KR100940822B1 - Set-top box possible of conversion of service by sharing memory resource and system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a structure of a set-top box and a system capable of shortening booting time by sharing a resource of a memory when switching between a plurality of applications. In the set-top box according to the present invention, a set-top box in which a plurality of applications and a microprocessor for controlling the driving of the plurality of applications is constructed, GUI graphical information of an application which is selectively requested to be executed among the plurality of applications is provided. A frame buffer that can be loaded to share memory resources among a plurality of applications; A key handler for generating a control signal for executing an application requested to be executed by the user when a key for executing any one of a plurality of applications is received from the user; And a graphic handler that extracts GUI graphic information of an application requested to be executed from a user and writes the GUI graphic information to the frame buffer.

Set Top Box, Application, Frame Buffer, Resource Sharing

Description

SET-TOP BOX POSSIBLE OF CONVERSION OF SERVICE BY SHARING MEMORY RESOURCE AND SYSTEM USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a structure of a set-top box and a system capable of shortening booting time by sharing a resource of a memory when switching between a plurality of applications.

Recently, with the radical development of broadcasting technology, the broadcasting environment is diversifying.

In response, the Internet-based Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology has been developed and commercialized.

IPTV technology is a technology that provides a two-way broadcasting service using high-speed Internet, and provides information content service, video content providing service, and broadcasting content provided from a content providing server by connecting a display device and a content providing server through a set-top box. Provide services to users.

As such, a set-top box is constructed with a plurality of application programs to provide various services provided by a content providing server, and the plurality of application programs compete for access to resources.

Accordingly, the set-top box shares a graphic display between different application programs to display a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application program executed by a user's request among a plurality of application programs on a screen (screen) of the display device. There is a need for control and management.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a conventional set-top box having memory resources independent of a plurality of applications.

Referring to FIG. 1, the set top box 10 according to the related art includes, for example, first and second applications 11 and 12, and a first frame buffer in the first and second applications 11 and 12. 13 and the second frame buffer 14 are constructed, respectively.

The first and second applications 11 and 12 may be web browsers, games, karaoke, programming applications, etc. for providing VOD content. Here, for convenience of description, only two applications 11 and 12 are illustrated and additionally described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of applications may be constructed as needed.

According to the prior art, each of the first and second applications 11 and 12 independently performs a separate process using the first and second frame buffers 13 and 14, and the GUI by the application is a set-top box ( 10) is displayed on the display device 20 connected to.

In other words, the currently running application is not allowed to call another application that tries to use the frame buffer independently. As a result, each application does not compete for access to resources.

For example, when using the first application 11, the microprocessor 15 stops the previously executed second application 12 and releases all the second application-related processors loaded in the second frame buffer 14. Send to free up memory resources. On the contrary, when using the second application 12, the running first application 11 is stopped and all the first application-related processors loaded in the first frame buffer 13 are exported, and the second frame buffer 14 is released. Load the second application-related processor into the processor.

However, as described above, according to the related art, when a desired application is to be executed, a time delay of at least 5 seconds occurs when a previously executed application is removed from the frame buffer and a desired application is loaded into the frame buffer. This is a major factor in that each application uses separate framebuffers to perform individual processes.

When such a time delay occurs, the screen switching is not immediately performed when the service is switched and the waiting time becomes long, and thus there is a problem in that the user has to wait.

The present invention was derived to solve this problem, and the set-top box that reduces the waiting time by sharing the memory resources required to run the application can be executed immediately without the need to return the memory resources when switching between a plurality of applications and The purpose is to provide a system using the same.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a set-top box includes a plurality of executable applications and a microprocessor for controlling driving of the plurality of applications. A frame buffer capable of loading GUI graphic information about an application to share memory resources between applications; A key handler configured to generate a control signal for executing only the selected application when a selection key selected to execute one of the plurality of applications is received by a user's request; And a graphic handler configured to extract GUI graphic information related to the selected application and write it to the frame buffer when a selection key selected to execute any one of the plurality of applications is received.

According to an example of the present invention, the frame buffer may be opened and addressed by one of the plurality of applications.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control signal generated by the key handler includes: an execution command control signal for executing the selected application; And a stop command control signal for stopping an application already running before executing the selected application.

According to the above example, the key handler sends the execution command control signal to the selected application, and the stop command control signal to an application already running before executing the selected application.

According to an example of the present invention, the key handler may control only one application of the plurality of applications to access the frame buffer.

According to an example of the present invention, the apparatus may further include a user interface provided with a plurality of keys including the selection key.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the display screen unit for displaying a GUI associated with the application may be further included.

The system of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem is a user interface device provided with a plurality of keys (key) to enable the user's operation; A set-top box configured to quickly switch between applications by sharing a memory resource required to execute the selected application when a selection key selected to execute a predetermined application is received from the user interface device; And a display device for displaying a GUI by executing the selected application, wherein the set-top box includes: a frame buffer capable of sharing memory resources between applications by loading GUI graphic information on an application to be executed; Frame buffer; A key handler configured to generate a control signal for executing only the selected application when a selection key selected to execute a predetermined application is received from the user interface device; And a graphic handler for extracting GUI graphic information related to the selected application and writing it to the frame buffer when a selection key for selecting a predetermined application is received from the user interface device.

In this case, the user interface device may be a remote controller.

According to the present invention described above, when switching services according to a user's request, switching between applications is executed quickly, so that the screen switching of the GUI shown to the user is also quick. As a result, it is possible to alleviate the inconvenience that the user has to wait and maximize the convenience of usability.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the structure of a set-top box and a system using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, by sharing the memory resources required to run each application, so that the screen can be switched immediately without having to return the memory resources when switching between a plurality of applications by reducing the waiting time for switching applications It starts.

2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the set top box 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes at least a first application 110 and a second application 120, and drives the first and second applications 110 and 120. A microprocessor 140 is built to control this.

In addition, a key handler for controlling to execute only one of the first and second applications 110 and 120 and the frame buffer 130 that may share the resources of the memory required for the execution of the application. 150) and a graphic handler 160.

Here, the first and second applications 110 and 120 are a kind of application programs designed to perform a specific service, and may be constructed in plural numbers, not limited to the illustrated number (hereinafter, referred to as a plurality of applications). Called).

In the present embodiment, the plurality of applications 110 and 120 may apply a content providing application program, an application service related application program such as a game or karaoke, a programming application, and the like.

The set-top box 100 configured as described above is connected to the user interface device 300 provided with a plurality of keys to enable a user's operation, and the display device 200 displaying a GUI related to an application. It is possible to configure the base television service system. Accordingly, the set-top box 100 performs the selected application through the user interface device 300, and displays the GUI such as the main menu of the application performed through the display apparatus 200.

In such a system, the user interface device 300 and the display device 200 may be integrally provided in the set top box 100.

In addition, the user interface device 300 may be a remote controller.

The set top box 100 according to the present embodiment executes only one application at a time without executing the plurality of applications 110 and 120 at the same time. In other words, if you want to run a single application, you can stop the already running application.

The key handler 150 for controlling this controls only the application requested to be executed among the plurality of applications 110 and 120 to access the frame buffer 130.

Specifically, when the key handler 150 receives a selection key signal for executing a predetermined application among the signals input through the user interface device 300, the key handler 150 controls a signal for executing only the selected application. Create and pass).

The control signal may include an execution command control signal for executing a selected application through the user interface device 300, a stop command control signal for stopping an application already running before executing the selected application, and the like. Include.

According to the above, the key handler 150 transmits at least an execution command control signal to the selected application through the user interface device 300 among the plurality of applications 110 and 120, and is already running before executing the selected application. Transmits a stop command control signal to control the execution of the application.

The graphic handler 160 extracts the GUI graphic information related to the application requested to be executed and writes it to the frame buffer 130.

In this case, the application requested to be executed may be distinguished through a key signal received from the user interface device 300, and the GUI graphic information of the application requested to be executed is already stored in the main memory.

Generally, GUI graphic information is graphic information related to a graphic interface that displays shortcut icons, fonts, sounds, and the like so that a user can input a command. The GUI graphic information shows a search result for a service requested by the user, and searches for a desired application. To enter options, and to show the results of application execution.

The frame buffer 130 is a type of memory that temporarily stores image information to be displayed on a screen, and serves as a medium for sharing a resource of a memory required for switching between a plurality of applications.

The frame buffer 130 is loaded with GUI graphic information about the application requested to be executed. In particular, the framebuffer 130 may be reopened and addressed by one application at a time.

Accordingly, the plurality of applications 110 and 120 have one application selected according to a user's execution request to access the frame buffer 130 to perform a corresponding operation.

Therefore, in the set-top box 100 and the system using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention, one frame buffer 130 exists in a plurality of applications 110 and 120, and one frame buffer 130 is intended to be executed. By writing the graphic interface information (GUI graphic information) of the application to be accessed and executed when necessary, the application can be switched immediately without having to return memory resources when the application is switched and executed. This is different from the traditional method of returning resources of a suspended application and loading and executing GUI graphic information of a newly executed application. This reduces the waiting time for a new boot when switching between applications, and eliminates the boredom of waiting for the user.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a specific operation process for the set-top box 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an entire operation process of the set-top box shown in FIG. 2. The process of switching from the first application to the second application in the configuration of the set-top box shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example. .

Here, the first application 110 corresponds to an application already running, and the second application 120 corresponds to an application selected by a user's execution request to be executed later.

In addition, the key handler 150 receives a key signal through a user interface device (not shown) equipped with a plurality of keys to enable a user's operation. In particular, the key handler 150 selects an application to be executed. Receive a select key signal.

When a predetermined selection key signal is received at the key handler 150 (S110), the key handler 150 generates a stop command control signal and an execution command control signal for the corresponding application, respectively.

The stop command control signal is a control signal for stopping an application that is already running, and the run command control signal is a signal for controlling an application to be executed later.

Thereafter, the key handler 150 transmits a stop command control signal to the first application 110 (S112), and transmits an execution command control signal to the second application 120 (S118).

The above steps may be performed simultaneously or sequentially, but first, the operation of stopping execution by transmitting a stop command control signal to the first application 110 should be performed first.

Then, the first application 110 stops receiving a key signal input thereafter, and stops outputting GUI graphic information related to the first application 110 (S114 and S116).

The second application 120 starts receiving the key signal input thereafter by the execution command control signal received from the key handler 150 (S120), and outputs GUI graphic information related to the second application 120. In order to access the frame buffer 130.

In order to access the frame buffer 130 from the second application 120, a reopen signal is transmitted (S122), and the graphic handler 160 requests GUI graphic information about the second application 120 (S124).

The reopen signal is a signal for opening data for writing to the frame buffer 130. The frame buffer 130 may be opened or addressed by one application at a time.

Then, the graphic handler 160 extracts the GUI graphic information related to the second application 120 already stored in the main memory and writes it to the frame buffer 130 (S126).

Thereafter, the frame buffer 130 loads GUI graphic information related to the second application 120 in the resource of the frame buffer 130 (S128).

Subsequently, when the second application 120 is executed (S130), a screen 210 is outputted by outputting a graphic interface for inputting a main menu or a user command based on the GUI graphic information loaded in the frame buffer 130. (S132).

As another example, the process of switching from the second application 120 to the first application 110 is the same as the execution route described above, except that the target of the application that opens the frame buffer 130, the stop command control signal, and the execution command. Only the target of the application receiving the control signal and the GUI graphic information loaded on the resource of the frame buffer 130 are different. This is a technique that can be easily derived by those skilled in the art through the above-described execution route, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that.

Therefore, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a conventional set-top box having memory resources independent of a plurality of applications.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a set-top box sharing a memory resource according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for describing an overall operation of the set top box shown in FIG. 2.

** Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings **

100: set-top box 110, 120: first, second application

130: frame buffer 140: microprocessor

150: key handler 160: graphic handler

200: display device 300: user interface device

Claims (13)

A set top box comprising a plurality of applications and a microprocessor for controlling driving of the plurality of applications, the set top box comprising: A frame buffer capable of loading GUI graphic information on an application which is selectively requested to be executed among the plurality of applications to share memory resources between the plurality of applications; A key handler for generating a control signal for executing an application requested to be executed by the user when a key for executing any one of the plurality of applications is received from a user; And When a key for executing any one of the plurality of applications is received from the user, the graphic handler extracts GUI graphic information of the application requested to be executed from the user and writes the GUI graphic information to the frame buffer. Set-top box capable of fast application switching by sharing memory resources, including. The method of claim 1, The frame buffer, A set top box capable of fast application switching by sharing a memory resource, characterized in that is opened and addressed by one of the plurality of applications. The method of claim 1, The control signal generated by the key handler, An execution command control signal for executing an application requested to be executed from the user; And A stop command control signal for stopping an already running application before executing an application requested to be executed by the user Set-top box capable of fast application switching by sharing memory resources, including. The method of claim 3, The key handler is, The execution command control signal is transmitted from the user to the application requested to be executed, and the stop command control signal is transmitted to an application that is already running before executing the application requested to be executed from the user. Set-top box for fast application switching. The method of claim 1, The key handler is, A set-top box capable of fast application switching by sharing memory resources, characterized in that only the application requested to be executed by the user among the plurality of applications is controlled to access the frame buffer. The method of claim 1, And a user interface device including a plurality of keys including a key for executing the application. The method of claim 1, A set top box capable of fast application switching by sharing a memory resource further comprising a display screen for displaying GUI graphic information of an application requested to be executed by the user. A user interface device equipped with a plurality of keys to enable a user's operation; When a key for executing a predetermined application among a plurality of applications is received from the user through the user interface device, a set-top box for quickly switching between applications by sharing memory resources required to execute an application requested to be executed by the user. ; And A display device for displaying a GUI by the execution of the application requested to run from the user, The set top box, A frame buffer capable of sharing memory resources between applications by loading GUI graphic information on an application to be executed; A key handler configured to generate a control signal for executing only an application requested to be executed by the user when a key for executing a predetermined application is received from the user through the user interface device; And A graphic handler which extracts GUI graphic information of the application requested to be executed from the user and writes it to the frame buffer. System comprising a. The method of claim 8, The frame buffer, And open and addressed by one of the plurality of applications. The method of claim 8, The control signal generated by the key handler, An execution command control signal for executing an application requested to be executed from the user; And A stop command control signal for stopping an already running application before executing an application requested to be executed by the user System comprising a. The method of claim 10, The key handler is, And transmitting the execution command control signal from the user to an application requested to be executed, and transmitting the stop command control signal to an application already running before executing the application requested to be executed from the user. The method of claim 8, The key handler is, And control only the application requested to be executed from the user among the plurality of applications to access the frame buffer. The method of claim 8, And the user interface device is a remote controller.

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