Patent Application
20120157025
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) from Korean patent application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 17, 2010 and assigned Serial No. 10-2010-0129799, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates the field of wireless communications. More particularly, to a method and an apparatus for searching for a channel depending on movement of a broadcast receiver.
2. Description of the Related Art
First generation broadcast services were composed of analog transmissions, which are limited to voice communications. Digital broadcast service have quickly been distributed, wherein the digital broadcast service provide various data to a user as well as improved image/voice compared to the existing analog broadcast.
In an area that does not provide the digital broadcast service, the analog broadcast service is still provided. With consideration of this situation, an analog/digital broadcast receiver that may use both the analog and the digital broadcast services has introduced. This combination analog/digital broadcast receiver may be a television (TV), a mobile phone, a set top-box, etc.
Generally, the analog/digital broadcast receiver searches for an analog broadcast channel and a digital broadcast channel over all frequencies, within their respective frequency ranges. At this point, in the case where a relevant area provides only one of the two broadcast services, it is inefficient to search for a channel of a not-provided broadcast service. In addition, a list of channels searched in this manner may not be useful in a different area, and the receiver searches for a channel in the different area again.
An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for scanning a channel with consideration of a broadcast service type provided depending on an area.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for automatically searching for a channel when a broadcast area changes.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for avoiding searching for a channel unnecessarily by obtaining a list of channels of a relevant area.
Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for scanning a channel in a broadcast receiver is provided. The method includes determining a current position, and deriving a broadcast area corresponding to the current position from a database (DB), determining whether a valid channel list for the derived broadcast area exists in the DB, and starting a search for a channel for the derived broadcast area when the valid channel list for the derived broadcast area does not exist.
In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for scanning a channel in a broadcast receiver is provided. The apparatus includes a memory for storing broadcast information, a position information unit for outputting position information, a scan setting unit for deriving a relevant broadcast area from the memory based on the position information output from the position information unit, and when a valid channel list for the derived broadcast area does not exist in the memory, initiating a channel search for the derived broadcast area, and a synchronizer for searching for a channel under control of the scan setting unit.
In accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for scanning a channel in a broadcast receiver is provided. The apparatus includes a memory for storing broadcast information, a position information unit for outputting position information, a scan setting unit for determining a current position from the position information output from the position information unit, and when it is determined that the current position deviates from an existing broadcast area in the memory, initiating a channel search for a changed broadcast area, and a synchronizer for searching for a channel under control of the scan setting unit.
In accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for helping channel search of a broadcast receiver in a network server is provided. The method includes detecting a position of the broadcast receiver, deriving a broadcast area to which the detected position belongs from a database (DB), deriving broadcast information regarding the derived broadcast area from the DB, and transmitting the derived broadcast information to the broadcast receiver.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures.
The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, is provided to assist a person of ordinary skill in the art with a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these details are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and simplicity so as not to obscure appreciation of the present invention by a person of ordinary skill with such well-known functions and constructions.
The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims.
It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” typically includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
By the term “substantially” typically means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those skilled in the art, and may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method for scanning a channel received by a broadcast receiver. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for efficiently searching for a channel depending on position movement of a broadcast receiver. A broadcast receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may receive an analog broadcast and a digital broadcast. For example, the analog/digital broadcast receiver may be a TV, a set top-box, a cellular phone, etc.
Referring to
Furthermore, the analog/digital broadcast receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a position information unit 119 for determining a position. For example, the position information unit 119 may output position information via a Global Positioning System (GPS). In case of a cellular phone, the position information unit 119 may detect a position via a service cell identifier (ID) of a base station. In addition, in case of a cellular phone, the position information unit 119 may receive position information from a network server.
The memory 115 stores an operation program for performing a channel search operation and various data required during an operation of the operational program in the analog/digital broadcast receiver. For example, the memory 115 stores information regarding a position range of each broadcast area. For example, to which broadcast area the current position belongs may be determined afterward. In addition, the memory 115 stores information (Table 1) regarding a broadcast service type provided by each broadcast area. The information regarding the position range of the broadcast area and the broadcast service type may be updated via wired communication or wireless communication.
Furthermore, the memory 115 stores a channel list (Table 2) generated after channel search. The channel list stores channel information provided by a broadcast service provider. The channel list is stored for each broadcast area, and an invalid channel list is updated afterward. Here, the invalid channel list denotes a channel list generated long before and which is not a recent list. For example, a channel list whose channels were searched for one month before or more may be regarded as an invalid channel list. That is, an active list may be moved to an invalid channel list after a predetermined period of time.
The synchronizer 101 synchronizes a broadcast channel selected by a user during digital broadcasting. For this purpose, in the case where a user selects an unspecific broadcast channel via a user interface 117, a controller 113 reads information corresponding to the selected broadcast channel from the memory 115 and provides the same to the synchronizer 101.
In addition, the controller 113 reads Service Information (SI) temporarily stored in the data buffer and uses it as reference information for broadcast signal processing and various controls.
The analog/digital broadcast receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the controller 113 for performing various controls required by the analog/digital broadcast receiver, such as reception of an analog/digital broadcast program via the synchronizer 101, recording of an arbitrary broadcast program, reproduction of a broadcast program stored in a hard disk (not shown), etc. The controller 113 includes a scan setting unit for controlling a channel search operation. The scan setting unit determines a relevant broadcast area and a broadcast service type from the memory 115 based on position information provided by the position information unit 119, and searches for a channel regarding the broadcast service type (for example, an analog broadcast service or a digital broadcast service). For example, when a digital broadcast service area is determined, the scan setting unit controls the search process to search for only a digital broadcast channel. When an analog broadcast service is determined, the scan setting unit controls a search process to search for only an analog broadcast channel. In addition, the scan setting unit determines whether a broadcast area changes based on the position information received from the position information unit 119. When the broadcast area changes, in the case where a valid channel list for the changed broadcast area does not exist, the scan setting unit controls a process to automatically search for a channel (based on the service type of the changed area).
Referring to
The broadcast receiver determines whether the moved position deviates from an existing broadcast area in step 203. For reference, the broadcast receiver stores information regarding a position range of each broadcast area and may update this afterward.
When the moved position deviates from the existing broadcast area, the broadcast receiver determines whether broadcasting is performed using a channel list of the existing broadcast area in step 205.
When broadcasting is performed using the channel list of the existing broadcast area, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 207 to determine whether a valid channel list for the changed broadcast area exists. The valid channel list includes the latest channel information. For example, a channel list generated within less than one month may be regarded as a valid channel list. When the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area does not exist, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 209 to inform that the broadcast area has changed and channel re-search is required. Next, the broadcast receiver determines whether channel search is requested in step 211.
When the channel search is not requested, the broadcast receiver continues to broadcast using the channel list of the existing broadcast area in step 231.
However, when the channel search is requested at step 211, the broadcast receiver stops broadcasting and searches for a channel of the changed broadcast area in step 213. After that, the broadcast receiver configures a list of searched channels and prepares broadcasting using this configured channel list in steps 215 to 217.
When the broadcast receiver is not broadcasting using the channel list of the existing broadcast area in step 205, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 219 determine whether a valid channel list for the changed broadcast area exists. When a valid channel list for the changed broadcast area does not exist, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 221 to perform as a background operation, search for a channel of the changed broadcast area, configure the search results as a list, and prepare this list so that the list may be used for broadcasting afterward.
However, when the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area exists, the broadcast receiver ends the present procedure.
Furthermore, when the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area exists in step 207, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 223 to inform that the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area may be used. When use of the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area is requested in step 225, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 229 to stop broadcasting and prepare broadcasting using the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area.
In contrast, when use of the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area is not requested in step 225, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 227 to determine whether a channel search request occurs. When the channel search request occurs in step 227, the broadcast receiver performs processes in steps 213-217.
However, when the channel search request does not occur in step 227, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 231 to continue broadcasting using the channel list of the existing broadcast area.
Referring to
The method for determining the current position at the broadcast receiver is not limited thereto but the cellular phone may determine the position via a service cell ID of a base station.
Next, the broadcast receiver derives a broadcast area corresponding to the determined current position from a database (DB) in step 303.
The broadcast receiver determines whether a valid channel list for the derived broadcast area exists in the DB in step 305. The valid channel list includes the latest channel information. For example, a channel list generated within less than one month may be regarded as the valid channel list. When the valid channel list for the derived broadcast area exists in the DB, the broadcast receiver determines that channel search is not required and ends the present procedure.
However, when the valid channel list for the derived broadcast area does not exist in the DB, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 307 to derive a broadcast service type for the derived broadcast area from the DB and perform a channel search procedure subsequent to step 309.
The broadcast receiver determines a broadcast service derived from the DB in step 309. When a digital broadcast service is determined in step 309, the broadcast receiver searches for a digital channel in step 311. In addition, when an analog broadcast service is determined in step 309, the broadcast receiver searches for an analog channel in step 313. Furthermore, when both an analog and a digital broadcast service is determined in step 309, the broadcast receiver searches for a digital channel in step 315 and then searches for an analog channel in step 317.
The broadcast receiver generates a list of searched channels and stores the same in the DB in step 319.
That is, the broadcast receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention determines the current position and then determines a broadcast service type provided at the determined position from the DB. Therefore, the broadcast receiver may avoid searching for a channel of a broadcast service that is not provided at the current position.
Referring to
When the position of the broadcast receiver has changed to a new broadcast area, the broadcast receiver determines whether a valid channel list for the changed broadcast area exists in a DB in step 403. The valid channel list includes the latest channel information. For example, a channel list generated within the last month may be regarded as the valid channel list. When the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area exists, the broadcast receiver determines that a channel search is not required and ends the present procedure.
However, when the valid channel list for the changed broadcast area does not exist, the broadcast receiver proceeds to step 405 to determine a broadcast service type for the changed broadcast area from the DB, and perform a channel search procedure subsequent to step 407.
The broadcast receiver determines a type of the broadcast service based on information regarding the changed area from the DB in step 407. When a digital broadcast service is determined in step 407, the broadcast receiver searches for a digital channel in step 409. In addition, when an analog broadcast service is determined in step 407, the broadcast receiver searches for an analog channel in step 411. Furthermore, when both an analog and a digital broadcast service is determined in step 407, the broadcast receiver searches for a digital channel in step 413 and searches for an analog channel in step 415.
The broadcast receiver generates a list of searched channels and stores the same in the DB in step 417.
Next, the server determines the position of the broadcast receiver and provides a broadcast service type to the broadcast receiver in step 503. The server determines a broadcast area to which the position belongs and determines a broadcast service type provided in the determined broadcast area from a DB. The server determines a broadcast service type from a broadcast service company of each area and updates the DB using this information.
After that, the broadcast receiver that has received the broadcast service type from the server may perform processes subsequent to step 309 of
Referring to
Next, the server provides a broadcast channel list corresponding to the position of the broadcast receiver to the broadcast receiver in step 507. The server may determine a broadcast area to which the position belongs and determine a channel list provided in this determined broadcast area from a prepared DB. The server determines a channel list of each broadcast area from a broadcast service company and updates the DB using this information accordingly.
After that, the broadcast receiver that has received the channel list from the server completes broadcasting preparation. That is, the broadcast receiver that has received the channel list from the server does not need to search for a channel separately.
Consequently, a method and an apparatus for scanning a channel in a broadcast receiver according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may efficiently search for a channel while moving to another broadcasting area.
The above-described methods according to the present invention can be implemented in hardware, firmware or as software or computer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM, an RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or computer code downloaded over a network originally stored on a remote recording medium or a non-transitory machine readable medium and to be stored on a local recording medium, so that the methods described herein can be rendered in such software that is stored on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, or a special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer, the processor, microprocessor controller or the programmable hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that may store or receive software or computer code that when accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware implement the processing methods described herein. In addition, it would be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computer for executing the processing shown herein.
Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments but should be determined by not only the appended claims but also the equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2010-0129799 | Dec 2010 | KR | national |
