KR101021733B1 - Apparatus and Method for displaying Broadcasting program information - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for outputting broadcast program information on a program guide screen.

      According to the present invention, when information of a specific program cannot be output to each area of a program information guide (EPG) screen, a predetermined identifier or blank is indicated in the corresponding area, and the area is expanded by various methods to display broadcast program information. It is about displaying.

EPG (electronic program guide), program, channel information, area, zoom

Description

Broadcasting program information output device and method {Apparatus and Method for displaying Broadcasting program information}

1 is a view showing a display example of a general EPG screen

2 is a block diagram of a configuration of a receiver apparatus for providing an EPG according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing that an identifier 306 is outputted because program information cannot be output to a region 304 in a specific time zone.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an enlarged region 310 state in which only the corresponding region 304 of the corresponding channel 302 is enlarged when a user command is input or accessed with respect to the identifier shown in FIG. 3.

5, when a user command is input or accessed with respect to the identifier shown in FIG. 3, the area of not only the area 312 of the channel 302 including the identifier but also all other channels corresponding to the segmented broadcast time is expanded. Showing the state of a closed region

FIG. 6 is a time subdivided so that all regions of the corresponding channel 302 correspond to the enlarged region 316 state and the enlarged region 316 when a user command is input or accessed for the identifier shown in FIG. 3. 318 is shown together.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment compared to FIG. 4, and illustrates a state of the region 320 in which only the region 304 of the corresponding channel 302 is enlarged to overlap with another region.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view showing conversion from FIG. 3 to FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the program information in a state in which the enlarged region 321 overlaps with another existing region 322 in comparison with FIG. 7.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying program information having a short broadcast time on an EPG screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment in which program information is output by enlarging an area in which program information is not output;

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for outputting broadcast program information on a program guide screen.

   Hereinafter, a related art related to the present invention will be described.

In general digital TV, additional data can be added and sent in addition to audio / video information. Multimedia related services such as information related to the program or real time information such as stocks, exchange rates, and weather forecasts, and internet information can be provided.

Multimedia broadcasting is a comprehensive digital broadcasting concept in which a TV program and various additional information that is being broadcast are delivered together in a multimedia form including video, sound, and various data to be displayed on a TV screen and viewers can select and enjoy information.

In particular, as the TV program schedule is provided as an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information screen, the user conveniently selects and uses each time zone, channel, and broadcaster.

1 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a general EPG screen.

Referring to FIG. 1, program guide (guide) information includes channel information (which means broadcaster information is also included), broadcast information according to broadcast time, date, and time zone (program title information to be output / output).

As shown in the EPG screen 100 of FIG. 1, various program information 101 broadcasted between 14:30 and 15:30 are displayed in units of 30 minutes, and the BBC TWO channel 103 is displayed. Looking at the BBC NEWS 24 channel 105, there are blank areas 107, 109 where no content is displayed between the programs.

An object of the present invention is for a user to check program information including all program titles on an EPG screen.

The present invention sets a predetermined identifier to be output or blank in the corresponding area when the minimum information (for example, 1 character or more) preset cannot be outputted in the corresponding area of the EPG screen.

When a user command accesses the predetermined identifier or blank area or when a user command is input to the identifier or blank area, at least the corresponding area is enlarged to output the program information.

When a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or blank area, the preset time interval is adjusted, and correspondingly, the area of the identifier or blank location is at least enlarged so that program information is displayed.

When a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area, the preset time interval is adjusted to be small, and at least the area of the identifier or the blank position is enlarged to correspond to the program title and the smaller adjusted time interval. It is also intended to be displayed.

In the broadcast program guide method according to the present invention for achieving the above object, in outputting the program guide information, so that the program guide information including the program title is displayed in each area of the Program Guide screen (Display). Setting step; If the program guide information to be output cannot be outputted in the area by more than a predetermined character (for example, one character), or when the program to be output is within a predetermined program time (for example, within 30 minutes), the predetermined identifier or Setting the Blank to be output in the corresponding area; Executing a program guide screen; Checking whether a predetermined identifier or a blank is output in an area of a program guide screen; And when a user command is input in the identifier or blank area (including when a user command is accessed in the identifier or blank area, etc.), the area is enlarged to display program information.

In one embodiment, program guide information for each time zone and channel / broadcaster including at least a minute unit is displayed in each area of the EPG screen.

In addition, the program guide device according to the present invention, a broadcast device capable of displaying the program guide information, Tuner unit for receiving a broadcast signal;

A decoder which decodes a broadcast signal received through the tuner and decodes an audio and video signal including program guide information;

An input unit for inputting user control information;

A receiver for receiving user control information;

The program guide information for each broadcast program or channel received from the decoder is output based on preset screen configuration information, and a predetermined identifier is determined based on a result of determining whether the program guide information is program guide information that cannot be output to a corresponding region. A control unit for controlling the output to be in a blank state and performing a control operation so that program guide information is output by enlarging a corresponding area when the identifier or the blank area is accessed; And

And an output unit for outputting the program guide information. The enlargement of the area is automatically performed based on a smaller adjustment of a time zone that has already been set.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a program guide (hereinafter referred to as EFG) method and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in the present invention, an enlargement of an identifier or a blank area for outputting program information is performed based on at least one of the following methods.

   1) Only the corresponding area of the channel is enlarged. In addition, the time zone of the region is displayed in subdivision to correspond to the enlarged region. The corresponding area may be enlarged in response to subdividing (smaller than) the time zone of the area.

   2) The area is enlarged in at least one direction of left or right about the corresponding area of the corresponding channel. Accordingly, other areas adjacent to the enlarged area may be moved or covered.

3) All areas of the channel are enlarged and enlarged in the left or / and right direction.

   4) All areas of all channels are enlarged. In addition, the time zones of all the channels are represented in detail so as to correspond to the enlarged area. In response to subdividing the time zone of the region, all regions may be enlarged.

2 is a block diagram of a configuration of a receiver apparatus for providing an EPG according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the receiver device 200 according to the present invention includes a control signal input unit 202, a tuner unit 204, a decoder unit 206, an image processing unit 208, and a display unit. And a receiver 218 and a controller 216 that receive control signals from the outside, such as 210, a storage 212, an audio processor 214, a remote controller, and the like.

In other words, a tuner unit 204 for receiving a broadcast signal; A decoder 206 for decoding a broadcast signal received through the tuner to decode audio and video signals including program guide information; An input unit 202 for inputting user control information; A receiving unit 218 for receiving user control information through a remote control or the like; The program guide information for each broadcast program or channel received from the decoder is output based on preset screen configuration information, and a predetermined identifier is determined based on a result of determining whether the program guide information is program guide information that cannot be output to a corresponding region. A control unit 216 for controlling the output to be in a blank state and performing a control operation to enlarge a corresponding area and output program guide information when a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area; And output units 210 and 220 for outputting the program guide information and the like.

    Based on the above configuration, the tuner unit 204 tunes a broadcast channel desired by the user. The decoder 206 decodes a broadcast signal input through a tuned channel. The image processor 208 performs scaling or the like so that the video signal decoded by the decoder 206 and the processed broadcast information can be displayed as an image on the display 210.

The display unit 210 displays the processed image and / or (broadcast) program guide (EPG) information.

   The storage unit 212 stores the received image and / or broadcast program guide (EPG) information. The control signal input unit 202 receives a control signal from a local key or a remote controller attached to an image display device as a receiving device.

The controller 218 controls a user command to select a broadcast program whose identifier is selected from program guide (EPG) information displayed on the display 210 according to the control signal input from the control signal input unit 202, and When a program marked with an identifier is selected, overall control over the process of displaying information about the program is performed by enlarging the area allocated to the program.

 In addition, the controller 218 detects that the cursor, which is a user indicator, is moved to a program in which an identifier exists by using a user command, and controls to enlarge the information display area automatically when the cursor is located on a broadcast program in which the identifier exists. .

In addition, when the cursor moves to another broadcast program again, the cursor is maintained so as to maintain the displayed area or to return to the original size.

In enlarging the area, the area allocated to the channel may be controlled while the broadcast time is shorter, and the area allocated to the channel may be increased. The channel or all of the channels may be controlled regardless of the broadcast time. It is also possible to control the area assigned to the channel to be increased.In the same channel, only the corresponding area of the program in which the identifier is displayed is increased so that the program information of the later time is pushed back or the program is displayed by overlapping the program information of the later time. You can control the information to be displayed.

3 to 8 are diagrams of EPG screens of respective embodiments showing program information by enlarging an area where an identifier is displayed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure based on various methods.

3 shows that in a specific channel (BBC TWO) 302, the program title information, which is one of the program information, cannot be output to the area 304 of the specific time zone of the broadcast time 308, so that the identifier 306 is output. It is a figure which shows that.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged region 310 state when only a corresponding region 304 of the corresponding channel 302 is input when a user command is input or accessed with respect to the identifier illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows that when the user command is input or accessed with respect to the identifier shown in FIG. 3, the broadcast time displayed based on the broadcast time is further divided (30 minutes-> 10 minutes). Corresponding to 314, not only the area 312 of the channel 302 including the identifier but also the area of all other channels is a diagram showing the state of the enlarged area.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an area 316 in which all regions of the channel 302 are enlarged when a user command is input or accessed with respect to the identifier illustrated in FIG. 3. In addition, the time 318 segmented to correspond to the enlarged area 316 is shown separately from the existing broadcast time 308. For reference, in all embodiments of the present invention, the time may be subdivided to correspond to the enlarged region, or conversely, the region may be expanded to correspond to the subdivided time.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment compared with FIG. 4, and when a user command is input or accessed with respect to the identifier shown in FIG. 3, only the corresponding region 304 of the corresponding channel 302 is enlarged to overlap with another region. This is a diagram showing the state of the region 320.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view showing conversion from FIG. 3 to FIG. 4.

As shown in the figure, only the region 306 of the program in which the identifier 304 is displayed in the corresponding channel is enlarged, so that the program information is represented in the enlarged region 310, and the program information at a later time is shifted backward and outputted. do.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the program information in a state in which the enlarged region 321 overlaps with another existing region 322 in comparison with FIG. 7.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

3 to 4 are diagrams illustrating EPG screens in which an identifier is displayed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in the present invention, the enlargement of the area in which the identifier is displayed or the blank area will be performed when the user selects the corresponding area or when the user accesses the corresponding area.

The identifier is displayed when the title of the program cannot be displayed, and the size of the character that can be displayed can be preset by the user. It is assumed to be smaller than the size that can be displayed.) Or Blank. In addition, the size of the region may be formed to correspond to each other.

In general, even when the program area is enlarged, the enlarged area is limited so as to display more than one area representing the program information of the corresponding channel. If there are three regions, the enlarged region should be centered, and the other region should be arranged to the left and right regions.

In this case, various embodiments may be shown in which another region is shifted or an enlarged region overlaps with another region. On the other hand, the enlarged area may be left and the remaining area may be in the right area.

In addition, for each channel or broadcaster referred to in the present invention, if one broadcaster broadcasts a plurality of channels, each channel / broadcaster will be distinguished, but if not, it will have substantially the same meaning.

Referring to FIG. 3, the EPG screen information 300 includes one or more channels (1-7 channels) and a broadcast time 308 set in units of 30 minutes.

That is, the broadcast time 308 displayed in the horizontal direction is a time axis indicating a change in time, and the vertical is a channel axis indicating each channel.

As an example of a two-channel BBC TWO 302 channel, an identifier 306 having a symbol " ★ " instead of the title of a program having a short broadcast time in a program next area 304 having a program title Racing, is shown. Is displayed.

The symbol " ★ " is a symbol shown as an example and is an identifier 306 for notifying that a program exists in a corresponding area.

When the identifier is displayed as described above, it is easy to determine whether a program exists at the corresponding position even on the initial screen of the EPG.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the user moves the cursor, which is a kind of user indicator, to “★” to check what program exists at the position having the identifier 306 of “★”, the short broadcast as shown in FIG. 3. It can be seen that the display area assigned to the program with time is represented by the longer area 310 state.

That is, the corresponding area is expanded and displayed only on the time axis, and the broadcast guidance after the corresponding area is shifted and displayed immediately afterwards.

There is no change in the display time of the time axis displayed at 30 minute intervals.

Therefore, when the area is enlarged as described above, the " ★ " disappears automatically, and the time bar, which is the assigned display area, becomes long, and it can be confirmed that a program having a title of "Breaking New" actually exists.

In FIG. 4, only the corresponding region of the channel of the 2 BBC TWO 302 is applied, and the broadcast time 308 is shown as an example in the case where there is no change.

In FIG. 4, when the display time of the time axis is not changed or when the corresponding area is extended and displayed on the time axis, the end time of the corresponding program may be displayed. That is, if the start time of the broadcast of the extended "Breaking News" is 14:35 and the end time is 14:45, the portion of the right end of the displayed "Breaking News" is displayed as 14:45 in the time axis.

However, as shown in FIG. 5, if the broadcast time is subdivided 314 into 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. instead of the 30 minute unit 308, the corresponding display area of the program is displayed. Will be expanded.

In enlarging the area of the present invention, as shown in the above embodiments, when only one channel is applied, when only all channels are applied, when all is applied to a broadcast time, various embodiments are possible.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying program information having a short broadcast time on an EPG screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, when power is supplied to the terminal receiving apparatus 200 (S 1000), and an execution command for viewing broadcast program information is input (S 1002), the display screen displays the EPG information as shown in FIG. 3. (S 1004).

The user checks an identifier of " ★ " that a program having a short broadcast time or an area in which program information cannot be output on the EPG screen exists, and checks program information (for example, a program title, etc.) at the corresponding location. To move the cursor (S 1006).

If the cursor is moved over a program displaying the identifier or a selection command for viewing information of the program is input (S 10008), the identifier is automatically deleted and the time bar, which is an area allocated to the program, is lengthened, and the name of the program is displayed. (S 1010).

In general, the length of the time bar is proportional to the set time.

When the cursor located in the program is moved to another program (S 1012), an identifier of "★" is displayed again in the area allocated to the program, and the control unit controls to return the allocated area to the original size (S 1012). 1014).

On the other hand, unlike the above, instead of automatically returning to the original size, the size may be set to be maintained so that it can be returned to the original size only when the corresponding program is selected again.

11 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment in which program information is output by enlarging an area in which program information is not output.

As shown in the figure, the EPG screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and the program information for the channel is set to be displayed in each of the plurality of areas. (S 1101). The size of each area set in the above will correspond to the size of the program to be output / output, that is, the play time in general, but can be determined based on the data size. The program size will be determined by the control unit regarding the received and decoded data. Therefore, the controller will allocate the size of the area based on the time of the program. Of course, in the case where there is no program time information, the size and display of the area are determined by the user.

If the program information is a predetermined number of characters, for example, one in the set area, or cannot be displayed or is within a predetermined program time, the predetermined identifier or blank is set to be displayed in the corresponding area. (S 1103).

Turn on the receiver to run the EPG screen. (S 1105).

When the identifier or the blank exists in the executed EPG screen (S 1107), when a user command is input or accessed to the corresponding area, the program information is displayed by expanding the identifier or the blank area. (S 1109)

In the above-described various embodiments, various methods mentioned above are applied.

In addition, in the present invention, the case where a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area is substantially the same meaning, and any operation or the user's will to reflect the program information in the identifier / blank area by any method is reflected. It means the operation.

As described above, in the present invention, in outputting the program guide information, the program guide information including the program title is set to be displayed in each area of the Program Guide screen.

If the program guide information to be output cannot be outputted in the area by more than a preset character (for example, one character), or when the program to be output is within a predetermined program time (for example, within 30 minutes), a predetermined identifier or After the Blank is set to output in the area, the user executes the program guide screen.

   At this time, if a user command is input in the identifier or the blank area based on a result of checking whether a predetermined identifier or blank is output in the area of the program guide screen (including a case where a user command is accessed in the identifier or the blank area). The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for enlarging the area so that program information is displayed.

The foregoing has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains to the detailed description of the present invention and other forms of embodiments within the essential technical scope of the present invention To implement them. Here, the essential technical scope of the present invention is shown in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent range will be construed as being included in the present invention.

In constructing the EPG screen, in order to display a large number of program information on one screen, a short program time (5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes) has to be set wide (more than 30 minutes) as a reference unit of broadcast time. Location information), the user can easily check whether the program exists by visually assigning a location identifier, and if the user command is directly or indirectly inputted to the corresponding area location, the area given to the corresponding program becomes longer. By configuring the detailed information easily, the short broadcast program information can be easily identified on the EPG screen.

Claims (22)

In outputting the program guide information, Setting the program guide information to be displayed on each area of a program guide screen; When the program guide information to be output cannot be output in the area by more than a preset number of characters or when the program to be output is within a predetermined program time, setting the predetermined identifier or blank to be output only in the corresponding area; Executing a program guide screen; Checking whether a predetermined identifier or a blank is output in an area of a program guide screen; If a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area based on the check result, the step of displaying the program guide information by expanding the identifier or the blank area in at least one direction of the left or right area of the corresponding channel. Program information guide method comprising a. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the enlarged program guide information is output, and the area to which the program information is to be output is limited so that a plurality of program guide information can be output on the program guide screen. Program information guide method, characterized in that. The program information guide according to claim 3, wherein when three program guide information of a plurality of program guide information to be output are output in each area, program information corresponding to the identifier or the blank area is output to a central area. Way. The method of claim 4, wherein when the program information corresponding to the identifier or the blank area is enlarged and output in the central area, the enlargement of the central area is limited such that other program guide information output in the left / right areas is also output. Program information guide method, characterized in that performed. The method according to claim 1, wherein when a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area, a preset broadcast time interval is adjusted by indicating a program output time, and correspondingly, the area of the identifier or blank location is enlarged. Program information is displayed, wherein the program information is displayed. The method of claim 1, wherein when a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area, all areas of a corresponding channel are enlarged to display program information. The method of claim 7, wherein when a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area, program information is displayed by enlarging all areas of the corresponding channel around the accessed area. The method of claim 1, wherein when a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area, program information is displayed by adjusting a time interval of a corresponding channel and enlarging all areas of the corresponding channel. . The method of claim 1, wherein when a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area, program information is displayed by enlarging all channel areas. The program according to claim 1, wherein when a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area, time intervals of all channels are adjusted, and program information is displayed by enlarging all channel areas correspondingly. Information Guide. The method of claim 1, wherein when a user command is input or accessed in the identifier or the blank area, a preset time interval is adjusted to be small, and correspondingly, an area of the identifier or the blank location is enlarged to display program information. Program information guide method characterized in that. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the identifier or the blank area is accessed, the preset time interval is adjusted to be small, and correspondingly, the area of the identifier or blank position is enlarged so that the smaller adjusted time interval together with the program title is set. Program information guide method characterized in that the displayed. (a) When the program guide information is output in each area of the Program Guide screen, the program guide information to be output is any one of more than a preset number of characters and a program to be output within a predetermined program time. Displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) including an identifier indicating an area in which the program guide information cannot be output when the program guide information cannot be output in the area; (b) moving the cursor to the location of the program in which the identifier is indicated; (c) After the cursor is moved to the program displaying the identifier, when a selection command for the program is input, the displayed identifier is deleted and the program information display bar is at least one direction of the left or right region of the corresponding channel. Expanding the display to display the program name; And (d) when the cursor is moved to another program, the enlarged program information display bar returns to the original displayed size, and the identifier is displayed again. The program guide of claim 14, wherein the step (c) displays the program title while the identifier disappears and the program information display bar is enlarged even when there is no additional selection command at the moment the cursor is moved to the program on which the identifier is displayed. Way. 15. The program guide of claim 14, wherein, in the step (c), when the cursor is positioned on the program in which the identifier is displayed, the interval of the displayed broadcasting time is reduced, and the program title is displayed while the program information display bar is naturally enlarged. Way. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein in step (c), the channel can be enlarged for each channel and all channels can be enlarged according to the change of the time table. In the broadcasting device capable of displaying program guide information, A tuner unit for receiving a broadcast signal; A decoder which decodes a broadcast signal received through the tuner and decodes an audio and video signal including program guide information; An input unit for inputting user control information; A receiver for receiving user control information; The program guide information for each broadcast program or channel received from the decoder is output based on preset screen configuration information. As a result of determining whether the program guide information is program guide information that cannot be output to a corresponding region, the program guide information is displayed. If the identifier or the blank area is accessed, the identifier or the blank area is enlarged in at least one direction of the left or right area of the corresponding channel. A control unit which performs a control operation to output program guide information; And And an output unit for outputting the program guide information. 19. The program information guiding apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the enlargement of the area is automatically performed based on the adjustment of the unit to a smaller time zone. The program information according to claim 18, wherein when the identifier or the blank area is accessed, the preset time interval is adjusted to be small, and correspondingly, the area of the identifier or the blank location is enlarged so that program information is displayed. Guide device. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein when the identifier or the blank area is accessed, the preset time interval is adjusted smaller, and correspondingly, the area of the identifier or blank location is enlarged so that the smaller adjusted time interval together with the program title is set. The program information guide device, characterized in that the display. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one start time or end time of the corresponding program is displayed when the corresponding region is extended and displayed on the time axis.

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