KR20040037615A - Digital TV and controlling of the same method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digital TV and a method for controlling the same are provided to enable a user to select and display a desiring program among viewable programs through a sub-picture, based on the point of time when the user watches the TV. CONSTITUTION: A first tuner(20) selects signals to be displayed on a main-picture among video signals received through an antenna(10). A main-picture processor(70) separates video signals and audio signals from the signals received through the first tuner(20). A video signal processor(80) receives the separated video signals to process the received video signals into displayable signals. An audio signal processor(100) receives the separated audio signals to convert the audio signals into signals capable of being outputted through a speaker(110). A second tuner(30) selects signals to be displayed on a sub-picture. A sub-picture processor(60) processes the signals selected through the second tuner(30) to be displayable on the sub-screen, and transmits the processed signals to the main-picture processor(70). A memory(40) stores user search information. A key input unit(130) is for inputting a user's command. An external signal input unit(120) is for receiving external signals. A controller(50) controls setup information stored in the memory(40) to be displayed on the sub-picture according to the user's command inputted through the key input unit(130). If setup information does not exist in the memory(40), the controller(50) controls a user search function to be displayed on the sub-screen.

Description

Digital TV and controlling of the same method

The present invention relates to TV, and in particular, for TV programs, while watching a program through the main screen, a plurality of programs that the user wants to watch for a predetermined time or a broadcast program to monitor are selected as sub-screen-only programs. And a digital TV and a control method thereof capable of displaying the same.

TV-related technology is rapidly developing quantitatively and qualitatively as TV technology is changed from analog method to satellite broadcasting and digital method.

In particular, in terms of quantity, the number of channels broadcast on TV will increase exponentially by digital method which can operate much more channels than analog.

In general, the PIP function displays a sub-picture in which a video signal is compressed horizontally and vertically on a main picture, wherein the sub-picture and the main screen display images of the same channel. You can display or display an image of a sub screen.

In the existing methods, in order to watch a broadcasting program that a user wants, the Auto Search method that automatically selects and sets all programs from the first band to the last band of the viewable frequency band and the time information viewed by the user These are collected and displayed on the main / second screen through the preferred channel setting method according to the viewing time.

As described above, the TV according to the prior art uses only the auto search method to search for a program desired by a user, or a function that can be searched using a preset favorite channel. There was a problem in that it was difficult to search for a plurality of programs or broadcast programs to be monitored.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, TV and a control method that allows the user to select and display the desired program through the sub-screen from the viewable programs on the basis of the time that the user is watching. The purpose is to provide.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital TV according to the present invention

2A and 2B are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling a digital TV according to the present invention.

3 is a screen showing an embodiment according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

10 antenna 20 first tuner

30: second tuner 40: memory

50: control unit (CPU) 60: sub-screen processing unit

70: main screen processing unit 80: video signal processing unit

90 display unit 100 voice signal processing unit

110: speaker 120: external signal input unit

Digital TV according to the present invention for achieving the above object in the digital TV having a first and second tuner, the main screen processing unit for processing so that the image signal received through the first tuner can be displayed on the main screen And a sub-screen processing unit for processing the video signal received through the second tuner to be displayed on the sub-screen, a memory for storing setting information for displaying the sub-screen, and the memory according to a user's request. And a control unit for controlling the stored setting information to be displayed through the sub-screen, and for displaying a screen for performing a user search function when the setting information stored in the memory does not exist. It is composed of its features.

Digital control method according to the present invention for achieving the above object in the control method of the digital TV with a first tuner, a second tuner, a memory, the user selects a sub-screen-only program for viewing through the sub-screen, Storing the number of selected programs and program list information; if the user selects the sub-screen display, reading the stored sub-screen setting information and displaying the corresponding program on the sub-screen according to the conditions; and according to the user's request. Main / sub switching to display the program displayed through the sub-screen as the main screen, and changing and storing sub-screen information when the user wants to change the information without selecting the sub-screen display. It is characterized by.

Hereinafter, a digital TV according to the present invention and a control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital TV according to the present invention, Figures 2A and 2B is a flow chart showing a control method of a digital TV according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital TV according to the present invention includes a first tuner 20 for tuning a signal to be displayed on a main screen from an image signal received through the antenna 10, and the first tuner 20. Main screen processing unit 70 for separating the signal received through the video and audio signal, and a video signal processing unit for receiving the video signal separated from the main screen processing unit 70 and processes the signal to be displayed on the screen And a voice signal processor 100 for receiving the voice signal separated by the main screen processor 70 and converting the voice signal into a signal output through the speaker 110, and for selecting a signal to be displayed on the sub-screen. A sub-screen processing unit 60 for processing a second tuner 30, a signal selected through the second tuner 30 to be displayed on the sub-screen, and transmitting the sub-screen processing unit 60 to the main screen processing unit 70; Memo to save the information 40, a key input unit 130 for inputting a user request command, an external signal input unit 120 for receiving an external signal, and a memory command according to a user command input through the key input unit 130. Control to display the setting information stored in 40) through the sub-screen, and display a screen for performing a user search function if the setting information stored in the memory 40 does not exist. It consists of the control part 50 which controls.

In the digital TV according to the present invention configured as described above, the program to be viewed through the main screen is set through the first tuner 10, and the program to be viewed through the sub screen is set through the second tuner 30.

When the user sets the sub-screen, the sub-screen processing unit 60 processes the setting information, and the setting information for displaying the sub-screen stored in the memory 40 is read and displayed in the memory 40, and in particular, the sub-screen. If a list of dedicated programs to be broadcasted is not configured, the sub-screen related setting that the user can provide in the system is provided by providing an OSD type user interface for performing a dedicated channel editor or user search function to be broadcasted through the sub-screen. Make this possible.

At this time, the setting information previously stored in the memory 40 is composed of the number of displayable sub-screens, display position, display screen for sub-screen-only program, list of sub-screen-only program, and the like.

Next, as a method of selecting a dedicated subscreen program of the user, a method using a conventional program editor, that is, a program editor set through an existing auto program and a channel editor in OSD form are provided and the subscreen is displayed through the corresponding channel editor. The programs to be watched can be set by marking or flags to enable navigation, or can be selected through a separate sub-screen dedicated program editor.

The controller 50 may receive the corresponding program information through the second tuner 30, and the program information received through the second tuner 30 may be displayed on the sub-screen through the sub-screen processing unit 60. After being processed, the main screen processor 70 is input to the main screen processor 70 to be displayed as a user screen in addition to the main screen transmitted through the first tuner 20.

In addition, in order to switch between the main and sub screens, the user may use indexing for a desired sub screen among one or a plurality of sub screens displayed on the main screen, or the up / down keys on the remote controller 130, for example. After selecting the subscreen and entering the confirmation key, the subscreen is switched to the main screen and all the subscreens are closed.

The control method of the digital TV according to the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. First, it is determined whether a user inputs a desired command through the remote controller (S10).

As a result of the determination (S10), it is determined whether a command is input and whether the input command selects a sub-screen only program (S11).

Subsequently, when the determination result (S11), the sub-screen-only program is selected, the number of programs and the program list information selected by the user are stored in the memory (S12).

On the other hand, if the determination result (S11), the user did not select a sub-screen-only program, it is determined whether or not the sub-screen display is selected (S13).

As a result of the determination (S13), if the sub-screen display is not selected, it is determined whether or not to change the sub-screen information (S14).

As a result of the determination (S14), if the user selects to change the sub-screen information, the setting information is changed and stored in the memory (S15 to S16).

At this time, the setting information to be changed is the number of sub-screens and the display cycle of the sub-screen-only program.

Subsequently, if the subscreen display is selected as the determination result (S13), the subscreen setting information previously stored in the memory is read (S17).

At this time, the setting information is a count, the number of sub-screens, a position, and a program display cycle for the sub-screens.

In operation S18, it is determined whether the program list information to be viewed is valid information from the read sub-screen setting information.

Subsequently, when the determination result (S18), the program list information is valid information, it is determined whether or not a single sub-screen display is selected (S19).

As a result of the determination (S19), when the user selects a single sub-screen display, the sub-screen-only program list information previously stored in the memory is read and displayed through the sub-screens until an external input occurs (S20 to S21).

Subsequently, when the user inputs an external key, it is determined whether a command for closing the subscreen is input (S22 to S23).

As a result of the determination (S23), if the user does not want to close the subscreen, the desired subscreen is selected (S24).

The selected subscreen program is displayed on the main screen, and all subscreens are closed (S25 to S26).

On the other hand, if the determination result (S219), a single sub-screen display is not selected, that is, to display a plurality of sub-screens to determine the number of sub-screens desired by the user (S27).

The corresponding program is displayed on the identified number of sub-screens, and it is determined whether a user external input exists (S28).

As described above, in order to control the TV according to the present invention, in order for the user to select a sub-screen-only program, the sub-screen is displayed in a portion where the user expresses a program editor or other viewable program list provided by the TV system. Select a program to watch through, and the number of the selected program and the program list information is stored in the memory.

Next, when the program list to be viewed through the sub-screen is valid and the user inputs the sub-screen display, the program list information to be watched through the sub-screen is read from the memory and the user's main / sub switching is performed for a predetermined period and time. Alternatively, the program can be simultaneously viewed and monitored by the user by displaying a sub-screen dedicated program according to the set display cycle until an external input such as termination occurs.

That is, it is repeatedly updated in batches according to the number of display of the sub-screen, and as shown in FIG. 3, the desired sub-screen is switched to the main screen through the user's confirmation selection through the user's cursor movement and active display. To be done.

Therefore, the present invention allows the user to select and display desired programs from the sub-screens among the programs viewable by the user based on the current viewing point.

As described above, the digital TV and its control method according to the present invention can more conveniently set and view programs that the user wants to watch or programs that the user wants to monitor at the same time through a sub-screen, thereby improving user satisfaction with the product. It can be effective.

Claims (6)

In a digital TV with a first and a second tuner, A main screen processor configured to process an image signal received through the first tuner to be displayed on a main screen; A sub-screen processing unit which processes the video signal received through the second tuner to be displayed on the sub-screen; A memory for storing setting information for displaying the sub-screen; And, According to a user's request, a screen for controlling the setting information stored in the memory is displayed on the sub screen, and if there is no setting information stored in the memory, a screen for performing a user search function may be displayed on the sub screen. Digital TV comprising a control unit for controlling so that. The method of claim 1, Setting information stored in the memory A digital TV comprising a number of subscreens that can be displayed, a position where a subscreen is displayed, a display cycle for a subscreen-only program, and a list of subscreen-only programs. In the control method of the digital TV with the first and second tuners, memory, Selecting a sub-screen-only program for the user to watch through the sub-screen, and storing the selected program number and program list information; If the user selects a sub-screen display, reading pre-stored sub-screen setting information and displaying the corresponding program on the sub-screen according to a corresponding condition; Main / sub switching to display a program displayed on the sub-screen as a main screen according to a user's request; And, And changing and storing the sub-screen information when the user wants to change information without selecting the sub-screen display. The method of claim 3, wherein Reading the pre-stored sub-screen setting information and displaying the program on the sub-screen according to the conditions Reading previously stored sub-screen setting information; If the read information is valid information and the user selects the display of a single subscreen, displaying a subscreen-only program previously stored in the memory on the subscreen according to a condition; The read information is valid information, and if the user selects a plurality of sub-screens, the step of displaying the sub-screen-only program on the sub-screens as many as the sub-screens selected by the user is performed. Control method. The method of claim 3, wherein Changing and storing the sub screen information A control method of a digital TV, characterized in that the step of changing the number of sub-screen display and the display cycle of the sub-screen dedicated program desired by the user. The method of claim 3, wherein The main / minor switching step Determining whether to close a screen displayed on the sub-screen; Determining whether the sub-screen is to be switched to the main screen when the user wants to close the sub-screen; If the user wants to switch to the main screen as a result of the determination, closing the sub-screen and switching to the main screen.