KR0151683B1 - Apparatus for automatic channel search of two tuner television - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic channel search apparatus for a two-tuner television. The present invention relates to an ID code data signal output from an image IF module 26 in a channel selected from two tuners 18b. 34), when the ID code data is detected by the ID code detector 34, and sequentially applying the tuning signal to the second tuner 18b, storing the ID code data corresponding to the corresponding channel, and confirming When the mode is set, the control unit 12 reads the ID code data, and under the control of the control unit 12, the first memory 36 storing the ID code data corresponding to the channel in which the ID code data is sequentially detected. The encoder 38, which is transmitted simultaneously with the ID code data under the control of the control unit 12, performs the A / D conversion of the image information processed by the image multi-processing unit 28 and compresses the image information to the encoder 38. Compressed by each A second memory 40 in which null image information is stored corresponding to the ID code data, and the image information stored in the second memory under the control of the controller 12 when setting a confirmation mode based on ID code data. A decoder 42 which reads and extends the data and performs D / A conversion, and image processing means 28, 30, and 32a for PIP-processing the image information applied from the decoder 42 and outputting the PIP screen. When the ID code data is detected by the ID code detector 34 while sequentially tuning channels by the second tuner 18b, the code data is stored in the first memory 36, and the ID code data is stored. Is stored in the first memory 36, and the image information corresponding to the ID code data is stored in the second memory and based on the ID code data when the confirmation mode is set by the user. The video tablet It reads out from the second memory 40 to sequentially output through the PIP screen.

Description

Automatic channel search system for two-tuner television

1 is a block diagram of an automatic channel search apparatus for a two-tuner television according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the automatic channel search apparatus of a two-tuner television according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing a screen display example in which the present invention is implemented.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

10: control signal input unit 12: control unit

14: channel data storage unit 16: OSD processing unit

18a: first tuner 18b: second tuner

20: voice IF module 22: voice signal processing unit

24: audio amplifier 26: video IF module

28: image multi-processing unit 30: image amplification unit

32: CRT device 34: ID code detection unit

36: first memory 38: encoder

40: second memory 42: decoder

The present invention relates to an automatic channel search apparatus for a two-tuner television, and more particularly, to sequentially tune each channel to detect ID code data transmitted using a vertical retrace period of a TV signal from a broadcasting station according to each channel. If the user wishes to search for a channel, the video information for characterizing the contents of the program transmitted simultaneously with the ID code data is stored in the memory means. The present invention relates to an automatic channel search apparatus of a two-tuner television that allows a user to easily determine the contents of a program being broadcast on each channel through a PIP screen.

In general, a television that reproduces and outputs a video signal and an audio signal included in a broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcasting station, which is supplied to a home, displays video signals for multiple channels by a main screen and a PIP screen as sub screens of a single CRT apparatus. Multi-screen processing by the so-called 'PIP function' is possible.

Here, a television capable of multi-screen processing by a so-called 'PIP function' capable of displaying video signals for a plurality of channels by the configuration of a main screen and a PIP sub screen of a single CRT device is generally made by a two-tuner type. One tuner selects a broadcast channel to be output to the main screen among the broadcast signals transmitted from the broadcast station, and the second tuner tunes to a broadcast channel to be output to the PIP screen among the broadcast signals transmitted from the broadcast station. .

On the other hand, if a user selects a specific channel on the two-tuner type television and searches for another channel while watching the corresponding broadcast signal, the user first sets the PIP mode and outputs the PIP screen on the CRT device according to the PIP mode. The channel of the broadcast signal was manually tuned and the broadcast state of the channel could be confirmed.

However, if the user performs channel selection operation in the hope of watching a particular drama or a specific type of sports relay program, for example, based on a part of the screen in which the program output in a short time through the PIP screen is in progress. It is difficult to determine what program is being broadcast on the channel, so it is difficult to select a specific program desired by the user based on this PIP screen.

Accordingly, the present invention is to recognize the still picture and the still picture to characterize the program to be broadcast on the channel as a digital signal overlapping the vertical retrace period 16H of the TV signal prior to broadcasting the program from the broadcasting station according to each channel Receive the ID code data and video information as a television when the ID code data as the identification code for the video is transmitted, store the video signal in the memory means, and if the confirmation mode is set by the user, By reading the image information stored in the memory means sequentially on the basis of the ID code data and outputting it to the PIP screen, the user can easily display the contents of the program being broadcast on each channel through the image information output to the PIP screen. The automatic channel search system of the two-tuner television can be distinguished. There is a purpose in the title.

An automatic channel search apparatus for a two-tuner television according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object comprises an ID code detection unit for detecting ID code data output from an image IF module in a channel selected from a second tuner. And sequentially applying a tuning signal to the second tuner, and when ID code data is detected by the ID code detector, stores ID code data corresponding to the corresponding channel, and when the confirmation mode is set, the ID code. A control unit for reading data, a first memory for storing ID code data corresponding to a channel in which ID code data is sequentially detected under the control of the controller, and simultaneously transmitted with ID code data under the control of the controller Encoder compressing the image information processed by A / D and compressing it, and image information of each channel compressed by this encoder A second memory stored corresponding to the ID code data and under the control of the controller when setting a confirmation mode, the image information stored in the second memory is read and expanded based on ID code data and D / A conversion is performed. And a video processing means for PIP-processing the video information applied from the decoder and outputting the video information to the PIP screen.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, if ID code data is detected while sequentially tuning each channel, the video information transmitted simultaneously with the ID code data is stored in the memory means, and the channel tuning operation is performed again. When the confirmation mode is set, the image information stored in the memory means is sequentially output through the PIP screen according to each channel, so that the user can specify a specific channel characteristically showing the contents of the program output to the PIP screen. It is possible to provide an automatic channel search apparatus for a two-tuner television that can easily determine the contents of a program broadcasted on the specific channel from a still image for the specific channel.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention;

1 is a block diagram of a channel search apparatus of a two-tuner television according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 10 denotes a control signal input unit for controlling the overall function of a corresponding television. The control signal input unit 10 is composed of a remote control applied to the remote control of the corresponding television or a control panel defined on the front of the television, and for example, a power button or channel selection for performing the power ON / OFF function. A channel up / down button for setting a volume, a volume up / down button for setting a volume level, a mode setting button for a switching setting of a TV / VCR mode, for example, a 10-key applied to direct channel selection or time reservation of a channel, and the present invention. A confirmation button 10a for setting the confirmation mode is provided to search for a program being broadcast on each channel.

Reference numeral 12 is a control unit for controlling the overall function of the television corresponding to the operation of a plurality of buttons for setting the function provided in the control signal input unit 10, which will be described later in the present invention. Tuning data read from the channel data storage unit 14 is sequentially applied to the second tuner 18b so that each channel is sequentially searched, and from the video signal of the channel tuned by the second tuner 18b. When ID code data is detected through the ID code detecting unit 34 to be described later, the corresponding channel data and ID code data are stored in the first memory 36 to be described later, and the second image information to be described later will be described. The memory 40 is stored corresponding to the ID code data. In addition, when the confirmation mode is set by operating the confirmation button 10a of the control signal input unit 10, the controller 12 sequentially stores the image information of each channel stored in the second memory 40 to be described later. It is read out so that it can be output on the PIP screen 32a.

On the other hand, reference numeral 14 is a channel data storage for storing channel data for each channel tuning to tune the broadcast signal according to each channel transmitted from the broadcasting station, 16 is a function designated by the control signal input unit 10 An OSD processing unit for generating an OSD text signal for displaying text information on a control. In the present invention, the OSD processing unit 16 is configured to include a first memory unit when a confirmation mode is set under the control of the control unit 12. 36) On the basis of the stored channel data, the OSD text signal corresponding to the OSD text, e.g., 2, 6, ..., 13, etc., is displayed so that the OSD text corresponding to the corresponding channel number can be displayed on the PIP screen 32a. Create

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 18 is based on tuning data (VT) for a specific channel read and provided from the channel data storage unit 14 under the control of the control unit 12 among a plurality of broadcast channels received through an antenna. A tuner section for tuning a channel corresponding thereto, wherein the first tuner is used for channel selection of video / audio signals displayed on the main screen and the PIP screen in the case of a television equipped with a PIP function (i.e., a multi-screen processing function). 18a and the second tuner 18b are provided.

Reference numerals 20, 22, and 24 denote voice signal processing means for reproducing an audio signal among video / audio signals of a channel tuned by the tuner 18, and reference numeral 20 denotes the tuner 18. An audio IF module that separates an audio signal from a video / audio signal of a tuned channel and IF converts the audio signal, and then detects only an audio signal from among audio intermediate frequency signals (SIF) of the IF signal. 22 is a voice signal processing unit for processing the voice signal output from the voice IF module 20 in a voice processing mode set by the control signal input unit 10, for example, volume adjustment, voice surround or voice multiplex processing. Is an audio signal amplifying unit for amplifying the audio signal output from the audio signal processing unit 22 to be reproduced through the speaker SP connected to the rear stage.

Further, reference numerals 26, 28, and 30 denote video signal processing means for reproducing the video signal among the video / audio signals of the channel tuned by the tuner 18, and reference numeral 26 denotes tuning by the tuner 18. A video IF module that separates the video signal from the video / audio signal of the channel and IF converts the video signal, and then detects only the video signal from among the video intermediate frequency signals (PIF) for the IF converted video signal. 30 denotes an image-related processing function designated by the control signal input unit 10, for example, adjustment of luminance / contrast, multi-screen processing by the PIP processing function of the main screen and the PIP screen, or generated by the OSD processing unit 16. An image multiple processing unit which inserts an OSD text signal on a screen and outputs R (red), G (green), B (blue), and luminance (Y) according to the present invention. The control unit 1 If the confirmation mode is set under the control of 2), the PIP mode is set to read the image from the second memory 40 which will be described later, and the image information decoded by the decoder 42 to be described later can be output through the PIP screen 32a. Process. Reference numeral 30 denotes an image amplifier for amplifying the image signal processed by the image multiple processor 28 and displaying it on the CRT apparatus 32.

Here, in order to perform the PIP function, the image IF module 26 and the image multiprocessor 28 for the first tuner 18a and the second tuner 18b of the tuner unit 18 may have first and second tuners. Dedicated processing paths for (18a, 18b) are set, and when the PIP function is performed on the CRT device 32, for example, when the video signal tuned by the first tuner 18a is displayed as main, the channel search is performed. For this purpose, the video signals selected by the second tuner 18b are sequentially displayed on the PIP screen 32a.

Further, reference numeral 34 denotes an ID code detection unit for detecting ID code data from the image signal output from the image IF module 26, and 36 denotes an ID in the ID code detection unit 34 under the control of the control unit 12. When the code data is detected, the ID code data is stored corresponding to the channel data for the channel where the corresponding ID code data is detected, and when the confirmation mode is set, the ID code data stored based on the channel data. Is read from the ID code detection unit 34 based on a predetermined control signal ⓐ output from the control unit 12, for example, an operation enable signal and a write signal. When data is detected, the image information transmitted simultaneously with the ID code data is encoded by the image multi-processing unit 28, that is, A / D conversion of the image information and the like. For example, the image information is stored in the second memory 40 which will be described later corresponding to the ID code data based on the light signal output from the control unit 12 by compressing the MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) method. It is an encoder.

Reference numeral 40 denotes that the image information compressed by the encoder 38 is stored correspondingly to the ID code data, and that the compressed image information is decoded by the decoder 42 which will be described later when the confirmation mode is set. The two memories, 42, which are sequentially read out, have a predetermined control signal ⓑ output from the controller 12, for example, ID code data read out from the first memory 36, an operable signal, and a read signal. The image information stored in the second memory 40 is read based on the ID code data based on the ID code data, and the image information stored in the compressed state as described above is decoded. Is decoded to be readable and is subjected to D / A conversion and applied to the image multiple processing unit 28.

Next, the operation of the channel search apparatus of the two-tuner television will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, when a specific channel is tuned by a user, the control unit 12 reads out tuning data corresponding to the specific channel from the channel data storage unit 14 and cuts it to the first tuner 18a. In the first tuner 18a, the specific channel is tuned based on this tune data (step 50).

Subsequently, the control unit 12 reproduces the broadcast signal for the specific channel tuned by the first tuner 18a in step 50 (step 52), and the process is described below.

That is, in step 52, the control unit 12 reads out tuning data corresponding to the channel to be tuned by the user in step 50 from the channel data storage unit 14, for example, the first tuner 18. The voice signal of the channel tuned by the first tuner 18a is detected by the voice IF module 20 and applied to the voice signal processor 22 accordingly. The processor 22 processes the voice signal based on the volume adjustment signal or the voice multiple control signal set through the control signal input unit 10 and applies the voice signal to the voice amplifier 24. The audio signal amplified in 24 is applied to the speaker SP and reproduced.

In addition, an image signal of a channel tuned by the first tuner 18a of the tuner unit 18 is detected by the image IF module 26 and then applied to the image multiple processing unit 28, and the image multiple processing unit ( 28 performs RGB processing for reproducing the video signal and performs insertion processing of the OSD text signal provided by the OSD processing unit 16 under the control of the controller 12 to convert the video signal into an image amplifying unit ( 30), and the video signal amplified by the video amplification unit 30 is displayed on the CRT apparatus 32.

On the other hand, the control unit 12 searches for each channel by sequentially tuning each channel by sequentially reading the tuning data stored in the channel data storage unit 14 and applying it to the second tuner 18b. 54) In this step 54, channel ID is searched by the second tuner 18b to determine whether ID code data is detected in the video signal output from the video IF module 26 through the ID code detector 34. (Step 56).

If it is determined in step 56 that the ID code data is detected in the video signal output from the video IF module 26 through the ID code detection unit 34 in step 54, the control unit 12 determines In addition to storing the ID code data in the first memory 36 corresponding to the channel data from which the ID code data is detected (step 58), the controller 12 transmits a predetermined control signal ⓐ to the encoder 38. The video information is transmitted simultaneously with the ID code data in the channel so that the video information processed by the video multi-processing unit 28 is encoded through the encoder 38 (step 60). The data is stored in the second memory 40 in correspondence with the data (step 62).

On the other hand, while repeatedly executing the process up to step 62 described above for each channel sequentially tuned in step 54, the control unit 12 has a confirmation button 10a configured in the control signal input unit 10 by the user. It is determined whether or not the confirmation mode is set based on the input of the key signal according to the operation (step 64). As a result of the determination in step 64, the controller 12 confirms the confirmation button from the control signal input unit 10. When the key signal according to 10a is input and it is determined that the confirmation mode is set, the control unit 12 automatically sets the PIP mode and transmits a predetermined control signal to the image multi-processing unit 28 accordingly. (Step 66).

The controller 12 sequentially reads ID code data stored in the first memory 36 corresponding to the channel data in step 58 (step 68), and then transmits a predetermined control signal to the decoder 42. (Ⓑ) is applied so that the decoder 42 reads out image information stored in the second memory 40 based on the ID code data read out in step 68 (step 70).

In addition, the decoder 42 may determine the corresponding video information, for example, compressed by the MPEG method, read out from the second memory 40 based on a predetermined control signal ⓑ output from the controller 12. The image is extended to a degree and subjected to D / A conversion and applied to the image multiple processing 28 (step 72).

The image processing unit 28 performs the PIP screen processing on the image information decoded and applied in step 72 and then outputs the PIP screen 32a of the CRT apparatus 32 via the image amplifying unit 30 (step 74) In addition, the OSD processing unit 16 generates a text signal for the corresponding channel under the control of the control unit 12 and applies it to the image multiple processing unit 28 to display the OSD text indicating the corresponding channel on the PIP screen. (Step 76).

Here, the PIP screen is a feature that shows a program that is broadcasted on a specific channel as shown in FIG. 3. For example, the PIP screen is automatically tuned for channel search separately from the video signal for the broadcast signal output to the main screen. If a soccer match program is broadcasted on the channel, for example, channel 11, a soccer shooting scene is displayed, and if a basketball match program is broadcasted, a still image indicating a basketball shooting scene is output, and the program is broadcasted. Channel characters corresponding to the channel present, for example, 2, 6, ..., 13, etc., are displayed as OSD characters.

On the other hand, the control unit 12 repeatedly performs the above-described step 68 to the step 76, while the image information stored for each channel is stored in the timer (not shown) of the built-in timer (not shown) On the basis of the control based on the PIP screen at predetermined time intervals, the user can determine whether another channel is tuned by operating the channel button or 10-key configured in the control signal input unit 10 (step 78). In step 78, if another channel is tuned by the user, the controller 12 automatically cancels the confirmation mode set in step 64 (step 80), and then releases the PIP mode (step 82). The video / audio signal of the broadcast signal for the specific channel tuned in step 78 is reproduced (step 84).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the other channel is not tuned by the user as a result of the determination in step 78, the control unit 12 re-operates the confirmation button 10a configured in the control signal input unit 10 by the user. The controller 12 determines whether or not the confirmation mode set in step 64 is released (step 86). If the confirmation mode is released by the user as a result of the determination in step 86, the control unit 12 automatically determines in step 66. The set PIP mode is released (step 88), and the initial state is returned.

However, if it is determined in step 86 that the confirmation mode has not been released by the user, the process proceeds to step 68 where the image information stored according to each channel is sequentially output through the PIP screen 34a. Will perform the action.

As described above, according to the channel search apparatus of a two-tuner television according to the present invention, a still picture that characteristically shows ID code data transmitted from a broadcasting station in the vertical retrace period 16H of a TV signal and a program to be broadcast on the channel. Based on the video information and the ID code data, the video information indicating the programs broadcast on each channel is sequentially stored, and when the user wants to search the channel, the video information stored in the video is sequentially output to the PIP screen. Therefore, it is possible to accurately and simply determine the program being broadcast on the corresponding channel through the still image of the video information for displaying the characteristic screen of the broadcast program.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims (1)

In a two-tuner television, an ID code detection unit 34 for detecting ID code data output from the video IF module 26 in a channel selected from the second tuner 18b, and the second tuner 18b. When the ID code data is detected by the ID code detection unit 34, the ID code data corresponding to the channel is stored, and the ID code data is read when the confirmation mode is set. The first memory 36 which stores ID code data corresponding to a channel in which ID code data is sequentially detected under the control of the control unit 12 and the control unit 12, and the ID under the control of the control unit 12. The encoder 38, which is transmitted simultaneously with the code data, performs the A / D conversion and compresses the image information processed by the image multiple processing unit 28. A second memory 40 in which video information of each channel compressed by the encoder 38 is stored corresponding to the ID code data, and stored in the second memory under the control of the controller 12 when setting a confirmation mode. A decoder 42 for reading out the image information based on the ID code data and expanding the same, and performing a D / A conversion, and image processing means for PIP processing and outputting the image information applied from the decoder 42 to a PIP screen. Automatic channel search apparatus for a two-tuner television, characterized in that it comprises a (28, 30, 32a).