KR20100073429A - Apparatus and method for channel scanning in set-top-box - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for channel scanning in set-top-box Download PDF

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Publication number
KR20100073429A
KR20100073429A KR1020080132098A KR20080132098A KR20100073429A KR 20100073429 A KR20100073429 A KR 20100073429A KR 1020080132098 A KR1020080132098 A KR 1020080132098A KR 20080132098 A KR20080132098 A KR 20080132098A KR 20100073429 A KR20100073429 A KR 20100073429A
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KR
South Korea
Prior art keywords
channel
scanning data
scanning
data
reproducing
Prior art date
Application number
KR1020080132098A
Other languages
Korean (ko)
Inventor
김철범
Original Assignee
삼성전자주식회사
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Priority to KR1020080132098A priority Critical patent/KR20100073429A/en
Publication of KR20100073429A publication Critical patent/KR20100073429A/en

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532—Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
    • H04N5/50—Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/765—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
    • H04N5/775—Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/76—Television signal recording
    • H04N5/78—Television signal recording using magnetic recording
    • H04N5/781—Television signal recording using magnetic recording on disks or drums

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for channel search in a set-top box, the method for channel search in a set-top box, the step of checking whether there is scanning data generated for each channel, when the channel search request, at least one or more scanning Reproducing and displaying data; and when one of the at least one or more scanning data to be reproduced is selected, changing to a selected channel with reference to control information related to the selected scanning data, and including user's preferred channel information. Based on this, efficient channel search can be performed.

Description

Apparatus and method for channel search in set-top box {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHANNEL SCANNING IN SET-TOP-BOX}

The present invention relates to a set top box, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for channel scanning using a digital video recording (DVR) function of a set top box.

In general, a set-top box is a device configured with a TV receiver to receive various TV image data of multiple channels transmitted through a network or satellite. Receives MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) compressed digital broadcast data transmitted over a network or satellite, decompresses the compressed data, decodes the encoded data, and converts it into a standard National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal. Make it displayable.

These set-top boxes are rapidly increasing as digital TV receivers are increasing and digital broadcasting contents are increasing. In recent years, set-top boxes are not only receiving and decoding digital broadcast data, but also VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) function, home There is a trend that is being developed as a multi-functional set-top box with various additional functions such as network host function.

On the other hand, the set-top box provides a channel scanning (channel scanning) function for quickly grasping the programs of many channels currently being broadcast by the user. Conventional channel search involves checking the program of each channel in order of channel tuning first, then playing the channel and stopping the channel, and referring to the system information (SI) There is a way to express it. The SI contains various pieces of information about a transport stream sent by a broadcaster, and uses this information to decode each channel information and video / audio / teletext.

However, in the prior art, the former channel search method has an advantage of directly identifying a program, but a fast channel search may not be possible due to a delay such as tuning. In the latter case, a quick channel search is possible, but only a limited information such as a text is provided to the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide a channel search apparatus and method using a digital video recorder (DVR) function in a set-top box.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for providing visual channel search information to a user in a set-top box.

According to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention relates to a method for channel search in a set-top box, when selecting a channel, the process of tuning to the corresponding broadcast channel and receiving the broadcast program, the received broadcast The method may include collecting scanning data recorded for a predetermined time from a program for each channel and adding the collected scanning data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention relates to a method for channel search in a set-top box, the process of checking whether there is scanning data generated for each channel when the channel search request, and at least one or more And reproducing and displaying scanning data, and changing to a selected channel with reference to control information related to the selected scanning data when one of the at least one or more scanning data to be reproduced is selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention relates to a device for channel search in a set-top box, and, when a channel is selected, a broadcast receiver for tuning to a corresponding broadcast channel to receive a broadcast program; And a scanning manager which collects the scanning data recorded for a predetermined time from the broadcast program for each channel, and a storage which stores the collected scanning data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention relates to a device for channel search in a set-top box, and, when a channel search request, a scanning management unit for checking whether there is scanning data generated for each channel, and at least one And an output unit for reproducing and displaying the scanning data, and a receiver for changing to a selected channel with reference to control information related to the selected scanning data when one of the at least one or more scanning data to be reproduced is selected. do.

As described above, by performing a channel search using a digital video recorder (DVR) function in the set-top box, an efficient channel search can be performed based on user's preferred channel information.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and may be changed according to the intentions or customs of the user, the operator, and the like. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for channel scanning using a digital video recording (DVR) function in a set top box will be described.

In general, the channel change may be performed based on the user's favorite channel. In addition to DVR functionality, Time-Shift is provided for almost all channels. The time shift function may store a broadcast program on a storage medium (for example, a hard disk drive) for a predetermined time when the user is away from the station and is unable to watch the broadcast, and returns to the seat to continue watching the stored broadcast program. It is a function that enables. To this end, the recording of the broadcast channel starts as soon as the user selects a specific broadcast channel and the recording proceeds until it moves to another channel.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for channel searching using a DVR function and a time-shift function.

1 illustrates an apparatus for channel searching in a set top box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the set-top box includes a broadcast RF receiver 102, a demultiplexer 104, a recording unit 106, a scanning manager 108, a data storage unit 110, a playback unit 112, and an output terminal. And 114.

The broadcast RF receiver 102 tunes a frequency to receive a specific broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast station, demodulates the carrier signal from the received broadcast signal, and restores the original signal. The broadcast RF receiver 102 uses a plurality of tuners to provide a plurality of tuners.

The demultiplexer 104 separates a video signal, an audio signal, and a data stream from the demodulated broadcast signal and outputs the video signal to the recording unit 106 and the scanning manager 108.

The recording unit 106 receives an image signal, an audio signal, and a data stream of the demultiplexer 104 and converts the signal into a signal that can be recorded in the data storage unit 110 and outputs the converted signal. In this case, an image signal, an audio signal, and a data stream are recorded in the data storage unit 110 through each video head and audio head.

When the user selects each channel, the scanning manager 108 generates the image, audio, and data streams of the corresponding channel as scanning data, stores the data in the data storage 110, and collects them to manage channel information. For example, when a channel search request event occurs by a user, scanning data stored in the data storage 110 is provided to the playback unit 112 to be reproduced. The scanning data is data in which video, audio, and data streams of a corresponding broadcasting channel are recorded for a predetermined time, and scanning data is generated for the changed channel whenever the channel is changed by the user. If the user continues to watch one broadcasting channel, the scanning data is periodically generated and updated for the channel.

Meanwhile, when the recording unit 106 operates through the time shift function, the scanning management unit 108 collects the scanning data through the recording unit 106, and if there is no operation of the recording unit 106 ( That is, when the time shift function is deactivated, scanning data may be collected through the buffer of the demultiplexer 104.

The data storage unit 110 stores control information and a program for driving the set top box. In addition to the present invention, an operation program for performing a channel search and various data necessary for the operation of the operation program are stored. For example, scanning data recorded for each broadcasting channel is stored.

The playback unit 112 reads the recorded broadcast data or the scanning data from the data storage unit 110 and provides the output data to the output terminal 114. The output terminal 114 provides a video, audio, and data stream to the TV. After processing the signal to output to the monitor, it is reconstructed into R, G, B signals and output to the monitor.

2 shows a device block diagram of the detailed scanning manager 108.

Referring to FIG. 2, the scanning manager 108 controls the data monitoring unit 200, the data sampling unit 202, the data management unit 204, and the data configuration unit 206 to provide scanning data during channel search. Include.

Referring to FIG. 2, the data monitoring unit 200 monitors whether a broadcast signal is received through a corresponding channel according to a channel selection or channel change event. When the broadcast signal is monitored, the data monitoring unit 200 periodically collects video, audio, and data streams of the broadcast signal when detected by the recording unit 106 or the demultiplexer 104.

The data sampling unit 202 determines a portion to be recorded for a predetermined time in a program broadcast in real time. In the following description, a broadcasting signal recorded for a predetermined time in the real-time broadcasting program is referred to as scanning data.

The scanning data is collected and stored in the data storage 110 as data that can be reproduced for a predetermined time (1 to 2 minutes) based on sequence header information of Motion Picture Experts Groups (MPEG). Data stored in the data storage unit 110 is stored with the data index information together with the scanning data.

The data constructing unit 206 configures the index information through the collected channel information. The index information may be variously defined by each set-top box operator based on the sequence header information of the scanning data. Table 1 below is a table constituting the index information.

Item Explanation Sequence header information Selective storage among picture type (I / P / B), frame size, PTS, etc. Time offset Time offset of the A / V Sequence frame Byte offset Byte offset in A / V data file Validity Validity period of scanning data. Define valid period of data based on channel information such as SI Channel information Selective storage among channel information, PID (Packet Identifier), number and other information as needed

The channel information collected as described above may be managed as a single file or a separate file for each channel according to the state of the set-top box. The channel list collected by the user's channel selection is managed as a scan list and is removed from the list when it expires according to the validity period of each channel item. Each item of the scan list is composed of a channel number, a channel name, a scanning data file name, an expiration date, and the like.

The data manager 204 is a channel of a scan list when the user does not use the set-top box or when there is an idle function in the RF broadcast receiver 102 (for example, when there are idle tuners in an environment where a plurality of tuners are used). You can update the information.

The channel information update function should operate without affecting other functions of the set-top box. Accordingly, during the collection of channel information, when the RF broadcast receiver 102 idle tuner operates or the user selects another channel, the scanning manager 108 immediately switches to the standby state.

The scanning data reproduction may be varied according to the performance of the reproduction unit 112 and the output terminal 114 (see FIG. 5). That is, a function of simultaneously outputting scanning data for multiple channels, outputting through a picture in pictuer (PIP), or adjusting a channel playback speed (2x or 4x) may be added. Importantly, the data manager 204 provides a function for selecting a channel to a user during a channel search operation. Here, when a user selects a channel through a remote controller or the like during channel search, the channel is immediately changed to the corresponding channel by referring to the channel information of the corresponding scanning data.

3 is a flowchart illustrating generating scanning data for channel search in a set-top box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the scanning manager 108 waits for a channel selection input from a user interface while receiving a corresponding broadcast channel in a channel standby state in step 300.

In step 302, when the channel is selected or changed by the user, the data monitoring unit 200 tunes to the selected channel and receives an image, audio, and data stream.

On the other hand, when the channel is not selected in step 302, the data monitoring unit 200 checks whether there is an idle receiver. That is, when a multi tuner is used, a broadcast signal received through another tuner is detected.

If the idle receiver does not exist, the process proceeds to step 300 to maintain the channel standby state. If there is an idle receiver, the process proceeds to step 306 to tune to the channel corresponding to the idle receiver to separate the video, audio, and data streams. Perform demultiplexing

In step 308, if there is no video, audio, or data stream, the data monitoring unit 200 proceeds to step 300 to maintain the channel standby state.

If there is an image, audio, or data stream in step 308, that is, if the image, audio, or data stream is received from the multi-tuner, the data manager 204 proceeds to step 310 to collect channel data.

For example, when a predetermined playback time is determined by the data sampling unit 202, the data management unit 204 manages video, audio, and data streams recorded in the recording unit 106 as scanning data. At this time, the data configuration unit 206 stores the control information necessary for channel search together with the scanning data. (Table 1 and Table 2)

Thereafter, the data manager 204 checks whether the previous scanning data exists in step 312, proceeds to step 314 when there is previous scanning data, updates the scanning data, and proceeds to step 316 when there is no previous scanning data. Add the scanning data.

In operation 318, the data manager 204 operates the timer and allows the timer to operate during the validity period of the scanning data in the scan list.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a channel search in a set top box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the data manager 204 waits for a channel search request through a user interface in step 400, and when there is a channel search request in step 402, the data management unit proceeds to step 404. Check if it is stored at (110).

Thereafter, when there is no scanning data, the data manager 204 waits for a channel search request or performs a corresponding mode operation. The corresponding mode operation is performed according to a conventional channel search procedure.

On the other hand, when there is scanning data, the data manager 204 proceeds to step 406 and transmits the scanning data to the playback unit 112 according to the scan list.

Thereafter, when the user selects at least one channel from the scanning data reproduced in step 410, the data manager 204 changes the channel by referring to the channel information in the index data.

The procedure of the present invention is then terminated.

5 illustrates an example of channel search according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5A, a set top box supporting a mosaic decoding function may be implemented by simultaneously outputting scanning data of a plurality of channels. Channel information and scanning data update time are displayed at the bottom of each screen. In this case, the user may select a channel by directly inputting a channel number through a remote controller.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a method of outputting through a picture in pictuer (PIP) may be implemented in a set-top box supporting decoding of two or more channels. Scanning data is sequentially displayed through the PIP window on the screen currently being viewed by the user. In this case, the user can select a channel through a swap button between main / PIP of the remote controller.

Referring to FIG. 5C, a method of expressing a main screen by adjusting a channel playback speed (2x or 4x) may be implemented in all set top boxes. This method sequentially represents the scanning data through the main screen. At this time, the user adjusts the expression speed of the scanning data through speed control buttons (fast forward, rewind, pause), and channel selection is performed by using a select button on the remote controller.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

1 is a device diagram for channel search in a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a device block diagram of a detailed scanning management unit;

3 is a flowchart for generating scanning data for channel searching in a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart for channel searching in a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is an exemplary view of outputting scanning data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (16)

The method for channel search in a set-top box, Receiving a broadcast program by tuning to a corresponding broadcast channel when selecting a channel; Collecting the scanning data recorded for each predetermined time from the received broadcast program for each channel; Adding the collected scanning data. The method of claim 1, Monitoring the channel selection event. The method of claim 1, Checking the scanning data generation cycle; And updating the scanning data during the scanning data generation period. The method of claim 1, And receiving another broadcast program through an idle tuner in an environment using a plurality of tuners. The method of claim 1, And the validity period of the scanning data is defined. The method for channel search in a set-top box, When requesting a channel search, checking whether there is scanning data generated for each channel, Reproducing and displaying at least one scanning data; And when one of the at least one scanning data to be reproduced is selected, changing to a selected channel with reference to control information related to the selected scanning data. The method of claim 6, And the validity period of the scanning data is defined. The method of claim 6, The process of reproducing and displaying the at least one scanning data may include And reproducing and outputting a plurality of scanning data at the same time, reproducing and outputting at least one scanning data on a screen currently being viewed, or reproducing and outputting the at least one scanning data on a main screen one by one. Device for channel search in set-top box, A broadcast receiver for receiving a broadcast program by tuning to a corresponding broadcast channel when selecting a channel; A scanning manager which collects, by channel, scanning data recorded for a predetermined time from the received broadcast program; And a storage unit for storing the collected scanning data. The method of claim 9, The scanning management unit And monitor the channel selection event. The method of claim 9, The scanning management unit Checking the scanning data generation cycle, And updating the scanning data during the scanning data generation period. The method of claim 9, The broadcast receiver And receiving another broadcast program through an idle tuner in an environment using a plurality of tuners. The method of claim 9, And the validity period of the scanning data is defined. Device for channel search in set-top box, Scanning management unit for checking whether there is scanning data generated for each channel when a channel search request, An output unit for reproducing and displaying at least one scanning data; And a receiver for changing to a selected channel by referring to control information related to the selected scanning data when one of the at least one scanning data to be reproduced is selected. 15. The method of claim 14, And the validity period of the scanning data is defined. 15. The method of claim 14, The output unit And reproducing and outputting a plurality of scanning data at the same time, reproducing and outputting at least one or more scanning data on a screen currently being viewed, or reproducing and outputting the at least one scanning data on a main screen one by one.
KR1020080132098A 2008-12-23 2008-12-23 Apparatus and method for channel scanning in set-top-box KR20100073429A (en)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10779030B2 (en) 2016-01-21 2020-09-15 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display apparatus and controlling method thereof

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10779030B2 (en) 2016-01-21 2020-09-15 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Display apparatus and controlling method thereof

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