KR20070013065A - Method and apparatus for updating changing channel information - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for updating change channel information are provided to reset and update a favorite channel, a recording channel, or a skip channel, which is preset, as changed channel information when automatically searching channels in case that a channel for a broadcasting program is changed by conditions of a broadcasting station. A control unit sets a change channel information update function(S402). The control unit receives a broadcasting signal in a corresponding update time, acquires PAT(Program Association Table) information, and temporarily stores the acquired PAT information(S404-S408). The control unit compares the PAT information with predetermined channel information(S410). When the PAT information is different from the predetermined channel information(S412), the control unit updates the predetermined channel information as change channel information included in the PAT information(S414).

Description

Method and device for updating changing channel information {Method and Apparatus for Updating Changing Channel Information}

1 is a view for explaining a preferred channel designation method in a conventional digital TV,

2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of an apparatus for updating changed channel information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of updating changed channel information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

200: change channel information update device 210: tuner

220: Demux 230: Video Buffer

232: video decoder 240: audio buffer

242: audio decoder 250: data buffer

260: OSD generation unit 270: Control unit

272: memory 280: key input processing unit

290: remote control 310: NIM tuner

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for updating changed channel information. More particularly, when a channel for a broadcast program is changed due to a broadcaster in a TV or the like, a preferred channel, a recording reservation channel, or a skip channel previously set The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for updating changed channel information for resetting and updating the channel information to the changed channel information during automatic channel search.

In general, the number of channels expected in digital television is tens of times higher than that of current analog television, and there are about 100 channels in the United States. Therefore, in digital multi-channel broadcasting, dozens to hundreds of channels are provided, which increases the choice of viewers and at the same time makes program selection more complex. In order to solve such a problem, the channel mainly used by the user in all channels stored in the digital TV is designated as a favorite channel through a channel editing function.

1 is a view for explaining a preferred channel designation method in a conventional digital TV.

When the user executes a preferred channel function through a remote controller or the like while watching digital broadcasting, the digital TV displays a channel table on an OSD (On Screen Display) screen as shown in FIG. Therefore, the user selects a channel number to be designated as a preferred channel by using the Up or Down key on the remote controller. For example, as shown in FIG. Select channel 1, channel 20, channel 33, etc. and set it as the preferred channel. When the user determines only whether the preferred channel is set for the selected channel, the digital TV stores the list of channels set as the preferred channel as the preferred channel list as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, when the user selects a favorite channel function by using a key input in order to switch to the favorite channel on the currently viewed broadcast channel, the digital TV displays the channel registered as the favorite channel through the OSD screen as shown in FIG. When the user changes a channel using the up or down key as shown in (c) of FIG. 1 through a remote controller or a key panel, or presses a favorite channel key provided in the remote controller, channels registered as a favorite channel are sequentially turned on. Will change.

On the other hand, the user may set a skip channel, a deletion channel, a recording reservation channel, etc. in addition to the above-described preferred channel, and this is usefully used when watching a broadcast program through a digital TV.

However, in a broadcaster that provides a service for transmitting each broadcast program through a corresponding channel, when a channel for the corresponding program is changed due to a technology expansion or a broadcast program transfer, a user may watch a corresponding broadcast program. One tuning is that it is not easy to recognize the channel change.

In addition, when the user designates a channel and sets the reserved recording, but the recording target channel is changed, there is a problem in that the corresponding program of the reserved channel desired by the user is not recorded or recorded by another broadcast program.

When the user learns to change the channel by tuning a number of times while watching a broadcast program, to change a favorite channel or skip channel that has been previously set according to the changed channel information, the user can find the corresponding channel by using the remote controller and reset it. There is a cumbersome problem to do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention, when the channel for the broadcast program is changed due to the broadcaster in the TV (TV), the previously set the preferred channel, recording reservation channel, skip channel, etc. previously changed during automatic channel search It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for updating changed channel information for resetting and updating channel information.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for updating changed channel information, comprising: a tuner unit configured to receive a broadcast signal of a transport stream and tune to a set channel; A data buffer for temporarily storing PAT information obtained from the broadcast signal; When the user sets the channel information update function, the time is counted, the PAT information is obtained from the broadcast signal at the corresponding date and time, temporarily stored in the data buffer, and the channel search is executed to preset the channel information. A controller configured to compare channel information with the PAT information and update the changed channel information included in the PAT information when the channel information is different from each other; And a preset channel information including a preference channel, a recording reservation channel, and a skip channel set by a user, and a memory storing newly added channel information or changed channel information.

In addition, the change channel information update method according to another object of the present invention, the first step of setting the change channel information update function; Receiving a broadcast signal at a corresponding update time, acquiring PAT information, and temporarily storing the PAT information in a buffer; And comparing the preset channel information with the changed channel information included in the PAT information when the preset channel information is compared with the PAT information. It is characterized by.

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

First of all, in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are used as much as possible even if displayed on different drawings.

In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

2 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration of an apparatus for updating changed channel information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The change channel information updater 200 according to the present invention has a configuration applied to a digital TV, and includes a tuner 210, a demux 220, a video buffer 230, a video decoder 232, an audio buffer 240, The audio decoder 242, the data buffer 250, the controller 260, the memory 270, the key input processor 280, the remote controller 290, and the like are included.

The tuner 210 is for receiving a digital broadcast signal by tuning a specific broadcast channel according to a channel tuning command from the controller 260, and the demux 220 is an MPEG of a digital broadcast signal received through the tuner 210. It is for parsing the transport stream into video, audio and data signals.

The video buffer 230 is for buffering and temporarily storing the video signal parsed by the demux 220, and the video decoder 232 decodes the video signal through the video buffer 230 to enable playback of the original video. To restore to the signal.

The audio buffer 240 is for buffering and temporarily storing the audio signal parsed by the demux 220, and the audio decoder 242 decodes the audio signal through the audio buffer 240 to enable playback of original audio. The data buffer 250 is for buffering and temporarily storing the data signal parsed by the demux 220.

The OS D generator 260 outputs a popup screen to select and set an additional channel.

When the user sets the channel information update function by inputting the date and time through the remote controller 290, the controller 270 counts the time based on the time provided in the network interface table (NIT) information. PAT (Program Association Table) information is acquired from a broadcast signal and temporarily stored in the data buffer 250, and the channel search is executed to execute the channel search, and the PIE stored in the data buffer 250 is stored. It compares the information and it is controlled to update to the new channel information in the case of the other channel information.

In addition, the controller 270 compares the preset channel information with the PAT information, and when the added channel is found, the controller 270 provides program information about the corresponding additional channel through the OS D generator 260. Provided as a pop-up screen, controls the user to select and set additional channels.

The memory 272 stores setting data about a preference channel, a recording reservation channel, a skip channel, etc. set by a user, and stores newly added channel information or changed channel information.

The key input processor 280 wirelessly receives a command for changing channel update or a signal for channel selection from the remote controller 290 and transmits the signal to the controller 270.

The remote controller 290 includes a change channel update function key according to the present invention, or executes key input for a change channel update, and performs key input for channel selection.

Meanwhile, in the configuration of the change channel information updating apparatus 200, when the tuner 210 receives and tunes an analog broadcast signal, a network interface module (NIM) tuner (NIM) as shown in FIG. 310 may be attached to receive a digital broadcast signal. Accordingly, the control unit 270 may perform a predetermined period of time for which the change channel information update function is set based on the time information obtained from the transport stream network interface table (NIT) received through the NIT tuner 310. Automatic channel search is performed every time.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of updating changed channel information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the user sets the change channel information update function so that the change channel information update apparatus 200 automatically updates the changed channel information every predetermined period (S402).

That is, the user operates the remote controller 290 to input a change channel update function key or to perform a key input for selecting a change channel update setting menu from among a plurality of menus, and accordingly, the control unit 270 updates the change channel information function. Requires input of setting data according to the present invention, and the user inputs a current search date and time, for example, July 22, 2005, 13:00, sets to update the changed channel information by searching once per week, or the next search date, for example. Set the change channel information update function by inputting setting data such as 11:00, July 25, 2005, or 14:00, July 30, 2005.

The controller 270 stores the setting data for the change channel information update in the memory 272 (S404). At this time, the memory 272 stores the preferred channel information, the recording reservation information, the skip channel information, the deleted channel information, and the like.

Subsequently, the controller 270 periodically performs counting based on the time information provided from the transport stream TS NIT information to determine whether the set time of the change channel information update is reached (S406).

Therefore, when the update time of the corresponding set channel information is reached, the control unit 270 receives a broadcast signal through the tuner 210 or the NIM tuner 310, obtains PAT information from the broadcast signal, and transmits the PAT information to the data buffer 250. Temporary storage (S408).

Here, the PAT information is included in the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information transmitted with the broadcast signal, each program number includes a component of the program, a transport packet for transmitting PMT (Program Map Table) information Pointer to the PID.

In addition, the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is defined in the Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP), together with System Information (SI), which transmits and receives A / V data in MPEG-2 video and AC-3 audio formats. And, it is composed of several tables to transmit information about channels of each broadcasting station and information about each program of the channel.

At this time, channel information for channel selection and packet identification number (PID) for receiving A / V are transmitted through a virtual channel table (VCT), and EPG information of broadcast programs of each channel is EIT. It is transmitted through each event information table. In addition, the EIT has a title, a start time, and the like, which are information about an event of a virtual channel, and an event is in most cases a typical TV program.

In addition, PSIP includes a System Time Table (STT) for time information, a RRT (Rating Region Table) for transmitting information on regions and deliberation institutions for program grades, and an ETT for additional explanation of channels and broadcast programs. (Extender Text Table) and MGT (Master Guide Table) for version and PID management of each of these tables.

On the other hand, the control unit 270 is preset and stored in the memory 272, channel information such as recording reservation information, deletion channel information, skip channel information, and the like, and PAT information obtained through the currently received broadcast signal. Are compared with each other to check whether the set channel information is different from the currently broadcast channel information (S410).

At this time, as the broadcast program is transmitted to the changed channel due to the broadcaster's circumstances, the PAT information including the changed channel information is different from the previously stored channel information.

Therefore, when it is determined that the PAT information and the pre-stored channel information are different from each other (S412), the controller 270 changes the channel information set in the memory 272 or the channel information set in the TV to be included in the PAT information. The channel information is updated and stored in the memory 272 (S414).

In addition, the controller 270 compares the preset channel information with the PAT information in step S410, and when an additional channel is found, the program for the corresponding additional channel through the OS D generator 260. Information is provided in a pop-up screen so that the user can select additional channels and set new ones.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a channel for a broadcast program is changed due to a broadcaster in a TV or the like, a channel which is changed during automatic channel search for a previously set preferred channel, a recording reservation channel, a skip channel, and the like. It is possible to realize a method and apparatus for updating changed channel information to reset and update the information.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the channel is changed due to the broadcaster, it is not necessary to reset channel information about the previously set preferred channel, skip channel, recording reservation channel, etc., so that the user's convenience in using the TV. Can be greatly improved.

In addition, when a user designates a channel and sets a reserved recording, even if a channel of a broadcast program is changed due to a broadcaster, the scheduled recording may not be executed or another broadcast program is recorded according to the channel change. There is.

Claims (8)

A tuner unit which receives a broadcast signal of a transport stream and tunes into a set channel; A data buffer for temporarily storing PAT (Program Association Table) information obtained from the broadcast signal; When the user sets the channel information update function, the time is counted, the PAT information is obtained from the broadcast signal at the corresponding date and time, temporarily stored in the data buffer, and the channel search is executed to execute a preset channel. A controller configured to compare the information with the PAT information and update the changed channel information included in the PAT information when the channel information is different from each other; And The apparatus for updating changed channel information, comprising: a preset channel information including a preferred channel, a recording reservation channel, and a skip channel set by a user; and a memory storing newly added channel information or changed channel information; . The method of claim 1, And an OSD generation unit for outputting a pop-up screen so that an additional channel can be selected and set. The method of claim 2, The controller, when the additional channel is found by comparing the preset channel information and the PAT information, provides the program information on the additional channel as a pop-up screen through an OSD generation unit. And controlling the user to select and set the additional channel. The method of claim 1, And the tuner is a network interface module (NIM) tuner for receiving a network interface table (NIT) of a transport stream from the broadcast signal. . Setting a change channel information update function; Receiving a broadcast signal at a corresponding update time, acquiring PAT information, and temporarily storing the PAT information in a buffer; And And comparing the preset channel information with the changed channel information included in the PAT information when the preset channel information is different from the PAT information. Characterized in that the change channel information update method. The method of claim 5, The first step is to input and set the data for the date and time to execute the update and the update cycle, and to store the setting data in the memory, characterized in that for updating the channel information. The method of claim 5, In the second step, the corresponding update time may be determined by performing periodic counting based on time information provided from a network interface table (NIT) of a transport stream. How to update channel information. The method of claim 5, In the third step, when an additional channel is found by comparing the preset channel information with the PAT information, program information on the additional channel is displayed as a popup screen through an OSD generation unit. Providing, so that a user can select and set the additional channel.

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