KR20050027557A - Set-top box connected displays and a communnication method between displays - Google Patents

Abstract

A set-top box connected to a plurality of display devices and a method for communicating between the display devices are provided to perform intercommunication between the display devices. If a display device is selected as a communication object among a plurality of display devices(210,220), an infrared remote controller(250) transmits an infrared signal in a distance within the first radius from a set-top box(200). If a display device is selected as a communication object among a plurality of the display devices, at least one RF(Radio Frequency) remote controller(260) transmits an RF signal in a distance within the second radius from the set-top box. An infrared signal receiving unit(255) receives the infrared signal transmitted from the infrared remote controller, and generates a code signal corresponding to the received infrared signal. An RF signal receiving unit(265) receives the RF signal transmitted from the RF remote controller, and generates a code signal corresponding to the received RF signal. A control unit(205) transmits a message corresponding to the code signal generated by the infrared signal receiving unit or the RF signal receiving unit to the display device.

Description

Set-top box connected displays and a communnication method between displays}

The present invention relates to a set-top box having a plurality of tuners, and more particularly, to a set-top box that can increase the convenience of users using a plurality of displays connected to the set-top box.

Since the broadcast was officially broadcast, the TV for receiving the broadcast has been spreading faster than any other media and has produced a lot of broadcast contents.

In addition, it is true that the role of TV in the transmission of knowledge and information sharing can never be overlooked. However, in order to produce and transmit broadcasting programs, investment of certain facilities and capital was required at the same time, and this limitation was insufficient to catch up with the demands of various consumers.

As part of meeting these demands, an early cable television station needs specialized equipment with less investment than the existing over-the-air television station, and requires a separate device for watching cable TV in addition to the antenna for watching conventional TV. That's the Set-Top Box (STB).

The set-top box classified as the first generation made it possible to watch various cable TV channels, but could only serve as a unidirectional reception relay. In contrast, the digital set-top boxes classified as the second generation not only have a function of placing on a TV set, but their own roles become clearer like other home appliances, and various functions and additional services can be operated. . Digital set-top boxes are actually special computers that can send and receive data over the Internet. They also have protocols such as web browsers and TCP / IP.

Therefore, it is clear that set-top boxes will be the core of digital TV as much as the niche market until digital TV succeeds in commercialization and the price of TV receivers drops to the level at which mass distribution is possible.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a typical set top box. Referring to the drawing, the set top box 100 includes a cable signal receiver 120, a storage unit 131, a controller 133, a graphics processor 135, and an interface unit 150. Here, the cable signal receiver 120, the controller 131, the storage 133, the graphics processor 135, and the interface 150 are connected to each other via the system bus 140.

Meanwhile, the cable signal receiver 120 includes a tuner 121, a demodulator 123, a demultiplexer 125, and a decoder 127. The interface unit 150 also includes a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter) 151 and a line driver / receiver 153.

The tuner 121 receives a video signal, an audio signal, data, etc. coming from a satellite, terrestrial wave, or a cable, and transmits the received video signal to the demodulator 123.

The demodulator 123 is responsible for sampling the analog signal and converting it into a digital bit stream. The Mpeg-2 stream is composed of PIDs (Packet IDs) and distinguished, and the demultiplexer 125 decompresses the audio signal, the video signal, and the data to the decoder 127 based on the PID. Here, in the case of a stream encrypted for commercial reasons (paid channel, etc.), a routine for decrypting and transmitting the password is required, and this role is played by a descriptor (not shown).

The decoder 127 decodes the video / audio signal from the demodulator 123 and the demultiplexer 125 into a signal that can be actually detected by the viewer, and outputs the decoded signal to a TV and / or a speaker.

The controller 131 plays a main role of controlling and managing each element in the set top box 100, such as a real-time operating system, a hard disk drive (HDD) (not shown), and a graphics processor 135. In addition, the controller 131 may be in charge of data processing parts such as a web service request and response, and an e-mail reception. Here, the real-time OS refers to software for driving and controlling each element of the set-top box and processing input and output with a viewer (operator).

The storage unit 133 is a storage such as operation data required for the operation of the control unit 131 and internal data to be temporarily stored, and more memory is required as a faster operation is required. Types of memory used in the set-top box 100 include a flash memory used for software upgrades, a temporary storage RAM, a kernel or an I / O system loaded with EEPROM.

The graphic processor 135 is in charge of graphic processing for overlaying the received data on a TV screen or displaying a web page on the TV screen.

Meanwhile, RS232C (Recommended Standard 232 Revision C), IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics), PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association), SCSI, to connect the set-top box 100 and external devices, or to exchange data between internal devices. (Small Computer System Interface), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), and Smart Card are provided.

Recently, as many homes have a plurality of display devices, users are required to simultaneously receive a plurality of digital broadcasts. However, in order to receive a plurality of digital broadcasts in one home, a plurality of set-top boxes must be provided, and the addition of set-top boxes causes a considerable cost burden.

Accordingly, a new concept set-top box has been developed to meet the needs of users who want to simultaneously receive a plurality of digital broadcasts and to prevent the problem of additional cost of the set-top box. One such set top box of the new concept is a set top box with a plurality of tuners.

However, such a set top box does not yet support communication between a plurality of displays connected to the set top box. In particular, when a plurality of users are playing the same game through different displays connected to the set-top box, or when each display is installed in a different space, communication between each display is further required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to meet the above requirements, and an object thereof is to provide a set-top box and a communication method capable of communicating between a plurality of connected displays.

A set top box according to the present invention for achieving the above object, a set top box having a plurality of tuners, and transmitting a broadcast signal received through a plurality of the tuner to each corresponding display, a plurality of the display A first remote controller that selects a display of a communication target, and transmits an infrared signal at a distance within a first radius of the set top box, and selects a display of a communication target among a plurality of displays, and a second radius from the set top box At least one second remote controller for transmitting a radio frequency signal within a distance, an infrared signal receiver for receiving the infrared signal transmitted from the first remote controller and generating a code signal corresponding to the received infrared signal; Receiving and receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted from the second remote controller. And displaying a message corresponding to the code signal generated by the infrared signal receiver and / or the radio frequency signal receiver, for generating a code signal corresponding to the radio frequency signal. It characterized in that it comprises a control unit for transmitting to.

Preferably, the first remote controller and the second remote controller, respectively,

It includes a plurality of character input keys for inputting a character.

The set top box may further include an on screen display (OSD) storage unit configured to store a plurality of messages, wherein the controller detects a message corresponding to the code signal among the plurality of messages stored in the OSD storage unit. It is preferable to transmit to the corresponding display of the communication target.

The first remote controller and the second remote controller may further include a display selection key for inputting a command for displaying the message stored in the OSD storage unit on a display near the most of the plurality of displays. And transmitting an infrared signal / radio frequency signal corresponding to the selected message among the plurality of messages displayed by the display selection key.

On the other hand, the set-top box according to the invention, (a) selecting a display of the communication target of the plurality of displays connected to the set-top box and transmitting an infrared signal at a distance within a first radius from the set-top box, (b) the receiving the infrared signal transmitted by step (a) and generating a code signal corresponding to the received infrared signal; and (c) receiving a message corresponding to the code signal generated by step (b). It provides a communication method between the display connected to the set-top box comprising the step of transmitting to the display of the communication target.

The communication method between the display, (d) selecting a display of the communication target of the plurality of displays connected to the set-top box and transmitting a radio frequency signal at a distance within a second radius from the set-top box, (e) the ( receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted by step d) and generating a code signal corresponding to the received radio frequency signal; and (f) a message corresponding to the code signal generated by step (e). It is preferable to further include the step of transmitting to the display of the communication target.

Preferably, the communication method between the display further comprises (g) selecting at least one of a plurality of character input keys for inputting characters, wherein step (a) is selected by step (g). The infrared signal is transmitted in correspondence with the character input key.

Preferably, the communication method between the display further comprises (h) selecting at least one of a plurality of character input keys for inputting a character, wherein step (d) is performed by the step (h). The radio frequency signal is transmitted in response to the selected character input key.

Advantageously, the communication method between said displays further comprises (i) storing a plurality of messages in an OSD storage, and (j) reading said message corresponding to said code signal from said OSD storage. And transmits the read message to the display of the communication target.

Preferably, the communication method between the display, (k) inputting a command for displaying a plurality of the messages stored in the OSD storage unit on the display of the shortest of the plurality of displays connected to the set-top box, and (l) selecting at least one of a plurality of said messages displayed on said display at the shortest distance, wherein steps (a) and (d) comprise an infrared signal / radio frequency signal corresponding to said selected message; Send the.

As a result, the set-top box according to the present invention enables communication between a plurality of connected displays to further increase user convenience.

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

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a set top box according to the present invention. Referring to the drawings, the set top box 200 is a tuner 1 (201), tuner 2 (203), the control unit 205, the first image output unit 207, the second image output unit 209, an infrared remote controller ( 250, an infrared signal receiver 255, a radio frequency (IR) remote controller 260, a radio frequency signal receiver 265, and an OSD storage unit 267. Here, the infrared remote controller 250 includes a character input key 251 and a display selection key 253. In addition, the radio frequency remote controller 260 includes a character input key 261 and a display selection key 263. In addition, the first image output unit 207 and the second image output unit 209 are connected to the external first display 210 and the second display 220, respectively. Although the set top box 200 is illustrated as having two tuners 201 and 203 in the drawing, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of tuners may be provided. In addition, in order to simplify the description of the present invention, the components that perform the general functions of the set-top box 200 are omitted and illustrated, and the descriptions of operations and effects are also omitted.

The tuner 1 201 and the tuner 2 203 each receive a selection signal from a channel selector (not shown) provided to allow a user to select at least one of various broadcast channels, and correspond to the received selection signal. Receives a broadcast signal from a broadcast channel. Also, tuner 1 201 and tuner 2 203 convert the received broadcast signal into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal.

The controller 205 transmits the intermediate frequency signal converted by the tuner 1 201 and the tuner 2 203 to the first image output unit 207 and the second image output unit 209, respectively. The first image output unit 207 and the second image output unit 209 process the received intermediate frequency signals by image signals, and display them on the respective displays 210 and 220. Here, the image signal processing performed by the first image output unit 207 and the second image output unit 209 includes sampling of the received intermediate frequency signal, conversion into a digital bitstream, and decoding processing.

The infrared remote controller 250 selects a display of a communication target among the plurality of displays 210 and 220 connected to the set top box 200 and transmits an infrared signal at a distance within a first radius from the set top box 200. In addition, the radio frequency remote controller 260 selects a display of the communication target among the plurality of displays 210 and 220 connected to the set top box 200, and the radio frequency signal at a distance within a second radius from the set top box 200. Send the. Here, the first radius refers to the distance to directly transmit the infrared signal to the set-top box 200, the second radius refers to the communication distance capable of transmitting the radio frequency signal to the set-top box 200. Therefore, the second radius has a larger value than the first radius.

In addition, in the drawing, since the two displays 210 and 220 are connected to the set top box 200, the user of the first display 210 installed at a short distance from the set top box 200 may have a second display installed in another space. When communicating with the user of 220, the second display 220 becomes a display of the communication target. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the first display 210 is installed in the same space as the set top box 200, and the infrared remote controller 250 is disposed around the first display 210. In addition, the second display 220 is installed in a different space from the set-top box 200, and the radio frequency remote controller 260 is disposed in the vicinity of the second display 220.

The infrared remote controller 250 and the radio frequency remote controller 260 are provided with character input keys 251 and 261, respectively. Each of the character input keys 251 and 261 may be implemented to input Korean characters, English characters, special characters, and the like. For example, each consonant input key and a vowel input key may be provided to input Korean characters. Alternatively, the alphabet may be converted according to the number of times the character input key is pressed to select a specific alphabet.

The infrared remote controller 250 or the radio frequency remote controller 260 is preferably implemented to transmit different infrared signals or radio frequency signals according to the characters selected by the respective character input keys 251 and 261.

The OSD storage unit 267 stores various types of messages. The message stored in the OSD storage unit 267 may be set in advance in the manufacturing process of the set-top box 200, it may be implemented so that the user who purchased the set-top box 200 can be initially set in the product setting process. This type of message could be, for example, "Stay up late and stop sleeping," "Come down with food."

When the OSD storage unit 267 is provided in the set top box 200, the infrared remote controller 250 and the radio frequency remote controller 260 preferably include display selection keys 253 and 263, respectively. The display selection keys 253 and 263 display various types of messages stored in the OSD storage unit 267 on the display 210 or 220 installed at the closest distance from the infrared remote controller 250 or the radio frequency remote controller 260. Enter the command for. When a display command is input through the display selection keys 253 and 263, the infrared remote controller 250 or the radio frequency remote controller 260 transmits a corresponding infrared signal or radio frequency signal. In addition, the user may select any one of a plurality of messages displayed on the display 210 or 220 and input a selection command through the display selection keys 253 and 263. Even in this case, the infrared remote controller 250 or the radio frequency remote controller 260 transmits an infrared signal or a radio frequency signal corresponding to the selection command.

The infrared signal receiver 255 receives the infrared signal transmitted from the infrared remote controller 250 and generates a code signal corresponding to the received infrared signal. In addition, the radio frequency signal receiver 265 receives the radio frequency signal transmitted from the radio frequency remote controller 260 and generates a code signal corresponding to the received radio frequency signal.

The control unit 205 receives a code signal generated by the infrared signal receiver 255 and / or a code signal generated by the radio frequency signal receiver 265 and transmits a message corresponding to the received code signal to each communication target. To the display 210 or 220. That is, when a code signal corresponding to a character is received by the character input keys 251 and 261 of the infrared remote controller 250 and / or the radio frequency remote controller 260, the control unit 205 may receive the code signal. The corresponding character is transmitted to the display 210 or 220 of the communication target. Alternatively, when a selection command is input through the display selection keys 253 and 263, the control unit 205 reads a message corresponding to the selection command from the OSD storage unit 267 and displays it on the display 210 or 220 of the communication target. Mark it.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method by character input of the infrared remote controller of FIG. 2. Here, the first display 210 is installed in the same space as the set-top box 200, the infrared remote controller 250 is disposed around the first display 210. Referring to the drawings, the user selects at least one of the plurality of text input keys 251 included in the infrared remote controller 250 to transmit a message to the second display 220 (S301). The infrared remote controller 250 transmits an infrared signal corresponding to the selected character input key 251 (S303). The infrared signal receiver 255 receives the infrared signal transmitted from the infrared remote controller 250 and generates a code signal corresponding to the received infrared signal (S305). In this case, the infrared remote controller 250 transmits different infrared signals according to the selected character input key 251, and the infrared signal receiver 255 is implemented to generate different code signals according to the received infrared signals. .

The control unit 205 receives the code signal generated by the infrared signal receiving unit 255, and transmits a text message corresponding to the received code signal to the display 220 of the communication target (S307).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method by character input of the radio frequency remote controller of FIG. 2. Here, the second display 220 is installed in a different space from the set top box 200, and the radio frequency remote controller 260 is disposed around the second display 220. Referring to the drawings, in order to transmit a message to the first display 210, the user selects at least one of the plurality of text input keys 261 provided in the radio frequency remote controller 260 (S401). The radio frequency remote controller 260 transmits a radio frequency signal corresponding to the selected character input key 261 (S403). The radio frequency signal receiving unit 265 receives the radio frequency signal transmitted from the radio frequency remote controller 260 and generates a code signal corresponding to the received radio frequency signal (S405). In this case, the radio frequency remote controller 260 transmits different radio frequency signals according to the selected character input key 261, and the radio frequency signal receiver 265 generates different code signals according to the received radio frequency signals. Is implemented.

The control unit 205 receives the code signal generated by the radio frequency signal receiving unit 265, and transmits a text message corresponding to the received code signal to the display 210 of the communication target (S407).

Thus, the user of the first display 210 and the user of the second display 220 may each display the first display 210 or the first display at a distance separated by the infrared remote controller 250 and the radio frequency remote controller 260. 2 A message may be sent to the display 220.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method by reading a stored message of FIG. 2. Here, as described above, the first display 210 is installed in the same space as the set top box 200, and the second display 220 is installed in a different space from the set top box 200. In addition, the infrared remote controller 250 is disposed around the first display 250, and the radio frequency remote controller 260 is disposed around the second display 260.

The OSD storage unit 267 stores a plurality of messages in various forms (S501). The user may display a plurality of messages stored in the OSD storage unit 267 through the display selection keys 253 and 263 included in the infrared remote controller 250 and the radio frequency remote controller 260 at the shortest distance (210 or 220). Enter a command to display on (S503). In this case, in the case of the infrared remote controller 250, the first display 210 is the shortest display, and in the case of the radio frequency remote controller 260, the second display 220 is the shortest display. In addition, the user selects at least one of the plurality of messages displayed on the display 210 or 220 at the shortest distance through the display selection keys 253 and 263 (S505). When the user selects at least one of the plurality of messages, the infrared remote controller 250 and / or radio frequency remote controller 260 transmits an infrared signal and / or radio frequency signal corresponding to the selected message (S507). The infrared signal receiver 255 and / or the radio frequency signal receiver 265 receives an infrared signal and / or a radio frequency signal transmitted by the infrared remote controller 250 and / or the radio frequency remote controller 260, respectively. A corresponding code signal is generated (S509).

The controller 205 receives each code signal generated by the infrared signal receiver 255 and / or the radio frequency signal receiver 265, and reads a message corresponding to the code signal received from the OSD storage unit 267. (S511). In addition, the control unit 205 transmits the read message to the display 210 or 220 of the communication target (S513).

Thus, the user of the first display 210 and the user of the second display 220 may each display the first display 210 or the first display at a distance separated by the infrared remote controller 250 and the radio frequency remote controller 260. 2 A message may be sent to the display 220.

According to the present invention, the set-top box to which the plurality of displays are connected can be mutually communicated between the respective displays, thereby increasing user convenience.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications, as well as such modifications are within the scope of the claims.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a typical set top box,

2 is a block diagram schematically showing a set top box according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method by character input of the infrared remote controller of FIG. 2;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method by character input of the radio frequency remote controller of FIG.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method by reading a stored message of FIG. 2.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

201, 203: tuner 205: control unit

207: first image output unit 209: second image output unit

210: first display 220: second display

250: infrared remote controller 260: radio frequency remote controller

251, 261: character input keys 253, 263: display selection keys

255: infrared signal receiver 265: radio frequency signal receiver

267: OSD storage unit

Claims (10)

A set top box having a plurality of tuners and transmitting the broadcast signals received through the plurality of tuners to respective corresponding displays, A first remote controller which selects a display of a communication target from among the plurality of displays and transmits an infrared signal at a distance within a first radius from the set top box; At least one second remote controller which selects a display of a communication target from among the plurality of displays and transmits a radio frequency signal at a distance within a second radius from the set top box; An infrared signal receiver which receives the infrared signal transmitted from the first remote controller and generates a code signal corresponding to the received infrared signal; A radio frequency signal receiver which receives the radio frequency signal transmitted from the second remote controller and generates a code signal corresponding to the received radio frequency signal; And And a control unit which transmits a message corresponding to the code signal generated by the infrared signal receiver and / or the radio frequency signal receiver to each display of the communication target. The method of claim 1, The first remote controller and the second remote controller, respectively Set-top box comprising a; a plurality of character input keys for entering a character. The method of claim 1, Further comprising: a OSD (On Screen Display) storage unit for storing a plurality of messages, And the control unit detects a message corresponding to the code signal among the plurality of messages stored in the OSD storage unit and transmits the message to the display of the corresponding communication target. The method of claim 3, wherein The first remote controller and the second remote controller, respectively And a display selection key for inputting a command for displaying the message stored in the OSD storage unit on a display of the shortest distance among the plurality of displays. And an infrared signal / radio frequency signal corresponding to the selected message among the plurality of messages displayed by the display selection key. (a) selecting a display of a communication target among a plurality of displays connected to the set top box, and transmitting an infrared signal at a distance within a first radius from the set top box; (b) receiving the infrared signal transmitted by step (a) and generating a code signal corresponding to the received infrared signal; And and (c) transmitting a message corresponding to the code signal generated by step (b) to the display of the communication target. The method of claim 5, (d) selecting a display of a communication target from among the plurality of displays connected to the set top box, and transmitting a radio frequency signal at a distance within a second radius from the set top box; (e) receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted by step (d), and generating a code signal corresponding to the received radio frequency signal; And (f) transmitting a message corresponding to the code signal generated by the step (e) to the display of the communication target; further comprising a display connected to the set-top box. The method of claim 5, (g) selecting at least one of a plurality of character input keys for inputting characters; Wherein (a) is the communication method between the display connected to the set-top box, characterized in that for transmitting the infrared signal corresponding to the character input key selected by the step (g). The method of claim 6, (h) selecting at least one of a plurality of character input keys for inputting characters; The step (d) is a communication method between the display connected to the set-top box, characterized in that for transmitting the radio frequency signal corresponding to the character input key selected by the step (h). The method according to claim 5 or 6, (i) storing the plurality of messages in the OSD storage; And (j) reading the message corresponding to the code signal from the OSD storage; And transmitting the read message to the display of the communication target. The method of claim 9, (k) inputting a command for displaying the plurality of messages stored in the OSD storage unit on a display of the shortest distance among the plurality of displays connected to the set top box; And (l) selecting at least one of a plurality of said messages displayed on said display at the most nearby; (A) and (d) are the communication method between the display connected to the set-top box, characterized in that for transmitting the infrared signal / radio frequency signal corresponding to the selected message.