KR20070107545A - Method and apparatus for controlling replay of image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for controlling replay of an image output device are provided to search the same program as viewing program information automatically when a user views a serial stored in a storing medium. A key input unit(144) receives a user request command. An input signal processing unit(102) processes a broadcasting signal received from the outside. A storing medium(132) stores a program selected through the key input unit(144) by a user and various information of the corresponding program. A control unit(134) stores an output signal outputted through the input signal processing unit(102) in the storing medium(132) according to a control command from the key input unit(144), and searches a program to be continuously reproduced on the basis of the various information of the corresponding program stored in the storing medium(132). An image processing unit(120) performs a signal process to output the program selected through the key input unit(144) by the user as an image signal according to a control signal of the control unit(134).

Description

Reproduction control apparatus and method for an image output device {Method and apparatus for controlling replay of image output device}

In order to better understand the drawings used in the detailed description of the invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a step-by-step method for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a step-by-step method for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

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

102: input signal processing unit 104: tuner

106: channel decoder 108: demultiplexer

110: voice processing unit 112: audio decoder

114: memory 116: D / A converter

118: speaker 120: image processing unit

122: video decoder 124: memory

126: OSD generator 128: NTSC / PAL encoder

130: display unit 132: storage medium

134: control unit 136: PVR system processing unit

138: microcomputer 140: CPU

142: system memory 144: key input unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device, and in particular, to allow a series (stored series, miniseries, etc.) stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk (HDD) to be continuously reproduced. A playback control apparatus and method for an image output apparatus.

Generally, a TV is included in a video output device. The TV is tuned and demodulated into a voice and a video by selecting and demodulating a broadcast signal according to a channel selected by a user among broadcast signals transmitted from a broadcasting station. And a video device output through a speaker.

In general, video output devices have recently been developed with the development of TV technology, the transmission method of the broadcast signal is also developed and accordingly the interest in the digital TV applying the digital transmission method is increasing.

Also, in Korea, Mugunghwa satellite was launched in August 1995 and began digital test broadcasting in July 1996. Unlike conventional satellite broadcasting, Mugunghwa satellite broadcasting is scheduled to be SDTV-class digital broadcasting. It's almost no different from broadcasting.

The digital TV has a function of storing a video in real time using a hard disk while the user is watching a broadcast, and playing the video at a desired time. It can be used for recording meetings.

In general, the storage system includes digital broadcast data (Europe: DVB, Korea / Japan / North America: ATSC) and analog broadcast data (Europe; PAL, Korea / Japan / North America: NTSC) received from the TV system through a broadcast channel. Convert the digital signal through the video signal processor, convert the digital signal data in the memory device inside the system, store it, convert it to A / D (analog / digital) conversion, and use the display device or the screen at a time or method desired by the user. It is a system that can be played.

The internal functions include the scheduled recording of broadcast programs, the time shift method, and the like. A hard disk (HDD) is used as a storage space used in the PVR (Personal Video Recorder) built-in TV system. The broadcast data time that can be recorded in 40GB HDD is about 3 hours for HD and 2 hours for SD.

Furthermore, the recent rapid increase in the storage capacity of the storage medium can store a large number of television programs on the hard disk included in the image output device. For example, tens to hundreds of television broadcast programs are stored in hard disks in recent digital television receivers themselves.

Therefore, the viewer has a lot of inconvenience to watch the series stored in the storage medium. That is, in order to watch the series (sequential play, drama, mini-series, etc.) stored in the storage medium, the viewer has to inconvenience by having to search and watch the next episode again from the recording list after watching the other. In addition, in order to watch the recorded programs stored in the storage medium, it is necessary to find and select from the recording list one by one, and a lot of time is consumed.

In addition, the name of a program stored in the storage medium may be abbreviated. In some cases, a program that does not display the number of times after the name is not easy to find and watch the series.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, when watching a series (sequential drama, drama, mini-series, etc.) stored in the storage medium, automatically searches for the same (similar) program as the program information being watched The purpose is to make it possible.

In addition, when the user selects at least two or more of the series to be watched, another object of the present invention is to continuously play the selected programs based on the broadcast date and the recording date.

The apparatus for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a key input unit for inputting a user request command, an input signal processor for processing a broadcast signal received from the outside, and a user through the key input unit. A storage medium for storing the selected program and various information of the corresponding program, an output signal output through the input signal processor according to a control command from the key input unit, to be stored in the storage medium, and stored in the storage medium A control unit for controlling a program to be continuously played based on various information of the program, and an image for signal processing so that a program selected by a user through the key input unit may be output as an image signal according to a control signal of the control unit. It is configured to include a processing unit It has its features.

Preferably, the storage medium also includes database information, which is additional information on voice, video, and broadcast information input through the input signal processor.

More preferably, the database information includes information such as image resolution, audio Dolby ratio, additional information, program name, program broadcast time, and the like.

More preferably, the control unit receives a microcomputer that outputs a corresponding control signal according to a user request command input through the key input unit, receives a digital stream processed through the input signal processing unit, and separates the audio, video, and broadcast information into the separation. And a PVR system processing unit for creating and controlling database information, which is additional information on the stored information, to be stored in the storage medium, and a CPU for searching for a program to be reproduced based on the database information stored in the storage medium. There is a characteristic.

More preferably, the CPU extracts additional information from database information stored in the storage medium, and searches for a program having the same (similar) information as the program currently being reproduced among the extracted information.

More preferably, the CPU is characterized by searching for the next program in the background during playback of the program selected by the user.

More preferably, the CPU extracts database information stored in the storage medium, searches for a program similar to a search keyword input through the key input unit among the extracted information, and programs selected by the user among the searched programs. It is characterized by controlling it to be played continuously.

In order to achieve the above object, a playback control method of an image output apparatus includes selecting a program to be played on a list of recorded programs, playing the selected program, searching for a next program to be played, and And providing the program search result to the user.

Preferably, the searching of the program is a step of searching for a program having program information similar to the program being played based on database information which is additional information of various programs.

More preferably, the program is searched in the background for the next consecutively played program during the playing of the program selected by the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a playback of an image output apparatus, the method comprising: inputting a keyword regarding a program to be played, searching for information about a television program corresponding to the keyword, and It is characterized in that it comprises the step of selecting and playing a desired program based on the search results.

Preferably, the searching of the information has a feature of searching based on database information which is additional information on voice, video, and broadcasting information.

More preferably, the user selects all programs to be played.

More preferably, the step of playing the program is characterized in that when the user selects at least two or more programs, continuously playing based on the broadcast date and recording time of the program selected by the user.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart illustrating a step-by-step method for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to the present invention includes an input signal processor 102 for receiving and processing a broadcast signal received from the outside and processed through the input signal processor 102. A demultiplexer 108 for receiving broadcast signals and separating them into video, audio, and broadcast information streams; and a voice processor 110 for receiving the separated audio signals through the demultiplexer 108 and processing them to be output in audio form; And a speaker 118 for outputting a voice signal processed through the voice processor 110, and an image processor 120 for receiving a separated image signal through the demultiplexer 108 and outputting the image signal to a TV screen. ), A display unit 130 for outputting an image signal processed by the image processor 120, a program selected by a user, and a corresponding program. A storage medium 132 for storing various types of RAM information, a key input unit 144 for inputting a command desired by a user, and a corresponding program selected according to a control command from the key input unit 144. And a control unit 134 for controlling a program to be continuously played on the basis of various additional information of the program stored in the storage medium 132 and the control unit 134. And a system memory 142 for storing and outputting programs and data for control.

The input signal processor 102 includes a tuner 104 for tuning a channel desired by a user among broadcast signals received from the outside, and a channel decoder 106 for channel decoding of the broadcast signal tuned through the tuner 104. It is configured to include.

The voice processor 110 may receive an audio decoder 112 for receiving and decoding a voice stream separated through the demultiplexer 108, and store and output a voice signal decoded through the audio decoder 112. A digital / analog converter (DAC) for converting the voice signal decoded through the memory 114 and the audio decoder 112 into an outputable analog signal and outputting the same to the speaker 118. A converter "(116).

In addition, the image processor 120 may receive a video decoder 122 for receiving and decoding the separated image stream through the demultiplexer 108, and for storing and outputting the decoded image through the video decoder 122. The memory 124, an OSD generator 126 for generating a menu screen for selecting a program desired by a user as an OSD (On Screen Display), and the image signal decoded through the video decoder 122 is displayed. And an NTSC / PAL encoder 128 for properly converting into a signal format output to the unit 130.

In addition, the control unit 134 outputs a microcomputer 138 for outputting a corresponding control signal according to a user's request input through the key input unit 144 and a broadcast signal processed through the input signal processing unit 102. A PVR system processing unit 136 for receiving input, separating the voice, video and broadcast streams, and generating database information, which is additional information on the voice, video and broadcast streams, and storing them in the storage medium 132; A central processing unit (CPU) for extracting database information, which is additional information about various programs stored in the storage medium 132, and searching for a program similar to a currently playing program (hereinafter referred to as "CPU") And 140.

The database information is additional information of video, audio, and broadcast information, that is, information such as video resolution, audio Dolby, additional information, program name, program airing time, and the like.

Looking at the operation of the playback control device of the image output apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, when a user inputs a power-on command through the key input unit 144, the microcomputer 138 outputs a control signal to the tuner 104 so that a program of a channel selected by the user can be output.

Then, the tuner 104 tunes a channel desired by the user, and the broadcast signal of the tuned channel is input to the channel decoder 106 to perform channel decoding. The broadcast signal decoded through the channel decoder 106 is signal processed through the audio and image processing unit 110 and 120 and then output through the speaker and the display unit 118 and 130, respectively.

When the user inputs a recording command through the key input unit 144, the microcomputer 138 outputs a control signal through the PVR system processing unit 136 to store a broadcast signal desired by the user. The PVR system processor 136 receives a broadcast signal that the user wants to record from among the broadcast signals decoded through the channel decoder 106 according to the control signal of the microcomputer 138. The PVR system processor 136 separates the broadcast signal received through the channel decoder 106 into voice, video, and broadcast information, creates database information that is additional information on the separated information, and stores the storage medium. 132 is controlled to be stored.

In addition, when a user issues a playback command through the key input unit 144, the microcomputer 138 outputs a control signal through the PVR system processing unit 136 to play a program desired by the user, and the PVR system processing unit 136. ) May receive a program desired by the user according to the control signal of the microcomputer 138, process the signal through the audio and image processing unit 110, 120, and then output the same through the speaker and the display unit 118 and 130. To control the path.

In this case, when the user selects the continuous playback, the CPU 140 searches for a program similar to the played (same) program in the background based on the database information stored in the storage medium 132. That is, the CPU 140 searches for a program having additional information similar to a program currently being reproduced among database information stored in the storage medium 132.

After that, when the program being played is finished, the CPU 140 displays the search result to the user through the user interface (UI) and the airing date of the program that has been finished playing. Control to be displayed through the display unit 130 in the order of the programs aired on a close date. In this case, when a user selects a program to be continuously played through the key input unit 144, the PVR system processing unit 136 routes the selected program to be output through the speaker and the display unit 118 and 130. To control.

In addition, when a user inputs a search keyword for a series to be reproduced through the key input unit 144, the CPU 140 stores a program corresponding to the search keyword in the storage medium 132. Search based on information. In addition, the search result is controlled to be displayed through the display unit 130. Then, the user selects all programs to be watched based on the search results on the UI.

The CPU 140 outputs a control signal so that the programs selected by the user can be reproduced. In addition, when the selected program has at least two pieces, the CPU 140 controls the continuous playback in the order of the airing date of the programs selected by the user in the fastest order.

As described above, the present invention searches for the next recorded program currently being played using the database information stored in the storage medium 132 during the playback of a program desired by the user, and enables continuous playback of the searched program.

In addition, the program desired by the user is searched using database information stored in the storage medium 132, and the user can continuously play the corresponding programs desired by the searched program.

Referring to the reproduction control method of the image output apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First Embodiment

First embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2, first, it is determined whether the user selected the continuous playback (S201)

As a result of the determination (S201), when the user selects the continuous playback, a program to be played from the recording list is selected using the UI (S202).

Subsequently, the corresponding recording selected in the step S202 is played back (S203).

While the recording is being reproduced, the recording program having additional information similar to the program currently being played is searched in the background (S204). At this time, the recorded program search is performed based on the database information.

In operation S205, it is determined whether the reproduction of the currently recorded recording is completed.

As a result of the determination (S205), if the reproduction of the recording is completed, the search result performed in the step (S204) is displayed on the UI (S206).

Next, the user selects a program to be played back from the search results, and plays the selected program (S207).

Next, the user determines whether or not continuous playback ends (S208).

As a result of the determination (S208), if the user has not input the continuous playback end command, the process returns to the step S204.

In addition, if it is determined in operation S208 that the user inputs a continuous playback end command, it is determined whether a power-off command is input (S209).

Subsequently, when the determination result (S209), the user inputs a power off command, it ends, otherwise, the process returns to the step (S210).

In addition, if it is determined in operation S201 that the user does not select continuous playback, the received image is displayed (S210).

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 3, the second embodiment of the method for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to the present invention first determines whether the user selects continuous playback (S301).

Subsequently, when the user selects continuous playback, the determination result (S301), a keyword for searching for a program to be played is input (S302).

The recorded program according to the keyword is searched based on the database information (S303).

Subsequently, the search result performed in the step S303 is displayed (S304).

 The user selects a program to be continuously played from the search results (S305).

Subsequently, if the user selects a program to be continuously played, the program is played based on the additional information of the program selected by the user (S306).

Then, it is determined whether or not reproduction of the selected recording is completed (S307).

As a result of the determination (S307), if the reproduction of the recording is completed, it is determined whether or not the program selected by the user exists further (S308).

Subsequently, if there is more program selected by the user (S308), the process returns to step S306 to continuously play the program which has been reproduced and the future program whose airing date is closest.

In addition, if there is no more program selected by the user (S308), it is determined whether the user inputs a power-off command (S309).

If it is determined in operation S309 that the user inputs a power-off command, the process ends. Otherwise, the process returns to step S301.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination (S301), the user does not select the playback of the continuous recording, and displays the received image (S310).

As described above, the apparatus and method for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to the present invention is such that a search for a next piece (series) of a recording currently being played is automatically performed using database information.

In addition, the user searches for recordings (sequential plays, miniseries, dramas, etc.) to be reproduced using database information, and selects a desired program from the search results so that the selected program can be continuously played.

As described above, the apparatus and method for controlling playback of an image output apparatus according to the present invention have the following effects.

First, by automatically searching for the next program (series, edition) during playback of the series stored in the storage media, it greatly reduces the user's effort and time, thereby enhancing user convenience.

Second, when the user selects two or more programs to be played, the user can provide more convenience by continuously playing the selected programs without any manual work.

Third, by performing a search based on database information, which is additional information of video, audio, and broadcast information, information of the searched program can be obtained more comprehensively.

Claims (14)

A key input unit for inputting a user request command; An input signal processor for processing a broadcast signal received from the outside; A storage medium for storing a program selected by a user through the key input unit and various information of the corresponding program; According to a control command from the key input unit, the output signal output through the input signal processing unit is controlled to be stored in the storage medium, and a program to be continuously reproduced is searched based on various information of the corresponding program stored in the storage medium. A control unit for controlling the control unit to be able to control the control unit; And, And an image processor configured to process a signal so that a program selected by a user through the key input unit may be output as an image signal according to a control signal of the controller. The method of claim 1, The storage medium is And storing database information, which is additional information on voice, video, and broadcast information input through the input signal processor. The method of claim 2, The database information is Playback control apparatus of the video output device, characterized in that consisting of information such as image resolution, audio Dolby, additional information, program name, program broadcast time. The method of claim 1, The control unit A microcomputer that outputs a corresponding control signal according to a user request command input through the key input unit; A PVR system processing unit for receiving the digital stream processed by the input signal processing unit, separating the digital stream into voice, video, and broadcasting information, and creating database information that is additional information about the separated information, and controlling it to be stored in the storage medium; And, And a CPU for searching for a program to be played on the basis of the database information stored in the storage medium. The method of claim 4, wherein The CPU The apparatus for controlling playback of an image output apparatus, comprising: extracting additional information from database information stored in the storage medium and searching for a program having the same (similar) information as the program currently being reproduced among the extracted information; . The method of claim 5, The CPU A playback control device of an image output apparatus, characterized by searching for the next program in the background while playing a program selected by a user. The method of claim 4, wherein The CPU Extracts database information stored in the storage medium, searches for the same program as the search keyword input through the key input unit, and allows programs selected by the user to be continuously reproduced among the searched programs; Playback control apparatus for an image output device characterized in that the control. Selecting a program to be played on the recorded program list; Playing the selected program and searching for the next program to play; And, And providing the program search result to the user. The method of claim 8, Searching for the program And retrieving a program having program information similar to the program being reproduced based on database information which is additional information of various programs. The method of claim 9, And searching for a program to be continuously played next in the background of the program selected by the user. Inputting a keyword relating to a program to be played; Retrieving information about a television program corresponding to the keyword; And, And selecting and playing a program desired by the user based on the search result. The method of claim 11 Retrieving the information A reproduction control method of an image output apparatus, characterized by searching based on database information which is additional information on audio, video, and broadcast information. The method of claim 11, A method of controlling playback of an image output apparatus, characterized by selecting all programs to be played by a user. The method of claim 11, The step of playing the program If the user selects at least two programs, the playback control method of the video output device, characterized in that the playback continuously based on the broadcast date and recording time of the program selected by the user.

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