KR101410507B1 - Settop Box for power-saving on Standby Mode - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a set top box which allows a broadcast receiving apparatus to efficiently manage electric power in a standby mode, and relates to a multifunctional set top box which differentially interrupts or supplies electric power of functional blocks based on a reproduction mode before a standby mode. More particularly, the present invention relates to a set top box which repeatedly supplies and interrupts electric power of a specific functional block according to a reproduction mode before a standby mode at a predetermined cycle. Information necessary for maintaining a system can be acquired in a standby mode while power consumption of a standby mode is reduced and prompt watching is allowed during conversion to an on mode by repeatedly supplying and interrupting the electric power for a functional block necessary for maintaining the system at a predetermined cycle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a set-top box for power saving in standby mode,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a set-top box capable of efficient power management in a standby mode in a broadcast receiving apparatus, and more particularly, to a multifunctional set-top box that intercepts or supplies power of each functional block, . More particularly, the present invention relates to a set-top box in which the power of a specific functional block according to a playback mode before entering the standby mode is repeatedly supplied and intercepted at regular intervals.

A settop box (STB) receives digital broadcasting signals transmitted via terrestrial waves, cable, satellite, or the Internet, and outputs AV (Audio & Video) signals To a broadcast signal. That is, when a digital broadcasting company compresses audio, video, and data signals by multiplexing and then modulates and transmits the audio, video, and data signals, the digital set-top box receives the transmitted signals through a digital tuner, It decompresses each signal and separates it into several contents.

The set-top box is composed of functional blocks for providing an interface with various display devices and functional blocks for providing various additional services, and it requires a lot of power to drive many internal functional blocks .

Generally, a conventional set-top box uses a power-saving mode while switching between a power-on state and a power-saving standby state in order to reduce power consumption. Here, the power standby state is a state of consuming the minimum power to wait for switching to the power on state via the remote controller or the external power switch.

In the on mode, the broadcast signal is received through a tuner or the Internet, decoded through a media processor, and output as audio and video. On the other hand, in the standby mode in which the user does not watch the STB after turning off the STB by the remote controller, almost all functions are performed in the same manner as the ON mode, and only the audio and video output functions are cut off. As described above, almost all the functions are performed in the standby mode because the broadcasting service provider must receive update information (firmware upgrade, program guide, management information, etc.) transmitted by SI (Service Informaion) Because.

Also, when the user turns on the STB to watch again, it takes a long time for the user to wait until the broadcast screen is displayed, which is a factor that causes the STB to operate almost in the same manner as the standby mode. Accordingly, even if the user turns off the STB by using the remote controller, it consumes 80 to 90% of the power compared to the ON mode.

Accordingly, a need has arisen for a set-top box in which power consumption is reduced while providing various multimedia and entertainment services. In order to do this, power management for blocking power supplied to unnecessary functional blocks according to functions is performed There is a need for technology to design and operate multifunctional integrated set tops.

In order to solve such problems, Korean Patent Publication No. KR 2012-0116762 discloses an active standby mode in which only the background function is performed, a display standby function in which only the background function is performed, Passive standby mode is defined to perform a background function in the active standby mode and a settop box is entered into a passive standby mode after a certain period of time has elapsed.

However, as disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. KR 2012-0116762, since power is supplied to all function blocks except for the AV output unit and the USB interface in the active standby mode as shown in FIG. 1, the power saving effect in the active standby mode is insufficient It is necessary to take measures.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional set-top box that differentially blocks or supplies power of each functional block based on a reproduction mode before entering the standby mode.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional set-top box including a power supply unit in which a plurality of power supply modules capable of supplying power to the functional blocks for selectively interrupting or supplying power are provided for each function.

At least one functional block in one aspect of the present invention; A power supply for supplying power to the functional block, and a user interface for receiving a power-off signal to enter the standby mode. And a power control unit for controlling the power unit to cut off or supply power to the functional blocks when the power-off signal is received, and to control the power unit to periodically supply power to the specific functional blocks based on the reproduction mode before entering the standby mode To provide a set-top box.

Preferably, the power supply unit includes at least one power supply module for supplying power to the functional blocks according to the functional blocks according to the reproduction mode.

Preferably, the power control unit controls the power unit to repeatedly supply and cut off power to a specific functional block periodically using a built-in timer in a standby mode.

Preferably, the power control unit manages the power supply unit so as to continuously supply power to the functional block having a function essential for system maintenance even if the power-off signal is received.

Preferably, the power control unit cuts off the power supplied to the tuner and the demodulation unit in the standby mode when the playback mode before entering the standby mode is the IPTV playback mode, and controls the power unit to repeatedly supply and cut off the power supplied to the LAN port periodically And a set-top box.

Preferably, the power control unit cuts off the power supplied to the LAN port in the standby mode if the playback mode before entering the standby mode is the ATSC playback mode, and controls the power unit to repeatedly supply and cut off the power supplied to the tuner and the demodulation unit periodically And a set-top box.

According to the present invention, in a multi-function set-top box, power supply to unnecessary functional blocks is shut off according to functions in a standby mode, and power supply to and disconnection of functional blocks necessary for system maintenance is repeated at regular intervals, It is possible to acquire the information necessary for maintenance in the standby mode, thereby enabling quick viewing at the time of the on-mode switching.

In addition, in the standby mode, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced by managing a module in which the power supply unit can cut off the power supply for each function.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a power supply state of a set-top box in the active standby mode of the related art.
2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a broadcast service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a detailed block diagram of a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a power-on state of a set-top box in a stand-by mode in an ATSC playback mode before entering standby mode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a power-on state of a set-top box in a stand-by mode in an IPTV playback mode before entering standby mode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing power in a multifunctional integrated set-top box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to a person skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. In order to facilitate a thorough understanding of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same means regardless of the number of the drawings.

2 is a diagram illustrating a broadcast service system to which the present invention is applicable. The broadcasting system to which the present invention is applicable includes a broadcasting company head-end 10, a set-top box 100, a TV 200, and a remote controller 300.

2, the set-top box 100 decodes a broadcast signal received from the head end of a broadcasting company through the Internet, a cable, or a satellite, restores a video signal and a voice signal, and provides each signal to the TV 200 do. The set-top box 100 can be switched to the on mode or the standby mode.

The stand-by mode of the set-top box 100 means a state in which a remote signal transmitted from the remote controller 300 is received by only the minimum power source after decoding the broadcast signal. The on-mode decodes the broadcast signal, Signal is provided to the TV 200.

The TV 200 is a type of AV output device that outputs a video signal and a voice signal provided from the set top box 100 through a display and a speaker. Although the TV has been described as an example in the embodiment of the present invention, the present invention can be applied to any AV output device capable of reproducing or outputting images such as a monitor.

The remote controller 300 is a user input device for receiving a command of a user and delivering the command to the corresponding device. The remote controller 300 is also used for inputting a user command for the TV 200 as well as the set top box 100.

The set-top box 100 shown in Fig. 2 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of the set-top box 100 shown in FIG.

The set-top box 100 according to this embodiment of the set-top box includes a tuner 110, a demodulator 115, a memory 120, a processor 130, an RTC 135, a front panel 140, An Ethernet interface 150, an IR receiving unit 155, a USB interface 160, a power supply unit 170, and a power control unit 175.

The tuner 110 selects a broadcast signal of a broadcast channel selected by the user from the broadcast signals provided by the head end of the broadcaster and the demodulator 115 demodulates the broadcast signal selected by the tuner 110. The tuner 110 according to the present invention is related to the ATSC system, which is a terrestrial broadcast system, but can be a tuner capable of receiving a broadcast signal from a cable, a satellite antenna, or the like.

The Ethernet interface 150 is a network interface for accessing the Internet and receiving IP broadcast signals and other web information.

The processor 130 demultiplexes the demodulated broadcast signal into a video signal, an audio signal, and a SI (Service Information) signal in the demodulator 115. In addition, the processor 130 separates the IP broadcast signal received through the Ethernet interface 150 into a video signal, an audio signal, and an SI signal.

The processor 130 performs video decoding and signal processing on the video signal, and performs audio decoding and signal processing on the audio signal. In addition, the processor 130 controls the overall operation of the STB 100.

The RTC (Real TimeClock) 135 functions as a timer.

The memory 120 provides storage space required for decoding and signal processing by the processor 130.

The front panel 140 is a panel provided on the front surface of the STB 100. The front panel 140 is provided with a display for displaying the current time and an operation state of the STB 100 and buttons for directly inputting a user command. In addition, the front panel 140 is provided with an IR receiving unit 155 and a USB interface 160, which will be described later.

The AV output unit 145 transfers the audio signal decoded and signal-processed by the processor 130 and the video signal to the connected TV. The AV output method by the AV output unit 145 may be Composite, Component, HDMI, DVI, or the like.

The IR receiving unit 155 receives the user command inputted through the remote controller and transmits the user command to the processor 130. The USB interface 160 is connected to be able to communicate with an external device according to the USB standard.

The power supply control unit 175 manages the power supply unit to cut off or supply power to the functional blocks when receiving the power-off signal, and supplies power to the specific functional blocks periodically, And may be implemented by a microcomputer.

The power supply controller 170 may cut off the power supplied to each functional block in the standby mode differently according to the reproduction mode before entering the standby mode from the power control unit 175. [ This blocks the tuner 110 and the demodulator 115 if the playback mode before entering the standby mode is IPTV playback, and blocks the Ethernet interface 150 if the playback mode is ATSC playback before entering the standby mode.

Also, it is not necessary to always keep the power supplied to the Ethernet interface 150 if the reproduction mode before entering the standby mode is IPTV playback, or to always maintain the power supplied to the tuner 110 and the demodulation unit 115 if the ATSC is being reproduced . Of course, if the power is always maintained, the EPG or firmware update information can be reflected in real time. However, since the information is not transmitted only once but is repeated periodically, Can receive.

Therefore, the functional blocks according to the reproduction mode before entering the standby mode are not continuously supplied with the power in the standby mode, but rather repeatedly supply and cut off the power by periodically receiving the necessary information, thereby further reducing the power consumption . To this end, the power control unit 175 controls the power unit to repeatedly supply and cut off power to a specific function block periodically using a built-in timer in a standby mode.

4 shows the power supply according to the functional block in the standby mode when the reproduction mode before entering standby mode is ATSC reproduction.

In the case where the reproduction mode before entering the standby mode is ATSC reproduction, power is periodically supplied and cut to the tuner 110 and the demodulation unit 115 in order to periodically receive the ATSC broadcasting data in the standby mode. In addition, the front panel, IR receiver, RTC block, processor, memory, and power control unit, which correspond to the display and sensing functions required for system maintenance, are continuously supplied with power in standby mode.

Similarly, when the playback mode before the standby mode is IPTV playback, power is periodically supplied and intercepted to the Ethernet interface 150 in order to periodically receive the IPTV broadcast data in the standby mode as shown in FIG. 5, The front panel, the IR receiver, the RTC block, the processor, the memory, and the power control unit, which correspond to the display and sensing functions required for system maintenance, are continuously supplied in standby mode.

In addition, when the same power management is applied to each of the two reproduction modes when entering the standby state, power is supplied to the tuner 110, the demodulator 115, and the Ethernet interface 150, Therefore, more efficient power saving can be realized by applying different power management. Accordingly, the power supply unit 170 may be composed of a plurality of power supply modules in order to manage power for each functional block. For example, the power supply unit may include a processor power module for supplying power to the processor, a memory power module for supplying power to the memory, a tuner power module for supplying power to the tuner, a demodulator power module for supplying power to the demodulator, An A / V power module that supplies power to the A / V output unit, a USB power module that supplies power to the USB port, and an IR receiver that supplies power to the IR (infrared) receiver unit A power module, a front panel power module supplying power to the front panel, and an RTC power module supplying power to the RTC block.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing power in a multi-function integrated set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the set-top box is operated in the on-mode (S610), when the user inputs the power-off signal, the set-top box enters the standby mode in the on-mode (S620-Y). The power control unit 175 determines whether the set top box is in the standby mode before the standby mode is entered (S630), and supplies or blocks the power of the power supply unit 170 in the standby mode according to the playback mode.

When the power supply to all the functional blocks is interrupted at the time of entering the standby mode, there is a problem that the functions that need to be performed in the standby mode are limited. Therefore, the power is turned off for unnecessary functional blocks according to the reproduction mode before entering the standby mode, For the functional blocks, power supply and cut-off are periodically repeated. Particularly, the supply and cutoff of the power of the specific functional blocks required are not performed for all the broadcast-related sections but before the standby mode, the specific functional blocks are selected according to the reproduction mode.

Since the playback mode in which the user is powered off corresponds to the function convex which is likely to be performed by the user in the next use of the set top box, update information (firmware upgrade, program Guide, management information, and the like), it is possible to reduce the time until the broadcast screen is displayed when the user turns on the set-top box again.

Examples of the power supply or cut-off for each functional block according to the playback mode before entering the standby mode may be as shown in Table 1 below. In Table 1, O indicates that the power supply module supplies power, X indicates that the power supply module cuts off the power, and the period indicates that the power supply and the power supply are periodically switched off.

Power module On mode Standby (IPTV) Waiting (ATSC) Standby (not playing) USB o X X x A / V output section o X X x Tuner o X  Cycle x Demodulator o X Cycle x Ethernet o Cycle x x Processor o o o o Memory o o o o Front panel o o o o IR receiver o o o o RTC o o o o Power control unit o o o o

 By default, standby mode does not apply power to the function blocks of USB, HDMI and A / V output which can be corresponded to the external interface. It is a functional block corresponding to the display function and detection function required for system maintenance, Power is supplied to the receiver, RTC block, power controller, processor and memory.

For example, when the playback mode before entering the standby mode is IPTV, the power supply of the functional blocks of the tuner 110 and the demodulation unit 115 is additionally blocked, and the EPG or firmware update information of the IPTV is periodically processed The power supply of the Ethernet interface 150 function block is periodically supplied and blocked to process necessary information. If the playback mode before entering the standby mode is ATSC, the power supply of the Ethernet function block is additionally blocked. In order to periodically process the EPG or firmware update information of the airwave channel during the standby mode, So that the necessary information is processed.

When the user inputs an input by operating the remote controller in the standby mode (S650-Y), the power control unit 175 switches the operation mode of the set-top box to the on mode and applies power to all the functional blocks of the set-top box (S610) . On the other hand, if the user input is not applied in the standby mode (S650-N), the power control unit 175 keeps the operation mode of the set-top box continuously in the standby mode and keeps the standby mode power supply step according to the playback mode (S640).

10: Broadcaster headend 100: Set-top box
110: Tuner 115: Demodulator
120: memory 130: processor
135: RTC 140: Front panel
145: A / V output unit 150: Ethernet interface
155: IR receiver 160: USB interface
170: Power supply unit 175: Power supply control unit
200: TV 300: Remote control

Claims (6)

At least one functional block;
A power supply for supplying power to the functional block;
A user interface unit for receiving a power-off signal to enter a standby mode;
And a power control unit for controlling the power unit to cut off or supply power to the functional blocks when the power-off signal is received, and to control the power unit to periodically supply power to the specific functional blocks based on the reproduction mode before entering the standby mode In addition,
Wherein the power control unit controls the power supply unit such that the power supplied to the tuner and the demodulation unit is cut off and the power supplied to the LAN port is repeatedly supplied and cut off in the standby mode when the playback mode before entering the standby mode is the IPTV playback mode, If the reproduction mog prior to the entry is in the ATSC reproduction mode, the power supplied to the LAN port in the standby mode is cut off, and the power supplied to the tuner and the demodulation unit is controlled to be repeatedly supplied and cut off periodically
Feature set-top box.
The method according to claim 1,
The power supply unit may include at least one power supply module for supplying power to the functional blocks in each of the functional blocks according to the reproduction mode
Feature set-top box.
The method according to claim 1,
The power supply control unit controls the power supply unit to repeatedly supply and cut off power to a specific function block periodically using a built-in timer in a standby mode
Feature set-top box.
The method according to claim 1,
The power supply control unit manages the power supply unit so as to continuously supply power to the functional block having a function essential for system maintenance even when receiving the power-off signal
Feature set-top box. delete delete

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