KR20070071893A - Set top box for the treatment of digital broadcast signal with enhanced features - Google Patents

Abstract

A digital broadcasting signal processing set-top box with improved functions is provided to divide a composite signal transmitted through a single channel into an audio signal and a video signal and mix audio signals of two channels. A digital broadcasting signal processing set-top box(1) includes a first tuner(101) for receiving a first channel among a plurality of broadcasting channels, a second tuner(102) for receiving a second channel, a data processor(200) for processing broadcasting signals received through the first tuner and the second tuner, an RF(Radio Frequency) signal receiver(700) for receiving an RF signal from a user, and a controller(300) for generating a control signal in response to the RF signal. The set-top box further includes a video decoder(400) for decoding a video signal transmitted from the data processor, a first audio decoder(501) for decoding an audio signal of the first channel, a second audio decoder(502) for decoding an audio signal of the second channel, a first multiplier(601) for multiplying the audio signal from the first audio decoder by a multiple value from the controller, and a second multiplier(602) for multiplying the audio signal from the second audio decoder by the multiple value from the controller.

Description

SET TOP BOX FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIGITAL BROADCAST SIGNAL WITH ENHANCED FEATURES}

1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals according to the present invention.

2 shows a user interface for explaining a separation function of audio and video provided by a set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a user interface provided to a user when selecting the “A / V SEPARATE” menu bar of FIG. 2.

Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment of the user interface for explaining the hybrid audio control function provided by the set-top box for digital broadcast signal processing according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the user interface provided to the user when selecting the “MIXED AUDIO CONTROL” menu bar 10c of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a preferred implementation of a user interface for determining the hybridization ratio of the first audio of the first channel and the second audio of the second channel after the setting of FIG. 5 is completed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals with improved functionality, and more particularly, to a set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals with separation of audio / video and hybrid audio control.

The standardization of digital broadcasting is rapidly progressing, and various technical developments are progressing in the fields of transmission of digital signals through a broadcasting network, multiplexing of data, processing video and audio signals, and display of digital television. It is believed that such digital broadcasting will replace conventional analog broadcasting in the near future. Digital broadcasting is capable of compressing information data compared to analog broadcasting, and has excellent transmission speed, sound quality and image quality. Therefore, various contents can be provided to the user in high quality and high sound quality through hundreds of channels.

The client terminal of digital broadcasting is usually composed of a digital broadcasting receiver (simply set-top box) and a television receiver. With the development of digital broadcasting transmission technology, various functions are being added to the set top box. Examples include personal video recording (PVR) or personal digital recording (PDR) functions. Set-top boxes with PVR functionality are simply called "PVR-set top boxes". See US Pat. Nos. 4,839,743, 5,109,482 and 6,895,171 for more details on this. The PVR set-top box is provided with a separate storage, and the user can record and view the desired information in the storage while watching a specific program. Another example is the ordering of video on demand using a set-top box. See US Pat. Nos. 6,853,728, 6,502,139, 6,438,506 and 6,167,496 for further details. However, user needs are becoming more and more diversified, and the demand for new functions that can meet various needs of users is increasing.

An object of the present invention is to provide a set-top box having additional new functions that can meet the various needs of the user. More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a set-top box having additional audio / video separation and hybrid audio control.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals having the improved function includes a first tuner for receiving a first channel among a plurality of broadcast channels, and a second for receiving a second channel among the broadcast channels. A tuner, a data processor for processing a broadcast signal received through the first tuner and a second tuner, an RF signal receiver for receiving an RF signal from a user by operating an input device, and controlling in response to the RF signal A control unit for generating a signal, a video decoder for decoding the video transmitted from the data processing unit, a first audio decoder for decoding audio of a first channel, an audio decoder for decoding audio of a second channel, and A first multiplier that multiplies the audio signal from the first audio decoder corresponding to a magnification value of the first multiplier; And a second multiplier for doubling the audio signal from the second audio decoder corresponding to the magnification value.

The set-top box having the above-described hardware configuration can perform audio / video separation by a combination of an application layer or a middleware layer having a function of supporting input of a first channel for receiving video from a user and a second channel for receiving audio. Can provide. Specifically, the set-top box, as an application layer or middleware layer, provides a user interface that supports input of a first channel for receiving video from a user and a second channel for receiving audio, thereby providing a second channel of the second channel. While the audio is used as the background sound source, the video of the first channel may be provided to the user through the user screen.

Furthermore, the set top box having the hardware configuration described above has an application layer having a function of supporting selection of a first channel and a second channel and input of a hybrid ratio of first audio of a first channel and second audio of a second channel. Alternatively, the hybrid audio control function may be additionally provided by combining with the middleware layer. In detail, the set-top box is an application layer or middleware layer, and includes a user interface that supports selection of a first channel and a second channel and input of a hybrid ratio of first audio of a first channel and second audio of a second channel. This allows the video of the first channel to be displayed on the user screen, and can be provided to the user through the speaker with the audio of the first channel and the audio of the second channel mixed.

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

1 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals according to the present invention. 2 shows a user interface for explaining a separation function of audio and video provided by a set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the set top box 1 according to the present invention includes two tuners (a first tuner 101 and a second tuner 102, integrating " 100 "), and a data processor 200. A control unit 300 for generating a control signal, a video decoder 400, two audio decoders (a first audio decoder 501 and a second audio decoder 502, collectively "500"), two The multiplier (the first multiplier 601 and the second multiplier 602, “600” in combination), and the RF signal receiver 700 are included.

Among the two tuners 100, the first tuner 101 receives a first channel among broadcast channel signals transmitted through a broadcast network, and the second tuner 102 receives a second channel. For example, suppose a user is watching a soccer game broadcast through channel number 100. At this time, the user may want to listen to JAZZ music provided through the channel number 200 while watching a video screen of a football game broadcast through the channel number 100. In other words, you may want to watch the soccer match video of channel number 100 using JAZZ music provided through channel number 200 as the background music. Conventional methods do not meet the needs of these users. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set top box provides a separation function between audio and video. This function is combined with a hardware layer of the set-top box having the configuration of FIG. 1, an application layer or a middleware layer having separation of audio and video, and an input of an audio receiving channel and an audio receiving channel from a user. Is achieved by Specifically, a user interface of the type shown in FIG. 2 is provided by the application layer or the middleware layer.

2, an "A / V BOUND" menu bar 10a and an "A / V SEPARATE" menu bar 10b are provided. Here, the "A / V BOUND" menu bar 10a means that audio and video provided from one channel are bundled with each other. Specifically, when the user selects the channel number 100, it means that the video and audio provided through the channel number 100 are bundled with each other. Thus, the video of the soccer game is displayed on the television screen, and the audio of the narrator of the soccer game is output through the speaker. This is the same as a conventional viewing pattern. Normally this option is provided as a default. Meanwhile, according to the present invention, an "A / V SEPARATE" menu bar 10b is further provided. The "A / V SEPARATE" menu bar 10b indicates that audio and video provided in one channel are separated from each other. This " A / V SEPARATE " menu bar 10b enables the user to watch by a combination of video of the first channel and audio of the second channel. In detail, the combination of the soccer game screen provided through the channel number 100 and the JAZZ music provided through the channel number 200 enables the user to watch the soccer game video displayed on the screen with the JAZZ music as a background.

3 is a preferred embodiment of a user interface provided to a user when selecting the "A / V SEPARATE" menu bar 10b of FIG. The selection of the "A / V SEPARATE" menu bar 10b allows two channels to be selected by separating "audio" and "video". As shown in FIG. 2 (A), a football match provided through channel number 100 as a "video" was selected. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the user selected JAZZ music provided through the channel number 200 as "audio". In the user interface of FIG. 2, the user can change the selection for "video" and "audio" through the operation of the up and down arrow keys, and also select the channel selected as the "video" channel or "audio" through operation of the left and right arrow keys. You can make changes to the channel. The user's selection is transferred to the controller 300 shown in FIG. 1. The controller 300 transmits a control signal to tune the channel number 100 to the first tuner 101 and a control signal to tune the channel number 200 to the second tuner 102. The composite signal of the audio and video of the football match broadcasted through channel number 100 is transmitted through the first tuner 101, and is decoded by the data processing unit 200 (this usually includes a descrambler and a demultiplexer). Scrambling and demultiplexing separate audio and video. Thereafter, the video from the data processor 200 is delivered to the video decoder 400, and the audio is delivered to the first audio decoder 501, where the video and the audio are decoded, respectively. The video signal decoded by the video decoder 400 is displayed on the user screen. Meanwhile, the audio signal decoded by the first audio decoder 501 is output to the first multiplier 601. At this time, the magnification value of the first multiplier 601 is set to "O" by the control signal from the control unit 300. Thus, the audio decoded by the first audio decoder 501 is lost.

The broadcast signal of channel number 200 received through the second tuner 101 is processed by the data processor 200 in the same manner. Then, the audio received through the second tuner 102 is passed to the second audio decoder 502, where the decoding of the audio is performed. The audio signal decoded by the second audio decoder 502 is output to the second multiplier 602. At this time, the magnification value of the second multiplier 602 is set to "1" by the control signal from the control unit 300. Therefore, the audio decoded by the second audio decoder 501 is output through the speaker. Through this control, the video of the first channel (Football game of channel number 100) received through the first tuner 101 while listening to the audio (JAZZ music of channel number 200) received through the second tuner 102. You can watch. In conclusion, by combining the video of one channel and the audio of another channel among the two channel signals transmitted through the first tuner 101 and the second tuner 102, the user can obtain another satisfaction. have.

According to a more preferred embodiment according to the invention, the set-top box having the above-described configuration, in addition to the audio / video separation function, additionally has a hybrid audio control function. This function is achieved by a combination with an application layer or a middleware layer having the function of supporting the selection of the first audio and the second audio and the input of the mixing ratio thereof.

4 is a user interface for explaining a hybrid audio control function provided by a set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, an "A / V BOUND" menu bar 10a, an "A / V SEPARATE" menu bar 10b, and a "MIXED AUDIO CONTROL" menu bar 10c are provided. Selection of the "A / V BOUND" menu bar 10a and the "A / V SEPARATE" menu bar 10b has already been described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The selection of the "MIXED AUDIO CONTROL" menu bar 10c allows two channels to be selected, similar to the selection of the "A / V SEPARATE" menu bar 10b. This may be specified in detail, with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a preferred embodiment of a user interface provided to a user when the "MIXED AUDIO CONTROL" menu bar 10c of Fig. 4 is selected. As shown in Fig. 5 (A), the user has selected a soccer game provided through the channel number “100” as the first channel, and as shown in Fig. 5 (B), the channel number as the second channel. A JAZZ music provided over 200 was selected, at which point a user interface is provided that prompts for input of the hybrid ratio for the audio of the first channel and the audio of the second channel. Desirable user interface As shown in Fig. 6, a specific user determined the hybrid ratio of the first channel and the second channel to 65:35. In the user interface shown in Fig. 6, the adjustment of the hybrid ratio is performed by the user's remote control. When the setting for "MIXED AUDIO CONTROL" is completed by the user, the setting of the user is shown in FIG. The control unit 300 transmits a control signal to tune the channel number 100 to the first tuner 101 and transmits a control signal to tune the channel number 200 to the second tuner 102. The composite signal of audio and video is transmitted through the first tuner 101, descrambled and demultiplexed by the data processor 200, and the video and audio are separated. )from The video is delivered to the video decoder 400, the audio is transmitted to the first audio decoder 501, and decoded in place, respectively, the video and audio. The video signal decoded by the video decoder 400 is displayed on the user screen. Meanwhile, the first audio signal decoded by the first audio decoder 501 is output to the first multiplier 601. At this time, the magnification value of the first multiplier 601 is set to "0.65" by the control signal from the control unit 300. Audio multiplied by the magnification value of the first multiplier 601 is output through the speaker.

The broadcast signal of channel number 200 received through the second tuner 101 is processed by the data processor 200 in the same manner. Then, the second audio received via the second tuner 102 is delivered to the second audio decoder 502, where decoding of the second audio is performed. The second audio signal decoded by the second audio decoder 502 is output to the second multiplier 602. At this time, the magnification value of the second multiplier 602 is set to "0.35" by the control signal from the control unit 300. The second audio doubled by the magnification value of the second multiplier 602 is output through the speaker. Through the above process, the video of the first channel (Football game of channel number 100) received through the first tuner 101 is displayed on the user screen, and the first audio received through the first tuner 101 ( The football match audio of channel number 100 and the second audio (JAZZ music of channel number 200) received through the second tuner 102 are mixed through a speaker in a ratio of 65:35. Such a service allows a user to simultaneously enjoy the audio provided by the game and the music delivered through the second channel while watching the game displayed on the user screen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a function of providing a user interface supporting input of a first channel for receiving video from a user and a second channel for receiving audio, selection of a first channel and a second channel, and The function of providing a user interface for supporting the input of the hybrid ratio of the first audio of the first channel and the second audio of the second channel is preferably provided by the application layer. Furthermore, it is desirable that these audio / video separation functions and mixed audio functions be provided by one application.

The set top box for processing digital broadcast signals according to the present invention provides a user with a new viewing pattern. In detail, the user may watch the video of the first channel and the audio of the second channel while separating the composite signal of the audio and the video transmitted through one channel. In addition, it is possible to watch the video of the first channel while using the mixed audio of the audio of the first channel and the audio of the second channel as the background sound source.

Claims (3)

A hardware layer comprising: a first tuner for receiving a first channel among a plurality of broadcast channels, a second tuner for receiving a second channel among the broadcast channels, and a broadcast signal received through the first tuner and the second tuner. A data processor for processing, an RF signal receiver for receiving an RF signal from a user by manipulation of an input device, a controller for generating a control signal in response to the RF signal, and a video for decoding the video transmitted from the data processor. A decoder, a first audio decoder for decoding audio of a first channel, an audio decoder for decoding audio of a second channel, and an audio signal from the first audio decoder corresponding to a magnification value from the controller. The audio signal from the second audio decoder is multiplied to correspond to the first multiplier and the magnification value from the controller. The second digital broadcast signal processing for the set-top box comprising an multipliers. The method of claim 1, wherein the set-top box, as an application layer or middleware layer, provides a user interface that supports input of a first channel for receiving video from a user and a second channel for receiving audio. A set-top box for processing digital broadcast signals, wherein a video of a first channel is provided to a user through a user screen while using two channels of audio as a background sound source. The method of claim 1, wherein the set-top box, as an application layer or middleware layer, supports selection of a first channel and a second channel and input of a hybrid ratio of the first audio of the first channel and the second audio of the second channel. And a video of the first channel is displayed on the user screen, and the first broadcast is provided to the user through the speaker with the audio of the first channel and the audio of the second channel mixed. Set top box for signal processing.

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