KR20080004682A - Video display apparatus and method for displaying broadcasting signal using by it - Google Patents

Abstract

An image reproducing apparatus and a method for reproducing a broadcast signal using the same are provided to respectively process at least two buffered broadcast signals and reproduce the processed signals as divided screen images of a PIP(Picture-In-Picture) function. A tuning unit(106) repeatedly tunes at least two of a plurality of broadcast channels by turns. A buffering unit(108) buffers at least two broadcast signals with respect to the two tuned broadcast signals. A demodulating unit(110) respectively demodulates the two buffered broadcast signals. A decoding unit(112) decodes the two demodulated broadcast signals and reproduces them according to a PIP function. When the PIP function is requested, a controller(104) provides control to repeatedly tune the two broadcast channels by turns, buffer and demodulate the two broadcast signals, and decode the signals so as to be reproduced as divided screen images.

Description

VIDEO DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING BROADCASTING SIGNAL USING BY IT}

1 is a block diagram of an image reproducing apparatus suitable for tuning and reproducing a plurality of broadcast signals through a PIP function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of tuning and playing two broadcast signals through a PIP function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

102: key input unit 104: control unit

106: tuning unit 108: buffer unit

108 / 1-108 / n: 1st buffer part-nth buffer part

110: demodulation unit 112: decoding unit

114: signal processing unit

The present invention relates to a technique of reproducing a broadcast signal with a PIP function, and more particularly, an image reproducing apparatus suitable for reproducing at least two broadcast signals with a PIP function by tuning at least two broadcast channels and a broadcast signal reproducing method using the same. It is about.

As is well known, in a video reproducing system that tunes a broadcast channel using a single tuner, since only the video and audio signals of the tuned channel are reproduced, it is necessary to select a desired channel to watch a broadcast program through cumbersome channel manipulation. In order to solve this problem, an image reproducing apparatus for reproducing a broadcast program using a plurality of tuners has been proposed.

In a video reproducing apparatus having a plurality of tuners, a plurality of tuners are simultaneously tuned to a plurality of broadcast channels, and a broadcast according to an arbitrary broadcast channel among a plurality of broadcast channels simultaneously tuned using a PIP (Picture In Picture) function. In addition to playing on the main screen, the screen size for broadcasts according to different broadcast channels can be reduced and adjusted to simultaneously play the sub-screen on the main screen.

However, in the conventional video reproducing apparatus, a plurality of tuners are provided by regenerating broadcast signals of a plurality of tuned broadcast channels by tuning each broadcast channel simultaneously using a plurality of tuners, thereby implementing a video reproducing apparatus. However, there is a space and cost constraints.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, an image reproducing apparatus capable of buffering the tuned broadcast signal by alternately repeatedly tuning at least two broadcast channels in the image reproducing apparatus and a broadcast signal using the same The purpose is to provide a regeneration method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a video reproducing apparatus and a broadcast signal reproducing method using the same, which are capable of reproducing a divided screen having a PIP function by processing at least two broadcast signals buffered in the video reproducing apparatus, respectively.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video reproducing apparatus for reproducing a broadcast signal with a PIP function, comprising: means for repeatedly tuning at least two broadcast channels among a plurality of broadcast channels, and at least two tuned Means for buffering at least two broadcast signals for each of the at least two broadcast channels, means for demodulating the buffered at least two broadcast signals respectively, and means for decoding the demodulated at least two broadcast signals and reproducing the PIP function. And, when the PIP function is requested, controlling to repeatedly tune the at least two broadcast channels alternately, to buffer and demodulate the at least two broadcast signals, and to decode and reproduce the at least two broadcast signals. Provided is an image reproducing apparatus including means.

In another aspect to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for reproducing a broadcast signal in a video reproducing apparatus having a PIP function, and if the PIP function is requested, repeatedly tuning the requested at least two broadcast channels alternately. And buffering at least two broadcast signals of the repeatedly tuned broadcast channels, respectively demodulating the at least two buffered broadcast signals, and decoding the demodulated at least two broadcast signals. It provides a broadcast signal reproduction method of a video reproducing apparatus comprising the step of reproducing.

The above and other objects and various advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by those skilled in the art.

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

A key technical aspect of the present invention is, when a PIP function is requested in an image reproducing apparatus having a PIP function, alternately repeatedly tuning the requested at least two broadcast channels, and buffering at least two broadcast signals of the repeatedly tuned broadcast channels, respectively. Then, by demodulating at least two buffered broadcast signals, and decoding the demodulated at least two broadcast signals to reproduce the divided screen, it is easy to achieve the object of the present invention through such technical means. .

1 is a block diagram of an image reproducing apparatus suitable for tuning and reproducing a plurality of broadcast signals through a PIP function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The key input unit 102, the control unit 104, and the tuner unit 106 are shown in FIG. , A buffer unit 108, a demodulator 110, a decoder 112, and a signal processor 114. Here, the buffer section 108 includes a first buffer section-an nth buffer section 108 / 1-108 / n.

Referring to FIG. 1, the key input unit 102 generates an operation signal according to a case where a user inputs a key for controlling an operation of a digital broadcast reception system using an input unit (not shown), for example, a remote controller. When a user inputs a key for requesting a PIP function by using an input unit (not shown), for example, a remote controller, a function such as generating a PIP function request operation signal and providing it to the control unit 104 accordingly is provided. Perform.

In addition, the controller 104 performs overall operation control of the digital broadcast reception system. In order to perform such operation control, the controller 104 provides a control signal for tuning the digital broadcast channel to the tuning unit 106, and The control signal for demodulating the broadcast signal is provided to the demodulator 110, the control signal for decoding the broadcast signal is provided to the decoding block 112, and the control signal for signal processing and playing the decoded broadcast signal is provided. It provides a function such as providing to the signal processor 114.

In addition, the controller 104 provides the control unit 106 with a control signal for tuning at least two broadcast channels according to a broadcast channel selected and input when there is a PIP function request operation signal from the key input unit 102, and at least After providing the control signal for buffering (temporarily storing) the broadcast signals of the two broadcast channels to the buffer unit 108, and providing the control signal for demodulating each buffered broadcast signal to the demodulator 110, In addition, a control signal for decoding the demodulated signal is provided to the decoding unit 112, and a control signal for dividing and playing the decoded broadcast signal with the PIP function is provided to the signal processing unit 114.

Meanwhile, when the tuning control signal is provided from the control unit 104, the tuning unit 106 tunes any one of a plurality of broadcast channels received through an antenna according to the buffer unit. When the broadcast signal is reproduced by the PIP function, the at least two broadcast channels selected according to the control signal from the control unit 104 are tuned, and each of the first buffer unit and the first buffer unit of the buffer unit 108 is tuned. n buffer sections 108 / 1-108 / n respectively. Here, when performing the PIP function, the tuning unit 106 may tune the broadcast channel to be played on the main screen for a relatively longer time than the broadcast channel to be played on the sub-screen to receive the broadcast signal.

The buffer unit 108 includes a first buffer unit-an nth buffer unit 108 / 1-108 / n according to the number of broadcast channels selected to perform the PIP function, which is transmitted from the tuning unit 106. The broadcast signals of at least two broadcast channels are buffered (temporarily stored) through the first buffer unit-the nth buffer unit 108 / 1-108 / n, respectively, and then transferred to the demodulator 110.

In addition, the demodulator 110 converts, demodulates, and converts at least two broadcast signals transmitted from the first buffer unit to the nth buffer unit 108 / 1-108 / n, respectively, to the intermediate frequencies for the broadcast signals. After performing a series of processes, such as error correction, each of which is transmitted to the decoding unit 112.

Next, the decoding unit 112 decodes the at least two compressed coded broadcast signals (broadcast program signals) transmitted from the demodulator 110 by using decoding techniques such as variable length decoding, inverse DCT, inverse quantization, and motion compensation. The signal is recovered to the original signal before encoding and transmitted to the signal processor 114. In this case, the decoding unit 112 may extract an additional signal (for example, broadcast program guide information, etc.) from the broadcast signal and transmit the extracted additional signal to the controller 104.

In addition, the signal processing unit 114 may mix various menu screens generated according to the control signals provided from the control unit 104 with the image signals and display them on a monitor (not shown). Signals are processed according to divided screens (e.g., main screen, sub-screen, etc.) and reproduced through a monitor and a speaker (not shown).

Next, in the video reproducing system having the above-described configuration, when the PIP function is requested during broadcast reproduction, the tuned at least two broadcast channels selected and buffered at least two broadcast signals of the tuned broadcast channel are respectively demodulated and A process of decoding through at least two divided screens after decoding will be described.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of tuning and reproducing two broadcast signals through a PIP function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the broadcast reproducing mode of the video reproducing system (step 202), the control unit 104 inputs a specific key for requesting a PIP function by using an input unit (not shown), for example, a remote controller. In this case, it is checked whether there is a PIP function request operation signal generated from the key input unit 102 (step 204).

As a result of the check in step 204, when there is a PIP function request operation signal, the controller 104 waits for input of a channel selection operation signal from the key input unit 102 according to a broadcast channel selection for performing the PIP function. (Step 206).

The control unit 104 provides the control unit 106 with control signals for alternately tuning the first broadcast channel and the second broadcast channel according to the selected broadcast channel. The first broadcast channel and the second broadcast channel selected among the broadcast channels are alternately repeatedly tuned to alternately receive the first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal (step 208). Here, in the tuning unit 106, when the broadcast channel to be reproduced on the main screen is the first broadcast channel and the broadcast channel to be reproduced on the sub-screen is the second broadcast channel, the first broadcast is performed for a relatively longer time than the second broadcast channel. Channels may be tuned to receive broadcast signals, respectively.

Next, the first buffer unit 108/1 of the buffer unit 108 receives the first broadcast signal of the tuned and received first broadcast channel from the tuning unit 106 and buffers (temporarily stores) the signal. Transfer to grandfather 110 (step 210).

In addition, the second buffer unit 108/2 of the buffer unit 108 receives the second broadcast signal of the tuned and received second broadcast channel from the tuning unit 106 and buffers (temporarily stores) the demodulation unit. Forward to 110 (step 212).

Meanwhile, the demodulator 110 receives the buffered first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal, respectively, and performs a series of processes such as conversion to an intermediate frequency, demodulation, and error correction, and then the decoding unit 112. Forward (step 214).

In addition, the decoding unit 112 decodes the compression-coded first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal (broadcast program signal) transmitted from the demodulator 110 such as variable length decoding, inverse DCT, inverse quantization, and motion compensation. The signal is recovered to the original signal before encoding and transmitted to the signal processor 114.

Subsequently, the signal processor 114 processes the first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal transmitted from the decoder 112 into a divided screen (eg, a main screen, a sub-screen, etc.) through the PIP function. Playback is carried out through a monitor and a speaker (not shown) (step 218).

Therefore, when the PIP function is requested in the video reproducing system, the selected first broadcast channel and the second broadcast channel are alternately tuned alternately to receive the first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal repeatedly, and each of them is buffered and then demodulated, Decoded and signal processed to reproduce the divided screen.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the first broadcast channel and the second broadcast channel are tuned to be buffered through the first buffer unit and the second buffer unit, but this is described as three or more broadcast channels as necessary. Of course, the tuning can be buffered through three or more buffer units.

In the foregoing description, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that branch substitutions, modifications and variations are possible.

As described above, according to the present invention, unlike the conventional method of reproducing a plurality of broadcast signals with a plurality of tuners according to tuning the plurality of broadcast channels, when the PIP function is requested from a video reproducing apparatus having a PIP function Alternately iteratively tuning the requested at least two broadcast channels, buffering at least two broadcast signals of the repeatedly tuned broadcast channels, respectively, demodulating each of the at least two buffered broadcast signals, and demodulating the at least two By decoding the broadcast signal and reproducing the divided screen, at least two broadcast channels may be tuned to buffer the received broadcast signals, and then at least two broadcast signals may be effectively reproduced with the split screen of the PIP function.

Accordingly, by implementing an image reproducing system that buffers at least two broadcast signals alternately repeatedly tuned, the cost of having a plurality of tuners can be reduced, and the configuration thereof is also simplified, thereby improving the productivity of the image reproducing apparatus. You can.

Claims (4)

A video reproducing apparatus for reproducing a broadcast signal with a PIP function, Tuning means for alternately repeatedly tuning at least two broadcast channels of the plurality of broadcast channels; Means for buffering at least two broadcast signals for the tuned at least two broadcast channels, respectively; Means for demodulating the buffered at least two broadcast signals, respectively; Means for decoding and demodulating the demodulated at least two broadcast signals with the PIP function; Means for controlling to repeatedly tune the at least two broadcast channels alternately, to buffer and demodulate the at least two broadcast signals, and to decode and play the divided picture when the PIP function is requested. Image playback device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The tuning means, when the broadcast channel to be reproduced on the main screen is the first broadcast channel, and the broadcast channel to be reproduced on the sub-screen is a second broadcast channel for a relatively longer time than the second broadcast channel. And a video reproducing apparatus. A method of reproducing a broadcast signal in a video reproducing apparatus having a PIP function, Alternately repeating tuning the requested at least two broadcast channels when the PIP function is requested; Buffering at least two broadcast signals of the repeatedly tuned broadcast channels, respectively; Demodulating the buffered at least two broadcast signals, respectively; Decoding the demodulated at least two broadcast signals and reproducing the divided screens; Broadcast signal reproduction method of a video reproducing apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 3, wherein The repeating tuning may include: when the broadcast channel to be played on the main screen is the first broadcast channel and the broadcast channel to be played on the sub-screen is the second broadcast channel, the first broadcast channel is relatively longer than the second broadcast channel. Broadcast signal reproduction method of a video reproducing apparatus, characterized in that performed for a time.

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