Method for outputting digital broadcast in a digital broadcast reception device

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for outputting digital broadcast data in a digital broadcast reception device, which includes setting at least two preferred channels in each of at least one broadcast reception mode; detecting when a request for outputting broadcast programs of the preferred channels is input by a user during the output of a digital broadcast program currently received in a specific broadcast reception mode, and outputting the current digital broadcast program to a main screen; generating sub-screens in a number corresponding to the number of the broadcast reception mode or modes in which the preferred channels have been set; receiving digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels set in each broadcast reception mode; and outputting the received digital broadcast programs to the corresponding sub-screens. The method enables the user to view digital broadcast programs of preferred channels while viewing a specific digital broadcast program. Without necessarily having to directly press keys to search channels, which enhances the user convenience is enhanced.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast reception device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a digital broadcast reception device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving digital broadcast data of preset preferred channels in the digital broadcast reception device in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a digital broadcast reception device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5A through 5E are views for explaining the operation of a digital broadcast reception device according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for outputting digital broadcast data in a digital broadcast reception device, which comprises the steps of: setting at least two preferred channels in each of at least one broadcast reception mode;detecting when a request for outputting broadcast programs of the preferred channels is input by a user during the output of a digital broadcast program currently received in a specific broadcast reception mode, and outputting the current digital broadcast program to a main screen;generating sub-screens in a number corresponding to the number of the broadcast reception mode or modes in which the preferred channels have been set;receiving digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels set in each broadcast reception mode; andoutputting the received digital broadcast programs to the corresponding sub-screens.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said broadcast reception mode includes a satellite digital broadcast reception mode, a terrestrial digital broadcast reception mode and a digital TV broadcast reception mode.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein setting at least two preferred channels includes: searching for broadcast reception modes available in the present area when the user inputs a request for setting preferred channels;displaying at least one detected broadcast reception mode; andsetting at least two preferred channels in each of at least one displayed broadcast reception mode.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising setting time intervals at which the preferred channels in each broadcast reception mode should be changed.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels are received in real time in the set order of the preferred channels.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels includes: checking whether information on the preferred channels is identical to channel information included in digital broadcast program guide data previously stored in a memory; andreceiving digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels whose information is identical to the channel information included in the digital broadcast program guide data in the set order of the preferred channels.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: confirming whether the previously stored digital broadcast program guide data has been updated; andupdating the digital broadcast program guide data if it has not been updated.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising indicating any preferred channel of which digital broadcast program is not received in a predetermined area of the corresponding sub-screen.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising indicating a corresponding broadcast reception mode in a predetermined area of each sub-screen.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels in each broadcast reception mode are sequentially output at the preset time intervals.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein outputting the received digital broadcast programs to the corresponding sub-screens includes: discontinuing changing the preferred channels when the user selects any preferred channel during the sequential output of the digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels; andcontinuing outputting only a digital broadcast program of the selected channel.

12. A method for outputting digital broadcast data in a digital broadcast reception device, which comprises the steps of: setting at least two preferred channels for at least one broadcast reception modes;storing digital broadcast programs received on the preferred channels in a memory;detecting when a request for outputting the broadcast programs of the preferred channels is input by a user during the output of a digital broadcast program currently received in a specific broadcast reception mode, and outputting the current digital broadcast program to a main screen;generating sub-screens in a number corresponding to the number of the broadcast reception mode or modes in which the preferred channels have been set; andoutputting the stored digital broadcast programs to the corresponding sub-screens in the set order of the preferred channels.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said broadcast reception mode includes a satellite digital broadcast reception mode, a terrestrial digital broadcast reception mode and a digital TV broadcast reception mode.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein setting at least two preferred channels includes: searching for broadcast reception modes available in the present area when the user inputs a request for setting preferred channels;displaying at least one detected broadcast reception mode; andsetting at least two preferred channels in each of at least one displayed broadcast reception mode.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising setting time intervals at which the preferred channels in each broadcast reception mode should be changed.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein said digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels are received and stored in the memory at preset time intervals.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein storing digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels includes: checking whether information on the preferred channels is identical to channel information included in digital broadcast program guide data previously stored in a memory; andreceiving digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels whose information is identical to the channel information included in the digital broadcast program guide data in the set order of the preferred channels.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein outputting the stored digital broadcast programs to the sub-screens includes indicating any preferred channel whose information is not identical to the channel information included in the digital broadcast program guide data in a predetermined area of the corresponding sub-screen.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: confirming whether the previously stored digital broadcast program guide data has been updated; andupdating the digital broadcast program guide data if it has not been updated.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein outputting the stored digital broadcast programs to the sub-screens includes indicating a corresponding broadcast reception mode in a predetermined area of each sub-screen.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein said digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels in each broadcast reception mode are sequentially output at the preset time intervals.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein outputting the stored digital broadcast programs to the sub-screens includes: stopping changing the preferred channels when the user selects any preferred channel during the sequential output of the digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels; andkeeping on outputting a digital broadcast program of the selected channel only.