KR100854812B1 - Method and apparatus for channnel management of image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a video display device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for managing a channel of a video display device to automatically detect a change in a broadcast environment so that a user can easily manage a channel.

That is, when the user inputs a channel switching command through a random numeric key, the present invention determines whether the channel to be switched by the user is present on the channel map and whether it exists on the channel map. If not, the user may display a menu screen for selecting whether to store the channel on the channel map together with the presence of the broadcast signal of the channel.

Accordingly, the apparatus and method for managing a channel of an image display device according to the present invention can automatically determine whether a broadcast signal exists for a channel selected by a user and whether the channel is present on a channel map, and display the same, thereby allowing a user to manage a channel more easily. In addition, by automatically detecting a change in the broadcasting environment and providing a convenient channel memory method to the user, the user's convenience can be improved to improve user satisfaction, and channel management can be more efficiently performed.

Channel Map, Video Display Equipment

Description

Channel management apparatus and method of image display device {Method and apparatus for channnel management of image display device}

1A to 1C illustrate examples of a channel management method of a video display device according to the related art.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a step-by-step method for managing a channel of a video display device according to the prior art;

3 is a block diagram showing a channel management apparatus of a video display device according to the present invention.

4 is a view showing a menu screen for managing a channel in the image display device according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating step by step a channel management method of an image display device according to the present invention;

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: tuner 20: demodulator

30: demultiplexer 40: image processor

50: display unit 60: user interface unit

70: memory unit 80: channel control unit

82: sync signal detector 84: channel comparator

86: CPU

The present invention relates to a video display device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for managing a channel of a video display device to automatically detect a change in a broadcast environment so that a user can easily manage a channel.

In general, an image display device is a device for displaying an image, such as a TV or a monitor may be a typical image display device.

In order to watch a desired program on the TV, the TV is turned on and the program is selected using a channel selection key attached to the remote controller or the main body.

At this time, there is a function of automatically selecting and setting a channel even if a user does not select a desired broadcasting channel. This is called an automatic channel search function.

That is, the channels that do not receive the broadcast signal are skipped and only the channels where the broadcast signal is received are automatically set. When the channel up / down key of the remote controller or the TV set is selected while the channel is set, the set broadcast signal is Since only the received channel is selected, the desired channel can be easily selected.

Hereinafter, a channel management method of a video display device according to the prior art will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A method of storing a channel in a video display device includes an automatic search method that automatically selects and sets only channels for which a broadcast signal is received, as shown in FIG. 1A. As illustrated in FIG. There is a manual search method for selecting and storing a channel to be stored. As shown in FIG. 1C, all channel numbers are displayed, and the presence or absence of a channel for the channel is indicated through the contrast of the channel number. When a user sets a favorite channel with respect to the channel number, there is a channel editing method that allows a user to identify a favorite channel more easily by giving a predetermined mark (♥) in front of the channel number.

In the method for managing the stored channel as described above, as shown in FIG. 2, a user first switches a channel by inputting a numeric key such as a remote controller (not shown) (S2).

In operation S4, it is determined whether a broadcast signal of a channel switched by the user exists. In this case, the user determines whether the broadcast signal is present or not.

Subsequently, when the broadcast signal exists in the channel switched by the user, the determination result (S4) is entered into the channel editing or manual channel menu to determine whether the channel exists on the channel map (S6).

In operation S8, it is determined whether the channel exists on the channel map.

Subsequently, the determination result (S8), if the channel does not exist on the channel map, by inputting a confirmation key to store the channel on the channel map (S10).

In addition, if the broadcast signal does not exist in the channel switched by the user (S4), the procedure ends.

In addition, when the determination result (S8) the channel exists on the channel map is terminated.

However, the channel management method of a video display device according to the related art is, if a broadcast signal is generated in a channel where there is no broadcast signal since the environment of the broadcast channel is changed after the user sets a channel, whether the channel exists on the channel map. There is a problem that it is difficult to make an intuitive judgment.

In addition, in order to store the channel because the channel does not exist on the channel map, it is inconvenient to select one of the three methods and store the channel.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and when the user arbitrarily changes the channel, the present invention determines whether the broadcast signal for the channel to be switched and whether the channel exists on the channel map is displayed. The purpose is to make it possible.

In addition, there is another purpose to automatically detect a change in the broadcasting environment to provide a simple channel management method to the user.

A channel management apparatus for a video display device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a video display device having a tuner and a display unit for tuning a broadcast signal input from the outside, the user interface for receiving a channel switching command from the user And a memory unit for storing a channel map and a channel change command when the channel change command is input through the user interface unit, depending on whether a channel to be switched exists in the channel map previously stored in the memory unit. And a channel controller for controlling whether to display the channel in the channel map according to a command selected by the user with reference to this.

Preferably, the channel controller compares a synchronization signal detector for determining whether a valid broadcast signal exists in a channel selected through the user interface unit, and a channel comparison for comparing a channel map previously stored in the memory unit with the channel selected by the user. And a control result such that the determination result of the synchronization signal detector and the channel comparator is displayed on the display unit, and the channel map of the memory unit is updated according to a command input by the user with reference to the content displayed on the display unit. It has a feature that includes a CPU.

More preferably, the channel switching command is a command input by the user using an arbitrary numeric key (0 to 9) through the user interface unit.

More preferably, the channel state is characterized by whether there is a valid broadcast signal for the channel selected by the user and whether the corresponding channel exists in the channel map of the memory unit.

A channel management method of a video display device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a channel management method of a video display device having a user interface for switching to a channel desired by the user, the channel switching command from the user interface unit When input, the method includes determining a state of a channel to be switched by the user, and displaying a state of a corresponding channel according to the determination result.

Preferably, the channel switching command is a command input by a user using an arbitrary numeric key (0 to 9) through the user interface unit.

More preferably, the determining of the channel state includes determining whether a broadcast signal exists in a channel selected by the user, and determining whether the channel exists on a channel map. .

More preferably, the displaying of the state of the channel according to the determination result may include the state in which the channel selected by the user has a broadcast signal but is not stored on the channel map and whether the user adds the channel to the channel map. Displaying a menu screen for selecting the feature.

More preferably, the step of displaying the state of the corresponding channel according to the determination result displays a menu screen for selecting whether to add the corresponding channel to the channel map even if a broadcast signal does not exist in the channel selected by the user. There is this.

Hereinafter, a channel management apparatus and method of an image display device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a channel management apparatus of an image display device according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a view showing a menu screen for managing a channel in the image display device according to the present invention, and FIG. It is a flowchart explaining step by step the channel management method of an image display apparatus.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus for managing a channel of an image display device includes a tuner 10 for tuning a broadcast signal of a channel desired by a user among broadcast signals input from the outside, and the tuner 10. A demodulator 20 for demodulating a broadcast signal tuned through the decoded broadcast signal, and a demultiplexer 30 for demultiplexing a signal input through the demodulator 22, that is, a temporally multiplexed transport stream. And an image processor 40 for signal processing to display the separated image signal through the demultiplexer 30, and a display unit 50 for outputting the image signal processed through the image processor 40. A user interface unit 60 for receiving a channel switch command from a user, a memory unit 70 for storing a channel map, and a channel switch command when the channel switch command is input through the user interface 60. The channel state is controlled to be displayed through the display unit 50 according to whether a corresponding channel to be present in the channel map previously stored in the memory unit 70 is applied. And a channel controller 80 for controlling whether to add a channel to the channel map.

The channel controller 80 is stored on a synchronization signal detector 82 for determining whether a broadcast signal exists in a channel selected by the user, a channel selected by the user, and a channel map of the memory unit 70. The display unit 50 controls the channel comparator 84 for comparing the channels present and the determination result of the synchronization signal detector 82 and the channel comparator 84 to be displayed through the display unit 50. And a CPU 86 that controls the channel map of the memory unit 70 to be updated according to a command input by a user with reference to the contents displayed on the screen.

The operation of the channel management apparatus of the video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

First, when a power-on command is input from the user interface unit 60, the CPU 86 outputs a control signal to tune a broadcast signal of a channel desired by the user through the tuner 10.

Then, the tuner 10 tunes a broadcast signal of a channel desired by a user among broadcast signals received from the outside and outputs the broadcast signal to the demodulator 20. The demodulator 20 demodulates an error by demodulating the broadcast signal input through the tuner 10, converts the broadcast signal into a transport stream, and outputs the converted signal to the demultiplexer 30.

The demultiplexer 30 demultiplexes the temporally multiplexed transport stream input through the demodulator 20 to separate audio, video, and additional information, and the image processor 40 is configured to perform the demultiplexing. After receiving the separated video data through the demultiplexer 30 and decoding and signal processing, it is input to the display unit 50, the display unit 50 is an image signal signal-processed from the image processor 40 Is displayed.

In addition, when a user inputs a channel switching command by using any numeric key (0 to 9) through the user interface unit 60, the synchronization signal detection unit 82 is configured according to the control signal of the CPU 86. The presence or absence of a synchronization signal among the broadcast signals of the channel to be switched by the user is detected, and the CPU 86 transmits the result.

The CPU 86 checks the synchronization signal detection result input from the synchronization signal detection unit 82, and if the synchronization signal is detected in the channel as a result of the check, determines that the TV broadcast signal is a broadcast channel and receives the synchronization. If the signal is not detected, it is determined that the TV broadcast signal is not received.

The channel comparison unit 84 compares the channel to be switched by the user according to the control signal of the CPU 86 with the channel stored on the channel map of the memory unit 70. That is, it is determined whether the channel to be switched by the user is a channel which is already stored on the channel map.

The CPU 86 detects a result of the synchronization signal detecting unit 82 when the channel to be switched by the user is not a channel that does not exist on the channel map, that is, a previously stored channel. As a result, a control signal is output so that the corresponding message is displayed on the display unit 50.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, if the channel to be switched by the user does not exist on the channel map, and a valid broadcast signal exists in the corresponding channel as a result of the detection of the synchronization signal detector 82, the channel is changed. The menu screen 100 for selecting whether or not to be stored on the channel map of the memory unit 70 is displayed. In addition, the user may select whether to store the channel by inputting the yes 102 key or the no 104 key through the menu screen 100 displayed through the display unit 50.

If the broadcast signal does not exist in the corresponding channel as a result of the detection of the synchronization signal detector 82, it is expected that there will be a change in the broadcast environment later. Displays a menu screen for selecting whether or not to be stored on the channel map. Therefore, the user can select whether or not to store the corresponding channel through the displayed menu screen.

Thus, the CPU 86 updates the channel map previously stored in the memory unit 70 according to a command input by the user.

In the channel management method of the video display device according to the present invention configured as described above, the user first selects a channel to be switched using the numeric keys (S102).

Subsequently, it is determined whether a valid broadcast signal exists in a channel to be switched by the user (S104). That is, it is determined whether a synchronization signal is detected in a channel to be switched by the user.

In operation S104, if a valid broadcast signal exists in a channel to be switched by the user, it is determined whether the channel is stored in a channel map (S106). That is, it is determined whether the channel has already been stored by the user through the channel storage method.

Subsequently, if the channel is not present on the channel map as a result of the determination (S106), a menu for the user to select whether to store the corresponding channel on the channel map with a message that a broadcast signal exists in the channel selected by the user. The screen is displayed (S108).

In addition, if the broadcast signal is not present in the channel to be switched by the user as a result of the determination (S104), a menu for the user to select whether to store the channel on the channel map together with a message that the broadcast signal is not present in the channel. The screen is displayed (S110).

Subsequently, it is determined whether the user wants to store the switched channel on the channel map (S112).

As a result of the determination (S112), if the user wants to store the channel on the channel map, the user inputs a confirmation key to update the channel map (S114).

In addition, the determination result (S106) is terminated when the channel is a channel present in the channel map, and if the user does not want to store the channel on the channel map (S112).

As described above, the channel management apparatus and method of the image display device according to the present invention have the following effects.

First, by automatically determining and displaying the presence or absence of a broadcast signal for a channel selected by the user and a channel map, the user can manage the channel more easily.

Second, by automatically detecting a change in the broadcasting environment and providing a convenient channel memory method to the user, the user's convenience can be enhanced to improve user satisfaction.

Third, channel management can be made more efficient.

Claims (10)

A user interface unit for receiving a request command from a user; A memory unit for storing a channel map; A tuner for tuning a broadcast signal input from the outside; When a channel change command is input through the user interface, the channel state is controlled to be displayed according to whether there is a valid broadcast signal of the switch channel and whether the channel is present on the channel map. A channel controller for controlling whether to add; And, And a display unit for displaying a corresponding broadcast signal tuned through the tuner and a channel state of the broadcast signal. The method of claim 1, The channel control unit A synchronization signal detector for determining whether a valid broadcast signal exists in a channel selected through the user interface unit; A channel comparison unit for comparing the channel map selected by the user with a channel map previously stored in the memory unit; A CPU which controls the determination result of the synchronization signal detector and the channel comparator to be displayed on the display unit and controls the channel map of the memory unit to be updated according to a command input by the user with reference to the content displayed on the display unit; Channel management apparatus for a video display device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The channel change command is a command inputted by a user using an arbitrary numeric key (0 to 9) through the user interface unit. delete Receiving a channel switch command; Determining whether there is a valid broadcast signal for the channel to be switched and whether it exists on a channel map; Displaying the state of the channel according to the determination result; And, And determining whether to update a channel map according to a command input from a user based on the displayed channel state. The method of claim 5, wherein The channel change command is a command input by a user using a random number key (0 to 9) through the user interface. delete The method of claim 5, wherein Displaying the state of the channel according to the determination result And displaying a menu screen for selecting whether to add the channel to the channel map and a state in which a channel selected by the user exists in a valid broadcast signal but is not stored on the channel map. How to manage channel on your device. The method of claim 5, wherein Displaying the state of the channel according to the determination result And displaying a menu screen for selecting whether to add a corresponding channel to the channel map even if a valid broadcast signal does not exist in the channel selected by the user. The method according to claim 8 or 9, Determining whether or not to update the channel map And updating the pre-stored channel map by adding the corresponding channel when a command for adding the channel is input from the user on the displayed state screen of the channel.

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