area, and the extracted corresponding still picture is extracted. Restoring the advertisement image data into a displayable signal; Search the memory area to retrieve channel information and program content information, and generate channel information and program content information drawn using graphics as displayable initial menu screen data, and in response to a screen configuration control signal, A third step of mixing the corresponding still image commercial image data with the generated initial menu screen data to generate and display a whole menu screen including a character program title and content information area and a still image image; After displaying the entire menu screen for a predetermined time period, it is checked whether all of the plurality of still image reference images previously allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the plurality of still images previously assigned to the selected broadcast program. A fourth process of repeating the second process and the third process until all the images are displayed and continuously displaying the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen; ; A fifth step of checking whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting a broadcast program in the selected channel for a predetermined time during the display of the entire menu screen; As a result of the check in the fifth process, when the change key signal to the other channel is input, the second to fourth processes are repeated, and when the selection key signal of the broadcast program is input, the selected broadcast stored in the memory area. A sixth step of restoring the still picture reference picture data of the selected broadcast program extracted from the received transport stream into a displayable signal by using the identifier information of the still picture reference picture packet of the program; A new full menu screen including a character program title and content information area and a still picture reference picture area of the selected broadcast program is mixed by mixing the restored still picture reference picture data of the selected broadcast program with channel information and program content information drawn from the memory area. A seventh process of generating and displaying; After displaying the entire menu screen for a predetermined time period, it is checked whether all of the plurality of still image reference images previously allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the plurality of still images previously assigned to the selected broadcast program. An eighth process of repeating the sixth and seventh processes until all the images are displayed, and continuously displaying the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen; ; A ninth step of checking whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting another broadcast program in the selected channel during a predetermined time during the display of the new full menu screen; As a result of the check in the ninth process, when the change key signal to the other channel is input, the second to fourth processes are repeated, and when the change key signal to the other broadcast program is input, the sixth to A tenth process of repeating the eighth process; And if there is no input for a change to another channel or a change key signal to another broadcast program within the predetermined time, turn off the new whole menu screen being displayed, and automatically switch the satellite broadcasting reception system to a viewing mode. An improved channel information display method in a satellite broadcasting receiver having an eleventh process is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program guide packet including an N-byte channel information packet of channel information transmitted from a satellite and an N-byte program information packet of program content information of each channel; Receives N bytes of program service data packets of broadcast program data, restores them to a transport stream through demodulation and error correction, stores the restored program guide packet data in a memory area, and stores a specific channel based on the stored program guide data. A method for displaying channel information in a satellite broadcasting receiving system that tunes to and services a program guide menu on a monitor, wherein the program guide packet includes still picture advertisement image data packets corresponding to each channel and each broadcast in each channel. Still image reference image data of program And the N-byte program information packet includes a shape or title-shaped program title information and identifier information of at least one still image advertisement image data packet and at least one still image reference image data packet for each broadcast program. And the method comprises: whether the program menu guide service request according to a user's operation is performed when the satellite broadcasting reception system is in a viewing mode with the program guide packet data received and pre-stored in the memory area. First step of checking; If the program menu guide service request is requested, the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel is extracted on the received transport packet stream based on the identifier information of the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel stored in the memory area, and the extracted corresponding still picture is extracted. Restoring the advertisement image data into a displayable signal; Search the memory area to retrieve channel information and program content information, and generate channel information and program content information drawn using graphics as displayable initial menu screen data, and in response to a screen configuration control signal, A third process of mixing corresponding still picture advertisement image data and the generated initial menu screen data to generate and display a whole program screen consisting of a shape program title and content information area of a figure or picture and a still picture advertisement image area; After displaying the entire menu screen for a predetermined time period, it is checked whether all of the plurality of still image reference images previously allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the plurality of still images previously assigned to the selected broadcast program. A fourth process of repeating the second process and the third process until all the images are displayed and continuously displaying the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen; ; A fifth step of checking whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting a broadcast program in the selected channel for a predetermined time during the display of the entire menu screen; As a result of the check in the fifth process, when the change key signal to the other channel is input, the second to fourth processes are repeated, and when the selection key signal of the broadcast program is input, the selected broadcast stored in the memory area. A sixth step of restoring the still picture reference picture data of the selected broadcast program extracted from the received transport stream into a displayable signal by using the identifier information of the still picture reference picture packet of the program; A program title and content information area in the form of a figure or picture and a still image reference picture area of the selected broadcast program by mixing the restored still picture reference image data of the selected broadcast program with channel information and program content information drawn from the memory area; A seventh step of generating and displaying a new full menu screen; After displaying the entire menu screen for a predetermined time period, it is checked whether all of the plurality of still image reference images previously allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the plurality of still images previously assigned to the selected broadcast program. An eighth process of repeating the sixth and seventh processes until all the images are displayed, and continuously displaying the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen; ; A ninth step of checking whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting another broadcast program in the selected channel during a predetermined time during the display of the new full menu screen; As a result of the check in the ninth process, when the change key signal to the other channel is input, the second to fourth processes are repeated, and when the change key signal to the other broadcast program is input, the sixth to A tenth process of repeating the eighth process; And if there is no input for a change to another channel or a change key signal to another broadcast program within the predetermined time, turn off the new whole menu screen being displayed, and automatically switch the satellite broadcasting reception system to a viewing mode. An improved channel information display method in a satellite broadcasting receiver having an eleventh process is provided.

1 is a block diagram of a satellite broadcasting receiving system suitable for applying a method of providing a channel screen of each broadcast together with a general advertisement or a promotional advertisement of a selected program in accordance with the present invention.

2A is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a monitor with a menu screen including channel information and still picture advertisement in a satellite broadcasting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2B is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a monitor with a menu screen including selected broadcast program still image reference image and channel information when selecting a broadcast program of a selected channel on a menu screen according to the present invention;

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen in which text program content information displayed on a monitor and a corresponding still picture advertisement image of a selected channel are mixed according to one embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of shape program content information displayed on a monitor and configured as a menu screen together with a corresponding still image advertisement image or a still image reference image of a selected broadcast program allocated to a selection channel according to another embodiment of the present invention. drawing,

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen in which text program content information displayed on a monitor and a selected broadcast program still image reference image are mixed according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen with character program content information displayed on a monitor according to a conventional method.

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

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 synthesis block

The above and other objects and various advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by those skilled in the art.

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

1 is a block diagram of a satellite broadcasting reception system suitable for applying a method of providing a channel screen of each broadcast together with a general advertisement or a promotional advertisement of a selected program according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the satellite broadcasting receiving system includes a tuner and a demodulation block 102, an MPEG decoding block 104, a video encoding block 106, a control block 108, a memory block 110, and a menu generation block. 112 and image composition block 114.

First, in order to provide the user with improved channel information according to the present invention, an advertisement carrying a plurality of pre-allocated still image advertisement data corresponding to each channel on a transport stream received by the satellite broadcasting receiving system through a satellite receiving antenna. Still picture reference picture packets carrying packets and data for a plurality of still picture reference pictures allocated to the broadcast program of each channel are inserted at predetermined intervals, such as advertisement packet identifier (PID) information and each program identifier. (PID) information is included in the program information packet data having program information of each channel, and the program information packet data carrying the actual broadcast program information is shown as an example, or text program content information as shown in FIG. As a part (CH11, CH12) is shown in Figure 4 as Or carried on the shape program content information in the form of painting.

In addition, in the present invention, each channel has a plurality of still picture advertisement images corresponding thereto, and each broadcast program in each channel has a plurality of still picture reference images. Accordingly, assuming that there are five still picture advertisement images for one channel, the program information packet data having program information of each channel includes five still picture advertisement image packet identifiers (PIDs) assigned to each channel. Assuming that there are five still picture reference pictures for a broadcast program, the program information packet data includes five pre-assigned still picture reference picture packet identifiers (PIDs).

Referring to FIG. 1, in the tuner and demodulation block 102, when the satellite broadcasting reception system is powered on, additional information (ie, channel information, program information, etc.) inserted on a transport stream received through an antenna is extracted. 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 N-bit program representing audio, video, text, etc. of a specific channel. The program information packet data having the program map table (PMT) information of the identifier (PID) information is extracted, and the extracted packet data is converted into an intermediate frequency, demodulated, and error corrected. The reconstruction is then provided to the control block 108 described later through the line L12.

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

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

Further, in tuner and demodulation block 102, an advertisement packet and a reference packet extract signal provided from control block 108 via line L11, i.e., a still advertisement packet delimiter, when the user requests a program guide service while watching satellite television. Still picture advertisement video packets carrying a plurality of still picture advertisement video data inserted on a transport stream at predetermined time intervals based on (PID) information and still picture reference packet identifier (PID) information, and still picture of a selected broadcast program of a specific channel. The still picture reference picture packets of the broadcast program carrying the picture are extracted and restored to the original signal. The plurality of still picture advertisement picture data of each reconstructed channel or the still picture reference picture data of the broadcast program are transmitted through an MPEG decoding block (line L13). 104).

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

In addition, when the broadcast channel menu service request signal is input from the outside, the control block 108 stops the still advertisement video packet data corresponding to the specific channel selected by the tuner and the demodulation block 102 and the specific broadcast program of the selected channel. In order to extract the reference image packet data, the advertisement packet identifier (PID) information and the reference image packet identifier (PID) information in the program information of the specific channel (that is, the selected channel) previously stored in the memory block 110 are extracted and the lines are extracted. It passes to the tuner and demodulation block 102 via L11. Here, the selected specific channel may be a channel currently being viewed, a channel arbitrarily selected by the user among a plurality of channels, and may be a channel in which a cursor that is movable up, down, left and right according to a user's key operation is located. have.

In this case, the base station transmitting the satellite broadcast signal may insert and transmit specific still image advertisement image data for program guide service for each channel, and change and transmit specific still image advertisement image data previously allocated to each channel at predetermined time intervals. It may be.

Further, 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 content information data of each channel, respectively, to draw the line L17. A screen configuration control signal generated on the line L19 to provide a menu generation block 112 and to mix the extracted still image advertisement image and the program guide menu with each other to form a menu screen. As the control signal, for example, a logic signal having a high or low level can be used.

On the other hand, in the MPEG decoding block 104, the spatial and spatial 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 the line L13. The compressed and encoded 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. Restoring a still picture advertisement video signal of a selected broadcast program or a plurality of still picture reference video signals of a selected broadcast program to an original signal before encoding, wherein the restored digital broadcast video signal, a plurality of still picture advertisement video signals, or a plurality of broadcast program still picture reference video signals Is provided to the next video encoding block 106 via line L15, and is restored. The video signal is provided to an audio signal processor, not shown.

In addition, the video encoding block 106 converts a digital broadcast video signal, a plurality of still picture advertisement video signals, or a plurality of broadcast program still picture reference video signals of a selected channel provided by the MPEG decoding block 104 described above into an NTSC or PAL analog video signal. And then to the image synthesis block 114 via line L16.

On the other hand, in the menu generating block 112, when there is a service request signal, the initial menu screen data using the graphic of the channel information data and the program content information data of each channel provided from the above-described control block 108 via the line L17. (I.e., menu screen data occupying approximately the entire monitor), and converts the generated initial menu screen data into an NTSC or PAL analog signal and provides it to the image synthesizing block 114 via line L18.

On the other hand, the image synthesizing block 114 selects the selected (or tuned) analog satellite broadcasting signal on the line L16 based on the screen configuration control signal having a high or low level provided from the control block 108 via the line L19. The menu screen, which is not shown or is mixed with the still picture advertisement video signal on the line L16 or the still image reference video signal of the broadcast program and the initial menu screen data on the line L18, is transferred to the display side, not shown.

In other words, when the user requests a program guide service, the image synthesis block 114 provides a plurality of still image advertisement video signals of a corresponding channel provided through a line L16 or a plurality of broadcast program still image reference video signals of a selected channel and L18. The initial menu screen data is mixed to generate one complete menu screen, and the generated menu screen is transferred to the display side.

Therefore, on the monitor on the display side, which is not shown, as shown in FIG. 3 as an example, a menu of text program content information and a plurality of still picture advertisement pictures corresponding to a specific channel or a still picture reference picture of a broadcast program of a selected channel are displayed. The shape program contents having a mixed menu screen displayed or having shapes such as figures and pictures (that is, an image that may mean a corresponding program), as shown in FIG. 4 as a part (CH11, CH12) as an example. A menu screen in which the information menu and the still picture advertisement image corresponding to the specific channel or the still image reference image of the broadcast program of the selected channel 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 5.

2 is a diagram illustrating a process of providing, to a monitor, a menu screen including channel information and still picture advertisement or a still image reference image of a broadcast program of a selected channel and channel information in a satellite broadcasting receiver according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart.

First, in order to implement the improved channel information display according to the present invention, the base station for transmitting the satellite broadcast signal is inserted into a plurality of still image advertising image data allocated to each channel for the program guidance service for each channel in the form of a packet and transmitted. And inserts and transmits a plurality of pre-assigned still picture reference images (several still images that can represent the corresponding broadcast program) in the form of a packet in a predetermined time interval. Still image advertisement video data of each channel may be changed and transmitted.

In addition, the channel information packet on the transport stream includes a delimiter for distinguishing the packets of each channel, that is, the shape program title information in letters, figures, and pictures, and the identifier (PID) information of at least one still image advertisement video data packet. The program information packet having information on a broadcast program of each channel includes packet identifier (PID) information of still reference reference image data of at least one broadcast program corresponding to each broadcast program of the corresponding channel.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a user is watching satellite television in a state where program guide packet data, that is, channel information data and program guide information data for each channel are previously stored in the memory block 110 of FIG. 1 (step 202) It is checked whether there is a program menu guide service request (step 204).

In this case, the program content information received and stored in the memory block 110 may be character program content information, as shown in FIG. 3, and as shown in FIG. It may also be shape program content information (ie, an image that may mean a corresponding program).

As a result of the check in the step 204, if it is determined that there is a request for program menu guidance service from the outside, the control block 108 of FIG. 1 searches for program information data previously stored in the memory block 110 and selects a selected channel. The identifier (PID) of the corresponding advertisement packet data is fetched, and the retrieved corresponding advertisement packet identifier (PID) is passed to the tuner and demodulation block 102 via the line L11.

In this case, the selected specific channel may be a channel currently being viewed, a channel arbitrarily selected by a user among a plurality of channels, and may be a channel in which a cursor that is movable up, down, left and right according to a user's key operation is located. .

Next, the tuner and demodulation block 102 extract only the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel on the received packet stream based on the corresponding still picture advertisement packet identifier (PID) information of the selection channel provided from the control block 108, Demodulation and error correction are performed on the extracted corresponding still picture advertisement packet data to switch to the encoded transport stream. At this time, the tuner and demodulation block 102 temporarily stops tuning of the channel currently being viewed. Then, the transport stream for the still-advertised commercial video converted as described above is restored to the original signal before encoding through the MPEG decoding block 104 and the video encoding block 106, and converted into an NTSC or PAL analog video signal (step 206).

Meanwhile, the control block 108 extracts the program guide information previously stored in the memory block 110, that is, the channel information and the program information, simultaneously with the extraction of the corresponding still picture advertisement packet for the selected channel as described above. The menu generating block 112 converts the channel information and program content information into initial menu screen data (ie, menu screen data occupying the entire monitor) by using a graphic. The generated initial menu screen data is converted into an NTSC or PAL analog signal (step 208).

In this case, each program content information in the channel includes a variety of information such as the title, program type, rating, start time, broadcast time, pay-for-air broadcasting, etc. Information about each program title is a character information or It can include text + shape information.

Next, in step 210, the corresponding still picture advertisement video signal for the selected channel extracted and reconstructed on the transport packet stream and the generated initial menu screen data are mixed and then provided on the monitor on the display side. Thus, on the monitor, as shown in FIG. 3 as an example, a menu screen in which the text program content information and the still image advertisement image of the selected channel is mixed is displayed, or only a part (CH11, CH12) is shown in FIG. 4 as an example. As described above, a menu screen in which the shape program content information and the still image advertisement image of the selected channel is mixed will be displayed (step 212).

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, generating a menu screen by mixing the corresponding still picture advertisement image of the selected channel extracted from the transport packet stream and the initial menu screen data, for example, for each of the moving picture advertisement image and the initial screen data, respectively. This can be achieved by performing 2: 1 subsampling for each horizontal line and sequentially switching the outputs of the two signals through control pulses that divide one horizontal line into two.

Of course, by adjusting the sampling rate of the corresponding still picture advertisement image of the selected channel and the sampling rate of the initial menu screen data, the program content information portion displayed on the monitor may be made larger or the corresponding moving image advertisement image portion may be made larger. That is, the size of the menu screen can be adjusted by setting the sampling ratio of the initial menu screen data to 3: 1, the sampling ratio of the corresponding purifying advertisement image of the selected channel to 3: 2, or the respective sampling ratios to the opposite.

In addition, unlike the above, if the monitor is provided with two scanning devices, the screen is divided into two, and each of the horizontal lines for each of the still image advertising image and the initial screen data is subjected to 2: 1 subsampling, and then a separate signal is obtained. It may be realized by scanning two signals transmitted to each scanning device through the processing path, respectively, on each divided screen.

Next, in step 214, it is checked whether or not the present display time t for the still image advertising image pre-assigned to the selected channel in the menu screen on the monitor has reached a preset time L, which time is yes. For example, it can be set to 1 second, 2 seconds, or the like.

As a result of the check in the step 214, if it is determined that the still picture advertisement image assigned to the selected channel currently being displayed on the menu screen is displayed for a predetermined time, the control block 108 displays the selected channel until now. It is checked whether P representing the number of still image advertisement images has reached the preset number of still image advertisement images m for the channel (step 216).

Meanwhile, as a result of the check in step 216, it is determined that P = m is not different, that is, all five still image advertisement images are not displayed until now, assuming that five different still image advertisement images are allocated to the selected channel. If not, the process returns to step 206 described above and repeats the subsequent process, whereby the display of the next still picture advertisement image will be executed.

Next, as described above, when the menu screen in which the character or shape program content information and the corresponding still picture advertisement image of the selected channel is displayed on the monitor according to the program menu screen service request from the user, the control block 108 ) Selects a specific broadcast program of another channel or selected channel, for example, switches the cursor located on the currently selected channel (eg CH11) to another channel (eg CH12) (step 218), or It is checked whether or not a specific broadcast program in the selection channel is selected (for example, the Chawon Won Jurassic Park program is selected diagonally in CH11 of FIG. 5) (step 220).

If it is determined in step 218 that another channel is selected by the user, the process returns to step 206 described above and repeats the subsequent steps. During a predetermined time period (for example, 5 seconds, 8 seconds, etc.), that is, in step 222, it is checked whether the channel is changed or the broadcast program is selected in the selected channel within the predetermined time. If it is determined that there is no channel change or selection of a broadcast program of the selected channel, the process proceeds to step 236 of FIG. 2B to be described later, the menu screen currently being displayed is turned off, and the satellite broadcasting receiving system is automatically switched to the viewing mode.

That is, if there is no change to another channel or broadcast program selection in the selected channel after the request for the program guidance of the user, a menu screen in which each still image image and text or shape program content information assigned to the selected channel is mixed is displayed on the monitor. It is displayed for a predetermined time, and after a predetermined time, the satellite broadcasting receiving system turns off the menu screen and automatically switches to the viewing mode.

On the other hand, if the check result in step 220 determines that the user has selected any one of a plurality of broadcast programs in the currently selected channel (for example, Jurassic Park of CH11 shown in Fig. 5), the process is performed. Proceeding to step 224 of FIG. 2B.

At this time, switching to another channel or selection of another broadcast program may be realized by, for example, moving the cursor on the menu screen to the position of the target channel or target broadcast program to be switched.

Next, in step 224, when any one of a plurality of broadcast programs in the current selection channel (e.g., Jurassic Park of CH11 shown in Fig. 5) is selected by the user, the memory block 110 is selected. The program information data of the pre-stored selected channel is searched and the identifiers (PIDs) of a plurality of still reference image packet data of the selected specific broadcast program are extracted and transmitted to the tuner and the demodulation block 102 through the line L11.

Accordingly, in steps 226 to 228, as in steps 206 to 210 described above, the character or shape program content information and a plurality of still picture reference images for the selected broadcast program in the selected channel (the corresponding broadcast). A menu screen, which is a mixture of several still images that can represent a program, is generated and then provided on a monitor on the display side. As a result, on the monitor, as shown in FIG. 5 as an example, a menu screen in which the character program content information and the still image reference image of the selected broadcast program is mixed is displayed, or only a part (CH11, CH12) is shown in FIG. 4 as an example. As described above, a menu screen in which the shape program content information and the still image reference image of the selected broadcast program is mixed will be displayed (step 230).

At this time, the menu screen in which the text or shape program content information displayed on the monitor and the still image reference image of the selected broadcast program is mixed, as described above, the menu in which the text or shape program content information and the corresponding still image advertisement image of the selected channel are mixed. The display can be displayed on a monitor by the same method as that of displaying a screen (ie, 2: 1 subsampling, 3: 1 subsampling, etc.).

Next, in step 232, it is checked whether or not the current display time t for the still image reference picture of the selected broadcast program in the menu screen on the monitor has reached a preset time L. , 1 second, 2 seconds can be set.

As a result of the check in step 232, if it is determined that the selected broadcast program still image reference image currently displayed on the menu screen is displayed for a predetermined time, the control block 108 displays the still image displayed so far for the selected broadcast program. It is checked whether P representing the number of reference pictures has reached the still picture reference picture number m previously assigned to the selected broadcast program (step 234).

On the other hand, when the result of the check in the step 234, it is determined that P = m is not, that is, five different still picture reference images that can be represented for the selected broadcast program has been assigned to five still pictures to date If it is determined that all of the images are not displayed, the process returns to step 224 described above and repeats the subsequent process, whereby the display of the next still image reference image will be executed.

Next, in step 236, when the program menu screen service is provided as described above, a menu screen on which a character or shape program content information and a still image reference image of the selected broadcast program is mixed is displayed on the monitor according to the user's broadcast program selection. When the other selection key signal is input, i.e., whether or not the user selects another channel or another broadcast program in the selection channel. It is automatically performed for a time (e.g., 5 seconds, 8 seconds, etc.) (step 238).

At this time, switching to another channel or selection of another broadcast program may be realized by, for example, moving the cursor on the menu screen to the position of the target channel or target broadcast program to be switched.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the other selection key signal is input within the predetermined time as a result of the check in step 236, the process proceeds to the corresponding step, i.e., when the key signal for channel switching is input, the process is described above. Returning to step 206, the subsequent process is repeated, and when a key signal for selecting another broadcast program in the currently selected channel is input, the process returns to step 224 described above and repeats the same process thereafter. Will be performed.

On the other hand, if the result of the check in step 236 determines that another channel or another broadcast program in the selected channel is not selected within a predetermined time period, the process proceeds to step 240, and in step 240, the monitor The menu screen currently displayed on the screen is turned off, and the satellite broadcasting reception system is switched to the viewing mode. Thus, on the monitor, the broadcast program of the channel that was first watched will be displayed.

As described above, whenever a user requests the guidance of a broadcast program, the satellite broadcasting receiver provides a specific still image advertisement image previously assigned to a selected channel along with text or shape program content information on a menu screen displayed on the monitor. In addition, when the user selects a specific broadcast program in the selected channel on the menu screen, monitors a menu screen in which a plurality of pre-assigned still image reference images of the selected broadcast program and text or shape program content information that can represent the selected specific broadcast program are represented. By providing the award, it is possible to diversify the program guide service as well as obtain a natural and effective general advertisement and promotion (ie, advertisement) of each broadcast program.

Claims (14)

Receive a program guide packet including N-byte channel information packets of channel information transmitted from satellites and N-byte program information packets of program content information of each channel, and N-byte program service data packets of broadcast program data. Restores to the transport stream through demodulation and error correction, stores the restored program guide packet data in a memory area, tunes to a specific channel based on the stored program guide data, and services a program guide menu on the monitor. In the method for displaying channel information in the broadcast receiving system, The program guide packet includes still picture advertisement video data packets corresponding to each channel and still picture reference video data packets of each broadcast program in each channel, and the N-byte program information packet includes character program title information and at least one A delimiter information of a still picture advertisement picture data packet and at least one still picture reference picture data packet for each broadcast program; The method is: A first step of checking whether there is a program menu guidance service request according to a user's operation when the satellite broadcasting reception system is in a viewing mode while the program guide packet data is received and pre-stored in the memory area; If the program menu guide service request is requested, the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel is extracted on the received transport packet stream based on the identifier information of the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel stored in the memory area, and the extracted corresponding still picture is extracted. Restoring the advertisement image data into a displayable signal; Search the memory area to retrieve channel information and program content information, and generate channel information and program content information drawn using graphics as displayable initial menu screen data, and in response to a screen configuration control signal, A third step of mixing the corresponding still image commercial image data with the generated initial menu screen data to generate and display a whole menu screen including a character program title and content information area and a still image image; After displaying the entire menu screen for a predetermined time period, it is checked whether all of the plurality of still image reference images previously allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the plurality of still images previously assigned to the selected broadcast program. A fourth process of repeating the second process and the third process until all the images are displayed and continuously displaying the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen; ; A fifth step of checking whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting a broadcast program in the selected channel for a predetermined time during the display of the entire menu screen; As a result of the check in the fifth process, when the change key signal to the other channel is input, the second to fourth processes are repeated, and when the selection key signal of the broadcast program is input, the selected broadcast stored in the memory area. A sixth step of restoring the still picture reference picture data of the selected broadcast program extracted from the received transport stream into a displayable signal by using the identifier information of the still picture reference picture packet of the program; A new full menu screen including a character program title and content information area and a still picture reference picture area of the selected broadcast program is mixed by mixing the restored still picture reference picture data of the selected broadcast program with channel information and program content information drawn from the memory area. A seventh process of generating and displaying; After displaying the entire menu screen for a predetermined time period, it is checked whether all of the plurality of still image reference images previously allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the plurality of still images previously assigned to the selected broadcast program. An eighth process of repeating the sixth and seventh processes until all the images are displayed, and continuously displaying the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen; ; A ninth step of checking whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting another broadcast program in the selected channel during a predetermined time during the display of the new full menu screen; As a result of the check in the ninth process, when the change key signal to the other channel is input, the second to fourth processes are repeated, and when the change key signal to the other broadcast program is input, the sixth to A tenth process of repeating the eighth process; And If there is no input for the change to the other channel or the change key signal to another broadcast program within the predetermined time, the new whole menu screen being displayed is turned off, and the satellite broadcasting receiving system is automatically switched to the viewing mode. An improved channel information display method in a satellite broadcasting receiver comprising the eleventh process. The method of claim 1, wherein the second process further comprises converting the extracted corresponding still image commercial image data into an NTSC or PAL analog signal, and wherein the third process comprises converting the initial menu screen data into NTSC or PAL. An improved channel information display method in a satellite broadcasting receiver further comprising the step of converting to an analog signal. The method of claim 1, wherein the third process comprises: subsampling the restored corresponding still image commercial image data and horizontal line data of the initial menu screen data at a predetermined predetermined sampling rate by using a sampling technique, Improved channel information display method in a satellite broadcasting receiver, characterized in that to generate the full menu screen by mixing the two data. 4. The improved channel information display method according to claim 3, wherein the sampling ratios of the restored corresponding still picture advertisement image data and the initial menu screen data are 2: 1, respectively. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitor has two injection devices, In the third process, the screen of the monitor is divided into two, and each of the restored corresponding still image data and the horizontal line data of the initial menu screen data are subsampled at a sampling ratio of 2: 1 using a sampling technique. And displaying the entire menu screen on the monitor by respectively scanning the two subsampled data on the divided screens through respective corresponding scanning devices. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is being displayed when there is no change to the other channel or an input of another broadcast program selection key signal in the selection channel for the predetermined time period as a result of the check in the fifth process. And turning off the entire menu screen and automatically switching the satellite broadcasting receiving system to a viewing mode. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitor has two injection devices, In the seventh process, the screen of the monitor is divided into two, and the moving picture reference image data of the reconstructed selected broadcast program and the horizontal line data of the channel information and program content information are sampled at a sampling ratio of 2: 1 using a sampling technique. And sub-sampling each of the two sub-sampled data on respective screens divided by corresponding scanning devices to display the new full menu screen on the monitor. How to display channel information. Receive a program guide packet including N-byte channel information packets of channel information transmitted from satellites and N-byte program information packets of program content information of each channel, and N-byte program service data packets of broadcast program data. Restores to the transport stream through demodulation and error correction, stores the restored program guide packet data in a memory area, tunes to a specific channel based on the stored program guide data, and services a program guide menu on the monitor. In the method for displaying channel information in the broadcast receiving system, The program guide packet includes still picture advertisement video data packets corresponding to each channel and still picture reference video data packets of each broadcast program in each channel, and the N-byte program information packet is a shape or title of a program. Information and identifier information of at least one still image advertisement image data packet and at least one still image reference image data packet for each broadcast program. The method is: A first step of checking whether there is a program menu guidance service request according to a user's operation when the satellite broadcasting reception system is in a viewing mode while the program guide packet data is received and pre-stored in the memory area; If the program menu guide service request is requested, the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel is extracted on the received transport packet stream based on the identifier information of the corresponding still picture advertisement packet of the selected channel stored in the memory area, and the extracted corresponding still picture is extracted. Restoring the advertisement image data into a displayable signal; Search the memory area to retrieve channel information and program content information, and generate channel information and program content information drawn using graphics as displayable initial menu screen data, and in response to a screen configuration control signal, A third process of mixing corresponding still picture advertisement image data and the generated initial menu screen data to generate and display a whole program screen consisting of a shape program title and content information area of a figure or picture and a still picture advertisement image area; After displaying the entire menu screen for a predetermined time period, it is checked whether all of the plurality of still image reference images previously allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the plurality of still images previously assigned to the selected broadcast program. A fourth process of repeating the second process and the third process until all the images are displayed and continuously displaying the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen; ; A fifth step of checking whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting a broadcast program in the selected channel for a predetermined time during the display of the entire menu screen; As a result of the check in the fifth process, when the change key signal to the other channel is input, the second to fourth processes are repeated, and when the selection key signal of the broadcast program is input, the selected broadcast stored in the memory area. A sixth step of restoring the still picture reference picture data of the selected broadcast program extracted from the received transport stream into a displayable signal by using the identifier information of the still picture reference picture packet of the program; A program title and content information area in the form of a figure or picture and a still image reference picture area of the selected broadcast program by mixing the restored still picture reference image data of the selected broadcast program with channel information and program content information drawn from the memory area; A seventh step of generating and displaying a new full menu screen; After displaying the entire menu screen for a predetermined time period, it is checked whether all of the plurality of still image reference images previously allocated to the selected broadcast program are displayed, and the plurality of still images previously assigned to the selected broadcast program. An eighth process of repeating the sixth and seventh processes until all the images are displayed, and continuously displaying the next still image reference image allocated to the selected broadcast program as an advertisement image region of the entire menu screen; ; A ninth step of checking whether a key signal is input for changing to another channel or selecting another broadcast program in the selected channel during a predetermined time during the display of the new full menu screen; As a result of the check in the ninth process, when the change key signal to the other channel is input, the second to fourth processes are repeated, and when the change key signal to the other broadcast program is input, the sixth to A tenth process of repeating the eighth process; And If there is no input for the change to the other channel or the change key signal to another broadcast program within the predetermined time, the new whole menu screen being displayed is turned off, and the satellite broadcasting receiving system is automatically switched to the viewing mode. An improved channel information display method in a satellite broadcasting receiver comprising the eleventh process. The method of claim 8, wherein the second process further comprises converting the extracted corresponding still image commercial image data into an NTSC or PAL analog signal, and wherein the third process comprises converting the initial menu screen data into NTSC or PAL. An improved channel information display method in a satellite broadcasting receiver further comprising the step of converting to an analog signal. The method of claim 8, wherein the third process comprises: subsampling the restored corresponding still image commercial image data and horizontal line data of the initial menu screen data at a predetermined predetermined sampling rate by using a sampling technique, Improved channel information display method in a satellite broadcasting receiver, characterized in that to generate the full menu screen by mixing the two data. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sampling ratios of the restored corresponding still picture advertisement video data and the initial menu screen data are 2: 1, respectively. 9. The monitor of claim 8, wherein the monitor comprises two injection devices, In the third process, the screen of the monitor is divided into two, and each of the restored corresponding still image data and the horizontal line data of the initial menu screen data are subsampled at a sampling ratio of 2: 1 using a sampling technique. And displaying the entire menu screen on the monitor by respectively scanning the two subsampled data on the divided screens through respective corresponding scanning devices. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises: when the change in the other channel or the input of another broadcast program selection key signal in the selection channel is absent for the predetermined time, as a result of the check in the fifth process. And turning off the entire menu screen and automatically switching the satellite broadcasting receiving system to a viewing mode. The method of claim 8, wherein the seventh process further comprises converting the still picture reference image data of the extracted selected broadcast program, the channel information and the program content information data into an NTSC or PAL analog signal. An Improved Method of Displaying Channel Information in Satellite Broadcast Receivers.