KR100481494B1 - program information display device and the method for digital television - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for displaying program information of a digital television, and more particularly, to scrolling information such as a plot of a program being broadcast on a digital television at the bottom of the screen.

According to the present invention, when a next program starts while watching a broadcast program on a digital television, or when a viewer switches to a broadcast channel and wants to watch another broadcast program, the program has a database from which the PSI or PSIP information is analyzed and stored in the digital television. By extracting information on the plot from the PSI or PSIP information and automatically scrolling to the bottom of the screen, viewers can easily get information about the program without hassle.

In addition, even if the viewer turns off the auto-scrolling function in the menu or turns on the auto-scrolling function in the menu, the scrolled plot may disappear by simple key manipulation during scrolling.

Description

Program information display device and the method for digital television

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for displaying program information of a digital television, and more particularly, to scrolling information such as a plot of a program being broadcast on a digital television at the bottom of the screen.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in digital broadcasting (terrestrial or cable or satellite digital broadcasting), which provides significantly better image and sound quality than analog broadcasting, and the spread of digital television is rapidly spreading with the implementation of digital broadcasting.

In addition to the advantages of providing a high quality image and sound, the digital broadcasting may be a significant advantage of the drastic improvement of the user interface using additional digital service data transmission and graphics.

In addition, a digital TV provides a convenient user interface through a menu-based method of controlling a digital television using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). In order to provide such a user interface, various types of user interfaces may be provided. A flash ROM in which programs are stored is mounted in a digital TV, and when a predetermined operation signal based on a user's operation is applied, the program is fetched from the flash ROM in a system control block to perform a predetermined operation corresponding to the program. .

In other words, the digital TV having the above characteristics not only provides the image and audio by receiving the digital broadcast signal but also provides additional information about the broadcast program. Information on the broadcast can be provided.

In the related art, viewers who are watching a broadcast may want to see the broadcast information by pressing the electronic programming guide (EPG) key.

The EPG is a structure in which EPG packet information is transmitted when a predetermined unit of time or a subscriber's request is input to the electronic program guide, and displays an EPG screen menu of a program to be broadcasted through a display device. The viewer can grasp PSI (Program Specific Information) or Program Service Information Protocol (PSIP) information such as a channel of a program to be broadcast, a scheduled start time, a running time, a program provider, a program title, and a plot.

The EPG also categorizes programs according to types such as movies, news magazines, sports events, documentaries, movie subtypes such as dramas and actions, and sports subtypes such as soccer and basketball. The names of the quiz masters are also provided.

When the viewer wants to view the information on the broadcast program using the EPG function, the viewer inputs a key to display the EPG menu and requests the viewer to view the EPG information such as the program currently being broadcast or the next program to be broadcast. The information of the broadcast program can be obtained through the contents of the broadcast program generated on the screen.

However, if the user wants to obtain information on the broadcast program using the EPG menu in this way, the user's concentration on the broadcast program is decreased while the user operates and selects a key during viewing, and the user broadcasts while operating and selecting the key. There is a problem that it is difficult to understand the contents of the program.

In addition, viewers tend to want to see the information of the broadcast most when starting a broadcast or switching to a broadcast channel to view a new broadcast program. Thus, when the user wants to obtain information on the broadcast program using the EPG menu as described above, When a viewer starts a broadcast or switches a broadcast channel and views a new broadcast program, the viewer needs to input an EPG key every time in order to obtain broadcast information, thereby making viewers feel troublesome.

In addition, since such information takes up a considerable amount of space when displayed on the screen, there is a problem that it interferes with viewing.

According to the present invention, when a next program starts while watching a broadcast program on a digital television, or when a viewer switches to a broadcast channel and wants to watch another broadcast program, the program is analyzed from a database that stores and analyzes PSI or PSIP information on the digital television. Its purpose is to extract information about the plot from PSI or PSIP information and automatically scroll to the bottom of the screen so that viewers can easily obtain the information about the program without any hassle.

In addition, the present invention is a feature of the automatic scrolling of the plot on the menu of the digital television for the plot information of the program when the next broadcast program is started or the other broadcast program is started by switching the broadcast channel while the viewer is watching the broadcast program in the digital television Software programming to select (AUTO INFO VIEW) ON / OFF, and the plot auto-scroll function is on to force viewers to input certain keys on the remote control even when scrolling at the bottom of the screen. Its purpose is to provide the viewers convenience by programming to clear the scroll screen.

The apparatus for displaying program information of a digital television according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises a section filter for section filtering a data stream in a transport stream demultiplexed in the demux in a digital television having a tuner and a demux. A data analyzer extracting the plot information of the corresponding program by analyzing the section filtered data in the section filter, a database storing the plot information extracted from the data analyzer, a channel conversion desired by the user, and the stored plot information. A key input unit for selecting whether to display or not, and a center for controlling newly displayed program information through a channel switching command or the demux through the key input unit so that the corresponding plot information can be selectively displayed according to a user's request. wife And an output unit for displaying the video signal received through the tuner and the plot information of the corresponding program according to the control signal of the central processing unit. The on-screen menu displayed on the output unit selects one of the on and off using the key input unit. More preferably, the plot information displayed on the output unit in accordance with a control signal of the central processing unit is selected. It is displayed by scrolling in a predetermined direction in the lower area of the set screen.

More preferably, the key input unit further comprises a separate hot key for removing the plot information displayed on the output unit.

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The method for displaying program information of a digital television according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a method of displaying program information of a digital television having a tuner and a demux, by extracting plot information from the separated program information through the demux. Establishing a database, determining whether a new program is received through a channel changer or the tuner according to a user's request, and plot information of the program according to a user's request when the channel changeover or a new program is started. And extracting from the database and scrolling to a predetermined area. Preferably, the plot information of the program is extracted from the database according to a user's request. Rolling includes selecting whether to execute the automatic scrolling of the plot function, and extracting plot information of the corresponding program from the database and scrolling to a preset area according to the selection. More preferably, in the step of extracting the plot information of the corresponding program from the database and scrolling to a preset area according to the user's request, if the preset specific command is input, the scrolled plot information is removed and the received video signal is received. It has the feature to display only the bay.

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Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital television for implementing a plot automatic scrolling function according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a demux (100), an audio / video decoder (170), a section filter (110), a data parser (120), and a database. 130, a key input unit 140, a central processing unit (CPU) 150, and an output unit (output 160).

In more detail, when a high frequency channel selected by a user in a broadcast signal received through an antenna is tuned under the control of the central processing unit 150 and a multiplexed transport stream is input, the demux 100 is input. Demultiplexing the multiplexed and transmitted signal to select the corresponding stream.

The audio / video decoder 170 demodulates and outputs a video stream and an audio stream of the stream output from the demux 100, respectively.

The data stream of the stream output from the demux 100 includes data including program channel data and program specific information and a data packet including program specific information (PSI, PSIP).

The program specific information includes additional program guide information, a story line related to a broadcast program, and data supporting identification and combination of such additional information.

The section filter 110 filters the data packet to section filter the data in the data including specific information of the program.

The data analyzer 120 parses the section-filtered data, arranges them in a hierarchical manner, combines them, and stores the data packet related to the PSI or PSIP including the program channel selected by the viewer in the database 130.

The database 130 structures and stores the inputted information, and when the broadcast program that is being viewed by the control of the central processing unit 150 ends and the next program starts or the viewer switches a broadcast channel and starts another program, the corresponding program Provides plot information for the text so that it can scroll at the bottom of the screen.

The key input unit 140 is composed of a key panel (or a dedicated remote controller for the digital television) provided in the digital television, and the key panel (or a dedicated remote controller) is, for example, a power on / off key, a menu request key. And a plurality of function keys, such as a channel selection key, and in response to a user's key operation, the digital TV displays a menu on the screen so that the viewer can select the automatic scrolling function of the plot to turn on the program that he / she is watching and then the next program Starting or when the viewer switches a broadcast channel and another program starts, the plot information of the corresponding program can be scrolled to the bottom of the screen.

When the plot automatic scrolling function is selected to be on, the output unit 160 displays the plot information of the corresponding program at the bottom of the screen when the next program is started and the viewer starts switching or the other channel is started. Scroll to display.

The central processing unit 150 includes a broadcasting channel tuning and demux 100, a section filter 110, a data analyzer 120, a database 130, a key input unit 140, and an output unit 160. Overall control.

Looking in more detail with reference to Figure 1 of the operation of a digital television having a plot automatic scroll function having the configuration as described above, tuning is performed under the control of the central processing unit 150 in the broadcast signal received through the antenna, When the multiplexed transport stream including the tuned audio signal, the video signal, the program channel, and the data signal for additional information is input to the demux 100, the multiplexed signal is demultiplexed and the audio / video stream is demultiplexed. Is output to the audio / video decoder 170 and the data stream is output to the section filter 110.

The audio / video decoder 170 demodulates the video stream and the audio stream for further processing, and the data stream input to the section filter 110 includes a data packet including program channel data and program specific information (PSI, PSIP). The PSI and PSIP information is parsed by section filtering and then stored in the database 130 after parsing.

At this time, when the program that the viewer was watching is over and the next program starts or when the viewer switches the broadcasting channel to watch another broadcasting program, the central processing unit 150 determines such an event and analyzes and stores the PSI or PSIP information. Extract the information on the plot of the PSI or PSIP information of the program from the database 130, and automatically scrolls to the bottom of the screen.

Meanwhile, even if the viewer turns off the automatic scrolling function in the menu or turns on the automatic scrolling function in the menu, the scrolled story line may disappear by simple manipulation of the key panel during scrolling.

2 is an exemplary embodiment of a screen in which a plot is automatically scrolled at the bottom of the screen when the broadcast program being watched is finished and the next program starts.

Suppose a viewer is watching Star Wars Episode I (21), broadcast between 7:00 and 8:30.

Of the two scenes 21 and 22 shown, the screen 21 on the left is a scene of the last part of the movie <Star Wars Episode I> which the viewer is watching, and the boy is judged as a Jedi knight by the elders of the Jedi Knights. The scene 22 on the right side of the drawing is a scene where the main character Tanya is practicing to pass through the infrared surveillance network in the movie <Entrapment>.

If <Star Wars Episode I> ends at 8:00 and the next program starts from 8:30 to 11:00, the new movie <Entrapment> starts and the plot information (22a) of the movie program is displayed at the beginning of the movie. It automatically scrolls to the bottom of the screen, allowing viewers to view information about the movie they are watching without any key presses.

Of course, at this point, the autoscroll feature is turned on in the menu.

In addition, when the viewer does not want to know or do not want to see the plot information of the program that is scrolling at the bottom of the screen, the predetermined key input unit 140 may disappear by a separate key input (key input such as confirmation / deletion). .

3 is an embodiment of a screen in which a plot is automatically scrolled at the bottom of the screen when a channel is switched from a broadcast program that the viewer is watching to another program.

The contents of the two screens shown are the same as those of the screen of FIG. 2.

When a viewer watches the movie <Star Wars Episode I> 31 and switches to another channel to watch the movie <Entrapment> 32, the plot information 32a of the movie program is automatically scrolled to the bottom of the screen. Even if the viewer sees from the middle of the movie, the previous contents can be grasped to enhance the overall understanding of the movie, and the information on the movie being watched is provided without any key panel manipulation.

Of course, at this point, the autoscroll feature is turned on in the menu.

In addition, when the viewer does not want to see or know the plot information of the program that is scrolling at the bottom of the screen, it can disappear by a simple operation of the key panel (key input such as OK / Delete).

Referring to FIG. 4, when the user presses a specific key (such as a confirmation / erase key on the remote control) on the screen 41 on which the plot information 41a is scrolled, the scroll information of the plot information is automatically scrolled as shown in the next screen 42. To remove the part.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a screen in which a viewer selects an auto-scrolling function (Auto Info View) on a menu of a screen by using a key panel.

As shown in the figure, after selecting the plot automatic scroll function item 200a among various items (SETUP, PICTURE, AUDIO, TIME, etc.) in the menu 200 of the screen, select ON / OFF.

If the viewer selects ON by operating the key panel 210, the plot information of the program is displayed when the next program starts while watching a broadcast program or when the viewer switches the broadcast channel and wants to see another broadcast program. It will scroll to the bottom.

However, if the viewer selects off, even if the next program starts while watching the broadcast program or the viewer switches to the broadcast channel and wants to see another broadcast program, the plot information of the program is not scrolled.

6 is a flowchart of a method for automatically scrolling the plot of a program in a digital television as an embodiment according to the present invention.

PSI or PSIP data for the broadcast program is analyzed (S100) and a corresponding database is established (S110).

Next, it is determined whether the viewer switches channels by operating the remote controller while watching. (S120)

When the viewer calls the channel by operating the remote controller, the user obtains the plot information on the program of the corresponding channel from the database and scrolls to the bottom of the screen (S150, S160; however, Auto Info View = ON).

However, if the viewer continues to watch the program that was being watched without switching channels, the remote controller determines whether the plot elimination key is input, and if so, deletes the plot information screen (S170, S180). To determine the current time, obtain the duration time and current time of the current program. (S130)

In the next step (S140), it is determined whether the current time is the program start time, and if the time of the newly starting program coincides with the current time, the plot information of the newly started program is obtained from the database, and the plot information is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Scroll (S150, S169; Auto Info View = ON).

However, if the time of the newly starting program and the current time do not match, the PSI or PSIP data is continuously analyzed (S190 and S100) to build a database and repeat the process in the above-described order.

Whether or not to execute the plot scroll function depends on the step S155 of determining whether "Auto Info View = ON".

Meanwhile, as described above, when the viewer does not want to see or know the plot information of the corresponding program scrolling at the bottom of the screen, the viewer may disappear by a simple key operation (S170, S180). By using the keys on the existing remote control, such as check / erase without putting a key of the corresponding function separately, it is desirable not to complicate the configuration of the key and viewers do not feel difficulty in key operation.

The present invention relates to a program automatic scrolling function provided by digital television. When a viewer starts a next program while watching a broadcast program or when the viewer wants to watch another broadcast program by switching a broadcast channel, By scrolling to the bottom of the screen, there was a hassle of pressing the EPG key on the key panel to find out information about the program the viewers were watching when they watched the broadcast, and some viewers didn't use the EPG key at all. By preventing the fading of the meaning of digital broadcasting to provide various additional information on the digital broadcasting, the utilization of the additional digital broadcasting can be enhanced and viewers can obtain the plot information on the program more comfortably and easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital television for implementing a plot automatic scrolling function according to the present invention.

2 is an embodiment of the present invention, showing a screen in which the plot is automatically scrolled to the bottom of the screen when the next program starts after the broadcast program that was watching.

3 is an embodiment of the present invention, showing a screen in which the plot is automatically scrolled at the bottom of the screen when the channel is switched to another program from the broadcast program that the viewer was watching.

4 is a diagram showing an example of switching to a plot removal screen during plot automatic scrolling according to the present invention;

5 is an embodiment of a screen in which the viewer selects the automatic scrolling function on the menu of the screen with a key.

6 is a flowchart of a method for automatically scrolling the plot of a program in a digital television, as an embodiment according to the present invention.

<Description of Signs of Major Parts of Drawings>

100: Demux 110: section filter

120: data analyzer 130: database

140: key input unit 150: central processing unit

160: output unit 170: audio / video decoder

200: menu 210: remote control

Claims (7)

In digital television with tuner and demux, A section filter for section filtering the data stream among the transport streams demultiplexed in the demux; A data analyzer configured to extract section information of a corresponding program by analyzing section filtered data in the section filter; A database for storing plot information extracted from the data analyzer; A key input unit for selecting a desired channel change and displaying the stored plot information; A central processing unit which receives the channel change command or the newly received program information through the demux through the key input unit, and controls the plot information to be selectively displayed according to a user's request; And, And an output unit for displaying the video signal received through the tuner and the plot information of the program according to the control signal of the central processing unit. The method of claim 1, The program information display apparatus of the digital television, characterized in that whether the display of the plot information is selected on or off using the key input unit on the menu displayed on the output unit. The method of claim 1, And plot information displayed on the output unit in accordance with a control signal of the central processing unit is scrolled and displayed in a predetermined direction in a lower area of a preset screen. The method of claim 1, And the key input unit further includes a separate hot key for removing the plot information displayed on the output unit. In digital television with tuner and demux, Extracting plot information from information of a program separated through the demux to construct a database; Determining whether a new program is received through the channel changer or the tuner according to a user's request; And, And extracting plot information of a corresponding program from the database and scrolling to a predetermined area when the channel is changed or a new program is started. The method of claim 5, wherein According to the user's request, extracting the plot information of the program from the database and scrolling to a preset area, Selecting whether or not to execute the automatic scrolling of the plot, and extracting plot information of the corresponding program from the database and scrolling a preset area according to the selection. Way. The method of claim 5, wherein According to the user's request, if the preset specific command is input in the step of extracting the plot information of the corresponding program from the database and scrolling the preset area, the scrolled plot information is removed and only the received video signal is displayed. Program information display method of digital TV.