KR20100034163A - Mobile terminal and method for selecting channel thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and a method for selecting a channel of the mobile terminal are provided to directly select a desired broadcasting channel without the need to use a broadcasting channel list or a directional key. CONSTITUTION: A controller(180) determines whether a priority broadcasting channel exists. The controller outputs a control signal according to the result. A user input unit(130) receives a priority broadcasting channel selection using alarm information displayed according to the control signal. A broadcasting receiving module(111) inputs the selected priority broadcasting channel according to the control signal.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR SELECTING CHANNEL THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of quickly selecting a broadcast channel in a broadcast terminal.

Terminal can move It may be divided into a mobile terminal (mobile / portable terminal) and a stationary terminal depending on whether or not. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

As the terminal functions are diversified, for example, such a terminal is a multimedia player having a complex function such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or video file, playing a game, or receiving a broadcast. Is being implemented.

In order to support and increase the function of such a terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal.

In general, in the terminal for receiving a broadcast, in order to select a broadcast channel, as the 'view channel list' menu item is selected through menu search, the broadcast channel list is displayed and entered into the selected broadcast channel, or by using a direction key. Channels can be selected sequentially.

However, according to the above-described conventional technology, in selecting a broadcast channel, it is troublesome to display a channel list and then select a broadcast channel using the channel list, or manually operate the direction keys.

The present invention provides a mobile terminal capable of quickly selecting a broadcast channel and a channel selection method thereof.

In addition, the present invention provides a mobile terminal and a channel selection method thereof capable of selecting a desired broadcast channel immediately without using a broadcast channel list or a direction key.

In addition, the present invention provides a mobile terminal and a channel selection method thereof that enable a broadcaster to allow a user to select a desired broadcast channel.

The mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-described problem, if it is determined that there is a control unit for determining whether there is a broadcast channel first, and outputs a control signal according to the determination result, the first broadcast channel, A display unit for displaying notification information of the priority broadcasting channel according to the control signal, a user input unit for selecting the priority broadcasting channel using the displayed notification information according to the control signal, and the selected priority broadcasting according to the control signal It includes a broadcast receiving module to enter the channel.

In addition, the channel selection method of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above problem, the step of determining whether or not the first broadcast channel, if the determination result is present, the notification information of the priority broadcast channel And displaying the priority broadcasting channel by using the displayed notification information, and entering the selected priority broadcasting channel.

According to the mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to quickly select a desired broadcast channel using the notification information of the preferred broadcast channel displayed on the screen.

In addition, the broadcaster can designate a desired broadcast channel as a priority broadcast channel, thereby inducing a user's priority selection.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, and the like. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and the like, except where applicable only to mobile terminals.

[Description of Fig. 1-Overall Configuration]

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output in the call mode. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays photographed and / or received images, a UI, and a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another, or may be disposed integrally with one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded by the touch screen. The proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by a change in an electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor 141 detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 154 are controllable. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to configuration aspects of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data relating to various patterns of vibration and sound output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, wired / wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired / wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting devices with identification modules, audio input / output (I / O) ports, The video input / output (I / O) port, the earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Therefore, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100 through a port.

The interface unit 170 may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various commands input by the user from the cradle. It may be a passage through which a signal is transmitted to the mobile terminal 100. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code may be implemented in software applications written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

[Description on Fig. 2-Instrument Description]

2A is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a portable terminal according to the present invention.

The disclosed portable terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is applicable to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be movable relative to each other.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the sound output module 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface unit 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. Can be. The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

The display unit 151 may occupy most of the main surface of the front case 101. The sound output module 152 and the camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the first operation unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. Can be. The second operation unit 132 and the interface unit 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 adjusts the volume of the sound output from the sound output module 152 or the display unit 151. Command), such as switching to the touch recognition mode.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 ′ has a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed on the terminal body to be rotatable or pop-up.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

The sound output module 152 ′ may be further disposed on the rear side of the terminal body. The sound output module 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the sound output module 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

The antenna 124 for receiving a broadcast signal may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 124 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1) may be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may also be disposed on the rear case 102.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

[Description on Fig. 3-Front, Back Touch]

Hereinafter, the operation of the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

3A and 3B are front views of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

Various types of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ These pieces of information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons.

In order to input such information, at least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement so as to be implemented in the form of a keypad. Such a keypad may be called a so-called " soft key ".

3A illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the front of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 may operate in an entire area or may be operated in a divided manner. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with each other.

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window 151a and the input window 151b are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window 151b, a softkey 151c displaying a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is output. When the softkey 151c is touched, a number or the like corresponding to the touched softkey is displayed on the output window 151a. When the first operation unit 131 is operated, a call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

3B illustrates receiving a touch applied to a softkey through the rear of the terminal body. If FIG. 3A is a portrait in which the terminal body is arranged vertically, FIG. 3B illustrates a landscape in which the terminal body is arranged horizontally. The display unit 151 may be configured to convert the output screen according to the arrangement direction of the terminal body.

3B shows that the text input mode is activated in the mobile terminal. The display unit 151 displays an output window 151a 'and an input window 151b'. A plurality of soft keys 151c 'displaying at least one of letters, symbols, and numbers may be arranged in the input window 151b'. The softkeys 151c 'may be arranged in the form of a QWERTY key.

When the soft keys 151c 'are touched through the touch pad 135 (refer to FIG. 2B), letters, numbers, symbols, etc. corresponding to the touched soft keys are displayed on the output window 151a'. As described above, the touch input through the touch pad 135 has an advantage of preventing the softkey 151c 'from being covered by the finger when touched, as compared with the touch input through the display unit 151. When the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 are transparent, the fingers located at the rear of the terminal body can be visually checked, and thus more accurate touch input is possible.

In addition to the input methods disclosed in the above embodiments, the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling. By scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, the user may move an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, a cursor or a pointer located at an icon. Further, when the finger is moved on the display portion 151 or the touch pad 135, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display portion 151. [ This may be useful for editing an image displayed on the display unit 151.

One function of the terminal may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 (touch screen) and the touch pad 135 are touched together within a predetermined time range. In the case of being touched together, there may be a case where the user clamps the terminal body using the thumb and index finger. For example, the function may include activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135.

Hereinafter, an organic operation relationship between components of the mobile terminal 100 for implementing the channel selection function according to the present invention will be described. The channel selection function according to the present invention can be executed not only in the broadcast mode but also in other applications (for example, the MP3 driving mode, the message writing mode, the phonebook search mode, etc.) driving mode or the standby mode.

The controller 180 may determine whether a priority broadcast channel exists periodically or arbitrarily. Alternatively, when the priority broadcast channel notification function is selected by the user, it may be determined whether a priority broadcast channel exists.

Here, the priority broadcast channel may mean a channel that needs to be preferentially selected regardless of a predetermined channel order for each of the plurality of selectable broadcast channels.

In this case, the controller 180 may first determine whether a broadcast channel exists by using broadcast related information previously stored in the memory 160 or broadcast related information received by the broadcast receiving module 111.

The controller 180 may first output a control signal corresponding to the determination result of whether a broadcast channel exists to each component.

Accordingly, the display unit 151 may display notification information of the priority broadcast channel when the priority broadcast channel exists according to a control signal input from the controller 180.

In addition, the user input unit 130 may receive a preferential broadcasting channel from the user by using the notification information displayed on the display unit 151 according to the control signal received from the controller 180.

Accordingly, the broadcast receiving module 111 may enter the selected priority broadcast channel through the user input unit 130 according to the control signal received from the controller 180.

4 is a flowchart according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a channel selection method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description, it is assumed that the mobile terminal mentioned below may include at least one of the components shown in FIG. 1.

When the mobile terminal 100 receives a user's selection operation for entering the broadcast mode, the mobile terminal 100 enters the broadcast mode under the control of the controller 180 (S401).

Here, the broadcast mode refers to a mode of receiving a broadcast signal or a broadcast related signal from a broadcast management server and outputting a broadcast program corresponding to the received broadcast signal through the output unit 150.

For example, the mobile terminal 100 may enter a broadcast mode as a user selects a key provided separately for entering the broadcast mode or selects a menu item corresponding to the broadcast mode entry through a menu search. .

The controller 180 activates the broadcast receiving module 111 as the broadcast mode enters.

The mobile terminal 100 outputs a broadcast program corresponding to the broadcast signal received by the broadcast receiving module 111 through the output unit 150 (S403).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a broadcast signal from a specific channel among at least one available broadcast channel, and the controller 180 may decode the received broadcast signal in a state capable of outputting. In addition, the broadcast signal may include an audio signal or a video signal.

The mobile terminal 100 receives broadcast related information from the broadcast management server through the broadcast receiving module 111 (S405).

In this case, the broadcast related information is information related to a broadcast program or a broadcast channel and may include, for example, broadcast time information, program / channel name information, program brief information, and the like. For example, the broadcast related information may have the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) of an DMB or an electronic service guide (ESG) of a DVB-H.

The receiving step S405 may be performed periodically as the broadcast mode enters. In this case, the reception period may be set by the mobile terminal 100 or the broadcast management server.

In addition, the broadcast related information received in the reception step S405 may be stored in the memory 160. In addition, when the valid period of the pre-stored broadcast related information has passed or is different from the pre-stored broadcast related information, the pre-stored broadcast related information may be updated based on the received broadcast related information.

The output step S403 and the reception step S405 are shown in the drawing as being sequentially performed, but their order may be changed or may be simultaneously processed.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned entry step (S401), output step (S403) and receiving step (S405) are necessary steps when the channel selection method according to the present invention is performed in the broadcast mode, the present invention is the MP3 drive mode, telephone It may not be necessary when the application is performed in an application mode or a standby mode except a broadcast mode such as a number search mode, a message composition mode, and a video playback mode.

The mobile terminal 100 first activates the broadcast channel notification function (S407).

For example, when the first broadcast program is outputting the first broadcast program using the mobile terminal 100, the broadcast channel provides a broadcast channel that provides a broadcast program of the same / similar genre as the first broadcast program, and a product related to the first broadcast program. It may include at least one of a broadcast channel according to a sales channel or a user channel selection pattern.

In addition, the priority broadcast channel may be a paid broadcast channel that is a preview or free broadcast time, an excellent viewer rating broadcast channel, a broadcast channel designated by the broadcast management server, a broadcast channel within a predetermined time range from the broadcast program start time, and a disaster. It may include at least one of / breaking broadcast channel.

When selected by the user, the mobile terminal 100 activates the broadcast channel notification function in at least one of the cases where it is determined that a broadcast channel exists first (see S409 to be described later) when requested by the broadcast management server. can do.

When selected by the user, the execution setting of the priority broadcasting channel notification function may be mentioned through a key selection or menu search provided for the execution command of the broadcasting channel notification function. More specifically, the user may first set an execution time zone, an execution place, an execution channel, an execution program, and the like, when the broadcast channel notification function is executed.

In addition, when a request is made from a broadcast management server, a case in which broadcast related information includes broadcast channel designation information, broadcast information (for example, program genre / name / broadcast time zone, etc.), information on execution time of a notification function, and the like, may be used. It may include.

The mobile terminal 100 first determines whether a broadcast channel exists by using the controller 180 (S409). In this case, the mobile terminal 100 may use broadcast related information received in the reception step S405 or pre-stored in the memory 160.

Hereinafter, the determination step S409 will be described in detail.

For example, when the broadcast program A (genre-drama) is being output using the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 may broadcast currently being provided for each broadcast channel genre information or broadcast channel included in the broadcast related information. By using the genre information of the program, it may be determined that the broadcast channel whose genre is a drama or the broadcast channel whose genre of the currently provided broadcast program is a drama is a broadcast channel.

Alternatively, when the broadcast program A is being output using the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 may use the broadcast information related to the broadcast program A by using the related broadcast information for each broadcast channel or broadcast program included in the broadcast related information. The broadcast channel that sells may be determined to be a broadcast channel.

Alternatively, when the broadcast program A is being output using the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 may include information about a user channel selection pattern, for example, broadcast program A (first channel) and broadcast program B (second). The second channel or the third channel may be determined as a broadcast channel by using a user channel selection pattern in order of channel) and broadcast program C (third channel). In this case, the information about the user channel selection pattern may be stored in the memory 160 or included in broadcast related information.

Alternatively, the controller 180 may determine that the paid broadcast channel belonging to the current preview or free broadcast time is a priority broadcast channel by using the preview or free broadcast time information for each paid broadcast channel included in the broadcast related information.

Alternatively, the controller 180 may determine that an excellent viewer rating broadcast channel is a priority broadcast channel by using the broadcasting rating excellent broadcast channel information for each broadcasting channel included in the broadcast related information.

Alternatively, the controller 180 may determine the specific broadcast channel designated by the broadcast management server as the priority broadcast channel by using the priority broadcast channel designation information included in the broadcast related information. For example, the specific broadcast channel may include a disaster broadcast channel, a breaking news channel, an election broadcast channel, and the like. In addition, the specific broadcast channel may include all broadcast channels that a broadcaster wants to designate as a broadcast channel.

Alternatively, the controller 180 may determine a broadcast channel that reaches a start time of the broadcast program or is within a predetermined time range from the start time using the broadcast time information for each broadcast program included in the broadcast related information as a priority broadcast channel. have.

On the other hand, the activation step (S407) and the determination step (S409), it is shown in the figure that proceeds sequentially, the order may be changed if the priority broadcast channel notification function when the priority broadcast channel exists.

When it is determined in the determination step S409 that the priority broadcast channel exists, the mobile terminal 100 displays notification information of the priority broadcast channel through the display unit 151 (S411).

The mobile terminal 100 may use icons, text, animation, video, etc. for each broadcast channel as notification information. Accordingly, the user may identify the broadcast channel first using the notification information. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 100 may use, as notification information, an icon, text, animation, video, or the like indicating that a broadcast channel exists. Accordingly, the user may not identify the priority broadcast channel, but may know that there is a priority broadcast channel and may be provided with identification information about the priority broadcast channel by selecting the identification information.

In addition, the controller 180 may stop displaying the notification information when a predetermined time elapses or when the display stop command signal is input from the user.

Hereinafter, the display step S411 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5A to 9 are screen configuration diagrams for displaying notification information of a priority broadcast channel in a broadcast mode in the mobile terminal 100.

When it is determined that the first broadcasting channel is the first channel and the seventh channel, the mobile terminal 100 may include icons 151-1 and 151-2 representing the first channel and the seventh channel, respectively, on one region of the screen; Hereinafter, the channel icon may be displayed (FIG. 5A), or the channel list 151-3 configured with the channel name may be displayed (FIG. 5B). In this case, the channel list may be displayed using at least one of a pop-up window, an on screen display (OSD), and screen division.

Alternatively, when a specific channel icon (or channel name) is selected (or touched) by the user while displaying the channel icon (or channel list) as broadcast channel notification information, the mobile terminal 100 first displays the specific channel icon. Information about a preferred broadcast channel corresponding to (or a channel name) may be displayed (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

Alternatively, in displaying the channel icon (or channel list), the mobile terminal 100 may first display the information on the broadcast channel (FIG. 7).

Alternatively, the mobile terminal 100 first displays an icon 151-4 indicating that a broadcast channel exists, and when the icon 151-4 is selected (or touched) by the user, FIGS. 5A to 7. The illustrated screen can be configured.

Alternatively, the mobile terminal 100 may display a window 151-5 that notifies the presence of a priority broadcast channel and allows the user to select whether to confirm the priority broadcast channel (FIG. 9). Accordingly, when 'OK' is selected by the user (YES), the screens shown in FIGS. 5A to 7 may be configured.

10A and 10B are screen configuration diagrams for displaying notification information of a priority broadcast channel in the standby mode or the MP3 driving mode in the mobile terminal 100.

The mobile terminal 100 displays the notification information 151-6 of the priority broadcasting channel in the standby mode (FIG. 10A), or notifies the priority broadcasting channel in the application driving mode (for example, the MP3 driving mode) except the broadcasting mode. Information 151-6 may be displayed (FIG. 10B).

Returning to FIG. 4, according to a user selection operation input through the user input unit 130, the mobile terminal 100 receives a preferential broadcasting channel by using the notification information displayed in the display step S411 (S413). .

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, the mobile terminal 100 selects (or touches) specific notification information among the notification information (for example, a channel icon) displayed in the display step S411. In this case, the priority broadcast channel corresponding to the specific notification information may be selected.

The mobile terminal 100 may enter the preferred broadcast channel selected in the selection step S413 by using the broadcast reception module 111 (S415), and receive and output a broadcast signal provided from the preferred broadcast channel. (S417).

For example, in the entry step S415, the broadcast channel switching may be performed in the broadcast mode, and the broadcast channel entry may be performed after activating the broadcast receiving module 111 in the application driving mode except the standby mode or the broadcast mode. .

In addition, in the output step (S417), as shown in Figure 11b, the mobile terminal 100 receives from the priority broadcast channel corresponding to the notification information (for example, channel icon) selected (or touched) in Figure 11a The broadcast signal can be output on the screen.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described channel selection method of the mobile terminal can be implemented as code that can be read by a processor in a medium in which a program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include.

The above-described mobile terminal and its channel selection method are not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments may be all or part of each embodiment so that various modifications can be made. It may alternatively be configured in combination.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2b is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

3A and 3B are front views of a mobile terminal for explaining an operation state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart of a channel selection method of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

5A to 9 are screen configuration diagrams for displaying notification information of a priority broadcast channel in a broadcast mode in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

10A and 10B are screen configuration diagrams for displaying notification information of a priority broadcast channel in a standby mode or an MP3 driving mode in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B are screen configuration diagrams illustrating channel selection using notification information of a priority broadcast channel in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (13)

A controller which determines whether a broadcast channel exists first and outputs a control signal according to the determination result; A display unit for displaying notification information of the priority broadcast channel according to the control signal when it is determined that the priority broadcast channel exists; A user input unit configured to select the priority broadcast channel by using the displayed notification information according to the control signal; And And a broadcast receiving module that enters the selected priority broadcast channel according to the control signal. The method of claim 1, wherein the priority broadcast channel, In the case of outputting a first broadcast program using the mobile terminal, a broadcast channel providing a broadcast program having the same / similar genre as the first broadcast program, a product sales channel associated with the first broadcast program, and a user channel selection pattern A mobile terminal comprising at least one of the broadcast channels. The method of claim 1, wherein the priority broadcast channel, At least one of a preview or a free broadcast time paid broadcast channel, a viewer rating excellent broadcast channel, a broadcast channel specified by the broadcast management server, a broadcast channel within a predetermined time range from the broadcast program start time, and a disaster / breaking news channel Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1, The broadcast receiving module, Receive broadcast-related information, The control unit, The mobile terminal determines the existence of the priority broadcast channel using the received broadcast-related information at any point in time. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, The mobile terminal, when selected by the user, activates the priority broadcast channel notification function in at least one of cases where it is determined that the priority broadcast channel exists when requested by a broadcast management server. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, A mobile terminal for activating a broadcast channel notification function in at least one of an application driving mode and a standby mode. The method of claim 1, wherein the display unit, And at least one of an icon, text, animation, and a video for each broadcasting channel as notification information of the priority broadcasting channel according to the control signal. The method of claim 1, The user input unit, Receiving the displayed notification information according to the control signal, The broadcast receiving module, The mobile terminal enters the preferred broadcast channel corresponding to the selected notification information according to the control signal. First determining whether a broadcast channel exists; If it is determined that the determination result exists, displaying notification information of the first broadcast channel; Receiving the priority broadcast channel by using the displayed notification information; And And entering the selected priority broadcast channel. The method of claim 9, Receiving broadcast related information; The determining step, The channel selection method of the mobile terminal to determine the existence of the priority broadcast channel using the received broadcast-related information at any point in time. The method of claim 9, Activating the priority broadcast channel notification function in at least one of the cases where it is determined that the priority broadcast channel exists when requested by a broadcast management server when selected by a user. . The method of claim 9, wherein the displaying step, And displaying at least one of an icon, text, animation, and a video for each broadcasting channel as notification information of the priority broadcasting channel. The method of claim 9, The selection step, Receiving the displayed notification information, The entry step, The channel selection method of the mobile terminal to enter the preferred broadcast channel corresponding to the selected notification information.

Images