WO2016107642A1

WO2016107642A1 - System for accelerated scanning of separate access contents in an image display device

Info

Publication number: WO2016107642A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/079419
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ibrahim Ipek; Cengiz Berkay; Osman Osman; Mustafa Ilker Uzun; Tamer Katip
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2014-12-30
Filing date: 2014-12-30
Publication date: 2016-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2017-06-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a signal processing device having channel list update function, the update function, when called, effecting updating of the channel list in a substantially reduced amount of time. More particularly, the present invention relates to a signal processing device receiving a plurality of broadcasting services and comprising a digital TV processor (6), a first tuner (1) and a second tuner (2), the first tuner (1) and second tuner (2) being respectively in association with a first and second demodulator (3, 4) which supply transport streams, the signal processing device further communicating with a display unit (8).

Description

SYSTEM FOR ACCELERATED SCANNING OF SEPARATE ACCESS CONTENTS IN AN IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE

The present invention relates to a signal processing device having channel list update function, the update function, when called, effecting updating of the channel list in a substantially reduced amount of time.

Digital and interactive TV systems provide a comprehensive amount of TV channels and programs leading to the general outcome that conventional methods for configuring the operation of the image display device from among a plurality of setting parameters may become inefficient to the extent that it is unperformable in a time-saving manner.

Considering the fact that a large number of television and multimedia services are being made available to consumers today, methods for enabling the host, i.e. an image display device such as a TV set with a digital receiver-decoder to satisfactorily process the received services are required. An image display device may receive programs via cable or satellite broadcasting in the form of separate subscription formats.

A transponder typically receives a television signal on the ground from satellite uplink stations and processes the signal by encoding, amplifying and rebroadcasting the same. Satellite receivers then transmit the same to a digital receiver of an end-user so that it is decoded and displayed on an image display device.

Assuming that a TV service may have hundreds of channels, configuring channel information for a significant number of channels on a manual basis might take some serious time. It is to be noted that an image display device can be factory-configured such that channel information is preloaded for a plurality of channels, in which case, the image display device will be ready for the first use.

Alternatively, users can initiate auto-scan function to automatically retrieve channel-specific information, generally based on a preloaded frequency range or transponder information.

If the auto-scan function is performed such that both the preloaded frequency ranges are scanned, transponder list is checked and an additional blind scan is performed, without inputting any parameters by the user, a substantially longer amount of time is needed for completing this network scan.

Accordingly, configuration of channel information can be better managed and users can be offered a less troublesome viewing experience without having to manually delete and/or update information on a continual basis or wait for a substantial amount of time for completion of the network scan task. The present invention therefore substantially accelerates maintenance of the channel information.

Among others, one of the prior art disclosures in the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as US6055431, which defines a method for controlling the operation of multiple beam antenna systems in communication with satellite transponders. The method controls the coverage area assignments, frequency assignments, transmitted power level assignments, and component allocation assignments of these multiple beam antenna transponders in response to the existing and time varying demands for satellite resources. The method manages the operation of the satellite transponders to optimize the overall capacity of the communication satellite.

The present invention provides a system and method by which a signal processing device is operable so as to automatically manage configuration of channel settings in a substantially accelerated and non-intrusive manner without requiring additional actions on the part of the user, as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1.

Primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method by which management of channel information in an image display device is carried out automatically in a substantially reduced amount of time by which inaccurate or outdated settings are also clearable.

The present invention proposes a signal processing device in the form of a receiver or image display device. The signal processing device receives a plurality of broadcasting services while a first tuner and a second tuner, both in the form of terrestrial/cable or satellite tuners supply transport streams to a digital TV processor.

The digital TV processor performs a channel information retrieving operation having simultaneously initiated first and second stages. The search entails either scanning of frequency bands allocated to terrestrial or cable broadcasting services or updating transponders in association with a satellite, therefore both tuners being of the same type. The tuners share the bandwidth to accelerate the operation. If each tuner is configured to scan one half of the bandwidth, one of the tuners will complete the operation earlier so that it can allow the user to view already retrieved channels while the other tuner continues the search operation. In the case both of the two tuners are satellite tuners, they can alternatively perform search in one polarization only, advantageously eliminating additional time losses.

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a system and method by which an image display device is operable, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Fig. 1 demonstrates a general schematic view of the main components of the signal processing device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 demonstrates a general schematic view of the main components of the signal processing device with two satellite tuners according to an exemplary embodiment the present invention.

Fig. 3 demonstrates a general flow diagram according to which the signal processing device of the invention executes the method according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 demonstrates alternative methods of implementing the search operation according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 demonstrates the search operation in a unidirectional manner where the first tuner scans the first half of the bandwidth starting from one end thereof while the other tuner scans the second half starting from a predetermined intermediate frequency value in the middle of the bandwidth according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 demonstrates the search operation where two tuners perform the search operation based on predefined bandwidth intervals in the manner that each tuner starts from one end of the bandwidth to meet at a certain intermediate point according to the present invention.

The following numerals are being referred to in the detailed description of the present invention.

First tuner
Second tuner
First demodulator
Second demodulator
Memory unit
Digital TV processor
Feeding unit
Display unit
Terrestrial antenna
Satellite dish

The present invention proposes a signal processing device in the form of an image display device or a set-top box receiving programs via cable, terrestrial antenna (9) or satellite broadcasting in the form of separate subscription formats. A set-top box typically contains at least one tuner input, operating in connection with an image display device. Alternatively, the image display device itself can receive programs using cable, satellite or over-the-air (terrestrial) built-in tuners.

Digital and interactive TV systems provide a comprehensive amount of TV channels and programs. A conventional structure receiving program contents receives a transport stream via a tuner. In order for viewing a first program content and processing a second program content, the receiver-decoder should have two tuners, which also enables various types of services including interactive functions such as picture-in-picture.

The signal processing device in the form of an image display device in accordance with the invention can be connected to a set-top box, the latter having a first tuner (1) and a second tuner (2). The image display device itself or the receiver (set-top box) can therefore have multiple tuners as well as a first and second demodulator (3, 4) suitable for receiving broadcast multimedia content. In this regard, receivers capable of receiving and tuning to signals of different generations (e.g. DVB-T and DVB-T2, DVB-S and DVB-S2, DVB-C and DVB-C2) can be in use. Conventionally, a digital TV processor (6) simultaneously processing two program contents, a memory unit (5) associated with the digital TV processor (6), a feeding unit (7) in connection with all other components and a display unit (8) form part of the system. The memory unit (5) typically serves for storing the operating and interface software and channel database.

The first and second tuners (1, 2) are either connected to a terrestrial antenna (9) or a satellite dish (10). In the case of terrestrial tuners, they can also process programs received via cable broadcasting, if any. Conventionally, signal received from a terrestrial antenna (9) or satellite dish (10) is converted to IF signal (Intermediate frequency), which can then be processed by the first and second demodulators (3, 4). The demodulators typically output transport streams to the digital TV processor (6), which accordingly processes the transport streams and retrieves channel information for all the channels.

When processing the signal received from a satellite dish (10), specific transponder information of each channel is retrieved. A transponder typically receives a television signal from the satellite uplink stations on the ground, encoding, amplifying and rebroadcasting the same. Transponder parameters typically involve satellite name, transponder frequency in MHz, polarization, symbol rate in Ksym/s etc.

Frequency bands allocated to terrestrial or cable broadcasting services using radio signals are scanned by the image display device or the receiver/set-top box such that all television broadcasting signals are searched.

The signal processing device can be factory-configured such that channel frequency information, i.e. frequency values for each channel, is preloaded for a plurality of channels. Likewise, the image display device can be factory-configured to have a satellite’s transponder list. However, as the actual transponder list of a satellite can expand in time so as to accommodate new entries along with old ones, a channel whose transponder information is not updated will typically be viewed as a blank screen during channel surfing.

The present invention proposes a system and a method for operating an image display device, having an accelerated channel information retrieving operation as delineated below. The automatic channel information retrieving operation of the invention can be automatically called on a periodical basis by setting a time interval such that frequency values/range or transponder information in association with a given channel is processed and channels that exhibit signal error are automatically cleared.

To this end, the signal processing device of the present invention executes the method of retrieving channel information to be implemented in the following manner: The signal processing device is first configured by the user to initiate automatic channel information retrieving operation. The signal processing device initiates the operation based on the preloaded frequency ranges or transponder list. Television broadcasting signals are searched and parameters such as frequency, symbol rate and polarization of a transponder are fed to the demodulators to verify whether signal lock is achieved. Alternatively, a so-called blind search can be carried out in the manner that signals within the entire band are scanned or the signal processing device steps through a range of transponders.

According to the invention, the signal processing device starts the channel information retrieving operation by way of simultaneously scanning terrestrial and cable frequencies or updating the transponder list.

According to the invention, the image processing device’s two tuners are either terrestrial/cable tuners or satellite tuners. Therefore, either channels on terrestrial frequencies or cable television frequencies transmitted via radio signals through coaxial cables or light pulses through fiber-optic cables are searched or satellite channels are searched, simultaneously by the two separate tuners. Therefore, the stage during which the user will have to wait for the completion of the process before taking control of the image display device is substantially shorter as the frequency band is divided into two parts and the search is carried out much more effectively as described below.

Satellite broadcasting involves a frequency band of 10.7 – 12.75 GHz while the Low Noise Block (LNB) converts the signal into a 950 – 2200 MHz frequency band as supported by the receiver whereas the range of the terrestrial broadcasts is defined as a frequency band of 47 – 850 MHz in the form of VHF and UHF bands having respective ranges of 47 – 500 MHz and 500 – 850 MHz.

According to the invention, the tuners simultaneously search either terrestrial or satellite frequencies by dividing the frequency band into two parts and carrying out the scanning operation in a unidirectional manner or in opposing directions. In a more specific manner, each tuner has an initial scanning frequency and a search interval such that channels within the entire bandwidth are searched and recorded. The two tuners perform the search operation based on predefined bandwidth intervals in the manner that each tuner starts from one end of the bandwidth to meet at a certain intermediate point.

Alternatively, the first tuner (1) scans the first half of the bandwidth starting from one end thereof while the other tuner scans the second half starting from a predetermined intermediate frequency value in the middle of the bandwidth. Therefore, the frequency band is divided into two equal intervals for scanning. This is advantageous in that as one of the tuners’ operation will be terminated earlier depending on the channel density of the given bandwidth half, the duration of the channel information retrieving operation directly noticeable by the user during which he/she will have to wait for the completion of the process before taking control of the image display device will be shorter as channels whose frequencies were determined by the quicker one of the first or second tuners (1, 2) will be stored in memory to be viewable while the other tuner continues the operation. Therefore, when the channel information retrieving operation of one of the tuners is completed, channels whose frequencies were determined and stored in memory can be viewed.

In the case of satellite tuners, apart from a scanning configuration involving the direction of the scanning operation in a unidirectional manner or in the manner to start from the two ends of the bandwidth, each tuner can be configured to scan the entire frequency bandwidth either vertically or horizontally, i.e. in one polarization only. This advantageously eliminates time losses for polarization shifts during incremental scanning of the frequencies.

The duration of the channel information retrieving operation directly noticeable by the user is therefore substantially shorter than the total duration thereof. Therefore, the present invention ensures that the duration during which the user has no access to TV programs is substantially shorter than the total duration of the network scan operation.

In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a signal processing device receiving a plurality of broadcasting services and comprising a digital TV processor (6), a first tuner (1) and a second tuner (2), the first tuner (1) and second tuner (2) being respectively in association with a first and second demodulator (3, 4) which supply transport streams, the signal processing device being further able to communicate with a display unit (8).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the digital TV processor (6) is configured to simultaneously effect initiation of a channel information retrieving operation by means of the first tuner (1) and by means of the second tuner (2). The first and second tuners (1, 2) simultaneously search by dividing the frequency band into two allocated predefined parts.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second tuners (1, 2) has an initial scanning frequency and an allocated predefined search interval such that channels within the entire bandwidth are searched and recorded.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second tuners (1, 2) simultaneously carry out the scanning operation in a unidirectional manner or in opposing directions in the respective allocated predefined search intervals of the frequency band.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second tuners (1, 2) initiates the searching operation from one end of the frequency band to meet at a certain intermediate point thereof.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the first tuner (1) scans the first half of the bandwidth starting from one end thereof while the second tuner (2) scans the second half starting form a predetermined intermediate frequency value in the middle of the bandwidth.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the frequency band is divided into two equal predefined search intervals in terms of frequency range for scanning.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the first and second tuners (1, 2) are both configured to simultaneously search either terrestrial or satellite frequencies.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the first and second tuners (1, 2) are either terrestrial or satellite tuners.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second tuners (1, 2) in the form of satellite tuners are configured to scan the entire frequency band either vertically or horizontally in one polarization only.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the channel information retrieving operation is succeeded by recording of retrieved broadcasting channels

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, broadcasting channels retrieved using any one of the first or second tuners (1, 2) are viewable during at least a part of the operation of the other one of the first or second tuners (1, 2).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the first and second tuners (1, 2) are a DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C or DVB-C2 tuners.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the first and second tuners (1, 2) are a DVB-S or DVB-S2 tuners.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the signal processing device is an image display device (TV set) or a set-top box.

In this regard, the present invention ensures that configuration of channel information settings can be better managed in a less intrusive and substantially shorter manner such that users are offered a less troublesome viewing experience without having to wait for a substantial amount of time for completion of the automatic network scan task. The present invention therefore substantially accelerates maintenance of the channel information without requiring user intervention.

Claims

A signal processing device receiving a plurality of broadcasting services and comprising a digital TV processor (6), a first tuner (1) and a second tuner (2), the first tuner (1) and second tuner (2) being respectively in association with a first and second demodulator (3, 4) which supply transport streams, the signal processing device being further able to communicate with a display unit (8), characterized in that

- the digital TV processor (6) is configured to simultaneously effect initiation of a channel information retrieving operation by means of the first tuner (1) and by means of the second tuner (2) and

- the first and second tuners (1, 2) simultaneously search by dividing the frequency band into two allocated predefined parts.
A signal processing device as in Claim 1, characterized in that each of the first and second tuners (1, 2) has an initial scanning frequency and an allocated predefined search interval such that channels within the entire bandwidth are searched and recorded.
A signal processing device as in Claim 2, characterized in that each of the first and second tuners (1, 2) simultaneously carry out the scanning operation in a unidirectional manner or in opposing directions in the respective allocated predefined search intervals of the frequency band.
A signal processing device as in Claim 3, characterized in that each of the first and second tuners (1, 2) initiates the searching operation from one end of the frequency band to meet at a certain intermediate point thereof.
A signal processing device as in Claim 3, characterized in that the first tuner (1) scans the first half of the bandwidth starting from one end thereof while the second tuner (2) scans the second half starting form a predetermined intermediate frequency value in the middle of the bandwidth.
A signal processing device as in Claim 5, characterized in that the frequency band is divided into two equal predefined search intervals in terms of frequency range for scanning.
A signal processing device as in Claim 1, characterized in that the first and second tuners (1, 2) are both configured to simultaneously search either terrestrial or satellite frequencies.
A signal processing device as in Claim 1 or 7, characterized in that the first and second tuners (1, 2) are either terrestrial or satellite tuners.
A signal processing device as in Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each of the first and second tuners (1, 2) in the form of satellite tuners are configured to scan the entire frequency band either vertically or horizontally in one polarization only.
A signal processing device as in Claim 1, characterized in that the channel information retrieving operation is succeeded by recording of retrieved broadcasting channels
A signal processing device as in Claim 5 and 10, characterized in that broadcasting channels retrieved using any one of the first or second tuners (1, 2) are viewable during at least a part of the operation of the other one of the first or second tuners (1, 2).
A signal processing device as in Claim 8, characterized in that the first and second tuners (1, 2) are DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C or DVB-C2 tuners.
A signal processing device as in Claim 8, characterized in that the first and second tuners (1, 2) are DVB-S or DVB-S2 tuners.
A signal processing device as in any preceding Claims, characterized in that the signal processing device is an image display device or a set-top box.