KR101707868B1 - Method for displaying a preference channel list and image display device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of displaying a preferred channel list including designated preferred channels and automatic preferred channels, and a video display device therefor.
The preferred channel list display method and the image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can provide a preferred channel list including designated preferred channels and automatic preferred channels so that a user can more easily and conveniently select a predetermined channel .

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a channel list display method, and more particularly,

The present invention relates to a preferred channel list display method and a video display apparatus therefor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of displaying a preferred channel list that allows a user to more easily select a predetermined channel, and a video display apparatus accordingly.

Content produced by broadcasters and the like is transmitted through a radio wave transmission medium such as a terrestrial wave, cable, or satellite broadcasting. Then, the user can view the predetermined content through the receiver capable of receiving the respective delivery media.

Generally, a video display device receives and displays the predetermined content for viewing by a user. The video display device includes a set-top box or a digital television.

Beyond conventional analog broadcasting, digital-based digital broadcasting technology is being developed and commercialized. Accordingly, it is possible to provide various types of contents services to users, such as real-time broadcasting, contents on demand (CoD), games, or news, using an Internet network connected to each home in addition to existing radio waves or cable cable media. In addition, the video display device can display various contents services provided.

An example of content service provision using the Internet network is IPTV (Internet Protocol TV). The IPTV refers to transmitting various information services, moving picture contents, broadcasting, etc. to an image display apparatus of a user using an Internet network.

In recent years, the number of content providers and the number of broadcasting channels (terrestrial and cable broadcasting) that provide such contents are increasing exponentially, and video display devices are provided with contents to be transmitted through numerous channels .

 In order to view contents transmitted through one channel among a large number of channels, the user must first select one channel in the video display device.

As the number of channels increases, it takes a lot of time to select a channel. As a result, the user experiences inconvenience in selecting a channel and using the corresponding video display device. Therefore, there is a need to provide a method and apparatus that allows a user to more easily select a desired channel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of displaying a preferred channel list and a video display device capable of providing a preferred channel list allowing a user to more easily select a predetermined channel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying a preferred channel list in a video display device, the method comprising: determining whether at least one designated preferred channel exists; Outputting a preferred channel list including a first list including the at least one selected preferred channel item and a second list including at least one automatic preferred channel item through the user interface if the designated preferred channel exists, ; And displaying the preferred channel list to be output.

In addition, the step of outputting through the user interface may include outputting the preferred channel list in which the first list is arranged in a predetermined order and the second list is arranged in a rearranged order through the user interface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying a preferred channel list, comprising: registering the at least one designated preferred channel; And selecting one channel from the preferred channel list and displaying an image transmitted through the selected one channel.

In addition, the designated preferred channel item or the automatic preferred channel item may include at least one of an unused notification key or a delete key when the selection is not made for a predetermined period.

In addition, the step of outputting through the user interface may include, when there is a channel item overlapping the first list and the second list, including the superposed channel item in the first list, And outputting the favorite channel list through the user interface.

In addition, the designated preferred channel item may include the designated preferred channel name and the identification mark indicating that the designated preferred channel.

In addition, the first list may include the at least one designated preferred channel names and the identification mark indicating that the designated preferred channel.

In addition, the designated preferred channel item may include a switching key for switching the designated preferred channel to the automatic preferred channel.

The outputting of the preferred channel list through the user interface may include: determining whether the number of the designated preferred channels is less than or equal to the number of items of the preferred channel list; And arranging the automatic preference channel in the remaining number obtained by subtracting the number of the at least one designated preferred channel from the number of items in the preferred channel list, if it is determined that the number is less than or equal to the predetermined number.

The image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention determines whether there is at least one designated preferred channel, and if the designated preferred channel exists, displays a first list including the at least one designated preferred channel item A control unit for controlling a preferred channel list including a second list including one automatic preferred channel item to be output; A user interface unit for outputting user interface data including the preferred channel list in response to the control of the control unit; And a display unit for displaying the user interface data.

The preferred channel list display method and the image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can provide a preferred channel list including designated preferred channels and automatic preferred channels so that a user can more easily and conveniently select a predetermined channel .

1 is a view illustrating an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a preferred channel list display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram showing a database including information on designated preferred channels and automatic preferred channels.
4 is a view for explaining a preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.
5 is another diagram for explaining the preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.
FIG. 6 is another diagram for explaining the preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is another diagram for explaining the preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.
FIG. 8 is another diagram for explaining the preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to or limited by the embodiments.

As used herein, terms used in the present invention are selected from general terms that are widely used in the present invention while taking into account the functions of the present invention, but these may vary depending on the intention or custom of a person skilled in the art or the emergence of new technologies. Also, in certain cases, there may be a term chosen arbitrarily by the applicant, in which case the meaning thereof will be described in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, it is intended that the terminology used herein should be interpreted based on the meaning of the term rather than on the name of the term, and on the entire contents of the specification.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

1, an image display apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a signal input unit 111, a signal processing unit 120, a controller 150, an OSD generating unit 155, a user interface unit 165, a display unit 170, and a storage unit 180. The video display device 100 may be a digital broadcast receiver such as a digital television or a set-top box. In addition, the image display apparatus 100 may further include other structures required in addition to the structure shown in FIG.

The signal input unit 111 may include a tuner (not shown) or a network interface unit (not shown). When the signal input unit 111 is a tuner, the signal input unit 111 selectively receives a broadcast signal transmitted in the form of a radio frequency (RF) signal through a channel of a predetermined frequency band. That is, it selectively receives a broadcast signal transmitted from a content producer such as a broadcasting station and including a predetermined content. When the signal input unit 111 is a network interface unit, the signal input unit 111 receives a broadcast signal including a predetermined content from a content provider (CP). Hereinafter, a signal received by the signal input unit 111 is referred to as a video signal.

The signal processing unit 120 converts the received video signal into data that can be displayed by the video display device 100 and outputs the data. Specifically, it demodulates the received video signal, demultiplexes and decodes the demodulated signal, and performs signal processing such as error correction and signal quality improvement.

The control unit 150 controls the overall operation of the image display apparatus 100. Specifically, the video signal including the predetermined content is controlled to be displayed on the video screen.

Specifically, the control unit 150 may internally include a channel list generation unit 160. The channel list generation unit 160 determines whether there is at least one designated preferred channel. If there is at least one designated preferred channel, the preferred channel list including the first list including the designated preferred channel item and the second list including the at least one automatic preferred channel item is output. In addition, the control unit 150 may control generation and output of the above-described preferred channel list without providing a separate channel list generating unit 160. [

Here, the designated preferred channel is a channel registered by the user as a preferred channel. Then, the automatic preference channel becomes a preference channel selected by the video display device 100 itself. For example, the video display apparatus 100 can calculate the preferred channels on its own in consideration of the user's viewing history (the cumulative viewing time for each channel, the number of times of selection for each channel, and the frequency of use for each channel considering the viewing day) have. In addition, the image display apparatus 100 can calculate preferred channels by using a service provider (SP) that provides terrestrial broadcast channels and cable broadcast channels, and a popular channel rank provided by each broadcasting station . Also, the automatic preferred channels may have a predetermined ranking. The automatic preference channels can be sorted in descending order of frequency of use by the user according to the user's viewing history.

The operation of the controller 150 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8. FIG.

The user interface unit 165 generates a control menu to be provided to a user as user interface (UI) data and outputs the control menu, or receives a predetermined request or predetermined information from the user. Specifically, in response to the control of the controller 150, the user interface unit 165 outputs user interface data including the preferred channel list. The user interface data may be converted into OSD (On Screen Data) data through the OSD generating unit 155. Also, the user interface data may be directly transferred to the display unit 170 and displayed in a GUI (Graphic User Interface). Also, the user interface unit 165 may receive a predetermined request or predetermined information through the displayed user interface data.

The OSD generating unit 155 generates predetermined OSD (On Screen Data) data and outputs the OSD data to the display unit 170. Specifically, the OSD generating unit 155 may generate and output the OSD data, which is output from the user interface unit 165, as OSD data. In addition, according to the control of the controller 150, various information to be provided to the user can be generated in the form of OSD data. Specifically, when there is a request for providing a preferred channel list of a user or the like, the preferred channel list output from the user interface unit 165 may be generated as an OSD and transmitted to the display unit 170.

The display unit 170 displays a video signal transmitted from the signal processor 120 on a video screen. In addition, the OSD data or the user interface data output from the user interface unit 165 or the OSD generating unit 155 is displayed on the whole or a predetermined area of the image screen.

The storage unit 180 may store various kinds of information necessary for the display operation under the control of the controller 150. [ Specifically, the storage unit 180 may store information of the designated preferred channels and the automatic preferred channels.

The video display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is the same as the preferred channel list display method and its technical concept described below with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. Therefore, detailed operation of the image display apparatus 100 will be described in detail below.

2 is a diagram illustrating a preferred channel list display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred channel list display method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a step 210 of registering a designated preferred channel. The user can designate and register a predetermined channel as a designated preferred channel by using the user interface unit 165. [ Accordingly, the video display apparatus 100 registers the designated favorite channel in the storage unit 180 after registering it. The operation of step 210 may be performed by storing the designated preferred channel input through the user interface unit 165 in the predetermined storage unit 180 by the control unit 150. [

The registered designated preferred channels and automatic preferred channels are described in detail below with reference to FIG.

3 is a diagram showing a database including information on designated preferred channels and automatic preferred channels.

Referring to FIG. 3, the information of the designated preferred channel registered in step 210 may be stored in the storage unit 180 in the form of a predetermined database.

The database 300 included in the storage unit 180 may include all channel numbers (or an ID (Identifier) 310 corresponding to a channel number) 310 that the image display apparatus 100 can receive . In addition, the database 300 may include the designated preferred channel information 320 corresponding to each of the channel numbers, and specifically includes information 320 indicating whether the user has set the preferred channel. In addition, it may further include information (330) as to whether or not each channel number is set as an automatic preference channel. In addition, it may further include ranking information 340 of automatic preferred channels.

In FIG. 3, 'Y (Yes)' and 'N (No)' are used to indicate whether the channel is a designated preferred channel or an automatic preferred channel. In addition, the case where the channels having the channel numbers 6-1, 9-1, and 10-1 are designated and registered by the user as a preferred channel is shown as an example.

The preferred channel list display method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes determining whether there is at least one designated preferred channel (step 230). That is, the controller 300 refers to the database 300 stored in the storage unit 180 and determines whether or not there is a designated preferred channel registered by the user.

If the step 210 is not included in the present description, since there is no registered designated preferred channel, it is determined in step 230 that the designated preferred channel does not exist. Accordingly, the preferred channel list including only the automatic preferred channels is output (operation 240). 3, if the automatic preferred channels are stored in a predetermined order, the preferred channel list output in step 240 is a preferred channel list in which automatic preferred channels are arranged according to a predetermined priority. The preferred channel list output in step 240 is output from the user interface unit 165 and displayed on the display unit 170. [

Also, the step 230 may be performed automatically when the corresponding image display apparatus 100 is turned on (for example, when the TV is turned on). Specifically, when the user turns on the image display apparatus 100 by operating a remote controller (not shown), the operation of step 230 is performed at the same time when the image display apparatus 100 is turned on, ).

In addition, the preferred channel list display method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include receiving a display request of the preferred channel list (step 220). Specifically, a user or the like can input a hot key for requesting the display of the preferred channel list to the control unit 150 of the image display apparatus 100 by using a remote control device or the like. Accordingly, the control unit 150 of the video display device 100 is requested to display the favorite channel list. If step 220 is further included, step 230 may be performed if a request of step 220 is input.

If it is determined in step 230 that there is a designated preferred channel, the preferred channel list including the first list including the designated preferred channel item and the second list including the at least one automatic preferred channel item is transmitted through the user interface (Step 260). Here, the designated preferred channel item refers to one item of the preferred channel list including the designated preferred channel, and the automatic preferred channel item refers to one item of the preferred channel list including the automatic preferred channel.

The preferred channel list output in step 260 may be generated based on the database 300 described above with reference to FIG. Here, the designated preferred channel item may include the name of the designated preferred channel, the identification mark, or the channel ID.

Step 260 may be performed in the user interface unit 165 under the control of the controller 150 (specifically, the channel list generator 160). The preferred channel list output in step 260 is displayed on the display screen through the display unit 170. [

The preferred channel list display method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes determining whether the number of designated preferred channel items is equal to or less than the number of items included in the preferred channel list for outputting the preferred channel list in operation 260 ). For example, if the preferred channel list displayed on the display screen includes five items, it is determined whether the number of preferred channels (designated favorite channels) designated by the user is five or less.

If it is determined in step 250 that the number of the designated preferred channels is less than or equal to the number of the preferred channel lists, the automatic preferred channels are included in the preferred channel list by subtracting the number of the designated preferred channels from the total number of items in the preferred channel list (Step 265). That is, the preferred channel list is configured by arranging the automatic preferred channel items in the remainder obtained by subtracting the designated preferred channel.

If it is determined in step 260 that the number of the designated preferred channels exceeds the number of the preferred channel list, step 260 is performed to output only the designated preferred channels to the preferred channel list (step 267). Here, the designated favorite channels are limited to the number of items of the preferred channel list and can be included in the preferred channel list. For example, if the number of designated preferred channels is seven and the number of items in the preferred channel list is five, only five of the entire designated preferred channels may be included in the preferred channel list.

Alternatively, the number of items in the preferred channel list may be increased in accordance with the number of the designated preferred channels. For example, if the number of designated preferred channels is seven, the number of items in the preferred channel list can be increased to seven. In addition, the number of items in the preferred channel list can be increased in consideration of the number of designated preferred channels and the predetermined number of automatic preferred channels. For example, if the number of designated preferred channels is seven and the five automatic preferred channels are to be fixedly included in the preferred channel list, the number of items in the preferred channel list is set to 12 (the number of designated preferred channels + fixed The number of automatic preferred channels to be added).

The total number of items in the specific preferred channel list can be set by the user (as described above, limiting the number of preferred channel lists to a predetermined number (five in the above example), or the number or fixed number of designated preferred channels (7 or 12 in the example described above) depending on the number of auto-preference channels to be set or the setting of the image display device 100 itself.

The preferred channel list output in step 260 is displayed on the display screen (step 270). Step 270 may be performed by the display unit 170 displaying the preferred channel list generated by the user interface unit 165 or the channel list generating unit 160 under the control of the controller 150. [

The preferred channel list displayed in step 260 and displayed in step 270 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

4 is a view for explaining a preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.

4A, a preferred channel list 415 displayed on the display screen 410 includes a first list 420 including designated preferred channels and a second list 430 including automatic preferred channels ). In FIG. 4 (a), the channel name and the channel number are included in each item of the preferred channel list 415 as an example. In addition, each item may be displayed including an identification mark or channel ID corresponding to each channel. Specifically, each of the designated preferred channel items may include at least one of a designated preferred channel name, a channel number, an identification mark corresponding to the designated preferred channel, and a channel ID. In addition, the automatic preferred channel item can also be configured as the above-mentioned designated preferred channel item.

In the preferred channel list 415, the first list 420 may be arranged in a line-up order and the second list 430 may be arranged in a rearranged order. That is, the preferred channel list 415 is configured to more closely match the user's needs by arranging the channels (designated preferred channels) designated by the user as preferred channels first.

In addition, each item included in the first list 420 may include an identification mark ('U' (User), 421) indicating that it is a designated preferred channel. In addition, each item included in the second list 430 may include an identification mark ('A' (Automatic) 431) indicating that it is an automatic preferred channel. Accordingly, the user can more easily grasp whether it is a designated preferred channel or an automatic preferred channel.

In addition, the preferred channel list 415 may be configured such that the preferred channels included in the first list 420 and the automatic preferred channels included in the second list 430 do not overlap with each other. In detail, the channels superimposed on the first list 420 and the second list 430 may be included in the first list 420.

Referring to FIG. 3, each of channels 6-1, 9-1, and 10-1 is a designated preferred channel (registered as 'Y (Yes)' in the user preference channel setting 320) (Registered as 'Y (Yes)' in the preferred channel 330). Accordingly, in constructing the second list, channels 6-1, 9-1, and 10-1 which are channels superimposed on the first list are excluded. Accordingly, the second list 430 includes 14-1 and 12-1 channels according to priority. For example, if the total number of items included in the preferred channel list 410 is 5 and the number of designated preferred channels is 3, the second list 430 may include two items.

Referring to FIG. 4B, in the preferred channel list 455 displayed on the display screen 450, the first list 460 and the second list 470 are displayed in different colors or colors, And the like.

5 is another diagram for explaining the preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.

5, in the preferred channel list 505 displayed on the display screen 500, the first list 510 includes an identification mark 515 indicating that there are at least one designated preferred channel name and a designated preferred channel . That is, in FIG. 4A, each of the channel items includes an identification mark 421, whereas in FIG. 5, one identification mark 515, 525).

Also, the method of displaying a channel list according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a step of selecting one channel from a displayed preferred channel list (for example, 415) and displaying an image transmitted through a selected one channel (not shown) As shown in FIG. Specifically, the displayed preferred channel list (for example, 415) itself becomes a user interface (UI), and a user or the like operates a remote controller (not shown) A predetermined channel can be selected. That is, when a predetermined channel is selected through the displayed preferred channel list (for example, 415), a shortcut function is performed.

FIG. 6 is another diagram for explaining the preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.

In the preferred channel list displayed on the display screen 610, if there is a channel that is not selected in the preferred channel list (for example, 415) displayed for a predetermined period, the item of the unselected channel is an unused notification key (620) or a delete key (660). Here, the predetermined period may vary depending on the user or the setting of the image display apparatus 100 itself. For example, an unused notification key 620 or a deletion key (not shown) is assigned to each item of a channel not selected by the user for one month (designated favorite channels included in the displayed preferred channel list 415 or automatic favorite channels) 660 are included.

Referring to FIG. 6A, when the channel '10 -1, EBS' is not selected for a predetermined period of time, an unused notification key ('' Not Use! '', 620) is included in the corresponding item And constitutes a preferred channel list.

Referring to FIG. 6B, if the channel '10 -1, EBS' is not selected for a predetermined period of time, a deletion key ('DEL', 660) . The user or the like can input the deletion key 660 to the control unit 150 through the user interface unit 165 so that the unused preferred channel can be deleted immediately. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the preferred channel list optimized for each user by reflecting the frequency of use of the channel by the user.

FIG. 7 is another diagram for explaining the preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.

The preferred channel list 710 output in step 260 may be generated as user interface data including edit keys ('Edit', 720) and displayed on the display screen 700. When the editing key 720 is input to the control unit 150 as a user selects the editing key 720, the control unit 150 displays a user interface UI (not shown) for editing the preferred channel list 710 ) Is outputted to the user interface unit 165.

7, if the user does not like the currently displayed preference channel list 710, the preferred channel list 710 includes the edit key 720, The channel list 710 can be edited and used.

FIG. 8 is another diagram for explaining the preferred channel list output in step 260 of FIG.

8, each of the corresponding items in the preferred channel list 810 displayed on the display screen 800 may further include switching keys 820 and 830 for switching between the automatic preferred channel and the designated preferred channel have. That is, the designated preferred channel item may include a switch key 820 for switching the designated preferred channel to the automatic preferred channel, and the automatic preferred channel item may include a switch key 830 for switching the automatic preferred channel to the designated preferred channel, . ≪ / RTI >

The terminology used in the present invention is defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and it may vary depending on the intention or custom of a technician working in the field. Therefore, .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, which is included in the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

111: Signal input section
120: a signal processor
150:
155: OSD generating unit (On Screen Display generator)
165: Channel list generation unit
165: User Interface unit
170: Display unit
180: Storage unit

Claims (17)

A method of displaying a preferred channel list in a video display device,
Determining whether there is at least one assigned preferred channel;
Determining whether the number of the designated preferred channels is equal to or less than the number of items of the preferred channel list;
If it is determined that the number of the designated preferred channels is equal to or less than the number of items in the preferred channel list, at least one of the remaining number of items excluding the number of items in the first list including the at least one specified preferred channel item Outputting a preference channel list in which items of a second list including an automatic preference channel item of the preference channel are arranged through a user interface; And
And displaying the preferred channel list to be outputted. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting through the user interface comprises:
And outputting, through the user interface, the preferred channel list in which the first list is arranged in a predetermined order and the second list is arranged in a rearranged order. The method according to claim 1,
Registering the at least one designated preferred channel; And
Selecting one channel from the preferred channel list, and displaying an image transmitted through the selected one channel. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the designated preferred channel item or the automatic preferred channel item
And if the selection is not made for a predetermined period of time, includes at least one of an unused notification key and a delete key. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting through the user interface comprises:
If there is a channel item superimposed on the first list and the second list, the superposed channel item is included in the first list and is not included in the second list, and the preferred channel list is output through the user interface And displaying the preferred channel list. 2. The method of claim 1,
The designated preferred channel name, and the designated preferred channel. 2. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the preference channel list includes at least one of the at least one designated preferred channel names and the at least one designated preference channel. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatic preferred channel item
The automatic preference channel name and the identification mark indicating that the automatic preference channel is the automatic preference channel. 2. The method of claim 1,
The at least one automatic preference channel name and the identification mark indicating that the automatic preference channel is the automatic preference channel. 2. The method of claim 1,
And a switching key for switching the designated preferred channel to the automatic preferred channel. delete Determining whether or not at least one designated preferred channel exists, determining whether or not the number of the designated preferred channels is equal to or less than the number of items of the preferred channel list, determining that the number of designated preferred channels is equal to or less than the number of items of the preferred channel list If it is determined that the number of items of the first list including the at least one selected preferred channel item is not included in the number of items of the preferred channel list, A controller for controlling the channel list to be output;
A user interface unit for outputting user interface data including the preferred channel list in response to the control of the control unit; And
And a display unit for displaying the user interface data. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the preferred channel list
Wherein the first list is arranged in a linear order and the second list is arranged in a rear order. 13. The method of claim 12,
The user interface
Wherein the at least one designated preferred channel is registered,
The video display device
And a storage unit for storing the information on the registered designated preferred channel and the information on the automatic preferred channel. 13. The method of claim 12,
The user interface unit
One channel included in the preferred channel list is selected,
Wherein the designated preferred channel item or the automatic preferred channel item
And if the selection is not made for a predetermined period of time, at least one of an unused notification key and a delete key. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the assigned preferred channel item or the automatic preferred channel item
An identification mark indicating the designated preferred channel name and the designated preferred channel, or an identification mark indicating the automatic preferred channel name and the automatic preferred channel. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the designated preferred channel item
And a switching key for switching the designated preferred channel to the automatic preferred channel.

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