Embodiment
With reference now to accompanying drawing,, Fig. 1 particularly shows and is suitable for realizing example context 100 of the present invention.As represented among Fig. 1, environment 100 comprises user input device 10 and electronic installation 20.According to an example embodiment, user input device 10 is presented as the wireless remote control device of hand-hold type, and can be presented as wired and/or wireless keyboard, the integrated control panel of electronic installation 20, and/or other user input devices.Equally according to an example embodiment, electronic installation 20 is presented as the TV-signal receiver with integrated display device, and be presented as electronic installation or the equipment (for example, set-top box, wireless device, video tape recorder (VCR), Digital video disc (DVD) player, video game box, individual video recorder (PVR) or the like) that does not have integrated display device comprising of other types.Hereinafter will describe in further detail about user input device 10 and electronic installation 20.
With reference to figure 2, show the schematic diagram of Fig. 1 user input device 10 that the example embodiment according to the present invention is described in further detail.The user input device 10 of Fig. 2 comprises control button 15, and the user can control the channel selection function of electronic installation 20 by operation control button 15.User input device 10 also comprises one or more other key/button and or other controlling mechanisms except control button 15.According to an example embodiment, can operate user input device 10 with wired and/or wireless (for example, by the link of infrared ray or radio frequency (RF)) mode produce and export control signal, with response user rotation and/or by pressure-controlled button 15, thus the channel selection function of control electronic installation 20.For example, control button 15 can be presented as the Coin KeyTM that is produced by Telenostra, or the controlling mechanism of similar type.
With reference to figure 3, show the schematic diagram that Fig. 2 that the example embodiment according to the present invention is described in further detail controls button 15.Represented as Fig. 3, control button 15 can be by user's (CW) and (CCW) direction rotation counterclockwise in a clockwise direction.Control button 15 can be compiled to index, makes it to rotate in the mode of user-friendly single increment.In addition, the user can press pressure-controlled button 15 at least on five directions, (U) direction that promptly makes progress, downwards (D) direction, (R) direction, (L) direction and central authorities (C) direction left to the right.As hereinafter described, the user can operate control button 15 makes the channel selection function of electronic installation 20 become easy.
With reference to figure 4, show the schematic diagram of Fig. 1 electronic installation 20 of an example embodiment has been described in further detail according to the present invention.Electronic installation 20 shown in Figure 4 comprises the front panel apparatus such as front panel assembly (FPA) 21, amplifying device such as amplifier 22, with such as the I/O (I/O) of I/O piece 23 device, such as the processing unit of processor 24 with such as the storage arrangement of memory 25.Some elements of earlier figures 4 can realize that for example some elements can be included on one or more IC by using IC.In order clearly to describe, some relevant conventional key element of not shown and electronic installation 20, for example some control signal, power supply signal and/or other elements in Fig. 4.
FPA21 can be operated the user input of reception from user input device 10, and will export to amplifier 22 corresponding to the signal of user's input.According to an example embodiment, FPA21 receives the signal from user input device 10, for example IR and/or RF signal, and produce corresponding signal and output to amplifier 22.The signal of exporting to processor 24 that is provided by FPA21 is provided operational amplifier 22.
I/O piece 23 can be operated the I/O function of carrying out electronic installation 20.According to an example embodiment, I/O piece 23 can be operated and come from the one or more signal source received signals such as land, cable, satellite, the Internet and/or other signal sources, for example audio frequency, video and/or with the data-signal of simulation and/or digital modulation formats.Therefore, I/O piece 23 comprises a plurality of different I/O binding posts.I/O piece 23 also can be operated and export the signal handled to one or more other equipment, and receives the signal from these equipment.
Processor 24 can be operated various signal processing and the controlled function of carrying out electronic installation 20.According to an example embodiment, processor 24 comprises that by execution tuning, demodulation, forward error correction and transmission process function handle audio frequency, video and/or the data-signal that I/O piece 23 provides, thereby produces the numerical data of expression audio frequency, video and/or data content.The numerical data that is produced by this processing capacity can be provided to be used for other processing (for example, mpeg decode, or the like) and output.
Processor 24 also can operate the operating software code, and this software code can make the user pass through the control button 15 control electronic installations 20 of user input device 10.According to an example embodiment, processor 24 detects and handles user's input that the control button 15 via user input device 10 is provided, thereby makes the channel selection function of electronic installation 20 become easy.As will be described below, processor 24 can also be selected initial channel number, and those initial channel number are used to make the rapid navigation of available channel to become easy.Processor 24 also can be operated and carry out and/or other functions of active electron device 20, for example, but is not limited to, and on-screen menu can be shown, from memory 25 sense datas with write data to memory 25 and/or other functions.
Memory 25 can be operated the data storage function of carrying out electronic installation 20.According to an example embodiment, the data of memory 25 storages include but not limited to software code, on-screen menu data, user setup data, and/or other data.
With reference now to Fig. 5,, shows the flow chart 500 of the channel selection step of explanation example embodiment according to the present invention.In order to reach for example and illustrative purposes, the step of Fig. 5 will be described here with reference to previous described user input device 10 and electronic installation 20.The step of Fig. 5 only is exemplary, but not intention limits the present invention by any way.
Step 505, electronic installation 20 automatically select a plurality of channel numbers to form one group, or allow a plurality of channel numbers in the manually selection group of user.The user can manually increase or delete in groups in channel.According to an example embodiment, processor 24 uses its tuber function to scan a plurality of channels (that is, frequency) and forms group, thereby those channels of predetermined signal strength grade are showed in identification.Can separately carry out this channel scanning of I/O piece 23 each different I/O terminals handles.In another example embodiment, select a plurality of channel numbers according to user preferences (for example Shou Xuan program category).
Alternatively, processor 24 allows the user selected channel subclass, the channel of liking in for example a plurality of effective channels, thus form different groups.
Step 510, a plurality of channel numbers in step 510 electronic installation 20 is incited somebody to action in groups are stored in the memory 25.As mentioned above, this electronic installation 20 allows to select channel to form different groups, and the channel number more than a group is stored in the memory 25.If storage surpasses one group, the user can select wherein one group to be used for channel navigation.(that is) favorite channel, effective channel table, or tunable channel be listened to and/or be watched to channel number illustrative ground expression in the group of step 510 storage can for the user.For example but execution in step 510 is provided with the part of step as electronic installation 20.
Step 520 is selected one or more initial channel number in the channel number from the group of step 510 storage.According to an example embodiment, can manually select of the demonstration of one or more initial channel number step 520 user, maybe can automatically select initial channel number with the selection of response by processor 24 to a plurality of channel numbers in the group with the response screen menu.Step 520 can also be performed the part that step is set as aforementioned electronic 20.As will be described below, jump to next channel by the control button 15 that uses user input device 10 from an initial channel number, initial channel number allows the whole available channel table of user's rapid navigation.
In step 520, if the one or more initial channel number in the processor 24 automatic selection groups, the then total quantity of the channel number in the quantity of the selected this initial channel number group that depends in the step 510 to be stored.For example, if 18 channel numbers have been stored up in coexistence in step 510 group, processor 24 can be programmed selects 3 initial channel number.Example embodiment according to the present invention, following table 1 show at the sum of the channel of step 510 storage and in the contrast of step 520 by the initial channel number quantity of processor 24 selections.
The sum of institute's storage of channel number |
The quantity of selected initial channel number |
Be less than 5 |
0 |
5 to 9 |
1 |
10 to 14 |
2 |
15 to 19 |
3 |
The sum of institute's storage of channel number |
The quantity of selected initial channel number |
20 to 24 |
4 |
25 to 29 |
5 |
30 to 39 |
6 |
40 to 49 |
7 |
50 or more |
8 |
Table 1
Shown in above-mentioned table 1, the quantity of initial channel number increases along with the increase of institute's storage of channel number sum.According to an example embodiment, processor 24 is programmed in step 520 and selects initial channel number, makes that (that is, tunable) channel number sum between each initial channel number of storing in a group is approximate identical.That is, processor 24 can automatically be selected initial channel number, makes the approximately uniform away from each other distance of continuous initial channel number.If only there is an initial channel number, the middle channel numbers of storing in (that is, adjustable) channel number a plurality of during then this number is organized exactly.
Therefore, reference example wherein always has 18 channel numbers (that is, channel 1 to 18) in the group of step 510 storage back, automatically selects channel number 1,7 and 13 as 3 initial channel number at step 520 processor 24.Yet, if automatically select one or more initial channel number at step 520 processor 24, rather than user's channel of listening to usually and/or watching, the user can select to adjust initial channel number (for example, carrying out interaction by showing with on-screen menu) according to his or her hobby.
Step 525, one of them of selection and demonstration initial channel number.For example, the initial initial channel number of selecting is the middle initial channel number in the initial channel number.
Step 530, the user can use the control button 15 of user input device 10 to carry out channel selection.According to an example embodiment, the user can be by navigating to another initial channel number by pressure-controlled button 15 from an initial channel number, and can be by Spin Control button 15 those channel numbers between initial channel number of navigation.For example, suppose to have selected she or his 3 initial channel number often listening to and/or watch in advance step 520 user, promptly channel number 5,13 and 25.Further the current electronic installation 20 of hypothesis is transferred to initial channel number 13, and exemplary on-screen menu as shown in Figure 6 shows that 600 is represented.When electronic installation 20 is transferred to initial channel number 13, if the top of user's pressing keys 15 (promptly, TAB+ among Fig. 6) time, then processor 24 will make next higher initial channel number (being initial channel number 25) be shown, and exemplary on-screen menu as shown in Figure 7 shows that 700 is represented.
On the contrary, when electronic installation 20 is transferred to initial channel number 13, if the below of user's pressing keys 15 (promptly, TAB-among Fig. 6) time, then processor 24 will make next lower initial channel number (being initial channel number 5) be shown, and exemplary on-screen menu as shown in Figure 8 shows that 800 is represented.In aforesaid mode, the user can navigate in each initial channel number respectively by the top and/or the below of pressing keys 15.In order to be transferred to one of them initial channel number, the predetermined direction that the user can pressing keys 15 (for example, center direction, etc.), be shown up to initial channel number.
In order to navigate those at the channel number between the initial channel number, the user can Spin Control button 15.For example, suppose that current electronic installation 20 is transferred to initial channel number 13, exemplary on-screen menu as shown in Figure 6 shows that 600 is represented.When electronic installation 20 is transferred to initial channel number 13, if the user in the clockwise direction (promptly, CH+ among Fig. 6) with a unit increment Spin Control button 15, then processor 24 will make next higher channel number (being channel number 14) be shown (not shown).If the user continues Spin Control button 15 in the clockwise direction, then processor 24 will make next higher channel number (that is, 15,16,17 etc.) along with the rotation of control button 15 shows in order.
On the contrary, when electronic installation 20 is transferred to channel number 13, if the user in the counterclockwise direction (that is, the CH-among Fig. 6) with a unit increment Spin Control button 15, then processor 24 will make next lower channel number (being channel number 12) be shown (not shown).If the user continues Spin Control button 15 in the counterclockwise direction, then processor 24 will make next lower channel number (that is, 11,10,9 etc.) along with the rotation of control button 15 shows in order.In aforesaid mode, the user can be by navigating in the middle of the channel number between initial channel number in clockwise and/or counter clockwise direction rotating key 15.Certainly, the user can also be in both direction the Spin Control button 15 traversal initial channel number of navigating.In order to be transferred to a specific channel number, the predetermined direction that the user can pressing keys 15 (for example, center direction, etc.), be shown up to initial channel number.
Represented to Fig. 8 as Fig. 6, the user can also use control button 15 to visit electronic program guides (EPG) function and the hand operation channel input function of electronic installation 20.According to an example embodiment, can visit the EPG parts by the right-hand of pressure-controlled button 15, these EPG parts provide and can be used for the rendition list of listening to and/or watching.Also according to an example embodiment, can visit the hand operation channel input function by the left of pressure-controlled button 15, this hand operation channel input function allows the user directly to import desirable channel number.Hereinafter will describe in further detail about the hand operation channel input function.
Step 540, the user can determine to change one or more initial channel number.If do not change any initial channel number in step 540 user decision, process flow loops turns back to step 530, wherein the user can continue to use the control button 15 of user input device 10 to carry out channel selection by the current initial channel number of having set up, and is as described above.Alternatively, if determine to change one or more initial channel number step 540 user, process flow loops turns back to step 520, and wherein the user can select one or more new initial channel number.
According to another example embodiment, the control button 15 of user input device 10 can also be used for the hand operation channel input function of electronic installation 20.As previous pointed here, the user can visit the hand operation channel input function by the left (seeing that Fig. 6 is to Fig. 8) of pressure-controlled button 15, and this hand operation channel input block allows the user directly to import desirable channel number.By visit hand operation channel input block, can provide on-screen menu to be shown to the user, on-screen menu as shown in Figure 9 shows 900.Pointed as Fig. 9, the user can increase the figure place (digit) of demonstration to clockwise direction Spin Control button 15, and reduces figure place showing to counter clockwise direction Spin Control button 15.Allow the user to import additional figure place in one or more predetermined directions by pressure-controlled button 15, or be transferred to current shown channel number.For example, the user can import next figure place (digit) by the left of pressure-controlled button, and is transferred to current shown channel in the central authorities by the pressure-controlled button.
As described herein, the invention provides and a kind ofly can make the user by having the user input device of rotatable and the pressing keys of pushing, with simple and easily mode be method such as the such electronic installation selection channel of TV-signal receiver.The present invention can be applied to various devices, has or do not have integrated display device.Therefore, predicate as used herein " TV-signal receiver " refers to system or the device with a plurality of inputting channels, include but not limited to this, television set, computer or include the monitor of integrated display device, and system or device, for example set-top box, video tape recorder (VCR), Digital video disc (DVD) player, video game box, individual video recorder (PVR), computer or do not comprise other devices of integrated display device.
Although the present invention has been described to have a kind of preferred design, in disclosed spirit and scope, can further improve the present invention.Therefore the application's intention covers various change of the present invention, use, or the modification of using its universal principle to carry out.In addition, the application's intention covers in the known or convention scope in the field of running counter under the present invention and the various situations in the claims limited range.