KR100279119B1 - Method for selecting channel in digital television receiver and device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

end. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus for tuning channels in a digital television receiver.

I. The technical problem to be solved by the invention

Provided are a digital channel tuning method and apparatus capable of selecting a channel easily and conveniently in a digital television receiver.

All. Summary of Solution of the Invention

In the state of displaying a program consisting of one main screen and at least one sub screen for sub-channel programs received through one RF channel, the pointer position is checked on the screen when a specific key is inputted. If present, an RF channel corresponding to a specific key is selected, and when the pointer is on the sub screen, the sub screen and the main screen on which the pointer is located are switched between each other.

la. Important uses of the invention

Used to tune channels in a digital television receiver.

Description

Channel tuning method and apparatus for digital television receivers {METHOD FOR SELECTING CHANNEL IN DIGITAL TELEVISION RECEIVER AND DEVICE THEREOF}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to digital television receivers, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for tuning channels.

Analog TV broadcasting, such as NTSC (National Television System Committe) TV broadcasting, was able to broadcast only one program in a frequency band of one radio frequency (RF) channel.

In contrast, next-generation digital TV broadcasts, such as HDTV (High Definition Television), have a much larger number of RF channels than analog TV broadcasts. In addition, you can flexibly allocate the necessary bit rates for the services you need when you need them. That is, it is possible to transmit a plurality of programs in a limited transmission bandwidth of one RF channel. For example, in some program schedules, it is possible to organize SD (Standard Definition) programs such as analog TV broadcasts into multiple channels, and some time zones to organize HD programs into one channel. An example of this is the United States Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) standard.

As described above, in digital TV broadcasting, not only the number of RF channels is larger than that of analog broadcasting, but also a single RF channel may have a plurality of sub-channel programs, and the number of channels becomes very large. As a result, when the user selects a channel, the complexity becomes difficult. This is especially large when the SD channel of the digital channel is selected by directly inputting the channel number as a numeric key. In addition, when selecting a channel by pressing a channel up key or a channel down key, the viewer could not be shown how many programs are currently being broadcast and which programs are being broadcast. In addition, as the existing NTSC and digital TV broadcasts are simultaneously broadcast on the same station, viewers are more confused about channel selection.

As described above, in digital TV broadcasting, not only is it difficult for a viewer to select a channel but also a difficult disadvantage occurs.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a channel tuning method and apparatus for easily and simply selecting a channel in a digital TV receiver.

1 is a block diagram of a channel tuning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a process flow diagram of the microprocessor of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an exemplary view of a screen according to channel selection of the present invention.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pointer position on a screen when a specific key is input in a state in which programs of a sub channel received through one RF channel are displayed on one main screen and at least one sub screen. When the pointer is on the main screen, the controller selects an RF channel corresponding to a specific key, and when the pointer is on the sub screen, the sub screen on which the pointer is located and the main screen are switched.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the annexed drawings, specific details, such as many specific processing flows or screen examples, are shown to provide a more general understanding of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In addition, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a channel tuning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to an HDTV receiver employing a Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) standard. As shown in FIG. Portions not directly related to the present invention are not shown and are omitted. In FIG. 1, a tuner 102 inputs a digital TV broadcast signal received through an antenna 100 to tune one RF channel under the control of a microprocessor 118, Output IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal. The IF module 104 converts the IF signal output from the tuner 102 into a baseband signal. The channel decoder 106 reproduces the data bit stream by channel decoding the baseband signal output from the IF module 104. In this way, the data bit stream output from the channel decoder 106 is commonly applied to the main TS (Transport Stream) decoder 108 and the sub TS decoder 112.

The main TS decoder 106 separates audio data, video data and control data from the data bit string reproduced by the channel decoder 106. At this time, the main TS decoder 106 separates the audio data and the video data of the program selected as the main screen by the microprocessor 118 among the programs received through the RF channel. The audio data separated by the main TS decoder 108 is output to an audio decoder (not shown), decoded according to the MPEG standard, signal processed, and finally output as voice. The control data is provided to the microprocessor 118, which includes program specification information, that is, program specific information (PSI). Also, the video data separated from the main TS decoder 108 is applied to the main video decoder 110 and decoded according to the MPEG standard, and then applied to the main / sub switching unit 116 as a main video signal.

The sub TS decoder 112 separates video data from the data bit string reproduced by the channel decoder 106. At this time, the sub TS decoder 112 separates the video data selected as the sub picture by the microprocessor 118 among the programs received through the RF channel. The video data separated by the sub TS decoder 112 is output to the sub video decoder 114, decoded according to the MPEG standard, and then output to the main / sub switching unit 116 as a sub video signal.

The main / sub switching unit 116 switches and outputs the main video signal and the sub video signal to be divided into a main screen and a sub screen on one screen under the control of the microprocessor 118. In this way, the video signal output from the main / sub switching unit 116 is processed to be applied to the water pipe (not shown) to be displayed as an image on the screen.

In addition, the memory unit 120 may include a read only memory (ROM) for storing a program of the microprocessor 118 and a random access memory (RAM) for temporarily storing data according to program execution of the microprocessor 118. Memory) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) for storing various reference data.

Tuner 102, IF module 104, channel decoder 106, main TS decoder 108, main video decoder 110, sub TS decoder 112, sub video decoder 114, main as described above The / sub-switching unit 116 and the memory unit 120 are connected via a bus 128 connected to the microprocessor 118. In addition, the microprocessor 118 is connected with a key input unit 122 and an IR (Infrared) receiver 124. The key input unit 122 provides a key input received from a keypad or a remote controller (REMOCON) to the microprocessor 118. The IR receiver 124 receives an IR signal according to an event generated from the mouse 126 and provides it to the microprocessor 118. The mouse 126 transmits an IR signal as a wireless mouse such as an air mouse.

The microprocessor 118 is used as a control unit of the HDTV receiver including the apparatus of FIG. 1, and according to an event input from a mouse 126 through a key input from the key input unit 122 or an IR receiver 124. By performing the program stored in the unit 120 to control the overall HDTV receiver to perform the operation according to the present invention including the basic functions of the HDTV receiver.

2 illustrates a process flow diagram of the microprocessor 118 of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The function according to the flowchart of FIG. 2 is programmed in the ROM of the memory unit 120 to be performed by the microprocessor 118 of FIG.

1 and 2, the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. First, when the viewer wants to select a channel, the channel number can be directly input by using a numeric key or a channel up key or a channel down key as described above. Accordingly, when the microprocessor 118 of FIG. 1 generates a key input from the key input unit 122, the microprocessor 118 checks whether a numeric key is input in step 200 of FIG. 2.

If it is determined in step 200 that a numeric key for directly selecting a channel is input, the microprocessor 118 selects an RF channel corresponding to the number input in step 202 by the tuner 102. In operation 204, the microprocessor 118 confirms whether there are two or more programs of the sub-channel received in the tuned RF channel according to the numeric key input from the PSI information applied from the main TS decoder 108. In this case, if there is only one program, the microprocessor 118 controls the main / sub switching unit 116 in step 206 to display the program received on the RF channel on a full screen as in a normal case, and ends. An example of displaying the full screen as shown in FIG. 3 (e) shows an example in which one HD class program is broadcast, in which the microprocessor 118 additionally displays a message indicating that only one HD class program is being broadcast. 3 (e) shows an example of displaying such a message as “THIS IS 1 HD CHANNEL”.

If there are two or more programs, the microprocessor 118 displays one of the programs of the subchannels received as the RF channel in the main screen on the main screen and displays the remaining programs as the subscreen on the main screen in step 208. Perform the steps. At this time, for example, the first program among the programs received through the RF channel is set to be displayed as a default on the main screen.

An example of displaying a main screen and a sub screen as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D is shown. FIG. 3 (a) shows an example in which two SD class programs are broadcast, and shows an example of displaying one SD class program SD1 as a main screen and displaying the other SD class program SD2 as a sub screen. . 3 (b) shows an example in which three SD class programs are broadcast, an example of displaying one SD class program SD1 as a main screen and displaying the other two SD class programs SD2 and SD3 as sub screens, respectively. Will be shown. 3 (c) shows an example in which four SD class programs are broadcasted, one SD class program SD1 is displayed as the main screen, and the other three SD class programs SD2, SD3, and SD4 are respectively displayed as sub screens. This is an example. FIG. 3 (d) shows an example in which five or more SD level programs are broadcasted, and one SD level program SD1 is displayed on the main screen, and three SD level programs SD2, SD3, and SD4 among the remaining SD level programs. Shows an example of displaying the message "MORE" indicating that there are more programs of the subchannels as well as displaying each of the subscreens. When the sub screen is displayed in this way, the microprocessor 118 displays the title and number of the corresponding program.

Therefore, the user can easily check by showing all the programs received through the RF channel on the screen.

Unlike the above, when it is confirmed in step 200 that the numeric key is not input, the microprocessor 118 checks whether the channel up key or the channel down key is input in step 210. At this time, if it is confirmed that the input key is neither the channel up key nor the channel down key, the microprocessor 118 performs normal key processing. In contrast, if it is confirmed that the channel up key or the channel down key is input, the microprocessor 118 checks the position of the mouse pointer on the screen in step 212.

If the mouse pointer is on the main screen in step 212, the microprocessor 118 tunes the RF channel corresponding to the channel up key or the channel down key in step 214 by controlling the tuner 102 and then selects the RF channel. Step 204 is performed. Accordingly, one of the programs of the sub channel received in the tuned RF channel according to the channel up key or channel down key input is displayed on the main screen, and if there are remaining programs, the sub screen is displayed.

When the mouse pointer is different from the sub screen in step 212, the microprocessor 118 controls the main TS decoder 108 and the sub TS decoder 112 in step 216. The main screen is switched between each other and the step 218 is performed.

Therefore, if the user wants to switch between the main screen and the sub screen while all programs of the sub channel received through the RF channel are shown on the screen, move the mouse 126 to position the mouse pointer on the sub screen, and then press the channel up key or Simply enter the channel down key. You can change the RF channel by placing the mouse pointer on the main screen and entering the channel up or channel down keys.

Meanwhile, in step 218, the microprocessor 118 responds to the sub-screen in step 220 in response to a predetermined time t1 elapsed from when the sub-screen is started to be displayed as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d). Mute and replace the sub screen icon representing the program of the sub channel on the main screen instead. Since the sub screen is muted in this manner, the microprocessor 118 waits for an event from the mouse 126 until a predetermined time t2 elapses in steps 222 to 224. At this time, if no event is generated from the mouse 126 until a predetermined time t2 elapses, the microprocessor 118 erases the sub screen icon on the screen in step 226 and removes the icon from the mouse 126 in step 228. Wait for an event to occur.

As described above, when an event is generated from the mouse 126 in a state in which the sub screen is muted or the sub screen icon is erased, the microprocessor 118 responds thereto in step 224 or 228. In operation 218, the sub-screen is displayed again and the operation 218 is performed.

Accordingly, when a numeric key is input for one RF channel or when a channel up key or a channel down key is used, programs of all subchannels are displayed on the screen, thereby allowing the viewer to easily and conveniently select a channel.

In addition, when the key input is again performed during the steps 218 to 230, the microprocessor 118 is repeatedly executed from the step 200, which is not shown in FIG. 2 for convenience.

Meanwhile, in the above description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the embodiment of the present invention shows an example of applying the present invention to an HDTV receiver, but the same applies to all digital TV receivers. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the viewer applies to both the case of inputting a numeric key and the channel up key or the channel down key to select a channel, but if necessary, input the numeric key to select a channel It can be applied only when the channel up key or the channel down key is input. Also, input from the mouse may not be considered separately. Therefore, the scope of the invention should not be defined by the described embodiments, but should be defined by the equivalents of the claims and the claims.

As described above, the present invention has the advantage that the channel can be easily and simply selected by showing all the programs of the sub-channel received through the RF channel on the screen.

Claims (12)

In the channel tuning method of a digital television receiver for displaying a screen consisting of a main screen and at least one sub-screen programs of the sub-channel received by one RF channel, Checking a pointer position on the screen when a specific key is input while the main screen and the sub screen are displayed; Tuning an RF channel corresponding to the specific key when the pointer is on the main screen; And when the pointer is on the sub screen, switching between the sub screen on which the pointer is located and the main screen to each other. In the channel tuning method of a digital television receiver for displaying a screen consisting of a main screen and at least one sub-screen programs of the sub-channel received by one RF channel, Checking a pointer position on the screen when a specific key is input while the main screen and the sub screen are displayed; Tuning an RF channel corresponding to the specific key when the pointer is on the main screen; Displaying one of the programs of the sub-channel received through the tuned RF channel on the main screen and displaying the sub-screen on the sub screen if there are other programs; And when the pointer is on the sub screen, switching between the sub screen on which the pointer is located and the main screen to each other. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising muting the sub screen and displaying a sub screen icon representing a program of a sub channel on a screen when a predetermined time elapses from the start of displaying the sub screen. Channel tuning method. 4. The channel tuning method of claim 3, further comprising erasing the sub screen icon on the screen when a predetermined time elapses from when the sub screen is muted. The channel tuning method of claim 4, further comprising displaying the sub screen again when a key input event occurs in a state in which the sub screen is muted or the display of the sub screen icon is terminated. The channel tuning method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising displaying a title and a sub channel number of a corresponding program on the sub screen. A channel tuning apparatus for a digital television receiver, A key input unit having channel up, down keys and numeric keys for channel selection; A main TS decoder for separating video data of a program selected as a main screen among programs of subchannels received by the RF channel from a data bit string reproduced from signals of a tuned RF channel; A main video decoder for decoding the video data output from the main TS decoder and outputting the video data as a main video signal; A sub TS decoder for separating video data of a program selected as a sub picture among programs received on the RF channel from the data bit string; A sub video decoder for decoding video data output from the sub TS decoder and outputting the sub video signal; A main / sub switching unit for switching and outputting the main video signal and the sub video signal into a main screen and a sub screen to display the main video signal and the sub video signal; When the number of sub-channel programs received in the tuned RF channel is two or more when the RF channel designated by the channel up, down key or numeric key input is tuned, the TS decoders and the video decoders and the main / And a control unit for controlling the sub-switching unit to display one of the programs of the sub-channel on the main screen and to display the remaining programs on the sub-screen. The method of claim 7, wherein the control unit mutes the sub screen when a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the sub screen is started, and displays a sub screen icon indicating a program of the sub channel on the screen. Channel tuning device. 10. The channel tuning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control unit deletes the sub screen icon on the screen when a preset time elapses from when the sub screen is muted. 10. The channel tuning apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unit is a microprocessor provided as a main controller of the digital television receiver. The channel tuning method of claim 1, wherein the specific key is a channel up key or a channel down key. 3. The channel tuning method of claim 2, wherein the specific key is a channel up key or a channel down key.

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