KR101053732B1 - Digital TV User Control Interface Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a user control interface configured to enable a user to conveniently use and control a digital multimedia device embedded in or connected to a digital television.

In the user interface device of the digital television according to the present invention, a device control screen includes a user control panel to which a function of a multimedia device is assigned, a digital content viewer, and a device information screen indicating a device operation state. In addition, the device control screen may have a structure in which at least two groups are arranged through screen division, and a device selection list for selecting a device to be controlled in each device control screen is arranged separately. In addition, an interlocking control panel for selecting an interlocking function between the at least two sets of device control screens is arranged.

DTV, user interface, multimedia device, external device control

Description

USER INTERFACE OF DIGITAL TELEVISION

1 is a view showing an example of a control screen according to the connection of a conventional digital television and peripheral devices

2 is a view showing an example of a control screen according to the connection of the digital television and peripheral devices in the present invention;

3 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a user control interface screen according to the present invention;

4 illustrates a second embodiment of a user control interface screen according to the present invention;

5 is a block diagram of a digital television according to the present invention.

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

100: DTV 101: Tuner

102: signal processing unit 103: decoder unit

104: video output device 105: audio output device

106: external device interface 107: UI_OSD generation unit

108: control unit 110: first viewer window

120: first control panel 130: second viewer window

140: second control panel 150: interlocking control panel

160: device list window 710, 720, 730: external device

The present invention relates to a user control interface configured to enable a user to conveniently use and control a digital multimedia device embedded in or connected to a digital television.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a user interface device using an on-screen display-based viewer and a control panel for controlling a plurality of multimedia devices in digital television.

The digital multimedia device is a device connected to or embedded in a digital television by a communication device such as USB, IEEE1394, Bluetooth, etc., which means that digital content can be recorded, stored, and played back. Here, the digital content means all types of information that can be viewed under the control of a user, and include a video, sound, music, voice, and a photo. An example of a digital multimedia device is a personal video recorder (PVR).

The digital television receiver is connected to a mass storage device such as a hard disk (HDD) or includes a mass storage device to provide a basis for storing broadcast signals (A / V data) in the form of digital signals and reproducing and viewing them when necessary. It is becoming.

In other words, due to the development of PVR (Personal Video Recorder), high definition (HD) -class high-definition digital broadcasts can be stored on the hard disk, and users can play them again and watch them whenever they need them. In addition, various functions, such as instant play and trick play, have been added, providing a technical basis for accessing more convenient and useful functions.

As such, a digital video recorder (DVR), also referred to as a hard disk recorder (HDR) or a personal video recorder (PVR), is based on a large capacity storage device such as a hard disk (HDD). It is a digital video storage device that can store and play it when needed. Digital video recorders (DVRs) are devices that use recordable DVD media in addition to hard disks (HDDs) as storage devices, but DVD media have the advantage of easily changing media. Since it is about SD level, single alyer standard), there is a restriction in data storage capacity or obvious data management compared to hard disk (HDD) based mass storage device.

The basic function of a digital video recorder (DVR) is to store and view a program from a broadcasting station, but to record the information on a hard disk (HDD) and to play it in a file playback method such as a computer, a central processing unit, an operating system, A memory chip containing playback software and a hard disk (HDD) are provided to differentiate the conventional VCR. That is, it consists of a TV tuner, storage and playback software, a modem, a hard disk (HDD), and the like. By combining a hard disk employed in a computer, TV programs are converted into digital signals and stored on the hard disk (HDD). There is a big advantage in that it is reproduced when necessary.

As described above, a digital multimedia device represented by a DVR (or PVR) is a device connected to a digital television or built-in by a communication device such as USB, IEEE1394, or Bluetooth, and capable of recording, storing, and playing digital content. In the case of digital television, various DVRs, including the DVR, or various digital multimedia devices are connected or connected to an external device of digital television, thereby recording, storing, and playing back various and rich digital contents.

1 schematically shows a configuration related to the connection between an external device and a digital television and their control in a conventional digital television. The digital television 10 is usually subject to a user control command by the remote controller 20, and as an external device, the camcorder 30, the cable set-top box 40, the DVHS 50, the AV / HDD 60 Digital multimedia devices are connected based on communication devices such as USB, IEEE1394, and Bluetooth.

In the existing digital television system of such a configuration, the user control of the digital multimedia device is only applied to one connected device or built-in function at that time. That is, referring to FIG. 1, even if a plurality of digital multimedia devices 30, 40, 50, and 60 are connected, a control panel 11 for a corresponding device is represented for one device among them. Only one selected device or function at a time is to control the corresponding device or function by operating the user's remote control 20.

However, as described above, when only one device can be controlled at a time, inter-device interworking functions such as inter-device recording and playback are not possible or are configured in a complicated manner and require a more complicated interworking function configuration. This is because the existing method is constructed based on one moving picture or still picture.

Thus, when multiple digital multimedia devices are organically connected with digital television, there is a need for means to control them based on one integrated user control interface.

An object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily use individual control and interworking functions of a plurality of digital multimedia devices in a digital television.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a digital television, in which, when a plurality of digital multimedia devices are connected to the digital television as an external device or equipped with a digital multimedia device function, individual control of the plurality of digital multimedia devices on one screen is performed. Of course, it is to provide a user interface device that can control them in conjunction with each other.

It is still another object of the present invention to perform a control of a plurality of multimedia devices embedded in a digital television or connected to an external device. The present invention provides a device that can control a corresponding device using a user interface by constructing a control panel that can be controlled or controlled in conjunction with each other.

A user control interface device of a digital television of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a plurality of viewer windows for controlling a plurality of multimedia devices embedded in a digital television or connected as an external device, and a control panel for controlling the multimedia device. User interface means; Interface generating means for generating a corresponding interface screen to control the plurality of multimedia devices based on one of the one interface screen; Control means for recognizing a control command of a multimedia device selected by a user from a user interface screen generated and displayed by the interface generating means and transferring the control command to the corresponding multimedia device for control; And a control unit.

In the user control interface device according to the present invention, the user interface further comprises a control panel for interlocking control of a plurality of selected multimedia devices.

In the user control interface device according to the present invention, the user interface further comprises a device list window for displaying a list of multimedia devices.

In addition, in the user control interface device according to the present invention, the user interface includes at least two viewer windows and control panels for at least two, finite (maximum number of multimedia devices connected or embedded as external devices). Characterized in that included in the interface.

In the user control interface device according to the present invention, the viewer window is characterized by displaying a moving picture or a still picture currently being played in the currently selected multimedia device.

In addition, in the user control interface device according to the present invention, the arrangement form in the user interface screen including the viewer window and the control panel is selected by the user.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of video receivers and a recording and playback device are connected from the outside, or when a built-in device has such a function, the user can provide a basis for more efficient use of the interworking function as well as individual control of each device. do.

2 is a view showing an example of a control screen according to the connection of a digital television and a peripheral device in the present invention.

In the user interface device of the digital television according to the present invention, a device control screen includes a user control panel to which a function of a multimedia device is assigned, a digital content viewer, and a device information screen indicating a device operation state. In addition, the device control screen may have a structure in which at least two groups are arranged through screen division, and a device selection list for selecting a device to be controlled in each device control screen is arranged separately. In addition, an interlocking control panel for selecting an interlocking function between the at least two sets of device control screens is arranged.

The digital television 100 is usually subject to a user control command by the remote controller 200, and as an external device, the camcorder 300, the cable set-top box 400, the DVHS 500, the AV / HDD 600 Digital multimedia devices are connected based on communication devices such as USB, IEEE1394, and Bluetooth.

In the digital television system according to the present invention configured as described above, the user control of the digital multimedia apparatus enables individual device control as well as mutual interworking control among a plurality of devices by using the user interface means proposed by the present invention. To this end, a user interface (UI) including a viewer, an individual control panel, and an interlocking control panel for each of the plurality of multimedia devices is provided.

That is, referring to the OSD-based user interface (UI) illustrated in FIG. 2, the first viewer window 110 in which a video and / or still image can be expressed with respect to one external device (or a built-in function) and The first viewer window 130, the control panel 140, and the two external devices in which a video and / or still image can be expressed with respect to the control panel 120 and other external devices (or built-in functions). (Or a built-in function) interlocking control panel 150 for interoperating with each other, and a structure including a device list window 160 for selecting a multimedia device to be controlled from among a plurality of digital multimedia devices .

Although FIG. 2 illustrates a user interface structure for two external devices, the user interface structure shown in FIG. 2 includes at least two viewers and a control panel having a finite number (maximum number of external devices). It can be implemented in a structure that includes on the screen of.

The device list window 160 provides a base for the user to easily select a device to view and control the list by expressing the device names of the external devices embedded in or connected to the digital television.

The first viewer window 110 is a screen displaying a moving picture and / or a still picture corresponding to the selected first external device. The representation of the first viewer window 110 provides a basis for completely acquiring and recognizing visual information about a moving picture and / or a still picture currently being played on an external device selected by a user.

The first control panel 120 has a structure in which the control panel corresponding to the first external device expresses a name, a function button, current operation state information, etc. of the corresponding device, thereby controlling the control of the first external device. ), A base for easily giving a user control command to a first external device is provided. For example, a structure capable of controlling functions such as playing, rewinding, fast-forwarding, and recording a first external device is achieved.

The second viewer window 130 is a screen displaying a moving picture and / or a still picture corresponding to the selected second external device. The representation of the second viewer window 130 provides a basis for completely acquiring and recognizing visual information on a moving picture and / or a still picture currently being played on an external device selected by a user.

The second control panel 140 has a structure in which the control panel corresponding to the second external device expresses a name, a function button, current operation state information, etc. of the corresponding device, thereby controlling the control of the second external device. ) Provides a base for easily giving a user control command to a second external device. For example, a structure capable of controlling functions such as playing, rewinding, fast-forwarding, and recording a second external device is achieved.

The interlocking control panel 150 is configured to represent a function button necessary for interlocking and controlling the selected first external device and the second external device, thereby controlling interworking control between a plurality of digital multimedia devices. Based on the user interface, it provides an easy basis to perform. For example, a structure capable of interlocking control such as recording from a first external device to a second external device or playing back multimedia content provided from the first external device on a second external device is provided.

The first viewer window 110 and the second viewer window 130 represented in FIG. 2 are windows for playing a video and / or still picture, which are known as PIP or multiplexing techniques. It can be implemented simply.

The first control panel 120, the second control panel 130, and the interlocking control panel 150, which are represented in FIG. 2, are configured by generating a function button or the like as a graphic screen based on the OSD, and the remote controller 200. The command can be easily recognized by checking the user operation on a specific function button using the arrow keys.

3 shows a first embodiment of a user interface screen structure according to the present invention. As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the first viewer window 110 and the second viewer window 130 is arranged up and down on the left side of the screen, and the first control panel 120 and the second control panel 140 are arranged. ) Shows a structure arranged vertically next to each viewer window. In addition, the interlocking control panel 150 is represented at a boundary between the first control panel 120 and the second control panel 140. The device list window 160 has a structure expressed at the rightmost edge of the screen.

4 shows a second embodiment of a user interface screen structure according to the present invention. In this structure, the first viewer window 111 and the second viewer window 131 are arranged left and right on the upper side of the screen, and the first control panel 121 and the second control panel 141 are left and right under each viewer window. Show the arranged structure. In addition, the interlocking control panel 151 is expressed at a boundary between the first control panel 121 and the second control panel 141. The device list window 161 has a structure expressed at the rightmost edge of the screen.

Various embodiments may be possible in addition to the user interface screen structure as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. In addition, it is also possible to arbitrarily select any one of the user interface screen structure shown in FIG. 3 and the user interface screen structure shown in FIG. 4 according to a user's preference. This is possible by having a menu / item for selecting an interface structure and having the user select it as a kind of environment setting concept. Information about the selected screen structure is stored in the internal memory so that the screen structure previously selected until the next change is stored and displayed.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital television according to the present invention.

The digital television receiver (DTV) 100 and the plurality of external devices 700 are connected to each other by a communication device such as USB, IEEE1394, Bluetooth, and the like, and a remote controller 200 for remote operation of the DTV 100 is provided. . Here, the external device 700 may include a plurality of digital multimedia devices 710, 720, and 730 to mount (embedded) the functions of the multimedia device in the DTV 100.

The DTV 100 processes a tuner 101 for receiving a DTV RF signal and a digital broadcast signal (stream) input from the tuner 101 to extract and analyze data such as an audio and video stream and an EPG stream. Outputs a signal processor 102, a decoder 103 for decoding and outputting audio and video signals and EPG information output from the signal processor 102, and a video signal decoded by the decoder 103 An image output device 104 for connecting the audio output device 105 for outputting the audio signal decoded by the decoder 103 and an external device for connecting the external device 700 to the DTV 100. The UI_OSD generating unit 107 and the UI_OSD generating unit 107 for generating a device control unit 106, a user control interface for controlling the external device 700, and transmitting the generated device control unit to the image output device 104. The control unit 108 for controlling And also.

The tuner 101 tunes a broadcast signal of a specific channel selected by a user using the remote controller 200 to output a transport stream TS, and the signal processor 102 inputs a DTV signal tuned by the tuner 101. Receive and perform audio and video stream processing and EPG stream processing.

The decoder unit 103 decodes the signal-processed video stream (video data) and displays it through the image output device 104. Also, the decoder 103 decodes the signal-processed audio stream (audio data) and decodes it. Display through (105).

When the user inputs a command for controlling the external device 700 using the remote controller 200, the controller 108 controls the user as shown in FIG. 2 (or FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) described above with respect to the UI_OSD generator 107. The interface is generated and output to the image output device 104.

Through the user control interface screen, a user selects a device to be controlled from the device list window 160 by using a direction key of the remote controller 200.

Then, the controller 108 recognizes this and controls the UI_OSD generation unit 107 so that the first external device 710 or the second external device 720 among the multimedia device selected by the user, that is, the external device 700, or The third external device 730 may generate a user interface corresponding to the selected external device-digital multimedia device among a plurality of external devices and display the same as an image output device.

For example, if the first external device 710 and the second external device 720 are selected, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, a moving picture or a still picture currently being played by the first external device 710 is displayed. The first control panel displays information on the first viewer windows 110 and 111, and expresses various function buttons for controlling the first external device 710, and an operation state of the first external device 710. It is displayed as (120,121).

In addition, various function buttons for displaying the video or still image currently being played by the second external device 720 in the second viewer windows 130 and 131, and controlling the second external device 720, are also displayed. Information representing an operation state of the second external device 720 is displayed as the second control panels 140 and 141.

In addition, the first external device 710 and the second external device 720 are interlocked with each other to display the function buttons to control the interlocking control panels 150 and 151.

Therefore, the user can directly view the video or still image currently being played on the corresponding device through the viewer windows 110, 111, 130, and 131 of each of the two external devices represented on one screen (video output device). The control panels 120, 121, 130, 131 and the interlocking control panels 150, 151 for controlling the respective devices can be selectively operated on one screen.

This can be done by selecting an appropriate control panel using the direction key of the remote control unit 200 and clicking the corresponding function button (entering confirmation key), and the controller 108 checks the specific function button by the user. It recognizes this and transmits a signal for controlling the corresponding device through the external device interface 106. In addition, when the execution of a specific function is requested (key selection) on the interlocking control panel 150, a signal for appropriately controlling each device is transmitted so that interworking between corresponding devices may be performed. For example, the first external device 710 may perform playback, and the second external device 720 may perform an operation of storing multimedia content played by the first external device 710.

Based on the above user interface, it is possible to easily control a plurality of multimedia devices in a digital television, and based on another interface, the operation state of a plurality of devices can be directly viewed, and at the same time, the selective or interoperable Control can be easily performed.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of digital multimedia devices are connected to a digital television or a multimedia device is embedded in a digital television, the user may utilize the functions of each device or the interworking function between the devices based on a single user interface. In order to proceed efficiently and specifically, it is possible to minimize mistakes in device control and to intuitively control devices.

In addition, the user can directly view a moving picture or still picture currently being played on a plurality of selected multimedia devices through a viewer window, and at the same time, issue a control command for the device by using a control panel for the device. Therefore, the present invention provides a basis for more efficient and convenient use of various multimedia playback devices and multimedia contents.

Claims (6)

User interface means including a plurality of viewer windows for controlling a plurality of multimedia devices embedded in a digital television or connected as an external device, and a control panel for controlling the corresponding multimedia devices; Interface generating means for generating a corresponding interface screen to control the plurality of multimedia devices based on one of the one interface screen; Control means for recognizing a control command of a multimedia device selected by a user from a user interface screen generated and displayed by the interface generating means and transferring the control command to the corresponding multimedia device for control; User control interface of the digital television, characterized in that configured to include. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface further comprises an interlocking control panel for interlocking control of a plurality of selected multimedia devices. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface further comprises a device list window for displaying a list of multimedia devices. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises at least two viewer windows and control panels for a multimedia device (maximum number of multimedia devices connected or embedded as external devices) in one interface screen. User interface device of digital TV. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the viewer window displays a moving image or a still image currently being played on the currently selected multimedia device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an arrangement form in a user interface screen including the viewer window and the control panel is selected by a user.

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