KR20000004116A - Menu service device of satellite broadcast receiver and service method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A menu service device of satellite broadcast receiver and service method thereof is provided to easily convert a present menu screen into a main menu screen by one touch. CONSTITUTION: The menu service device of satellite broadcast receiver comprises: a control block(110) generating plural control signals for menu service in response to menu service requiring signal for user interface; a menu generating unit(116) having a main menu screen data comprising plural selection items and plural sub menu screen data comprising plural items, and selectively extracting plural menu screen data in response to the control of the control block; the first buffer memory(208) storing a main menu screen data extracted from the menu generating unit; the second buffer memory(210) storing the sub menu screen data extracted from the menu generating unit, and renewing and storing previously stored sub menu screen data into other sub menu screen data whenever other sub menu screen data are extracted; and a unit(212) generating an assistant menu screen data under the control of the control block.

Description

Menu service device and service method thereof in satellite broadcasting receiver

The present invention relates to a technique for providing a menu screen service in a satellite broadcasting receiver (also called a set-top box), and more particularly, smoothly returns to the main menu screen on various sub-menu screens of a tree screen menu screen. The present invention relates to a menu service apparatus and a service method thereof in a satellite broadcasting receiver.

In addition to maximizing channel utilization, improving video and audio signal quality, and facilitating the transmission of additional digital service data, satellite broadcast receivers can also benefit from significant improvements in the user interface.

In addition, the satellite broadcasting receiver has a function such as a parental control that can limit program viewing, such as a technique of restricting a specific user's Internet access in an Internet set-top box. For example, there are a rating limiting technique, a spreading limiting technique, a channel limiting technique, a viewing time limiting technique, and the like. These various functions include a plurality of preset menu screens having a deep menu screen. For example, it is executed through a user interface that provides various menu screens such as a main menu screen, a management option screen, an option menu screen, a registered viewer menu screen, and a limited type menu screen.

Here, the dip type menu screen is provided with a sub-menu screen corresponding to the selected item when selecting one item on a specific menu screen having a plurality of items, and when selecting one item on the selected sub-menu screen. This refers to a menu screen of one type so that the user interface can be performed by providing another sub-menu screen corresponding to the item.

Therefore, when a user wants to limit the viewing time of a user interface, for example, a registered registered viewer, using a dip type menu screen, when the user selects one corresponding item on the main menu screen, the corresponding sub screen is displayed. A menu screen (hereinafter referred to as sub # 1 menu screen) is displayed on the monitor, and when the user selects a desired item on the sub # 1 menu screen, the corresponding submenu screen (hereinafter referred to as sub # 2 menu screen) is displayed. ) Is displayed on the monitor. Then, when the user selects a desired item on the sub # 2 menu screen, a corresponding submenu screen (hereinafter referred to as the sub # 3 menu screen) is displayed on the monitor. to provide.

After setting the viewing time limit through the above-described process, if a user interface other than the user interface for viewing time restriction is to be performed, conventionally, the present user interface is controlled through two methods, namely, user manipulation. Ending and re-operating to provide the main menu screen for the user interface or as described above, assuming that the menu screen currently being displayed is the sub # 3 menu screen, continuous user operations (ie returning to the previous screen) Select) to return to the sub # 3 menu screen → sub # 2 menu screen → sub # 1 menu screen → main menu screen.

However, the first method of the conventional menu screen service method for the user interface as described above is provided with the main menu screen through a relatively simple operation, i.e., exiting the current user interface mode and then again operating for another desired user interface. This is done through the process, that is, exiting the menu service mode → viewing mode → executing the menu service mode. In this method, the user operation is relatively simple, but it requires mode switching in the satellite broadcasting receiver. There is a problem that unnecessarily excessive time is required for switching to the menu service mode.

In addition, the second conventional method has a problem not only of requiring a complicated user operation for returning to the main menu screen but also causing a lot of time for it.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, in the satellite broadcast receiver that can quickly switch from any sub-menu screen to the main menu screen through a simple operation when performing the menu service mode for the user interface The purpose is to provide a menu service device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a menu service method in a satellite broadcasting receiver which can quickly switch from a sub menu screen to a main menu screen through a simple operation when executing a menu service mode for a user interface.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing a menu service for a user interface based on a control from a control block according to a user's operation in a satellite broadcasting receiver. The control block, when a signal is input, generates a plurality of control signals for a menu service in response thereto; Menu generating means having main menu screen data having a plurality of selection items and a plurality of sub-menu screen data each having a plurality of items, and selectively drawing out a plurality of menu screen data in response to a control from the control block; A first buffer memory for storing main menu screen data drawn from the menu generating means; Stores sub-menu screen data drawn out from the menu generating means, and saves the sub-menu screen data pre-stored each time another sub-menu screen data is drawn out while one sub-menu screen data is pre-stored. A second buffer memory to be updated and stored in the memory; Means for selectively reducing the submenu screen data to be drawn out according to the control from the control block to generate auxiliary menu screen data having a size at least smaller than that of the pullout submenu screen; And in response to the image selection switching control signal from the control block, synthesizes the generated sub-menu screen to a partial region of the main menu screen to be drawn to generate a mixed menu screen or to make the main menu screen to be totally transparent. The present invention provides a menu service apparatus in a satellite broadcasting receiver, comprising image output means for generating a different mixed menu screen by combining the sub menu screens drawn out clearly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a menu for a user interface according to a menu service request in a satellite broadcasting receiver having a main menu screen used for a user interface and a menu generator having a plurality of sub-menu screen data. In the method for providing a service, each of the plurality of sub-menu screens has a main screen return item for automatic return to the main menu screen, and the menu service method includes: the menu service in a viewing mode or a standby mode; A first step of, when a request is input, fetching the main menu screen data having a plurality of items from the menu generator and temporarily storing the main menu screen data in a buffer memory and displaying the drawn main menu screen on a monitor; When any one of the plurality of items on the main menu screen is selected as an item for proceeding a menu service during display of the main menu screen, it corresponds to this selection item and has a plurality of items and the main screen return item. A second process of extracting sub-menu screen data from the menu generator and storing the sub-menu screen data in another buffer memory and extracting the main menu screen data stored in the buffer memory; A third step of displaying the mixed menu screen generated by transparently synthesizing the drawn out main menu screen and vividly synthesizing the drawn out sub menu screen on the monitor; When the main screen return item in the mixed menu screen is selected during display of the mixed menu screen, the sub-screen screen data stored in the other buffer memory is cleared at the same time as switching the screen on the monitor to the main menu screen, A fourth process of repeating the second process and the third process; And a fifth process of repeatedly performing the second to fourth processes whenever other sub-menu screens corresponding to each item in the sub-menu screen are displayed to proceed with the menu service. Provide a service method.

1 is a block diagram of an exemplary satellite broadcast receiver suitable for applying a menu service apparatus in a satellite broadcast receiver according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram of a menu service apparatus in a satellite broadcasting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing a menu service according to a user's request in a satellite broadcasting receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a view showing an example of a main menu screen displayed on a monitor when performing a menu service according to the present invention;

5 illustrates an example of a mixed screen in which a main menu screen and a reduced sub-menu screen are mixed and displayed on a monitor when performing a menu service according to the present invention;

6 illustrates an example of a mixed screen in which a main menu screen and a selection menu screen (sub-menu screen) are overlapped and displayed when performing a menu service according to the present invention;

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mixed screen in which a main menu screen and another selected menu screen (another sub-menu screen) are overlapped and displayed when performing a menu service according to the present invention.

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

102: tuner and demodulation block 104: MPEG decoding block

106: video encoding block 108: video processing block

110: control block 112: memory

116: menu generation block 120: video output block

202: menu generator 204: memory block

206: switching blocks 208, 210: buffer memory

212 data reduction block

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of an exemplary satellite broadcast receiver suitable for applying a menu service apparatus in a satellite broadcast receiver according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a typical satellite broadcast receiver includes a tuner and demodulation block 102, an MPEG decoding block 104, a video encoding block 106, a video processing block 108, a control block 110, and a memory ( 112, a menu generation block 116, a third memory 118, and an image output block 120.

1, the tuner and demodulation block 102 extracts, i.e., channel information, program information, and the like, inserted into a transport stream received through an antenna when the satellite broadcast receiver is powered on. Channel information packet data having program associated table (PAT) information including N-bit program identifier (PID) information representing a program number of each channel, and audio, video, and text of a specific channel. Extract program information packet data having program map table (PMT) information of N-bit program identifier (PID) information, and convert, demodulate and After restoring to the transport stream through the process of error correction, the process is provided to the control block 110 described later through the line L12.

Further, the tuner and demodulation block 102 are received via a broadcast signal receiver (i.e., satellite receiving antenna, cable, etc.), not shown, based on the tuning control signal provided from the control block 110 described later via line L11. The tuned broadcast channel selected by the user is tuned to the satellite or cable broadcast signal, and the tuned broadcast channel signal is demodulated to the original signal before transmission. When the satellite broadcast signal is tuned, the demodulated satellite broadcast channel signal is taken from line L13. Through the MPEG decoding block 104.

Next, in MPEG decoding block 104 the spatially and spatially of the compressed and encoded audio and video signals, e.g. video signals, of the selected satellite broadcast channel provided from the above-described tuner and demodulation block 102 via line L13. In consideration of the correlation, the compressed coded video signal is restored to the original signal before encoding using a decoding technique such as variable length decoding, inverse DCT, inverse quantization, and motion compensation, and the digital satellite broadcast video signal reconstructed here is Provided to video encoding block 106, the reconstructed audio signal is provided to line audio signal processor, not shown, through line L14.

The video encoding block 106 converts the digital broadcast video signal of the selected satellite channel provided by the MPEG decoding block 104 described above into an NTSC or PAL analog video signal, and then outputs the image output block 120 on the output side through the line L15. )

On the other hand, the control block 110 includes, for example, a microprocessor for performing overall operational control of the receiver, generating a signal for requesting acquisition of a guide packet via line L11 when the receiver is powered on, When the guide packet data extracted from the transport stream is input through the line L12, the data are sequentially stored in the memory 112. That is, the memory 112 stores guide packet data for satellite broadcasting.

In addition, when the user selects a specific channel (a cable broadcasting channel or a satellite broadcasting channel) that the user wants to watch, the control block 110 generates a corresponding tuning control signal on the line L11. As a result, the above-described tuner and demodulation are generated. Block 102 will tune the satellite or cable channel selected by the user in response to the tuning control signal on line L11.

Further, in the control block 110, when there is a user menu service request according to the present invention, a corresponding menu generation control signal is generated on the line L17 and provided to the menu generation block 116, and various kinds of menu services are provided. Generates a control signal (e.g., read enable signal, write enable signal, clear signal, etc.) and provides it to the menu generation block 116, and also outputs an image on line L19 when a user menu service request signal is input. A switching control signal for selecting (or synthesizing) is generated and provided to the image output block 120.

On the other hand, the menu generation block 116 is a part directly related to the present invention, the menu corresponding to the mode in response to various control signals provided from the control block 110 in the menu service mode for the user interface The screen data is extracted and provided to the image output block 120 through the line L18. In the menu generating block 116, a detailed operation process of generating various menu screen data according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. It will be described in detail below with reference to 3.

2 is a block diagram of a menu service apparatus in a satellite broadcasting receiver according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The menu generator 202, the memory block 204, the switching block 206, and the first buffer memory 208 are shown in FIG. The second buffer memory 210 and the data extraction block 212 are included.

Referring to FIG. 2, the menu generator 202 stores menu screen data corresponding to the mode in response to a menu screen out control signal provided from the control block 110 of FIG. 1 in a menu service mode for a user interface. It is withdrawn at block 204 and provided via line L20 to the first and second buffer memory 208 and switching block 210, wherein the withdrawn data is generated at the start of the menu service mode. In this case, the contact ac of the switching block 212 is connected, and the first buffer memory 208 is in a write enable state according to the write enable signal WE1 from the control block 110 of FIG. Thus, as an example, main menu screen data of the type shown in FIG. 4 is provided to the image output block 120 of FIG. 1 through a line L23 and simultaneously stored in the first buffer memory 208. At this time, the second buffer memory 210 maintains the disabled state.

Here, the memory block 204 includes a plurality of graphic menu screens to be used for a user interface for performing a menu service, for example, a main menu screen (FIG. 4), a management option screen (FIG. 6), and an option menu screen (FIG. 7). ), And the various menu data stored in this way are extracted when the read enable signal RE is provided from the control block 110 of FIG. 1 and is provided to the menu generator 202 described above.

In addition, main menu screen data generated in the menu service mode is stored in the first buffer memory 208. The main menu screen data stored in this manner is a read enable signal RE1 provided from the control block 110 of FIG. ) And is provided to the image output block 120 of FIG. 1 through line L21, and deleted according to the clear signal CLR1 provided from the control block 110 of FIG.

At this time, when the data drawn out through the line L20 in the menu service mode is not the main menu screen data but sub-menu screen data (for example, option menu screen data, registered viewer menu screen data, etc.), the switching block as described above. The contact ac of 212 is connected, and the second buffer memory 210 is in a write enable state according to the write enable signal WE2 from the control block 110 of FIG. 1. Thus, as an example, the sub-menu screen data (that is, the option menu screen data) of the form as shown in FIG. 6 is provided to the image output block 120 of FIG. 1 through the line L23 and simultaneously with the second buffer memory 210. Are stored in. At this time, the first buffer memory 208 reads the pre-stored main menu screen data according to the read enable state, that is, the read enable signal RE1 provided from the control block 110, and the read main menu screen data. Is provided to the image output block 120 of FIG. 1 via line L21.

That is, various sub-menu screen data generated in the menu service mode are updated and stored in the second buffer memory 210 according to the order of occurrence. The sub-menu screen data stored in this way is stored from the control block 110 of FIG. Read according to the read enable signal RE2 provided and provided to the image output block 120 of FIG. 1 via line L25, and also erased according to the clear signal CLR2 provided from the control block 110 of FIG. do.

On the other hand, when the data drawn out through the line L20 in the menu service mode is menu data to be used as an auxiliary menu as indicated by reference A in FIG. 5 as an example, the contact ab of the switching block 212 is connected. . Here, the sub-menu refers to a menu configured by editing (or shortening) only the items existing in the sub-menu screen corresponding to the specific item when the cursor is placed on the specific item among the plurality of items on the specific menu screen. As shown in FIG. 5, when the user places the cursor on the MANAGER item on the main menu screen, it means a menu configured by editing only the items indicated by reference numeral A in the management option screen shown in FIG. 6.

That is, the data reduction block 212 reconfigures the sub-menu screen data provided through the contact ab of the switching block 206 into auxiliary menu screen data composed only of selection items when the auxiliary menu needs to be generated, and serves as an auxiliary menu as an example. Assuming that the sub-menu screen data to be represented is the management option screen data shown in FIG. 6, the sub-menu screen data is reconfigured to sub-menu screen data corresponding to the portion A of FIG. Provided to the image output block 120 of FIG.

When the auxiliary menu data is generated through the line L23 as described above, the main menu screen data is generated through the line L21 for the configuration of the main menu screen, or the composition of the mixed menu screen in which the transparent main menu screen and the clear sub-menu screen are combined. For this purpose, the main menu screen data and the sub-menu screen data are generated simultaneously through the lines L21 and L25.

On the other hand, in the image output block 120 of FIG. 1, in response to a switching control signal for selecting an image output provided from the control block 110 via the line L19, the lines L15 and L18 (that is, the line L21 of FIG. 2). , L23, L25) to selectively switch or synthesize the image output. That is, when the current viewing mode is the broadcast mode, the image of the tuned satellite channel provided through the line L15 is selected as an output, and in the menu service mode, the memu screen data on the L18 (FIG. 4) or the synthesized mixed menu screen data ( 5 to 7) is selected as an output, and image data, menu screen data, or mixed menu screen data of the broadcast channel selected here are provided to the display side, not shown.

Accordingly, an image signal of a satellite broadcast channel may be displayed on a monitor on the display side, not shown, or a menu screen as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 may be displayed as an example.

Next, a process of providing a user interface menu service according to the present invention using the menu service apparatus according to the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described in detail.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing a menu service according to a user's request in a satellite broadcasting receiver according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

First, the menu service method according to the present invention can be applied to any user interface employed in the satellite broadcasting receiver. However, in the present embodiment, for the purpose of convenience of explanation and improvement of understanding, the administrator intends to limit the viewing time of the registered viewer. The case will be described as an example.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the satellite broadcasting receiver is in a viewing mode in which a satellite broadcasting program selected by a user is broadcasted (step 302), the control block 110 receives a menu service request signal for limiting viewing according to a user's operation. (Step 304), if the check result menu service request signal is input in step 304, the main menu screen from the memory block 204 of Fig. 2 is controlled according to the control from the control block 110. Data is retrieved, and the extracted main menu screen data is stored in the first buffer memory 208 and provided to the display side (step 306). Thus, on the monitor, as shown in FIG. 4 as an example, a main menu screen including a plurality of selection items (that is, GUIDE item, MINI-GUIDE item, MANAGER item, CALENDER item, etc.) is displayed (step 308). . In this case, the switching block 206 of FIG. 2 is in a state where the contacts a-c are connected, and the second buffer memory 210 is in a disabled state.

When the main menu screen is displayed on the monitor as described above, the control block 110 checks whether or not the cursor used to select the item is located (step 310), and the result of the check in this step 310 Is located at an item, for example, a "MANAGER item", the submenu screen data corresponding to the "MANAGER item" switched in the switching block 206 to ab and withdrawn from the memory block 204 is a data reduction block. It is reduced as data for the sub menu screen through 212 and then provided to the image output block 120 through L23. At the same time, the main menu screen data read from the first buffer memory 208 is provided to the image output block 120 via the line L21 in accordance with the read enable signal RE1 from the control block 110.

Accordingly, in the image output block 120 of FIG. 1, in response to the selection switching control signal provided from the control block 110 through the line L19, the auxiliary menu screen data provided through the line L23 is provided through the line L21. By combining to a predetermined portion of the menu screen, the mixed menu screen data obtained by combining the main menu screen data and the sub menu screen data is transferred to the display side. As a result, on the monitor not shown, as shown in FIG. 5 as an example, a mixed menu screen on which a submenu screen (reference A) is synthesized is displayed on a part of the main menu screen (step 312).

That is, in the present invention, whenever the cursor is moved to each selection item on the main menu screen, the submenu screen corresponding to the corresponding item on which the cursor is located (that is, the selection items existing in the submenu screen corresponding to the corresponding item) is used. Menu screen) is displayed composited to a part of the main menu screen.

Next, the control block 110 checks whether any of the plurality of items on the main menu screen is selected by the user (step 314), and the result of the check in this step 314. If one item, for example, a "MANAGER item" is determined to be selected, it is shown in FIG. 6 that corresponds to the "MANAGER item" selected from the memory block 204 of FIG. 2 under control from the control block 110. The management option screen data as described above is extracted, and the extracted management option screen data is stored in the second buffer memory 210 and provided to the display side via the contact ac of the switching block 206 (step 316). At the same time, the main menu screen data read from the first buffer memory 208 is provided to the image output block 120 via the line L21 in accordance with the read enable signal RE1 from the control block 110.

Accordingly, in the image output block 120 of FIG. 1, in accordance with the selection switching control signal provided from the control block 110 through the line L19, the management option screen data provided through the line L23 and the main provided through the line L21. Combining the menu screen data, that is, the two screen data are synthesized so that the main menu screen appears transparent and the management option screen, which is the selected submenu screen, appears clearly, and then transfers the synthesized mixed menu screen data to the display side.

As a result, on the monitor not shown, as shown in FIG. 6 as an example, the main menu screen is displayed transparently, and a plurality of selection items (that is, System test item, Equipment Set up item, Locks and limits item, Mail item, Data service item) and “To. The mixed menu screen synthesized in a form in which the management option screen (ie, the sub-menu screen) including the main menu ”(return item to the main menu screen) 6a is clearly displayed is displayed (step 318).

Here, “To. main menu ”is an item that provides a function to switch directly to the main menu screen when the user makes a selection using the cursor. main menu ”item is present on almost all submenu screens related to the menu service mode for the user interface in the present invention. Therefore, in the present invention, even if the sub menu screen is displayed in any case, the user may select “To. main menu ”item, the main menu screen is directly moved (switched) without going through an intermediate process (i.e., a sequential return process to the previous sub-menu screen which is performed step by step as in the conventional method).

Therefore, in the control block 110, when the sub-menu screen, i.e., the management option screen, is being displayed, the "To. main menu ”item is selected (step 320), and the check here shows“ To. main menu ”item is selected, the submenu screen data (ie, management option screen data) stored in the second buffer memory 210 is cleared (step 322), and the processing proceeds to step 308 described above. And the subsequent process is repeated according to the user's operation.

On the other hand, in the control block 110, "To. main menu ”item is checked in parallel with checking whether any item among a plurality of items on the management option screen is selected by the user (step 324). As a result of the check, if it is determined that one item, for example, the "Locks and limits item" as indicated by the diagonal line in FIG. 6, is selected from the memory block 204 of FIG. 2 according to the control from the control block 110. The option menu screen data as shown in FIG. 7 corresponding to the “Locks and limits item” is retrieved, and the extracted option menu screen data is stored in the second buffer memory 210 (that is, the second buffer memory 210). The management option screen data previously stored in the control panel) is updated to the option menu screen data) and provided to the display side via the contact ac of the switching block 206 (step 326). At the same time, the main menu screen data read from the first buffer memory 208 is provided to the image output block 120 via the line L21 in accordance with the read enable signal RE1 from the control block 110.

The process then returns to step 318 described above and repeats the subsequent process, i.e. on the monitor, as shown in FIG. 7 as an example, the main menu screen is transparent and multiple selection items (i.e., Lock all limits, Change Password, Edit viewer Limits, Add new viewer, Delete viewer) and “To. The mixed menu screen synthesized in such a way that the option menu screen (ie, the sub-menu screen) including the main menu ”(return item to the main menu screen) 7a is clearly displayed will be displayed.

That is, through continuous repetition of the above-described step 318 to step 326, access to the desired sub-menu screen for the user interface is performed, and if the final sub-menu screen desired is provided, the registered viewer Various operations for limiting viewing time of the user will be performed, and these processes will be performed until service termination by the user is required.

At this time, when the cursor is positioned on any item in the aforementioned main menu screen, the submenu screen (for example, the submenu screen for the submenu screen corresponding to the corresponding item is synthesized and displayed on the main menu screen). When the cursor is positioned on any item on the management option screen, the submenu screen (the screen consisting of only the selection items on the option menu screen) for the submenu screen (e.g., the option menu screen) corresponding to the item is displayed. It is synthesized and displayed on the menu screen.

Therefore, if the service request end signal is input in accordance with the user operation as a result of the check in step 328, the process proceeds to step 330 to turn off the currently displayed menu screen (i.e., the sub-menu screen) and view the previous view. It automatically switches to mode.

On the other hand, the menu service method according to the present invention, unlike the above, even if the service request termination signal is not input when providing the menu service for the user interface, a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, etc.) If no other key signal is input for the progress of the user interface, the menu service mode may be automatically interrupted to turn off the currently displayed submenu screen and to automatically switch the satellite broadcasting receiver to the viewing mode.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a satellite broadcasting receiver provides a menu service for a user interface, a main menu screen is synthesized and displayed in a transparent state on various sub-menu screens that are selectively switched, and on various sub-menu screens. By providing a selection item for direct return to the main menu screen, the submenu screen status can be changed to the main menu by performing one simple user operation on any sub menu screen whenever a return to the main menu screen is required. It can be easily switched to the screen state, further enhancing the usability in the user interface.

Claims (5)

An apparatus for providing a menu service for a user interface based on a control from a control block according to a user operation in a satellite broadcasting receiver, The control block, when a menu service request signal for a user interface is input, generates a plurality of control signals for a menu service in response thereto; Menu generating means having main menu screen data having a plurality of selection items and a plurality of sub-menu screen data each having a plurality of items, and selectively drawing out a plurality of menu screen data in response to a control from the control block; A first buffer memory for storing main menu screen data drawn from the menu generating means; Stores sub-menu screen data drawn out from the menu generating means, and saves the sub-menu screen data pre-stored each time another sub-menu screen data is drawn out while one sub-menu screen data is pre-stored. A second buffer memory to be updated and stored in the memory; Means for selectively reducing the submenu screen data to be drawn out according to the control from the control block to generate auxiliary menu screen data having a size at least smaller than that of the pullout submenu screen; And In response to the image selection switching control signal from the control block, the generated auxiliary menu screen is synthesized in a partial area of the main menu screen to be drawn to generate a mixed menu screen or to make the main menu screen to be transparent as a whole. A menu service apparatus in a satellite broadcasting receiver comprising an image output means for generating a different mixed menu screen by clearly combining the sub menu screens drawn out as a whole. The sub-menu screen data of claim 1, wherein the sub-menu screen data is based on the sub-menu screen data corresponding to the cursor-located item when the cursor is positioned on one of a plurality of items on the main menu screen or sub-menu screen. And a menu service apparatus in a satellite broadcasting receiver. The method of claim 1, wherein the image output means, in response to the control from the control block, synthesizes the generated auxiliary menu screen to a partial region of the generated other mixed menu screen to generate another mixed menu screen. Menu service device in a satellite broadcasting receiver, characterized in that. A method of providing a menu service for a user interface according to a menu service request in a satellite broadcasting receiver having a menu generator having a main menu screen and a plurality of sub-menu screen data used for a user interface, Each of the plurality of sub-menu screens has a main screen return item for automatically returning to the main menu screen. The menu service method is: When the menu service request is input in the viewing mode or the standby mode, the main menu screen data having a plurality of items is withdrawn from the menu generator and temporarily stored in a buffer memory, and the displayed main menu screen is displayed on the monitor. A first process of doing; When any one of the plurality of items on the main menu screen is selected as an item for proceeding a menu service during display of the main menu screen, it corresponds to this selection item and has a plurality of items and the main screen return item. A second process of extracting sub-menu screen data from the menu generator and storing the sub-menu screen data in another buffer memory and extracting the main menu screen data stored in the buffer memory; A third step of displaying the mixed menu screen generated by transparently synthesizing the drawn out main menu screen and vividly synthesizing the drawn out sub menu screen on the monitor; When the main screen return item in the mixed menu screen is selected during display of the mixed menu screen, the sub-screen screen data stored in the other buffer memory is cleared at the same time as switching the screen on the monitor to the main menu screen, A fourth process of repeating the second process and the third process; And In order to proceed with the menu service, a menu service in a satellite broadcasting receiver comprising a fifth process of repeatedly performing the second to fourth processes whenever other sub-menu screens corresponding to each item in the sub-menu screen are displayed. Way. The method of claim 4, wherein the menu service method is: Whenever the cursor is located on each of a plurality of items in the main menu screen or sub-menu screen, extracting sub-menu screen data corresponding to the corresponding item and reducing the data to a predetermined size to generate auxiliary menu screen data; Generating another mixed menu screen by synthesizing the generated auxiliary menu screen into a partial region on the main menu screen or a mixed menu screen; And And displaying the generated different mixed menu screen on the monitor.