KR20100069200A - Remote controller based on wifi having touch screen and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A remote controller based on WiFi having a touch screen and a method for operating the same are provided to conveniently use various bidirectional service provided from an IPTV service. CONSTITUTION: A storage unit(260) stores at least menu type, and a display unit(230) includes a screen integrated with a touch input unit. The display unit displays at least one of menu types stored at the storage unit. A control unit(220) determines a menu type displayed on the display unit in response to the information received through a WiFi communication interface unit.

Description

Remote controller based on WiFi having touch screen and method for operating the same}

The present invention relates to a remote controller, and more particularly to a WiFi-based remote controller having a touch screen.

With the development of Internet technology and digital TV technology, IP TV (Internet Protocol Television) service, which provides television service using a high-speed Internet network, has been commercialized. The IP TV service is an interactive television service implemented by connecting a TV with a content providing server connected to the Internet via a set-top box.

Since the IP TV service has a huge amount of content that can be provided to the user, various interfaces are required to easily search for desired content. However, the interface method provided by the conventional remote controller could not conveniently use various interactive services provided by the IP TV service.

For example, an IP TV service can provide various channel information and program information. In the related art, an IP TV service is used to obstruct a TV viewer by covering a screen of a program being broadcast by displaying it on a TV screen.

In addition, the menu type required for each service type (for example, key button type and arrangement status) is different from each other. In order to include them in one remote controller, the size of the remote controller is increased and the number of buttons increases. There was a problem that was difficult to choose.

The present invention is to compensate for this problem, to provide a remote controller that can conveniently use a variety of interactive services provided by the IP TV service.

The present invention also provides a remote controller having a touch screen and supporting various functions without increasing the size of the remote controller by displaying a menu type corresponding to the type of IP TV service.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem, a WiFi-based remote controller having a touch screen of the present invention includes a touch input unit for receiving a user's operation signal; An infrared communication interface for performing infrared communication with the IP TV; A WiFi communication interface unit performing WiFi communication with the IP TV; A storage unit which stores at least one menu type preset; A display unit having a screen integrated with the touch input unit and displaying any one of menu types stored in the storage unit; And a controller configured to determine a menu type to be displayed on the display unit in response to selection information of the user input through the touch input unit or information received through the WiFi communication interface unit.

Preferably, the controller may edit one of the menu types previously stored in the storage unit or add a new menu to the storage unit in response to a menu type editing command input through the touch input unit.

The WiFi-based remote controller having the touch screen may further include a vibrator that vibrates in response to a signal input through the touch input unit or a vibration command transmitted through the WiFi communication interface unit.

In addition, the WiFi communication interface unit may communicate with a server system connected to an IP network or a web-server connected to an external Internet network through an IP TV.

The controller may control the display unit to detect a menu type corresponding to the information received through the IP TV from the storage unit and then display the corresponding information in the detected menu type.

In addition, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a WiFi-based remote controller having a touch screen is configured to search for a preset initial menu type after searching for a preset initial menu type when the power of the remote controller is 'on'. Displaying; A menu type editing step of changing a preset menu type or adding a new menu type in response to a menu type editing request; And selecting and displaying one of pre-stored menu types in response to a menu change request.

In this case, changing and displaying the menu may include recognizing an information type received from an IP TV; Detecting a menu type corresponding to the received information type among preset menu types; And displaying the detected menu type.

As described above, the present invention has an advantage of allowing the user to conveniently use various interactive services provided by the IP TV service by adding a touch screen to the remote controller performing WiFi communication with the IP TV. In particular, by displaying the corresponding menu type according to the IP TV service type on the touch screen, it is possible to support various functions without increasing the size of the remote controller. That is, there is an advantage that can be miniaturized the multi-function IP TV remote controller.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the embodiments of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings that illustrate embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 and 2 are diagrams showing examples of a communication method between an IP TV and a remote controller performing WiFi communication. That is, FIG. 1 illustrates a method in which an IP (Access Point) function is added to the IP TV 110 so that the IP TV 110 and the remote controller 200 perform direct communication (eg, WiFi communication). 2, the IP TV 110 and the AP 125 are separately configured so that the IP TV 110 and the AP 125 are connected through a WiFi communication network or a LAN, and the remote controller 200 is connected to the IP through the AP 125. A method of performing communication (eg, WiFi communication) with the TV 110 is illustrated.

Hereinafter, a case where the AP function is added to the IP TV will be described as an example.

3 is a schematic block diagram of a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the WiFi-based IP TV remote controller 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a touch input unit 210, a controller 220, a display unit 230, and an infrared communication interface unit (I / F) 240. ), A WiFi communication interface unit (I / F) 250, a storage unit 260, a speaker 270, and a vibrator 280.

The touch input unit 210 receives a user's manipulation signal. In particular, the touch input unit 210 recognizes a command corresponding to a location touched by a user and transmits the command to the inside. To this end, the touch input unit 210 may be integrally formed with a screen (called a “touch screen”) that distinguishes / displays an area to be touched.

The controller 220 may control the WiFi-based IP TV remote controller based on user selection information input through the touch input unit 210, various control commands transmitted from the IP TV through the WiFi communication interface 250, or a preset control algorithm. Control 200. For example, the controller 220 may edit one of the menu types previously stored in the storage 260 or add a new menu to the storage 260 in response to a menu type editing command input through the touch input unit 210. have. In addition, the controller 220 determines a menu type to be displayed on the display unit 230 in response to the user selection information input through the touch input unit 210 or the information received through the WiFi communication interface unit 230. That is, the controller 220 determines the menu type corresponding to the selection information or the reception information of the user among the menu types previously stored in the storage unit 260 and then controls the display unit 230 to display the menu type.

The display unit 230 includes a screen (called a “touch screen”) integrally formed with the touch input unit 210, and displays any one of menu types stored in the storage unit 260 under the control of the controller 220. do.

The infrared communication interface unit I / F 240 performs infrared communication with the IP TV. For example, the infrared communication interface 240 transmits a TV control command such as power on / off, volume control, or channel change to the IP TV based on a user's manipulation signal input through the touch input unit 210.

The WiFi communication interface unit I / F 250 performs WiFi communication with the IP TV. For example, if IP TV channel information (eg, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information) is requested through the touch input unit 210, the WiFi communication interface unit 250 transmits an IP TV channel information request command to the IP TV and the IP In response to the TV channel information request command, IP TV channel information is received from the IP TV. In addition, when another channel broadcast screen is requested through the touch input unit 210, the WiFi communication interface unit 250 transmits another channel broadcast screen request command to the IP TV, and then responds to the other channel broadcast screen request command from the IP TV. The received broadcast screen is received as a sub channel broadcast screen. Meanwhile, when a preview of at least one channel is requested through the touch input unit 210, the WiFi communication interface unit 250 transmits a preview request command to the IP TV and from the IP TV in response to the preview request command. Receive at least one preview screen delivered.

Also, the WiFi communication interface 250 may communicate with a server system connected to an IP network or a web server connected to an external internet network through an IP TV.

The storage unit 260 stores at least one menu type set in advance. An example of storing the menu type is illustrated in FIG. 4. Therefore, a storage example of the menu type will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

The speaker 270 outputs operation information as a sound. For example, a malfunction notification sound or a voice guidance message may be output. If another channel (eg, a sub-channel) broadcast screen is output through the display unit 230, the speaker 270 may output a voice and sound corresponding to the broadcast screen.

The vibrator 280 vibrates when a signal is input through the touch input unit 210 or in response to a vibration command transmitted through the WiFi communication interface 250. In this case, the signal input through the touch input unit 210 may be a specific input signal for vibration or any signal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a field structure for a menu type management database DB stored in a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 4, the menu type management DB 10 includes a menu type_identification number field 11 / function classification_information field 13 / number of buttons_save field 15 / button-detail information_save field. (17) / other_area_stored field 19.

The function classification information field 13 stores the function of the menu type. For example, the function classification information according to the screen configuration such as key_button, broadcast screen display, channel information display, program information display and the like can be stored.

The button number storage field 15 stores the number of buttons included in the menu type.

The detailed information storage field 17 for each button stores detailed information of each button (for example, display position, shape, operation state when the corresponding button is selected, etc.).

The other area information storage field 19 may store information (eg, display information) about an area other than a button.

5A to 5D illustrate screen display examples of a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D illustrate screen display examples according to the functional classification of the menu type. FIG. 5A shows an example of a menu type displaying a key_button, FIG. 5B shows an example of a menu type displaying a broadcast screen, FIG. 5C shows an example of a menu type displaying channel information, and FIG. 5d shows an example of a menu type for displaying program information.

5A to 5D illustrate examples of the menu type, but the present invention is not limited to FIGS. 5A and 5D. For example, in addition to the menu type illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D, various menu types may be set, and even the same menu type may be displayed in other forms than those illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D. For example, in the example of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the key button is displayed in a circle, but may be displayed in a rectangle.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller of the present invention) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 and 6, the operation method of the remote controller of the present invention is as follows. First, when the power of the remote controller of the present invention is 'on' (S105), the controller 220 searches for a preset initial menu type (S110) and then displays the found initial menu type on the display unit 230 ( S115). In this case, the initial menu type may or may not be previously stored in the controller 220. Otherwise, the controller 220 should detect the menu type from the storage 260.

When a menu type edit request signal is input through the touch input unit 210 (S120), the controller 220 performs a menu type edit mode S130 in response thereto.

An example of the processing for the menu type editing mode S130 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The menu type editing mode S130 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 7.

Meanwhile, when an operation signal menu change request signal is input through the touch input unit 210 (S135), the controller 220 selects one of the menu types previously stored in the storage unit 260 in response to the display unit 230. It is displayed on (S140).

In addition, when the information transmitted from the IP TV is received through the WiFi communication interface 250, the controller 220 may detect a menu type corresponding to the information from the storage 260 and display the menu type on the display 230. . In this case, after recognizing the information type received from the IP TV, the controller 220 detects a menu type corresponding to the received information type among preset menu types, and sequentially displays the detected menu type. It can be done with Examples of the menu change display step according to each of the above cases are illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10. Therefore, a processing procedure of changing and displaying a menu based on the information received from the IP TV will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed process of the menu type editing mode illustrated in FIG. 6. 3 and 7, the controller 220 first checks whether a new menu is added (S131). To this end, the controller 220 may display a pop-up message window on the display unit 230 asking whether to add a new menu.

If the new menu is requested to be added (S132), the controller 220 displays the new menu addition screen on the display unit 230, and when the edited content is input through the touch input unit 210 (S137), the edited content is stored in the storage unit ( 260) (S138).

On the other hand, if the addition of a new menu is not requested, the controller 220 displays a menu selection screen for editing (S134). When a menu to be edited is selected through the touch input unit 210 (S135), an edit screen for editing the selected menu is displayed (S136), and the edited content is stored in the storage unit 260 according to the input edited content. (S137, S138).

In this case, the edited content may be a data value of data fields as illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, the edited content is information for determining a function classification of a menu type to be newly added or edited, button information included in the menu type, and the like.

8 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of a processing procedure in which a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller performs data communication with an IP TV according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller will be briefly described as a 'remote control'.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a processing procedure in which the remote controller 200 requests EPG data from the IP TV 100 based on the user's selection information and receives the response signal to display the corresponding menu type. 3 and 8, when a user's operation signal for an EPG request is input through the touch input unit 210 (S305), the controller 220 generates an EPG data request command and then executes the EPG data request command. The transmission is transmitted to the IP TV 100 through the communication interface 250 (S310). Then, the IP TV 100 searches for EPG data information in response to the information (S315) and transmits the EPG data to the remote controller 200 (S320). After receiving the EPG data, the remote controller 200 detects the corresponding menu type from the storage unit 260 (S325) and displays the EPG as the detected menu type (S330).

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a processing procedure in which the remote controller 200 requests another channel broadcasting screen from the IP TV 100 based on the user's selection information, and receives the response signal to display a corresponding menu type. 3 and 9, when a user's operation signal for requesting another channel broadcast screen is input through the touch input unit 210 (S405), the controller 220 generates another channel broadcast screen request command and then receives the other signal. The channel broadcast screen request command is transmitted to the IP TV 100 through the WiFi communication interface 250 (S410). At this time, the remote controller 200 must transmit the channel number of the corresponding channel. In response, the IP TV 100 sets the corresponding channel as a sub-channel (S415) and transmits the real-time broadcast screen of the sub-channel to the remote controller 200 (S420). After receiving the real-time broadcast screen of the sub-channel, the remote controller 200 detects the corresponding menu type from the storage unit 260 (S425) and displays the real-time broadcast screen of the sub-channel with the detected menu type (S430).

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a processing procedure in which the remote controller 200 requests another channel preview from the IP TV 100 according to the user's selection information, and receives the response signal to display the corresponding menu type. 3 and 10, when a user's manipulation signal for requesting another channel preview is input through the touch input unit 210 (S505), the controller 220 generates another channel preview request command and then previews the other channel. The request command is transmitted to the IP TV 100 through the WiFi communication interface 250 (S510). At this time, the remote controller 200 must transmit at least one channel number together. Then, in response to the IP TV 100 searches for the preview screen for each channel for the selected channel in response (S515) and transmits the searched preview screen to the remote control (200) (S520). After receiving the preview screen for each channel, the remote controller 200 detects the corresponding menu type from the storage unit 260 (S525) and displays the preview screen with the detected menu type (S530).

11 through 16 illustrate examples of a processing procedure in which a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller communicates with a web server connected to an external Internet network or a server system connected to an IP network through an IP TV according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is one figure. In FIG. 11 to FIG. 16, the WiFi-based IP TV remote controller will be abbreviated as 'remote control'.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a processing procedure in which the remote controller 200 requests web information from the web server 300 through the IP TV 100 and receives the web information in response to the user's selection information. 3 and 11, when a user's manipulation signal for web information request is input through the touch input unit 210 (S605), the controller 220 generates a web information request command and then executes the web information request command. The WiFi communication interface 250 transmits the IP to the TV 200 (S610). In response, the IP TV 100 transmits the web information request command to the web server 300 connected to the Internet (S615).

After receiving the web information request command, the web server 300 searches for web information (S620), and transfers the searched web information to the IP TV 100 (S625). The IP TV 100 receives the web information. The web information is transmitted to the remote control 200 (S630).

After receiving the web information through the WiFi communication interface 250, the remote controller 200 detects the corresponding menu type from the storage unit 260 (S635) and displays the web information with the detected menu type (S640). .

12 is an example of a processing procedure in which the remote controller 200 requests the server system 400 to install and change the software through the IP TV 100 and downloads and installs the corresponding software in response to the user's selection information. It is shown. In this case, the software may be various software, such as a remote control program, a home network device control program, and other applications. 3 and 12, when a user's manipulation signal for installing and changing a specific software is input through the touch input unit 210 (S705), the controller 220 generates a software installation / change command and installs the software. The transfer / change command is transmitted to the IP TV 200 through the WiFi communication interface 250 (S710). In response, the IP TV 100 transmits the software installation / modification command to the server system 400 connected to the IP network (S715).

Then, the server system 400 searches for the corresponding software (S720), and downloads the found software (for example, an installation program) to the IP TV 100 (S725), and receives the software, the IP TV 100. The software downloads the software to the remote controller 200 (S730).

The remote controller 200 receiving the software through the WiFi communication interface 250 installs or changes the software (S735).

13 illustrates an example of a process in which the server system 400 installs the latest software on the remote controller 200 after checking the software version of the remote controller 200. 3 and 13, when receiving a software version check command from the server system 400 (S805), the IP TV 100 transmits the software version check command to the remote control 200 (S810). ). After receiving the software version check command through the WiFi communication interface unit 250, the controller 220 detects a version of pre-stored software (S815), and then detects the detected software version through the IP TV 100. 400) (S820, S825).

Then, the server system 400 determines whether the software version is the latest version (S830) and if the software version is not the latest version, downloads the latest version of the corresponding software to the remote controller 200 through the IP TV 100. (S835, S840).

The remote controller 200 receiving the latest version of the software upgrades the corresponding software (S845).

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a process of determining whether to upgrade and performing an upgrade by comparing the remote controller 200 receiving the latest version of the software randomly by the server system 400 with the previously stored software version. It is shown. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 14, when the server system 400 detects the latest version software for the remote controller (S855) and downloads the software to the remote controller 200 through the IP TV 100 (S860, S865) WiFi The remote controller 200 that receives the software through the interface unit 250 compares the received software with a version of previously stored software (S870). As a result of the comparison, if the two versions of the software are not the same (S875), the remote controller 200 upgrades the corresponding software according to the version of the received software (S880). That is, the pre-stored software is upgraded using the received software.

15 and 16 illustrate examples of a process in which the remote controller 200 generates vibration in response to the vibration command transmitted from the server system 400. FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which the vibration command is generated in the web server 300 in the server system 400, and FIG. 16 illustrates an example in which the vibration command is generated in the IP TV 100.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 15, when an alarm transmission reason occurs from the server system 400 to the remote controller 200 (S905), the server system 400 generates a vibration command (S910) and then sends the vibration command to the IP TV 100. Transfer to the remote control 200 through the (S915, S920). The controller 220 receiving the vibration command through the WiFi interface unit 250 vibrates the vibrator 280 based on the vibration command (S925).

In this case, when the reason for the alarm delivery occurs in the server system 400, when a user who participates in a real-time quiz show through the IP TV 100 inputs an incorrect answer, there may be a case where an input error occurs while the game is in progress.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 3 and 16, after receiving content from the server system 400 (S955), the IP TV 100 analyzes the content (S960) and satisfies an alarm delivery condition (S965). Transmit the vibration command to the (S970). The control unit 220 receiving the vibration command through the WiFi interface unit 250 vibrates the vibrator 280 based on the vibration command (S975).

At this time, the content that satisfies the alarm delivery condition may include a notice, a program guide.

Although the contents of the present invention have been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art may realize various modifications and other equivalent embodiments therefrom. Will understand. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication method between an IP TV and a remote controller performing WiFi communication.

2 is a diagram illustrating another example of a communication method between an IP TV and a remote controller performing WiFi communication.

3 is a schematic block diagram of a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a field structure for a menu type management database stored in a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller illustrated in FIG. 3.

5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating screen display examples of a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed process of the menu type editing mode illustrated in FIG. 6.

8 to 10 are diagrams showing examples of a processing procedure in which a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller performs data communication with an IP TV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 to 16 illustrate examples of a processing procedure in which a WiFi-based IP TV remote controller performs communication with a web server through an IP TV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (15)

A touch input unit configured to receive a user's operation signal; An infrared communication interface for performing infrared communication with the IP TV; A WiFi communication interface unit performing WiFi communication with the IP TV; A storage unit which stores at least one menu type preset; A display unit having a screen integrated with the touch input unit and displaying one of menu types stored in the storage unit; And And a controller configured to determine a menu type to be displayed on the display unit in response to selection information of the user input through the touch input unit or information received through the WiFi communication interface unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit The WiFi-based remote controller for editing one of the menu types previously stored in the storage unit or add a new menu to the storage unit in response to a menu type editing command input through the touch input unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage unit WiFi-based remote controller for storing the data field including the function classification information field, the number of button storage field, the button-specific information field and other area information field of the menu type for each menu type. The method of claim 1, And a vibrator vibrating in response to a vibration command transmitted through the WiFi communication interface unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the WiFi communication interface unit And transmitting the IP TV channel information request command input through the touch input unit to the IP TV, and receiving the IP TV channel information from the IP TV in response to the IP TV channel information request command. The method of claim 1, wherein the WiFi communication interface unit WiFi-based remote controller that transmits the other channel broadcast screen request command input through the touch input unit to the IP TV and receives the broadcast screen transmitted from the IP TV as a sub channel broadcast screen in response to the other channel broadcast screen request command. . The method of claim 1, wherein the WiFi communication interface unit And a preview request command for at least one channel input through the touch input unit to the IP TV, and receiving at least one preview screen transmitted from the IP TV in response to the preview request command. The method of claim 1, wherein the WiFi communication interface unit A WiFi based remote controller communicating with a server system connected to an IP network or a web server connected to an external internet network through the IP TV. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the control unit And detecting the menu type corresponding to the information received through the IP TV from the storage unit and controlling the display unit to display the corresponding information in the detected menu type. In the WiFi-based remote controller with a touch screen, Searching for a preset initial menu type when the power of the IP TV remote controller is 'on' and displaying the found initial menu type; A menu type editing step of changing a preset menu type or adding a new menu type in response to a menu type editing request; And In response to a menu change request, selecting and displaying one of pre-stored menu types. The method of claim 10, wherein changing and displaying the menu comprises: Recognizing a type of information received from an IP TV; Detecting a menu type corresponding to the received information type among preset menu types; And And displaying the detected menu type. The method of claim 10, Transmitting a software installation and change command to the server system connected to the IP network through the IP TV; Receiving, via the IP TV, software delivered from the server system in response to the command; And Installing and changing the received software further comprising the operation method of the WiFi-based remote controller. The method of claim 10, Receiving a software version check command from the server system connected to the IP network via the IP TV; Detecting a pre-stored software version; Delivering the detected software version to an server system via an IP TV; Receiving a higher version of the software delivered from the server system via an IP TV; And The method of claim 1, further comprising upgrading the pre-stored software by using the received software. The method of claim 10, Receiving software transmitted from a server system connected to the IP network through the IP TV; Comparing the received software with a version of previously stored software; And And comparing the pre-stored software by using the received software when the received software is more recent than the pre-stored software. The method of claim 10, And receiving a vibration command through the IP TV, generating a vibration in response to the vibration command.

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