(19)
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`(12)
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`(cid:6)(cid:27)&(cid:11)(cid:11) (cid:16)(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:18)(cid:17)(cid:23)(cid:12)(cid:6)
`EP 2 259 576 A1
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`EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
`
`(43) Date of publication:
`08.12.2010 Bulletin 2010/49
`
`(21) Application number: 10005470.9
`
`(22) Date of filing: 26.05.2010
`
`(84) Designated Contracting States:
`AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB
`GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO
`PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR
`Designated Extension States:
`BA ME RS
`
`(30) Priority: 01.06.2009 KR 20090048229
`03.06.2009 KR 20090049193
`
`(71) Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
`Yeongdeungpo-gu
`Seoul 150-721 (KR)
`
`(72) Inventors:
`• Jung, Dae Young
`Seoul 137-724 (KR)
`
`(51) Int Cl.:
`H04N5/445(2006.01)
`
`H04N1/00(2006.01)
`
`• Bae, Hae Jin
`Seoul 137-724 (KR)
`• Lee, Jae Kyung
`Seoul 137-724 (KR)
`• Lee, Kun Sik
`Seoul 137-724 (KR)
`• Kim, Gyu Seung
`Seoul 137-724 (KR)
`
`(74) Representative: Gunzelmann, Rainer
`Wuesthoff & Wuesthoff
`Patent- und Rechtsanwälte
`Schweigerstraße 2
`81541 München (DE)
`
`(54)
`
`Image display apparatus and operating method thereof
`
`(57)
`A method for operating an image display appa-
`ratus includes providing input signals to the image display
`apparatus, displaying at least one image on a display
`
`based on the input signals, generating a plurality thumb-
`nail images based on the input signals, and displaying a
`thumbnail-image list which includes a plurality of gener-
`ated thumbnail images.
`
`Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
`
`EP2 259 576A1
`
`Roku EX1007
`U.S. Patent No. 10,334,311
`
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`EP 2 259 576 A1
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`[0014] FIGS. 19 and 20 are diagrams explaining how
`a thumbnail-image list (or screen) may be scrolled when
`a channel list is displayed.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0015] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an image dis-
`play apparatus 100, which includes a first tuner 120, a
`second tuner 125, an external signal input unit 128, a
`first demodulator 130, a second demodulator 135, a first
`analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 140, a second A/D con-
`verter 145, an interface 150, a controller 160, a channel-
`browsing processor 170, a storage unit 175, a display
`180, and an audio output unit 185.
`[0016] The first tuner 120 may choose a radio frequen-
`cy (RF) broadcast signal corresponding to a channel cho-
`sen by a user from a plurality of RF broadcast signals
`received via an antenna or other signal source, and may
`convert the chosen RF broadcast signal into a digital in-
`termediate-frequency (IF) signal or an analog baseband
`A/V signal.
`[0017] More specifically, if the chosen RF broadcast
`signal is a digital broadcast signal, the first tuner 120 may
`convert the chosen RF broadcast signal into a first digital
`IF signal DIF 1. On the other hand, if the chosen RF
`broadcast signal is an analog broadcast signal, the first
`tuner may convert the chosen RF broadcast signal into
`an analog baseband A/V signal CVBS 1/SIF. That is, the
`first tuner may be a hybrid tuner capable of processing
`not only digital broadcast signals but also analog broad-
`cast signals.
`[0018] The analog baseband A/V signal CVBS1/SIF
`may be directly input to controller 160. Also, the first tuner
`120 may be able to receive RF broadcast signals from
`an Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC)
`single-carrier system or from a Digital Video Broadcast-
`ing (DVB) multi-carrier system.
`[0019] The second tuner 125, like the first tuner, may
`choose the RF broadcast signal corresponding to a chan-
`nel chosen from all the plurality of RF signals received
`through the antenna, and may convert the chosen RF
`broadcast signal into a second digital IF signal DIF 2 or
`an analog baseband A/V signal CVBS 2/SIF.
`[0020]
`In addition, the second tuner may sequentially
`or periodically choose a number of RF broadcast signals
`respectively corresponding to a number of channels pre-
`viously added to the image display apparatus 100 by a
`channel-add function from a plurality of RF signals re-
`ceived through the antenna, and may convert the chosen
`RF broadcast signals into IF signals or baseband A/V
`signals. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more vid-
`eo frames acquired from each of the previously-added
`channels may be displayed on the display 180 as thumb-
`nail images. Thus, it is possible to receive the RF broad-
`cast signals that respectively correspond to the previous-
`ly-added channels sequentially or periodically.
`[0021] For example, the first tuner 120 may convert a
`main RF broadcast signal chosen by the user into an IF
`
`Description
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Ko-
`rean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0048229, filed on
`June 1, 2009, and 10-2009-0049193, filed on June 3,
`2009 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the dis-
`closure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Field
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`[0002] One or more embodiments described herein re-
`late to displaying images.
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`2. Background
`
`[0003] Digital broadcasting offer many advantages
`over analog broadcasting such as robustness against
`noise, no or little data loss, ease of error correction, and
`the ability to provide for high-definition viewing. Digital
`broadcasting also has allowed interactive services to be
`offered to customers. However, as the number of chan-
`nels increase, it is becoming more difficult for viewers to
`determine what programs they are watching as they
`switch through channels. It is also difficult for users to
`identify the source of video signals input to their image
`display apparatuses especially when peripherals are
`connected.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0004] FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of an
`image display apparatus.
`[0005] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a channel-browsing proc-
`essor shown in FIG. 1.
`[0006] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing exam-
`ples of remote control device(s) that may be used with
`the apparatus of FIG. 1.
`[0007] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a spatial remote control
`shown in FIG. 3 and an interface shown in FIG. 1.
`[0008] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a screen for which may
`be used to explaining the operation of the channel-brows-
`ing processor shown in FIG. 2.
`[0009] FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining display of an ex-
`ternal input image list.
`[0010] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing steps included in
`an operating method of an image display apparatus.
`[0011] FIGS. 8 to 12 are diagrams for explaining how
`to display a channel list.
`[0012] FIGS. 13 through 15 are diagrams explaining
`how a channel-align function may be performed when a
`channel list is displayed.
`[0013] FIGS. 16 to 18 are diagrams explaining how a
`channel-edit function may be performed when a channel
`list is displayed.
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`signal or a baseband A/V signal, and the second tuner
`125 may sequentially or periodically choose all other RF
`broadcast signals (i.e., sub- RF broadcast signals) and
`may convert the chosen RF broadcast signals into IF
`signals or baseband A/V signals.
`[0022] The first demodulator 130 may receive the first
`digital IF signal DIF 1 from the first tuner 120 and may
`demodulate the first digital IF signal DIF 1. If the first
`digital IF signal DIF 1 is an ATSC signal, the first demod-
`ulator 130 may perform 8-vestigal sideband (VSB) de-
`modulation on the first digital IF signal DIF 1. In addition,
`the first demodulator may perform channel decoding us-
`ing, for example, a Trellis decoder (not shown), a de-
`interleaver (not shown) and a Reed-Solomon decoder
`(not shown) and may thus be able to perform Trellis de-
`coding, de-interleaving and Reed-Solomon decoding.
`[0023] For example, if the first digital IF signal DIF 1 is
`a DVB signal, the first demodulator 130 may perform cod-
`ed orthogonal frequency division modulation (COFDMA)
`demodulation on the first digital IF signal DIF 1. Also, the
`first demodulator 130 may perform channel decoding us-
`ing, for example, a convolution decoder (not shown), a
`de-interleaver (not shown), and a Reed-Solomon decod-
`er (not shown) and may thus be able to perform convo-
`lution decoding, de-interleaving and Reed-Solomon de-
`coding.
`[0024] The external signal input unit 128 may receive
`signals from an external device. For this, the external
`signal input unit may include an A/V input/output (I/O)
`module (not shown) and a wireless communication mod-
`ule (not shown).
`[0025] The external signal input unit 128 may be con-
`nected to an external device such as a digital versatile
`disc (DVD), a Blu-ray disc, a gaming device, a camcorder,
`or a computer (e.g., a laptop computer). Based on these
`connections, the external signal input unit may receive
`various external input image, audio and data signals from
`the external device and may transmit the received exter-
`nal input signals to controller 160. In addition, the external
`signal input unit may output various video, audio and data
`signals processed by controller 160 to the external de-
`vice.
`[0026]
`In order to receive A/V signals from or transmit
`A/V signals to an external device, the A/V I/O module of
`the external signal input unit 128 may include an Ethernet
`port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a composite video
`banking sync (CVBS) port, a component port, a super-
`video (S-video) (analog) port, a digital visual interface
`(DVI) port, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI)
`port, a red-green-blue (RGB) port, a D-sub port, an In-
`stitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)-
`1394 port, a Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format (S/
`PDIF) port, and a liquidHD port.
`[0027] Analog signals received through the CVBS port
`and the S-video port may be converted into digital signals
`by the first A/D converter 140. Digital signals received
`through the Ethernet port, the USB port, the component
`port, the DVI port, the HDMI port, the RGB port, the D-
`
`sub port, the IEEE-1394 port, the S/PDIF port and the
`liquidHD port may be directly input to the channel-brows-
`ing processor 170 without the need to be digitalized.
`[0028] The wireless communication module may wire-
`lessly access the internet. For this, the wireless commu-
`nication module may use a wireless local area network
`(WLAN) (i.e., Wi-Fi), Wireless broadband (Wibro), World
`Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), and High
`Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA).
`[0029]
`In addition, the wireless communication module
`may perform short-range wireless communication with
`other electronic devices. For this, the wireless commu-
`nication module may use Bluetooth, radio-frequency
`identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA),
`Ultra Wideband (UWB), and ZigBee.
`[0030] The external signal input unit 128 may be con-
`nected to various set-top boxes through at least one of
`the Ethernet port, the USB port, the CVBS port, the com-
`ponent port, the S-video port, the DVI port, the HDMI
`port, the RGB port, the D-sub port, the IEEE-1394 port,
`the S/PDIF port, and the liquidHD port and may thus re-
`ceive data from or transmit data to the various set-top
`boxes. For example, when connected to an Internet Pro-
`tocol Television (IPTV) set-top box, the external signal
`input unit 128 may transmit video, audio and data signals
`processed by the IPTV set-top box to the controller 160
`and may transmit various signals provided the controller
`160 to the IPTV set-top box.
`[0031] Alternatively, a video signal, an audio signal
`and/or a data signal processed by an IPTV set-top box
`may be processed by the channel-browsing processor
`170 and then the controller 160.
`[0032] The term ’IPTV’, as used herein, may cover a
`broad range of services such as ADSL-TV, VDSL-TV,
`FITH-TV, TV over DSL, Video over DSL, TV over IP
`(TVIP), Broadband TV (BTV), and Internet TV and full-
`browsing TV, which are capable of providing Internet-
`access services.
`[0033] A digital signal output by the external signal in-
`put unit 128 (e.g., a third stream signal TS3) may be input
`to the channel-browsing processor 170 and may thus be
`processed by the channel-browsing processor 170. The
`third stream signal TS3 may be a signal obtained by mul-
`tiplexing a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal.
`For example, the third stream signal TS 3 may be an
`MPEG-2 transport stream (TS) signal obtained by multi-
`plexing an MPEG-2 video signal and a Dolby AC-3 audio
`signal.
`[0034] An analog baseband video signal CVBS 1 out-
`put by the external signal input unit 128 may need to be
`digitalized by the first AID converter 140.
`[0035] The first AID converter 140 may convert an an-
`alog signal input thereto into a digital signal. If the input
`analog signal is a video signal, the first AID converter
`140 may perform sampling and quantization on the input
`analog signal, thereby obtaining a first digital video signal
`DV 1. The first digital video signal DV 1 may be a signal
`yet to be encoded. The first digital video signal DV 1 may
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`be input into channel-browsing processor 170 and may
`thus be processed by the channel-browsing processor
`170. The operation of the channel-browsing processor
`170 will be described later in detail.
`[0036] The first demodulator 130 may perform demod-
`ulation and channel decoding on the first digital IF signal
`DIF 1 provided by the first tuner 120, thereby obtaining
`a first stream signal TS 1. The first stream signal TS 1
`may be a signal obtained by multiplexing a video signal,
`an audio signal, and a data signal. For example, the first
`stream signal TS 1 may be an MPEG-2 TS signal ob-
`tained by multiplexing an MPEG-2 video signal and a
`Dolby AC-3 audio signal. An MPEG-2 TS signal may in-
`clude a 4-byte header and a 183-byte payload.
`[0037] The first stream signal TS 1 may be input to
`controller 160 and be subjected to demultiplexing and
`signal processing. In one exemplary embodiment, first
`stream signal TS 1 may be input to channel-browsing
`processor 170 and be subject to processes for channel-
`browsing before input to controller 160. A channel-brows-
`ing operation will be described in greater detail below.
`[0038]
`In order to properly handle not only ATSC sig-
`nals but also DVB signals, the first demodulator 130 may
`include an ATSC demodulator and a DVB demodulator.
`[0039] The second demodulator 135 may receive the
`second digital IF signal DIF 2 from the second tuner 125
`and may demodulate the second digital IF signal DIF 2,
`thereby generating a second stream signal TS 2. Oper-
`ation of the second demodulator 135 may be similar to
`operation of first demodulator 135.
`[0040] An analog baseband video signal CVBS 2 out-
`put by the second tuner 125 may be digitalized by the
`second AID converter 145. The second AID converter
`may convert an analog signal into a digital signal. If the
`input analog signal is a video signal, converter may per-
`form sampling and quantization on the input analog sig-
`nal, thereby obtaining a second digital video signal DV
`2. The second digital video signal DV 2 may be a signal
`yet to be encoded. The second digital video signal DV 2
`may be input to channel-browsing processor 170 for
`processing.
`[0041] The interface 150 may transmit signals provid-
`ed by a user to controller 160 or transmits signals pro-
`vided by controller 160 to the user. For example, the in-
`terface may receive various user input signals such as a
`power-on/off signal, a channel-selection signal, and a
`channel-setting signal from a remote control device 200
`or may transmit a signal provided by controller 160 to the
`remote control device.
`[0042] The controller 160 may demultiplex an input
`stream into a number of signals and may process the
`signals obtained by the demultiplexing so that the proc-
`essed signals can be output as A/V data. The controller
`may control the general operation of the image display
`apparatus 100.
`[0043] The controller may include a demultiplexer (not
`shown), a video processor (not shown), an audio proc-
`essor (not shown), and a user input processor (not
`
`shown). The controller may demultiplex an input stream
`signal (e.g., an MPEG-2 TS signal) into a video signal,
`an audio signal, and/or a data signal. Thereafter, control-
`ler 160 may process the video signal. For example, if the
`video signal is an encoded signal, the controller may de-
`code the video signal. More specifically, if the video signal
`is an MPEG-2 encoded signal, the controller may decode
`the video signal by performing MPEG-2 decoding. On
`the other hand, if the video signal is an H.264-encoded
`DMB or DVB-handheld (DVB-H) signal, the controller
`may decode the video signal by performing H.264 de-
`coding. The controller may also adjust the brightness,
`tint, and/or color of the video signal.
`[0044] The video signal processed by controller 160
`may be input to display 180. Alternatively, the video signal
`processed by the controller may be input to an external
`output port which is connected to an external output de-
`vice.
`[0045] The controller 160 may process the audio signal
`obtained by demultiplexing the input stream signal. For
`example, if the audio signal is an encoded signal, the
`controller may decode the audio signal. More specifically,
`if the audio signal is signal, the controller may decode
`the audio signal by performing MPEG-2 decoding. On
`the other hand, if the audio signal is an MPEG-4 Bit Sliced
`Arithmetic Coding (BSAC)-encoded terrestrial DMB sig-
`nal, the controller may decode the audio signal by per-
`forming MPEG-4 decoding. On the other hand, if the au-
`dio signal is an MPEG-2 Advanced Audio Coding
`(AAC)-encoded DMB or DVB-H signal, the controller may
`decode the audio signal by performing AAC decoding.
`The controller may also adjust the base, treble, and/ or
`sound volume of the audio signal.
`[0046] The audio signal processed by controller 160
`may be input into audio output unit 185, e.g., a speaker,
`and may thus be output by the audio output unit. Alter-
`natively, the audio signal processed by controller 160
`may be input to an external output port which is connect-
`ed to an external output device.
`[0047] The controller 160 may process the data signal
`obtained by demultiplexing the input stream signal. For
`example, if the data signal is an encoded signal such as
`an electronic program guide (EPG), which is a guide to
`scheduled broadcast TV or radio programs, the controller
`160 may decode the data signal. Examples of an EPG
`include ATSC-Program and System Information Protocol
`(PSIP) information and DVB-Service Information (SI).
`ATSC-PSIP information or DVB-SI information may be
`included in the header of a TS, i.e., a 4-byte header of
`an MPEG-2 TS.
`[0048] The controller 160 may perform on-screen dis-
`play (OSD) processing. More specifically, the controller
`may generate an OSD signal for displaying various in-
`formation on display device 180 as graphic or text data
`based on a user input signal provided by the remote con-
`trol device 200 and at least one of a processed video
`signal and a processed data signal. The OSD signal may
`be input to display 180 along with the processed video
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`signal and the processed data signal. The OSD signal
`may include various data such as a user-interface CUI)
`screen for the image display apparatus 100 and various
`menu screens, widgets, and icons.
`[0049] The channel-browsing processor 170 may per-
`form channel browsing on a plurality of broadcast signals
`that respectively correspond to a plurality of received
`channels, various input image signals input thereto from
`external signal input unit 128, or both. More specifically,
`the channel-browsing processor may receive the first or
`second stream signal TS 1 or TS 2 from the first or second
`demodulator 130 or 135, the third stream signal TS 3
`from the external signal input unit 128, or the digital signal
`DV 1 or DV 2 from the first or second AID converter 140
`or 145, demultiplex the first, second or third stream signal
`TS 1, TS 2 or TS 3, and extract some of the frames of a
`video signal obtained by the demultiplexing.
`[0050] Thereafter, the channel-browsing processor
`may generate a new TS signal, i.e., a sub-stream signal
`TSa, by multiplexing a video signal including the extract-
`ed video frames. For example, the sub-stream signal TSa
`and a main-stream signal TSb may both be .MPEG-2 TS
`signals. The channel-browsing processor may output the
`main-stream signal TSb, which corresponds to a main
`video signal to be displayed in a main region on the dis-
`play, as is without any modifications. On the other hand,
`the channel-browsing processor may perform channel
`browsing on a sub-image signal, which is to be displayed
`in a sub-region on the display, thereby obtaining the sub-
`stream signal TSa.
`[0051]
`In this exemplary embodiment, the channel-
`browsing processor may extract some of the video
`frames of each of a plurality of broadcast signals received
`from a plurality of channels and may re-encode the ex-
`tracted video frames into a TS, thereby displaying a list
`of the channels on the display. Since the extracted video
`frames are displayed on the display as thumbnail images,
`the user may intuitively identify the content of broadcast
`programs received from the plurality of channels.
`[0052]
`Likewise, channel-browsing processor 170
`may extract some of the video frames of each of various
`external input signals provided by the external signal in-
`put unit 128 and may re-encode the extracted video
`frames into a stream, thereby displaying an external input
`image list on the display. In this manner, a list of a plurality
`of external input image signals provided by various ex-
`ternal input devices may be displayed on the display as
`thumbnail images. Therefore, the user may intuitively
`identify the external input signals provided by the various
`external input devices based on the external input image
`list. The structure and operation of the channel-browsing
`processor will be described in greater detail below.
`[0053] The storage unit 175 may store various pro-
`grams for processing and controlling various signals, and
`may also store processed video, audio and data signals.
`[0054] The storage unit 175 may temporarily store a
`video, audio, and/or data signal provided by the external
`signal input unit 128. The storage unit may also store
`
`various broadcast channels using a channel-add func-
`tion. The storage unit may include at least one of a flash
`memory-type storage medium, a hard disc-type storage
`medium, a multimedia card micro-type storage medium,
`a card-type memory, a random access memory (RAM)
`and a read-only memory (ROM) such as an electrically
`erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM).
`[0055] The storage unit 175 is shown in FIG. 1 as being
`separate from controller 160. However, the storage unit
`may be incorporated into the controller in alternative em-
`bodiments.
`[0056] The image display apparatus 100 may playa
`me (e.g., a moving-image file, a still-image me, or a doc-
`ument file) stored in storage unit 175 for a user.
`[0057] The display 180 may convert a processed video
`signal, a processed data signal, and an OSD signal pro-
`vided by controller 160 or a video signal and a data signal
`provided by external signal input unit 128 into RGB sig-
`nals, thereby generating driving signals. The display may
`be implemented into various types of displays such as a
`plasma display panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an
`organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display,
`and a three-dimensional (3D) display. The display may
`also be implemented as a touch screen and may thus be
`used not only as an output device but also as an input
`device.
`[0058] The audio output unit 185 may receive a proc-
`essed audio signal (e.g., a stereo signal or a 5.1-channel
`signal) from controller 160 and may output the received
`audio signal. The audio output unit may be implemented
`into various types of speakers.
`[0059] The remote control device 200 may transmit us-
`er input to the interface 150. For this, the remote control
`device may use various communication techniques such
`as Bluetooth, RF, IR, UWB and ZigBee. In addition, the
`remote control device may receive a video signal, an au-
`dio signal, and/or a data signal from interface 150 and
`may output the received signals. In addition, the remote
`control device may be a spatial remote control, an exam-
`ple of which is described in greater detail below with ref-
`erence to FIG. 3.
`[0060] The image display apparatus 100 is shown in
`FIG. 1 as being equipped with two tuners. However, in
`alternative embodiments, the image display apparatus
`may include only one tuner. In this case, the image dis-
`play apparatus may receive a broadcast signal from a
`channel chosen by the user with the use of the tuner.
`Then, if a ’channel list’ menu is selected, the image dis-
`play apparatus may sequentially or periodically receive
`broadcast signals from all broadcast channels stored in
`advance with the use of a channel-add function. Then, a
`list of the previously-added channels may be displayed
`in a full-view mode in response to a command to display
`a channel list in full view.
`[0061] The image display apparatus 100 may be a
`fixed digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving at
`least one of ATSC (8-VSB) broadcast programs, DVB-T
`(COFDM) broadcast programs, and ISDB-T (BST-
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`OFDM) broadcast programs or may be a mobile digital
`broadcast receiver capable of receiving at least one of
`terrestrial DMB broadcast programs, satellite DMB
`broadcast programs, ATSC-M/H broadcast programs,
`DVB-H (COFDDM) broadcast programs, and Media For-
`ward Link Only (MediaFLO) broadcast programs. Alter-
`natively, the image display apparatus may be a digital
`broadcast receiver capable of receiving cable broadcast
`programs, satellite broadcast programs or IPTV pro-
`grams.
`[0062] Examples of the image display apparatus in-
`clude a TV receiver, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a
`laptop computer, a digital broadcast receiver, a personal
`digital assistant (PDA) and a portable multimedia player
`(PMP).
`[0063] FIG. 2 shows one example of channel-browsing
`processor 170 shown in FIG. 1. In this example, the chan-
`nel-browsing processor includes a TS switch 205, a de-
`multiplexer 210, a picture decoder 215, a DV decoder
`217, a format converter 220, a video encoder 230 and a
`stream encoder 240.
`[0064] The TS switch 205 may choose one of the first,
`second or third stream signals TS 1, TS 2 and TS 3,
`output the chosen stream signal as a main-stream signal
`TSb without any modifications, and transmit the other
`two stream signals to the demultiplexer 210 as sub-
`stream signals. The main-stream signal, which corre-
`sponds to a main-video signal, may be displayed on the
`entire display 180. The sub-stream signals, which corre-
`spond to sub-image signals, may be displayed only on a
`certain part of the display. In this manner, a channel list,
`an external input image list, or both, may be displayed in
`a compact view in a certain area of the display.
`[0065] The demultiplexer 210 may demultiplex the
`first, second, or third stream signal TS 1, TS 2 or TS 3
`into a video signal, an audio signal, and/or a data signal,
`transmit the video signal to a picture decoder 215, and
`transmit the audio signal and data signal to a stream en-
`coder. 240 in order to allow the stream encoder to gen-
`erate a new stream signal.
`[0066] The picture decoder 215 may receive the video
`signal obtained by the demultiplexing performed by de-
`multiplexer 210 and may decode at least some of the
`frames of the received video signal by performing MPEG-
`2 decoding, MPEG-4 decoding or H.264 decoding. The
`decoded frames may be still images or moving images.
`For example, the picture decoder may decode an intra-
`coded (1) frame or some section of the received video
`signal.
`[0067] The DV decoder 217 may receive the first and
`second digital signals DV 1 and DV 2 from the first and
`second A/D converters 140 and 145, respectively, and
`may acquire a digital image signal.
`[0068] The format converter 220 may convert the for-
`mat of a video signal input thereto from picture decoder
`215 or DV decoder 217. For example, the format con-
`verter may change a size (or resolution) of the input im-
`age signal and may thus enable the input image signal
`
`to be displayed on the display as a thumbnail image with
`an appropriate size.
`[0069]
`In addition, the format converter may convert
`the input image signal into different sizes according to
`whether the input image signal is to be displayed ill com-
`pact-view mode or full-view mode. The size of thumbnail
`images displayed ill full-view mode may be greater than
`the size of thumbnail images displayed in a compact-
`view mode. A channel list, an external input image list,
`or both, may be displayed on the display either in com-
`pact-view mode or full-view mode.
`[0070] The video encoder 230 may encode a video
`signal provided by the format converter 220 by perform-
`ing JPEG encoding or MPEG-2 encoding. Still images or
`moving images encoded by the video encoder may be
`displayed on the display as thumbnail images.
`[0071]
`In addition, the stream encoder may re-encode
`or multiplex an encoded video signal provided by video
`encoder 230, the audio and data signals obtained by the
`multiplexing performed by demultiplexer 210 into a
`stream, for example, an MPEG-2 TS.
`[0072]
`In one exemplary embodiment, channel-brows-
`ing processor 170 may extract some of the video frames
`of each of a plurality of broadcast signals and a plurality
`of external input signals and may re-encode the extracted
`video frames. Then, the re-encoded images may be dis-
`played on display 180 as thumbnail images in response
`to user input requesting the display of a channel list or
`an external input image list. In this manner, the user may
`intuitively identify the content of broadcast programs re-
`ceived from various channels or external input signals
`provided by various external input devices.
`[0073] FIGS. 3A and 3B show an example of the re-
`mote control device 200 of FIG. 1. In this example, the
`remote control device is shown as a spatial remote con-
`trol device 301. In operation, the spatial remote control
`may transmit RF signals to and/or receive RF signals
`from image display apparatus 100 based on, for example,
`an RF communication standard. A pointer 302 (repre-
`senting the movement of the spatial remote control 301)
`may be displayed on the image display apparatus.
`[0074] The user may move the spatial remote control
`up and down, back and forth, and side to side or may
`rotate spatial remote control 301, and pointer 302 may
`move in accordance with movement of the spatial remote
`control as shown in FIG. 3B.
`[0075] Referring to FIG. 3A, if the user moves the spa-
`tial remote control to the left, the pointer may move to
`the left accordingly. The spatial remote control may in-
`clude a sensor capable of detecting motion of the remote
`control. The sensor may detect the movement of the spa-
`tial remote control and may then transmit motion infor-
`mation corresponding to the results of the detection to
`image display apparatus 100. The image display appa-
`ratus may then determine the movement of spatial re-
`mote control 301 based on the motion information and
`may then calculate the coordinates of a target point to
`which pointer 302 should be shifted in accordance with
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`the movement of the spatial remote control 301 based
`on the results of the determination.
`[0076] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the pointer 302
`may move according to whether the spatial remote con-
`trol 301 moves vertically or horizontally or whether it ro-
`tates. The moving speed and direction of the pointer may
`correspond to or otherwise be based on the moving
`speed and direction of the spatial remote control 301.
`[0077]
`In an exemplary embodiment, the pointer may
`move in accordance with movement of the spatial remote
`control 301. Alternatively, an operation command may
`be input into image display apparatus 100 in response
`to the movement of the spatial remote control 301. That
`is, as spatial remote control 301 moves back and forth,
`an image displayed on the image display apparatus 100
`may be gradually enlarged or reduced.
`[0078] FIG. 4 shows a more detailed view of the spatial
`remote control 301 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and inter-
`face 150 shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, spatial
`remote control 301 may include a wireless communica-
`tion unit 320, a user input unit 330, a sensor unit 340, an
`output unit 350, a power supply unit 360, a memory unit
`370 and a controller 380.
`[0079] The wireless communication module 320 may
`transmit signals to and/or receive signals from image dis-
`play apparatus 100. The wireless communication module
`320 may include an RF module 321 which enables the
`spatial remote control to transmit RF signals to