KR20110072629A - Method for video communication connecting and display apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A video call connection method and a display device using the same are provided to display other users watching the same contents and connect a video call. CONSTITUTION: A communication unit receives information about users watching the same contents as contents which is presently reproduced(200). A display unit displays the user with the received information(210). A user input unit receives the selection of at least one of the displayed user(220). The communication unit connects a video call with the selected user(230).

Description

Method for video call connection and display device using same

The present invention relates to a method of connecting to a video call in a display device.

As digital-based digital TV technology has been developed and commercialized in existing analog broadcasting, real-time broadcasting, contents on demand, games, news, video communication, etc., using the Internet network connected to each home in addition to the existing radio media. Various kinds of content services can be provided to users.

An example of providing a content service using the Internet network may be an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV). The IPTV refers to transmitting a variety of information services, moving picture content and broadcasting to a user's television using a high-speed Internet network.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a video call connection method and a display device using the same that enable efficient selection and management of a call partner.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of connecting a video call, the method comprising: receiving information about users who watch the same content as the content played on the display device; Displaying users watching the same content; Receiving at least one of the displayed users; And connecting a video call with the selected user.

A display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention performs the video call connection method.

On the other hand, the video call connection method may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for execution in a computer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by displaying other users watching the same broadcast channel or the like on the display device to connect the video call, it is easier to select a call partner and connect the video call. It may be possible to share common interests using video calls between them.

Hereinafter, a video call connection method and a display apparatus using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video communication system.

Referring to FIG. 1, a video communication system uses a plurality of devices capable of processing and transmitting / receiving video data and audio data, while viewing a video transmitted by a calling party and a called party from an opposite party. It's a system that lets you talk to each other.

For example, the image communication apparatus 10 acquires image and audio data corresponding to the image and audio of the user by using a camera, a microphone, and the like and inputs the obtained image and audio data. It may transmit to other devices 20 to 60 connected via a wired or wireless network.

Meanwhile, the video communication device 10 may receive video and audio data from other devices 20 to 60 connected to the wired / wireless network. Accordingly, the video communication device 10 and the external devices 20 to 60 may be received. Video communication between may be possible.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an external device capable of video communication with the video communication device 10 may be a mobile terminal 30, a PC 40, or another video communication device 50 such as a mobile phone 20, a PDA, or a notebook computer. ) And the display device 60 and the like.

In addition, the network connecting the video communication device 10 and the external devices 20 to 60 enables transmission and reception of video and audio data according to a communication standard for video communication.

For example, the video communication device 10 and the external devices 20 to 60 transmit and receive the video and audio data using a network according to Ethernet or IEEE 802.3, or use a wireless network according to IEEE 802.11, or the like. The data can be transmitted and received.

Meanwhile, the network may transmit and receive data between the video communication device 10 and the external devices 20 to 60 by using a voice over broadband (VoBB) or legacy service.

More specifically, the VoBB may include voice over cable modem (VOCM), voice over DSL (VODSL), voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), fixed wireless access (FWA), fiber to the home (FTTH), or voice over VoATM (VoATM). Services such as ATM).

The legacy service may include an integrated service digital network (ISDN), a plain old telephone service (POTS), a cellular or 3G service, and the like.

Accordingly, the video communication device 10 and the external devices 20 to 60 may transmit video and audio data using a wireless network, a conventional telephone network, a data network such as the Internet, a cable modem system, a cellular network, or the like. Can send and receive

Meanwhile, the video communication device 10 and the external devices 20 to 60 may transmit and receive video and audio data according to a standard set therebetween. For example, the H.261 standard, video and Communication of voice data may use protocols such as the H.221 standard and the H.242 standard for call setup and teardown.

More specifically, in the case of a video communication system using the Internet, video communication standards such as the H.323, H.263, and H264 standards for video coding and G723.1, G.711, and G.729 for voice coding are used. Implemented protocols may be used.

However, the video communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the devices 20 to 60 which are in video communication with the video communication device 10 are not limited to the devices 20 to 60 as shown in FIG. 1, and other than the above standard SIP, RTP Standards such as the / RTCP protocol may be used.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video communication device. The illustrated video communication device includes a camera 100, a microphone 110, an AV processing unit 120, a control unit 130, a communication unit 140, and a user input unit ( 150, a storage 160, and a display 170.

Referring to FIG. 2, the camera 100 may photograph a peripheral area of the image communication apparatus 10, more specifically, an area including a user, and acquire and output image data corresponding thereto.

On the other hand, the camera 100 may be provided to be mounted on one side of the main body of the image communication apparatus 10, such as a web cam, etc., and thus to be photographed to photograph the front of the image communication apparatus 10. Can be.

The microphone 110 may collect voices generated in the vicinity of the image communication apparatus 10, more specifically, sounds including voices of a user, and output voice data corresponding thereto.

On the other hand, the microphone 110 may be mounted on one side of the main body of the video communication device 10, or may be disposed outside of the video communication device 10, for example, at a position adjacent to the user.

The AV processor 120 may process the video data output from the camera 100 and convert the video data into a video stream having a preset format. The AV processor 120 may process the audio data output from the microphone 110 to process the video data. Can be converted to an audio stream and output.

For example, the AV processor 120 encodes the video data according to standards such as H.323, H.263, and H.264 to form a basic stream of digital data, that is, an elementary stream. A video stream can be output.

In addition, the AV processor 120 may output the voice stream in the form of an elementary stream by encoding the voice data according to standards such as G.723.1, G.711, and G.729.

On the other hand, in addition to the above-described encoding, the AV processing unit 120 improves the image quality of the image acquired by the camera 100 or adjusts it to suit a specific purpose, for example, adjusting contrast and removing noise. Image processing such as, smoothing, sharpening, and the like may be performed.

The communication unit 140 may transmit a transmission stream including the video stream and the audio stream output from the AV processing unit 120 to an external device, for example, a server for video communication or a video communication device of a counterpart user through a wired or wireless network. .

In addition, the communication unit 140 may receive a reception stream including an image stream and an audio stream from an external device.

More specifically, the communication unit 140 may transmit / receive video and audio streams with the video communication device of the counterpart user by using the wired / wireless network such as Ethernet or IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.11.

The user input unit 150 may receive various user inputs for controlling the operation of the remote control apparatus 10. For example, the user input unit 150 may be implemented as a keyboard or a touch pad mounted on a main body of the remote control apparatus 10. have.

On the other hand, the user input unit 150 may not be provided in the remote control device 10, for example, may be implemented as an external remote control device.

The storage unit 160 may store a program or user information for operating the video communication apparatus 10, and may be implemented as an internal storage medium included in the video communication apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the present invention may be implemented as an external storage medium connected to the video communication device 10 using an interface such as a universal serial bus (USB).

The display unit 170 displays an image of the user acquired by the camera 100, that is, an image to be transmitted to the external device, and also an image of the counterpart user received through the communication unit 140, that is, an image received from the external device. Can be displayed.

For example, the display unit 170 may display an image using various types of display panels such as digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), and the like.

The controller 130 controls the camera 100, the microphone 110, the AV processor 120, the controller 130, the communication unit 140, the user input unit 150, the storage unit 160, and the display unit 170, respectively. By controlling, the operation of the video communication apparatus 10 as described above can be controlled as a whole.

On the other hand, the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented including the configuration of the video communication device as shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a video call connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the video call connection method shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the communication unit 140 receives information on users who watch the same content as the content currently being reproduced on the display unit 170 (step 200).

For example, the content may include an image and a sound, and accordingly, a video call connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed by a display device including a display unit for displaying an image and an audio output unit for outputting a sound. Can be performed.

However, the video call connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to that performed by the display device as described above, and is capable of playing content such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, and a digital device. It may be performed by various devices such as broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation devices, and the like.

The content may be various contents such as real time broadcasting, contents on demand (COD), games, news, and the like. For this, the display apparatus may receive a signal corresponding to the plurality of contents using a wired or wireless network.

On the other hand, there may be a content provider corresponding to the content, in this case, the display device is connected to the content provider in response to a user's request, real-time broadcasting, COD, games, videos, photos, weather information, Various contents such as news can be provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the content being played on the display unit 170 may be an image of a specific broadcast channel selected by the user, and for this purpose, the display apparatus may broadcast a broadcast signal of a specific broadcast channel through an antenna or a cable. A tuner may be provided for tuning in and receiving.

In addition, in step 200, the communication unit 140 may receive information about users who watch the same content as the currently played content from a server. For example, the server may provide a video communication service. It may be a server or a server providing a messenger service.

The display unit 210 displays the users who watch the same content using the received information (step 210), and the user input unit 150 receives at least one of the displayed users who view the same content (step 220). ).

Thereafter, the communication unit 140 connects the video call with the selected user (step 230).

Referring to FIG. 4, the display 210 displays the first content on the screen 300 and simultaneously displays other users who watch the first content, that is, user A, user B, and user C. FIG. I can display it.

For example, a user information display window 310 for displaying users viewing the same content may be displayed in a specific area on the screen 300, and the same content as the first content currently played on the user information display window 310 may be displayed. Information about other users watching may be displayed.

In addition, the user may select a user who wants to make a video call among the users displayed on the user information display window 310 by using the user input unit 150.

For example, when the user selects user B among the users who are watching the same content, the call window 320 for the video call is displayed on the screen 300 as shown in FIG. The call window 320 may be used to make a video call with the selected user B.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, displaying the user viewing the same content on the screen 300 as described above may be performed by a user request, for example, by selecting a user viewing the same content user's button. Can be performed.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the step of displaying the same content viewing users may be performed by the user's request to display the content information.

Referring to FIG. 6, a user may request information on content currently being played, and accordingly, a content information window 330 including information about the first content may be displayed in a specific area of the screen 300.

Meanwhile, the content information window 330 may include information about users who watch the same content as the currently played content. That is, the content information window 330 may include other users who view the first content. B and user C may be displayed.

In addition, as described above, the user may select at least one of user A, user B, and user C displayed in the content information window 330 to connect the video call.

As described above, when a video call with a user watching the same content as the currently played content is connected, the users may conduct a conversation using the content currently being viewed, for example, the first content as a common interest.

Hereinafter, a video call connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, users who view the same content displayed on the screen 300 may be users who are previously registered as interest users of the user of the display apparatus.

That is, the user may register other desired users as the interested user, and the information about the interested users may be stored in the server in correspondence with the user.

In this case, the server may collect information on each of the registered interested users, more specifically, the content being watched, for example, information about the broadcasting channel being watched, and the interested user by using the collected information. Among them, information about those who watch the same content as the content currently being played on the display device may be transmitted to the display device.

Meanwhile, the display apparatus may display on the screen 300 those who watch the same content as the content currently being played among the interested users using the information received from the server.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user of a display device may register desired users as a 'friend', and information on the users registered as the 'friend' may be a server or a messenger service that provides a video communication service. Can be stored on the server to provide.

Meanwhile, the video communication server or the messenger server may obtain information about a broadcast channel currently viewed by each of the user of the display apparatus and the users registered with the 'friends'. For example, the server may be provided to each of the users. The viewing channel information may be received from a corresponding display device.

Thereafter, the server may identify those of the 'friends' registered users who watch the same broadcast channel as the broadcast channel currently being played on the display device by using the obtained information. Information about the registered users of the 'friends' who watch the broadcasting channel may be transmitted to the display device.

The server may transmit the viewing channel information for each of the users registered with the friend to the display apparatus.

The display apparatus receiving the above information from the server may display users who watch the same broadcast channel among users registered as 'friends' on the screen 300 by using the received information.

Referring to FIG. 7, the display unit 170 displays the 'CH. 1 'image is displayed on the screen 300, and the specific channel of the screen 300 is' CH. 'Friends' who watch the same broadcast channel as '1' may be displayed.

For example, a friend information display window 340 for displaying information on users registered as 'friends' may be displayed on the screen 300, and the friend information display window 340 may be displayed. The same broadcast channel as the broadcast channel, that is, 'CH. 'Friends 1' and 'Friends 3' watching '1' may be displayed.

The user may select one of the current channel friends displayed on the friend information display window 340 and request a video call to connect the selected friend with the video call.

For example, when a user selects 'friend 1' among current channel friends displayed on the friend information display window 340 and presses a video call button, as shown in FIG. 8, a call window for a video call is displayed on the screen 300. 320 is displayed, and the user may make a video call with the selected 'friend 1' using the call window 320.

Meanwhile, the user may select 'view all friends' in the friend information display window 340, and thus all users registered as 'friends' may be displayed in the friend information display window 340 as shown in FIG. 9. .

Referring to FIG. 9, the friend information display window 340 includes a user who is registered as a 'friend' to watch a broadcast channel different from the 'current channel friend' who watches the same broadcast channel as the broadcast channel that the user currently watches. Channel friends'.

That is, the friend information display window 340 displays the 'CH. 'Friend 1' and 'friend 3' watching '1' are displayed as' current channel friends', and the 'CH. 'Friends 2' and 'Friends 5' who watch channels other than '1' may be displayed as 'other channel friends'.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, for each of the users displayed as 'other channel friends' broadcast channel that the user is currently watching can be displayed together.

In addition, when the user selects 'view all friends', the current viewing channel and login status of each of the users registered as 'friends' may be displayed on the friend information display window 340.

Referring to FIG. 10, users 1 to 6 are registered as 'friends', and friends 1, 2, 3, and 5 are currently logged in to watch a broadcast channel, and friends 4 and 6 are not currently logged in. This friend information display window 340 may be displayed.

Meanwhile, for each of the 'friends' who are watching the broadcast channel, the broadcast channel currently viewed by the corresponding user may be displayed together.

In the friend information display window 340 as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, a user may select one of the users registered as 'friends' to connect a video call, for example, to the 'current channel friend'. In addition to the included user, a user may select one of the users included in the 'other channel friend' to request a video call.

Referring to Figure 11, the user is currently watching a broadcast channel, for example 'CH. It is possible to request the display of information about '1', and accordingly the 'CH. A program information window 350 including information about a program broadcast at 1 'may be displayed.

Meanwhile, the program information window 350 may include information about 'friends' who watch the same broadcast channel as the currently played broadcast channel. For example, the program information window 350 may include the' CH. 'Friends 1' and 'Friends 3' may be displayed as 'current channel friends' watching '1'.

In addition, the user may be provided with the friend list as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 through the screen 300 by using the “view all friends” displayed on the program information window 350.

12 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a configuration of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus for performing a video call connection method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the display apparatus includes a first tuner 420, a second tuner 425, an external signal input unit 428, a first demodulator 430, a second demodulator 435, and an analog / digital conversion. The unit 440 may include an interface unit 450, a controller 460, a channel browsing processor 470, a storage unit 475, a display unit 480, and an audio output unit 485.

The first tuner 420 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 converts the selected RF broadcast signal into an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband video / audio signal. Convert to

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 420 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 420 may be directly input to the controller 460.

In addition, the first tuner 420 may receive 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.

Similar to the first tuner 420, the second tuner 425 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 baseband video / audio signal.

Meanwhile, the second tuner 425 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 or It is also possible to convert baseband video / audio signals. According to an embodiment of the present invention, since images of other pre-stored channels are also shown in thumbnail form on at least part of the screen, it is possible to sequentially / periodically receive RF broadcast signals of all pre-stored channels.

For example, the first tuner 420 converts a main RF broadcast signal selected by a user into an intermediate frequency signal or a baseband video / audio signal, and the second tuner 425 converts all RF except the main RF broadcast signal. It is possible to select a broadcast signal (sub RF broadcast signal) or all RF broadcast signals sequentially / periodically and convert them into intermediate frequency signals or baseband video / audio signals.

The first demodulator 430 receives the digital IF signal DIF 1 converted by the first tuner 420 and performs a demodulation operation.

For example, when the digital IF signal DIF 1 output from the first tuner 420 is an ATSC scheme, the first demodulator 430 performs 8-VSB (8-Vestigal Side Band) demodulation. In addition, the first demodulator 430 may perform channel decoding.

To this end, the first demodulator 430 includes a trellis decoder, a de-interleaver, a reed solomon decoder, and the like. de-interleaving) and read solo decoding.

For example, when the digital IF signal DIF 1 output from the first tuner 420 is a DVB scheme, the first demodulator 430 performs coded orthogonal frequency division modulation (COFDMA) demodulation. In addition, the first demodulator 430 may perform channel decoding.

To this end, the first demodulator 430 may include a convolution decoder, a deinterleaver, a reed-soloman decoder, and the like to perform convolutional decoding, deinterleaving, and reed-soloman decoding.

The external signal input unit 428 performs signal input with an external device. To this end, the external signal input unit 428 may include an A / V input / output unit and a wireless communication unit.

The external signal input unit 428 is connected to an external device such as a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray, a game device, a camcorder, a computer (laptop), and the like to input an external input video signal, an external input audio signal, and an external input data. The signal is transmitted to the controller 460 in the display device. In addition, the video signal, the audio signal, and the data signal processed in the controller 460 may be output to another external device.

The A / V input / output section is for inputting / outputting video / audio signals to / from external devices, including Ethernet, USB, Composite Video Banking Sync (CVBS), Component, and S-Video (analog). 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.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, various input signals input through the external signal input unit 428 may be input to the channel browsing processor 470 to be described later to perform a thumbnail image extraction process.

For example, an analog signal input through the CVBS terminal and the S-video terminal may be converted into a digital signal and then input to the channel browsing processor 470 as described above. Digital signals input through other input terminals may be directly input to the channel browsing processor 470 without analog / digital conversion.

Here, the digital signal output from the external signal input unit 428 may be a stream signal. For example, an MPEG-2 TS multiplexed with an MPEG-2 standard video signal, a Dolby AC-3 standard audio signal, or the like. (Transprt Stream).

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 428 may be connected through at least one of the various set top boxes and the various terminals described above, and perform input / output operations with the set top box.

For example, when 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 460 to enable bidirectional communication. The signal processed by the controller 460 may be transferred to the set-top box for IPTV.

Meanwhile, the video, audio, and data signals processed by the IPTV set-top box may be processed by the controller 460 via the channel browsing processor 470.

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.

The first demodulator 430 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 TS (Transprt Stream) 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 TS1 is input to the controller 460 to perform demultiplexing and signal processing. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the input is input to the channel browsing processor 470 before the input to the controller 460 to perform a process for channel browsing. Channel browsing operations will be described later.

On the other hand, the first demodulation unit 430 described above may be provided separately according to the ATSC method and the DVB method. That is, it can be provided as an ATSC demodulation unit and a DVB demodulation unit.

The second demodulator 435 receives the digital IF signal DIF 2 converted by the second tuner 425 to perform a demodulation operation, and outputs a stream signal TS 2. Operation of the second demodulator 435 is omitted with reference to the operation of the first demodulator 430 described above.

On the other hand, when the signal output from the second tuner 425 is an analog baseband video signal CVBS 2, it is necessary to convert the analog / digital converter 440 into a digital signal.

The analog / digital converter 440 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. The converted digital signal may be an uncoded signal. The converted digital image signal DV is input to the channel browsing processor 470 and processed.

The interface unit 450 transmits an input signal from the user to the controller 460 or transmits a signal from the controller 460 to the user. For example, the interface unit 450 may be configured such as power on / off, channel selection, screen setting, etc. from the remote controller 490 according to various communication methods such as RF (Radio Frequency) communication method and infrared (IR) communication method. The user input signal may be received or a signal from the controller 460 may be transmitted to the remote controller 490.

The controller 460 may demultiplex the input stream and signal-process the demultiplexed signals to generate and output signals for video and audio output. In addition, the overall operation of the display device can be controlled.

Although not illustrated, the controller 460 may include a demultiplexer, an image processor, a voice processor, and a user input signal processor.

The controller 460 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 460 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 video signal of the H.264 standard according to the Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) scheme or DVB-H, it may be decoded by the H.264 decoder.

In addition, the controller 460 may process brightness, tint, and color of the image signal.

The image signal processed by the controller 460 is input to the display unit 480 to be displayed. It is also possible to input to an external output terminal connected to the external output device.

In addition, the controller 460 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 460 may process base, treble, volume control, and the like.

The voice signal processed by the controller 460 is input to the voice output unit 485, for example, a speaker, and outputs voice. It is also possible to input to an external output terminal connected to the external output device.

In addition, the controller 460 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 Progtam 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 TSC-PSIP (ATSC-Program and System Information Protocol) information in the ATSC scheme, and may include DVB-Service Information (DVB-SI) in 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 460 may perform an on screen display (OSD) process. Specifically, the control unit 460 based on the image-processed video signal, at least one of the data-processed data signal and the user input signal from the remote controller 490, various information on the screen of the display unit 480 It can generate a signal for displaying a graphic or text. The generated signal may be input to the display unit 480 together with the image processed image signal and the data processed data signal.

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

The channel browsing processor 470 may perform a browsing process on at least one of a broadcast signal corresponding to a received channel and various input image signals input through the external signal input unit 428.

In detail, the demodulators 430 and 135 receive the demodulated and channel decoded stream signals TS 1 or TS 2, the stream signals from the external input signal input unit 428, or the analog / digital converters ( An image signal including the digital signal DV converted in operation 440, demultiplexing the stream signal TS 1 or TS 2, extracting some of the demultiplexed image signals, and including the extracted image signal The new stream signal TSa may be output by multiplexing on the basis of. For example, the stream signal TSa or TSb may be MPEG 2 TS.

In addition, the channel browsing processor 470 may output the main stream signal TSb corresponding to the main video signal displayed in the main area among the video signals displayed on the display 480 without any additional processing. The sub stream signal TSa corresponding to the sub video signal displayed in the sub region among the video signals displayed at 480 may be output by performing channel browsing processing as described above.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a channel list is displayed on the display unit 480 by extracting a partial image of a broadcast signal of a plurality of channels through the channel browsing processor 470 and re-encoding it in a stream form, the broadcast signal of a plurality of channels is displayed. At least a part of the image may be displayed on a screen in the form of a thumbnail. Accordingly, the user can intuitively know the contents broadcast in the other channel.

When the channel browsing processor 470 extracts some images of various external input images input through the external signal input unit 428 and re-encodes them in a stream form, the channel input processing unit 470 displays a plurality of external input lists on the display unit 480. At least a part of the external input image from the external input device may be displayed on the screen in the form of a thumbnail. Accordingly, the user can intuitively know the content input from the external input device.

Meanwhile, the channel browsing processor 470 extracts the broadcast signal image of the channel and the partial image of the external input image and re-encodes the image in a stream form, thereby displaying the channel list and the external input list on the display unit 480. In this case, at least a part of a broadcast signal image of a plurality of channels and an external input image from a plurality of external input devices may be displayed on a screen in a thumbnail form.

Accordingly, the user can intuitively know the contents input from the plurality of channels and the external input device.

The storage unit 475 may store a program for processing and controlling each signal in the controller 460, or may store a signal processed video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal.

In addition, the storage unit 475 may perform a function for temporarily storing an image, audio, or data signal input from the external signal input unit 428.

Meanwhile, the storage unit 475 may store a corresponding broadcast channel through a channel memory function, and for this purpose, a flash memory type, a hard disk type, and a multimedia card micro type may be used. type), a card type memory (eg, SD or XD memory, etc.), a RAM, or a ROM (EEPROM, etc.) of at least one type of storage medium.

In the drawing, the storage unit 475 is illustrated as being provided separately from the control unit 460, but is not limited thereto. The storage unit 475 may be included in the control unit 460.

On the other hand, the display device may be provided to the user by playing the file (video file, still image file, music file, document file, etc.) stored in the storage unit 475.

The display unit 480 converts an image signal, a data signal, an OSD signal processed by the controller 460, or an image signal, data signal, etc. received from the external signal input unit 428 into R, G, and B signals, respectively. Create

The display unit 480 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 unit 480 may be configured as a touch screen to be used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The voice output unit 485 receives a signal processed by the controller 460, for example, a stereo signal, a 3.1 channel signal, or a 5.1 channel signal, and outputs the voice. The voice output unit 485 may be implemented as various types of speakers.

The remote control device 490 transmits a user input to the interface unit 450. To this end, the remote control device 490 may use Bluetooth, Radio Frequency (RF) communication, Infrared (IR) communication, Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee (ZigBee), or the like.

In addition, the remote control apparatus 490 may receive an image signal, an audio signal, a data signal, etc. from the interface unit 450 and output the same.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the remote control device 490 may be an input means for performing a user input as described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11, for example, a drag and drop operation, that is, a user. The user may move the pointer 30 displayed on the screen by using the remote control device 490.

In FIG. 12, the display device includes two tuners 420 and 125, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may include one or three tuners.

The display apparatus described above is fixed and receives at least one of ATSC (8-VSB) digital broadcasting, DVB-T (COFDM) digital broadcasting, ISDB-T (BST-OFDM) digital broadcasting, and the like. Digital broadcasting receiver, and also mobile, terrestrial DMB digital broadcasting, satellite DMB digital broadcasting, ATSC-M / H digital broadcasting, DVB-H (COFDM) digital broadcasting, media flow ( It may be a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving at least one of digital broadcasting such as Media Foward Link Only). It may also be a digital broadcast receiver for cable, satellite communications, or IPTV.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a method of displaying channel information, and illustrates an embodiment of a configuration of a channel browser displayed on a screen.

Referring to FIG. 13, a channel browser including thumbnail images corresponding to each of a plurality of broadcast channels receivable by the display apparatus may be displayed on the screen 300.

As such, the channel browser includes thumbnail images corresponding to each of the plurality of channels, so that the user may intuitively recognize contents broadcast in the plurality of channels.

Meanwhile, the channel browser displayed on the display unit 480 may further include an editing menu. The edit menu includes a "lock" item that locks the selected thumbnail image so as not to be editable, an "edit" item for editing the selected thumbnail image, an "align" item for sorting and displaying thumbnail images, and other than the displayed thumbnail image. "Previous" item to display the previous thumbnail image, "Next" item to display the next thumbnail image in addition to the displayed thumbnail image, and "Exit" item to move to another menu item in the "Video channel list", etc. Can be.

Meanwhile, the thumbnail image displayed on the channel browser may be a still image or a video, and may be an image of a content currently received from a corresponding channel or an image of pre-stored content.

The thumbnail images may be images processed and output by the channel browsing processor 470 as described above.

When any one of a plurality of displayed thumbnail images is selected while the channel browser is displayed, a broadcast signal image of a channel corresponding to the selected thumbnail image may be displayed on the screen 300.

In addition, the thumbnail images displayed in the channel browser may be arranged according to any one of a channel number, a preset favorite channel, a recently watched channel, and a preset delete channel.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, information about 'friends' currently watching each channel may be displayed for the plurality of broadcast channels included in the channel browser.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, 'friends' currently watching the 'CH 1', that is, 'friend 1' and 'friend 3' may be displayed to correspond to the thumbnail image of 'CH 1', 'Friends 2' who are currently watching 'CH 3' to correspond to the thumbnail image of CH 3 'can be displayed, and' Currently watching 'CH 4' to correspond to the thumbnail image of 'CH 4' Friend 5 'may be displayed.

On the other hand, by using the viewing channel information of the 'friend' displayed in the channel browser as described above, the user can connect the video call with the desired 'friend'.

For example, the user selects' friend 1 'displayed in correspondence with the thumbnail image of' CH 1 'to present the' CH. 1 'can watch a video call with' Friends 1 'watching the' CH. You can get more specific information about the 1 'program.

Thus, the user can acquire not only the objective information displayed on the channel browser, that is, the program information provided from the broadcaster, but also the subjective evaluation of the 'friend' on the program, thereby making channel selection easier. Can be.

The display device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided with the video communication device 40 as described above to enable a video communication service using a wired or wireless network, and in addition, to perform the method of managing call contents as described above. Can be.

Hereinafter, a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to a network TV.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a configuration of a display system, in which the illustrated display system includes a network operator 510, a content provider (CP) 520, a service provider 530, and a network TV. 540.

The network operator 510 may provide the network TV 540 with the base software necessary for the contents provided by the content provider 520 to operate normally in the network TV 540. In addition, the content provider 520 may provide the hardware information of the network TV 540 required for the content to be normally executed in the network TV 540.

For example, the network operator 510 provides a main screen configured when contents provided by content providers are displayed on the network TV 540, and a user selects content or inputs various commands and outputs accordingly. A user interface for displaying can be provided. In addition, the user interface may provide information for updating firmware or software of the network TV 540 whenever necessary.

The content provider 520 may generate various contents that can be provided on the network, configure the content in a format that can be played on the network TV 540, and provide the contents according to a request of the network TV 540. The content can be any data that can be serviced over a network.

The network TV 540 may be equipped with dedicated firmware for reproducing, searching, and displaying a list of contents for each content provider 520. The firmware may be installed in the network TV 540 during the manufacturing process of the network TV 540 or may be downloaded and installed by the user through the network during use.

The firmware of the network TV 540 may be a program for playing or executing content provided by the content provider 520. The firmware may vary depending on the type of content provided by the content provider 520. For example, when the content provider 520 is a VOD provider, the firmware may be a VOD player program, and when the content provider 520 is an AOD or MOD provider, the firmware may be an AOD or MOD player program.

In addition, when the content provider 520 is a video communication service provider, the content provider 520 may be a video communication program.

The service provider 530 may be an internet service provider that provides network communication between the network operator 510, the content provider 520, and the network TV 540.

The network may include any wired or wireless Internet network using the Internet protocol. In particular, the service provider 530 transmits the content provided by the content provider 520 to the network TV 540, performs maintenance management of the transmission network so that the user can be stably received the content, and the content provider ( 520 may provide an infrastructure for transmitting content.

The network TV 540 receives and plays or executes content through the service provider 530 in response to a user's command. According to an exemplary embodiment, the network TV 540 may include any device equipped with a network module such as a broadcast receiving device such as a network set-top box or a telephone for a network.

For example, the content provider 520 may be a provider of various types of content to be provided to the network TV 540. The content provider 520 may include a TV station, a radio station, a VOD operator, an AOD operator, a game operator, a video communication service provider, a weather information provider, a photo related service provider, and the like.

More specifically, the video communication service provider may provide a relay service for making a video call with a user of another network TV through the network.

The service provider 530 is a medium for transmitting data and commands of the network operator 510, the content provider 520, and the network TV 540. The service provider 530 may be a typical wired or wireless Internet service provider. In addition, the service provider 530 provides communication network hardware so that the network operator 510, the content provider 520, and the network TV 540 can communicate with each other. A communication service can be performed.

The network TV 540 basically has a network interface capable of accessing the network, receives an IP address, processes a data packet through the network, and stores or plays the data packet when the data packet is multimedia data such as video or audio. have.

In addition, the network TV 540 may operate to transmit the user's requirements in both directions while processing the multimedia data. For this purpose, the remote control for controlling the network TV 540 includes buttons for controlling the network TV, That is, buttons for selecting various menus may be provided.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a configuration of the network TV 540 illustrated in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 15, in addition to a function of receiving content through a network, the network TV 540 may be added with a function of receiving a broadcast signal in the form of an RF signal through a radio or a cable through the broadcast receiving unit 541. .

The network TV 540 includes a broadcast receiver 541, a demultiplexer 542, a video signal processor 543, a display 544, a network interface 545, an OSD generator 546, and a user input 547. ), A storage unit 548, a memory unit 549, and a controller 550.

The broadcast receiver 541, the demultiplexer 542, and the image signal processor 543 may configure one broadcast processor that receives a broadcast signal and processes the broadcast signal into a form that can be output to the display unit 544 through various processes. .

When the content is digital broadcast, the digital broadcast signal may be transmitted in the form of a packetized transport stream by time division multiplexing the video signal, the audio signal and the additional data.

In addition, the broadcast receiver 541 may include an antenna for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from the outside, and a tuner for tuning a broadcast signal having a frequency band corresponding thereto according to a tuning control signal of the controller 550 to be described later. And a demodulator (demodulator) for outputting the broadcast signal of the tuned specific channel in the form of a transport stream through a VSB (Vestigial Sideband) demodulation process and an error correction process.

In addition, the broadcast signal received through the broadcast receiver 541 is divided into various types of additional data defined as a video signal, an audio signal, and PSIP (Program and System Information Protocol) information by the demultiplexer 542, thereby forming a bit stream. Can be output as

The video data separated by the demultiplexer 542 is processed by the image signal processor 543 and displayed on the display 544.

In this case, the video signal processing unit 543 may include an MPEG-2 decoder and a scaler for converting video data to match the vertical frequency, resolution, aspect ratio, etc., of the output standard of the display unit 544.

The additional data included in the additional data separated by the demultiplexer 542 may be stored in the memory unit 549 through the storage unit 548, which will be described later, and the memory unit 549 may be electrically erasable programmable read. -only memory).

The user input unit 547 is a means for receiving a request command from the user, and generally includes an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared signal input through a remote controller or a local key input unit provided at one side of the panel.

The network interface unit 545 may receive content or data from the content provider 520 or the network operator 510 through a network, and for example, a broadcast, game, VOD, and broadcast signal provided from the content provider through the network. Content and related information thereof may be received. In addition, the update information and the update file of the firmware provided by the network operator 510 may be received through the network interface unit 545.

The OSD generator 546 generates a menu screen in the form of an OSD (On Screen Display) for receiving a user's determination signal. That is, the OSD generator 546 may display information related to the content received through the network interface 545 through the display.

The controller 550 performs overall operation control according to the command input from the user input unit 547, and receives and executes an update file of software, that is, firmware, of the content provider 520 received from the network operator 510. have.

16 illustrates an embodiment of a configuration of a menu screen displayed on a screen of a display device.

Referring to FIG. 16, the menu screen of the network TV 540 may include a background image 601 and menu buttons 612 respectively representing a plurality of content providers.

The menu buttons 612 displayed on the background image 601 may be buttons for connecting to a server of a plurality of content providers, and a user connects to a server of a desired content provider by selecting one of the menu buttons 612. Can be provided with a content service.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of content providers provides a video communication service, and accordingly any one of the menu buttons 612 displayed on the menu screen of the network TV 540, for example The menu button 4 605 may be a button corresponding to the video communication service.

The user may select menu buttons 612 displayed on the menu screen of the network TV 540 and the menu button 4 605 to access a server of a content provider that provides a video communication service.

On the other hand, after connecting to the server of the content provider providing the video communication service by the method as described above, the video call connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention as described with reference to Figs. Can be.

In addition, at least some steps of the video call connection method as described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11 may be performed at a server of the content provider 520, a server of the service provider 530, or a server of the network operator 510.

In addition, the video call connection method according to the present invention described above may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium that is produced as a program for execution on a computer, and examples of the computer-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD. ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, as well as those implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet).

The computer readable recording medium can be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In addition, functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the broadcast reception method may be easily inferred by programmers in the art to which the present invention belongs.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video communication system.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video communication apparatus.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a video call connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of a video call connection method.

7 to 11 are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of a video call connection method.

12 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a configuration of a display apparatus according to the present invention.

13 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of displaying channel information.

14 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a configuration of a display system.

15 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a configuration of a display apparatus according to the present invention.

16 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a configuration of a menu screen displayed on a screen of a display device.

Claims (13)

In the method for connecting to a video call on the display device, Receiving information about users who watch the same content as the content played on the display device; Displaying users watching the same content; Receiving at least one of the displayed users; And Connecting a video call with the selected user. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving information Receive information about users registered as interested users from the server, The received user information includes information on whether the user is logged in and information on the content currently being viewed. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying step And identifying the user watching the same content among the interested users using the viewing content information. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying step Video call connection method for distinguishing between the user and the remaining users watching the same content among the interested users. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying step And displaying information on content currently being viewed for each of the interested users. The method of claim 2, wherein the displaying step The method for connecting a video call of the interested users who are watching the same content is not displayed. The method of claim 2, And receiving a request for display of information about the communicating users, wherein the displaying is performed in response to the display request. The method of claim 1, Receiving a request for displaying information on the content to be played back, And the displaying step is performed in response to the displaying request. The method of claim 1, And transmitting the information on the reproduced content together with the user identification information of the display device to a server. The method of claim 1, And the played content is a broadcast channel selected by a user. A display apparatus for performing the video call connection method according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The method of claim 11, Further comprising a communication unit for connecting to each of a plurality of content providers using a wired or wireless network, to receive content data from the content provider, And at least one of the plurality of content providers provides a video communication service. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 10 on a computer.

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