KR100803133B1 - The device for displaying the information associated with channels variously and the method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways and a control method thereof for solving a problem that it is difficult to select a channel preferred by a user, among a number of channels. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of storing information about each channel received from a broadcasting station, setting a method of displaying the channel information, and according to the setting, one of scheduled broadcasts in a channel to be checked by a user. The present invention provides a control method of an apparatus for displaying channel information in a variety of ways, including displaying the information on the above program. Therefore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that can create a channel selection user interface that is convenient for the user.

Channel Info, Display, Shortcuts

Description

The device for displaying the information associated with channels variously and the method for controlling the same}

1A illustrates an example of a screen for displaying channel information according to the related art.

1B illustrates another example of a screen for displaying channel information according to the related art.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an analog / digital closed captioning system. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating data of a closed caption from a temporal perspective. FIG.

4A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways according to the present invention (block diagram).

4B illustrates an example in which the apparatus of FIG. 4A displays channel information according to the present invention.

5A illustrates an example of a screen for selecting a method of variously displaying channel information according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a screen for displaying channel information by the method selected by FIG. 5A according to the present invention. FIG.

6A illustrates another example of a screen for selecting a method of variously displaying channel information according to the present invention.

6B illustrates an example of a screen for displaying channel information by the method selected by FIG. 6A according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates another example of a screen for selecting a method of variously displaying channel information according to the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a screen for displaying channel information by the method selected by FIG. 7A according to the present invention. FIG.

8 is a diagram illustrating a control method of an apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways according to the present invention (flow chart).

<Description of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

401: Video device 402: Tuner part

403: channel interface unit 404: MPEG system decoder unit

405: PSI decoder 406: memory interface

407: channel manager 408: display unit

409: control unit 410: user input unit

The present invention relates to an image device, and more particularly, to an apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways and a control method thereof.

1A illustrates an example of a screen for displaying channel information according to the related art.

1B is a diagram illustrating another example of a screen for displaying channel information according to the related art.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a method of displaying channel information according to the related art will be described as follows.

For reference, with the advent of digital broadcasting and cable broadcasting, the number of channels available in broadcasting stations has increased exponentially.

Accordingly, a request for a technology that enables a user to more efficiently check information on numerous channels has emerged.

Appeared as a request for the above technology is the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) technology.

The EPG technology is an application program used with a digital subscriber set-top box to create a program schedule containing a program and a summary for each channel.

The EPG technology is the same electronic guide as the printed television program guide and is processed using the remote control equipment. There are also features such as ordering pay-per-view programs, searching for topics or categories, and recording video.

The user may display the EPG screen as shown in FIG. 1A by using a specific button such as a remote controller.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a channel list, a title of a program currently being broadcast, and a title of a next program are displayed in a list form.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1b, when the user presses a shortcut key, etc., it may also display simple information about the broadcast program currently being viewed.

However, the above-described conventional apparatus for displaying channel information and a control method thereof have the following problems.

First, in the related art, when a specific remote controller corresponding to a specific video device does not exist (for example, lost or malfunctioned), detailed information on a specific channel cannot be confirmed.

Secondly, when the broadcast program, which the user was watching, terminates in the related art, there is an inconvenience in that the user must separately operate a remote controller in order to check a program that is scheduled for the next broadcast.

Third, conventionally, when a user inputs a channel change button to check a program that is being broadcast in another channel, there is a problem that the user cannot watch the broadcast program currently being viewed for a while.

Of course, PIP, POP, etc. exist, but to implement this, there is a problem that the cost is rapidly increased, such as having to have two or more tuners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device and a control method for displaying channel information in a variety of ways that can identify detailed information on a specific channel in a simpler way. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of controlling the same, which automatically display information about a program to be next broadcasted in various ways, without the user having to enter a special button. .

In addition, another object of the present invention is to inform the information about the channel to be changed in advance, when the user tries to change the channel, to display the channel information in a variety of ways to easily determine the user's preferred channel To provide a device and a control method thereof. Furthermore, in the implementation of the above invention, it is also an object of the present invention to implement at a low cost.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of storing information about each channel received from a broadcasting station, setting a method of displaying the channel information, and according to the setting, a channel to be checked by a user. In the present invention, there is provided a control method of an apparatus for displaying channel information in a variety of ways, comprising the step of displaying information on one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast.

The setting of the method of displaying the channel information may be performed automatically or by a user's selection.

The channel information may include at least one of information about one or more programs, which are received from a channel to be changed by user selection, or information about one or more programs that are to be broadcast after a currently output program. .

According to the setting, the step of displaying information about one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast on a channel to be checked by the user may include, when a specific shortcut key is input, after the currently outputted program, to one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast. At least one of the information on the information, and the information about the currently output program can be displayed.

According to the setting, the step of displaying information about one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast on a channel to be checked by the user may include a time point before a current time of the currently outputted program or a time when the program ends At a time point or a time elapsed after the end of the program, information about one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast may be displayed on the currently tuned channel.

According to the setting, the step of displaying information about one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast in a channel to be checked by the user may be received from the channel to be changed when a key input for changing a channel is applied. Information about the program can be displayed in advance.

The apparatus may include a broadcast receiver.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a broadcast receiver comprising: a memory unit for storing information on each channel received from a broadcasting station, a setting unit for setting a method for displaying the channel information, and setting of the setting unit. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the information stored in the memory unit includes a control unit which displays information on one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast in a channel to be checked by a user in various ways. Provided is an apparatus for displaying.

The setting unit may set a method of displaying the channel information by a user's selection or automatically.

The channel information may include at least one of information about one or more programs, which are received from a channel to be changed by user selection, or information about one or more programs that are to be broadcast after a currently output program. .

When a specific shortcut key is input, the controller may display at least one of information on one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast and information on the currently output program after the currently output program.

The controller is to be broadcast on a channel that is currently tuned at a time before a specific time from when a program currently being outputted ends, or when a time when the program ends, or a specific time elapsed after the end of the program. Information about one or more programs can be displayed.

When a key input for changing a channel is applied, the controller may previously display information about one or more programs received from the channel to be changed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that can provide a user with a more convenient channel selection user interface (User Interface).

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention that can specifically realize the above object will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an analog / digital closed captioning system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating data of a closed caption in terms of time.

4A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways according to the present invention.

4B illustrates an example in which the apparatus of FIG. 4A displays channel information according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a configuration of an apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4B.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, when an RF (Radio Frequency) broadcast signal is input to a video device such as a TV, the first tuner receives it.

If the RF broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal, the digital signal transmitted through the tuner is demodulated by a QAM / VSB (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation / Vestigial SideBand) method, and demuxing a TS (Transport Stream). (Demultiplexing) to output closed caption, teletext, and vertical blanking interval (VBI) data.

On the other hand, when the RF broadcast signal is an analog broadcast signal, the analog signal transmitted through the tuner is decoded by NTSC / PAL, etc., closed caption, teletext, VBI (Vertical). Blanking Interval) Outputs data.

The video signal includes a VBI (Vertical Blanking Interval) section in which data is not output on the screen, and subtitles, teletext, and broadcast information (for example, information about a broadcast program) in the VBI section. , EPG information, etc.) and the like are transmitted.

However, in the analog broadcasting, as shown in FIG. 3, in the case of the NTSC (National Television System Committee) method, data such as broadcast program information, time, and date are displayed on lines 21 to 284, and a phase alternation by line system is provided. ), Data such as broadcast program information, time, and date are displayed on lines 22 to 334.

Meanwhile, in the case of digital broadcasting, an input Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) stream includes data such as broadcast program information, time, and date, and the process of extracting the data is shown in FIG. 4A. I will explain.

The video device 401 according to the present invention includes a tuner unit 402, a channel interface unit 403, an MPEG system decoder unit 404, a PSI decoder unit 405, a memory interface unit 406, and a channel manager 407. ), The display unit 408, the controller 409, and the user input unit 410.

The video device 401 may be, for example, a television, a digital television (DTV), a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) mobile phone, or the like.

First, a digital broadcast signal is received by the tuner unit 402, and a stream obtained by demodulation (demodulation) by a demodulator (not shown) is combined with channel data and a control signal, and a buffer ( Buffer (not shown).

When the TS packet is filled in the buffer, the MPEG system decoder 404 reads the data packet and transmits the data to the corresponding decoder according to the type of data, or pays The load is decoded.

When the payload is decoded, the payload is divided into a packetized elementary stream (PES), a program specific information (PSI), and the like, and the PSI is decoded by the PSI decoder 405 and the memory interface. Stored in the unit 406.

Also, in the decoded Program Specific Information (PSI) or Service Information (SI), information such as broadcast channel, broadcast program information, start time, broadcast station name, etc. may be classified into a table, and the data may be stored in the memory interface 406. have.

The program specific information (PSI) may mean, for example, PAT, CAT, PMT, etc.

On the other hand, the SI (Service Information) may mean, for example, NIT, SDT, EIT, TDT, TOT.

The channel manager 407 generates a map, and outputs a screen as illustrated in FIG. 4B through the display unit 408 under the control of the controller 409.

However, in particular with respect to the present invention, the operation of the components of the video device 401 will be described in more detail with reference to the screen to be implemented.

5A illustrates an example of a screen for selecting a method of variously displaying channel information according to the present invention.

5B illustrates an example of a screen for displaying channel information by the method selected by FIG. 5A according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B (see FIG. 4A), an example in which the video device displays channel information will be described below.

When a signal for selecting a specific key (for example, an "OK" button, an "OK" button, etc.) is applied through the user input unit 410, the controller 409 transmits a signal to the memory interface unit 406. Recall saved channel information.

The controller 409 controls the channel manager 407 to output the screen illustrated in FIG. 5B through the display unit 408.

That is, when the user selects a specific key, not only the current broadcast program information but also information on a program to be next broadcasted is output, thereby providing greater convenience for the user's future channel selection.

However, there may be a user who does not prefer that the screen as shown in FIG. 5B is unconditionally displayed. The control unit 409 controls the display unit 408 so that the screen as shown in FIG. 5A is first output. It may be.

As shown in FIG. 5A, only by inputting a specific key, it is possible to select whether information on a program to be broadcasted next is output, and to change the specific key or to directly set the specific key. Thus, all kinds of users of various tastes may be satisfied.

The information on the selection is stored in an arbitrary memory (not shown) under the control of the controller 409.

Of course, as described above, the screen illustrated in FIG. 5B may be directly output by only inputting a specific key.

6A is a diagram illustrating another example of a screen for selecting a method of variously displaying channel information according to the present invention.

6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for displaying channel information in the method selected by FIG. 6A according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B (see FIG. 4A), another example of causing the video device to display channel information according to the present invention will be described below.

The control unit 409 uses the channel information stored in the memory interface unit 406 to determine in advance which specific broadcast program is to be output after the program broadcasted on the channel being watched by the user is finished. You can judge.

Therefore, even if a specific input signal is not applied through the user input unit 410, the controller 409 immediately before the program broadcasted on the channel being watched by the user is terminated, the channel manager 407 and the display. The controller 408 is controlled to output the screen illustrated in FIG. 6B.

Of course, the term 'just before the end' is exemplified, but 10 minutes, 5 minutes, the end of the time, 10 seconds after the end, etc. are all possible, the scope of the rights should be determined with reference to the claims do.

Therefore, the user can check the next program scheduled to be broadcast in advance without any button input, and can easily determine whether to keep the channel being watched or change to another channel.

However, there may be a user who does not prefer that the screen as shown in FIG. 6B is unconditionally displayed. The controller 409 controls the display unit 408 so that the screen as shown in FIG. 6A is first output. It may be.

As shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to select whether or not to display channel information on the next program scheduled to be broadcasted near the end of the current program, and to provide a UI for setting a specific time point or display method. It can also satisfy all kinds of users.

Of course, as described above, even when no time is set in advance, when the time near the end of the program arrives, the screen shown in FIG. 6B may be directly output.

7A illustrates another example of a screen for selecting a method of variously displaying channel information according to the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for displaying channel information by the method selected by FIG. 7A according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B (see FIG. 4A), another example in which the video device displays channel information will be described below.

When an input signal for switching a channel is applied through the user input unit 410, the controller 409 controls the tuner unit 402 to not directly switch to another channel, but instead to switch to another channel. Read channel information from 406.

The controller 409 controls the channel manager 407 and the display 408 to output information about a program being broadcast in a channel to be changed, as shown in FIG. 7B.

At this time, when the user presses a specific button again through the user input unit 410, it is switched to the channel to be changed.

However, the broadcast program of the channel currently being viewed is normally output, and the information about the program being broadcast in the channel to be changed may be designed to be output at the bottom of the screen.

Therefore, the user can easily grasp the channel information to be changed while watching the broadcasting program currently being viewed. Furthermore, the cost is superior to the case of PIP (Picture In Picture) or POP (Picture Out Picture).

However, there may be a user who does not prefer that the screen as shown in FIG. 7B is unconditionally displayed. The control unit 409 controls the display unit 408 so that the screen as shown in FIG. 7A is first output. It may be.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when a channel switch button (for example, an up / down button, etc.) is input, a UI for selecting whether to display program information broadcast in the switched channel prior to channel switching is displayed. In addition, it may satisfy all users of various tastes.

Of course, as described above, it is also possible to design such that the information on the channel to be changed, as shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram illustrating a control method of an apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways (flow chart) according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 8, a state in which the video device according to the present invention operates according to the chronological order is as follows.

However, in the description of FIGS. 2 to 7B, since the operation of the video apparatus has been sufficiently described, a person skilled in the art may fully understand the detailed description.

The video apparatus stores information about a channel in advance (S801).

The information may include, for example, information about a program scheduled to be broadcasted next to a program currently being broadcast on a channel currently being tuned, or information about a program currently being transmitted by another channel.

The video apparatus outputs a UI screen asking whether to select one or more of various methods for displaying information about the stored channel (S802).

Of course, the step S802 may be omitted, and the video apparatus may be designed to display channel information in various ways in advance.

As a result of the determination (S802), when one or more of various methods for displaying the stored channel information are selected, the channel information is output to the screen in various ways according to the set method (S803).

For example, a screen as shown in FIGS. 5B, 6B, and 7B may be output to enhance user convenience.

On the other hand, the terms used in the present invention (terminology) are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of a person skilled in the art, the definition of which is used throughout the present invention. It should be based on what has been done.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as can be seen in the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

And, the above-mentioned numerical value is a preferred embodiment or merely an example, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the numerical values, and as can be seen in the appended claims, Modifications are possible by those skilled in the art and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

An apparatus and a control method for displaying the channel information according to the present invention described above in various ways will be described below.

First, even if a specific remote controller corresponding to a specific video device does not exist, information on the next broadcast program scheduled to be broadcast, time information, and the like can be output from a channel currently being output, thereby improving user convenience of channel selection. It is effective to let.

Secondly, at the end of the broadcast program being viewed, there is an effect of checking information on the next broadcast program that is scheduled to be broadcast on the current channel, without any special input.

And thirdly, when the channel change button is input, the program information of the channel to be changed can be checked first without changing the channel currently being watched, so that the user can prevent the channel from being changed even if desired. There is also.

Claims (13)

Storing information for each channel received from a broadcasting station; Receiving and storing setting information to display the channel information from a user; When a predetermined key is input according to the user setting, one or more pieces of information about one or more programs scheduled to be broadcasted on the currently viewed channel are displayed at least once according to the set display information, or one scheduled to be broadcasted on another channel in response to a channel change key signal. A method of controlling an apparatus for displaying channel information, the method comprising displaying at least one or more pieces of information about a program according to set display information. delete delete The method of claim 1, Displaying information about the one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast, When a specific shortcut key is input, the apparatus for displaying the channel information, characterized in that for displaying at least one or more of the information on the one or more programs scheduled to be broadcasted after the current program and the information on the currently viewed program in various ways Control method. The method of claim 1, Displaying information about the one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast, At a time before a specific time from when the program currently being viewed ends, or when the program ends, or when a specific time elapses from when the program ends, A method of controlling an apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways, wherein the information on at least one program scheduled to be broadcast is displayed in a currently tuned channel. delete delete  A memory unit for storing information on each channel received from a broadcasting station; A setting unit configured to receive and set information for displaying the channel information from a user; And When a predetermined key is input according to the setting of the setting unit, information about one or more programs scheduled to be broadcasted on the channel currently being watched is displayed at least once according to the set display information using the information stored in the memory unit, or the channel is changed. An apparatus for displaying channel information in a variety of ways including a control unit for displaying at least one time information on at least one program scheduled to be broadcast on another channel in response to a key signal. delete delete The method of claim 8, The control unit, When a specific shortcut key is input, at least one of information about one or more programs scheduled to be broadcasted after the currently watching program and information about the currently watching program is displayed in various ways. Device. The method of claim 8, The control unit, At a time before a specific time from when the program currently being viewed ends, or when a program ends, or when a specific time elapses from when the program ends, Apparatus for displaying channel information in various ways, characterized in that for displaying information on one or more programs scheduled to be broadcast in the currently tuned channel. delete

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