KR101557508B1 - A digital television and channel editing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for more effectively editing various channel information in a digital TV.

The channel editing method of a digital TV according to the present invention displays pre-stored channel information in a multi-window according to a user's request. When a user selects a channel on the basis of a multi-window, a channel selected by the user is tuned through the first tuner and displayed as a moving image. In addition, if the user does not select a channel for a predetermined time, all the channels other than the channel selected by the user are tuned at regular intervals through the second tuner and displayed as moving images or still images. The user can perform channel editing for the corresponding channel by referring to the multi-window.

Also, the present invention may perform channel editing on only the preset preferred channels.

Accordingly, the broadcast status can be more easily grasped for all channels other than the currently selected channel. In addition, the presence or absence of the broadcast can be more easily grasped by comparing the previously stored channel with the currently stored channel.

Channel tuning, multi-window, digital TV, channel management, channel editing

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a digital television and a channel editing method,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital TV, and more particularly, to a method for editing various channel information more effectively.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a television (TV) is a device that allows a viewer to view a broadcast signal containing a broadcast program (i.e., broadcast content) through a series of signal processes, and can acquire various information through viewing regardless of age or class . Nowadays, TV is the most popular media among the rapidly developing multimedia devices, and it is gradually changing from analog to digital according to the development of multimedia technology.

A digital TV is a device that literally reproduces all information such as video, audio, and data into a digital broadcast program and reproduces the original video and audio as a signal. Such a digital TV has stronger noise, less transmission power, and error correction technology than an analog TV, and it is easy to search, process and edit information.

In particular, current digital TVs can expand the number of channels in which broadcast programs can be displayed by a factor of several times compared with analogs, so that viewers can view a large amount of information through each channel, have.

As already mentioned, since the digital TV can search, process and edit the broadcast program, the viewer can memorize or erase the broadcast program suitable for him / her, and if necessary, register the program with the favorite channel and watch the favorite channel at any time .

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional digital TV.

Referring to FIG. 1, a general digital TV includes a tuner 1 for tuning a broadcast signal, a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a broadcast signal selected in the tuner 1, that is, a transport stream that is temporally multiplexed A demultiplexer 2 for demultiplexing a broadcast signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 2 and a demultiplexer 2 for demultiplexing the broadcast signal demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 2, A key input unit 5 for inputting a user's request command and various operation related commands and a microcomputer 6 for outputting a corresponding control signal in response to a command input from the key input unit 5. [ .

A general digital TV channel editing method configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of editing a channel of a conventional digital TV.

Referring to FIG. 2, it is determined whether the user has selected a channel editing menu using a remote controller or the like (S11). At this time, before the user selects the channel edit menu, the channel previously selected by the user is displayed on the digital TV (S14). That is, the channel selected by the user before the digital TV is turned on before S11 is stored, and when the digital TV is turned on, the channel selected by the user is tuned and displayed.

When the user selects the channel editing menu in step S11, a channel editing screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed (S17).

That is, the channel map including the plurality of channels and the current channel are displayed on the channel editing screen (S20). Here, the current channel may be a currently broadcast channel or a changed channel when the channel number is changed by the user. In addition, a number of channel numbers are arranged in a line in the channel map, and the color of the channel number stored by the current automatic tuning or the like is displayed in a darker color than the unannotated channel number. For example, channel numbers 2, 7, 13, and 14 are displayed in darker colors than channel numbers 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, From this, it can be seen that the current channel numbers 2, 7, 13, 14, etc. are stored. The channels previously set as the preferred channel may be displayed with a predetermined mark (♥) in front of the channel number.

While the channel editing screen is being displayed as described above, it is determined whether the key input is being performed by the user (S23). When the key input is performed, the broadcast signal corresponding to the channel number selected by the user is tuned and displayed ).

At this time, it is determined whether the channel editing key is input from the user. If the channel editing key is not input, the process returns to S26 (S29).

If a channel editing key is input from the user, the corresponding channel editing function is performed (S32). Such a channel editing function may include memorizing, erasing, or setting a preferred channel of the corresponding channel number.

When the channel editing function is completed as described above, the channel end key is input by the user, and the channel editing process is terminated (S35).

Since there are 69 wireless channels, 125 wired channels, and 60 DTV channels in the current broadcasting, as shown in FIG. 3, the channel editing screen displays all of the channel numbers, and the existence of a broadcasting program for each channel And a predetermined mark is displayed in front of the channel number set by the user as the preferred channel among the stored channels so that the user can easily distinguish the preferred channel.

However, the channel editing method of the digital TV according to the related art has the following problems.

First, when the user selects the channel editing menu, the entire channel is displayed with the channel number, and the image is displayed only in the channel selected by the user, so that the broadcasting status of the other channel can not be grasped, It is inconvenient to move to the corresponding channel in order to do so.

Second, since there are a plurality of channels due to the diversity of the current media, there is a time-wasting and inefficiency in performing the channel editing function by locating and navigating to different channels one by one.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a channel editing screen in which a user can more conveniently navigate to a desired channel and can simultaneously grasp the broadcast status of all channels, And to provide an editing method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a channel editing method capable of easily detecting presence or absence of a broadcast signal by displaying the presence or absence of a broadcast signal for all channels on a channel editing screen.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of editing a channel of a digital TV, the method comprising: displaying a multi-window for channel editing in response to a channel edit command from a user; Tuning a channel selected by the user in response to a first selection key input from a user based on the multi-window; And sequentially tuning all channels other than the channel selected by the user when the first selection key is not input from the user for a predetermined time.

The multi-window comprises a plurality of sub-windows corresponding to each channel.

In the multi-window, pre-stored channel information is displayed by the number of the plurality of sub windows.

In the multi-window, the color of the channel number is displayed to distinguish the channel from the predetermined channel.

The method of editing a channel of the digital TV further includes performing channel editing for a channel selected by a user in response to a second selection key input from the user.

The video is displayed by tuning for the channel selected by the user.

All the channels other than the channel selected by the user are tuned to a moving picture while being tuned and then displayed as a still picture after tuning.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for editing a channel of a digital TV includes: displaying a multi-window for editing a favorite channel in response to a favorite channel edit command from a user; Tuning a channel selected by the user in response to a first selection key input from a user based on the multi-window; And sequentially tuning all channels other than the channel selected by the user when the first selection key is not input from the user for a predetermined time.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a digital TV comprises first and second tuners for tuning different broadcast channels in a broadcast signal; A switching unit for selectively outputting broadcasting signals selected from the first and second tuners; A first signal processing unit for processing a broadcast signal of the first tuner selected from the switching unit into a signal capable of being displayed on a screen; A second signal processing unit for processing a broadcast signal of the second tuner selected from the switching unit into a signal displayable on a screen; A key input unit for inputting a request command of a user; A microcomputer for outputting a control signal in response to the request command of the user; A memory for storing still images and predetermined channel information for a channel automatically tuned from the second tuner; An image processor for processing outputs of the first and second signal processors to be implemented in a multi-window according to a control signal of the microcomputer; And a display unit for displaying the image signal output from the image processing unit.

The first tuner tunes only the channel selected by the user.

The second tuner performs automatic tuning for channels other than the channel selected by the user according to the control signal of the microcomputer.

The microcomputer controls the broadcasting signals output from the first and second signal processing units to be displayed in a multi-window in which the first and second signal processing units are divided in response to a channel editing command input from the key input unit.

The microcomputer controls the automatic tuning of channels other than the channel selected by the user through the key input unit through the second tuner.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a channel management method for a TV, the method comprising: displaying a channel list screen including a multi-window displaying a tuned screen of each of a plurality of channels; Receiving a selection of one of the multi-windows; Receiving a channel management menu selection from a user; And managing the channel corresponding to the selected multi-window according to a user's input.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus including: at least one tuner for tuning a broadcast signal; At least one signal processing unit for processing a broadcast signal tuned from one of the tuners into a signal displayable on a screen; A user input for receiving a user input; And outputting the tuned broadcast signals in a multi-window in response to the input of the user. When the user performs channel management for one selected and selected channel among the multi-windows, a channel corresponding to the selected multi- A microcomputer for controlling to perform management; A memory for storing still images and predetermined channel information for a channel automatically tuned from one of the tuners; An image processing unit for processing the output of the signal processing unit according to a control of the microcomputer so as to be realized as a multi-window; And a display unit for displaying the image signal output from the image processing unit.

The digital TV according to the present invention and its channel editing method are expected to have the following effects.

First, by configuring the channel editing screen to be a multi-window, it is possible to more easily grasp the broadcast status of all channels other than the currently selected channel.

Second, it is possible to more easily grasp the presence or absence of broadcasting through comparing the previously memorized channel with the currently memorized channel.

Third, the presence or absence of a broadcast signal of each channel is displayed through a multi-window, so that a channel in which a broadcast signal does not exist in a multi-window can be easily grasped.

Fourth, channel editing is possible only for the preferred channels except for all channels, so that it is easier for the user to set a preferred channel that suits his / her needs.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the digital TV according to the present invention includes first and second tuners 101 and 102 for tuning different broadcast channels according to a user's request in a broadcast signal input through an antenna, A switching unit 103 for selectively outputting a broadcast signal selected from the first tuner 101 and the second tuner 101 and a second tuner 101 for outputting a broadcast signal of the first tuner 101 selected from the switching unit 103, A second signal processing unit 108 for processing a broadcast signal of the second tuner 102 selected by the switching unit 103 into a signal that can be displayed on the screen, A microcomputer 105 for outputting a control signal in response to a command of the user, that is, a channel edit command and a panel edit execution command, a second tuner 102, Tuned from A memory 106 for storing a still image and a predetermined channel information for the null and an output of the first and second signal processors 107 and 108 in accordance with a control signal of the microcomputer 105, And a display unit 110 for displaying a video signal output from the video processing unit 109. The display unit 110 displays the video signal output from the video processing unit 109,

Here, the first tuner 101 tunes the channel selected by the user, and the second tuner 102 performs automatic tuning on the channels other than the channel selected by the user according to the control signal of the microcomputer 105 do.

The switching unit 103 selectively outputs the output of the first tuner 101 and the output of the second tuner 102 to the first and second signal processors 107, 108). That is, the broadcast signal output from the first tuner 101 is supplied to the first signal processor 107, and the broadcast signal output from the second tuner 102 is supplied to the second signal processor 108.

The microcomputer 105 controls the broadcasting signals output from the first and second signal processing units to be displayed in a multi-window in which the first and second signal processing units are divided in response to a channel editing command input from the key input unit 104. In addition, the microcomputer 105 controls the second tuner 102 to perform automatic tuning for channels other than the channel selected by the user through the key input unit 104.

The operation of the digital TV according to the present invention will now be described.

When the user selects the channel editing menu by using the key input unit 104 during watching the television, the microcomputer 105 stores channel information previously stored in the memory 106 in response to the channel editing menu input from the user And displays a multi-window in the form of a channel map in which the screen is divided into a predetermined number.

In the multi-window, the color of the channel number is displayed to distinguish the channel from the predetermined channel. For example, channel numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are displayed in red as predetermined channels, but channel numbers 2, 8, 10, 11, and 12 are not set It is displayed as yellow as a non-channel.

However, the digital TV has the characteristic that the broadcasting signal is changed from time to time for each channel. For example, although a broadcast signal for a specific broadcast was previously present at channel number 3, a broadcast signal for the specific broadcast may not exist after a predetermined time elapses.

Accordingly, in order to grasp the broadcasting status of each channel of the digital TV, a channel editing method is used to tune each channel and perform channel editing from time to time.

Therefore, when the user moves the channel using the direction key on the key input unit 104 in the state where the multi-window is displayed as described above, the channel to which the direction key is moved is tuned from the first tuner 101, Are automatically tuned at regular intervals through the second tuner 102. The video signal tuned in this manner is displayed in each subwindow of the corresponding multi-window.

Therefore, according to the digital TV according to the present invention, the current channel can be tuned continuously through the first tuner 101 and can be watched as a moving picture, while other channels are automatically tuned at regular intervals through the second tuner 102, And still images are repeatedly displayed. Therefore, the user can more easily grasp the current broadcast state of another channel and cope with it. At this time, each channel to be automatically tuned through the second tuner 102 is displayed as a moving picture for a currently tuned channel, and if a tuning is passed to another channel according to a predetermined period, the currently tuned channel is displayed as a still image . This process is applied to all the channels displayed through the second tuner 102.

Hereinafter, a channel editing method of the digital TV according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of editing a channel of a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, before the channel editing is performed, the digital TV is turned on and a broadcast signal of a channel selected by the user is displayed.

Next, when the user selects the channel editing menu using the key input unit 104, the microcomputer 105 determines whether a channel editing command is input from the user (S211).

If the channel editing command is not input from the user, the microcomputer 105 continuously displays the broadcasting signal of the channel selected by the user in operation S214.

As a result of the determination, when a channel editing command is input from the user, the microcomputer 105 displays a channel editing screen as shown in FIG. 6 based on the preset channel information in the memory 106 (S217).

At this time, the channel editing screen displays the broadcast signal for the currently tuned channel and the current tuning channel according to the preset channel information in a multi-window format including a plurality of sub windows (S220). Also, on the channel editing screen, a moving cursor is located in a sub window corresponding to a channel that the user has watched before the channel editing menu is selected.

Meanwhile, the microcomputer 105 determines which key input is made by the user (S223).

If no key input is made by the user for a predetermined time, the microcomputer 105 outputs a control signal for automatic tuning to the second tuner 102, and the sequence tuned by the second tuner 102 , And performs automatic tuning while controlling the tuned broadcast signals to be displayed (S226).

If it is determined in step S229 that the key is input to the direction key (hereinafter, referred to as a first selection key), the key is input.

As a result of the determination, if the input is for the first selection key, the microcomputer 105 tunes the channel selected by the user through the first tuner 101 and controls the tuner to be displayed (S232).

Accordingly, the channel selected by the user through steps S223, S226, and S229 is tuned and displayed through the first tuner 101, and the other channels are tuned and displayed at regular intervals through the second tuner 102. [

If the key input from the user is not a direction key, it is determined whether the input key is for a channel editing key (hereinafter referred to as a second selection key) (S235).

If it is determined that the second selection key is input, the microcomputer 105 controls to perform channel editing for the channel (S238). That is, in S238, functions such as storing and erasing the corresponding channel and setting the preferred channel are performed.

The user can edit each channel at any time while changing the channel through the above process, and can easily grasp the presence or absence of the broadcast signal by automatic tuning through the second channel. That is, conventionally, only a moving picture for a channel selected by the user is displayed on the channel editing screen. However, in the present invention, a multi window composed of sub windows corresponding to each channel is configured, Therefore, the presence or absence of the broadcast signal can be quickly detected and the channel editing can be performed more quickly.

Finally, when the user inputs the edit end key, the channel editing process is terminated and the broadcast signal that is being watched before is displayed (S241).

As described above, in the channel editing method according to the present invention, when the user selects the channel editing menu, a multi-window type channel editing screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. At this time, if the user does not input any key for a predetermined time, the second tuner 102 automatically tunes each channel. That is, the channel is moved at a predetermined time interval, the channel before the movement is displayed as a still image, and the channel after the movement is displayed as a moving image.

On the other hand, the channel editing screen using the multi-window as described above can perform channel editing for all channels, but it is also possible to perform channel editing for only the favorite channels preset by the user on the channel editing screen.

6, the favorite channel selected by the user is tuned through the first tuner 101 to be displayed as a moving picture, and the favorite channel selected by the user The other favorite channels are automatically tuned at a predetermined time interval through the second tuner 102 and displayed as moving images and still images.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a channel editing method of a digital TV according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, it is determined whether the user has selected the preferred channel menu (S311).

As a result of the determination, if the user selects the preferred channel menu, the preferred channel list previously set in the memory 106 is displayed in a multi-window including a plurality of sub windows (S314).

At this time, if the channel being viewed before the selection of the preferred channel menu exists in the preset preferred channel list, the moving cursor is positioned on the channel being viewed before the preferred channel menu is selected. On the other hand, if the channel being viewed prior to the selection of the preferred channel menu is not present in the preset preferred channel list, the moving cursor is located in the sub-window at the upper left of the multi-window.

Meanwhile, it is determined whether there is a key input from the user (S317).

As a result of the determination, if there is a key input from the user, it is determined whether the key is a direction key (S323).

If the key input from the user is a direction key, the user-selected favorite channel is tuned through the first tuner 101 and displayed as a moving image (S326).

On the other hand, if the key input from the user is not the direction key, it is determined whether the input key is the edit key (S329).

When an edit key is input from the user, a channel editing function (memory / erase) for the channel is performed (S332).

If no key input is made from the user for a predetermined period of time in step S317, the tuner 102 automatically tunes in a predetermined order through the second tuner 102 and displays the moving image or the still image in step S320.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the multi-window channel editing screen shown in FIG. 6 can be variously modified and utilized. That is, as described later, a channel list screen is displayed in the form of a multi-window channel editing screen as shown in FIG. 6, and various operations can be performed on each channel or display screen according to the user's need. The channel list screen is a screen for displaying a plurality of channels in the form of a multi-window in the same form as the channel editing screen.

FIG. 8 illustrates a multi-window channel list screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. When a user selects a channel list menu while a channel is being viewed, that is, while a program of one channel is displayed on the entire screen, a channel list composed of the multi-window 80 as shown in FIG. 8 can be displayed.

In each of the multi-windows of FIG. 8, a tuned screen of each channel is displayed at any time in order to grasp the broadcasting status of each channel of the digital TV.

If the entire channel can not be displayed, the expansion tab 91 is displayed on the left and right sides of the screen, and when the user selects the expansion tab 91, the multi-windows for the other channel can be displayed.

6, when the user moves the channel using the direction key on the key input unit 104 in a state where the multi-window is displayed as described above, the channel to which the direction key is moved is the first tuner 101 And the other channels are automatically tuned at regular intervals through the second tuner 102. [ The video signal tuned in this manner is displayed in each subwindow of the corresponding multi-window.

In addition, each channel to be automatically tuned through the second tuner 102 is displayed as a moving picture for a currently tuned channel, and if a tuning is passed to another channel according to a predetermined period, the currently tuned channel is displayed as a still image .

A channel management menu 81 may be displayed on the channel list screen of FIG. According to the embodiment, the corresponding button may be arranged in the remote controller or the key input unit without displaying the channel management menu 81. [

8, when the user selects the channel editing menu 82, a channel editing screen is displayed as shown in FIG. The channel editing screen of FIG. 9 may be configured as the channel editing screen of FIG. 6, and a plurality of multi-windows may be displayed as in FIG. After the channel editing screen is displayed, the user selects one of the multi-windows 87 and performs various operations for that channel, for example, the channel memorizing, erasing, preferred channel setting described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, In addition, channel locking, recording, viewing, scheduled recording, scheduled viewing, and series recording can be performed.

For example, when the user selects one multi-window on the channel editing screen of FIG. 9, a pop-up menu 85 including a plurality of executable functions can be displayed. The user can select one of the pop-up menus 85 to manage the channel. According to the embodiment, the pop-up menu 85 is not displayed, and the corresponding function can be performed by the remote controller or key input of the TV.

Channel locking is a feature that allows you to set a specific password and not see it without a password, which can be used to prevent children from accessing adult channels. The recording function is a function for instantly recording the program currently being broadcast on the channel. When the viewing function is selected, the currently selected channel 87 is displayed on the entire screen. Schedule recording is a function to record a specific program of the selected channel at a specified time. The reserved viewing is a function of changing the channel to the selected channel when the TV is on and changing the TV to the selected channel after the TV is turned on automatically when the TV is off. Series recording is a function to record a series program broadcast periodically. When the series recording function is selected, the electronic program guide (EPG) of the digital TV is used to record the entire series of programs currently being broadcast on the channel. When the close menu is selected, the pop-up menu 85 disappears. When the channel editing end 83 is selected in the channel editing screen, the channel list screen shown in FIG. 8 can be restored.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the channel list is displayed, channel editing information set by the method of FIG. 9 or other methods may be displayed in a multi-window. As shown in FIG. 10, a small icon may be displayed on one side of each multi-window to indicate that the current icon is being recorded, series reserved, recorded as a short schedule, or reserved for viewing. In addition, when the tuner has two tuners on the digital TV, one can be used for channel tuning for viewing, and the other for channel tuning or recording. At this time, if there are a plurality of scheduled programs and their recording times overlap, that is, they collide, recording can not be performed. Therefore, such reservation recording time collision information can also be displayed on the channel list screen.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of multi-windows displayed on the channel list screen can be adjusted according to the convenience of the user. When the user selects the number change menu 84 on the screen of FIG. 8, the number of multi-windows can be reduced and displayed as shown in FIG. 11A. If the number change menu 84 is selected again in the state of FIG. 11A, the number of windows can be further reduced as shown in FIG. 11B. According to the embodiment, each time the number change menu 84 is selected, the screen states of Figs. 8, 11A, and 11B can be toggled. The number of multi-windows displayed for each toggle state can be changed according to the embodiment. In addition, as the number of the multi-windows decreases, the size of each window can be enlarged according to the screen size, and the user can configure the multi-window to be viewed in a desired size. It may be configured to toggle using the remote control or the key button of the TV without using the menu 84. [

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the order of the multi-windows displayed on the channel list screen can be sorted. When the channel alignment menu 84 is selected as shown in FIG. 12, the pop-up menu 93 may be displayed. When the sorting criterion included in the pop-up menu 93 is selected, the multi-windows are sorted and displayed according to the criterion. The sorting criterion may be a channel number, whether it is a favorite channel, a recently viewed channel, a channel that has not been recently viewed, and the like. Instead of using the pop-up menu 93, it is also possible to arrange the multi-windows using the TV's remote control or the key button.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a screen of a channel currently being viewed by a user may be displayed, and multi-windows may be displayed thereon by a PIP (Picture in Picture) method. For example, when the user selects the simple view menu 88 on the channel list screen, a screen of the currently viewed channel is displayed on the entire screen as shown in FIG. 13, and a multi-window (97) may be displayed. That is, the multi-windows 97 are overlapped and displayed on the screen of the channel currently being watched. The multi-windows 97 may be displayed semi-transparently. The multi-windows 97 may be displayed at any position on the screen as well as at the bottom of the screen as shown in FIG. If it is not possible to display all the multi-windows for all the channels on one screen, the expansion tab 99 is displayed on the left and right, and when the user selects the expansion tab 99, the multi-windows for the other channels are displayed .

14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a channel using a channel list screen including multi-windows for a plurality of channels according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step S401, if the user selects the channel list menu, a channel list screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed in step S403. Until the user selects the channel list menu, the video signal of the selected channel is displayed while waiting (S402).

In step S404, it is determined whether there is a key input while the channel list screen is displayed (S404). If there is no key input, channel tuning is performed while moving the channel tuned by the second tuner at regular intervals. Then, when the channel management end key is input in step 410, the process is terminated.

If a key input is made in step S404, it is determined in step S406 whether the key input is a direction key input, that is, whether the user has selected a multi-window for another channel. Performs tuning of the selected multi-window and displays it. Then, when the channel management end key is input in step S410, the process is terminated.

If it is not the direction key input in step S406, it is determined whether the inputted key input is one of channel management menu, channel editing, change of displayed multi-window, channel sorting, multi-window display by PIP, If it is selected, the channel management function is performed in step S409. Then, when the channel management end key is input in step 410, the process is terminated.

If the key input inputted in step S408 is not the channel management menu selection, the process waits until there is key input again.

The above-described embodiments may be performed on only a part of the channels other than the entire channel. For example, the above channel management can be performed only for the preferred channels. Display a multi-windowed channel list screen for the favorite channels, and perform the above-described management for each channel.

In the above-described embodiments, a method of providing a multi-window displaying a plurality of channels using two tuners according to the present invention has been described. However, depending on the embodiment, one tuner or three or more tuners may be used to provide tuned screens for multiple channels.

15 illustrates a method of providing a multi-window displaying a plurality of channels using one tuner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the channel list display menu is selected, a channel list screen of the type shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and channel tuning is sequentially performed for each of the multi windows 71 sequentially or in an arbitrary order. 6 or 8, the multi-window 71 in which the current tuning is currently being performed may be displayed as a moving image, and the multi-window of the tuned channel may be displayed as a still image. If a direction key or a channel selection key is input from the user during channel tuning, the tuning of the channel selected by the user can be performed while ignoring the originally determined channel tuning sequence. In the case of one tuner, the switching unit 103 is not necessary in the configuration of the television of Fig. 4, and a structural change of the television due to the reduction of the tuner will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

16 illustrates a method of providing a multi-window displaying multiple channels using three or more tuners, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, assuming that three tuners are mounted on the TV, when the channel list display menu is selected, a channel list screen of the form as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and channel tuning for three multi- . The channel tuning sequence may proceed sequentially or in any order. Similarly, the multi-window 71 in which the current tuning is in progress is displayed as a moving image, and the multi-window of the tuned channel can be displayed as a still image. The more tuners you have, the better it will be to provide tuning screens for a large number of channels.

In addition, one of the three tuners may be used to continuously provide a screen of a channel selected by the user, and the remaining two tuners may be used to perform channel tuning for the remaining channels.

In the case of using three or more tuners, additional signal processing units other than the first and second signal processing units will be required in FIG. 4. Techniques for adding or reducing such tuners will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a conventional digital TV.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of editing a channel of a conventional digital TV.

3 is a diagram illustrating a channel editing screen of a conventional digital TV.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of editing a channel of a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a channel editing screen of a digital TV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a channel editing method of a digital TV according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a multi-window channel list screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a channel editing screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a channel list screen in which setting contents of channels are displayed in respective multi-windows according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B illustrate an embodiment of changing the number of multi-windows on the channel list screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 illustrates a method for aligning multi-windows, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

13 shows a simplified view function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a channel using a channel list screen including multi-windows for a plurality of channels according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (13)

Displaying a channel list including a plurality of multi-windows each corresponding to a plurality of channels; Displaying a channel management menu including a channel editing menu; Receiving a user input for selecting at least one of the plurality of multi-windows; Receiving a user input for selecting the channel edit menu; Displaying a plurality of menus for setting a function on a channel corresponding to the selected multi-window as the user input for selecting the channel editing menu is received; Setting a function corresponding to the selected menu on a channel corresponding to the selected multi-window as a user input for selecting one of the plurality of menus is received; And And displaying the set function in one area of the selected multi-window, The step of displaying the set function may include: Displaying scheduled recording time conflict information; A method of managing a channel of a broadcast receiving apparatus. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the channel management menu comprises: A menu for changing at least a part of the plurality of multi-windows included in the channel list, a menu for sorting a plurality of multi-windows included in the channel list, and a menu for displaying the plurality of multi-windows in a picture in picture (PIP) Further comprising at least one menu A method of managing a channel of a broadcast receiving apparatus. The method according to claim 1, The function set in the channel corresponding to the selected multi- Including at least one of channel memorization, channel erasure, preferred channel setting, channel lock, channel recording, channel viewing, scheduled recording, scheduled viewing and series recording A method of managing a channel of a broadcast receiving apparatus. 3. The method of claim 2, When a user input for selecting a menu for displaying the plurality of multi-windows in a picture in picture (PIP) mode is received, the channel being viewed by the user is displayed in full screen, and the multi- Further comprising overlapping and displaying on the screen A method of managing a channel of a broadcast receiving apparatus. delete The method according to claim 1, The step of displaying the set function may include: Displaying information on at least one of information on whether the current recording is currently being made, scheduled recording information, and reserved viewing information A method of managing a channel of a broadcast receiving apparatus. At least one tuner for tuning a broadcast signal; A display unit displaying a channel list including a plurality of multi-windows corresponding to a plurality of channels using the tuned broadcast signal, and displaying a channel management menu including a channel edit menu; A user input for receiving user input; And Receiving a user input for selecting at least one of the plurality of multi-windows through the user input unit, and receiving a user input for selecting the channel editing menu through the user input unit, Displaying a plurality of menus for setting a function and displaying a menu corresponding to the selected menu on a channel corresponding to the selected multi-window as a user input for selecting one of the plurality of menus is received through the user input unit And a microcomputer for controlling the display unit to display information on the set function in one area of the selected multi-window, The information on the set function is, Schedule recording time conflict information Broadcast receiving apparatus. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the tuner comprises two or more tuners, Wherein one of the two or more tuners tunes a channel the user is viewing, The remaining tuners of the two or more tuners perform automatic tuning for the other channels Broadcast receiving apparatus. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the channel management menu comprises: A menu for changing at least a part of the plurality of multi-windows included in the channel list, a menu for sorting a plurality of multi-windows included in the channel list, and a menu for displaying the plurality of multi-windows in a picture in picture (PIP) Further comprising at least one menu Broadcast receiving apparatus. 8. The method of claim 7, The function set in the channel corresponding to the selected multi- Including at least one of channel memorization, channel erasure, preferred channel setting, channel lock, channel recording, channel viewing, scheduled recording, scheduled viewing and series recording Broadcast receiving apparatus. 10. The method of claim 9, The microcomputer, When a user input for selecting a menu for displaying the plurality of multi-windows in a picture in picture (PIP) mode is received, the channel being viewed by the user is displayed in full screen, and the multi- Overlapping on the screen Broadcast receiving apparatus. delete 8. The method of claim 7, The information on the set function is, Information on whether the current recording is currently being performed, reserved recording information, and reserved viewing information Broadcast receiving apparatus.

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