KR100821804B1 - Apparatus and method for controlling select broadcasting program in digital broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for controlling selection of a broadcasting program in a digital broadcasting receiver is provided to enable a user to watch or record a high resolution broadcasting program if the high resolution broadcasting program having quality higher than a broadcasting program selected by the user is provided through another service within a predetermined time interval, and select a broadcasting program of a format suitable for desired usage or an arbitrary broadcasting program belonging to a desired genre, thereby significantly improving user convenience. If an arbitrary broadcasting program or channel is selected, hash table information stored and managed within a device is searched(S13,S14). It is confirmed whether a broadcasting program of the other quality or format corresponding to the above broadcasting program or channel is present(S15). If not so, the selected above broadcasting program or channel is maintained(S19). If so, the above broadcasting program or channel is changed into the broadcasting program of the other quality or format(S16,S17,S18). The hash table information includes at least one of identification information, quality information, time information, format information, genre information and channel information of each broadcasting program.

Description

Apparatus and method for controlling select broadcasting program in digital broadcasting receiver

1 illustrates a configuration of an apparatus for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention.

2 illustrates an embodiment of hash table information stored and managed in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a first embodiment of a method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention;

4 and 5 illustrate an embodiment of a guide message image displayed on the screen according to the present invention;

6 illustrates an operation flowchart of a second embodiment of a broadcast program selection control method in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention;

7 illustrates an operation flowchart of a third embodiment of a broadcast program selection control method in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention;

8 illustrates another embodiment of a guide message image displayed on a screen according to the present invention.

※ Explanation of code for main part of drawing

10: tuner 11: decoder

12: A / V processor 13: video synthesis unit

14: recording unit 15: storage

16: microcomputer 17: OSD generation unit

18: memory

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver. For example, a digital television capable of receiving a standard definition (SD) or high-definition (HD) class digital broadcast program is provided. The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver such as a TV) or a set top box (STB).

In general, various types of digital broadcasting receivers such as digital television (D-TV) or set-top box (STB), which can receive SD or HD-class digital broadcasting programs, receive and display a broadcasting program desired by the user, or hard drive. A recording operation of a personal video record (PVR) stored in a storage such as a disk (HDD) is performed.

Meanwhile, in digital broadcasting, multiple services are multiplexed and transmitted in one transponder (TP). For example, in the digital broadcasting receiver, a tuner is operated to control an arbitrary In addition to tuning a transponder TP, a user selects a desired one of a plurality of services multiplexed in the tuned transponder TP, thereby receiving a broadcast program desired by the user.

In addition, the digital broadcasting receiver receives and stores service information (SI) provided through digital broadcasting, and provides electronic program guide (EPG) information for allowing a user to select a desired broadcast program. Done.

In addition, the digital broadcast receiver displays and displays various pieces of information on a broadcast program currently being viewed or recorded through an OSD image according to a user's request. In addition, the user can easily search using the information on the page, and also can easily check the information on the broadcast program currently being viewed or recorded through the OS video.

However, in the digital broadcast receiver, when a user selects a broadcast program or a broadcast channel, the user selects, displays, or records the broadcast program or broadcast channel as it is. For example, Even if a broadcast program of the same HD quality as the broadcast program of the SD quality selected by the user is provided through another service within the same time or within a predetermined time interval (for example, 10 minutes), since the user cannot know the SD quality, There is a problem of watching or recording the broadcast program as it is.

In addition, in order to select a broadcast program in a format suitable for a user's desired use, or any broadcast program belonging to a genre desired by the user, EPG information in which numerous program information is displayed may be selected. Since the user must look carefully, not only takes a long time, but also causes an error in selecting a broadcast program.

Accordingly, the present invention was created to solve the above problems, and for example, a digital broadcast receiver such as a digital television (D-TV) or a set-top box (STB) capable of receiving SD or HD-class digital broadcast programs. Stores and manages hash table information including at least one of identification information, image quality information, time information, format information, genre information, and channel information about a broadcast program, and optionally by a user. If one broadcast program or broadcast channel is selected, the broadcast program in the digital broadcast receiver for changing and selecting the broadcast program when the same broadcast program having a different image quality or format is searched with reference to the hash table information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a selection control apparatus and method.

In the method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention for achieving the above object, if any one broadcast program or channel is selected, the hash table information stored in the device is searched for, and the broadcast program is searched. Or (1) checking whether there is a broadcast program of another image quality or format corresponding to the channel; And, if not present, maintain the selected broadcast program or channel if not present, and if present, change and select a broadcast program having a different image quality or format.

In addition, the apparatus for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention includes a system booting control method in a digital broadcast receiver, comprising: tuning means for tuning a broadcast program; Storage means for storing hash table information including at least one of identification information, image quality information, time information, format information, genre information, and channel information about a broadcast program; OSD generating means for generating and outputting an OSD image for guiding broadcast program information; And if any one broadcast program or channel is selected, search for the hash table information to check whether there is a broadcast program having a different image quality or format corresponding to the broadcast program or channel, and if the check result is present, the other And control means for changing and selecting a broadcast program of an image quality or a format.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an apparatus and method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the apparatus and method for controlling broadcast program selection according to the present invention can be applied to various types of digital broadcast receivers such as digital television (D-TV) or set-top box (STB). For example, the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital broadcast receiver includes a tuner 10, a decoder 11, an A / V processor 12, a video synthesizer 13, a recording unit 14, a storage 15, The microcomputer 16, the OSD generating unit 17, the memory 18, and the like are included.

Meanwhile, the memory 19 may be a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. In the memory 19, for example, hash table information may be stored and managed as metadata. 2, program identification information such as a program name or a program ID for each broadcast program is stored and managed in the hash table information.

In addition, the hash table information stores quality information, time information, format information, genre information, and channel information for each broadcast program in association. For example, the format information and genre information may be additional information of an optional item, and the image quality information, time information, and channel information may be stored and managed as essential information of a mandatory item.

In the microcomputer 16, when the user selects and designates any one broadcast program or broadcast channel in a state where the hash table information is stored and managed in the memory 18, the hash table stored in the memory 18 is stored. The information is searched to determine whether the same broadcast program having a different quality or format corresponding to the broadcast program or broadcast channel exists.

On the other hand, as a result of the check, if it does not exist, the selected broadcast program or channel is maintained as it is, and if present, it is automatically changed to a broadcast program having a different image quality or format corresponding thereto, or the OSD generator 17 is By controlling the operation, after generating and outputting a guide message image for allowing a user to select and designate a broadcast program having a different quality or format, the broadcast program having the different quality or format is changed and selected according to a user's request.

In addition, the microcomputer 16 searches and searches the hash table information stored in the memory 18, and when the user wants to transmit data to an external device after using a desired recording, for example, broadcast recording, The OSD generating unit 17 may be selected to record and record a broadcast program having a relatively high compression ratio, or to select a broadcast program belonging to the same genre as the selected broadcast program. By controlling the operation, a corresponding guide message image is generated and output, which will be described in detail below.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention. For example, when the microcomputer 16 performs a system booting operation, By controlling the operation of the tuner 10, while automatically searching each broadcast channel (S10), a series of operations for searching for broadcast program information provided through each broadcast channel are performed (S11).

The microcomputer 16 uses the broadcast program information retrieved as described above, and as described above with reference to FIG. 2, identification information, image quality information, time information, format information, genre information, After the hash table information including at least one or more of the channel information is generated and converted into metadata, the storage table is stored and managed in the memory 18 (S12).

On the other hand, in the microcomputer 16, if any one broadcast program is selected and designated by the user in the state where the hash table information is stored and managed in the memory 18 (S13), the hash table information is searched and referred to ( In operation S14, it is checked whether a broadcast program of another broadcast channel exists while being identical to the broadcast program name or ID selected by the user (S15).

In addition, if the result of the check is present, the image quality information of the broadcast program is compared with the image quality information of the broadcast program selected by the user (S16). If the image quality information is different from the comparison result (S17), for example, As shown in FIG. 2, the broadcast program selected by the user is 'Sportsworld' of SD quality which is to be provided through channel 53, and in the hash table information, 'HD quality' which is to be provided at the same time through channel 64 in the hash table information. If there is Sportsworld ', the microcomputer 16 operates the OSD generating unit 17 to output and display the corresponding guidance message image (S18).

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the guide message image includes a broadcast signal recommended by the digital broadcast receiver with a message indicating that the broadcast program selected by the user is Sportsworld, the image quality is SD level, and the broadcast channel is 53. A message will be displayed indicating that the program is Sportsworld, HD quality and 64 broadcast channels.

In addition, since the microcomputer 16 performs a corresponding operation requested by the user (S19), the user changes and selects a broadcast program of HD quality, that is, a broadcast channel 64, recommended through the guide message image. It is possible to watch or record high quality broadcast programs.

On the other hand, in the microcomputer 16, for example, when the automatic switching mode to a high-definition broadcast program is set, the broadcast program of the HD-quality image quality, i.e., broadcast, is omitted while the operation of displaying the above guide message image is omitted. It automatically changes to channel 64, allowing the user to watch or record high quality broadcast programs.

In addition, the microcomputer 16 may select and record a broadcast program of MPEG4 format having a relatively higher compression rate than that of MPEG2 format when the user wants to transmit data to an external device after a broadcast recording. Make sure

For example, the broadcast program selected by the user is 'Moviestar' of MPEG2 format to be provided through channel 32, as shown in FIG. 2, and in the hash table information, MPEG4 format to be provided at the same time through channel 11. If 'Moviestar' is present, the microcomputer 16 operates the OSD generator 17 to display and output the corresponding guide message image.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5, the guide message image includes a message indicating that the broadcast program selected by the user is Moviestar, the format is MPEG2, and the broadcast channel is 32, and the broadcast program recommended by the digital broadcast receiver is Moviestar. And a message indicating that the format is MPEG4 and the broadcast channel is 11 are displayed.

In addition, since the microcomputer 16 performs a corresponding operation requested by the user, the user may change and select a broadcast program of MPEG4 format, that is, broadcast channel 11, recommended through the guide message image, and then change the MPEG2 format. Compared to this, it is possible to record a broadcast program in MPEG4 format, which has a relatively high compression rate.

On the other hand, in the microcomputer 16, for example, when the automatic switching mode to the high-compression rate broadcast program is set, the broadcast program of the MPEG4 format, that is, broadcast, is omitted while the operation of displaying the above-described guide message image is omitted. It automatically changes to channel 11 to enable recording of high compression program.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of the method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the microcomputer 16 boots the system. When performing the operation, the tuner 10 is operated to perform a series of operations for searching for broadcast program information provided through each broadcast channel while automatically searching each broadcast channel (S30). ).

The microcomputer 16 uses the broadcast program information retrieved as described above, and as described above with reference to FIG. 2, identification information, image quality information, time information, format information, genre information, In addition, after converting and generating hash table information including at least one or more of the channel information into metadata, the storage is stored and managed in the memory 18 (S32).

On the other hand, in the microcomputer 16, if any one broadcasting channel is selected and designated by the user in the state where the hash table information is stored and managed in the memory 18 (S33), the hash table information is searched and referred to ( In operation S34, after searching for a broadcast program associated with the broadcast channel (S35), it is checked whether a broadcast program of another broadcast channel exists while being identical to the searched broadcast program (S36).

In addition, if the result of the check is present, the image quality (or format) information of the broadcast program is compared with the image quality (format) information of the broadcast program linked to the broadcast channel selected by the user (S37). (Or the format) information is different (S38), the microcomputer 16, the operation control the OSD generating unit 17, as described above with reference to Figure 4 (or Figure 5), corresponding thereto The guide message image is outputted and displayed (S39).

Then, since the user performs a corresponding operation requested by the user (S40), the user changes the broadcast program of HD quality (or MPEG4 format), that is, the broadcast channel 64 (or 11), recommended through the guide message image. By selecting, it is possible to watch or record a broadcast program of high quality (or MPEG4 format).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of a method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention. For example, when the microcomputer 16 performs a system booting operation, Operation control of the tuner 10, while automatically searching each broadcast channel (S50), performs a series of operations to retrieve the broadcast program information provided through each broadcast channel (S51).

The microcomputer 16 uses the broadcast program information retrieved as described above, and as described above with reference to FIG. 2, identification information, image quality information, time information, format information, genre information, The hash table information including at least one or more of channel information is converted into meta data, and then stored and managed in the memory 18 (S52).

On the other hand, in the microcomputer 16, if any one broadcast program is selected and designated by the user in the state where the hash table information is stored and managed in the memory 18 (S53), the hash table information is searched and referred to ( S54), the genre information stored in association with the broadcast program name or ID selected by the user is checked.

When there are a large number of broadcast programs belonging to the same genre as the checked genre information (S55), the microcomputer 16 operates and controls the OSD generation unit 17 to display a corresponding guide message image. The output is displayed (S56).

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the broadcast program selected by the user is 'Sportsworld' of the Sports genre to be provided through channel 53, and in the hash table information, 'Sportsworld' of the Sports genre to be provided via channel 64. In addition, when there are 'Bigsports' of the sports genre to be provided through the channel 86, as shown in FIG. 8, the broadcast message selected by the user is included in the sports genre of the channel 53 as shown in FIG. Sportsworld, a message in the form of a list indicating that the broadcast program recommended by the digital broadcast receiver is Sportsworld in the Sports genre of channel 64 and Bigsports in the Sports genre of channel 86 are displayed.

In addition, since the micom 16 performs a corresponding operation requested by the user (S57), the user may select one of several broadcast programs belonging to the same genre that is recommended and displayed in a list form through the guide message image. You can watch or record.

For reference, the hash table information described above with reference to FIG. 2 may be referred to by general terms such as lookup table information, and each broadcast program may be included in the guide message image shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 8. Start / end times, etc. may be further included and displayed.

Or more, preferred embodiments of the present invention described above, for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art, within the technical spirit and the technical scope of the present invention disclosed in the appended claims below, to further improve various other embodiments Changes, substitutions or additions will be possible.

The apparatus and method for controlling broadcast program selection in a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention constructed and constructed as described above may include, for example, a digital television (D-TV) or a set-top box capable of receiving SD or HD-class digital broadcast programs. Storing and managing hash table information including at least one of identification information, image quality information, time information, format information, genre information, and channel information of a broadcast program in a digital broadcast receiver such as an STB) In addition, when any one broadcast program or channel is selected by the user, the hash table information is searched and referred to, and when the same broadcast program having a different image quality or format exists, the user can change and select the broadcast program. The broadcast program of the high-definition higher than the image quality of the broadcast program that I chose When provided through another service within a predetermined time interval, the high quality broadcast program can be viewed or recorded, and also a broadcast program in a format suitable for the user's desired use, or the genre desired by the user. By selecting any broadcast program belonging to the), it is a very useful invention that can greatly improve user convenience.

Claims (15)

If any one broadcast program or channel is selected, searching for hash table information stored and managed in a device to determine whether a broadcast program having a different image quality or format corresponding to the broadcast program or channel exists; And And, if not present, retaining the selected broadcast program or channel, and if present, changing and selecting the broadcast program having a different image quality or format. Control method. The method of claim 1, The hash table information includes at least one of identification information, image quality information, time information, format information, genre information, and channel information for each broadcast program. Way. The method of claim 1, In the second step, if a broadcast program having a different image quality or format than the image quality or format of the selected broadcast program exists within a predetermined time interval, the corresponding message is generated and outputted according to a user's request. And changing and selecting a broadcast program of the different picture quality or format. The method of claim 3, wherein And displaying the information on the broadcast program of the different image quality or format in the guide message image. The method of claim 1, In the second step, if the broadcast program having a higher quality than the selected broadcast program is present within a predetermined time interval, the broadcast program in the digital broadcast receiver is selected to be changed to the broadcast program of high quality. Selection control method. The method of claim 1, In the second step, if a broadcast program having a format different from the format of the selected broadcast program and identical to a preset format in the device exists within a predetermined time interval, the program is changed to a broadcast program of another format. Broadcast program selection control method in a digital broadcast receiver. The method of claim 1, If any one broadcast program or channel is selected, searching for hash table information stored and managed in the device to determine whether there is another broadcast program of the same genre as the broadcast program or channel; And If the check result is not present, maintaining the selected broadcast program or channel, and if present, generating and outputting a guide message image corresponding thereto, and changing and selecting the other broadcast program according to a user's request. And a broadcast program selection control method in a digital broadcast receiver. The method of claim 7, wherein And displaying information on another broadcast program of the same genre in the form of a list in the guide message image. Tuning means for tuning the broadcast program; Storage means for storing hash table information including at least one of identification information, image quality information, time information, format information, genre information, and channel information about a broadcast program; OS D generating means for generating and outputting an OS image for guiding broadcast program information; And If any one broadcast program or channel is selected, the hash table information is searched to determine whether there is a broadcast program having a different picture quality or format corresponding to the broadcast program or channel, and if the check result is present, the other picture quality is present. Or control means for changing and selecting a broadcast program of a format. The method of claim 9, The control means, if there is a result of the confirmation, operationally controls the OS generating means, generates and outputs a guide message image corresponding thereto, and changes and selects the broadcast program of the different image quality or format according to a user's request. And a broadcast program selection control device in a digital broadcast receiver. The method of claim 10, The guide message image, the broadcast program selection control device in the digital broadcast receiver, characterized in that the information on the broadcast program of the different image quality or format is displayed. The method of claim 9, The control means, if a high quality broadcast program higher than the quality of the selected broadcast program is found within the predetermined time interval, as a result of the checking, changes to the high quality broadcast program and selects the broadcast program. Optional controller. The method of claim 9, The control means, if the broadcast program is different from the format of the selected broadcast program and the same format as the preset format in the device within a predetermined time interval, the control means for selecting to change to the broadcast program of the other format, characterized in that Broadcast program selection control device in a digital broadcast receiver. The method of claim 9, If any one broadcast program or channel is selected, the control means searches for the hash table information to check whether there is another broadcast program of the same genre as the broadcast program or channel, In the digital broadcasting receiver, if the check result is present, the OSG generating means is controlled to generate and output a guide message image corresponding thereto, and then the other broadcast program is changed and selected according to a user's request. Broadcast program selection control device. The method of claim 14, The guide message image, the broadcast program selection control device in the digital broadcast receiver, characterized in that the information on the other broadcast programs of the same genre in a list form.

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