KR20070079829A - Digital tv - Google Patents

Abstract

A digital TV is provided to allow a user to more conveniently search a desired broadcasting channel on the basis of broadcasting information provided through a broadcasting signal. A user input unit(40) adjusts a channel search function. A GUI(Graphic User Interface) generating unit(29) generates a channel search menu including a plurality of field items for selecting broadcasting field information of different types and a search result menu including a broadcasting channel item searched through the channel search menu. If the channel search function is selected through the user input unit(40), a control unit(50) controls the GUI generating unit(29) to display the channel search menu on the basis of broadcasting information and display the search result menu indicating a broadcasting channel, repeatedly corresponding to each broadcasting field information among broadcasting channels searched on the basis of each broadcasting field information selected from the field items of the channel search menu, as the broadcasting channel item.

Description

Digital TV {DIGITAL TV}

1 is a control block diagram of a digital TV according to the present invention;

2 is a control flowchart of a digital TV according to the present invention;

3A and 3B are exemplary views in which a channel search menu and a search result menu are displayed according to a preferred embodiment of the digital TV according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1 antenna 10 tuner

20 processor 22 channel decoder

24: demultiplexer 26: sound processing unit

28: image processing unit 29: GUI generation unit

30: broadcast output unit 32: sound output unit

34: display unit 40: user input unit

50: control unit 53: memory

55: micom

The present invention relates to a digital TV, and more particularly, to a digital TV that allows a user to more conveniently find a broadcast channel that a user wants to watch based on broadcast information provided through a broadcast signal.

A display apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a TV) for allowing a general user to watch a broadcast includes a signal processor that processes a received broadcast signal and a display that displays a broadcast screen according to the broadcast signal processed by the signal processor.

On the other hand, as digital broadcasting has recently become full-scale, the penetration rate of digital TVs that receive and display digital broadcasting signals is increasing, and digital broadcasting is easily accessible in most homes. One of the characteristics of digital broadcasting is that the number of broadcast channels is rapidly increasing due to the wide variety of broadcast channels, and as the number of broadcast channels increases, it provides rich and diverse information on broadcast channels and broadcast programs.

Accordingly, the digital TV receiving and processing digital broadcasts receives, for example, EPG (Erectric Program Guide) information including various information such as broadcast channel information and broadcast program information, and when broadcast information is requested by the user. The EPG screen according to the EPG information is displayed on the display unit to provide broadcast information on a broadcast channel desired by a user among a large number of broadcast channels.

However, when the conventional digital TV stores only the general information on the broadcast program that the user wants to watch, the user must find the EPG screen by switching several times to find out which broadcast program the desired broadcast program is broadcast on. . Therefore, if the user does not know the exact broadcast channel number in order to find a broadcast program that the user wants to watch in the conventional digital TV, it is inconvenient to find the broadcast channel through a very cumbersome process.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital TV that enables a user to easily and simply find a broadcast channel for providing a broadcast program that a user wants to watch.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital TV for receiving a broadcast signal including broadcast information and displaying a video screen according to the broadcast signal, comprising: a user input unit for adjusting a channel search function; A GUI generation unit for generating a channel search menu including a plurality of field items for selecting different types of broadcast field information, and a search result menu including broadcast channel items searched through the channel search menu; When the channel search function is selected through the user input unit, the channel search menu is displayed based on the broadcast information, and the found broadcast channel is searched based on each broadcast field information selected from the field items of the channel search menu. And a control unit for controlling the GUI generation unit to display the search result menu indicating, as the broadcast channel item, a broadcast channel that is determined to overlap the broadcast field information among the broadcast field items.

Here, the GUI generating unit displays an indicator highlight for indicating the field item in the channel search menu, and the controller is further configured to input the field item according to the movement input when a movement of the indicator highlight is input through the user input unit. It is preferable to control the GUI generation unit to move the indicator highlights on the screen, and to further display corresponding broadcast field information that can be selected corresponding to the field item indicated by the indicator highlights.

The GUI generating unit may list and display the field items of the channel search menu in one direction, and display the corresponding broadcast field information displayed by the indication highlight in the one direction in which the field items are arranged. It is preferable to display them in the other direction corresponding to the vertical direction.

The field items may include genre items corresponding to broadcast genre information for selecting a broadcast genre, band items corresponding to broadcast type information for selecting a broadcast type, and broadcast viewing grades for selecting a broadcast viewing grade. At least one of a rating item corresponding to the information, a name item corresponding to the broadcast name information for selecting a broadcast name, and a time item corresponding to the broadcast time information for selecting a broadcast time, may be included.

The user input unit may include a function key for selecting on / off of the display of the search result menu, and the controller may display the search result menu by inputting the function key while the channel search menu is displayed. If ON is selected, the search result menu is displayed based on the respective broadcast field information selected corresponding to the respective field items of the channel search menu displayed, and the search result menu is displayed by the function key input. When off is selected, the GUI generation unit may be controlled to not display the search result menu.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital TV according to the present invention includes an antenna 1, a tuner 10, a processing unit 20, a broadcasting output unit 30, and a user input unit for receiving broadcast signals. 40 and the controller 50.

The user input unit 40 is an information input device for key input by a user, and includes a light receiving unit for receiving a wireless key input signal transmitted from a remote controller (not shown) and a remote controller (not shown) as a key input unit for a user's key operation. It may be provided as shown in (not shown), it may be provided to the main body of the digital TV by wire. The user input unit 40 includes basic keys, that is, navigation up / down / left / right keys, a selection key, an EXIT key, and an execution key for executing a channel search function. Of course, the user input unit 40 may be configured to execute the channel search function by executing a channel search function as a combination of existing keys or by selecting a basic user menu without providing an execution key separately. Accordingly, the GUI menu screen as a GUI (Graphic User Interface) can be displayed by the control of the controller 50 according to the request through the user input unit 40. In addition, the user input unit 40 may include a function key for selecting on / off display of a search result menu.

The antenna 1 is a function unit for receiving a broadcast signal and receives a digital broadcast signal.

The tuner 10 tunes the broadcast signal received through the antenna 1 into a broadcast signal having a frequency band corresponding thereto according to the control signal of the controller 50. That is, the tuner 10 tunes only a broadcast signal corresponding to a channel broadcast through the broadcast output unit 30 among the plurality of broadcast signals received through the antenna 1 and outputs the broadcast signal to the processor 20. In this case, the tuned broadcast signal, that is, the broadcast signal received through the tuner 10, preferably includes various broadcast field information of different types corresponding to the broadcast program based on the broadcast signal.

Here, the various kinds of broadcasting field information of different kinds include broadcasting genre information of a broadcasting program (drama or news or movie), broadcasting type information of a broadcasting program (cable broadcasting or terrestrial broadcasting or satellite broadcasting, etc.), broadcasting viewing grade of a broadcasting program. It is preferable to include at least any one of information (elementary element, 13 years old or older, 18 years old or older), broadcast name information of a broadcast program, and broadcast time information of a broadcast program.

The broadcast output unit 30 is an output unit for broadcasting a broadcast program based on the broadcast signal tuned through the tuner 10, and includes a display unit 34 for displaying an image of the broadcast program, and the broadcast. It may include a sound output unit 32 for outputting the sound of the program.

The processing unit 20 is a processing function unit for processing the broadcast signal in order to broadcast the broadcast program based on the broadcast signal selected by the tuner 10 through the broadcast output unit 30. The processing unit 20 includes a channel decoder 22 for demodulating and outputting an IF broadcast signal of a broadcast signal tuned by the tuner 10 into a predetermined transport stream in a packet unit, and a predetermined output from the channel decoder 22. The sound signal, the video signal, and the broadcast information of the corresponding broadcast channel switched by the user from the transport stream are separated into individual bit strings, and the sound processor 26, the image processor 28, and the data processor And a demultiplexer 24 for outputting the same. Thus, the data processing unit processes the broadcast information output from the demultiplexer 24 and stores it in a predetermined memory (not shown). Here, the data processing unit may be included in the control unit 50, and in the following, the data processing unit is included in the control unit 50, so that the control unit 50 performs the role of the data processing unit.

Here, it is preferable that the broadcast information separated by the demultiplexer 24 from the transport stream includes various broadcast field information of different types corresponding to broadcast programs based on broadcast signals. Here, as described above, the various broadcast field information includes broadcast genre information of a broadcast program (such as a drama or news or movie), broadcast type information of a broadcast program (cable or terrestrial broadcast or satellite broadcast, etc.), and a broadcast viewing grade of a broadcast program. At least one of information (such as elementary children, 13 years old or older, 18 years old or older), broadcast name information of a broadcast program, and broadcast time information of a broadcast program.

In addition, the processor 20 processes the sound signal separated by the demultiplexer 24, converts the sound signal into an analog signal, and outputs the sound signal to the sound output unit 32 and the image output from the demultiplexer 24. The image processing unit 28 converts the signal into a signal in a format that the display unit 34 can display, and provides the image to the display unit 34, and a GUI generation unit 29 for generating a predetermined GUI menu screen.

The GUI generation unit 29 generates / outputs a GUI menu signal for displaying a channel search menu including a plurality of field items for selecting different types of broadcast field information, respectively, under the control of the control unit 50. . In addition, the GUI generator 29 generates / outputs a GUI menu signal for displaying a search result menu including a broadcast channel item found through the channel search menu under the control of the controller 50. The GUI generation unit 29 generates and outputs a GUI signal so as to further display an indication highlight for indicating the field item in the channel search menu.

Accordingly, the GUI menu screen output from the GUI generation unit 29 and the video screen corresponding to the video signal processed to reproduce the broadcast signal output from the tuner 10 are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 34. Of course, the GUI menu screen output from the GUI generator 29 is displayed on the entire screen of the display 34, so that the previously displayed video screen may not be displayed.

The control unit 50 includes a microcomputer 55 and a memory 53.

The microcomputer 55 processes the broadcast information output from the demultiplexer 24 and stores it in the memory 53. When the channel search function is selected through the user input unit 40, the microcomputer 55 controls the GUI generation unit 29 to display a channel search menu based on the broadcast information stored in the memory 53.

At this time, the channel search menu displayed by the GUI generation unit 29 corresponds to a plurality of field items, genre items corresponding to the broadcast genre information for selecting a broadcast genre, and broadcast type information for selecting a broadcast type. The band item to be selected, the audience rating item corresponding to the broadcast viewing rating information for selecting a broadcast viewing rating, the name item corresponding to the broadcast name information for selecting a broadcast name, and the broadcast time information for selecting a broadcast time. It may include at least one of the corresponding time items.

At this time, in the channel search menu, the indicator highlight displayed by the GUI generator 29 is displayed to indicate any one of the plurality of field items.

The microcomputer 55 senses a key input through the user input unit 40, and controls the GUI generator 29 to display and display the indicator highlights on the plurality of field items according to the navigation left / right key input. At this time, the microcomputer 55 further displays corresponding broadcast field information that can be selected corresponding to any one of the field items indicated by the indicator highlight among the plurality of field items based on the broadcast information stored in the memory 53. The GUI generation unit 29 is controlled.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the microcomputer 55 displays the channel search menu 3 based on the broadcast information when the channel search function is selected through the user input unit 40. The GUI generating unit 29 is controlled to display on the screen 31 of. Accordingly, the channel search menu 3 indicating the plurality of field items 3a and the broadcast field information 3b previously selected corresponding to each of the field items 3a is displayed. As can be seen in FIG. 3A, the plurality of field items 3a include a genre item "genre", a band item "band", a rating item "viewing grade", a name item "family", and a time item "10". : 00 PM ".

At this time, in the channel search menu 3, the indicator highlight 3c displayed by the GUI generator 29 indicates any one of the plurality of field items 3a. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the indicator highlight 3c may be displayed to indicate a field item (for example, a viewer rating) and broadcast field information (for example, over 15 years old) corresponding thereto, but is not shown. It may be displayed to indicate only one of a field item (eg, ratings) and broadcast field information (eg, 15 years old or older) corresponding thereto. In addition, under the control of the microcomputer 55 according to the navigation left / right key input through the user input unit 40, the indicator highlight 3c is displayed to move left / right on the plurality of field items 3a.

Then, the microcomputer 55 broadcasts the corresponding broadcast field information that can be selected in correspondence with the field items (eg, ratings) indicated by the indicator highlight 3c based on the broadcast information stored in the memory 53. The GUI generating unit 29 is controlled to further display the field information menu 3 '. Accordingly, the broadcast field information menu for displaying corresponding broadcast field information that can be selected corresponding to the indicated field item (e.g., audience rating), for example, young, 12 or more, 15 or more, or 18 or more (3) ') Is displayed. At this time, the broadcast field information menu 3 'has a lower indication highlight 3c' indicating the broadcast field information corresponding to the broadcast field information (eg, 15 years old or older) previously selected from the corresponding field item (e.g., audience rating). It is preferable to be displayed.

Here, as can be seen in FIG. 3A, the GUI generating unit 29 displays the field items 3a of the channel search menu 3 in one direction, and displays them by the instruction by the instruction highlight 3. It is preferable to display the corresponding broadcast field information of the broadcast field information menu 3 'to be arranged in another direction corresponding to the vertical direction to the one direction in which the field items 3a are arranged. That is, the field items 3a of the channel search menu 3 are displayed in a horizontal direction, and the corresponding broadcast field information of the broadcast field information menu 3 'displayed by the instruction highlight 3 is displayed. It can be displayed vertically.

Then, the microcomputer 55 controls the GUI generator 29 to move the lower indicator highlight 3c 'up and down according to the navigation up / down key input through the user input unit 40. Then, the microcomputer 55 transfers the previously selected broadcast field information (eg, 15 years old or older) corresponding to the field item (eg, audience rating) indicated by the instruction highlight 3c to move the lower indication highlight 3c '. The GUI generation unit 29 is controlled to change / display as the broadcast field information (eg, 18 years old or older, see FIG. 3B) indicated / changed.

When the channel search menu 3 is displayed, the microcomputer 55 displays the broadcast field information selected in correspondence with the field items 3a of the channel search menu 3 based on the broadcast information stored in the memory 53. The broadcast channels corresponding to the field 3b are searched. That is, the microcomputer 55 searches for broadcasting channels corresponding to the drama genre, searches for broadcasting channels corresponding to cable broadcasting, searches for broadcasting channels providing a broadcasting program for at least 15 years old, and “family” in the name of the broadcasting program. Search for a broadcast channel containing the word "," and search for a broadcast channel providing a broadcast program at 10 pm. Then, the microcomputer 55 searches for broadcast channels that are determined to overlap each broadcast field information 3b among the searched broadcast channels. That is, the microcomputer 55 searches for a broadcast channel that broadcasts a broadcast program that can be viewed at least 15 years old that corresponds to the drama genre in cable broadcasting and includes the word "family" in the name of the broadcast program.

In addition, the microcomputer 55 controls the GUI generator 29 to broadcast channels corresponding to each broadcast field information 3b selected corresponding to each field item 3a of the channel search menu 3. Among the broadcast channels (eg, 5, 15, 17, 23, etc.) determined to overlap each broadcast field information 3b, the broadcast channel items (eg, channel 5, channel 15, channel 17, channel 23, etc.) A search result menu 4 is displayed.

At this time, in accordance with the instruction / change by the movement of the lower indication highlight 3c 'in the broadcast field information menu 3', the broadcast field information corresponding to the viewing grade item is changed from FIG. If it is changed to "over 18 years old", the microcomputer 55 rescans the broadcast channel in consideration of the changed viewing rating item. Therefore, the microcomputer 55 re-searches the broadcast channel corresponding to the drama genre in the cable broadcast, and broadcasts a broadcast program that can be watched for 18 years or older at 10 pm when the word "family" is included in the name of the broadcast program, As shown in FIG. 3B, the GUI generation unit 29 displays a search result menu 4 representing the re-discovered broadcast channel (e.g., 15 and 23 40) as a broadcast channel item (e.g., channel 15, channel 23, and channel 40). To control.

As described above, the digital TV according to the present invention combines various types of broadcast field information selected by the user through a channel search menu to provide a user with a broadcast channel for broadcasting a desired type of broadcast program. Can be. Therefore, in the digital TV of the present invention, when the user only stores approximate information (broadcast time, genre, or approximate name of a broadcast program) about a broadcast program that the user wants to watch, the desired broadcast program is broadcast on a certain broadcast channel. It is possible to improve the conventional inconvenience of having to find the broadcast guide booklet or switch the EPG screen several times in order to know whether or not.

Here, in the above description, when the channel search function is selected through the user input unit 40, the microcomputer 55 displays the channel search menu and displays the broadcast field information selected corresponding to each field item of the channel search menu. The GUI generation unit 29 is controlled to search for broadcast channels corresponding to all combinations and to automatically display a search result menu accordingly.

However, according to another embodiment, when the channel search function is selected through the user input unit 40, the microcomputer 55 displays the channel search menu and selects the broadcast field information selected corresponding to each field item of the channel search menu. Searching and waiting for all broadcast channels corresponding to the combination, a function key of the user input unit 40 may be input to determine whether the display of the search result menu is selected on.

Accordingly, when the display on of the search result menu is selected by inputting a function key while the channel search menu is displayed, the microcomputer 55 selects each broadcast field information corresponding to each of the field items of the displayed channel search menu. The GUI generation unit 29 may be controlled to display a search result menu in which a broadcast channel searched and waited based on is displayed as a broadcast channel item. In addition, when the display off of the search result menu is selected by the function key input, the microcomputer 55 controls the GUI generation unit 29 to not display the search result menu.

Hereinafter, a control method of the digital TV according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, an embodiment in which the display of the search result menu can be selected on / off will be described.

First, the microcomputer 55 determines whether the channel search function is selected through the user input unit 40 (S10). When the channel search function is selected, the GUI generation unit 29 is controlled to display the channel search menu based on the broadcast information stored in the memory 53 (S20). At this time, the channel search menu displayed by the GUI generator 29, as described above, includes a genre item corresponding to the broadcast genre information, a band item corresponding to the broadcast type information, and a broadcast viewing grade as a plurality of field items. And a rating item corresponding to the information, a name item corresponding to the broadcast name information, and a time item corresponding to the broadcast time information.

As such, when the channel search menu is displayed, the microcomputer 55 searches for broadcast channels corresponding to the selected broadcast field information corresponding to each field item of the channel search menu (S30). Then, the microcomputer 55 searches for broadcast channels that are determined to overlap each broadcast field information among the searched broadcast channels (S40). Accordingly, the microcomputer 55 searches for broadcast channels corresponding to all combinations of broadcast field information selected corresponding to each field item of the channel search menu.

Then, the microcomputer 55 determines whether the function key of the user input unit 40 is input and the display of the search result menu is selected on (S50). If the display of the search result menu is turned on and selected, the microcomputer 55 controls the GUI generator 29 to display a search result menu indicating the broadcast channel searched in step S40 as a broadcast channel item (S60).

Here, the microcomputer 55 controls the GUI generation unit 29 to move and display the instruction highlights according to the navigation up / down / left / right key input through the user input unit 40, while the user input unit ( In operation S70, it is determined whether the broadcast field information corresponding to the field items of the channel search menu is changed / selected. That is, the microcomputer 55 determines whether each broadcast field information selected corresponding to each field item of the channel search menu is changed by the user. When the broadcast field information is changed by the user (for example, viewing grade change, see FIGS. 3A and 3B), the microcomputer 55 performs steps S30 and 340 again in consideration of the changed broadcasting field information, thereby performing the channel search menu. The broadcast channel corresponding to all combinations of broadcast field information selected corresponding to each field item is searched again (S73). Then, the microcomputer 55 controls the GUI generator 29 to display a search result menu indicating the broadcast channel searched in step S73 as the broadcast channel item, based on the re-search result (S76). That is, the broadcast channel items of the search result menu displayed in step S60 are switched to the search result menu indicating the broadcast channel items indicating the broadcast channel re-searched by the changed broadcast field information and displayed.

Accordingly, when a user watches a broadcast through the digital TV of the present invention and wants to find a broadcast channel that provides a broadcast program that the user wants to watch but does not remember correctly in advance, the channel search menu is selected through a channel search function. By selecting the rough information by operating, it is possible to easily obtain a broadcast channel for providing a broadcast program by the combination of the selected information.

On the other hand, when the display of the search result menu is not selected in step S50, the microcomputer 55, according to the user's key input through the user input unit 40, the broadcast field corresponding to each of the field items of the channel search menu Change / select the information (S80), and enter the above-described step S30.

As described above, the digital TV according to the present invention may provide a user with a broadcast channel that broadcasts a desired type of broadcast program by combining various types of broadcast field information selected by the user through a channel search menu. have. Therefore, in the digital TV of the present invention, when the user only stores the approximate information (broadcast time or genre or approximate name of the broadcast program) about the broadcast program that the user wants to watch, the desired broadcast program is broadcast on a certain broadcast channel. It is possible to improve the conventional inconvenience of having to find the broadcast guide booklet or switch the EPG screen several times in order to know whether or not.

Accordingly, the user can quickly and easily find a broadcast channel providing a desired type of broadcast program among numerous broadcast channels.

Although some embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments may be modified without departing from the spirit or spirit of the invention. .

As described above, according to the present invention, a digital TV is provided so that a user can easily and simply find a broadcast channel for providing a broadcast program to be watched.

Claims (5)

A digital TV receiving a broadcast signal including broadcast information and displaying a video screen according to the broadcast signal, A user input unit for adjusting a channel search function; A GUI generation unit for generating a channel search menu including a plurality of field items for selecting different types of broadcast field information, and a search result menu including broadcast channel items searched through the channel search menu; When the channel search function is selected through the user input unit, the channel search menu is displayed based on the broadcast information, and the found broadcast channel is searched based on each broadcast field information selected from the field items of the channel search menu. And a control unit for controlling the GUI generation unit to display the search result menu indicating a broadcast channel determined to overlap each broadcast field information among the broadcast channel items. The method of claim 1, The GUI generation unit displays an indication highlight for indicating the field item in the channel search menu, The control unit, When the movement of the indicator highlight is input through the user input unit, the indicator highlight may be moved on the field items according to the movement input, and corresponding to the field item indicated by the indicator highlight may be selected. And controlling the GUI generator to further display broadcast field information. The method of claim 2, The GUI generation unit, The field items of the channel search menu are arranged and displayed in one direction, and the corresponding broadcast field information displayed by the indication by the indicator highlight corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the one direction in which the field items are listed. Digital TV, characterized in that arranged to display in the direction. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The plurality of field items, A genre item corresponding to broadcast genre information for selecting a broadcast genre, a band item corresponding to broadcast type information for selecting a broadcast type, a viewer rating item corresponding to broadcast viewing rating information for selecting a broadcast viewing grade, And at least one of a name item corresponding to broadcast name information for selecting a broadcast name and a time item corresponding to broadcast time information for selecting a broadcast time. The method of claim 4, wherein The user input unit includes a function key for turning on / off the display of the search result menu, The control unit, When the display on of the search result menu is selected by inputting the function key while the channel search menu is displayed, based on the selected broadcast field information corresponding to the respective field items of the displayed channel search menu. And displaying the search result menu and controlling the GUI generation unit not to display the search result menu when display off of the search result menu is selected by inputting the function key.

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