KR20070074246A - Electronic program guide information service apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for providing EPG(Electronic Program Guide) information are provided to two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally display the EPG information. A tuner and demodulation unit(110) receives multimedia data or EPG information about the multimedia data. An EPG generating unit(200) generates the first field for displaying the entire channel list, the second field for providing time, and the third field for displaying program information of selected channels in the channel list in response to the first and the second fields by using the EPG information. A display unit(142) displays the generated respective fields of the EPG information on a screen.

Description

Electronic program guide information service apparatus and method

1 is a diagram showing an example of outputting conventional electronic program guide information.

2 is a block diagram showing a broadcast receiver for providing electronic program guide information according to the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of outputting electronic program guide information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing electronic program guide information of a broadcast receiver according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of movement of electronic program guide information of a broadcast receiver according to the present invention;

6 is a flow chart showing an example of electronic program guide information editing according to the present invention.

7 is a view showing another example of output of the electronic program guide information to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110 Tuner and demodulator 120 Demultiplexer

130 ... Decoder 131 ... Audio Decoder

132 Video Decoder 133 Data Decoder

141 Speaker 142 Display

150 ... memory 160 ... storage control

170 ... Storage device 180 ... OSD generator

190 ... controller 200 ... EPG generator

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing electronic program guide information, which makes it possible to provide electronic program guide (EPG) information more conveniently.

In digital broadcasting, video and audio streams are compressed into digital information, and system information and program information are compressed and broadcast in accordance with the Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) standard.

The PSIP defines Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information and system information as one standard of ATSC for terrestrial and cable digital broadcasting. It is MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group; ISO / It is defined to provide various information about the program by parsing the messages encoded by the method of IEC 13818-1 system (1997 DEC. Document A / 65). That is, the PSIP transmits and receives A / V data made in MPEG-2 video and AC-3 audio format, and transmits information about channels of each broadcasting station and information about each program of channels. Consists of.

As such, the PSIP supports a main function of selecting a channel and providing an A / V service of a desired broadcast and an EPG of a broadcast program, that is, an additional function of providing a broadcast guide service. The EPG information is stored in the internal storage device, and the stored EPG information is provided in the form of a table so that the user can check it through the user interface and can use convenient functions such as channel change, reservation recording, and reservation viewing on the screen. have.

In the EPG service example, in Korea, program information for analog and digital channels is transmitted by KBPS and PSIP standards, and in North America, the program information is similar to PSIP, Gemstar Guide, and Tivo services. The service is provided. In Europe, digital broadcast program information is replacing the teletext services of analog TV by the MHEG standard.

1 is a diagram showing a display example of conventional electronic program guide information.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic program guide information 10 is composed of a two-dimensional grid user interface. That is, the horizontal axis is arranged with the time axis 12, the vertical axis is arranged with the channel list 11 displaying the station name and the like, and the broadcast program list 13 is displayed according to the time axis and the channel list, thereby providing a broadcast schedule to the user. Guide me.

If the viewer uses the EPG information when watching only the terrestrial wave, all the stations appear on one screen, and thus, the entire TV program schedule can be viewed at a glance.

Recently, however, with the advent of cable TV, satellite broadcasting, and the rapid progress of multi-channelization due to the digitization of TV, when displaying EPG information as shown in FIG. 1, the number of channels that can be displayed on one screen is larger than the total number of channels. Shortage.

In addition, the screen needs to be switched by pressing a remote control key to search for a desired channel, which is inconvenient to switch the screen further in proportion to the number of channels.

It is a first object of the present invention to display electronic program guide information on one screen.

It is a second object of the present invention to display electronic program guide information in two or three dimensions.

A third object of the present invention is to edit or adjust a channel list, a time list, an arrangement position, a color, a cell size, and the like of electronic program guide information displayed in three dimensions.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide at least a channel list of electronic program guide information in two dimensions.

Electronic program guide information providing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

Means for receiving multimedia data or EPG information for the multimedia data;

A first field for displaying an entire channel list using the EPG information, a second field for providing time, and a third field for displaying program information of channels selected from the channel list corresponding to the first and second fields EPG generating means for generating to display on the screen;

And display means for displaying each field of the generated EPG information on a screen.

Preferably, the EPG generating means displays three-dimensionally by using three fields.

Preferably, the EPG generating means displays three-dimensionally by using three fields.

Electronic program guide information providing method according to the invention, the step of receiving multimedia data or EPG information for the multimedia data; Dividing the received EPG information into at least three fields according to detailed characteristics, and generating the program list including at least one entire program list; And displaying the divided three fields on the EPG screen as EPG information.

Preferably, the three fields are a channel list, a program information list, and time information according to the detailed characteristics of the EPG information, and the program information list corresponding to the selected channels of the entire program list is displayed in another field. It is characterized by.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, one or more tuners and demodulators 110 for receiving and demodulating broadcast data, a demultiplexer 120 for demultiplexing the demodulated broadcast data into video, audio, and additional data; A decoder unit 130 for decoding and outputting the demultiplexed image, voice, and additional data, a speaker 141 for outputting the decoded voice to the outside, a display unit 142 for outputting the decoded image, and A memory 150 for storing additional information; A storage controller 160 for controlling the storage of broadcast content, a storage device 170 for storing broadcast content, an OSD generator 180 for processing additional data, and outputting the processed data to the display unit 142; The control unit 190 for guiding the broadcast program information by the key input of the configuration, and the EPG generating unit 200 for generating the EPG information.

The apparatus and method for providing electronic program guide information of a broadcast receiver according to the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram of a broadcast receiver for providing electronic program guide information according to the present invention. 2, the tuner and demodulator 110 tunes, demodulates, and outputs a broadcast signal. Here, the tuner and demodulator 110 may be configured in plural for the function of the PIP. Here, the broadcast signal includes at least one of terrestrial TV, satellite TV, terrestrial multimedia broadcasting, satellite multimedia broadcasting, and cable broadcasting, and supports a terminal using one of these broadcasting methods.

The demultiplexer 120 demultiplexes the demodulated data in the inverse of the multiplexing method in the transmission system, and the demultiplexed audio, video, and additional data are output to the decoder 130.

The decoder unit 130 decodes the encoding scheme in the transmission system, and includes an audio decoder 131, a video decoder 132, and a data decoder 133. The demultiplexed audio signal is decoded by the audio decoder 131, processed by an audio processor (not shown), and output to the speaker 141. The demultiplexed video signal is decoded by the video decoder 132, is processed by an image processor (not shown), and output to the display unit 142.

The data decoder 133 decodes the demultiplexed additional data to receive Program Specific Information (PSI) or PSIP to output additional information data such as broadcast guide information. Here, if the digital broadcast signal includes a PSIP of an ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee), a virtual channel table (VCT) is received. If there is no PSIP and only the MPEG-2 system is encoded, the PSI is received. Receive a Program Associate Table (PAT) and a Program Map Table (PMT).

The PSI information includes information required to perform a basic operation of the receiver, including a program association table (PAT), a conditional access table (CAT), a program management table (PMT), and the like. A network information table (NIT), a service description table (SDT), a time date table (TDT), an event information table (EIT), and the like correspond to this.

On the other hand, the digital broadcast program transmitted by the ATSC method can be recorded on the recording medium of the recording / playback apparatus through the IEEE1394 interface. The IEEE 1394 is specified to transmit information about a program using PAT, PMT, etc. of PSI (Program specification information).

The EPG generator 200 processes the PSI and the broadcast guide information into EPG information and outputs it through the display unit 142 if desired by the user. In this case, the OSD generator 180 processes the EPG information or program information to be output in the form of an OSD (On Screen Display) on the screen of the display unit 142. Here, depending on the characteristics of the broadcast receiver, it may not be processed by the OSD method. The EPG information may be downloaded through a wired or wireless signal such as the Internet.

At this time, the EPG generator 200 converts the EPG information according to the user interface. That is, the EPG information in the text form is divided into three fields according to characteristics, and then processed into two-dimensional or three-dimensional EPG information using each field, and then provided to the user interface or disposed in each field of the EPG information. Provides a list for editing. For example, EPG information is implemented using a channel list field, a time axis field, and a program list field according to characteristics, so that when arranged in three dimensions, the channel list field is displayed in two dimensions, and the time axis field is displayed in one dimension. Thus, the program list field corresponding to the channel list field and the time axis field can be displayed together.

In order to process the three-dimensional EPG information is implemented using coordinate information, layout information, configuration information (channel list, program list, time, etc.) for each field. The size and field configuration information of each of these fields can be changed by the user.

The memory 150 stores the EPG information and other additional information. The memory 150 may be configured as an EEPROM.

The storage controller 160 records the broadcast program or data input from the outside in the storage device 170 when a recording request is received from the user. Here, the storage device 170 may be configured as, for example, an HDD as a mass storage device.

The controller 190 may output the generated EPG information to the OSD generator and provide the generated EPG information through the OSD screen. In addition, the EPG generator 200 is controlled according to the movement of the cursor between each field, item selection, and adjustment of each field information (size, color, etc.) according to a user key.

3 is a view showing a three-dimensional EPG example according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the EPG screen 300 is implemented in three dimensions (eg, three-dimensional) using the channel list field 310, the time axis field 320, and the program list field 330. Here, the channel list field 310 is implemented in two dimensions, and when the time axis field 320 is disposed in one dimension, the channel list field 310 and the program list field 330 corresponding to the time axis field are displayed together. In addition, the arrangement position of the channel list field and the program information field may be changed or the arrangement position of the channel list field and the time axis field may be changed by the user.

In the two-dimensional channel list field 310, a plurality of channel names (eg, KBS, SBS, EBS, etc.) are all displayed on one plane in units of cells 312, and the program list field 310 is displayed on the channel list. Programs corresponding to the selected channel column 311 are displayed for each time zone. Here, the column arranged at the rightmost side of the channel list field 310 may be a column in which the currently selected column is newly displayed by changing the current position or arranged by default. Alternatively, the channels configured in the channel column on the right side of the channel list may be configured and displayed only with channels having a high priority according to the viewing priority. The time axis field 320 may be rearranged according to a fixed time or program information of selected channels.

Here, the channel column 311 adjacent to the program screen in the channel list field 310 is a column selected by the user, and program information about the selected column 311 is displayed. For example, the currently selected channels are KBS, SBS, and EBS, and corresponding program information is displayed in a transverse direction adjacent to each of the selected KBS, SBS, and EBS channels. Here, although one or more selection channel columns may be displayed, it is preferable to configure at least three or more channels because the size of the channel list becomes relatively large. The number of such channel columns may vary depending on the screen size. For example, the cell information corresponding to the broadcasting station or channel may be represented as simple text information or displayed as an image, and double program information may also be displayed as a representative image.

In addition, adjustment of the time axis, width (H) and width (W) size of each field (310, 320, 330) appearing on the three-dimensional EPG screen 300, the horizontal and vertical size (h1, w1) of each cell of the channel list is It can also be made to adjust arbitrarily. You can also adjust the size of the entire EPG screen by adjusting each channel width and height. This may be implemented by adjusting coordinate information of each list field of the EPG screen.

In addition, the screen color of each list field 310, 320, 330 can be adjusted or changed by the user, and the cell color in each field can be adjusted. In addition, the movement of the cursor may move from the channel list screen to the program list screen or vice versa as the cursor switch key.

4 is a method for providing electronic program guide information according to the present invention.

First, multimedia data or EPG information for multimedia data is received and then stored. If the user calls the stored EPG information (S101), the EPG information is displayed in three dimensions according to a predefined EPG screen layout (S103). In this case, when one channel column is selected from the channel list (S105), only the program information is updated based on the channels in the selected channel column, or the program information and time are updated and displayed (S107). Here, the program information may be displayed from the current time or the program currently being viewed. In addition, the channel list of the EPG screen displayed in three dimensions is all displayed on one screen.

5 is a flowchart showing an example of selecting each item on the EPG screen according to the present invention. If the EPG screen is displayed in multiple dimensions (eg, 2, 3D, etc.) (S111), it is checked whether a tab key is input to select a channel, program information, etc. of the EPG information displayed on the screen from the user (S113). ). At this time, when the tab key is input, the cursor moves from the current field to another field (S115). In other words, each time the tab key is pressed between the channel list and the program list, it is repeatedly moved. The navigation in the list or field is moved with the arrow keys, and the channel can be selected with the numeric keys and the arrow keys.

6 is a flowchart showing an example of editing EPG information according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the EPG screen is displayed and editing of the EPG information starts (S121), it is checked whether or not the display position (field) adjustment is performed (S123). At this time, if the display position (field) is adjusted, the position (field) of the program list field or the time axis field can be adjusted (S125), and the adjusted EPG information is updated and displayed on the screen (S127).

If the color of each field is adjusted (S129), the color for each list field is selected (S131), and thus the adjusted EPG information can be displayed (S127). Here, the color adjustment for each list field can change the background color of the channel list field, the program list field, and the time base field, and also make the selected channel column of the channel list field different from the other field colors. Changes are possible. In addition, the size of each field can be controlled as another function.

If it is not the display position adjustment or the color adjustment, another function is performed (S133).

7 is a diagram illustrating an example EPG screen according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the EPG screen 400 implements a channel list field, a program information field, and a time axis field on one plane. The channel list field is implemented in a plurality of cells 412 in a rectangular form so that all channels can be displayed, and the right channel column 411, which is one column, is divided into selected channels. Program information corresponding to the selected channel sequence and time axis field 420 is displayed in the field 430. Here, the channel sequence and the program information may be displayed in a different color from other portions.

So far, the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains to the detailed description of the present invention and other forms of embodiments within the essential technical scope of the present invention. Could be implemented. Here, the essential technical scope of the present invention is shown in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent range will be construed as being included in the present invention.

According to the apparatus and method for providing electronic program guide information according to the present invention, the inconvenience of selecting an invisible channel can be eliminated by implementing the entire channel list on one screen.

In addition, by selecting in the channel column unit and displaying the program information for the selected channel column, there is an effect that it is not necessary to display all of the program information of all currently displayed channels.

In addition, the user can find a desired channel with a small number of key operations.

In addition, the present invention has an effect of convenient channel navigation by applying to multi-channel terminals according to not only terrestrial and cable broadcasting but also satellite broadcasting and multimedia broadcasting services.

Claims (16)

Means for receiving multimedia data or EPG information for the multimedia data; A first field for displaying an entire channel list using the EPG information, a second field for providing time, and a third field for displaying program information of channels selected from the channel list corresponding to the first and second fields EPG generating means for generating to display on the screen; And display means for displaying each field of the generated EPG information on a screen. The method of claim 1, And the EPG generating means displays three-dimensionally by using three fields. The method of claim 1, And the EPG generating means displays three-dimensionally by using three fields. The method of claim 1, And the EPG generating means can change the size of each field by the user. The method of claim 1, The EPG generating means is an electronic program guide information providing device, characterized in that the user can change the color of each field. The method of claim 1, The EPG generating means is an electronic program guide information providing device, characterized in that the position of each field can be changed by the user. The method of claim 1, And the first field is displayed in at least a two-dimensional matrix, and the selected channels are selected in a column unit. The method of claim 1, And the EPG generating means displays three fields on one plane. The method of claim 1, And a key input means for moving between the three fields and selecting a list in the field. Receiving multimedia data or EPG information for the multimedia data; Dividing the received EPG information into at least three fields according to detailed characteristics, and generating the program list including at least one entire program list; And displaying the divided three fields as EPG information on an EPG screen. The method of claim 10, The three fields are a channel list, a program information list, and time information according to the detailed characteristics of the EPG information. The method of claim 11, And a program information list corresponding to the selected channels of the entire program list is displayed in another field. The method of claim 12, And at least three selected channels. The method of claim 10, And a field representing the entire program list is displayed in the form of a two-dimensional matrix. The method of claim 10, And the EPG information is displayed three-dimensionally by three fields. The method of claim 10, And adjusting each field of the EPG information according to the adjusted result if the size or color information of each field indicated by the EPG information is adjusted.

Images