KR100750162B1 - EPG providing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for comprehensively managing broadcast content using stored EPG information. An apparatus for providing EPG according to the present invention includes a storage unit for storing broadcast content and EPG information; EPG screen composition that composes EPG screen including information about past, present and future broadcasting contents using EPG information and configures screen to distinguish broadcasting contents stored in storage from broadcasting contents not stored in storage part; And a controller configured to comprehensively manage the broadcast content based on a user input signal for the broadcast content provided on the EPG screen. According to the present invention, broadcast content can be comprehensively managed using EPG information.

EPG, PVR, broadcast content, user input signal, recording

Description

EPG providing apparatus and method

1 is a diagram schematically showing a system including an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention provides an EPG.

4 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to another embodiment of the present invention provides an EPG.

5 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to another embodiment of the present invention provides an EPG.

6 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to another embodiment of the present invention provides an EPG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining and comparing screens provided by an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast contents described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6.

8 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for comprehensively managing broadcast content using stored EPG information. More particularly, the present invention relates to a digital recording device, in which a user is recorded in the past, currently broadcast, or broadcasted in the future using only EPG information. An apparatus and method for facilitating management of broadcast content.

The role of EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) is increasing in an environment where broadcast services are provided through multiple channels through various media such as terrestrial, satellite, and cable. A user typically receives EPG information by operating a multimedia recording device such as a personal video recorder (PVR) that provides an EPG using a device such as a remote controller. Accordingly, the user can select the broadcast content displayed in the EPG to watch or record the broadcast content that is currently provided or to be provided in the future.

However, EPG information includes only information that is currently being broadcast or will be broadcast in the future. Therefore, in order to confirm the broadcast content information broadcasted in the past, the user must check the broadcast content information through another path. For example, in order to check the broadcast content information broadcasted in the past, the user has to be provided with the broadcast content information by accessing a broadcast service provider or a website that provides the broadcast content information using a computer connected to the network. There is this.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the above problems, in addition to the EPG information that is currently being broadcasted or will be broadcast in the future to store and provide the user with EPG information about the broadcast content broadcasted in the past, To provide an apparatus and method for providing EPG that can comprehensively manage broadcast content.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the EPG providing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the storage unit for storing the broadcast content and EPG information; EPG screen composition that composes EPG screen including information about past, present and future broadcasting contents using EPG information and configures screen to distinguish broadcasting contents stored in storage from broadcasting contents not stored in storage part; And a controller configured to comprehensively manage the broadcast content based on a user input signal for the broadcast content provided on the EPG screen.

Preferably, the broadcast signal processing unit for processing the received broadcast signal to generate broadcast content and EPG information; And a decoder for decoding the broadcast content read from the storage or generated from the broadcast signal processor.

Preferably, when the EPG screen configuration unit composes an EPG screen for providing information on past broadcast content, an area of the screen for providing broadcast content information other than the time zone in which the stored broadcast content is broadcast is omitted or reduced. To be displayed.

Preferably, when the selection signal for the reduced area is input, the controller controls the EPG screen configuration unit to display broadcast content information included in the reduced area selected by the selection signal.

Preferably, when the EPG screen configuration unit composes an EPG screen for providing information on past broadcast content, the area of the screen on which the broadcast content information other than the time zone and broadcast channel where the stored broadcast content is broadcast is provided is reduced. Make it visible as an area.

Preferably, the controller controls the decoder to decode and play the broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the past broadcast content stored in the storage, or deletes the broadcast content including the deletion and information change of the broadcast content stored in the storage. Perform administrative actions.

Preferably, the EPG screen configuration unit configures the screen to include information indicating that recording of the current broadcast content is in progress, and the controller decodes the current broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the current broadcast content. Control the decoder to play.

Preferably, the EPG screen configuration unit configures the screen so that the future broadcast content includes information indicating whether the reserved recording is set, and the controller controls the future broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the future broadcast content. Cancel the scheduled recording setup or cancel the scheduled recording setup.

In order to solve the above technical problem, an EPG providing method according to another aspect of the present invention, storing the broadcast content and EPG information; Constructing an EPG screen including information on past, present, and future broadcast content using the EPG information, and configuring the screen to distinguish the stored broadcast content from unsaved broadcast content; And comprehensively managing broadcast content based on a user input signal for broadcast content information provided on the EPG screen.

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

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a system including an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The broadcast station 10 transmits the EPG information and the broadcast content to the EPG providing apparatus 20 through a broadcast signal. The EPG information may include a title of a broadcast content, a broadcast channel, a broadcast time, a category of a broadcast program, a number of broadcasts, a name of a leading actor, and brief information of a broadcast content. Although the EPG providing apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown to receive EPG information from the broadcasting station 10, the EPG information may be provided from a provider or a device that provides other EPG services in addition to the broadcasting station 10.

The EPG providing apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured as a device having a PVR, a PC, and other broadcast reception and recording functions. The EPG providing apparatus 20 may receive and store EPG information of all broadcast channels at a specific time designated by a user or when an EPG information update command is made. The EPG providing apparatus 20 processes the broadcast signal and stores the EPG information and broadcast content included in the broadcast signal in the storage 24. The control unit 22 is provided with a content management application to manage the EPG information stored in the storage unit 24 based on the user input signal. The storage unit 24 may include an EPG information storage unit 25 that stores EPG information and a broadcast content storage unit 26 that stores broadcast content.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention. An apparatus for providing EPG for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a broadcast signal processor 210, a decoder 220, a controller 230, a storage 240, and an EPG screen configuration 250. ).

The broadcast signal processor 210 processes the received broadcast signal to generate broadcast content and EPG information. The broadcast signal processor 210 may include a tuner (not shown) for outputting a transport stream by tuning and demodulating a broadcast signal input through a specific channel selected by a user, and a multiplexed transport stream output through the tuner. And a demultiplexer (not shown) which demultiplexes into broadcast content including a stream and EPG information. The decoder 220 receives and decodes the video / audio transport stream separated by the demultiplexer and outputs a video / audio signal. The broadcast signal processor 210 may change its configuration according to the type of broadcast signal to be processed.

The controller 230 stores the broadcast content and the EPG information generated by the broadcast signal processor 210 in the storage 240. The storage unit 240 may store the broadcast content and the EPG information in separate storage spaces, for example, the EPG information storage unit 241 and the broadcast content storage unit 243 as shown in FIG. 2.

In addition, when a user input signal for requesting an EPG transmitted from a user input device such as a remote controller is received, the controller 230 reads EPG information stored in the storage unit 240 and uses the read EPG information to inform the user. The EPG screen configuration unit 250 is controlled to configure an EPG screen for providing an EPG.

The EPG screen configuration unit 250 may configure and provide an EPG screen including information about broadcast content that has been broadcast in the past, broadcast content that is currently broadcast, and broadcast content that will be broadcast in the future under the control of the controller 230. Can be. In a conventional EPG providing apparatus, EPG information provided by an EPG provider such as a broadcasting station in the past is not stored but deleted. However, the EPG providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention stores the EPG information provided in the past in the storage unit 240. Therefore, when a user requests an EPG, the EPG providing apparatus of the present invention may provide an EPG including information on past broadcast contents as well as information on current and future broadcast contents.

In addition, the EPG screen configuration unit 250 configures the screen so that the information on the broadcast content recorded and stored in the storage unit 240 is distinguished from the information on the broadcast content not stored in the storage unit 240. For example, the screen may be configured such that an area of the screen providing information on the recorded broadcast content is displayed in a different color from that of the screen providing information on the unrecorded broadcast content. Alternatively, the recorded broadcast content may display a video thumbnail or an icon indicating that the recorded broadcast content is distinguished from the unrecorded broadcast content. Therefore, the user can easily check the information on the broadcast content that is recorded on the EPG screen providing the broadcast content information of the past and can be immediately played back.

When the EPG screen configuration unit 250 constructs an EPG screen for providing information on past broadcast contents, the stored broadcast contents are broadcasted in order to easily recognize the information on the recorded and stored broadcast contents. An area of the screen on which the broadcast content information other than the previously provided time period is provided may be displayed as an omitted or reduced area. At this time, when a selection signal for the reduced area is input from the user input device, the controller 230 may control the EPG screen configuration unit 250 to display broadcast content information included in the reduced area selected according to the selection signal. Can be.

In addition, when the EPG screen configuration unit 250 composes an EPG screen for providing information on past broadcast content, an area of a screen on which the broadcast content information other than the time zone and broadcast channel where the stored broadcast content is broadcast is provided. It can be displayed as a reduced area. In this case, when the selection signal for the reduced area is input, the controller 230 may control the EPG screen configuration unit 250 to display broadcast content information included in the reduced area selected according to the selection signal.

In addition, when displaying the information on the current broadcast content, the EPG screen configuration unit 250 may configure the screen including the information that the current broadcast content is being recorded. In addition, when the EPG screen configuration unit 250 displays information on future broadcast content, the controller 230 provides the EPG screen configuration unit 250 with reserved recording setting information set by the user input signal. The screen may be configured to display whether the broadcast content is set for the reserved recording.

The controller 230 receives a user input signal for the broadcast content provided on the EPG screen configured as described above, and comprehensively manages the broadcast content based on the user input signal. As described below, the controller 230 may perform an operation of managing broadcast content according to past, present or future broadcast content. When the selection signal for the broadcast content included in the past broadcast content information stored in the storage unit 240 is received from the user input device, the controller 230 decodes and reproduces the broadcast content selected by the selection signal. 220 may be controlled. In addition, the controller 230 manages the broadcast content, including deleting the broadcast content stored in the storage unit 240 and changing the information on the broadcast content included in the broadcast content information of the past based on the user input signal. Can be performed. When the selection signal for the broadcast content included in the broadcast content information on the current broadcast content is input from the user input device, the controller 230 may control the decoder 220 to decode and play the selected current broadcast content. When the selection signal for the broadcast content included in the broadcast content information for the future broadcast content is input from the user input device, the controller 230 may perform the reserved recording setting or the canceling of the reserved recording setting for the selected future broadcast content. have.

3 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention provides an EPG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a screen for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide an EPG for past, present, and future broadcast content with a channel axis and a time axis. When providing an EPG for past broadcast content, it may be displayed whether past broadcast content is recorded. In addition, when providing the EPG for the current broadcast content, it may be displayed including the information that the broadcast currently being recorded. When providing an EPG for future broadcast content, future broadcast content may indicate whether a reserved recording is set.

Hereinafter, a screen for providing an EPG that may be provided according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 to effectively provide EPG information on past broadcast content. 4 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to another embodiment of the present invention provides an EPG.

In the screen 401 of FIG. 4, EPG information about current, past and future broadcast contents is shown for each time zone. Assuming that the current time is between 9 o'clock and 10 o'clock, the EPG providing apparatus of the present invention can display the broadcast content recorded in the past as shown on the screen 401 so as to be distinguished from the unrecorded broadcast content. Can be. In the screen 402, an area of a screen on which EPGs related to current and future broadcast content appear is the same as the screen 401, and an area of the screen for providing an EPG for broadcast content broadcast in the past is recorded by broadcast content. Only the broadcast content information of the time slot has been edited and provided. The information on the broadcast content in the time zone in which the broadcast content is not recorded is omitted so that the user can easily recognize the recorded broadcast content than when the screen 401 is provided, and can easily select the recorded broadcast content. Can play.

5 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to another embodiment of the present invention provides an EPG. The screen 501 of FIG. 5 shows EPGs related to current, past, and future broadcast contents for each time zone. In FIG. 5, as in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the current time is between 9 and 10 hours. In the area of the screen for providing the EPG for the broadcast content broadcast in the past on the screen 501, information on the broadcast content other than the time zone in which the recorded broadcast content was broadcast is displayed as a reduced area A. FIG.

When a user inputs a selection signal for the reduced area A using a user input device such as a remote controller, EPG information about broadcast content included in the selected reduced area, such as the screen 502, may be displayed. . Therefore, the user can check only the information on the broadcast content in the time zone where the recorded broadcast content was provided using the EPG provision screen provided with the screen 501, and if desired, the user can check the broadcast content in the time zone provided with the unrecorded broadcast content. Information regarding the screen 502 may also be provided as shown in the screen 502.

6 is a diagram illustrating a screen on which an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast content according to another embodiment of the present invention provides an EPG. The screen illustrated in FIG. 6 is a modified form of the screen 502 illustrated in FIG. 5. As in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the current time is between 9 and 10 hours.

On the screen of FIG. 6, the broadcast content broadcast in other channels is hidden and displayed even in a time period during which broadcast content broadcast and stored in the past is broadcast. For example, broadcast content information about "Cinema Heaven" and "Live Broadcast Seven Days" which are not recorded between 1 and 2 o'clock of the screen 502 shown in FIG. 5 are displayed as a reduced area B. FIG. Further, for the "auditor column our world" recorded between 1 and 2 o'clock, detailed information on the broadcast content recorded in the enlarged area is displayed because the unrecorded broadcast content information is displayed as the reduced area (B). As shown in FIG. 6, title, channel, broadcast time, and genre information are further displayed. As described with reference to FIG. 5, when the user wants to view the information on the broadcast content of the reduced area B, the broadcast recorded by inputting a selection signal for the reduced area B of the desired portion. Information about broadcast content broadcasted in another channel at the same time as the content can be checked.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining and comparing screens provided by an EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing broadcast contents described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. The screen 701 shows EPG information about current, past and future broadcast contents as shown in screen 401 by time zone, and broadcast contents recorded in the past are shaded to distinguish them from unrecorded broadcast contents. Is indicated. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the screen 702 is displayed as an area A in which information about broadcast content other than a time zone in which the stored broadcast content is recorded is reduced, and the recorded broadcast content is broadcast. Even in the time zone, the information on the broadcast content broadcast on the other channel is indicated by the reduced area (B).

The user may allow an EPG screen such as screen 701 or an EPG screen such as screen 702 to be provided as necessary. That is, when the user wants to comprehensively check the information on the broadcast content broadcasted in the past, the user input device is operated to provide an EPG screen such as the screen 701 and the information on the broadcast content recorded by the user is provided. If it is desired to be provided in detail, an EPG screen such as the screen 702 is provided. The EPG providing apparatus for comprehensively managing the broadcast content of the present invention may be configured to selectively provide various EPG information providing screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 according to a user's request.

8 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method for comprehensively managing content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The controller 230 stores the broadcast content and the EPG information generated by the broadcast signal processor 210 in the storage 240 (S810). Under the control of the controller 230, the EPG screen configuration unit 250 configures an EPG screen including information on past, present and future broadcast content using the EPG information stored in the storage 240 (S 820). At this time, the EPG screen configuration unit 250 configures the screen to distinguish the broadcast content stored in the storage unit 240 from the broadcast content not stored in the storage unit 240. The controller 230 receives a user input signal for the broadcast content provided on the configured EPG screen and comprehensively manages the broadcast content based on the user input signal (S830).

The EPG providing method according to the present invention can be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. Codes and code segments implementing the above program can be easily deduced by computer programmers in the art. Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, and the like, and may also include those implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet). do. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The above description is only one embodiment of the present invention, and those skilled in the art may implement the present invention in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described examples, but should be construed to include various embodiments within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims.

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can use the EPG of the past broadcast by storing the EPG information for the broadcast content broadcasted in the past and providing the stored EPG information to the user. Therefore, according to the present invention, by providing information on the broadcast content recorded in the EPG providing apparatus among the broadcast content broadcasted in the past together with the EPG information that is currently being broadcasted or to be broadcasted in the future, the user can comprehensively manage the broadcast content. Can be. In addition, according to the present invention, by providing a screen for providing information on the broadcast content broadcast in the past according to the user's request, the user can efficiently use the broadcast content broadcast in the past.

Claims (17)

A storage unit for storing broadcast content and EPG information; The EPG screen is configured to include information on past, present and future broadcast contents using the EPG information, and the screen is configured to distinguish broadcast contents stored in the storage unit from broadcast contents not stored in the storage unit. An EPG screen configuration unit; And And a controller for comprehensively managing the broadcast content based on a user input signal for the broadcast content provided on the EPG screen. The method of claim 1, A broadcast signal processor configured to process the received broadcast signal to generate broadcast content and EPG information; And And a decoder for decoding the broadcast content read from the storage or generated from the broadcast signal processor. The method of claim 1, When the EPG screen configuration unit composes an EPG screen for providing information on past broadcast content, an area of the screen for providing broadcast content information other than a time zone in which the stored broadcast content is broadcast is omitted or reduced. EPG providing apparatus, characterized in that to be displayed. The method of claim 3, And when the selection signal for the reduced area is input, the controller controls the EPG screen configuration unit to display broadcast content information included in the reduced area selected by the selection signal. The method of claim 1, When the EPG screen configuration unit composes an EPG screen for providing information on past broadcast content, an area of a screen on which broadcast content information other than a time zone and a broadcast channel where the stored broadcast content is broadcast is provided is a reduced area. EPG providing apparatus, characterized in that to be displayed. The method of claim 2, The control unit controls the decoder to decode and reproduce the broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the past broadcast content stored in the storage, or deletes and changes information of the broadcast content stored in the storage. EPG providing apparatus, characterized in that for performing a management operation. The method of claim 2, The EPG screen configuration unit configures a screen to include information indicating that recording of the current broadcast content is in progress, And the control unit controls the decoder to decode and reproduce the current broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the current broadcast content. The method of claim 1, The EPG screen configuration unit configures a screen such that the future broadcast content includes information indicating whether a reservation recording is set. And the controller is configured to perform the reserved recording setting or the reserved recording setting cancellation for the future broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the future broadcast content. Storing broadcast content and EPG information; Constructing an EPG screen including information on past, present and future broadcast content using the EPG information, and configuring the screen to distinguish the stored broadcast content from the unstored broadcast content; And And comprehensively managing the broadcast content based on a user input signal for the broadcast content provided on the EPG screen. The method of claim 9, Before the storing, the EPG providing method further comprising the step of processing the received broadcast signal to generate broadcast content and EPG information. The method of claim 9, Comprising the EPG screen, When configuring an EPG screen for providing information on past broadcast content, the screen is configured such that an area of a screen on which broadcast content information is provided other than a time zone in which the stored broadcast content is broadcast is omitted or reduced. EPG providing method comprising the step. The method of claim 11, And when the selection signal for the reduced area is input, displaying broadcast content information included in the reduced area selected by the selection signal. The method of claim 9, Comprising the EPG screen, When constructing an EPG screen for providing information on past broadcast content, the screen is configured such that an area of a screen on which broadcast content information other than a time zone and a broadcast channel where the stored broadcast content is broadcast is displayed as a reduced area. EPG providing method comprising the step of. The method of claim 9, wherein managing the broadcast content comprises: And performing a management operation of broadcast content including decoding and reproducing the broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the past broadcast content or deleting or changing the information on the stored broadcast content. Way. The method of claim 9, Comprising the EPG screen, Configuring a screen to include information indicating that recording of the current broadcast content is in progress; Managing the broadcast content, And decoding to reproduce the current broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the current broadcast content. The method of claim 9, Comprising the EPG screen, Constructing a screen such that the future broadcast content includes information indicating whether a scheduled recording is set; Managing the broadcast content, And performing a reserved recording setting or a reserved recording canceling operation for the future broadcast content selected by the selection signal for the future broadcast content. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing the EPG providing method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

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