KR20110058035A - Apparatus for displaying image and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for displaying image and a method for operating the same are provided to display one or more thumbnail images based on a currently reproducing broadcast signal or an external signal. CONSTITUTION: An image display apparatus determines a signal of a broadcast which is about to start the program(S515). The image display apparatus displays a thumbnail image based on the broadcast signal or the external signal(S520). The image display apparatus updates one or more thumbnail image among the displayed thumbnail images(S525). The image display apparatus displays the updated thumbnail image to some part of the display(S530).

Description

Apparatus for displaying image and method for operating the same}

The present invention relates to a method of operating an image display device, and more particularly, to an image display device and an operation method thereof, in which a user can easily grasp an external content at which a start program or playback starts. It is about.

The image display device is a device having a function of displaying an image that a user can watch. In addition, the image display apparatus may display a broadcast selected by the user among the broadcast signals transmitted from the broadcasting station on the display. Currently, the trend is shifting from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting worldwide.

Such digital broadcasts transmit digital video and audio signals, and are more resistant to external noise than analog broadcasts, and thus have low data loss, are advantageous for error correction, provide high resolution, and provide a clear picture. In addition, with the implementation of digital broadcasting, interactive services have become possible.

In such a digital broadcasting environment, a remote control device is being developed to increase user convenience.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus and an operation method thereof, which can easily identify a start program or external content at which playback starts.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating an image display apparatus, the method including displaying an image on a display, and a broadcast signal of a channel at which a program is started or an external signal at which playback is started. And displaying at least one thumbnail image based on a broadcast signal or an external signal on at least one region of the display.

In addition, the image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a display, a tuner for receiving a broadcast signal of the selected channel or a broadcast signal of a pre-stored channel, and an external signal input And a signal input unit and a controller configured to display at least one thumbnail image based on the broadcast signal or the external signal on at least one region of the display when there is a broadcast signal of the channel at which the program is started or an external signal at which playback is started. do.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a broadcast signal of a channel at which a program is started or an external signal at which playback is started is input, by displaying at least one thumbnail image based on the broadcast signal or the external signal, the user may display a start program or It is easy to identify the external content at which playback starts.

In addition, by selecting the thumbnail image while the thumbnail image is displayed, it is possible to easily switch the screen. And the thumbnail image which is not selected is displayed continuously, and it is possible to have a wide selection opportunity.

In addition, by dragging any thumbnail image to the displayed image while the thumbnail image is displayed, the user may intuitively perform a selection operation.

In addition, by displaying a management menu for viewing or recording on the focused or selected thumbnail image, the user can simply watch or record an image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image.

In addition, by converting the displayed thumbnail image from the still image to the moving image, the user can easily recognize the content.

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

The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are merely given in consideration of ease of preparation of the present specification, and do not impart any particular meaning or role by themselves. Therefore, the "module" and "unit" may be used interchangeably.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the image display device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a first tuner 120, a second tuner 125, an external signal input unit 128, and a first demodulator 130. , The second demodulator 135, the first analog / digital converter 140, the second analog / digital converter 145, the interface unit 150, the controller 160, the channel browsing processor 170, and storage The unit 175, a display 180, and an audio output unit 185 are included.

The first tuner 120 selects an RF broadcast signal corresponding to a channel selected by a user from among radio frequency (RF) broadcast signals received through an antenna, and converts the selected RF broadcast signal into an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband video / audio. Convert to a signal. For example, if the selected RF broadcast signal is a digital broadcast signal, it is converted into a digital IF signal DIF1, and if it is an analog broadcast signal, it is converted into an analog baseband video / audio signal CVBS 1 / SIF. That is, the first tuner 120 may be a hybrid tuner capable of processing digital broadcast signals and analog broadcast signals. The analog baseband video / audio signal CVBS 1 / SIF output from the first tuner 120 may be directly input to the controller 160.

Also, as described below, the first tuner 120 receives an RF broadcast signal of a single carrier according to an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) scheme or an RF broadcast signal of multiple carriers according to a digital video broadcasting (DVB) scheme. It is also possible.

Similar to the first tuner 120, the second tuner 125 selects an RF broadcast signal corresponding to a channel selected by a user from a radio frequency (RF) broadcast signal received through an antenna and selects the selected RF broadcast signal. Converts to an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband video / audio signal.

Meanwhile, the second tuner 125 sequentially and periodically selects corresponding RF broadcast signals of all stored broadcast channels through the channel memory function among the RF broadcast signals received through the antenna in the present invention, and the intermediate frequency signal. Alternatively, it can be converted to a baseband video / audio signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, since images of other pre-stored channels are also shown in thumbnail form on at least a portion of the display 180, it is possible to sequentially / periodically receive RF broadcast signals of all pre-stored channels.

For example, the first tuner 120 converts the main RF broadcast signal selected by the user into an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband video / audio signal, and the second tuner 125 controls all except the main RF broadcast signal. It is possible to select the RF broadcast signal (sub RF broadcast signal) or all the RF broadcast signals sequentially and periodically, and convert them to intermediate frequency signals or baseband video / audio signals.

The external signal input unit 128 receives an external signal from an external device. To this end, the external signal input unit 128 may include an A / V input / output unit (not shown), a wireless communication unit (not shown), and the like.

The external signal input unit 128 is connected to an external device such as a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray, a game device, a camcorder, a computer (laptop), or the like to receive an external input video signal, an external input audio signal, and an external device. The input data signal is transmitted to the controller 160 in the image display apparatus 100. In addition, the video signal, the audio signal, and the data signal processed in the controller 160 may be output to another external device.

The A / V input / output unit uses an Ethernet terminal, a USB terminal, a Composite Video Banking Sync (CVBS) terminal, a component terminal, and an S-video terminal (analog) for input / output of video / audio signals with an external device. It may include a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) terminal, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, RGB terminal, D-SUB terminal, IEEE 1394 terminal, SPDIF terminal, Liquid (HD) terminal.

The analog signal input through the CVBS terminal, the S-video terminal, or the like may be converted into a digital signal through the first analog / digital converter 140. The digital signal input through other input terminals may be input to the channel browsing processor 170 without analog / digital conversion.

The wireless communication unit may perform a wireless internet connection. For example, for wireless Internet access, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), a wireless broadband (Wibro), a world interoperability for microwave access (Wimax), a high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), or the like may be used. .

In addition, the wireless communication unit may perform near field communication with other electronic devices.

For example, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, etc. may be used.

Meanwhile, the external signal input unit 128 may be connected through at least one of the various set top boxes and the various terminals described above to perform input / output operations with the set top box.

For example, if the set-top box is a set-top box for an Internet Protocol (IP) TV, video, audio, and data signals processed by the set-top box for IPTV may be transmitted to the controller 160 to enable bidirectional communication. In addition, the signals processed by the controller 160 may be transferred to the set-top box for IPTV.

Meanwhile, the above-described IPTV may mean ADSL-TV, VDSL-TV, FTTH-TV, etc. according to the type of transmission network, and include TV over DSL, Video over DSL, TV overIP (TVIP), and Broadband TV ( BTV) and the like. In addition, IPTV may also mean an Internet TV capable of accessing the Internet, or a full browsing TV.

Meanwhile, the image display apparatus 100 may perform internet access or communication through the above-described Ethernet terminal of the external signal input unit 128, a wireless communication unit, or an IP (Internet Protocol) TV set-top box. .

In addition, the external signal input unit 128 may be connected to a communication network capable of video or voice calls. The communication network may mean a broadcast type communication network, a public telephone network, a mobile communication network, or the like connected through a LAN.

Meanwhile, when the signal output from the external signal input unit 128 is a digital signal, the signal may be input to the channel browsing processor 170 and processed. The output digital signal may be a signal according to various standards, but the drawing illustrates a stream signal. The stream signal TS 3 may be a signal multiplexed with a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal. For example, the stream signal TS 3 may be an MPEG-2 TS (Transprt Stream) multiplexed with an MPEG-2 standard video signal, a Dolby AC-3 standard audio signal, and the like.

The first demodulator 130 receives the digital IF signal DIF 1 converted by the first tuner 120 and performs a demodulation operation.

For example, when the digital IF signal DIF 1 output from the first tuner 120 is an ATSC scheme, the first demodulator 130 performs 8-VSB (8-Vestigal Side Band) demodulation. In addition, the first demodulator 130 may perform channel decoding. To this end, the first demodulator 130 includes a trellis decoder, a de-interleaver, a reed solomon decoder, and the like. De-interleaving and Reed Soloman decoding may be performed.

For example, when the digital IF signal DIF 1 output from the first tuner 120 is a DVB scheme, the first demodulator 130 performs coded orthogonal frequency division modulation (COFDMA) demodulation. In addition, the first demodulator 130 may perform channel decoding. To this end, the first demodulator 130 may include a convolution decoder, a deinterleaver, a reed-soloman decoder, and the like to perform convolutional decoding, deinterleaving, and reed-soloman decoding.

The first demodulator 130 may perform demodulation and channel decoding and output a stream signal TS 1. In this case, the stream signal TS 1 may be a signal multiplexed with a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal. For example, the stream signal TS 1 may be an MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS) multiplexed with an MPEG-2 standard video signal, a Dolby AC-3 standard audio signal, and the like. In more detail, the MPEG-2 TS may include a header of 4 bytes and a payload of 184 bytes.

The stream signal TS 1 is input to the controller 160 to perform demultiplexing, signal processing, and the like. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the input is input to the channel browsing processing unit 170 before the input to the control unit 160 to perform a process for channel browsing. Channel browsing operations will be described later.

The second demodulator 135 receives the digital IF signal DIF 2 converted by the second tuner 125 to perform a demodulation operation, and outputs a stream signal TS 2. The operation of the second demodulator 135 is omitted with reference to the operation of the first demodulator 130.

The first analog / digital converter 140 converts an analog signal input through the external signal input unit 128 into a digital signal. When the input signal is an image signal, sampling and quantization may be performed and converted into a digital image signal DV 1. The converted digital signal may be an uncoded signal. The converted digital image signal DV 1 is input to the channel browsing processor 170 and processed.

On the other hand, when the signal output from the second tuner 125 is an analog baseband video signal CVBS 2, it is necessary to convert the second analog / digital converter 145 into a digital signal.

The second analog / digital converter 145 converts an input analog signal into a digital signal. When the input signal is an image signal, sampling and quantization may be performed and converted into a digital image signal DV 2. The converted digital signal may be an uncoded signal. The converted digital image signal DV 2 is input to the channel browsing processor 170 and processed.

The interface unit 150 transmits an input signal from the user to the controller 160 or transmits a signal from the controller 160 to the user. For example, the interface unit 150 may power on / off, channel selection, screen setting, etc. from the remote control apparatus 200 according to various communication schemes such as a radio frequency (RF) communication scheme and an infrared (IR) communication scheme. Receives a user input signal, or transmits a signal from the control unit 160 to the remote control device 200.

The controller 160 may demultiplex the input stream and perform signal processing on the demultiplexed signals to generate and output signals for video and audio output. The controller 160 may control the image display apparatus 100 by a user command or an internal program input through the interface unit 150 or the like. In addition, the overall operation of the image display apparatus 100 may be controlled.

Although not shown in the drawing, the controller 160 may include a demultiplexer, an image processor, an audio processor, an OSD generator, and the like.

The controller 160 may control the tuners 120 and 125 to tune an RF broadcast signal corresponding to a selected channel or a pre-stored channel.

The controller 160 may demultiplex the input stream signal, for example, MPEG-2 TS, and divide the stream signal into a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal, respectively.

In addition, the controller 160 may perform image processing of the demultiplexed image signal.

For example, when the demultiplexed video signal is an encoded video signal, it may be decoded. Specifically, when the demultiplexed video signal is an encoded video signal of MPEG-2 standard, it may be decoded by an MPEG-2 decoder. In addition, when the demultiplexed video signal is a digital video broadcasting (DMB) method or an H.264 standard encoded video signal according to DVB-H, the demultiplexed video signal may be decoded by an H.264 decoder.

In addition, the controller 160 may process brightness, tint, and color adjustment of the image signal.

The image signal processed by the controller 160 is input to the display 180 to be displayed. It is also possible to input to an external output terminal connected to the external output device.

In addition, the controller 160 may perform voice processing of the demultiplexed voice signal.

For example, if the demultiplexed speech signal is a coded speech signal, it can be decoded. Specifically, when the demultiplexed speech signal is an encoded speech signal of MPEG-2 standard, it may be decoded by an MPEG-2 decoder. In addition, when the demultiplexed speech signal is an encoded speech signal of MPEG 4 Bit Sliced Arithmetic Coding (BSAC) standard according to the terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) scheme, it may be decoded by an MPEG 4 decoder. In addition, when the demultiplexed speech signal is an encoded audio signal of the AAC (Advanced Audio Codec) standard of MPEG 2 according to the satellite DMB scheme or DVB-H, it may be decoded by the AAC decoder.

In addition, the controller 160 may process a base, a treble, a volume control, and the like.

The voice signal processed by the controller 160 is input to the sound output unit 185, for example, a speaker, and outputs voice. It is also possible to be input to an external output terminal connected to an external output device (not shown).

In addition, the controller 160 may perform data processing of the demultiplexed data signal. For example, when the demultiplexed data signal is an encoded data signal, it may be decoded. The encoded data signal may be EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information including broadcast information such as a start time and an end time of a broadcast program broadcasted in each channel. For example, the EPG information may be ATSC-PSIP (ATSC-Program and System Information Protocol) information in the case of the ATSC scheme, and may include DVB-Service Information (DVB-SI) in the case of the DVB scheme. . The ATSC-PSIP information or the DVB-SI information may be information included in the aforementioned stream, that is, the header (4 bytes) of the MPEG-2 TS.

In addition, the controller 160 may perform an on screen display (OSD) process. Specifically, the controller 160 may display various types of information on the display 180 based on the image processed image signal, at least one of the data processed data signal, and the user input signal from the remote control apparatus 200. Signals can be generated for display in graphics or text. The generated signal may be input to the display 180 together with the image processed image signal and the data processed data signal.

The signal generated for the graphic or text display described above may include various data such as a user interface screen, various menu screens, widgets, and icons of the image display apparatus 100.

In addition, the controller 160 receives an analog baseband video / audio signal CVBS / SIF and performs signal processing. Here, the analog baseband video / audio signal CVBS / SIF input to the controller 160 may be an analog baseband video / audio signal from the tuner 120 or the external signal input unit 128. The signal processed image signal is input to the display 180 to be displayed. The signal processed audio signal is input to the sound output unit 185, for example, a speaker, to output audio.

The channel browsing processor 170 may perform a browsing process on at least one of a broadcast signal corresponding to the received channel and various external signals input through the external signal input unit 128.

In detail, the channel browsing processor 170 receives the demodulated and decoded stream signal TS 1 or TS 2 from the demodulator 130 or 135, or the stream signal TS 3 from the external signal input unit 128. ), Demultiplex the stream signals TS 1, TS 2, or TS 3, extract some of the demultiplexed video signals to generate thumbnail images, and multiplex a signal including the generated thumbnail video signals. The new stream signal TSa can be output.

It is also possible to output the stream signal TSb of any one of the input stream signals TS 1, TS 2 or TS 3. Here, the stream signal TSa or TSb may be MPEG 2 TS.

In addition, the channel browsing processor 170 generates a thumbnail image based on the digital signal DV 1 or DV 2 converted by the first or second analog / digital converter 140 or 145, and generates the thumbnail. A signal including a video signal may be multiplexed to output a new stream signal TSa.

Particularly, in the embodiment of the present invention, the channel browsing processor 170 generates a thumbnail image based on a broadcast signal of a channel at which a program is started or terminated, and an external signal at which playback of each external input device is started. It can be recoded and output in the form of a stream. As a result, by displaying on the display 180 a thumbnail image generated based on a broadcast signal of a channel at which a program is started or terminated, and an external signal at which playback starts among respective external input devices, the user intuitively starts a program or It is possible to easily grasp the contents of the external content at which playback starts.

The channel browsing processor 170 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

The storage unit 175 may store a program for processing and controlling each signal in the controller 160, or may store a signal processed video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal.

In addition, the storage unit 175 may perform a function for temporarily storing an image, audio, or data signal input from the external signal input unit 128.

In addition, the storage unit 175 may store a corresponding broadcast channel through a channel storage function.

The storage unit 175 may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), It may include at least one type of storage medium such as RAM, ROM (EEPROM, etc.).

In the drawing, the storage unit 175 is illustrated as being provided separately from the control unit 160, but is not limited thereto. The storage unit 175 may be included in the control unit 160.

On the other hand, the image display apparatus 100 may play back files (video files, still image files, music files, document files, etc.) stored in the storage unit 175 and provide them to the user.

The display 180 converts an image signal, a data signal, an OSD signal, or an image signal, data signal, etc. received from the external signal input unit 128 into R, G, and B signals, respectively, and is driven by the controller 160. Create The display 180 may be implemented in various forms such as a PDP, an LCD, an OLED, a flexible display, a 3D display, and the like. In addition, the display 180 may be configured as a touch screen and used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The sound output unit 185 receives a signal processed by the controller 160, for example, a stereo signal, a 3.1 channel signal, or a 5.1 channel signal, and outputs a voice signal. voice

The output unit 185 may be implemented with various types of speakers.

The remote control apparatus 200 transmits a user input to the interface unit 150. To this end, the remote control apparatus 200 can use Bluetooth, RF (radio frequency) communication, infrared (IR) communication, UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, or the like.

In addition, the remote control apparatus 200 may receive a video signal, an audio signal, a data signal, etc. from the interface unit 150 and output the same.

Meanwhile, the remote control apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be a spatial remote controller. A description of the spatial remote controller will be provided later with reference to FIG. 3.

Meanwhile, the descrambling of the scrambled channel may be processed in a cable broadcasting set top box (not shown). That is, when a thumbnail image indicating a scrambled channel is selected, the video, audio and data signals of the descrambled channel in the cable broadcasting set-top box may be directly processed by the controller 160 via the external signal input unit 128. As a result, the broadcast signal of the scrambled channel can be descrambled and displayed simply.

On the other hand, the descrambling process may be performed in the control unit 160 or the channel browsing processing unit 170 instead of the above-described cable broadcasting set-top box.

Meanwhile, in the drawing, two tuners are shown to display at least one thumbnail image on the display 180. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented through one tuner.

The video display device 100 described above is a fixed type of ATSC (8-VSB) digital broadcasting, DVB-T (COFDM) digital broadcasting, ISDB-T (BST-OFDM) digital broadcasting, and the like. It may be a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving at least one of the above, and is a mobile type of digital broadcasting of terrestrial DMB system, digital broadcasting of satellite DMB system, digital broadcasting of ATSC-M / H system, DVB-H system (COFDM system) It may be a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving at least one of digital broadcasting and digital broadcasting of a media flow link only method. It may also be a digital broadcast receiver for cable, satellite communications, or IPTV.

On the other hand, the video display device described in the present specification is a TV receiver, a mobile phone, a smart phone (notebook computer), a digital broadcasting terminal, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), etc. May be included.

Meanwhile, a block diagram of the image display apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a block diagram for an embodiment of the present invention. Each component of the block diagram may be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specifications of the image display apparatus 100 that is actually implemented. That is, two or more constituent elements may be combined into one constituent element, or one constituent element may be constituted by two or more constituent elements, if necessary. In addition, the functions performed in each block are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and the specific operations and apparatuses do not limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the channel browsing processor of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the channel browsing processor 170 includes a switch 205, a demultiplexer 210, a picture decoder 215, a DV decoder 217, a format converter 220, and an image encoder 230. ), Stream encoder 240.

The switch 205 selects one of a plurality of input streams TS 1, TS 2, and TS 3 and outputs the same as a main stream without a separate conversion operation (TSb), and the remaining streams are demultiplexer 210. To pass. The main video signal corresponding to the main stream TSb is displayed in most areas on the display 180. The sub video signal corresponding to the sub stream transmitted to the other demultiplexer 210 may be displayed on a portion of the display 180. Here, the sub video signal may include a thumbnail video signal.

The demultiplexer 210 may demultiplex the received stream signals TS 1, TS 2, or TS 3 and separate them into a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal, respectively. The video signal among the separated signals is transmitted to the picture decoder 215, and other audio and data signals may be transmitted to the stream encoder 240 to form a new stream.

The picture decoder 215 decodes at least a portion of the video signal which is demultiplexed and input. Decoding may be performed by an MPEG 2, MPEG-4 or H.264 decoder or the like.

The decoded image may be a still image or a moving image. For example, the picture decoder 215 may decode an image of an I picture among the input video signals or may decode some sections of the input video signals.

The DV decoder 217 receives the digital signals DV1 and DV2 converted by the analog / digital converters 140 and 145 to obtain a digital image.

The format converter 220 converts the format of the video signal input from the picture decoder 215 or the DV decoder 217. For example, the magnitude (resolution) of the input video signal may be converted. This size conversion may vary according to the number of thumbnail images displayed on the display 180. That is, as the number of thumbnail images displayed increases, the size of the corresponding thumbnail image decreases.

The video encoder 230 encodes the video signal converted by the format converter 220.

For example, the image size-converted by the format converter 220 may be encoded in JPEG or MPEG-2. The thumbnail image of the still image or the thumbnail image of the video encoded by the image encoder 230 may be displayed in one region of the display 180 in the future.

The stream encoder 230 encodes in a stream form based on the image encoded by the image encoder 230. That is, the video may be re-encoded based on an image encoded by the image encoder 230 and an audio signal and a data signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 210. Recoding may be performed in a multiplexed manner. The encoded stream form may be an MPEG 2 TS form.

Meanwhile, a block diagram of the channel browsing processor 170 shown in FIG. 2 is a block diagram for an embodiment of the present invention. Each component of the block diagram may be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specifications of the channel browsing processor 170 that is actually implemented.

3A to 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of the remote control apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the remote controller of FIG. 1 may be used as the remote controller 301.

The spatial remote controller 301 is one of the remote controllers 200 capable of inputting a command to the image display apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the spatial remote controller 301 transmits and receives a signal with the image display device 100 according to the RF communication standard. As shown in FIG. 3A, a pointer 302 corresponding to the spatial remote controller 301 may be displayed on the image display apparatus 100.

The user may move or rotate the space remote controller 301 up, down, left, and right. The pointer 302 displayed on the image display apparatus 100 corresponds to the movement of the spatial remote controller 301. 3B illustrates a bar in which the pointer displayed on the image display apparatus 100 moves in response to the movement of the spatial remote controller 301.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the user moves the spatial remote controller 301 to the left side, the pointer displayed on the image display apparatus 100 also moves to the left side correspondingly. In the present embodiment, the spatial remote controller 301 is provided with a sensor that can determine the movement. Information about the movement of the spatial remote controller 301 detected by the sensor of the spatial remote controller 301 is transmitted to the image display apparatus 100. The image display apparatus 100 determines the operation of the spatial remote controller 301 from the information about the movement of the spatial remote controller 301 and calculates a coordinate value of the pointer 302 corresponding thereto.

3A and 3B illustrate an example in which the pointer 302 displayed on the display 180 moves in response to up, down, left, or right rotation of the spatial remote controller 301. The moving speed or the moving direction of the pointer 302 may correspond to the moving speed or the moving direction of the spatial remote controller 301.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the pointer displayed on the image display apparatus 100 is set to move in response to the operation of the spatial remote controller 301. As another example, a predetermined command may be input to the image display apparatus 100 in response to an operation of the spatial remote controller 301.

That is, when moving back and forth of the spatial remote controller 301, the size of the image displayed on the image display apparatus 100 may be enlarged or reduced. Therefore, this embodiment does not limit the scope of the present invention.

4 is an internal block diagram of the interface unit of FIG. 1 and the spatial remote controller of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the spatial remote controller 301 includes a wireless communication unit 320, a user input unit 330, a sensor unit 340, an output unit 350, a power supply unit 360, a memory 370, and a control unit. 380 may include.

The wireless communication unit 320 transmits and receives a signal with the image display device 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, the spatial remote controller 301 may include an RF module 321 capable of transmitting and receiving a signal with the interface unit 310 of the image display apparatus 100 according to the RF communication standard. In addition, the spatial remote controller 301 may include an IR module 323 capable of transmitting and receiving a signal with the interface unit 310 of the image display apparatus 100 according to an IR communication standard.

In the present embodiment, the spatial remote controller 301 transmits a signal containing information about the operation of the spatial remote controller 301 to the image display apparatus 100 through the RF module 321. In addition, the spatial remote controller 301 may receive a signal transmitted from the image display apparatus 100 through the RF module 321. In addition, the spatial remote controller 301 may transmit a command regarding power on / off, channel change, volume change, etc. to the image display device 100 through the IR module 323 as necessary.

The user input unit 330 may be configured as a keypad or a button. The user may input a command related to the image display apparatus 100 to the spatial remote controller 301 by manipulating the user input unit 330. When the user input unit 330 includes a hard key button, the user may input a command related to the image display apparatus 100 to the spatial remote controller 301 through a push operation of the hard key button. When the user input unit 330 includes a touch screen, the user may input a command related to the image display apparatus 100 to the spatial remote controller 301 by touching a soft key of the touch screen. In addition, the user input unit 330 may include various kinds of input means that the user can operate, such as a scroll key or a jog key, and the present embodiment does not limit the scope of the present invention.

The sensor unit 340 may include a gyro sensor 341 or an acceleration sensor 343.

The gyro sensor 341 may sense information about an operation of the spatial remote controller 301. For example, the gyro sensor 341 may sense information about an operation of the spatial remote controller 301 based on the x, y, and z axes. The acceleration sensor 341 may sense information about a moving speed of the spatial remote controller 301. The output unit 350 may output an image or audio signal corresponding to a manipulation or a signal transmitted from the image display apparatus 100 to the user input unit 330. The user may recognize whether the user input unit 330 is manipulated or whether the image display apparatus 100 is controlled through the output unit 350.

For example, the output unit 350 may include a LED module 351 which is turned on when the user input unit 330 is manipulated or a signal is transmitted and received with the image display device 100 through the wireless communication unit 320, and a vibration module generating vibration. 353), an audio output module 355 for outputting audio or a display module 357 for outputting an image may be provided.

The power supply unit 360 supplies power to the space remote controller 301. The power supply unit 360 may reduce power waste by stopping power supply when the space remote controller 301 does not move for a predetermined time. The power supply unit 360 may resume power supply when a predetermined key included in the space remote controller 301 is operated.

The memory 370 may store various types of application data required for controlling or operating the spatial remote controller 301. If the spatial remote controller 301 transmits and receives a signal wirelessly through the image display apparatus 100 and the RF module 321, the spatial remote controller 301 and the image display apparatus 100 transmit and receive signals through a predetermined frequency band. . The control unit 380 of the space remote controller 301 stores information on a frequency band or the like for transmitting and receiving a signal wirelessly with the image display device 100 paired with the spatial remote controller 301 in the memory 370. And reference.

The controller 380 controls various items related to the control of the spatial remote controller 301. The controller 380 may receive a signal corresponding to a predetermined key operation of the user input unit 330 or a signal corresponding to an operation of the spatial remote controller 301 sensed by the sensor unit 340 through the wireless communication unit 320. It may be transmitted to the interface unit 310 of the 100.

The interface unit 310 of the image display apparatus 100 may determine a coordinate value of a pointer corresponding to the operation of the spatial remote controller 301 and the wireless communication unit 320 capable of transmitting and receiving a signal wirelessly with the spatial remote controller 301. A coordinate value calculator 315 that can be calculated may be provided.

The wireless communication unit 320 may transmit and receive a signal wirelessly with the spatial remote controller 301 through the RF module 321. In addition, the spatial remote controller 301 may receive a signal transmitted according to the IR communication standard through the RF module 323.

The coordinate value calculator 315 may correct a hand shake or an error from a signal corresponding to an operation of the spatial remote controller 301 received through the wireless communication unit 320 to adjust the coordinate value of the pointer 302 to be displayed on the display 180. x, y) can be calculated.

In addition, the spatial remote controller 301 transmission signal input to the image display apparatus 100 through the interface unit 310 is transmitted to the controller 160 of the image display apparatus 100. The controller 160 may determine the information on the operation and the key operation of the spatial remote controller 301 from the signal transmitted from the spatial remote controller 301 and control the image display apparatus 100 correspondingly.

A block diagram of the spatial remote controller 301 shown in FIG. 4 is a block diagram for one embodiment of the present invention. Each component of the block diagram may be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specifications of the spatial remote controller 301 that is actually implemented. That is, two or more constituent elements may be combined into one constituent element, or one constituent element may be constituted by two or more constituent elements, if necessary. In addition, the functions performed in each block are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, and the specific operations and apparatuses do not limit the scope of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 to 15 are diagrams for explaining an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, first, an image is displayed on a display (S510). The displayed image may be a broadcast image corresponding to a broadcast signal or an external input image corresponding to an external signal. In addition, the displayed image may be an image stored in the storage unit 175 in the image display apparatus 100. The displayed image may be a still image or a moving image. The image may be displayed on the entire area of the display 180.

FIG. 6A illustrates that a broadcast image 610 of channel 1 CH 1 is displayed on the entire area of the display 180.

Next, it is determined whether there is a broadcast signal of a channel on which a program is started or an external signal on which playback starts (S515).

As described above, whether or not a channel starts a program can be determined through EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information including broadcast information such as a start time and an end time of a broadcast program broadcast in each channel. The controller 160 may grasp the EPG information by demultiplexing the input stream. On the other hand, the control unit 160 may build up the program information database in real time by continuously collecting and updating such EPG information.

6 (a) and 6 (b), the program of channel 1 (CH 1) starts at 3 o'clock, and the program of channel 3 (CH 3) and channel 5 (CH 5) is started at 3:10. Illustrate what begins. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the current time is 3: 5, the broadcast image 610 of channel 1 CH 1 may be displayed on the display 180.

On the other hand, whether or not there is an external signal to start playback can be determined by the fact that there is an input signal input from an external device connected to the video display device 100 or that the data amount of the input signal is variable (increasing). . The controller 160 may determine whether there is an external signal at which playback starts. The external signal to be reproduced may be a video signal or an audio signal.

 Next, a thumbnail image based on the broadcast signal or the external signal is displayed (S520).

The broadcast signal of the channel where the program is started may be selectively received through the tuner 120 or 125. The channel browsing processor 170 may generate a thumbnail image of the broadcast signal and output it as a stream. The controller 160 may decode the received stream and control the thumbnail image to be displayed on at least a portion of the display 180. In this case, the thumbnail image may be displayed on the display 180 in a picture in picture (PIP) mode.

The thumbnail image may be a thumbnail image obtained by extracting a part of the image of the broadcast signal. On the other hand, if the channel is a data broadcast channel or an audio channel, since there is no image of the channel, it is also possible to generate a thumbnail image indicating that the channel without extracting the image. In addition, in the case of a scrambled channel, a thumbnail image indicating that the scrambled channel may be generated. Meanwhile, in the case of a scrambled channel, descrambling may be performed, and a thumbnail image may be extracted from an image of the descrambled broadcast signal.

Thumbnail images based on external signals are similar to thumbnail generation of broadcast signals. The channel browsing processor 170 may generate a thumbnail image of an external signal reproduced and output it as a stream. The controller 160 may decode the received stream and control the thumbnail image to be displayed on at least a portion of the display 180.

Meanwhile, when the reproduced external signal is an audio signal instead of an image signal, it is also possible to generate a thumbnail image indicating that the audio signal is without extracting the image.

Meanwhile, when there are a plurality of channels on which a program is started or a plurality of external signals on which playback is started, the controller 160 may control to display all the thumbnail images on the display 180. This makes it possible for the user to easily grasp the external program at which the start program or playback starts.

On the other hand, if there are too many channels for the program to start, the user cannot grasp all of them. Therefore, a thumbnail image corresponding to a channel of high user interest, such as a favorite channel, a recently watched channel, or a channel of high popularity It is also possible to control to display on the display 180.

The thumbnail image may be generated by the controller 160 in addition to the channel browsing processor 170 described above.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the current time is 3:10, the display 180 broadcasts the channel 3 (CH 3), which is newly started, in addition to the broadcast image 610 of the channel 1 (CH 1). The first thumbnail image 620 corresponding to the image and the second thumbnail image 630 corresponding to the broadcast image of the channel 5 (CH 5) may be displayed in some areas of the display.

Next, at least one thumbnail image of the thumbnail images displayed on the display 180 is updated (S525). In operation S530, the updated thumbnail image is displayed on at least a partial area of the display 180.

As described above, the channel browsing processor 170 may update the thumbnail image, and the controller 160 may control to display the updated thumbnail image on the display 180.

Meanwhile, when a plurality of thumbnail images is displayed on the display 180, an update may be performed on a channel having high user interest, such as a favorite channel, a recent viewing channel, or a channel having a high popularity rank. Alternatively, it is possible to shorten the update period of a channel of high user interest.

FIG. 7A shows a broadcast image 610 of channel 1 (CH 1) on a display 180, and thumbnails corresponding to channel 3 (CH 3) and channel 5 (CH 5), respectively, at which a program is started. The images 620 and 630 are shown.

FIG. 7B shows that the updated thumbnail images 640 and 650 corresponding to the channel 3 (CH 3) and the channel 5 (CH 5) are displayed on the display 180.

On the other hand, it is determined whether there is no user input or an exit input for a predetermined time (S535). If there is no user input or there is an exit input, the thumbnail image displayed on the display 180 is deleted (S540).

If there is no input by the user for a predetermined time, it is determined that the user does not change the channel, and the thumbnail image of the channel where the program is started or the external signal from which playback is started may no longer be displayed on the display 180. have. In addition, in order to smoothly view the image being viewed by the user, the thumbnail image may no longer be displayed on the display 180 after a predetermined time.

In addition, when an exit key of the remote controller 200 or an exit key of the spatial remote controller 301 is input, the thumbnail image may no longer be displayed on the display 180. have.

In FIG. 8A, the broadcast image 610 and the thumbnail images 620 and 630 are displayed on the display 180, and in FIG. 8B, the thumbnail images 620 and 630 are removed from the display 180 and broadcasted. Only image 610 is shown.

On the other hand, after operation 520 (S520), apart from operation 525 (S525), it is determined whether any one of the thumbnail images is focused (S550), and when focused, the management menu of the focused thumbnail image is displayed. It may be displayed on at least a portion of the area (180) (S555).

The focusing may be performed by moving the cursor to the corresponding thumbnail image through the direction key of the remote control apparatus 200. In addition, the focusing can be performed by placing the pointer of the spatial remote controller 301 on the thumbnail image.

When any one of the thumbnail images displayed on the display 180 is focused, the controller 160 may display a management menu of the thumbnail image on the display 180. The management menu may be displayed in the form of a pull down menu or a pop up menu, separately from the thumbnail image. In addition, in place of the thumbnail image, the thumbnail image may disappear, and a management menu may be displayed.

The management menu may include at least one of a "view" item, a "record" item, and an "information" item of the broadcast image or the external input image corresponding to the thumbnail image.

FIG. 9 (a) illustrates that the first thumbnail image 620 of the thumbnail images 620 and 630 displayed on the display 180 is focused by the pointer 302 of the spatial remote controller. For example, the management menu 910 corresponding to the focused first thumbnail image 620 is displayed in the form of a pull-down menu.

When the "view" item of the management menu 910 is selected by the pointer 302 or the like, the channel is switched to display the broadcast image of the channel 3 (CH 3) on the entire area of the display 180. .

When the "record" item of the management menu 910 is selected by the pointer 302 or the like, a broadcast video of channel 3 (CH 3) may be recorded. The recorded broadcast image may be stored in the storage unit 175 in real time.

On the other hand, the display of the management menu 910 can be performed even if selected other than focusing. Here, the selection may be performed through an OK key of the remote controller 200 or the spatial remote controller 301 in a focused state as described above.

As a result, the user can simply watch or record an image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image using the management menu.

Meanwhile, when any one of the thumbnail images displayed on the display 180 is focused, unlike the operation 555 (S555), the focused thumbnail image may be converted into a moving image from a still image and displayed. To this end, the channel browsing processor 170 may generate and convert a thumbnail image from a still image to a video.

FIG. 10 (a) illustrates that the first thumbnail image 620 of the thumbnail images 620 and 630 displayed on the display 180 is focused by the pointer 302 of the spatial remote controller. For example, the focused first thumbnail image is converted from the still image 620 to the moving image 627 and displayed. By converting and displaying a thumbnail image from a still image to a moving image, a user can easily recognize broadcast contents or external signal contents.

Meanwhile, when any one of the thumbnail images displayed on the display 180 is focused, unlike step S555, in one region of the display 180, channel information, program information, end time, and input device information are displayed. It is also possible to display at least one of playback time and video information.

FIG. 11 illustrates that the first thumbnail image 620 of the thumbnail images 620 and 630 displayed on the display 180 is focused by the pointer 302 of the spatial remote controller, and the focused first thumbnail image 620 is illustrated. Illustrates that program information 1110 is displayed. Accordingly, the user can simply check the program information.

Meanwhile, regardless of focusing, thumbnail images 620 and 630 displayed on the display 180 may be displayed including at least one of channel information, input device information, program information, playback time, end time, and image information. . Accordingly, the user can simply check the related image information without a separate focusing operation.

On the other hand, after step 520 (S520), apart from step 525 or 550 (S550), it is determined whether one of the thumbnail images is selected (S560), and if selected, the selected thumbnail A broadcast video or an external input video corresponding to the video is displayed (S565). Meanwhile, the thumbnail image that is not selected is continuously displayed on at least a portion of the display 180 (S570).

The controller 160 may display the broadcast image or the external input image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image on the display 180 through screen switching. Accordingly, the user can easily switch screens to a broadcast image of a program to be started or an external input image at which playback starts.

Here, the selection may be performed through an OK key of the remote controller 200 or the spatial remote controller 301 in a focused state as described above.

After switching the screen, the thumbnail image displayed may be continuously displayed on the display 180. For example, when any one thumbnail image of the plurality of thumbnail images is selected, the thumbnail image that is not selected may continue to be displayed after the screen change. Accordingly, the user can simply change the screen to another channel or an external signal even after switching the screen.

FIG. 12A illustrates that the first thumbnail image 620 is selected as the pointer 302 of the spatial remote controller from among the thumbnail images 620 and 630 displayed on the display 180. FIG. For example, the broadcast image 1210 of the channel 3 (CH 3) corresponding to the selected first thumbnail image 620 is displayed on most regions of the display 180.

In this case, the first thumbnail image 620 and the second thumbnail image 630 corresponding to the channel 3 (CH 3) and the channel 5 (CH 5) may be continuously displayed on the display 180. In particular, by continuously displaying the thumbnail image 630 that is not selected, it is possible to continuously provide a wide selection opportunity to the user.

13 is a figure corresponding to FIG. However, when the thumbnail image is selected, the first thumbnail image 620 is dragged using the pointer of the spatial remote controller 301 to broadcast the channel 1 (CH1) displayed in most areas of the display 180. By dropping the image 610, the first thumbnail image 620 is selected. As a result, the user can intuitively perform the selection operation.

On the other hand, after operation S565, in addition to operation S570, in operation S570, the image displayed on the display is converted into a thumbnail image (S580), and the converted thumbnail image is displayed on at least a portion of the display 180. Can be displayed (S855).

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 12. That is, FIG. 14B illustrates that a broadcast image 1210 of channel 3 (CH 3) corresponding to the selected first thumbnail image 620 is displayed on most areas of the display 180. In addition, the second thumbnail image 630 corresponding to the channel 5 (CH 5) is also displayed on the display as it is.

However, the first thumbnail image 625 may be a thumbnail image based on the broadcast image 610 of channel 1 (CH1) previously displayed on most areas of the display. That is, screen switching and thumbnail image switching may be simultaneously performed.

15 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 13. However, when the thumbnail image is selected, the first thumbnail image 620 is dragged using the pointer of the spatial remote controller 301 to broadcast the channel 1 (CH1) displayed in most areas of the display 180. By dropping the image 610, the first thumbnail image 620 is selected.

In addition, FIG. 15B illustrates that the first thumbnail image 625 is a thumbnail image based on the broadcast image 610 of channel 1 (CH1) previously displayed in most areas of the display.

As described above, when the screen is switched, the thumbnail image contents are also changed, so that the user has a wide selection opportunity.

The image display device and its operation method according to the present invention are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described as described above, but the embodiments are all or part of each embodiment so that various modifications can be made. May be selectively combined.

Meanwhile, the operation method of the image display apparatus of the present invention can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a recording medium readable by a processor included in the image display apparatus. The processor-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by the processor. Examples of the processor-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, and the like, and may also be implemented in the form of a carrier wave such as transmission through the Internet. . The processor-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the processor-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal block diagram of the channel browsing processor of FIG. 1.

3A to 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of the remote control apparatus of FIG. 1.

4 is an internal block diagram of the interface unit of FIG. 1 and the spatial remote controller of FIG. 3.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 to 15 are views referred to for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (18)

Displaying an image on a display; And And displaying at least one thumbnail image based on the broadcast signal or the external signal on at least one region of the display when there is a broadcast signal of the channel on which the program is started or an external signal on which the playback is started. Operation method of the video display device. The method of claim 1, And wherein the thumbnail image is displayed on the display in a picture in picture (PIP) mode. The method of claim 1, Selecting one of the at least one thumbnail image; And And displaying a broadcast video or an external video corresponding to the selected thumbnail image on the display. The method of claim 3, And displaying the non-selected thumbnail image on at least one region of the display. The method of claim 3, The selection step, And at least one thumbnail image of the at least one thumbnail image is dragged and dropped onto the image displayed on the display. The method of claim 3, Converting the image displayed on the display into a thumbnail image: and And displaying the converted thumbnail image on at least one region of the display. The method of claim 1, And if the user's input is not longer than a predetermined time or if the user's exit input is present, not displaying the thumbnail image. The method of claim 1, Displaying at least one of channel information, program information, end time, input device information, playback time, and image information corresponding to the thumbnail image on at least one region of the display; How it works. The method of claim 1, The thumbnail image may include at least one of channel information, input device information, program information, playback time, end time, and image information. The method of claim 1, And when the thumbnail image is focused, changing and displaying the focused thumbnail image from a still image to a moving image. The method of claim 1, If the thumbnail image is focused or selected, displaying a management menu including at least one of a viewing item and a recording item of the thumbnail image. The method of claim 1, The thumbnail image, And a thumbnail image based on a broadcast signal of a favorite channel or a recently watched channel. The method of claim 1, And updating the at least one thumbnail image. The method of claim 1, And the thumbnail image is a still image or a moving image. display; A tuner that receives a broadcast signal of a selected channel or receives a broadcast signal of a pre-stored channel; An external signal input unit for receiving an external signal; And And a control unit for controlling to display at least one thumbnail image based on the broadcast signal or the external signal on at least one region of the display when there is a broadcast signal of the channel on which the program is started or an external signal at which playback is started. An image display device. The method of claim 15, The control unit, And control the thumbnail image to be displayed on the display in a picture in picture (PIP) mode. The method of claim 15, And the at least one thumbnail image is updated. The method of claim 15, And a channel browsing processor configured to generate the thumbnail image based on the broadcast signal or the external signal.

Images