KR101835324B1 - Display apparatus for performing virtual channel browsing and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of controlling a display device for performing channel browsing according to an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving AV data of a broadcast program through a first path of a broadcast network, Receiving at least one event information currently being broadcast on each channel and a thumbnail image for each channel corresponding to the event through the first area of the display device, Displaying a first OSD (On Screen Display) including a received thumbnail image for each channel on a second area in the screen; and displaying at least one event corresponding to a preset reference A thumbnail image of the channel through which the collected event is transmitted, and a thumbnail image of the remaining channel, A first 2OSD indicating to distinguish the image, and a step of displaying in a second area within the screen.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a display device for performing browsing of a virtual channel and a control method thereof. [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus and a control method thereof for executing virtual channel browsing. The display device corresponds to, for example, a network TV, a smart TV, a Hybrid Brodacast Broadband Television (HBBTV), an Internet TV, a Web TV, an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television)

A display apparatus is, for example, a device having a function of receiving and processing a broadcast image that can be viewed by a user. Also, recently, analog broadcasting is being converted to digital broadcasting all over the world including Korea.

Digital broadcasting refers to broadcasting in which digital video and audio signals are transmitted. Compared to analog broadcasting, digital broadcasting is strong against external noise and has a small data loss, is advantageous for error correction, has a high resolution, and provides a clear screen. Also, unlike analog broadcasting, digital broadcasting is capable of bidirectional service. Meanwhile, in recent years, a smart TV (Smart TV) combining a function of a video display device and a function of a multimedia device has been discussed.

Furthermore, in the digital broadcasting environment, the number of channels that can be selected by the TV reaches from several tens to several hundreds, and it is increasing exponentially regardless of the country. To solve this problem, a channel browser or a channel browsing solution is being developed.

In addition, when network TVs and smart TVs, which are currently being discussed, are introduced, the number of viewable channels as well as the number of processable contents will continuously increase. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a solution that allows the user of the TV to easily check various contents and channel information.

One embodiment of the present invention is to define a solution that can simplify hardware design and improve channel browsing data processing speed using a virtual channel browsing method.

In addition, another embodiment of the present invention is to design a user interface that can easily check the change state of all channels to be channel-browsed.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to define a protocol for quickly confirming an updated channel and receiving only necessary information in the process of implementing a virtual channel browsing function.

A method of controlling a display device for performing channel browsing according to an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving AV data of a broadcast program through a first path of a broadcast network, Receiving at least one event information currently being broadcast on each channel and a thumbnail image for each channel corresponding to the event through the first area of the display device, Displaying a first OSD (On Screen Display) including a received thumbnail image for each channel on a second area in the screen; and displaying at least one event corresponding to a preset reference A thumbnail image of the channel through which the collected event is transmitted, and a thumbnail image of the remaining channel, A first 2OSD indicating to distinguish the image, and a step of displaying in a second area within the screen.

The display device for performing channel browsing includes a broadcast network interface for receiving AV data of a broadcast program through a first path and a broadcast network interface for receiving at least one or more broadcasts currently broadcasted on each channel through a second path, An Internet network interface for receiving event information and a thumbnail image for each channel corresponding to the event, and displaying video data in the received AV data in a first area of the screen of the display device, A collector for collecting at least one event corresponding to a preset reference; and a collector for collecting at least one event corresponding to a predetermined criterion, The thumbnail image of the channel is distinguished from the thumbnail image of the remaining channel Display has a first 2OSD, and a controller that controls to display in the second region of the screen.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hardware design can be made compact by using a virtual channel browsing method, and channel browsing data processing speed can be improved.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect of providing a user interface that can easily check the change state of all channels to be channel-browsed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect that a channel to be updated is quickly checked in the process of implementing a virtual channel browsing function and only necessary information is received.

The effects of the more specific invention will be described later in detail in the following table.

1 is a block diagram illustrating components of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an internal block diagram of the control unit shown in FIG.
4 is a diagram illustrating a control method of a remote control device for controlling a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an internal block diagram of a remote control device for controlling a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram illustrating an entire system for implementing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure that can be used in a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for selecting a first mode of a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for selecting a second mode of a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a view showing a first screen in which a virtual channel browsing function is executed according to the mode selected by FIG. 10 or FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second screen in which a virtual channel browsing function is executed according to the mode selected by FIG. 10 or FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a virtual channel browsing screen according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a virtual channel browsing screen according to another embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a diagram showing a virtual channel browsing OSD that is changed based on a time flow according to an embodiment of the present invention.
17 is a diagram illustrating a virtual channel browsing OSD changed based on a screen change according to an embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a diagram showing a database defining reference values for designing the OSD shown in Fig.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an OSD that displays channels in which event information is changed according to the degree of time lapse according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
20 is a diagram showing a database that defines a reference value for designing the OSD shown in FIG.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an OSD in which additional information is displayed on a channel in which event information is changed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
22 is a diagram illustrating an OSD for adjusting and displaying the position of a channel in which event information is changed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a diagram illustrating an OSD for displaying a group of channels in which event information is changed and a group of channels in which event information is not changed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
24 is a diagram illustrating an entire system for enhancing a search function in a virtual channel browsing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure that can be used in a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
26 is a diagram illustrating another example of a data structure that can be used in a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a process for performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
28 is a view showing a main screen in which a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention is executed.
29 is a view showing a first OSD when a keyword related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a second OSD when a keyword-related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a third OSD when a keyword-related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a fourth OSD when a keyword-related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a first OSD when the genre related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28; FIG.
34 is a diagram showing a second OSD when the genre related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.
35 is a diagram showing a third OSD when the genre related option is selected in the main screen shown in Fig.
FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a first OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.
FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a second OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.
Figure 38 is a diagram illustrating a specific embodiment of a database required to implement multiple setting related options.
FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a third OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.
FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a fourth OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

The suffix "module" and " part "for components used in the following description are given merely for ease of description, and the" module "and" part "

Meanwhile, the display device described in this specification is an intelligent network TV that adds a computer support function to a broadcast receiving function, for example, and is equipped with an Internet function while being faithful to a broadcast receiving function, A remote controller and the like can be provided. With the support of wired or wireless internet function, it can be connected to internet and computer and can perform functions such as e-mail, web browsing, banking or game. A standardized general-purpose OS can be used for these various functions.

Therefore, the network TV described in the present invention can be freely added or deleted from various applications, for example, on a general-purpose OS kernel, so that various user-friendly functions can be performed. Further, although the display device and the network TV may be used in combination for the convenience of description in the present specification, it is obvious that the scope of the present invention should be determined by the claims in principle.

Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the 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. In addition, in certain cases, there may be a term arbitrarily selected 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 components of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, components of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention is connected to a broadcast network and an Internet network. The display device 100 corresponds to, for example, a network TV, a smart TV, an HBBTV, a web TV, an IPTV, and the like.

The display device 100 may include a broadcast interface 101, a section filter 102, an AIT filter 103, an application data processing section 104, a broadcast data processing section 111, a media player 106, An Internet protocol processing unit 107, an Internet interface 108, and a runtime module 109. [

Application information table (AIT) data, real-time broadcast content, application data, and stream events are received through the broadcast interface 101. Meanwhile, the real-time broadcast content may be referred to as Linear A / V content.

The section filter 102 performs section filtering on four pieces of data received through the broadcast interface 101 to transmit the AIT data to the AIT filter 103. The linear AV contents are transmitted to the broadcast data processing unit 111, And transmits the stream event and application data to the application data processing unit 104. [

Non-Linear A / V content and application data are received through the Internet interface 108. [ The non-linear AVE content may be, for example, a COD (Content On Demand) application.

The non-Linear Above content is transmitted to the media player 106, and the application data is transmitted to the runtime module 109.

Further, the runtime module 109 includes, for example, an application manager and a browser as shown in FIG. The application manager controls the life cycle for the interactive application using, for example, AIT data. The browser performs, for example, the function of displaying and processing the interactive application.

2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 2, components of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

2, the display device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a broadcast receiver 105, an external device interface 135, a storage 140, a user input interface 150 A control unit 170, a display unit 180, an audio output unit 185, a power supply unit 190, and a photographing unit (not shown). The broadcast receiving unit 105 may include a tuner 110, a demodulator 120, and a network interface unit 130.

The tuner 110 selects an RF broadcast signal corresponding to a channel selected by the user or all previously stored channels among RF (Radio Frequency) broadcast signals received through the antenna. Also, the selected RF broadcast signal is converted into an intermediate frequency signal, a baseband image, or a voice signal.

For example, if the selected RF broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal, it is converted into a digital IF signal (DIF). If the selected RF broadcast signal is an analog broadcast signal, it is converted into an analog baseband image or voice signal (CVBS / SIF). That is, the tuner 110 can process both a digital broadcast signal and an analog broadcast signal. The analog baseband video or audio signal (CVBS / SIF) output from the tuner 110 can be directly input to the controller 170.

In addition, the tuner 110 can receive an RF broadcast signal of a single carrier according to an ATSC (Advanced Television System Committee) method, or an RF broadcast signal of a plurality of carriers according to a DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) scheme.

Meanwhile, the tuner 110 sequentially selects RF broadcast signals of all the broadcast channels stored through the channel memory function among the RF broadcast signals received through the antenna, and converts the RF broadcast signals into an intermediate frequency signal, a baseband image, or a voice signal have.

The demodulator 120 receives the digital IF signal DIF converted by the tuner 110 and performs a demodulation operation.

For example, when the digital IF signal output from the tuner 110 is the ATSC scheme, the demodulator 120 performs 8-VSB (8-Vestigal Side Band) demodulation, for example. Also, the demodulation unit 120 may perform channel decoding. To this end, the demodulator 120 includes a trellis decoder, a de-interleaver, and a reed solomon decoder to perform trellis decoding, deinterleaving, Solomon decoding can be performed.

For example, when the digital IF signal output from the tuner 110 is a DVB scheme, the demodulator 120 performs CODDMA (Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation) demodulation, for example. Also, the demodulation unit 120 may perform channel decoding. For this, the demodulator 120 may include a convolution decoder, a deinterleaver, and a reed-solomon decoder to perform convolutional decoding, deinterleaving, and reed solomon decoding.

The demodulation unit 120 may perform demodulation and channel decoding, and then output a stream signal TS. At this time, the stream signal may be a signal in which a video signal, a voice signal, or a data signal is multiplexed. For example, the stream signal may be an MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream) multiplexed with an MPEG-2 standard video signal, a Dolby AC-3 standard audio signal, or the like. Specifically, the MPEG-2 TS may include a header of 4 bytes and a payload of 184 bytes.

Meanwhile, the demodulating unit 120 may be separately provided according to the ATSC scheme and the DVB scheme. That is, it can be provided as an ATSC demodulation unit and a DVB demodulation unit.

The stream signal output from the demodulation unit 120 may be input to the controller 170. The control unit 170 performs demultiplexing, video / audio signal processing, and the like, and then outputs the video to the display unit 180 and audio to the audio output unit 185.

The external device interface unit 135 can connect the external device and the display device 100. To this end, the external device interface unit 135 may include an A / V input / output unit (not shown) or a wireless communication unit (not shown).

The external device interface unit 135 can be connected to an external device such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a Blu ray, a game device, a camera, a camcorder, a computer (notebook) The external device interface unit 135 transmits external video, audio, or data signals to the controller 170 of the display device 100 through a connected external device. Also, the control unit 170 can output the processed video, audio, or data signal to the connected external device. To this end, the external device interface unit 135 may include an A / V input / output unit (not shown) or a wireless communication unit (not shown).

The A / V I / O unit includes a USB terminal, a CVBS (Composite Video Banking Sync) terminal, a component terminal, an S-video terminal (analog), a DVI Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, an RGB terminal, a D-SUB terminal, and the like.

The wireless communication unit can perform short-range wireless communication with other electronic devices. The display device 100 may be, for example, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (UDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) And the like.

Also, the external device interface unit 135 may be connected to the various set-top boxes via at least one of the various terminals described above to perform input / output operations with the set-top box.

Meanwhile, the external device interface unit 135 may receive the application or application list in the adjacent external device, and may transmit the received application or application list to the control unit 170 or the storage unit 140.

The network interface unit 130 provides an interface for connecting the display device 100 to a wired / wireless network including the Internet network. The network interface unit 130 may include an Ethernet terminal or the like for connection to a wired network and may be a WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi- Fi wireless broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) communication standards.

The network interface unit 130 can transmit or receive data with other users or other electronic devices via a network connected thereto or another network linked to the connected network. Particularly, it is possible to transmit a part of content data stored in the display device 100 to another user previously registered in the display device 100 or to a selected user or selected electronic device among other electronic devices.

On the other hand, the network interface unit 130 can access a predetermined web page through the connected network or another network linked to the connected network. That is, it is possible to access a predetermined web page through a network and transmit or receive data with the server. In addition, content or data provided by a content provider or a network operator can be received. That is, it can receive contents such as a movie, an advertisement, a game, a VOD, a broadcast signal, and related information provided from a content provider or a network provider through a network. In addition, the update information and the update file of the firmware provided by the network operator can be received. It may also transmit data to the Internet or a content provider or network operator.

In addition, the network interface unit 130 can select and receive a desired application among applications open to the public via a network.

The storage unit 140 may store a program for each signal processing and control in the control unit 170 or may store the processed video, audio, or data signals.

The storage unit 140 may also function to temporarily store video, audio, or data signals input from the external device interface unit 135 or the network interface unit 130. In addition, the storage unit 140 may store information on a predetermined broadcast channel through the channel memory function.

The storage unit 140 may store a list of applications or applications input from the external device interface unit 135 or the network interface unit 130. [

In addition, the storage unit 140 may store various platforms to be described later.

The storage unit 140 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD Memory, etc.), RAM, ROM (EEPROM, etc.), and the like. The network TV 100 may reproduce and provide a content file (a moving image file, a still image file, a music file, a document file, an application file, etc.) stored in the storage unit 140 to a user.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the storage unit 140 is provided separately from the controller 170, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. The storage unit 140 may be included in the controller 170.

The user input interface unit 150 transmits a signal input by the user to the control unit 170 or a signal from the control unit 170 to the user.

For example, the user input interface unit 150 may be configured to turn on / off the power, select the channel, and display the screen from the remote control device 200 according to various communication methods such as a radio frequency (RF) communication method and an infrared Or a control signal from the control section 170 to the remote control apparatus 200. The remote control apparatus 200 may be configured to receive the control signal from the control section 170,

Also, for example, the user input interface unit 150 can transmit a control signal input from a local key (not shown) such as a power key, a channel key, a volume key, and a set value to the controller 170.

For example, the user input interface unit 150 may transmit a control signal input from a sensing unit (not shown) that senses a user's gesture to the control unit 170, or may sense a signal from the control unit 170 (Not shown). Here, the sensing unit (not shown) may include a touch sensor, an audio sensor, a position sensor, an operation sensor, and the like.

The control unit 170 demultiplexes the input stream or processes the demultiplexed signals through the tuner 110 or the demodulation unit 120 or the external device interface unit 135 to generate a signal for video or audio output Can be generated and output.

The video signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to the display unit 180 and displayed as an image corresponding to the video signal. The video signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to the external output device through the external device interface 135. [

The audio signal processed by the control unit 170 may be output to the audio output unit 185 through audio. The voice signal processed by the control unit 170 may be input to the external output device through the external device interface unit 135.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 170 may include a demultiplexing unit, an image processing unit, and the like. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

In addition, the control unit 170 can control overall operation in the network TV 100. [ For example, the control unit 170 may control the tuner 110 to control the tuner 110 to select an RF broadcast corresponding to a channel selected by the user or a previously stored channel.

In addition, the controller 170 may control the network TV 100 by a user command or an internal program input through the user input interface unit 150. In particular, it is possible to connect to the network and download a list of applications or applications desired by the user to the network TV 100.

For example, the controller 170 controls the tuner 110 to input a signal of a selected channel according to a predetermined channel selection command received through the user input interface unit 150. And processes video, audio or data signals of the selected channel. The control unit 170 allows the display unit 180 or the audio output unit 185 to output the video or audio signal processed by the user through the channel information or the like selected by the user.

For example, the control unit 170 may control the operation of the external device through the external device interface unit 135, for example, a camera or a camcorder, according to an external device video playback command received through the user input interface unit 150 So that the video signal or the audio signal of the audio signal output through the display unit 180 or the audio output unit 185 can be outputted.

Meanwhile, the control unit 170 may control the display unit 180 to display an image. For example, a broadcast image input through the tuner 110, an external input image input through the external device interface unit 135, an image input through the network interface unit, or an image stored in the storage unit 140 , And display on the display unit 180 can be controlled. At this time, the image displayed on the display unit 180 may be a still image or a moving image, and may be a 2D image or a 3D image.

Also, the control unit 170 can control to reproduce the content. The content at this time may be content stored in the display device 100, received broadcast content, or external input content input from the outside. The content may be at least one of a broadcast image, an external input image, an audio file, a still image, a connected web screen, and a document file.

Meanwhile, in connection with the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 170 can control the display unit 180 to display a home screen according to movement input to the home screen.

The home screen may include a plurality of card objects classified by content sources. The card object includes a card object representing a thumbnail list of broadcast channels, a card object representing a broadcast guide list, a card object representing a broadcast reservation list or a recording list, and a media list in a device connected to the network TV or the network TV A card object, and a card object. In addition, it may further include at least one of a card object indicating a list of connected external devices and a card object indicating a list related to a call.

Further, the home screen may further comprise an application menu having at least one executable application item.

On the other hand, when there is a card object movement input, the control unit 170 can control to move and display the card object or move and display the card object that is not displayed on the display unit 180 on the display unit 180 .

Furthermore, when a predetermined card object among a plurality of card objects in the home screen is selected, the control unit 170 can control the display unit 180 to display an image corresponding to the card object.

Furthermore, the control unit 170 can control to display a received broadcast image and an object representing the broadcast-related information in a card object for displaying the broadcast image. The broadcast image can be controlled so that its size is fixed by the lock setting.

The control unit 170 can control to display a set-up object for setting at least one of video setting, audio setting, screen setting, reservation setting, pointer setting of the remote control device, and network setting in the network TV in the home screen have.

The control unit 170 may control to display objects for login, help, or exit items in one area of the home screen. In addition, the control unit 170 can control to display the total number of card objects in one area of the home screen or an object representing the number of card objects displayed on the display unit 180 among all the card objects.

Further, when a card object name in a predetermined card object among the card objects displayed on the display unit 180 is selected, the control unit 170 can control the display unit 180 to display the corresponding card object as a full screen. When the incoming call is received in the connected external device or network TV, the control unit 170 may focus and display the call related card object among the plurality of card objects, move the call related card object into the display unit 180 So that the display can be controlled.

On the other hand, when entering the application view item, the control unit 170 can control to display a list of applications or applications that can be downloaded from the network TV 100 or from an external network. In addition to the various user interfaces, the control unit 170 can control to install and drive an application downloaded from the external network. Further, it is possible to control so that an image related to the executed application is displayed on the display unit 180 by the user's selection.

The display unit 180 converts an image signal, a data signal, an OSD signal processed by the control unit 170 or a video signal and a data signal received from the external device interface unit 135 into R, G, and B signals, respectively Thereby generating a driving signal.

The display unit 180 may be a PDP, an LCD, an OLED, a flexible display, a 3D display, or the like.

Meanwhile, the display unit 180 may be configured as a touch screen and used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The audio output unit 185 receives a signal processed by the control unit 170, for example, a stereo signal, a 3.1 channel signal, or a 5.1 channel signal, and outputs it as a voice. The voice output unit 185 may be implemented by various types of speakers.

In order to detect the gesture of the user, a sensing unit (not shown) having at least one of a touch sensor, a voice sensor, a position sensor, and an operation sensor may be further included in the display device 100 as described above . A signal sensed by a sensing unit (not shown) may be transmitted to the controller 170 through the user input interface unit 150.

On the other hand, a photographing unit (not shown) for photographing a user may be further provided. The image information photographed by the photographing unit (not shown) may be input to the control unit 170.

The control unit 170 may sense the gesture of the user by combining the images photographed by the photographing unit (not shown) or the signals sensed by the sensing unit (not shown).

The power supply unit 190 supplies corresponding power to the network TV 100.

Particularly, it is possible to supply power to a control unit 170 that can be implemented in the form of a system on chip (SOC), a display unit 180 for displaying an image, and an audio output unit 185 for audio output .

To this end, the power supply unit 190 may include a converter (not shown) for converting the AC power into DC power. Meanwhile, for example, when the display unit 180 is implemented as a liquid crystal panel having a plurality of backlight lamps, an inverter (not shown) that can perform a PWM operation for variable luminance or dimming driving is further provided It is possible.

The remote control apparatus 200 transmits the user input to the user input interface unit 150. [ To this end, the remote control apparatus 200 can use Bluetooth, RF (radio frequency) communication, infrared (IR) communication, UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, or the like.

Also, the remote control apparatus 200 can receive the video, audio or data signal output from the user input interface unit 150 and display it on the remote control apparatus 200 or output sound or vibration.

The display device 100 described above can be used in a digital broadcasting of ATSC system (8-VSB system), digital broadcasting of DVB-T system (COFDM system), digital broadcasting of ISDB-T system (BST-OFDM system) And may be a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving at least one.

Meanwhile, the block diagram of the display device 100 shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 is a block diagram for an embodiment of the present invention. Each component of the block diagram can be integrated, added, or omitted depending on the device specifications, such as the actual TV being implemented. That is, two or more constituent elements may be combined into one constituent element, or one constituent element may be constituted by two or more constituent elements, if necessary. In addition, the functions performed in each block are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and the specific operations and apparatuses do not limit the scope of the present invention.

3 is an internal block diagram of the control unit shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the functions of the control unit will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 2. FIG.

The controller 170 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a demultiplexing unit 310, an image processing unit 320, an OSD generating unit 340, a mixer 350, a frame rate converting unit 355, 360). A voice processing unit (not shown), and a data processing unit (not shown).

The demultiplexer 310 demultiplexes the input stream. For example, when an MPEG-2 TS is input, it can be demultiplexed into video, audio, and data signals, respectively. The stream signal input to the demultiplexer 310 may be a stream signal output from the tuner 110 or the demodulator 120 or the external device interface 135, for example.

The image processing unit 320 may perform image processing of the demultiplexed image signal. For this, the image processing unit 320 may include a video decoder 325 and a scaler 335.

The video decoder 325 decodes the demultiplexed video signal and the scaler 335 performs scaling so that the resolution of the decoded video signal can be output from the display unit 180.

The video decoder 325 can include a decoder of various standards. For example, if the demultiplexed video signal is an MPEG-2 standard encoded video signal, it can be decoded by an MPEG-2 decoder.

Also, for example, if the demultiplexed video signal is an encoded video signal of the H.264 standard according to the DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) scheme or DVB-H, it can be decoded by the H.264 decoder.

Meanwhile, the video signal decoded by the video processor 320 is input to the mixer 350.

The OSD generation unit 340 generates an OSD signal according to a user input or by itself. For example, based on a control signal from the user input interface unit 150, a signal for displaying various kinds of information in a graphic or text format can be generated on the screen of the display unit 180. The generated OSD signal may include various data such as a user interface screen of the display device 100, various menu screens, widgets, icons, and the like.

For example, the OSD generating unit 340 may generate a signal for displaying broadcast information based on a caption of a broadcast image or an EPG.

The mixer 350 may mix the OSD signal generated by the OSD generator 340 and the decoded video signal processed by the image processor 220. The mixed signal is provided to formatter 360. Since the decoded broadcast video signal or the external input signal and the OSD signal are mixed, the OSD can be overlaid on the broadcast image or the external input image.

A frame rate converter (FRC) 355 can convert a frame rate of an input image. For example, a frame rate of 60 Hz is converted to 120 Hz or 240 Hz. When converting the frame rate of 60 Hz to 120 Hz, it is possible to insert the same first frame between the first frame and the second frame, or insert the third frame predicted from the first frame and the second frame. When converting a frame rate of 60 Hz to 240 Hz, it is possible to insert three more identical frames or insert three predicted frames. On the other hand, it is also possible to maintain the input frame rate without performing another conversion.

The formatter 360 receives the output signal of the frame rate conversion unit 355 and changes the format of the signal to be suitable for the display unit 180 and outputs the signal. For example, the R, G, and B data signals may be output as low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) signals or mini-LVDS signals.

On the other hand, the audio processing unit (not shown) in the control unit 170 can perform the audio processing of the demultiplexed audio signal. To this end, the voice processing unit (not shown) may include various decoders.

When a demultiplexed speech signal is a coded speech signal, the speech processing unit (not shown) in the control unit 170 can decode the demultiplexed speech signal. For example, the demultiplexed speech signal may be decoded by an MPEG-2 decoder, an MPEG 4 decoder, an AAC decoder, or an AC-3 decoder.

In addition, the audio processing unit (not shown) in the control unit 170 can process a base, a treble, a volume control, and the like.

The data processing unit (not shown) in the control unit 170 can perform data processing of the demultiplexed data signal. For example, if the demultiplexed data signal is a coded data signal, it can be decoded. The encoded data signal may be EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information including broadcast information such as a start time and an end time of a broadcast program broadcasted on each channel. For example, the EPG information may be ATSC-PSIP (ATSC-Program and System Information Protocol) information in the case of the ATSC scheme and may include DVB-SI information in the DVB scheme .

The ATSC-PSIP information or the DVB-SI information may be information included in the above-described stream, that is, the header (4 bytes) of the MPEG-2 TS.

Meanwhile, since the block diagram of the controller 170 shown in FIG. 3 is a block diagram for an embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to add other modules according to needs of those skilled in the art, or to omit some of the modules shown.

4 is a diagram illustrating a control method of a remote control device for controlling a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the appearance of a remote control device for controlling a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

4A, a pointer 205 corresponding to the remote control device 200 is displayed on the display unit 180. In the example shown in FIG.

The user can move or rotate the remote control device 200 up and down, left and right (FIG. 4B), and back and forth (FIG. 4C). The pointer 205 displayed on the display unit 180 of the display device corresponds to the movement of the remote control device 200. [ In this remote control device 200, as shown in the figure, since the pointer 205 is moved according to the movement in the 3D space, it can be called a space remote controller.

4B illustrates that when the user moves the remote control apparatus 200 to the left, the pointer 205 displayed on the display unit 180 of the display apparatus moves to the left correspondingly.

Information on the motion of the remote control device 200 sensed through the sensor of the remote control device 200 is transmitted to the display device. The display device can calculate the coordinates of the pointer 205 from the information on the motion of the remote control device 200. [ The display device can display the pointer 205 so as to correspond to the calculated coordinates.

4C illustrates a case where the user moves the remote control device 200 away from the display unit 180 while the specific button in the remote control device 200 is depressed. Thereby, the selected area in the display unit 180 corresponding to the pointer 205 can be zoomed in and displayed. Conversely, when the user moves the remote control apparatus 200 close to the display unit 180, the selection area within the display unit 180 corresponding to the pointer 205 may be zoomed out and displayed. On the other hand, when the remote control device 200 moves away from the display unit 180, the selected area is zoomed out, and when the remote control device 200 approaches the display unit 180, the selected area may be zoomed in.

On the other hand, when the specific button in the remote control device 200 is pressed, it is possible to exclude recognizing the up, down, left, and right movement. That is, when the remote control apparatus 200 moves away from or approaches the display unit 180, it is possible to recognize only the forward / backward movement without recognizing the upward / downward movement or the left / right movement. Only the pointer 205 is moved in accordance with the upward / downward movement or the leftward / rightward movement of the remote control device 200 in a state where the specific button in the remote control device 200 is not pressed.

On the other hand, the moving speed and moving direction of the pointer 205 may correspond to the moving speed and moving direction of the remote control device 200.

The pointer in the present specification means an object displayed on the display unit 180 in correspondence with the operation of the remote control device 200. [ Therefore, various shapes of objects other than the arrow shapes shown in the drawings are possible with the pointer 205. [ For example, it can be a concept that includes points, cursors, prompts, thick outlines, and so on. The pointer 205 may be displayed corresponding to one of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis on the display unit 180 as well as corresponding to a plurality of points such as a line and a surface .

5 is an internal block diagram of a remote control device for controlling a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the internal module of the remote control device for controlling the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The remote control device 200 includes a wireless communication unit 225, a user input unit 235, a sensor unit 240, an output unit 250, a power supply unit 260, a storage unit 270, And may include a control unit 280.

The wireless communication unit 225 transmits / receives a signal to / from any one of the display devices according to the embodiments of the present invention described above.

In this embodiment, the remote control apparatus 200 may include an RF module 221 capable of transmitting and receiving signals with the display apparatus 100 according to the RF communication standard. In addition, the remote control apparatus 200 may include an IR module 223 capable of transmitting and receiving signals with the display apparatus 100 according to the IR communication standard.

In the present embodiment, the remote control device 200 transmits a signal containing information on the motion of the remote control device 200 to the display device 100 through the RF module 221.

In addition, the remote control device 200 can receive the signal transmitted by the display device 100 through the RF module 221. [ Also, the remote control device 200 can transmit a command regarding power on / off, channel change, volume change, and the like to the display device 100 through the IR module 223 as needed.

The user input unit 235 may include a keypad, a button, a touch pad, or a touch screen. The user can input a command related to the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 by operating the user input unit 235. [ When the user input unit 235 includes a hard key button, the user can input a command related to the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 through the push operation of the hard key button. When the user input unit 235 has a touch screen, the user can touch a soft key of the touch screen to input a command related to the display apparatus 100 to the remote control apparatus 200. [ In addition, the user input unit 235 may include various types of input means such as a scroll key, a jog key, and the like that can be operated by the user, and the present invention does not limit the scope of the present invention.

The sensor unit 240 may include a gyro sensor 241 or an acceleration sensor 243. The gyro sensor 241 can sense information on the motion of the remote control device 200. [

For example, the gyro sensor 241 can sense information about the operation of the remote control device 200 based on the x, y, and z axes. The acceleration sensor 243 can sense information on the moving speed of the remote control device 200 and the like. Meanwhile, a distance measuring sensor may be additionally provided, so that the distance to the display unit 180 can be sensed.

The output unit 250 may output an image or voice signal corresponding to the operation of the user input unit 235 or corresponding to the signal transmitted from the display device 100. [ The user can recognize whether the user input unit 235 is operated or whether the display apparatus 100 is controlled through the output unit 250.

For example, the output unit 250 may include an LED module 251 that is turned on when the user input unit 235 is operated or a signal is transmitted to and received from the display device 100 through the wireless communication unit 225, a vibration module 253 An audio output module 255 for outputting sound, or a display module 257 for outputting an image.

The power supply unit 260 supplies power to the remote control device 200. The power supply unit 260 can reduce the power consumption by stopping the power supply when the remote controller 200 is not moving for a predetermined time. The power supply unit 260 may resume power supply when a predetermined key provided in the remote control device 200 is operated.

The storage unit 270 may store various types of programs, application data, and the like necessary for the control or operation of the remote control apparatus 200. [ If the remote control device 200 wirelessly transmits / receives a signal through the display device 100 and the RF module 221, the remote control device 200 and the display device 100 transmit / receive signals through a predetermined frequency band . The control unit 280 of the remote control device 200 stores information on the frequency band and the like capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals with the display device 100 paired with the remote control unit 200 in the storage unit 270, can do.

The control unit 280 controls various matters related to the control of the remote control device 200. [ The control unit 280 transmits a signal corresponding to a predetermined key operation of the user input unit 235 or a signal corresponding to the motion of the remote control device 200 sensed by the sensor unit 240 through the wireless communication unit 225 100).

6 is a diagram illustrating an entire system for implementing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 6, an overall system for implementing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. It is also within the scope of the present invention to interpret the system shown in FIG. 6 by combining the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 above.

As shown in FIG. 6, the TV 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes one tuner and receives AV data for a general broadcast program from the broadcast station 820.

Further, the CP 840 for processing data for virtual channel browsing primarily collects information on the broadcast program from the broadcast station 820. [ The information on the broadcast program corresponds to, for example, an EIT table format, which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. The event described in the present specification corresponds to, for example, a broadcast program unit.

In addition, the CP 840 does not depend only on the EIT information received from the broadcasting station 820, but additionally adds thumbnail image data corresponding to event information of each currently broadcast channel. Of course, the CP 840 can use the received EIT information as it is, and more compact data composed only of information necessary for channel browsing (e.g., start time of an event, total running time, and title information) It can also be used as defined.

The CP 840 receiving the request for executing the virtual channel browsing function from the TV 800 delivers the EIT information and the thumbnail image data corresponding to each event to the TV 800.

Therefore, the TV 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention is advantageous in that it does not need to perform an operation of capturing a screen while scanning every channel every time when the channel browsing function is executed.

Meanwhile, as another embodiment, the CP 840 may transmit thumbnail image data corresponding to each event, and the broadcasting station 820 may design to transmit an EIT including information about each event. In this case, the TV 800 first processes the two pieces of data received through different paths, and the TV 800 processes the two combined data to display image information of all the currently broadcasted channels The channel performs the channel browsing function.

7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure that can be used in a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an example of an EIT (Event Information Table) that can be used in the process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, in order to execute the virtual channel browsing function as described above, all of the EIT table formats shown in FIG. 7 may be used, or only necessary basic information may be extracted and used.

In the EIT shown in FIG. 7, the table_id field indicates a unique table identifier (ID) allocated so as to uniquely distinguish the EIT. That is, the table_id field indicates a value indicating that a table to which a section to be received belongs is an EIT.

The section_syntax_indicator field can be set to a value of 1, and the section_length field is followed by the general MPEG-2 section syntax. The private_indicator field is assigned '1' for example. The section_length field indicates the remaining length of the section, in bytes, after the section_length field to the end of this section.

The source_id field indicates the source_id of the virtual channel transmitting the events described in the section. The version_number field indicates the version value of EIT-i. The version_number field may be displayed as a remainder value divided by 32 after incrementing by 1 when the content of EIT-i is changed.

The current_next_indicator field indicates that the transmitted table is always applicable and can be set to one. The section_number field indicates the number of the section. The last_section_number field indicates the last section number of the complete EIT.

The protocol_version field is set to the initial 0 value, and is set to a nonzero value when the protocol is changed. The num_events_in_section field indicates the number of events in the EIT section. If the num_events_in_section field value is 0, it indicates that there is no event defined in the corresponding section.

Following the num_events_in_section field, there is an event loop repeated as many times as the number of events included in the section. The event loop may include an event_id field, a start_time field, an ETM_location field, a length_in_seconds field, a title_length field, and a title_text () field.

In addition, the event loop may further include a descriptor_length field and a descriptor () field, which are individually applied to each event.

The event_id field indicates an identification number for identifying a corresponding event in an event loop. This identification number can be used as part of the event ETM_id.

The start_time field indicates the start time of the event.

The ETM_location field indicates the presence and location of an extended text message (ETM).

The length_in_seconds field indicates the duration of the event in seconds.

The title_length field indicates the length of the next title_text () in bytes.

If the title_length field value is 0, it means that there is no title in the corresponding event.

The title_text () field indicates an event title of a multi-string structure.

The descriptor_length field indicates the total length of the next event descriptor in units of bytes.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, instead of using all of the heavy EIT data shown in FIG. 7, the CP may store the minimum information (e.g., start time field, length_in_seconds field, title_text () field) to generate a more compact data structure than the existing EIT. It is also within the scope of the present invention to add only a thumbnail image corresponding to each event to the primarily generated data structure and transmit it to the TV.

Further, as described above, the TV can estimate the end time of each event by using the data received from the CP or the broadcasting station. At this time, the TV is designed to request information (including a thumbnail image) of a newly started event to update the screen of the virtual channel browsing at the end of each event. Of course, the request may be designed to be requested at a time (for example, 10 minutes before, 5 minutes before, or 1 minute before) a predetermined time earlier than the end time of each event. In this case, It also has the advantage of being able to block the phenomenon more completely.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an example of a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the TV 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention requests the CP 1040 to perform data for VCHB (Virtual Channel Browsing) (S1001). The CP 1040 transmits the event data and the thumbnail image combined to the TV 1000 as a response thereto (S1002).

The TV 1000 stores a thumbnail image corresponding to each event of a currently broadcast channel in a memory (S1003). The memory may correspond to, for example, a DRAM or a flash memory built in the TV 1000, or may correspond to a memory of an external STB.

The TV 1000 estimates the time at which the event of each channel ends by using the start time information and the total running time information of the event included in the data transmitted from the CP 1040, A channel in which an event change occurs is periodically monitored (S1004).

The TV 1000, which detects that an event change has occurred in a specific channel, requests the CP 1040 for new event information and a thumbnail image for the specific channel (S1005). The CP 1040 transmits event information and a thumbnail image of the requested specific channel to the TV 1000 (S1006).

In the case of such a design, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to receive the information of the all channels and the thumbnail image every time for channel browsing. Thereby, the data processing speed is also improved.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, another example of a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the TV 1100 according to an embodiment of the present invention requests the CP 1140 to perform data for VCHB (Virtual Channel Browsing) (S1101). The CP 1140 transmits data, which is a combination of event information and a thumbnail image, to the TV 1100 as a response thereto (S1102).

The TV 1100 stores a thumbnail image corresponding to each event of a currently broadcast channel in a memory (S1103). The memory may correspond to, for example, a DRAM or a flash memory built in the TV 1000, or may correspond to a memory of an external STB.

The TV 1100 primarily displays a pre-stored thumbnail image corresponding to an event of each currently broadcast channel (S1104).

Although it is not shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that the TV 1100 executes a channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention and switches to another normal screen after step S1104.

If a command for executing a channel browsing function is received using the TV 1100 in operation S1105, the CP 1140 requests event information and a thumbnail image for the entire channel in operation S1106. Then, the CP 1140 transmits event information and a thumbnail image for the entire channel to the TV 1100 (S1107).

That is, the embodiment of FIG. 9 assumes that all data related to the channel browser is reset if the user executes the first channel browser screen and then moves to another screen and again executes the second channel browser screen. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is possible to display only the changed channel without resetting, which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 17 and FIG.

10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for selecting a first mode of a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a user interface for selecting a first mode of the virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first mode of the virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention is designed to be divided into two categories. When the display device 1200 according to an embodiment of the present invention displays a general broadcast screen 1220 and a user of the display device 1200 inputs a command to execute virtual channel browsing, A pop-up window 1210 is output. On the other hand, video data of the general broadcasting screen 1220 is received through the tuner 110 of FIG. 2, and video data corresponding to the OSD popup window 1210 is generated by the OSD generating unit 340 of FIG.

Finally, the two types of video data described above are combined in the mixer 350 of FIG. 3, and the formatter 360 changes the synthesized video data to a format that can be output on the screen. Finally, the display 180 is designed to output the data format changed by the formatter 360 to the screen.

At this time, the user can select a first option for simultaneously outputting the channel browsing screen together with the currently displayed general broadcasting screen 1220, or to delete the currently displayed general broadcasting screen 1220 and only the channel browsing screen The second option to be displayed may also be selected.

According to the first option, there is an advantage that multitasking of the broadcast screen and channel browsing currently being watched can be performed. According to the second option, the visibility of the channel browsing screen is improved. In particular, the first option will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG. 13, and the second option will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

11 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for selecting a second mode of a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a user interface for selecting a second mode of the virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The user is able to select the number of channels to be displayed on the screen in which the virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention is executed. Considering the number of channels provided in the digital broadcasting environment or the number of channels to be increased in the future, it is practically not easy to output all the channels on one screen. Of course, it is possible to display all the thumbnail images corresponding to 100 channels on one screen, for example, but this may cause visibility problems.

11, when the display device 1300 according to the embodiment of the present invention displays the general broadcasting screen 1320, when the user of the display device 1300 executes a command for executing the virtual channel browsing An OSD popup window 1310 is displayed which allows the user to select the number of channels to be displayed on the channel browsing screen. Video data of the general broadcast screen 1320 is received through the tuner 110 of FIG. 2, and video data corresponding to the OSD pop-up window 1310 is generated by the OSD generator 340 of FIG.

Finally, the two types of video data described above are combined in the mixer 350 of FIG. 3, and the formatter 360 changes the synthesized video data to a format that can be output on the screen. Finally, the display 180 is designed to output the data format changed by the formatter 360 to the screen.

Of course, each of the OSDs shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be displayed sequentially, or may be displayed in the reverse order, or may be designed to be displayed simultaneously.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a first screen in which a virtual channel browsing function is executed according to the mode selected by FIG. 10 or FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 12, a first screen in which the virtual channel browsing function is executed according to the mode selected by FIG. 10 or 11 will be described.

In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the user selects an option of outputting only a thumbnail image of a channel that is a channel browsing target excluding a general broadcast screen, and sets the maximum number of channels to be a channel browsing target as 9 in FIG.

12 (a), the display device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present invention processes broadcast data received from the tuner 110 shown in FIG. 2, 1410, and when a command to start the virtual channel browsing function is input from the remote control device 200 shown in FIG. 2, the screen is switched to the OSD screen shown in FIG. 12 (b).

That is, as shown in FIG. 12B, the display device 1401 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an OSD 1411 including a thumbnail image of a currently broadcast event for a total of nine channels Output. In this case, the thumbnail images for the nine channels are received from the network interface unit 130 shown in FIG. 2, and the OSD generating unit 340 shown in FIG. 3 uses the received thumbnail images, And is designed to output OSD data including a representative image of a broadcast program currently being broadcasted. More specifically, the network interface unit 130 accesses the CP 840 shown in FIG. 6 and receives thumbnail image data for each channel for a VCHB (Virtual Channel Browsing) screen configuration.

In addition, if there are channels other than the nine channels shown in FIG. 12 (b) and the channel browsing is completed, the right and left arrows in FIG. 12 (b) are also output. At this time, the arrows described above indicate that there are more channels to which channel browsing is completed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second screen in which a virtual channel browsing function is executed according to the mode selected by FIG. 10 or FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 13, a second screen in which the virtual channel browsing function is executed according to the mode selected by FIG. 10 or 11 will be described.

In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the user selects an option to output a thumbnail image of a channel to be channel-browsed together with a general broadcast screen, and sets the maximum number of channels to be channel-browsed as 9 in FIG.

12 (a), when the display device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present invention outputs the general broadcast screen 1410 and a command to start the virtual channel browsing function is inputted , The screen is switched to the OSD screen shown in Fig.

That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the display device 1500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention displays a thumbnail of an event currently being broadcast for a total of nine channels along with a general broadcast screen 1510 Together with an OSD 1520 containing an image.

The internal operation process of the display device 1500 for outputting the screen shown in FIG. 13 will be described in more detail as follows. The video data among the broadcast data received from the tuner 110 shown in FIG. 2 and the channel-specific thumbnail image data received from the network interface unit 130 shown in FIG. 2 are multiplexed by the mixer 350 shown in FIG. 3 Are synthesized. Of course, the per-channel thumbnail image data is preprocessed by the OSD generator 340 shown in FIG.

Thus, the user has the advantage of being able to monitor other channels without being disturbed by the viewing of the current broadcast. Although the drawings to be described later are assumed on the assumption of FIG. 12, it is obvious that designing the drawings to be described later on the assumption of FIG. 13 belongs to the scope of the present invention. This determines the OSD shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 in consideration of the design change of the person skilled in the art or the convenience of the user.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a virtual channel browsing screen according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a virtual channel browsing screen according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The OSD generation unit of the display device 1450 according to another embodiment of the present invention divides the OSD into three areas and generates different video data. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the first area 1460 is designed to receive and output a live broadcast program received from the tuner.

In addition, the second area 1470 is designed to output a thumbnail image of a currently broadcast program for each channel received by the network interface from the CP, and the third area 1480 is stored in the memory of the display device It is designed to output a list of contents related to the contents or the website.

Arrow shapes 1471, 1472, 1481, and 1482 shown in the second area 1470 and the third area 1480 indicate that there are additional items other than the items shown on the current screen As shown in FIG.

For example, when a pointer of the remote control device (for example, a motion remote control or a space remote control) shown in FIG. 4 or 5 is placed on the arrow shapes 1471, 1472, 1481, and 1482 described above, There is an advantage of automatic skipping. In addition, when there are no items other than the items displayed on the current screen, the above-described arrow shapes are not displayed, thereby providing relevant information to the user.

Finally, although the present embodiment mainly describes an embodiment of channel browsing, the scope of rights of the present invention can be similarly applied to other contents (application, movie contents, web site contents, etc.).

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a virtual channel browsing screen according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a virtual channel browsing screen according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The OSD generator of the display device 1550 according to another embodiment of the present invention divides the OSD into three areas and generates different video data. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first area 1560 is designed to output a thumbnail image of a program currently being broadcast for each channel received by the network interface from the CP, and the second area 1570 is designed to output, And is designed to output a list of applications stored in the memory of the display device.

The third area 1580 is designed to output a list of contents other than the application (for example, movie contents, content related to the website, etc.). Therefore, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 14, the embodiment of FIG. 15 divides items that are not related to the channel source into an application group and a non-application group.

Therefore, there is an advantage that a user can more easily and quickly access items belonging to his / her preferred group.

The arrow shapes 1561, 1562, 1571, 1572, 1581, and 1582 shown in the first area 1560, the second area 1570, and the third area 1580 are displayed on the current screen And also serves as an indicator for indicating that there are additional items in addition to the items. In this regard, as described fully in Fig. 14, the same description will be omitted.

16 is a diagram showing a virtual channel browsing OSD that is changed based on a time flow according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 16, a virtual channel browsing OSD that is changed based on a time flow will be described according to an embodiment of the present invention as follows.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the display device 1600 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention outputs an OSD screen 1610 for nine channels according to the virtual channel browsing function. Let's assume that this time is 9:59 am.

Further, when the current time reaches 10:01 am, the display device 1601 is designed to display the changed OSD screen 1611 as shown in FIG. 16 (b). That is, since only the event of the channel 5 broadcasted at 9:59 and the event of the channel 5 being broadcasted at 10:01 are changed, the changed thumbnail image 1612 of the channel 5 is displayed in a manner different from other channels.

Further, the internal operation process of the display devices 1600 and 1601 for outputting the screen shown in FIG. 16 will be described in more detail as follows.

From the CP 840 shown in FIG. 8, the network interface 130 shown in FIG. 2 receives the channel-specific thumbnail image data for the VCHB screen configuration. The OSD generator 340 shown in FIG. 2 generates the first OSD 1600 using the received thumbnail image data.

On the other hand, the display device receiving the meta data (e.g., EIT) indicating that the broadcast program of the specific channel has been changed from the CP or the broadcast station after a lapse of time passes the thumbnail of the changed channel using the network interface 130 And receives an image. The OSD generator 340 shown in FIG. 2 generates the second OSD 1611 using the received thumbnail image data.

If a thumbnail image of each channel is output in the same manner regardless of the event change as in the related art, there is a problem that the user can not detect which channel among the numerous channels has changed. In addition, by notifying the user of the information about the event just started, there is also an effect of increasing accessibility to the channel of the event just started.

A method for determining whether an event has changed in each channel can be understood with reference to Figs. 6 to 8 described above. For example, the TV that has collected the start time and running time information of the event from the CP estimates the end time of each event. Then, by comparing with the current time, it is possible to check whether a channel event has ended (that is, whether or not it is changed to another event). At this time, the TV requests the CP for a new thumbnail image for a channel in which an event has changed, differentiates the received new thumbnail image from the thumbnail image of another channel, and outputs the new thumbnail image.

17 is a diagram illustrating a virtual channel browsing OSD changed based on a screen change according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 17, a virtual channel browsing OSD that is changed based on a screen change according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows.

17 and FIG. 16, it is assumed that the channel browsing screen is continuously maintained. However, FIG. 17 illustrates a case in which a user goes out or off of a channel browsing screen, watches another general broadcasting screen, and then performs a channel browsing function again.

As shown in FIG. 17 (a), a display device 1700 according to an embodiment of the present invention displays, for example, a thumbnail image of a currently broadcast event for a total of nine channels. Next, when the user of the display apparatus 1700 executes another function (selection of a general broadcast screen), the display apparatus 1701 outputs a general broadcast screen 1711 as shown in FIG. 17 (b). At this time, the display devices 1700 and 1701 are designed to store the thumbnail image 1710 or the corresponding event information, which is output when the screen is switched to the screen of FIG. 17B, in the memory.

17 (c), the display device 1702 according to an embodiment of the present invention displays a channel browsing OSD screen 1712 as a channel browsing OSD screen 1712. In this case, do. 17A and 17C, FIG. 17C displays channel No. 1720 having a changed thumbnail image from other channels and displays it.

Further, the internal operation process of the display devices 1700, 1701, and 1702 for outputting the screen shown in FIG. 17 will be described in more detail as follows.

From the CP 840 shown in FIG. 8, the network interface 130 shown in FIG. 2 receives the channel-specific thumbnail image data for the VCHB screen configuration. The OSD generator 340 shown in FIG. 2 generates the first OSD 1700 using the received thumbnail image data.

At this time, when the user uses the remote control device 200 shown in FIG. 2 to transmit a command signal for switching to the general broadcast channel to the display device, the corresponding screen 1711 is displayed.

2, when the user transmits a command signal for executing the VCHB screen to the display device using the remote control device 200 shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 170 shown in FIG. 2 It is determined whether or not the broadcast program has been changed on the specific channel. For example, at the time of changing from (a) to (b) in FIG. 17, the controller 170 stores information about a broadcast program of each channel or a thumbnail image in the storage unit 140. Further, when a command signal for executing the VCHB screen is received, the controller 170 accesses the memory 140 to check previous channel information, and controls the network interface unit 130 to return current channel information .

Accordingly, the controller 170 compares the previous channel information with the current channel information, and the OSD generating unit generates video data of a type in which only the region of the channel in which the broadcast program is changed is highlighted, as shown in FIG. 17 (c) .

On the other hand, the remote control device 200 shown in Fig. 2 corresponds to the motion remote controller 200 shown in Fig. 4 or 5, for example. Accordingly, when the user uses the motion remote controller 200 shown in FIG. 4 or 5, a specific channel occupying a relatively large space (a channel having a program change 1720 ), And if it is designed as a selectable area up to the highlighted part, channel 4 (1720) can be selected more quickly than a general remote controller.

Accordingly, the user can easily confirm and select only the channel browsing screen confirmed immediately before and the channel changed in the channel browsing screen that is currently executed again. However, unlike FIG. 16, one element needs to be considered in the embodiment of FIG. In the case of the user, it may be advantageous to compare the channels (a) and (c) of FIG. 17 to distinguish different channels from each other, and in some cases, the case may be advantageous. .

18 is a diagram showing a database defining reference values for designing the OSD shown in Fig. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 18, a database for defining a reference value for designing the OSD shown in FIG. 17 will be described.

As a reference element for designing the OSD shown in FIG. 17, a time factor, a number factor, and a ratio factor can be considered as shown in FIG. 18, and implementation of another embodiment by a combination thereof is also applicable to the scope of the present invention .

For example, if the first channel browsing function is executed and then another function is executed and then the second channel browsing function is executed again, there is a possibility that the changed channel is excessively large if the predetermined time has passed. Therefore, when the predetermined time has elapsed, it is preferable not to compare the initial channel browsing information with the channel browsing information that has been changed since then. If, for example, five hours later, the channel browsing function is executed again, there is a high possibility that all the channels are highlighted and displayed, which may interfere with the user's monitoring of the channel change.

As another example, when the first channel browsing function is executed and then another function is executed and then the second channel browsing function is executed again, it is determined whether or not the channel having the changed event is equal to or larger than a certain number. According to the result, when the number is equal to or larger than a predetermined number, the system is designed to reset the existing information without highlighting the changed channel.

As another example, when the first channel browsing function is executed and then another function is executed and then the second channel browsing function is executed again, the number of channels having the changed event becomes the total channel number (or the maximum Channel number) is greater than or equal to a certain percentage. According to the result, in the case of a certain percentage or more, it is designed to reset the existing information without highlighting the changed channel.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an OSD that displays channels in which event information is changed according to the degree of time lapse according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 19, an OSD for displaying channels in which event information is changed according to the degree of time lapse according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As described above, the main feature of the virtual channel browsing function according to the embodiment of the present invention is that the channel having the changed event is monitored and only the corresponding channels are highlighted and displayed. A related embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 19, it is assumed that the display device 1900 according to an embodiment of the present invention sequentially changes three channels in comparison with previous channel browsing data. That is, the channel No. 2 (1901), the channel No. 3 (1902), and the channel No. 8 (1903) where the event has changed in the channel browsing screen are highlighted as shown in FIG.

However, as shown in FIG. 19, it can be easily confirmed that the highlight of each changed channel is different. For example, the channel 1902 having the most recently changed event is displayed with the highest resolution, the channel 1902 having the changed event before is displayed with the intermediate resolution, and the channel 1901 having the event changed the longest ago is displayed Display with the lowest resolution. Of course, as a method of displaying different values according to time, for example, color, size, additional information, and the like may be used. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, The scope of rights is not limited.

20 is a diagram showing a database that defines a reference value for designing the OSD shown in FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 20, a database for defining a reference value for designing the OSD shown in FIG. 19 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 20, the highlighting method is set differentially according to the elapsed time at which the event has changed. In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed, it is designed to display in the same manner as other channels having no event change.

For example, a mark having a resolution of 100% is given to a corresponding channel until it takes about 5 minutes from the point of time when the event is changed. In addition, when it takes about 5 to 10 minutes from the point of time when the event is changed, a mark having a resolution of 50% is given to the corresponding channel. Furthermore, when about 10 minutes have elapsed since the event was changed, a mark having a resolution of 25% is given to the corresponding channel. If the predetermined time has elapsed, it is displayed on the channel browsing screen in the same manner as other general channels (channels with no event change).

The embodiments shown and described in FIGS. 19 and 20 are designs that take into account the needs of the user who do not want to highlight and display the channels whose events have changed too long ago.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an OSD in which additional information is displayed on a channel in which event information is changed according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 21, an OSD in which additional information is displayed on a channel in which event information is changed will be described according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the previous drawings and embodiments, a method of displaying a thumbnail image of a channel having a changed event differently from other general channels has been described. Hereinafter, in Fig. 21, a solution is proposed in which additional information is added to distinguish it from other general channels.

As shown in FIG. 21, the display device 2100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention generates an OSD including additional information when a channel in which an event change occurs is detected while outputting a channel browsing screen.

For example, when an event or broadcast program called KB baseball is newly started on channel 5 based on the current time, a thumbnail image 2101 including the title is displayed. When an event or a broadcast program called love war is newly started on channel 9 based on the current time, a thumbnail image 2102 including the title is displayed.

The internal operation process of the display device 2100 for outputting the screen shown in FIG. 21 will be described in more detail as follows.

From the CP 840 shown in FIG. 8, the network interface 130 shown in FIG. 2 receives the channel-specific thumbnail image data for the VCHB screen configuration. The OSD generator 340 shown in FIG. 2 generates the primary OSD data using the received thumbnail image data.

As shown in FIG. 21, it is assumed that the broadcast programs of channel 5 and channel 9 are changed over time. At this time, the display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may display the EIT information received from the broadcasting station or the separate metadata received from the CP (the representative thumbnail image of the currently broadcast program for each channel and the time Information, etc.), it is possible to determine whether or not the program has been changed to a broadcast program on a specific channel.

Further, the display device may detect the title of the currently broadcasted program using the title text field of the EIT information received from the broadcast station, or may store separate meta data received from the CP Title information) of the currently broadcasted program.

Accordingly, the OSD generator 340 of the display device designates the channel of the changed broadcast program and simultaneously generates the secondary OSD data indicating the title of each event. In the case of such a design, the user of the display device has a unique advantage of improving the recognition rate of the channel itself from which the changed broadcasting program is output, and specifically checking which broadcasting program has recently started.

That is, the channels having no change in the event are configured to form a thumbnail image in which additional information (e.g., title) is excluded, so that the user can more easily monitor the channel of the changed event.

22 is a diagram illustrating an OSD for adjusting and displaying the position of a channel in which event information is changed according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 22, an OSD for adjusting and displaying the position of a channel in which event information is changed according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

22A, a display device 2200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first channel browsing screen 2200 including a thumbnail image corresponding to a broadcast program currently being output from each channel, (2210).

At this time, suppose that the program (event) of a specific channel is changed. Particularly, FIG. 22 shows a case where the broadcast program of channel 5 is changed. The display device 2201 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention displays a second channel browsing screen 2211 different from the first channel browsing screen 2210 as shown in FIG. 22 (b) .

In the previous drawings, a method of simply highlighting a channel having a changed broadcast program has been described. However, as shown in (b) of FIG. 22, changing the position of the area 2220 for indicating a channel having a changed broadcast program Are also within the scope of the present invention.

In FIG. 22B, the area 2220 is set to be located at the leftmost and uppermost positions of the screen, but it may be designed to be located at the center of the screen, thereby further improving the recognition rate of the user. It is also within the scope of the present invention to continuously display paths that change from the current position to the predetermined position.

23 is a diagram illustrating an OSD for displaying a group of channels in which event information is changed and a group of channels in which event information is not changed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 23, an OSD for displaying a group of channels in which event information is changed and a group of channels in which event information is not changed is displayed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

22 described above corresponds to an embodiment in which an area for indicating a channel in which a broadcast program is changed is changed to another area. However, FIG. 23, which will be described below, corresponds to an embodiment in which broadcast programs are grouped and channels that have not been changed are displayed in order to further enhance the user's convenience.

23 (a), a display device 2300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first channel browsing screen 233 including a thumbnail image corresponding to a broadcast program currently being output on each channel, (2310).

23 (b), the display device 2301 displays the second channel browsing screen 2310, which is different from the first channel browsing screen 2310, as shown in FIG. 23 (b) 2320, and 2330 are displayed.

For example, an area for indicating a channel in which a program has been changed is collected in the first group area 2320, and an area for indicating a channel in which the program is not changed is referred to as a second group area 2330 do.

In addition, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the channel belonging to the first group area 2320 can no longer be maintained as the latest update item. Therefore, if a preset time (for example, 10 minutes or a user set time) has elapsed from the point in time when the broadcast program is changed, it is designed to be automatically dragged from the first group area 2320 to the second group area 2330 .

Accordingly, in order to solve the problem that the user can easily distinguish between the latest updated channels and the non-updated channels and the position of the updated channel is permanently fixed, if the predetermined time has elapsed, And a user interface that is automatically dragged into the second group area is provided.

24 is a diagram illustrating an entire system for enhancing a search function in a virtual channel browsing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an overall system for enhancing the search function in the virtual channel browsing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 24, the TV 2410 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes one tuner and receives AV data for a general broadcast program from the broadcasting station 2420.

Further, the CP 2430 for processing the data for browsing the virtual channel primarily collects information on the broadcast program from the broadcast station 2420. The information on the broadcast program corresponds to a table format such as an EIT (Event Information Table) or ETT (Extended Text Table) format, and the ETT will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. The event described in the present specification corresponds to, for example, a broadcast program unit.

The CP 2430 not only depends on the EIT and ETT information received from the broadcasting station 2420, but also adds thumbnail image data corresponding to event information of each currently broadcast channel.

Further, the CP 2430 may additionally receive genre information from the broadcasting station 2420. [ In addition, the CP 2430 primarily adds main genre information, sub-genre information, and additional information (e.g., keyword, tag information, and the like) corresponding to event information of each currently broadcast channel.

The CP 2430 may use the received EIT or ETT information as it is or may include information necessary for channel browsing (e.g., starting time of the event, total running time, and title information) Compact data can also be defined and used.

The CP 2430 receiving the request for executing the virtual channel browsing function from the TV 2410 transmits EIT / ETT information, thumbnail image data corresponding to each event, genre information, and the above- And transmits it to the TV 2410. However, as described above, it is also possible to extract and transmit only basic information necessary for channel browsing without transmitting the EIT / ETT as it is.

Therefore, the TV 2410 according to the embodiment of the present invention is advantageous in that it does not need to perform a screen capturing operation while scanning all the channels one by one whenever the channel browsing function is executed.

Meanwhile, as another embodiment, the CP 2430 may transmit thumbnail image data corresponding to each event, and the broadcasting station 2420 may design to transmit EIT, ETT including information about each event . In this case, the TV 2410 primarily processes the two data received through different paths, and the TV 2410 processes the two combined data to display the image information of all the currently broadcasted channels The channel performs the channel browsing function.

25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure that can be used in a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an example of an ETT (Extended Text Table) that can be used in the process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. However, in order to execute the virtual channel browsing function as described above, all of the ETT table formats shown in FIG. 25 may be used, or only necessary basic information may be extracted and used.

In the ETT shown in FIG. 25, the table_id field indicates a unique table identifier (ID) allocated so as to uniquely distinguish the ETT. That is, the table_id field indicates a value indicating that the table to which the received section belongs is the ETT.

The section_syntax_indicator field can be set to a value of 1, and the section_length field is followed by the general MPEG-2 section syntax. The private_indicator field is assigned '1' for example. The section_length field indicates the remaining length of the section, in bytes, after the section_length field to the end of this section.

The ETT_table_id_extension field is a field necessary for ensuring the uniqueness of each ETT instance when a plurality of ETTs appear in a transport stream packet having a common PID (common PID) value.

The version_number field indicates the version value of ETT-i. The version_number field may be incremented by 1 when the content of ETT-i is changed and displayed as a remainder value divided by 32.

The current_next_indicator field indicates that the transmitted table is always applicable and can be set to one. The section_number field indicates the number of the section. The last_section_number field indicates the last section number of the complete ETT.

The protocol_version field is set to the initial 0 value, and is set to a nonzero value when the protocol is changed.

The ETM_id field serves as an identifier of an extended text message (ETT), and the extended_text_message () field has a format of a multiple string structure.

That is, the extended text message (ETM) includes various additional information such as title of an episode, synopsis of a story line, names of actors, and the like.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the CP does not use all of the heavy ETT data shown in FIG. 25, but the CP has minimal information (for example, ETM Etc.) to generate a compact data structure than the existing ETT. It is also within the scope of the present invention to add the thumbnail image and the genre information corresponding to each event to the primarily generated data structure and transmit it to the TV.

It is also within the scope of the present invention that the genre information may be received from a broadcasting station or that the CP separately define main genres and sub-genres for each event separately and used as shown in Fig.

26 is a diagram illustrating another example of a data structure that can be used in a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a data structure for defining a main genre and a sub-genre that can be used in the process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The CP according to an embodiment of the present invention adds main genre information and sub-genre information in units of each event (broadcast program), and transmits genre information composed of two depths together when there is a request for virtual channel browsing execution in the TV do.

For example, as shown in Fig. 26, the main genre of program 1 is sport, and the sub-genre is soccer. The main genre of the program 2 is a movie, and the sub-genre is an action movie. Further, the main genre of program 3 is news, and the sub-genre is sports news. The main genre of program 4 is sports, and the sub-genre is baseball.

Particularly, in the process of constructing the channel browsing screen, the data format of FIG. 26 described above can be used, and more specific embodiments will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 33 to FIG.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a process for performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a process of performing a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. However, the steps shown in Fig. 27 are one embodiment, and the scope of rights of the present invention should be determined by the claims in principle.

The TV 2710 according to an embodiment of the present invention requests the CP 2730 for a channel list (S2701). Furthermore, the TV 2710 may be designed to request a channel list for a particular country. Meanwhile, the content provider (CP) may be a server for providing data related to a channel browsing screen, or may be designed to perform the same function in a service provider (SP) instead of the CP.

The CP 2730 transmits the channel list requested by the TV 2710 (S2702). The TV 2710 filters only the channel searched by the tuner from the received channel list (S2703). It is considered that the channel list provided by the CP 2730 and the TV 2710 may differ from the range of currently tunable channels.

In order to generate a channel browsing OSD, the TV 2710 requests the CP 2730 for a thumbnail image, genre information, additional information, and the like of the filtered channel (S2704). The CP 2730 transmits the data requested in step S2704 to the TV 2710 again (S2705).

The TV 2710 preferentially stores the data transmitted in step S2705 in the memory (S2706). Then, the TV 2710 displays the channel browsing screen that flexibly changes according to the criteria set by the user or automatically (S2707).

The embodiments of the above step S2707 can be roughly classified into three categories. A description common to all three categories will be described later in Fig. 28. The first embodiment will be described later with reference to Figs. 29 to 32, Will be described later with reference to FIGS. 33 to 35, and a third embodiment will be described later with reference to FIG. 36 to FIG.

28 is a view showing a main screen in which a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention is executed. Referring to FIG. 28, a main screen on which a virtual channel browsing function according to an embodiment of the present invention is executed will be described below.

First, when the channel browsing function is performed using the display device 2800 according to an embodiment of the present invention, thumbnail images 2850 of programs currently being broadcast on each channel are displayed as shown in FIG. 28 .

As described above, the thumbnail image output from the channel browsing OSD according to an embodiment of the present invention does not need to be received through a separate broadcast tuner. That is, a thumbnail image for each channel is directly received from the CP connected to the network interface. 28 shows only the channel browsing screen, the screen is divided to output the moving picture for the broadcasting program of the specific channel in the first area, while in the second area, the channel browsing OSD 2850 shown in FIG. 28 outputs It is a feature of the present invention. The signal of the first area is received from the broadcast tuner and the signal of the second area is received from the network interface.

On the other hand, since the number of channels is rapidly increasing in a digital broadcasting environment, it is practically impossible to display thumbnail images of all channels on one screen. Accordingly, in FIG. 28, for example, the channel is limited to 15 channels, and an arrow button 2860 on the left side of the screen and an arrow button 2870 on the right side are added to notify that there is an additional channel browsing screen There is also an advantage to give.

The mode of channel browsing to be proposed in the present invention can be classified into one normal mode (2810 shown in FIG. 28) and three special modes (2820, 2830 and 2840 shown in FIG. 28). The modes described above are expressed in tab form at the top of the screen as shown in Fig. Of course, it is also within the scope of the present invention to change the position and the shape according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

If the user selects the normal mode tab 2810 shown in FIG. 28, the display device 2800 does not perform a special filtering operation, and expresses all the thumbnail images of the program currently being broadcast on each channel equally (2850).

However, if the user selects any one of the special mode taps 2820, 2830, and 2840 shown in FIG. 28, the display device 2800 performs a special filtering operation and displays a general channel browsing screen 2850 and a different OSD . This will be described in more detail in the following drawings.

29 is a view showing a first OSD when a keyword related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 29, the first OSD when the keyword related option 2820 is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described.

The display device 2900 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention displays a guide message 2920 to input a keyword in consideration of a user who intends to check only the channel filtered with a specific keyword in a general channel browsing screen. In addition, a window 2930 where a user can directly input a keyword is also displayed.

Meanwhile, in the process of performing the operations 2920 and 2930 described above, the background screen may be maintained as the broadcast screen 2910 that the current user has watched as shown in FIG.

Alternatively, in the process of performing the above-described operations 2920 and 2930, it is also within the scope of the present invention to design the background screen so that the channel browsing screen 2850 shown in FIG. 28 is maintained.

29, it is assumed that the user of the display device 2900 searches for a channel for a current broadcast program having a keyword "soccer" as a filtering reference value in the full screen on which channel browsing is performed.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a second OSD when a keyword-related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 30, the second OSD when the keyword related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described.

29, an OSD for determining whether or not to sort a specific channel by a certain reference in the entire screen in which channel browsing has been performed has been described. In FIG. 30, two modes for displaying sorted specific channels are determined I will explain the OSD.

30, the display apparatus 3000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention outputs a channel browsing screen 3080 and displays tabs 3010, 3020, 3030, and 3040 for four modes Simultaneously display.

Further, when the user of the display device 3000 applies a command signal through a specific menu or a shortcut key, a guide message 3050 for guiding the display mode is displayed.

More specifically, for example, a first mode 3060 for highlighting and displaying filtered channels in the current channel browsing full screen, or a second mode 3070 for collecting and displaying only filtered channels is displayed. In particular, the second mode is distinguished from the first mode in that it excludes display for unfiltered general channels.

A concrete user interface of the first mode 3060 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 31, and a detailed user interface of the second mode 3070 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 31 and 32, it is assumed that a keyword option is selected as a filtering criterion. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto and can be similarly applied to a case where a genre option or a multiple setting option is selected.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a third OSD when a keyword-related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 31, the third OSD when the keyword related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described. In particular, it is assumed that the first mode 3060 shown in FIG. 30 is additionally selected.

First, as shown in FIG. 31A, the display device 3100 according to an embodiment of the present invention displays thumbnail images 3150 of broadcast programs currently being output on each channel as a whole.

31. In this case, when the user of the display device 3100 selects the tab 3120 related to the keyword (e.g., soccer) among the four taps 3110, 3120, 3130, and 3140 described above, only the specific channels 3160 and 3170 broadcasting the broadcast program related to the soccer keyword are displayed on the current channel browsing screen 3150 as shown in FIG.

In addition, when the user again selects the tab 3120 related to the keyword (e.g., soccer), the user selects the tab 3120 corresponding to the keyword (e.g., soccer) Specific broadcast information 3180 and 3190 are additionally displayed. The specific broadcast information 3180 and 3190 may be, for example, title information of each broadcast program (event).

31 (b) is displayed as an option on the assumption of FIG. 31 (a), FIG. 31 (a) is omitted and FIG. 31 Embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

In the case of designing as shown in Fig. 31, the problem of the prior art in which broadcast programs of currently broadcast channels are manually confirmed is solved, and only a current broadcast program related to a keyword desired by the user can be quickly checked and channel switching can be performed There is an advantage.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a fourth OSD when a keyword-related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 32, the fourth OSD when the keyword related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described. In particular, it is assumed that the second mode 3070 shown in FIG. 30 is additionally selected.

First, the user of the display device 3200 according to an embodiment of the present invention selects a tab 3220 related to a keyword (e.g., soccer) among the four taps 3210, 3220, 3230, and 3240 described above When selected, only the specific channels 3250, 3260, 3270, and 3280 broadcasted by the broadcast program related to the soccer keyword are collected and displayed as shown in FIG. 32 (a).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 32 is contrasted with a solution for highlighting and displaying only the filtered channels, while displaying both filtered and unfiltered channels on the current channel browsing screen as in FIG. That is, in the case of designing as shown in FIG. 32, instead of searching only the channels (for example, limited to 15) of the currently displayed channel browsing screen, the channels of the broadcasting program having the related keywords for all channels are filtered, It outputs a completely different OSD.

Also, if the user again selects a tab associated with the keyword (e.g., soccer), the user may select a tab for the filtered channels 3250, 3260, 3270, 3280 as shown in Figure 32 (b) More specific broadcast information 3251, 3261, 3271 and 3281 are additionally displayed. The specific broadcast information 3251, 3261, 3271, and 3281 may be, for example, title information of each broadcast program (event).

32 (b) is displayed as an option on the assumption of FIG. 32 (a), FIG. 32 (a) is omitted and FIG. 32 Embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

32, since the keyword search results for all the channels are displayed irrespective of the maximum number of displayable channels (for example, 15) of the current channel browsing screen, There is also the advantage that it is not necessary to move to each other.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a first OSD when the genre related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28; FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 33, the first OSD when the genre related option 2830 is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described.

The display device 3300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may determine a genre by considering a user who wants to check only channels filtered by a specific genre (for example, a combination of a main genre and a sub-genre) ≪ / RTI > displays a guide message 3310. Further, a list 3320 of main genres and a list 3320 of sub genres that can be selected by the user are displayed, respectively. Of course, it is also within the scope of the present invention that the user of the display device 3300 selects only the main genre and does not select the sub-genre.

Meanwhile, in the process of performing the operations 3310, 3320, and 3330 described above, the background screen may be maintained on the broadcast screen that the current user is watching, as shown in FIG.

Alternatively, in the process of performing the operations 3310, 3320, and 3330 described above, it is also within the scope of the present invention to design the background screen so that the channel browsing screen 2850 shown in FIG. 28 is maintained.

33, the user of the display apparatus 3300 searches for the channel for the current broadcast program corresponding to the "Drama" main genre and the "Sports Drama" sub-genre as the filtering reference value in the full screen on which channel browsing is performed .

34 is a diagram showing a second OSD when the genre related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 34, the second OSD when the genre-related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described. In particular, it is assumed that the first mode 3060 shown in FIG. 30 is additionally selected.

34A, a display device 3400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention displays thumbnails of broadcast programs currently being output on each channel as a whole.

When the user of the display device 3400 selects the tab 3430 related to the genre (for example, a sports drama) among the four taps 3410, 3420, 3430, and 3440 described above, Only the specific channel 3450 in which the broadcasting program corresponding to the sports drama genre is being broadcast is highlighted and displayed on the current channel browsing screen as shown in (a) of FIG.

In addition, when the user again selects the tab 3430 related to the genre (for example, a sports drama), as shown in FIG. 34 (b), a more specific broadcast Information 3460 is additionally displayed. The specific broadcast information 3460 may be, for example, title information of each broadcast program (event).

34 (b) is displayed as an option on the assumption of FIG. 34 (a), but FIG. 34 (a) is omitted and FIG. 34 Embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

In the case of designing as shown in FIG. 34, the problem of the conventional technique of manually confirming the broadcast programs of the currently broadcast channels is solved, and only the current broadcast program corresponding to the genre desired by the user is promptly checked and the channel is switched There are advantages to be able to.

35 is a diagram showing a third OSD when the genre related option is selected in the main screen shown in Fig. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 35, the third OSD when the genre related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described. In particular, it is assumed that the second mode 3070 shown in FIG. 30 is additionally selected.

First, a user of the display device 3500 according to an embodiment of the present invention selects one of the four taps 3510, 3520, 3530, and 3540 described above by using the tab 3530 related to a genre (for example, ), Only the specific channels 3550 and 3560 on which broadcast programs corresponding to the Sports de Mara genre are broadcast are collected and displayed as shown in FIG. 35 (a).

The embodiment shown in FIG. 35 contrasts with a solution for highlighting and displaying only filtered channels, while displaying both filtered and unfiltered channels on the current channel browsing screen as shown in FIG. In other words, in the case of designing as shown in FIG. 35, not only the channels (for example, limited to 15) of the channel browsing screen currently output are searched, but channels of a broadcasting program corresponding to a specific genre are filtered for all channels , A completely different OSD is output.

In addition, when the user again selects a tab related to the genre (for example, a sports drama), a more specific broadcast for the filtered channels 3550 and 3560 as shown in FIG. 35 (b) Information 3551 and 3561 are additionally displayed. The specific broadcast information 3551 and 3561 may be, for example, title information of each broadcast program (event).

35 (b) is optionally displayed on the assumption of FIG. 35 (a), FIG. 35 (a) is omitted and FIG. 35 (b) Embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

In the case of designing as shown in FIG. 35, since only the channels to which a broadcast program of a specific genre is currently outputted are displayed among all the channels irrespective of the maximum number of displayable channels (for example, 15) of the current channel browsing screen , There is an advantage that the user does not need to move to another channel browsing screen.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a first OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 36, the first OSD when the multiple setting related option 2840 is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described below.

In the above-described drawings, it is assumed that keyword-related filtering and genre-related filtering are respectively performed. However, when searching by keyword alone or searching by genre information alone, there is a possibility that too many channels appear or noise channels that the user has not actually expected.

In order to further reduce such a risk, a multiple setting solution is proposed below in FIG.

The display device 3600 according to an embodiment of the present invention displays a guide message 3610 to select three items for the multiple setting.

The guide message 3610 is designed to include all of the keyword option 3620, the main genre option 3630, and the sub-genre option 3640 described above, for example.

Meanwhile, in the process of processing the guide message 3610, the background screen may be maintained as a broadcast screen that the current user is viewing as shown in FIG. Alternatively, in the process of processing the guide message 3610, it is also within the scope of the present invention to design the background screen so that the channel browsing screen 2850 shown in FIG. 28 is maintained.

36, the condition of the keyword is "Michael Jordan ", the condition of the main genre is" movie ", the condition of the keyword is the filtering reference value in the full screen in which the user of the display device 3600 performs channel browsing, , And the condition of the sub-genre is set to "sports ", the following description will be given.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a second OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 37, the second OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described.

First, it is assumed that the display device 3740 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention performs a channel browsing function. At this time, when the tab 3740 indicating the multiple setting among the four taps 3710, 3720, 3730, and 3740 shown in FIG. 37 is selected, the display device 3740 displays the broadcast The program searches for the channels that are currently being output.

That is, the display device 3740 may display a broadcast program, which belongs to a sports movie genre and has additional information of Michael Jordan, by using information of a current broadcast program received from a CP or a broadcast station, Lt; / RTI >

The display device 3740 is designed to highlight the filtered specific channel 3750 as shown in FIG. 37 to distinguish it from other general channels.

On the other hand, FIG. 37 shows a result of a channel in which a broadcast program perfectly matching the multiple setting condition is currently output. However, there is a possibility that an arbitrary user may want to check a channel in which a broadcast program with a partially matching condition is output. Considering these needs, the embodiments shown in Figs. 38 to 40 will be described.

Figure 38 is a diagram illustrating a specific embodiment of a database required to implement multiple setting related options. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 38, a specific embodiment of the database necessary for executing the multiple setting related options will be described.

The multiple setting according to an embodiment of the present invention basically assumes three conditions (keyword, main genre, and sub genre). However, some broadcast programs do not satisfy all conditions and only some conditions are satisfied, and it is necessary to differentially display them to users without judging them as noise. To this end, a display device is provided with a database or a judgment module designed as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 38, the top priority is assigned to a channel in which a broadcast program whose keywords, main genres, and sub genres are all broadcast is 100%.

In addition, the second priority is assigned to a channel in which a broadcast program having two coinciding keywords / main genre / sub genre is currently broadcast, since the matching rate is 66%. The third priority is given to the channel on which the broadcast program matching only one of the keyword / main genre / sub genre is currently broadcast, because the matching rate is 33%.

Meanwhile, a user interface for differentially displaying channels having different matching rates will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40. FIG.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a third OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 39, the third OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described.

It is assumed that the display device 3900 shown in Fig. 39 has the data of Fig. 38 described above. Further, the display device 3900 displays four taps 3910, 3920, 3930, and 3940 when the channel browsing function is executed.

When the user of the display device 3900 selects a specific tab 3940 related to the multiple setting, the top priority (100% matching rate) channel is displayed in the upper screen region 3950). In addition, a channel of the 2nd priority (matching rate 66%) is displayed in the screen middle area 3960.

Then, the channel of the 3rd priority (matching rate 33%) is displayed in the screen bottom area 3970. It is also a feature of the present invention that all channels with a matching rate of 0% disappear from the channel browsing screen.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a fourth OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 40, the fourth OSD when the multiple setting related option is selected in the main screen shown in FIG. 28 will be described below.

It is assumed that the display device 4000 shown in Fig. 40 has the data of Fig. 38 described above. Further, the display device 4000 displays four taps 4010, 4020, 4030, and 4040 when the channel browsing function is executed.

In this case, when the user of the display device 4000 selects a specific tab 4040 related to the multiple setting, the embodiment of FIG. 40, unlike FIG. 39, maintains the current channel browsing screen. That is, there is an advantage that a selection rate of a user is widened by outputting channels with matched channels, without deleting channels with matching rates of zero.

For example, using the database shown in FIG. 38, the top priority (100% matching) channel is represented by the widest channel area 4050. In addition, the channel of the 2nd priority (matching rate 66%) is indicated by the medium size channel region 4060.

The channel with the 3rd priority (matching rate 33%) is represented by the smallest channel region 4070. Of course, the smallest channel region described above means relatively smallest among the matched channels, and it is a feature of the present invention that the channel region is set to be larger than the unmatched channel region.

Furthermore, although the drawings are shown for convenience of explanation, it is also possible to design a new embodiment to be implemented by merging the embodiments described in each drawing. It is also within the scope of the present invention to design a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing the previously described embodiments is recorded according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

The display apparatus and the operation method thereof according to the present invention are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above but the embodiments can be applied to all or a part of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. Or may be selectively combined.

Meanwhile, the operation method of the display apparatus of the present invention can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a recording medium readable by a processor included in the display apparatus. The processor-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording apparatuses in which data that can be read by the processor is stored. Examples of the recording medium on which the processor can read are ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like. In addition, the processor-readable recording medium may be distributed over network-connected computer systems so that code readable by the processor in a distributed fashion can be stored and executed.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In this specification, both the invention and the invention of the method are explained, and the description of the two inventions can be supplementarily applied as necessary.

2410: TV
2420: Broadcast Station
2430: Content Provider

Claims (13)

A method of controlling a TV,
Receiving a broadcast signal by a tuner of the TV connected to a broadcast network;
Receiving a plurality of thumbnail images representing broadcast programs currently being broadcast on a plurality of channels searched by the tuner through a network interface, the network interface connecting the TV to a network including the Internet, And the thumbnail image data corresponding to the program information of each channel currently being broadcast is received by the network interface when receiving a request for executing the virtual channel browsing function from the TV, Received via;
Displaying a broadcast image included in the received broadcast signal on a screen;
Estimates the time at which the event of each channel ends using the start time information of the event included in the event information data and the total running time information and periodically monitors the channel where the event change occurs based on the current time point step;
Receiving a first control signal for executing the virtual channel browsing function from a remote control device;
Displaying the broadcast image and the plurality of thumbnail images on the screen in response to the first control signal, the screen including a broadcast image generated based on the broadcast signal received from the broadcast network through the tuner, And a second area for displaying the plurality of thumbnail images generated based on the thumbnail image data received from the CP via the network interface;
A second control signal for selecting a genre-related option from the remote control device; and in response to the second control signal, at least one thumbnail image related to a first genre of the plurality of thumbnail images ;
In response to the third control signal, a third control signal in response to the third control signal from the remote control device, wherein in the second area, in the second genre of the plurality of thumbnail images, instead of the at least one thumbnail image related to the first genre, Displaying only at least one associated thumbnail image, the second genre being different from the first genre; And
Displaying the thumbnail image corresponding to the channel differently according to the elapsed time of the event change by displaying the channel in which the event change occurs in a highlighted manner. The method according to claim 1,
Receiving a fourth control signal from the remote control device; And
Displaying additional information of a broadcast program corresponding to the at least one thumbnail image in the second area in response to the fourth control signal,
Wherein the additional information includes title information of the broadcast program corresponding to the at least one thumbnail image. The method according to claim 1,
Detecting that a broadcast program broadcast on a specific channel is changed from a first broadcast program to a second broadcast program; And
Displaying a thumbnail image representing the second broadcast program instead of a thumbnail image representing the first broadcast program in the second area. The method of claim 3,
Wherein a display position of a thumbnail image representing the first broadcast program and a display position of a thumbnail image representing the second broadcast program are different from each other within the second region. The method according to claim 1,
Transmitting channel information related to the plurality of channels retrieved by the tuner to the server through the network interface; And
Further comprising: receiving, via the network interface, the plurality of thumbnail images representing broadcast programs currently being broadcast on the plurality of channels from the server. For TV,
display;
A tuner for receiving a broadcast signal from a broadcast network;
Receiving a plurality of thumbnail images representing broadcast programs currently being broadcast in a plurality of channels searched by the tuner, connecting the TV to a network including the Internet, receiving channel-specific event information data and thumbnail images from a content provider (CP) A network interface for receiving image data; the thumbnail image data corresponding to program information of each currently broadcast channel is received from the network interface upon receiving a request for performing a virtual channel browsing function from the TV;
A user input interface for receiving a control signal from a remote control device; And
Controller,
The controller
Estimates a time at which an event of each channel ends using the start time information of the event included in the event information data and the total running time information and periodically monitors a channel where an event change occurs based on the current time point ,
Displaying a broadcast image included in the received broadcast signal on a screen of the display,
A broadcast image generated based on the broadcast signal received from the broadcast network via the tuner and a broadcast image generated based on the broadcast signal received from the CP through the network interface in response to a first control signal for executing the virtual channel browsing function from the remote control device, Wherein the screen displays the first area for displaying the broadcast image and the second area for displaying the plurality of thumbnail images on the screen, Including,
Displaying at least one thumbnail image related to a first genre of the plurality of thumbnail images in the second area in response to a second control signal for selecting a genre-related option from the remote control device,
Displaying at least one thumbnail associated with a second genre of the plurality of thumbnail images instead of the at least one thumbnail image associated with the first genre in the second area in response to a third control signal from the remote control device Wherein the second genre is different from the first genre,
And displaying the thumbnail image corresponding to the channel differently according to a time lapse of the event change. The method according to claim 6,
The controller
Displaying additional information of a broadcast program corresponding to the at least one thumbnail image in the second area in response to a fourth control signal from the remote control device,
Wherein the additional information includes title information of a broadcast program corresponding to the at least one thumbnail image. The method according to claim 6,
The controller
Displaying a thumbnail image representing the second broadcast program instead of a thumbnail image representing the first broadcast program in the second area when a broadcast program broadcast on a specific channel is changed from a first broadcast program to a second broadcast program More included, TV. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein a display position of a thumbnail image representing the first broadcast program and a display position of a thumbnail image representing the second broadcast program are different from each other within the second region. The method according to claim 6,
The controller
Controlling the network interface to transmit channel information related to the plurality of channels retrieved by the tuner to a server,
Further comprising controlling the network interface to receive the plurality of thumbnail images representative of broadcast programs currently being broadcast on the plurality of channels from the server. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium on which a program for executing the method of claim 1 is recorded. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium on which a program for executing the method of claim 2 is recorded. A non-transient computer readable recording medium on which a program for executing the method of claim 3 is recorded.

Images