KR20080017799A - Mobile telecommunication terminal and method of searching broadcasting program information by condition - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile terminal having a broadcast program information search function is provided to allow a user to conveniently input search conditions by using a search condition list. A memory(110) stores broadcast program information received from a broadcast management server. An input unit(120) receives conditions for searching certain broadcast program information. A controller(130) searches the broadcast program information corresponding to the received searching conditions from the memory(110). A display unit(140) displays the searched program information. The broadcast program information is at least one of an EPG(Electronic Program Guide) and an ESG(Electronic Service Guide). When at least one searching condition is selected from a search condition list displayed on the display unit(140), the input unit(120) receives the selected search condition.

Description

A mobile communication terminal having a broadcast program information search function according to a condition and a method thereof {Mobile Telecommunication Terminal and Method of Searching Broadcasting Program Information by Condition}

1 is a configuration diagram of a mobile communication terminal having a conditional broadcast program information search function according to the present invention;

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for retrieving broadcast program information for each condition of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a diagram for searching and displaying broadcast program information using a search condition list according to the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of searching for and displaying broadcast program information using a search word input from a user according to the present invention; FIG.

4A is a diagram for searching and displaying broadcast program information using a search condition list while viewing a broadcast program according to the present invention;

4B illustrates another embodiment of searching for and displaying broadcast program information using a search word input from a user while watching a broadcast program according to the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a diagram for searching and displaying broadcast program information using a preset search condition while watching a broadcast program according to the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 5B is another embodiment of searching and displaying broadcast program information by using a preset search condition while watching a broadcast program according to the present invention; FIG.

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal having a conditional broadcast program information retrieval function and a method thereof.

In providing a broadcast program information to a user, a mobile communication terminal according to the related art provides broadcast program information for a broadcast program that is currently or next broadcasted, or provides a broadcast program schedule for each channel.

For example, when the user is currently watching a broadcast program, the mobile communication terminal can provide only the broadcast program information for the broadcast program currently or next to the user. Therefore, in order to obtain more various broadcast program information, the user has no choice but to terminate the broadcast program currently being viewed and receive desired broadcast program information through a broadcast program schedule for each channel.

On the other hand, if the user is not currently watching a broadcast program, the user can obtain various broadcast program information at any time through the broadcast program schedule for each channel.

However, according to the conventional technology described above, in order to select the desired broadcast program information, a plurality of key inputs have to be inconvenient.

In addition, according to the conventional technology described above, when viewing a broadcast program, broadcast program information that can be provided is very limited. Therefore, the user may be inconvenient to end the broadcasting program currently being viewed in order to receive the desired broadcasting program information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a mobile communication terminal and a method thereof capable of providing a user with broadcast program information corresponding to a predetermined search condition regardless of whether he or she is currently watching a broadcast program. Its purpose is to.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication terminal and a method thereof, by which a search condition can be selected by a simple key operation.

In order to achieve the above object, a mobile communication terminal having a conditional broadcast program information search function according to the present invention includes a memory for storing broadcast program information received from a broadcast management server, and for searching for predetermined broadcast program information. And an input unit for receiving a condition (hereinafter referred to as a 'search condition'), a controller for searching for broadcast program information corresponding to the received search condition from the memory, and a display unit for displaying broadcast program information searched by the controller.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object, the conditional broadcast program information search method of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, the step of storing the broadcast program information received from the broadcast management server, and searching for the predetermined broadcast program information Receiving a condition (hereinafter, referred to as a 'search condition'), searching for broadcast program information corresponding to the received search condition, and displaying the searched broadcast program information.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the detailed description thereof will be omitted for the known technology which is considered to blur the gist of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile communication terminal having a conditional broadcast program information search function according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication terminal includes a memory 110, an input unit 120, a controller 130, and a display unit 140.

The memory 110 stores all data input and output to the mobile communication terminal and various programs necessary for the operation of the mobile communication terminal.

In particular, in the present invention, the memory 110 stores the broadcast program information received from the broadcast management server.

In general, a mobile communication terminal having a broadcast reception function may receive not only a desired broadcast program from the broadcast management server but also information about all broadcast programs that can be received. Here, the broadcast management server refers to a server that provides a broadcast program and various information related thereto to a mobile communication terminal through a broadcast network.

Here, the broadcast program is provided as a digital broadcast program by a digital broadcast system such as digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), or media forward only link (FLO). Therefore, the mobile communication terminal must separately include a broadcasting module (not shown) for receiving a broadcast program.

The broadcast program information is information for guiding a broadcast program provided by each channel, and includes at least one of information about a channel, information about a broadcast program, and time information about each broadcast program.

The broadcast program information includes broadcast information provided by at least one of an electronic program guide (EPG) and an electronic service guide (ESG). In addition, the broadcast information is not limited to the EPG or ESG, and may include all types of information for guiding a broadcast program.

Here, the EPG is a kind of additional channel service of DMB based on a technical standard for broadcast service of a mobile mobile terminal. In addition, the ESG is a kind of additional channel service of DVB.

In particular, in the present invention, the memory 110 stores a list of search conditions composed of a plurality of search conditions for searching for broadcast program information.

For example, the memory 110 may store a search condition list including 'genre', 'channel information', 'time information', and 'viewing age information'. Alternatively, the memory 110 may store a search condition list including 'sports', 'talk show', 'drama', 'news', 'culture / education', etc. as search conditions constituting the 'genre'. . In addition, the memory 110 may store a search condition list including all channels provided to the mobile communication terminal as search conditions for configuring 'channel-specific information'. Alternatively, the memory 110 is a search condition for constituting 'time information', and includes' broadcasting program currently watching ',' broadcasting program currently broadcasting in all channels', and 'broadcasting program to be broadcast in all channels in the next time period. You can save a list of search conditions consisting of '. In addition, the memory 110 is a search condition that constitutes 'viewing age-specific information,' and includes 'viewers over 12 years old', 'viewers over 15 years old', 'viewers over 19 years old', 'viewers of all ages' You can save the list of search conditions.

In this case, the search condition to be included in the search condition list may be set in advance in the mobile communication terminal or may be set by a user.

The input unit 120 receives predetermined data or generates a predetermined signal corresponding to the input operation from the user.

In particular, in the present invention, the input unit 120 receives a condition (hereinafter, 'search condition') for searching for predetermined broadcast program information.

First, referring to FIGS. 3A and 4A, when at least one search condition is selected from a search condition list, a case in which the selected search condition is received will be described.

3A illustrates a case where a broadcast program is not watched through a mobile communication terminal.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a search condition list including 'genre', 'channel information', 'hourly information', and 'viewing age information' is displayed through the first screen (310). When the 'genre' is selected by the user, the second screen searches for 'sports', 'talk show', 'drama', 'news', and 'culture / education' which are search conditions constituting the 'genre'. The condition list is displayed (320). As a desired search condition is selected among the search conditions displayed on the second screen by the user, the input unit 120 receives a predetermined search condition.

4A illustrates a case of watching a broadcast program through a mobile communication terminal. At this time, the mobile communication terminal displays the broadcast program being viewed in a part of the screen and the search condition or the searched broadcast program information in another part of the screen through the display unit 140.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the broadcast program being viewed is displayed in the first area 412, and 'genre', 'channel information', 'hourly information', and 'viewing age information' are displayed in the second area 414. A list of search conditions composed of 'is displayed (410). When the 'genre' is selected by the user, 'sports', 'talk show', which are search conditions constituting the broadcast program being watched in the first area 422 and the 'genre' in the second area 424, A list of search conditions consisting of 'drama', 'news', and 'culture / education' is displayed (420). As a desired search condition is selected among the search conditions displayed in the second area 424 by the user, the input unit 120 receives a predetermined search condition.

Next, a case in which a search word input from a user is input as a search condition will be described with reference to FIGS. 3B and 4B.

3B illustrates a case where the broadcast program is not watched through the mobile communication terminal.

As shown in FIG. 3B, a search word input window is displayed through the first screen (340). When the search term 'sport' is input by the user (350), the input unit 120 receives the input 'sport' as a search condition.

4B shows a case of watching a broadcast program through a mobile communication terminal. In this case, the mobile communication terminal displays the broadcast program being viewed in a part of the screen and the search word or searched broadcast program information in another part of the screen through the display unit 140.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the broadcast program being viewed is displayed in the first area 442, and a search word input window is displayed in the second area 444 (440). When the user inputs 'sports', the broadcasting program being watched is displayed in the first region 452 and 'sports' which is the input search word is displayed in the second region 454 (450). Accordingly, the input unit 120 receives the search term 'sports' as the search condition.

In particular, in the present invention, the input unit 120 includes a key pad, a jog dial, a jog shuttle, a touch pad, a touch screen. Input means, such as these, are provided. Accordingly, the input unit 120 may more easily receive the search condition through the input means.

The controller 130 controls the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal.

In particular, in the present invention, the controller 130 searches for the broadcast program information corresponding to the received search condition from the memory 110.

For example, when the 'genre' is selected as the search condition, the controller 130 controls the display unit 140 to display the search conditions constituting the 'genre'. When 'sport' is selected among the search conditions constituting 'genre', broadcast program information corresponding to the 'sport' is searched from the memory 110.

In addition, when the search word 'sport' is input from the user, the controller 130 may search for broadcast program information corresponding to the search word 'sport' received from the memory 110.

The display unit 140 displays various information as well as status information of the mobile communication terminal.

In particular, in the present invention, the display unit 140 displays the broadcast program information retrieved by the control unit 130.

First, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a case of not watching a broadcast program through a mobile communication terminal will be described as an example.

3A illustrates a case where a search condition is input using a search condition list.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when 'genre' is selected from among the search conditions displayed on the first screen 310, the display unit 140 may include a second screen including search conditions constituting the 'genre'. 320 is displayed. If 'sport' is selected from among the search conditions constituting 'genre', the display unit 140 is broadcast program information corresponding to 'sport' and includes 'ch 11 Korea: Togo World Cup (22 o'clock), ch' 6 sports news (21:45) 'is displayed (330).

3B illustrates a case where a search term input from a user is used as a search condition.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the display unit 140 displays a search word input window (340). When the search term 'sports' is input from the user (350), the display unit 140 is broadcast program information corresponding to' sports', such as' ch 11 Korea: Togo World Cup (22 o'clock), ch 6 sports news. (21:45) 'is displayed (360).

Next, a case in which a broadcast program is watched through a mobile communication terminal will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this case, the display unit 140 always displays the broadcast program being watched in a partial region of the entire screen (412, 422, 432, 442, 452, 462).

4A illustrates a case where a search condition is input using a search condition list.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the display unit 140 displays a list of search conditions including 'genre', 'channel information', 'hourly information', and 'viewing age information' at the bottom of the entire screen. (414). When the 'genre' is selected by the user, the display unit 140 displays search conditions constituting the 'genre' at the bottom of the entire screen (424). When 'sport' is selected among the search conditions constituting the 'genre', the display unit 140 is broadcast program information corresponding to 'sport' at the bottom of the entire screen. 22:00), ch 6 sports news (21:45) 'is displayed (434).

4B illustrates a case where a search term input from a user is used as a search condition.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the display unit 140 displays a search word input window at the bottom of the entire screen (444). When the search term 'sport' is input from the user (454), the display unit 140 is broadcast program information corresponding to 'sport' at the bottom of the entire screen. ch 6 sports news (21:45) 'is displayed (464).

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the display condition of the search condition and the searched broadcast program information may be displayed at the bottom of the entire screen as well as in any part of the entire screen.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a search condition is input before viewing a broadcast program, and a search and display of broadcast program information corresponding to the input search condition while viewing the broadcast program will be described.

5A illustrates a case where a search condition is input using a search condition list.

When the search condition input before viewing the broadcast program is 'sport', the display unit 140 displays a search condition list at the bottom of the entire screen, and indicates that the search condition 'sport' is set in advance. (514). The display unit 140 displays broadcast program information corresponding to 'sports' at the bottom of the entire screen (524).

5B illustrates a case where a search term input from a user is used as a search condition.

When the search word input before viewing the broadcast program is 'sports', the display unit 140 displays the search word 'sports' (534). In addition, the display unit 140 displays broadcast program information corresponding to the received search word 'sports' (544).

Referring to Figure 2, it will be described in detail the broadcast program information search method for each condition of the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, it will be described on the assumption that the mobile communication terminal has the components as shown in FIG.

The mobile communication terminal receives broadcast program information from a broadcast management server (S210).

In general, a mobile communication terminal having a broadcast reception function may receive not only a desired broadcast program from the broadcast management server but also information about all broadcast programs that can be received.

The broadcast program information includes broadcast information provided by at least one of an electronic program guide (EPG) and an electronic service guide (ESG). In addition, the broadcast information is not limited to the EPG or ESG, and may include all types of information for guiding a broadcast program.

The memory 110 stores broadcast program information received from the broadcast management server (S220).

The input unit 120 receives a condition (hereinafter, 'search condition') for searching for predetermined broadcast program information (S230).

For example, the input unit 120 receives the selected search condition as at least one search condition is selected from a search condition list including a plurality of search conditions. The description thereof is as described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 4A.

In addition, as a predetermined word is input from the user, the input unit 120 receives the input word as the search condition. The description thereof has been described above with reference to FIGS. 3B and 4B.

The controller 130 searches for the broadcast program information corresponding to the received search condition from the memory 110 (S240).

For example, when the 'genre' is selected, the controller 130 controls the display unit 140 to display the search conditions constituting the 'genre', and, among the search conditions constituting the 'genre', Sports' is selected, the broadcast program information corresponding to the 'sports' is searched from the memory 110.

In addition, when the search word 'sport' is input from the user, the controller 130 may search for broadcast program information corresponding to the 'sport' from the memory 110.

In addition, the controller 130 determines whether a user is currently watching a broadcast program (S250).

If it is determined that the user is not watching, the display unit 140 displays the retrieved broadcast program information (S260).

In this regard, since it has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 3a and 3b, the description thereof will be omitted below.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the viewing result is watching, the controller 130 divides the screen displayed through the display unit 140 into a plurality of regions (S270).

In addition, the display unit 130 displays the broadcast program currently being viewed in a partial region of the divided screens and the searched broadcast program information in the other partial region (S280).

In this regard, since it has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 4a and 4b, the description will be omitted below.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to provide a user with broadcast program information corresponding to a predetermined search condition regardless of whether he is currently watching a broadcast program.

Further, according to the present invention described above, since the search condition can be conveniently input using the search condition list, the trouble of the key operation for inputting the search condition is eliminated.

In addition, according to the present invention described above, even when watching a broadcast program, various broadcast program information can be provided.

Claims (10)

A memory for storing broadcast program information received from the broadcast management server; An input unit for receiving a condition for searching for predetermined broadcast program information (hereinafter, 'search condition'); A controller configured to search for broadcast program information corresponding to the received search condition from the memory; And And a display unit for displaying broadcast program information retrieved by the controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast program information, A mobile communication terminal having a conditional broadcast program information search function, characterized in that the broadcast program information by at least one of an electronic program guide (Electronic Program Guide) and an electronic service guide (Electronic Service Guide). The method of claim 1, wherein the input unit, And at least one search condition is selected from a list of search conditions displayed through the display, wherein the selected search condition is input. The method of claim 1, wherein the input unit, The mobile communication terminal having a conditional broadcast program information search function, wherein a predetermined word is input from a user, and the word is input as the search condition. The method of claim 1, wherein the display unit, When the current broadcast program is being watched, the mobile program having a conditional broadcast program information search function is displayed, wherein the broadcast program being viewed is displayed on a part of the screen, and the searched program information is displayed on another part of the screen. terminal. Storing broadcast program information received from the broadcast management server; Receiving a condition for searching for predetermined broadcast program information (hereinafter, 'search condition'); Searching for broadcast program information corresponding to the received search condition; and And displaying the retrieved broadcast program information according to the condition of the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 6, wherein the broadcast program information, The broadcast program information search method according to the condition of the mobile communication terminal, characterized in that the broadcast program information by at least one of the electronic program guide (Electronic Program Guide) and the electronic service guide (Electronic Service Guide). The method of claim 6, wherein the input step, And receiving the selected search condition as at least one search condition is selected from the search condition list. The method of claim 6, wherein the input step, And a predetermined word is input by a user to receive the input word as the search condition. The method of claim 6, wherein the displaying step, When the current broadcast program is being watched, the broadcast program information searching method according to the condition of the mobile communication terminal, characterized by displaying the broadcast program being viewed in a part area of the screen, and displaying the searched broadcast program information in another part area. .

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