WO2007040346A1

WO2007040346A1 - Multi-out broadcasting receiver system using single set-top box having plural tuners

Info

Publication number: WO2007040346A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hwa-Seop Lim; In-Ki Kim; Hyun-Chul Kim; Soo-Won Kim
Original assignee: Kaonmedia Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-10-06
Filing date: 2006-10-04
Publication date: 2007-04-12
Also published as: KR20070038785A; KR100727271B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-out broadcasting receiver system which enables, under connection between a set-top box and multiple of TV receivers each positioned in distant locations through a pre-installed network in a house or other specific location, a user to select and remotely control the plural tuners in the single set-top box from a distant location where the set-top box is not positioned. According to the invention, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system is advantageous in that a user may select plural tuners in a single set-top box so as to watch TV in distant locations as wished, and in that cable engineering in each of distant location or expensive RF (UHF) remocon transmitter/receiver is not required, which let the installation be accomplished with ease as well as in lower cost.

Description

MULTI-OUT BROADCASTING RECEIVER SYSTEM USING SINGLE SET-TOP BOX HAVING PLURAL TUNERS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a multi-out broadcasting receiver system using a single set-top box having plural tuners, and more specifically to a multi-out broadcasting receiver system which enables, under connection between a set- top box and multiple of TV receivers each positioned in distant locations through a pre- installed network in a house or other specific location, a user to select and remotely control each of the plural tuners in the set-top box from a distant location where the set-top box is not positioned.

[2]

Background Art

[3] According as fast development of digital technologies as to digital video encoding or digital modulation/demodulation, the standardization and commercialization for digital TV is fast launching. Under this situation, a digital broadcasting receiver for receiving digital television broadcast, e.g. set-top box (hereinafter, "STB"), helps users seletively watch the broadcast program by reconstructing, using a built-in decoder, origianl A/V (Audio/Video) data for a user-selected broadcast program and outputing the reconstructed to a A/V output device, e.g. TV.

[4] Further, recently in most of houses, each room is equipped a TV for its own. If these TV's are connected to single STB, it has advantage that through these TV's, users may watch satellite broadcast, cable broadcast, and digital terrestrial broadcast, etc.

[5] However, the prior art technology of connecting multiple of TV's to a single STB has problems that loss is engaged during signal transmission from STB to each room and cable engineering is further needed, which results in cost and difficulties for installation.

[6] Further, the prior art technology of connecting multiple of TV's to a single STB has problems that a rather expensive RF (UHF) remocon should be additionaly required in order to control the STB from a distant location where the STB is not positioned.

[7] Further, for a prior art set-top box having plural tuners, a tuner is fixedly connected a TS (Transport Stream) line and another tuner is fixedly connected to another TS line, which accordingly let the TS data each from the TS lines to be provided in a fixed fashion.

[8] Therefore, a prior art set-top box having plural tuners has a problem that RF transmitter/receiver block can be implemented in a fixed fashion so as to let a user to select and watch only a predetermined tuner especially in a limited space in a house. [9]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[10] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-out broadcasting receiver system which is implemented so as to enable, with configuring plural tuners in a set-top box, under connection between a set-top box and multiple of TV receivers each positioned in distant locations through a pre-installed network, a user to select and remotely control each of the plural tuners in the set-top box from a distant location where the set-top box is not positioned.

[H]

Technical Solution

[12] For accomplishing the object, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a set-top box which including, a first and a second tuners, a tuner selecter for establishing a TS route for the first and the second tuners responding to a tuner select control signal, a first broadcast processing module for outputting the tuner select control signal to the tuner select, selecting, by a user operation, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which the TS route is establised, and outputting A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel, and a second broadcast processing module for outputting the tuner select control signal to the tuner selecter, selecting, upon receiving remocon control signal, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which the TS route is established, modulating A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel (hereinafter, "A/V remote broadcast signal") to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and outputting the A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated; at least one host network connector having a first filter and a second filter, wherein the first filter for filtering a tuner select signal or a STB control signal received from a specific network and providing the filtered the tuner select signal or the STB control signal to the second broadcast processing module, and wherein the second filter for filtering the A/V remote broadcast signal received from the second broadcast processing module and passing the filtered A/V remote broadcast signal onto the network; at least one remocon signal receiver for sensing a tuner select signal or a STB control signal transmitted from a wireless remocon, and outputting the sensed signal; and at least one guest network connector having a third filter and a fourth filter, wherein the third filter for filtering the tuner select signal and the STB control signal received from the remocon signal receiver and passing the filtered signal onto the network, and wherein the fourth filter for filtering and passing the A/V remote broadcast signal provided from the network. [13] For accomplishing the object, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a set-top box which including, a first and a second tuners, a tuner selecter for establishing a TS route for the first and the second tuners responding to a tuner select control signal, a first broadcast processing module for outputting the tuner select control signal to the tuner select, selecting, by a user operation, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which the TS route is establised, and outputting A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel, and a second broadcast processing module for receiving a tuner select signal via a specific network, outputting the received tuner select control signal to the tuner selecter, selecting, upon receiving remocon control signal via the network, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which the TS route is established, modulating A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel (hereinafter, "A/V remote broadcast signal") to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and outputting the A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated; at least one remocon signal receiver for sensing a tuner select signal or a STB control signal transmitted from a wireless remocon, and outputting the sensed signal to the network; and at least one guest network connector having a fourth filter for filtering and passing the A/V remote broadcast signal provided from the network.

Advantageous Effects

[14] As described, according to the present invention, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system is advantageous in that, under connection between a set-top box and multiple of TV receivers each positioned in distant locations through a pre-installed network in a house or other specific location, a user may select and remotely control each of the plural tuners in the set-top box from a distant location where the set-top box is not positioned, so that, from anywhere as he wishes, a user is able to select and watch each of the plural tuners in the single set-top box, and further in that neither additional cable engineering nor expensive RF (UHF) remocon transmitter/receiver are not required which lets the installation procedure easy and less costly.

[15]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[16] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[17] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the first broadcast processing module for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system shown in the FIG. 1,

[18] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the second broadcast processing module for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system shown in the FIG. 1, [19] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating broadcasting channel frequencies which are used as carrier frequencies in order to transmit via network broadcast signal for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention, [20] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a procedure by which broadcast signal is transmitted using a specific broadcasting channel frequency for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention, [21] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a procedure by which broadcast signal is transmitted using a intermediate frequency, which frequency is set for avoiding the broadcasting channel frequencies, for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention, [22] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a procedure by which STB control signal transmitted using FSK modulation for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention, [23] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to other embodiment of the present invention, [24] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the second broadcast processing module for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system shown in the FIG. 8, [25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified contraction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to the present invention, where multiple of rooms are positioned in distant locations. [26]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [27] Hereinafter, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. [28] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the first broadcast processing module for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system shown in the FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the second broadcast processing module for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system shown in the FIG. 1, [29] Hereinafter, detailed description about general prior art construction or functions regarding set- top box 100 shall be omitted in order to let the description of the specfication simple and clear. [30] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, comprises a set-top box 100 having a first and a second tuners 101, 102, a tuner selecter 103, a first broadcast processing module 110 and a second broadcast processing module 120, at least one host network connecter 130 having a first filter 131 and a second filter 132, at least one remocon signal receiver 140, and at least one guest network connecter 150 having a third filter 151 and a fourth filter 152.

[31] The tuner selecter 103 establishes TS (Transport Stream) route of the first and second tuners 101, 102 responding to tuner select control signal provided from the first broadcast processing module 110 or the second broadcast processing module 120.

[32] Here, the first and the second tuners 101, 102 are designed at least one out of satellite + satellite, satellite + terrestrial, satellite + cable, and terrestrial + cable, and the tuner selecter 130 selects the first tuner 101 or the second tuner 102 responding to tuner select control signal provided from the first or the second broadcast processing module 110, 120.

[33] The first broadcast processing module 110 outputs the tuner select control signal to the tuner select 103, and selects, by a user operation, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which the TS route is establised, and then outputs A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel to main TV receiver 30.

[34] The first broadcast processing module 110, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a broadcast signal receiver 111 for receiving and outputting broadcast signal via a tuner with which TS route is established, an MPEG decoder 112 for receiving a digital broadcast signal from the broadcast signal receiver 111 and decoding the received signal, and an A/V broadcast signal output 113 for receiving, D/A converting and formatting a decoded broadcast signal from the MPEG decoder 112 and then outputting the formatted signal to the main TV receiver 30.

[35] The second broadcast processing module 120 outputs the tuner select control signal to the tuner selecter 103, and selects, upon receiving a remocon control signal via the first filter 131, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which the TS route is established. And then, the second broadcast processing module 120 modulates A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel (hereinafter, "A/V remote broadcast signal") to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and outputs the A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated.

[36] Here, the second broadcast processing module 120, as shown in FIG. 3, comprises a broadcast signal receiver 121, an MPEG decoder 122, a broadcast signal modulater 123, an amplifier 124, a remocon signal retriever 125, and a second broadcast processing controller 126.

[37] The broadcast signal receiver 121 receives a broadcast signal from a tuner out of the first or the second tuners 101, 102 with which the TS route is established, and outputs the received broadcast signal to the MPEG decoder 122. The MPEG decoder 122 decodes the received broadcast signal and D/ A converts the decoded signal.

[38] The broadcast signal modulater 123 receives the broadcast signal from the MPEG decoder 122, and modulates the broadcast signal to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and then outputs the modulated signal to the amplifer 124 or to the second filter 132.

[39] The A/V remote broadcast signal, outputted from the broadcast signal modulator

123 of the second broadcast processing module 120, may be set to a specific broadcasting channel frequency as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the A/V remote broadcast signal may be set to an intermediate frquency for avoiding broadcasting channel frequencies, and in this embodiment the guest network connector 150 further comprises a modulating unit 153 for re-modulating the intermediate frequency into a specific broadcasting channel frequency as shown in FIG. 6.

[40] The amplifer 124 compensates loss in the A/V remote broadcast signal incurred due to cable line distance, and may be used or removed selectively.

[41] The remocon signal retriever 125 retrieves a tuner select signal or a remote control signal provided from the first filter 131, and then outputs the retrieved signal to the second broadcast processing controller.

[42] The second broadcast processing controller 126 outputs a tuner select control signal responding to the tuner select signal provided from the remocon signal retriever 125, and sets the broadcast channel of the broadcast signal receiver responding to the remote control signal provided from the remocon signal retriever 125.

[43] Here, the second broadcast processing controller 126 includes functions of, by remote control signal, system configuration, menu setup, PVR (Personal Video Recorder) control, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) control.

[44] The first broadcast processing module 110 and the at least one second broadcast processing module 120 may be implemented as one-chip or as separated chipsets.

[45] The first filter 131 of the host network connector 130 receives via a specific network 10 a tuner select signal or a STB control signal, filters the received signal, and outputs the tuner select signal or the STB control signal to the second broadcast processing module 120. The second filter 132 of the host network connector 130 receives via the second broadcast processing module 120 the A/V remote broadcast signal, filters the received signal, and passes the filtered signal to the network 10.

[46] The remocon signal receiver 140 senses the tuner select signal or the STB control signal transmitted from a wireless remocon 40, and outputs the sensed signal to the third filter 151.

[47] The third filter 151 of the guest network connector 160 filters the tuner select signal or the STB control signal received from the remocon signal receiver 140, and passes the filtered signal onto the network 10. [48] The fourth filter 152 of the guest network connector 160 filters the A/V remote broadcast signal provided from the network 10, and passes the filtered signal to the sub_TV receiver 20.

[49] The first filter 131 and the third filter 151 are low pass filters (LPF) which covering bandwidth of remocon signal frequency range, and the second filter 132 and the fourth filter 152 are high pass filters (HPF) which covering bandwidth of VHF/UHF frequency range.

[50] The set- top box 100 may be constructed as one single set which includes the host network connector 130 having the first filter 131 and the second filter 132.

[51] The guest network connector 150 having the third filter 151 and the fourth filter 152 may be constructed as one single set which includes the remocon signal receiver 140.

[52] The guest network connector 150 further comprises an FSK modulater 154 for FSK

(Frequency Shift Keying) modulating and outputting the STB control signal received from the remocon signal receiver 140, and the host network connecter 130 further comprises an FSK demodulater 133 for FSK demodulating the FSK-modulated remote control signal, as shown in FIG. 7.

[53] The network 10 is a pre-installed TV coaxial cable or other post-installed network cable, and is connected to multiple RF terminals 11 so as to configure a network among distant locations.

[54] The sub_TV receiver 20, upon receiving A/V remote broadcast signal via the fourth filter 152, displays corresponding program to users.

[55] The main TV receiver 30, upon receiving A/V broadcast signal from the first broadcast processing module 110, displays corresponding program to users.

[56] Regarding selection switching between the first and the second tuners 101, 102 by the tuner selecter 103, the tuner select control signal is outputted to the first broadcast processing module 110 by user key opertion in [Distant Location #1] where the set-top box 100 is positioned, whereas remocon signal receiver 140 senses the tuner select signal which generated by the wireless remocon 40 and passes the sensed tuner select signal to the third filter 151 in [Distant Location #2] where the set- top box 100 is not positioned.

[57] The [Distant Location #1] may be a living room in a house where the set-top box

100 can be easily installed, and the [Distant Location #2] may be other room in the house.

[58] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a contraction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to the present invention, where multiple of rooms are positioned in distant locations, where is comprised a set-top box 100 having at least one tuners (#1 ~ #n) and at least one second broadcast processing modules 120, at least one host network connecters 130, at least one guest network connecters 150 which installed in the distant locations (#1 ~ #n), and at least one remocon signal receivers 140.

[59] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, may be adaptively extended to cases as shown in FIGs. 1 or 10 regardless of the number of rooms.

[60] The operations of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

[61] As shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to the present invention comprises a set- top box 100 having a first and a second tuners 101, 102, a tuner selecter 103, a first broadcast processing module 110 and a second broadcast processing module 120, and a host network connecter 130 having a first filter 131 and a second filter 132 in [Distant Location #1], and comprises a remocon signal receiver 140 and a guest network connecter 150 having a third filter 151 and a fourth filter 152 in [Distant Location #2], wherein the host network connecter 130 and the guest network connecter 150 is connected via RF terminals 11 of network 10 so as to constitute a network.

[62] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to the present invention, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, may be adaptively extended to cases as shown in FIG. 10 regardless of the number of rooms, which will be described in detail with referrence to FIGs. 1 to 3 in order to let the present invention be clearly described.

[63] First, when a user activates tuner selection or set-top box control by using a wireless remocon 40 in [Distant Location #2], the remocon signal receiver 140 senses the tuner select signal or STB control signal transmitted from the wireless remocon 40, and then outputs the sensed signal to the third filter 151.

[64] Then, the third filter 151 of the guest network connector 160 receives the tuner select signal or the STB control signal from the remocon signal receiver 140, and low- pass filters the received signal, and then passes the filtered signal onto the network 10.

[65] The first filter 131 of the host network connector 130 receives a tuner select signal or a STB control signal which has been provided to the network 10, and filters the received signal, and then outputs the filtered signal to the remocon signal retriever 125 of the second broadcast processing module 120.

[66] The remocon signal retriever 125 retrieves the tuner select signal or the remote control signal provided from the first filter 131, and then outputs the retrieved signal to the second broadcast processing controller 126.

[67] The second broadcast processing controller 126 receives tuner select signal from the remocon signal retriever 125, and outputs the corresponding tuner select control signal to the tuner selecter 103.

[68] Further, the second broadcast processing controller 126 receives remote control signal from the remocon signal retriever 125, and sets the broadcast channel of the broadcast signal receiver 121 according to the received remote control signal.

[69] The tuner selecter 103 selects a tuner out of the first and second tuners 101, 102 responding to tuner select control signal provided from the second broadcast processing controller 126, and then accordingly establishes TS (Transport Stream) route.

[70] With a tuner being selected by a user and a TS route being established as described above, a broadcast signal requested by the user is provided the broadcast signal receiver 121 of the second broadcast processing module 120 via the selected tuner.

[71] Then, the broadcast signal receiver 121 outputs to the MPEG decoder 122 the broadcast signal which is received from the tuner with which the TS route is established. The MPEG decoder 122 receives digital broadcast signal from the roadcast signal receiver 121, decodes the received signal, and D/A converts the decoded signal, and then outputs the converted signal to the broadcast signal modulater 123.

[72] The broadcast signal modulater 123 receives the broadcast signal from the MPEG decoder 122, and modulates the broadcast signal to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and then outputs the modulated signal to the amplifer 124. The amplifier 124 amplifies the A/V remote broadcast signal received from the broadcast signal modulater 123, and provides the amplified signal to the second filter 132 of the host network connecter 130.

[73] The second filter 132 high-pass filters the A/V remote broadcast signal received from the amplifier 124, and then passes the filtered signal onto the network 10.

[74] The fourth filter 152 of the guest network connector 160 high-pass filters the A/V remote broadcast signal provided from the network 10, and then passes the filtered signal to the sub_TV receiver 20.

[75] The sub_TV receiver 20, upon receiving A/V remote broadcast signal via the fourth filter 152, displays the corresponding program which the user has remotely controlled.

[76] By the tuner selection and control as wished as described above, a user may conveniently watch TV anywhere he want.

[77] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

[78] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to other embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a construction of the second broadcast processing module for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system shown in the FIG. 8.

[79] Hereinafter, detailed description about general prior art construction or functions regarding set-top box 200 shall be omitted in order to let the description of the specfication simple and clear.

[80] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGs. 8 or 9, comprises a set-top box 200 having a first and a second tuners 201, 202, a tuner selecter 203, a first broadcast processing module 210 and a second broadcast processing module 220, at least one remocon signal receiver 240, and at least one guest network connecter 250 having a fourth filter 252.

[81] The tuner selecter 203 establishes TS (Transport Stream) route of the first and second tuners 201, 202 responding to tuner select control signal provided from the first broadcast processing module 210 or the second broadcast processing module 220.

[82] The first and the second tuners 201, 202 are designed at least one out of satellite + satellite, satellite + terrestrial, satellite + cable, and terrestrial + cable, and the tuner selecter 230 selects the first tuner 201 or the second tuner 202 responding to tuner select control signal provided from the first or the second broadcast processing module 210, 220.

[83] The first broadcast processing module 210 outputs the tuner select control signal to the tuner select 203, and selects, by a user operation, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which the TS route is establised, and then outputs A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel to main TV receiver 30.

[84] Then, the second broadcast processing module 220 outputs the tuner select control signal to the tuner selecter 203, and selects, upon receiving a remocon control signal via the network 10, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which the TS route is established. And then, the second broadcast processing module 220 modulates A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel (hereinafter, "A/V remote broadcast signal") to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and outputs the A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated.

[85] Here, the second broadcast processing module 220, as shown in FIG. 9, comprises a broadcast signal receiver 221, an MPEG decoder 222, a broadcast signal modulater 223, an amplifier 224, a remocon signal retriever 225, and a second broadcast processing controller 226.

[86] The broadcast signal receiver 221 receives a broadcast signal from a tuner out of the first or the second tuners 201, 202 with which the TS route is established, and outputs the received broadcast signal to the MPEG decoder 222. The MPEG decoder 222 receives the digital broadcast signal from the broadcast signal receiver 221, and decodes the received broadcast signal, and then D/A converts the decoded signal.

[87] The broadcast signal modulater 223 receives the broadcast signal from the MPEG decoder 222, and modulates the broadcast signal to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and then outputs the modulated signal to the amplifer 224 or to the network 10.

[88] The A/V remote broadcast signal, outputted from the broadcast signal modulator

223 of the second broadcast processing module 220, may be set to a specific broadcasting channel frequency, or set to an intermediate frquency for avoiding broadcasting channel frequencies. In the latter embodiment, the guest network connector 250 further comprises a modulating unit (not shown) for re-modulating the intermediate frequency into a specific broadcasting channel frequency.

[89] The amplifer 224 compensates loss in the A/V remote broadcast signal incurred due to cable line distance, and may be used or removed selectively.

[90] The remocon signal retriever 225 retrieves a tuner select signal or a remote control signal provided from the network 10, and outputs the retrieved signal to the second broadcast processing controller 226.

[91] The second broadcast processing controller 226 outputs a corresponding tuner select control signal to a tuner selecter 203 when receiving a tuner select signal from the remocon signal retriever 225, and and sets the broadcast channel of the broadcast signal receiver 221 when receiving a remote control signal from the remocon signal retriever 225.

[92] Here, the second broadcast processing controller 226 includes functions of, by remote control signal, system configuration, menu setup, PVR (Personal Video Recorder) control, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) control.

[93] The first broadcast processing module 210 and the at least one second broadcast processing module 220 may be implemented as one-chip or as separated chipsets.

[94] The remocon signal receiver 240 senses the tuner select signal or the STB control signal transmitted from a wireless remocon 40, and outputs the sensed signal to the network 10.

[95] The fourth filter 252 of the guest network connector 250 filters the A/V remote broadcast signal provided from the network 10, and then passes the filtered signal to the sub_TV receiver 20.

[96] The guest network connecter 250 may further comprise a third filter 151 for low- pass filtering the tuner select signal or the STB control signal transmitted from the remocon signal receiver 240.

[97] The guest network connecter 250 may further comprise a host network connecter

230 having a first filter 231 and a second filter 232, wherein the second filter 232 for high-pass filtering the A/V remote broadcast signal to the network 10, and wherein the first filter 231 for low-pass filtering the tuner select signal or the STB control signal from the network 10 to the second broadcast processing module 220.

[98] The first filter 231 and the third filter 251 are low pass filters (LPF) which covering bandwidth of remocon signal frequency range, and the second filter 232 and the fourth filter 252 are high pass filters (HPF) which covering bandwidth of VHF/UHF frequency range.

[99] The set-top box 200 may be constructed as one single set which includes the host network connector 230 having the first filter 231 and the second filter 232.

[100] The guest network connector 250 having the third filter 251 and the fourth filter 252 may be constructed as one single set which includes the remocon signal receiver 240.

[101] The guest network connector 250 may further comprise an FSK modulater (not shown) for FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) modulating and outputting the STB control signal received from the remocon signal receiver 240, and the host network connecter 230 may further comprise an FSK demodulater (not shown) for FSK demodulating the FSK-modulated remote control signal.

[102] The network 10 is a pre-installed TV coaxial cable or other post- installed network cable, and is connected to multiple RF terminals 11 so as to configure a network among distant locations.

[103] The sub_TV receiver 20, upon receiving A/V remote broadcast signal via the fourth filter 252, displays corresponding program to users.

[104] The main TV receiver 30, upon receiving A/V broadcast signal from the first broadcast processing module 210, displays corresponding program to users.

[105] Regarding selection switching between the first and the second tuners 201, 202 by the tuner selecter 203, the tuner select control signal is outputted to the first broadcast processing module 210 by user key opertion in [Distant Location #1] where the set-top box 200 is positioned, whereas remocon signal receiver 240 senses the tuner select signal which generated by the wireless remocon 40 and passes the sensed tuner select signal to the network 10 in [Distant Location #2] where the set- top box 200 is not positioned.

[106] The [Distant Location #1] may be a living room in a house where the set- top box

200 can be easily installed, and the [Distant Location #2] may be other room in the house.

[107] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to another embodiment of the present invention, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, may be adaptively extended to cases as shown in FIGs. 10 regardless of the number of rooms.

[108] The operations of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

[109] As shown in FIGs. 8 or 9, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to the present invention comprises a set-top box 200 having a first and a second tuners 201, 202, a tuner selecter 203, a first broadcast processing module 210 and a second broadcast processing module 220 in [Distant Location #1], and comprises a remocon signal receiver 240 and a guest network connecter 250 having a fourth filter 252 in [Distant Location #2], wherein the second broadcast processing module 220 and the guest network connecter 250 is connected via RF terminals 11 of network 10 so as to constitute a network.

[110] First, when a user activates tuner selection or set- top box control by using a wireless remocon 40 in [Distant Location #2], the remocon signal receiver 240 senses the tuner select signal or the STB control signal transmitted from the wireless remocon 40, and then outputs the sensed signal to the network 10.

[I l l] The tuner select signal or the STB control signal provided to the network 10 is then provided to the remocon signal retriever 225 in the second broadcast processing module 220.

[112] The remocon signal retriever 225 retrieves the tuner select signal or the remote control signal provided from the network 10, and then outputs the retrieved signal to the second broadcast processing controller 226.

[113] The second broadcast processing controller 226, when receiving tuner select signal from the remocon signal retriever 225, outputs the corresponding tuner select control signal to the tuner selecter 203. Alternatively, the second broadcast processing controller 226, when receiving remote control signal from the remocon signal retriever 225, sets the broadcast channel of the broadcast signal receiver 221 according to the received remote control signal.

[114] The tuner selecter 203 selects a tuner out of the first and second tuners 201, 202 responding to tuner select control signal provided from the second broadcast processing controller 226, and then accordingly establishes TS (Transport Stream) route.

[115] With a tuner being selected by a user and a TS route being established as described above, a broadcast signal requested by the user is provided the broadcast signal receiver 221 of the second broadcast processing module 220 via the selected tuner.

[116] Then, the broadcast signal receiver 221 outputs to the MPEG decoder 222 the broadcast signal which is received from the tuner with which the TS route is established. The MPEG decoder 222 receives digital broadcast signal from the roadcast signal receiver 221, decodes the received signal, and D/A converts the decoded signal, and then outputs the converted signal to the broadcast signal modulater 223.

[117] The broadcast signal modulater 123 receives the broadcast signal from the MPEG decoder 222, and modulates the broadcast signal to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and then outputs the modulated signal to the amplifer 224. The amplifier 224 amplifies the A/V remote broadcast signal received from the broadcast signal modulater 223, and provides the amplified signal to the network 10.

[118] The fourth filter 252 of the guest network connector 250 high-pass filters the A/V remote broadcast signal provided from the network 10, and then passes the filtered signal to the sub_TV receiver 20.

[119] The sub_TV receiver 20, upon receiving A/V remote broadcast signal via the fourth filter 252, displays the corresponding program which the user has remotely controlled.

[120] By the tuner selection and control as wished as described above, a user may conveniently watch TV anywhere he want.

[121] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system, comprising: a set-top box which including, a first and a second tuners, a tuner selecter for establishing a TS (Transport Stream) route for said first and said second tuners responding to a tuner select control signal, a first broadcast processing module for outputting said tuner select control signal to said tuner select, selecting, by a user operation, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which said TS route is establised, and outputting A/V broadcast signal of said selected channel, and a second broadcast processing module for outputting said tuner select control signal to said tuner selecter, selecting, upon receiving remocon control signal, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which said TS route is established, modulating A/V broadcast signal of said selected channel (hereinafter, "A/V remote broadcast signal") to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and outputting said A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated; at least one host network connector having a first filter and a second filter, wherein said first filter for filtering a tuner select signal or a STB control signal received from a specific network and providing said filtered said tuner select signal or said STB control signal to said second broadcast processing module, and wherein said second filter for filtering said A/V remote broadcast signal received from said second broadcast processing module and passing said filtered A/V remote broadcast signal onto said network; at least one remocon signal receiver for sensing a tuner select signal or a STB control signal transmitted from a wireless remocon, and outputting said sensed signal; and at least one guest network connector having a third filter and a fourth filter, wherein said third filter for filtering said tuner select signal and said STB control signal received from said remocon signal receiver and passing said filtered signal onto said network, and wherein said fourth filter for filtering and passing said A/ V remote broadcast signal provided from said network.

[2] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 1, said first tuner and said second tuner are designed at least one out of satellite + satellite, satellite + terrestrial, satellite + cable, and terrestrial + cable; and said tuner selecter selects a tuner out of said first and said second tuners responding to said tuner select control signal provided from said first or said second broadcast processing module, and accordingly establishes said TS route.

[3] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 2, wherein said second broadcast processing module comprises: a broadcast signal receiver for receiving said broadcast signal from a tuner out of the first or the second tuners having established a TS route, and outputting digital broadcast signal; an MPEG decoder for receiving and decoding said digital broadcast signal from said broadcast signal receiver and further for D/ A converting said decoded signal; a broadcast signal modulater for receiving said broadcast signal from said MPEG decoder, modulating said broadcast signal to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and outputting said modulated signal to said second filter; a remocon signal retriever for retrieving said tuner select signal or said remote control signal provided from said first filter, and outputting said retrieved signal; and a second broadcast processing controller for outputs the tuner select control signal responding to said tuner select signal provided from said remocon signal retriever, and for setting the broadcast channel of said broadcast signal receiver responding to said remote control signal provided from said remocon signal retriever.

[4] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 3, wherein said second broadcast processing module further comprises an amplifer for compensating the loss in said A/V remote broadcast signal incurred due to the cable line distance.

[5] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 4, wherein said second broadcast processing controller includes functions of, following said RF remote control signal, system configuration, menu setup, PVR (Personal Video Recorder) control, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) control.

[6] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to any one of Claims 1 to

5, wherein said first filter and said third filter are low pass filters (LPF) which covering bandwidth of remocon signal frequency range, and wherein said second filter and said fourth filter are high pass filters (HPF) which covering bandwidth of VHF/UHF frequency range.

[7] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 6, wherein said set-top box is constructed as one single set which includes said host network connector having said first filter and said second filter.

[8] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 6, wherein said guest network connector having said third filter and said fourth filter is constructed as one single set which includes said remocon signal receiver.

[9] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to any one of Claims 3 to

5, wherein said A/V remote broadcast signal that is outputted from said broadcast signal modulator of said second broadcast processing module is set to a specific broadcasting channel frequency.

[10] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to any one of Claims 3 to

5, wherein said A/V remote broadcast signal that is outputted from said broadcast signal modulator of said second broadcast processing module is set to an intermediate frquency for avoiding broadcasting channel frequencies, and wherein said guest network connector further comprises a modulating unit for re- modulating said intermediate frequency into a specific broadcasting channel frequency.

[11] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to any one of Claims 3 to

5, wherein said guest network connector further comprises a FSK modulater for FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) modulating said remote control signal upon receiving from said remocon signal receiver, and wherein said host network connector further comprises a FSK demodulator for FSK demodulating said FSK-modulated remote control signal.

[12] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to any one of Claims 1 to

5, wherein said network is a pre-installed TV coaxial cable or other post- installed network cable.

[13] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system, comprising: a set-top box which including, a first and a second tuners, a tuner selecter for establishing a TS (Transport Stream) route for said first and said second tuners responding to a tuner select control signal, a first broadcast processing module for outputting said tuner select control signal to said tuner select, selecting, by a user operation, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which said TS route is establised, and outputting A/V broadcast signal of said selected channel, and a second broadcast processing module for receiving a tuner select signal via a specific network, outputting said received tuner select control signal to said tuner selecter, selecting, upon receiving remocon control signal via said network, a channel of broadcast signal received from a tuner with which said TS route is established, modulating A/V broadcast signal of said selected channel (hereinafter, "A/V remote broadcast signal") to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and outputting said A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated; at least one remocon signal receiver for sensing a tuner select signal or a STB control signal transmitted from a wireless remocon, and outputting said sensed signal to said network; and at least one guest network connector having a fourth filter for filtering and passing said A/V remote broadcast signal provided from said network.

[14] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 13, said first tuner and said second tuner are designed at least one out of satellite + satellite, satellite + terrestrial, satellite + cable, and terrestrial + cable; and said tuner selecter selects a tuner out of said first and said second tuners responding to said tuner select control signal provided from said first or said second broadcast processing module, and accordingly establishes said TS route.

[15] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 14, wherein said fourth filter is high pass filter (HPF) which covering bandwidth of

VHF/UHF frequency range.

[16] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 14, wherein said guest network connector further comprises a third filter for filtering said STB control signal from said remocon signal receiver so as to output said remote control signal onto said network.

[17] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 16, wherein said third filter is low pass filter (LPF) which covering bandwidth of remocon signal frequency range, and wherein said fourth filter is high pass filter (HPF) which covering bandwidth of

VHF/UHF frequency range.

[18] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 16, wherein further comprising at least one host network connectors having a second filter for, upon receiving said A/V remote broadcast signal from said second broadcast processing module, filtering said A/V remote broadcast signal so as to pass said filtered signal onto said network.

[19] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 18, wherein said third filter is low pass filter (LPF) which covering bandwidth of remocon signal frequency range; and wherein said second filter and said fourth filter are high pass filters (HPF) which covering bandwidth of VHF/UHF frequency range.

[20] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 18, wherein said host network connector further comprises a first filter for filtering said STB control signal via network so as to provide said filtered STB control signal to said second broadcast processing module.

[21] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 20, wherein said first filter and said third filter are low pass filters (LPF) which covering bandwidth of remocon signal frequency range, and wherein said second filter and said fourth filter are high pass filters (HPF) which covering bandwidth of VHF/UHF frequency range.

[22] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to any one of Claims 13 to

21, wherein said second broadcast processing module comprises: a broadcast signal receiver for receiving said broadcast signal from a tuner out of the first or the second tuners having established a TS route, and outputting digital broadcast signal; an MPEG decoder for receiving and decoding said digital broadcast signal from said broadcast signal receiver and further for D/ A converting said decoded signal; a broadcast signal modulater for receiving said broadcast signal from said MPEG decoder, modulating said broadcast signal to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and outputting said modulated signal to said second filter; a remocon signal retriever for retrieving said tuner select signal or said remote control signal provided from said network or said first filter, and outputting said retrieved signal; and a second broadcast processing controller for outputs the tuner select control signal responding to said tuner select signal provided from said remocon signal retriever, and for setting the broadcast channel of said broadcast signal receiver responding to said remote control signal provided from said remocon signal retriever.

[23] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 22, wherein said second broadcast processing module further comprises an amplifer for compensating the loss in said A/V remote broadcast signal incurred due to the cable line distance.

[24] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 23, wherein said second broadcast processing controller includes functions of, following said RF remote control signal, system configuration, menu setup, PVR (Personal Video Recorder) control, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) control.

[25] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 23, wherein said A/V remote broadcast signal that is outputted from said broadcast signal modulator of said second broadcast processing module is set to a specific broadcasting channel frequency.

[26] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 23, wherein said A/V remote broadcast signal that is outputted from said broadcast signal modulator of said second broadcast processing module is set to an intermediate frquency for avoiding broadcasting channel frequencies, and wherein said guest network connector further comprises a modulating unit for re- modulating said intermediate frequency into a specific broadcasting channel frequency.

[27] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 23, wherein said guest network connector further comprises a FSK modulater for FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) modulating said remote control signal upon receiving from said remocon signal receiver, and wherein said host network connector further comprises a FSK demodulator for FSK demodulating said FSK-modulated remote control signal.

[28] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to Claim 23, wherein said network is a pre-installed TV coaxial cable or other post- installed network cable.