KR100510683B1 - Apparatus and method for auto setting channel of digital TV using the internet - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for automatic channel setting of a digital TV using the Internet, which can efficiently update information on a broadcasting channel using the Internet. The configuration is selected by a user accessing a channel information management site of the Internet. CPU for downloading and processing local channel information; Channel information storage unit for storing the channel information downloaded by the control of the CPU; IP information storage unit for storing the IP information of the channel information management site corresponding to the selected region; A video display processor configured to process the downloaded channel information data so as to be displayed on the display; a display unit configured to display the channel screen data and a setting screen at the time of setting the channel information download; an internet for connecting the SET to the Internet under control of the CPU It includes an interface unit.

Description

Apparatus and method for auto setting channel of digital TV using the internet}

The present invention relates to channel information management of a TV system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for automatic channel setting of a digital TV using the Internet, which can efficiently update information on a broadcast channel using the Internet.

In general, the automatic setting of a broadcast channel in a broadcast receiving device is to provide a user with only a stored channel by automatically searching for a channel that is currently receivable among numerous channels and automatically setting a channel.

Recently, due to the more diverse and complicated channels due to the appearance of DTV, a lot of time and effort is required for channel setting, and improvement of this is required.

Hereinafter, channel setting of the TV system of the related art will be described.

1 is a block diagram of a general TV system.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a TV system, in which a tuner 2 tunes a received signal by a channel tuning frequency, detection of a video signal in a channel signal of the tuned frequency, and detection of a horizontal synchronization signal from the video signal. A video display processor 4 for performing a display function by performing such a function, a clock supply unit 7 for supplying a system clock, a power supply unit 8 for supplying power for the entire system, and CPU 1 for performing a series of automatic channel setting operations such as retrieving channel information using the image data of the video display processor 4 and storing the channel information in a storage medium, that is, the EEPROM 3, and a video display. Using the output data of the processor 4, the video signal and the audio signal can be output through the external display means (CRT) and the speaker, respectively. And a video signal output section 5 and an audio signal output section 6 which are processed so as to be processed.

Automatic channel setup in such a TV system requires a user to search a whole channel one by one to find and store the number of the channel to which the current broadcast signal is transmitted and to repeat a series of processes. I need a lot.

At the instant of automatic channel discovery, broadcast waves are disturbed by external influences, which prevents the receiver from searching for the broadcast channel or the adjacent channel effect. The phenomenon of catching a much larger number of channels than the number of broadcast channels may occur.

In a conventional TV system having a regional broadcasting channel memory function, a channel of a broadcasting program that is differently broadcasted for each region is stored in advance in the TV SET.

When the channel information is stored in advance as described above, since only the channel information for each region at the time of producing the TV is stored, the information about the newly created channel is not updated after the time of producing the TV.

The automatic channel setting method of the prior art does not have a corresponding method for many channels that will be created as DTV broadcasting becomes full-scale in the future.

The automatic channel search method of the conventional TV system has the following problems.

First, the automatic channel search method of the related art which searches a whole channel one by one and repeats a series of processes of finding and storing the number of the channel to which the current broadcast signal is transmitted is complicated. This is a lot needed.

When changing the viewing area, such a series of steps must be repeated, which adds to the inconvenience of the user.

Second, in the case of a TV system with a regional broadcasting channel memory function, since the channel of a broadcasting program that is differently broadcasted by region is stored in the TV SET at the time of production, the utility information is degraded because only the regional channel information at the time of production is memorized. There is.

To solve this problem, newly created channel information must be updated through a separate process.

The present invention is to solve the problem of the automatic channel search method of the conventional TV system, the automatic channel setting method of the digital TV using the Internet to efficiently update the information on the broadcast channel using the Internet The purpose is to provide.

Automatic channel setting apparatus for digital TV using the Internet according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a CPU for accessing the channel information management site of the Internet to download and process the channel information of the region selected by the user; A channel information storage unit for storing the channel information downloaded by the control of the CPU; IP information storage unit for storing the IP information of the channel information management site corresponding to the selected region; Processed to display the downloaded channel information data A video display processor for processing; A display unit for displaying the setting screen at the time of setting the channel information data and channel information download; An Internet interface unit for connecting the SET to the Internet under the control of the CPU, characterized in that the present invention Automatic channel setting method of the digital TV using the Internet according to the step of entering the Internet setting screen and selecting a region; accessing the channel information management site to download the channel information; when the channel information download is complete, the channel information Whether to save However the method comprising; Selecting the channel information stored in the user is free to store the channel information, or characterized in that it comprises the step of maintaining the previously stored channel information.

Hereinafter, an automatic channel setting apparatus and method for digital TVs using the Internet according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram of a TV system having a channel setting function using the Internet according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a site management method for automatic channel setting using the Internet according to the present invention.

The present invention is to download channel information through the Internet, not to search for a TV signal and to set a channel, so that the broadcast channel information can be stored in the SET in a short time because the entire channel is not searched.

The setting by downloading the channel information using the Internet has an advantage of watching TV or setting other functions without restriction.

The automatic channel setting apparatus of the digital TV using the Internet according to the present invention is largely composed of a TV receiver and an internet interface as shown in FIG. 2.

The Internet interface unit 30, which connects the CPU, which is a processor inside the TV set, with the Internet, is configured with a LAN or a modem.

The TV receiver includes a tuner 21 for tuning the received signal, a clock supply unit 28 for supplying a system clock, a power supply unit 29 for supplying power for the entire system, and user control via a user interface (UI) or The CPU 25 and the CPU 25 are connected to a channel information management site of the Internet through the Internet interface unit 30 by executing the automatic update step, and download and process channel information based on region or user preference. A channel information storage unit 27 for storing the downloaded channel information, an IP information storage unit 26 for storing IP information of a selected region used when executing channel information download from the Internet, and the tuner 21 To process the channel signal of the tuned frequency by (), or to display and process the channel information data downloaded by the CPU (25). A video display processor 22 for processing output data of the video display processor 22 through an external display means CRT and a speaker, respectively; And includes an audio signal output unit 24.

Here, the channel information storage unit 27 uses a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

The channel setting operation using the automatic channel setting apparatus using the Internet according to the present invention can be divided into the setting by the Internet channel setting or automatic update operation using the UI.

In the Internet channel setting using the UI, when the user executes downloading of channel information from the Internet through the UI, first, the IP information of the region selected from the IP information storage unit 26 outside the CPU 25 is stored. Receive and access the site through the Internet interface unit 30.

After downloading the channel information after the connection is completed, the channel information is stored in the channel information storage unit 27 and displayed on the screen through the UI.

In addition, the automatic update function is for the CPU 25 to count the time selected by the user, and when the corresponding time is reached, the channel information is downloaded, stored, and displayed in the same manner as the Internet channel setting.

Here, the step of storing the IP information of the region in the IP information storage unit 26 is performed before the execution of the download of the channel information, the IP information of the basic site may be stored by the producer, or may be additionally stored by the user. have.

The reason for storing the IP information of the region in advance in the IP information storage unit 26 is that when the user enters the "Internet Settings" item of the menu and selects the region, the user is automatically connected to the management site having the channel information of the region. To do this.

Even when performing the automatic update function, the CPU 25 automatically connects to the management site having the channel information of the corresponding area.

Normally, if you select each cable broadcasting station, you can get all the channel information. If you do not subscribe to cable broadcasting, access the site of each broadcasting station and update the latest information.

Typically, each broadcaster and wired broadcaster manage and update channel information on their own.

The management site having the latest channel information can be managed as shown in FIG. 3, which collects and collects the necessary information from the channel information sites operated by each broadcasting station, the channel information sites operated by each cable broadcasting station, and these channel information sites. It can be divided into specialized channel information sites that handle only channel information.

The user can select a preferred site from these sites and use it for automatic channel setting.

The screen display state of the channel setting operation of the TV system having the automatic channel setting function using the Internet according to the present invention is as follows.

4A to 4D are screen display state diagrams for channel setting using the Internet according to the present invention.

4A to 4D show screen display states when the present invention is actually applied to a SET. FIG. 4A is a screen to be entered during a first operation for receiving broadcast channel information transmitted through the Internet.

Basically, the higher setting menu that can be selected by the user is largely displayed as channel, video, audio, time, and general items.

Selecting "Channel Items" from these parent settings menus will display items such as general Auto Settings, Internet Settings, Channel Edit, Broadcast Name, Fine Tuning, etc., and select the "Internet Settings" item from these sub settings menus. Then, the area selection window is displayed in the form of drop down menu.

FIG. 4A illustrates a menu that is activated when the item "Internet setting" is selected, and FIG. 4B illustrates a case where "region selection" is selected as a sub item in the item "Internet setting".

The "Internet settings" item consists of two submenus: "Regional selection" and "Automatic update".

"Select region" is to select the region where the user currently resides. Since the IP of the selected region is stored in the internal or external memory of the CPU in advance, the channel setting function is executed after selecting the region. The IP address of the selected area will be searched and the channel information will be downloaded.

4C illustrates a state in which a window of "auto update" item is newly displayed by inputting a confirmation key after setting a region.

The "Auto Update" item automatically connects to the Internet at a preset time even if the user does not execute the Internet settings, and compares the channel information currently stored by the SET with the information to be retrieved from the Internet. This item is to be set automatically.

The automatic update item includes submenus such as setting, canceling, and setting a time according to the setting. When the time setting and setting are made, the automatic updating function is repeatedly performed at a predetermined time.

4D illustrates a screen display state in which channel setting through the Internet is completed.

That is, when the Internet setting is completed, a message indicating that the setting is completed is displayed in the form of a pop-up window, and the user can select whether to store the received information in the TV SET.

In this case, when selecting "Yes", the channel information previously set by the TV SET is deleted and the channel map information received through the Internet is newly stored. If "No" is selected, the information received through the Internet is ignored and the execution of the Internet setting function is terminated while leaving the previous information of the TV SET.

The channel setting operation of the TV system having the automatic channel setting function using the Internet according to the present invention will be described in detail as follows.

5 is a flowchart for automatic channel setting using the Internet according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart for automatic channel information updating using the Internet according to the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the automatic channel setting using the Internet enters the screen for setting the Internet from the upper menu for setting the set in order to set the Internet (S501) and executes "Internet setting" (S502). )

The screen in the step of executing such "Internet setting" is displayed as shown in FIG. 4A.

When the user selects a region in which the user lives (S503) (the screen of FIG. 4B), the CPU accesses the channel information management site having the channel information of the region and downloads the channel map information of the region selected by the user. (S504)

Here, when the connection of the channel information management site is not made according to the line state, it may include displaying a reason why the connection is not made or retrying the connection.

When the download of the channel map information is completed (S505), a message asking the user whether to store the received information together with the download completion message is displayed as shown in FIG. 4D to determine whether to store the downloaded channel information in the SET. S506)

Subsequently, when the user approves the storing of the downloaded channel information in the TV SET, the channel map information previously stored by the TV SET is deleted and new channel information is stored (S507).

If the user refuses to store the downloaded channel information, the channel information previously stored in the SET is maintained as it is (S508).

This setting by downloading the channel information using the Internet can watch TV or use other functions without restriction while setting the channel, and the screen for performing functions other than the Internet setting screen can be found in the upper setting menu. It may be an execution screen of another upper menu except a channel item or a selected received broadcast program.

Unlike the channel setting process using the Internet according to the user's selection, the automatic channel information update using the Internet is performed in the following order.

Automatically update the channel information using the Internet channel management site. When the automatic update function is set and the time is set, the TV set automatically connects to the Internet at the time set by the user, and the channel information of the currently set area and Compare the channel information stored by the SET.

After the comparison, the current stored information and the information on the Internet are not the same so that they can be automatically stored in the SET.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, in the execution of the automatic update function, the user first sets the automatic update time (S601).

The automatic update function time setting is performed as shown in FIG. 4C, and of course, the region is selected.

When the user selects the automatic update function and sets the time, the time is counted under the control of the CPU (S602).

Then, when a specific time set by the user is reached (S603), the CPU accesses the channel information management site using the IP information stored in the IP information storage unit 26 to manage the channel information and channel information currently stored in the SET. The channel information of the site is compared (S604).

Then, it is determined whether the channel information currently stored in the SET and the channel information of the channel information management site are the same (S605). If the channel information is the same, the automatic update of the channel information is terminated. If the channel information is not the same, the channel of the channel information management site is determined. Download the information (S606).

The latest downloaded channel information is stored in the SET (S607).

The automatic channel setting apparatus and method using the Internet according to the present invention can select the user's living area to download the channel information corresponding to the selected area. In addition, there is an automatic update function, which automatically connects to the Internet at the time set by the user, finds information that is not the same as the information of the current SET, and automatically updates the channel map information.

The automatic channel setting apparatus and method for digital TV using the Internet according to the present invention has the following effects.

According to the present invention, by selecting a region through the Internet for a broadcast program transmitted through a different channel for each region, the user can select and store a broadcast in the region where the user resides. You can easily set up new channel information without having to set up general auto channel by setting it accordingly.

In addition, it is possible to improve the inconvenience that the SET function cannot be used during channel setting.

If the automatic update function is selected, a time period of the Internet setting can be set, and the information stored in the current TV SET can be periodically compared with the information of the Internet and automatically stored in the SET.

This makes it possible to memorize a channel being broadcast within a short time in the SET, thereby increasing user convenience.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the embodiments, but should be defined by the claims.

1 is a block diagram of a general TV system

2 is a block diagram of a TV system having a channel setting function using the Internet according to the present invention

3 is a block diagram showing a site management method for automatic channel setting using the Internet according to the present invention

4A to 4D are screen display state diagrams for channel setting using the Internet according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart for automatic channel setting using the Internet according to the present invention.

6 is a flowchart for automatic channel information update using the Internet according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

21. Tuner 22. Video display processor

23. Video signal output 24. Audio signal output

25. CPU 26. IP Information Storage

27. Channel information storage unit 28. Clock supply unit

29. Power supply unit 30. Internet interface unit

Claims (9)

It accesses the channel information management site of the Internet and downloads and processes the channel information of the region selected by the user, and when the user selects the automatic update function, when the time set by the user is reached, the IP information stored in the IP information storage unit is used. A CPU for automatically accessing a channel information management site having channel information of a selected region and downloading and processing channel information of a region selected by a user; A channel information storage unit for storing the channel information downloaded by the control of the CPU; An IP information storage unit for storing IP information of a channel information management site corresponding to the selected region; A video display processor which processes the downloaded channel information data so as to be displayed; A display unit configured to display a setting screen for setting the channel information data and the channel information download; And an Internet interface unit for connecting the SET to the Internet under the control of the CPU. The method of claim 1, wherein the CPU is connected to the channel information management site having the channel information of the region by using the IP information stored in the IP information storage unit when the user selects the region during the Internet channel setting using the UI. Automatic channel setting device for digital TV using the Internet, characterized in that. delete Accessing an internet setting screen and selecting a corresponding region and an automatic update cycle; Accessing a channel information management site having channel information of the region and downloading channel information; Determining whether to store the channel information when the downloading of the channel information is completed; And storing the channel information when the user selects the storage of the downloaded channel information, or otherwise maintains the previously stored channel information as it is. According to claim 4, In the initial screen for the user to enter the screen for setting the Internet, The upper setting menu, which is displayed as channel, video, audio, time, and general items, is displayed. If you select "Channel item", the items of general automatic setting, Internet setting, channel editing, station name, and fine tuning are displayed as sub items. , When "Internet Settings" is executed in these sub-setting menus, a "region selection window" is displayed on the screen in the form of a drop down menu. The method of claim 4, wherein after the user selects a region and executes a channel setting function, a screen for performing a function other than the Internet setting screen is displayed, and when downloading of channel information is completed, the screen is stored in a pop-up window form. The automatic channel setting method of the digital TV using the Internet, characterized in that a message for selecting is displayed. The digital TV using the Internet of claim 6, wherein the screen for performing a function other than the Internet setting screen is an execution screen of another upper menu except a channel item in a higher setting menu or a selected received broadcast program. Automatic channel setting method. Setting an automatic update time by entering an internet setting screen for setting an internet; Counting time and accessing a channel information management site when the automatic update time arrives, and comparing the retrieved channel information with the channel information stored in the current SET; If the searched channel information and the channel information stored in the SET is the same, the update function is terminated, and if it is not the same, the searched channel information is downloaded and stored in the SET. Automatic channel setting method. The method of claim 8, wherein the comparing of the channel information and the downloading of the channel information according to the result are repeated automatically when the set time is reached.