KR20110065935A - Operation Method of Image Display Device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An operation method of a video display is provided to enable a user to intuitionally grasp about a broadcasting signal of a receiving channel. CONSTITUTION: A broadcast signal is received(S910). A plurality of thumbnail images is generated based on the received broadcast signal(S920). A thumbnail image list is marked (S930). In the thumbnail image list, the plurality of thumbnail images is arrange according to a classified group. The classified group is classified based on genre of a program.

Description

Method for operating the apparatus for displaying image}

The present invention relates to a method of operating an image display apparatus, and more particularly, to an image display apparatus and an operation method capable of grasping a broadcast signal of a channel received intuitively and efficiently.

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 addition to the trend of switching to digital broadcasting, broadcasting broadcasts are increasing in response to various needs of users. In order to recognize each increased broadcast in the current video display device, each broadcast must be selected through channel switching, which causes a lot of time-consuming inconvenience.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus and an operation method thereof capable of intuitively grasping information on a broadcast signal of a channel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating an image display apparatus includes receiving a broadcast signal, generating a plurality of thumbnail images based on the received broadcast signal, and classifying the plurality of thumbnail images according to a classified group. And displaying the sorted thumbnail image list.

As a result, the broadcast channel can be grasped intuitively, and help to easily select a channel can increase user convenience.

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. , Second demodulation unit 135, analog / digital conversion unit 140, interface unit 150, control unit 160, channel browsing processing unit 170, storage unit 175, display 180, and audio output Part 185 is 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 baseband video / audio signal.

Meanwhile, the second tuner 125 sequentially and periodically selects corresponding RF broadcast signals of all broadcast channels stored 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 part of the screen, 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 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 COFDMA (Cded Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation) 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 external signal input unit 128 performs signal input with an external device. To this end, the external signal input unit 128 may include an A / V input / output unit and a wireless communication unit.

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 inputting / outputting video / audio signals with an external device. ), A DVI (Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, an RGB terminal, a D-SUB terminal, an IEEE 1394 terminal, an SPDIF terminal, a Liquid HD terminal, and the like.

Although not shown in the drawing, various input signals input through the external signal input unit 128 may be input to the channel browsing processor 170 to be described later to perform thumbnail image extraction processing. For example, the 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 170 as described above. The digital signal input through other input terminals may be directly input to the channel browsing processor 170 without analog / digital conversion. Here, the digital signal output from the external signal input unit 128 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 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, 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 160 to enable bidirectional communication. The signals processed by the controller 160 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 160 via the channel browsing processor 170.

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 130 may perform demodulation and channel decoding and output a stream signal TS 1. The stream signal TS 1 at this time 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 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.

In addition, the above-described first demodulation unit 130 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 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.

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 analog / digital converter 140 into a digital signal.

The analog / digital converter 140 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 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 RF (Radio Frequency) communication scheme and 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. In addition, the overall operation of the image display apparatus 100 may be controlled.

Although not illustrated, the controller 160 may include a demultiplexer, an image processor, a voice processor, and a user input signal processor.

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 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 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 voice output unit 185, 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 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 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 160 may perform an on screen display (OSD) process. In detail, the controller 160 is configured to display various types of information on the screen of the display 180 based on at least one of an image processed image signal, a data processed data signal, and a user input signal from the remote controller 200. It can generate a signal for displaying a graphic 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.

The channel browsing processor 170 performs 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 128. Specifically, the demodulation unit 130 or 135 receives the demodulated and channel decoded stream signal TS 1 or TS 2, receives the stream signal from the external input signal input unit 128, or receives an analog / digital converter ( An image signal including the digital signal DV converted in operation 140, 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 170 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 180 without any additional processing, and displays the display ( The sub stream signal TSa corresponding to the sub video signal displayed in the sub region among the video signals displayed on 180 may be output by performing channel browsing processing as described above.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the channel list is displayed on the display 180 by extracting a partial image of the broadcast signal of the plurality of channels through the channel browsing processing unit 170 and re-coding the stream in the form of a stream, the broadcast signal of the multiple channel 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 170 extracts a partial image of various external input images input through the external signal input unit 128 and re-encodes them in a stream form, the channel browsing processor 170 displays a plurality of external input lists on the display 180. 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 170 extracts the broadcast signal image of the above-described channel and the partial image of the above-described external input image and re-encodes the image in a stream form to display the channel list and the external input list on the display 180. 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 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 voice 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 the voice. The voice output unit 185 may be implemented by 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, in the drawing, two tuners are shown to display a thumbnail image on a screen when viewing a channel list, which is an embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and an embodiment of the present invention is implemented through one tuner. It is also possible.

For example, when a broadcast signal of a selected channel is received through one tuner, and there is a channel list view command, the channel storage function sequentially and periodically receives corresponding broadcast signals of all previously stored broadcast channels. It is possible. According to this, the channel list view may be performed in full view.

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 also mobile, terrestrial DMB digital broadcasting, satellite DMB digital broadcasting, ATSC-M / H digital broadcasting, DVB-H digital (COFDM) digital. A digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving at least one of a broadcast, a media flow link only digital broadcast, and the like. 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.

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 the plurality of input streams TS 1 and TS 2 and outputs it as it is (TSb) without a separate conversion operation to the main stream, and transfers the remaining streams to the demultiplexer 210. . The main stream corresponds to the main video signal, and the main video signal is displayed in most areas on the display 180. The other sub-streams transmitted to the demultiplexer 210 correspond to sub image signals other than the main channel, and the sub image signals may be displayed in some areas of the display 180.

This method may be performed in correspondence with the quick view function of the “video channel list” showing the channel list only in a part of the display 180 instead of the entire area of the display 180. Meanwhile, the simple view function may include an external input in addition to the channel list. This may be performed when the list is displayed on the display 180. Also, the list may be performed when the channel list and the external input list are displayed together on the display 180.

The demultiplexer 210 may demultiplex the received stream signal TS1 or TS 2 and divide the received stream signal TS1 or TS 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 a digital signal DV converted by the analog / digital converter 140 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 is performed such that when shown in thumbnail form on the display 180, it is shown at an appropriate size.

Meanwhile, the format converter 220 may convert the video signal into different sizes according to the simple view of the "video channel list" and the entire view of the "video channel list". For example, the size of the image shown in thumbnail form in the entire view of the "image channel list" may be larger than the simple view of the "image channel list". The above-described simple view and full view function may be performed even when the external input list is displayed on the display 180 in addition to the channel list. In addition, the channel list and the external input list may be displayed together on the display 180.

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 still image or video encoded by the image encoder 230 may be displayed in the form of a thumbnail on 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.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the channel browsing processor 170 extracts and re-encodes at least some of the broadcast signal image and the external input image of the plurality of channels to display the “channel list view” or “external input list view”. At least a portion of the plurality of channel broadcast signal images and the external input images from the plurality of external input devices may be displayed on the screen in thumbnail form. Accordingly, the user can intuitively know the content broadcast on another channel or the content input from the external input device.

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 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 signals 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 a video 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 is an LED module 351 that 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 controller 380 of the spatial remote controller 301 stores information on a frequency band or the like that can transmit and receive a signal wirelessly with the image display apparatus 100 paired with the spatial remote controller 301 in the memory 370. Reference may be made.

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.

1 and 4 are block diagrams of the spatial remote controller 301 of the image display apparatus 100 and the remote control apparatus 200 according to 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 and the spatial remote controller 301 that are 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 function performed in each block is for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, the specific operation or device does not limit the scope of the present invention.

5 to 8 illustrate various examples of screens displayed on a display according to a method of operating an image display apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. to be.

Referring to the drawings, in the method of operating an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, a tuner receives a broadcast signal (S910) and generates a plurality of thumbnail images based on the received broadcast signal. A step S920 is included.

Thereafter, the thumbnail image list in which the plurality of thumbnail images are arranged according to the classified group is displayed on the display 180 (S930).

That is, by classifying, sorting, and displaying a plurality of thumbnail images according to a predetermined classification criterion, the user may intuitively grasp which thumbnail image belongs to which classification criteria. Thus, the user can select the channel he / she wants in less time.

Here, the classified group may be classified based on the genre of the program as shown in FIG. 5. 5 sorts and displays a plurality of thumbnail images according to whether the program genre of a channel corresponding to the plurality of thumbnail images belongs to a genre classification 510 such as news, drama, movie, home shopping, or sports. Meanwhile, the number of genres or classifications displayed on one screen does not need to be five as shown in FIG. 5, and may vary depending on a setting.

Meanwhile, the program genre of a channel corresponding to a plurality of thumbnail images can be confirmed from EPG (Electronic Progtam Guide) information including broadcast information such as start time, end time, program genre, etc. of a broadcast program broadcasted in each channel. Confirmation of the information may be performed in the thumbnail image generation step S920 or may be performed later.

 As shown in FIG. 5, a thumbnail image list 500 including a thumbnail image corresponding to a broadcast signal of a received channel is displayed on the display 180. In this case, an “image channel list” may be displayed on the upper portion of the display. Meanwhile, in the drawing, the entire view function in which the thumbnail image is displayed over the entire area of the display 180 is performed, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the simple view function displayed in the partial area of the display 180 may be performed. .

As such, by displaying the thumbnail image list 500 including the plurality of thumbnail images on the display 180, the user may intuitively know the contents broadcast on the various channels.

Meanwhile, the thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image list of FIG. 5 may be a still image or a moving image. In addition, the displayed thumbnail image may be a current input image or a pre-stored image. These thumbnail images may be images that are processed by the channel browsing processor 170 and are extracted.

The method of operating the image display apparatus according to the present invention may further include updating at least one of the plurality of thumbnail images and displaying a thumbnail image list including the updated thumbnail image. That is, the thumbnail image list in which at least some of the thumbnail images are updated may be displayed on the display 180. It is possible to update periodically or randomly, and some or all of the thumbnail images may be updated.

In addition, the thumbnail image based on the received broadcast signal may be a thumbnail image corresponding to a broadcast signal of a pre-stored channel. At this time, the pre-stored broadcast channel list may be an entire broadcast channel list, but is not limited thereto and may be pre-stored as a preferred channel list among all channel lists.

Meanwhile, the thumbnail images corresponding to the news genre among the thumbnail images included in the thumbnail image list 500 may be displayed in a horizontal or vertical direction so as to be distinguished from the thumbnail images of other genres (520, 530, 540).

On the other hand, the display step (S930), may display the time information 522 including at least one of the start time, end time, elapsed time, and the total broadcast time of the program corresponding to the thumbnail image on the display 180. have.

As shown in FIG. 5, the time information 522 including the start time and the end time of the corresponding program may be displayed below the thumbnail image, and the time information 522 may at least partially overlap the corresponding thumbnail image 520. May be displayed. In addition, the time information may be displayed on all or part of the plurality of thumbnail images.

Therefore, the video display device according to the present invention provides the thumbnail image and the time information of the program corresponding to the thumbnail image in the channel list view, so that the broadcast time of the program is intuitively even if the user does not perform a separate broadcast schedule or EPG information view. Can be identified.

Meanwhile, when there is a movement input of the cursor or the pointer 505 while the thumbnail image list 500 is displayed on the display 180, the cursor or the pointer 505 is moved according to the moving direction such as up, down, left, and right. Will move. In addition, when there is a selection input after the cursor or pointer 505 is moved, an operation corresponding to the corresponding item is performed. Meanwhile, the movement or selection of the cursor or the pointer 505 may be performed by using a direction key, a selection key of the remote controller or an operation input or a selection input of the spatial remote controller.

Meanwhile, before the selection command, it is possible to focus any one of the displayed plurality of channel numbers and thumbnail images. For example, when there is a focusing command for any one of the displayed plurality of channel numbers and thumbnail images, the corresponding thumbnail image may be focused and displayed.

The focusing command may be performed by inputting a direction key of a remote controller or a pointer input of a spatial remote controller. The thumbnail image focused by the direction key input or the pointer input may be focused by at least one of cursor display, highlight display, and enlarged display. Can be displayed. When the focused thumbnail image is moved by a direction key input or a pointer input, the focused thumbnail image may be moved and displayed continuously.

5 illustrates a case in which a thumbnail image 520 is focused by a highlight display 523 and an enlarged display by input of a pointer 505. In addition, a channel information summary 521 may be displayed that provides brief information such as a channel name.

On the other hand, by selecting the left and right navigation keys 595, it is possible to check the remaining thumbnail image not displayed on one screen.

Meanwhile, the thumbnail image list 500 displayed on the display 180 may further include edit menu items displayed on the lower portion of the display 180 or another area based on the displayed thumbnail image.

 The edit menu may include a "sort by time" item 550 to check a program of a channel corresponding to the selected thumbnail image by time zone, a "genre selection" item 560 to check a program by time zone of channels corresponding to the selected genre, In the "View channel information" item 570 to view detailed information of the channel corresponding to the selected thumbnail image, the "Reserved viewing" item 580 to reserve the viewing of the selected future program, and the "Video channel list" And “out” items 590 to move to the menu items.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, a "simple view" item displaying an image of a selected channel on a portion of the display while displaying a thumbnail image on another portion, and "previous" to display a list of previous thumbnail images other than the displayed thumbnail image list. Item, a "next" item to display the next thumbnail picture list other than the list of displayed thumbnail pictures, a "channel lock" item to lock the selected thumbnail picture so that it cannot be edited, the corresponding thumbnail picture or the thumbnail list to be enlarged or reduced It may further include an item “zoom” to be displayed.

6 to 8 are views illustrating some regions of a screen displayed on a display according to an operating method of an image display apparatus of the present invention, and overlapping portions are omitted or briefly described.

Meanwhile, in the operating method of the image display apparatus according to the present invention, when one of the plurality of thumbnail images is selected, the thumbnail image 620 of the past program of the channel corresponding to the selected thumbnail image as shown in FIG. 6, the thumbnail of the current program The method may further include displaying an image 610 and broadcast information 630 of a future program.

The broadcast information 630 of the future program may include program information including at least one of a channel name, a channel number, and a program name, and time information including at least one of a start time, an end time, and an entire broadcast time of the program. have.

Meanwhile, the adjacent region or at least a portion of the thumbnail image 610 of the current program may be overlapped to display the group name 613, the channel information 611, and the time information 612 of the program together.

The method of operating the image display apparatus according to the present invention may further include storing at least one of the plurality of thumbnail images, and thumbnail images of the past program and the current program may be stored thumbnail images.

Meanwhile, broadcast information of the future program may be based on EPG information. The EPG information may include a name of a broadcast program, a broadcast channel, a broadcast time, a category of a broadcast program, a number of broadcasts, a name of a leading actor, and brief information of a broadcast program.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the thumbnail image 620 of the past program, the thumbnail image 610 of the current program, and the broadcast information 630 of the future program may be displayed in an ordered manner. Therefore, the user can intuitively grasp the time of the program and can manage the viewing time efficiently.

Meanwhile, the thumbnail image 610 of the current program may be different in size or transparency from the thumbnail image 620 of the past program. More preferably, the thumbnail image 610 of the current program may be displayed to be the largest of the plurality of thumbnail images to help the user to easily recognize the contents of the corresponding program.

When the broadcast information of the future program is selected, when the start time of the future program arrives, the method may further include displaying a screen of a corresponding channel. The broadcast information of the future program may be selected through the remote control apparatus after moving the pointer and cursor as described above, or by selecting the “reserved viewing” item 580.

Therefore, when the user intuitively recognizes the programs in the channel list and selects a future program, the screen of the corresponding channel may be automatically displayed on the display when the start time of the corresponding program is reached.

Meanwhile, the broadcast information of the future program may include a preset thumbnail image 730 as shown in FIG. 7. Here, the preset thumbnail image 730 is a preset thumbnail image such as an icon displaying a characteristic of a corresponding channel based on the EPG information, a character or an image displaying channel information such as a service provider name, a channel name, a channel logo, and the like. It can be displayed as a substitute.

For example, if the type of program identified by the EPG information is a flexible program, a microphone or musical note icon may be displayed, and in the case of a sports program, a ball-like exercise scene may be displayed. Can also be displayed. In addition, since a program of the same name is often aired at regular intervals such as one day, one week, and one month, a thumbnail image corresponding to the stored program of the same name can be displayed.

Here, the preset thumbnail image is not limited to the above example, and may be variously set according to a user's preference.

Meanwhile, in the method of operating an image display apparatus according to the present invention, when one of the groups is selected, a thumbnail image of a past program, a thumbnail image of a current program, and a broadcast information of a future program are displayed for each of the channels included in the selected group. It may further comprise the step.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the programs of the channels corresponding to the selected thumbnail image are not displayed in a time order, but when one of the plurality of groups is selected, the programs of the channels included in the group are selected in time order. Can be displayed by sorting.

Referring to FIG. 8, when a group whose current program is a broadcast is selected, a thumbnail image 830 of a past program of a SBS channel included in a news group, a thumbnail image 820 of a current program, and a broadcast information 840 of a future program are included. ), Thumbnail image 860 of past program of MBC channel, thumbnail image 850 of current program and broadcast information 870 of future program, thumbnail image 890 of past program of YTN channel, thumbnail image of current program ( 880 and broadcast information 900 of a future program are displayed.

Here, the thumbnail image of the past program, the thumbnail image of the current program, and the broadcast information of the future program of the channels may be displayed in parallel alignment as shown in FIG. 8.

Meanwhile, the above-described channel information 821, 851, 881, time information 822, 852, 882, and the like of the thumbnail image of the current program may be displayed together in an adjacent region or at least partially overlapping region. In addition, the selected group name 810 may be displayed in a portion of the display.

Meanwhile, thumbnail images of the past program and the current program may be stored thumbnail images, and broadcast information of the future program may be based on EPG information.

The broadcast information of the future program may include a preset thumbnail image as shown in FIG. 8, and the thumbnail image of the current program may be different in size or transparency from the thumbnail image of the past program.

On the other hand, if there is an information viewing command for one of the plurality of thumbnail images, it may further include displaying the program information of the corresponding channel. The program information may be detailed information such as a name of a broadcast program, a broadcast channel, a broadcast time, a category of a broadcast program, a number of broadcasts, and a name of a main actor.

The operating method of the image display device according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described as described above, but the embodiments are all or part of each of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. It may alternatively be configured in combination.

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 also include 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 a user input / output unit of the interface unit of FIG. 1 and the spatial remote controller of FIG. 3.

5 to 8 illustrate various examples of screens displayed on a display according to an operating method of an image display apparatus of the present invention.

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

Claims (20)

Receiving a broadcast signal; Generating a plurality of thumbnail images based on the received broadcast signal; And And displaying a list of thumbnail images arranged by sorting the plurality of thumbnail images according to a classified group. The method of claim 1, And said classified group is classified based on the genre of the program. The method of claim 1, And wherein the displaying step displays time information including at least one of a start time, an end time, an elapsed time, and an entire broadcast time of a program corresponding to the thumbnail image. The method of claim 1, If one of the plurality of thumbnail images is selected, displaying a thumbnail image of a past program, a thumbnail image of a current program, and a broadcast program of a future program of a channel corresponding to the selected thumbnail image; Operation method of image display device. 5. The method of claim 4, And storing at least one of the plurality of thumbnail images, wherein the thumbnail images of the past program and the current program are stored thumbnail images. 5. The method of claim 4, Broadcast information of the future program is based on EPG information. 5. The method of claim 4, And broadcast information of the future program comprises a preset thumbnail image. 5. The method of claim 4, And a thumbnail image of the past program, a thumbnail image of the current program, and broadcast information of a future program are arranged in chronological order. 5. The method of claim 4, And the thumbnail image of the current program is different in size or transparency from the thumbnail image of the past program. 5. The method of claim 4, If broadcast information of the future program is selected, when the start time of the future program is reached, displaying a screen of a corresponding channel. The method of claim 1, If one of the groups is selected, displaying a thumbnail image of a past program, a thumbnail image of a current program, and a broadcast program of a future program of each of the channels included in the selected group; How the device works. The method of claim 11, And storing at least one of the plurality of thumbnail images, wherein the thumbnail images of the past program and the current program are stored thumbnail images. The method of claim 11, Broadcast information of the future program is based on EPG information. The method of claim 11, And broadcast information of the future program comprises a preset thumbnail image. The method of claim 11, And a thumbnail image of the past program, a thumbnail image of the current program, and broadcast information of a future program are arranged in chronological order. The method of claim 11, And the thumbnail image of the current program is different in size or transparency from the thumbnail image of the past program. The method of claim 11, And a thumbnail image of the past program, a thumbnail image of the current program, and broadcast information of a future program of the channels are displayed in parallel alignment. The method of claim 11, If any one of broadcast information of the future program is selected, when the start time of the selected future program is reached, displaying a screen of a corresponding channel. The method of claim 1, And displaying program information of a corresponding channel when there is an information viewing command for one of the plurality of thumbnail images. The method of claim 1, Updating at least one of the plurality of thumbnail images; And And displaying a list of thumbnail images including the updated thumbnail image.

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