U.S. patent application number 11/836934 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for method for providing gui for selecting broadcast channel with keypad operated by pointer and broadcast receiving apparatus thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Woo-seok Hwang, Seong-ick Jon, Joon-hwan Kim, Jeong-Yeon Lee, Young-hwa YUN.
Application Number | 20080184324 11/836934 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39228888 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080184324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YUN; Young-hwa ; et
al. |
July 31, 2008 |
METHOD FOR PROVIDING GUI FOR SELECTING BROADCAST CHANNEL WITH
KEYPAD OPERATED BY POINTER AND BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS
THEREOF
Abstract
A method for providing Graphical User Interface (GUI) for
selecting a broadcast channel, and a broadcast receiving apparatus
having the same are provided. The GUI for selecting a broadcast
channel includes a keypad having a pointer to be moved by
manipulation of a user on a remote control apparatus and keys
selectable by the pointer, and then the user is able to input a
preferred broadcast channel by using the keypad and the pointer.
Accordingly, the user is able to input a preferred broadcast
channel without using the number keys, so the number keys may be
omitted in the remote control apparatus. As a result,
miniaturization of the remote control apparatus is possible.
Inventors: |
YUN; Young-hwa; (Seoul,
KR) ; Jon; Seong-ick; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim;
Joon-hwan; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Lee; Jeong-Yeon;
(Seongnam-si, KR) ; Hwang; Woo-seok; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
39228888 |
Appl. No.: |
11/836934 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/131 ;
345/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4312 20130101;
H04N 21/4383 20130101; H04N 2005/4432 20130101; H04N 21/482
20130101; H04N 21/42206 20130101; H04N 5/4403 20130101; H04N
21/42222 20130101; H04N 21/42204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/131 ;
345/168 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173; G06F 3/02 20060101 G06F003/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 26, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0008525 |
Claims
1. A method for providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for
selecting a broadcast channel comprising: generating a keypad
having a pointer movable by manipulation of a remote control
apparatus, and keys selectable by the pointer; combining the
generated keypad with an image to be displayed; and tuning to a
broadcast channel input using the keypad and the pointer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the keypad comprises number keys
which input numbers, and a subdividing key which divides a channel
number into a major broadcast channel number and a minor broadcast
channel number.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting, using the
pointer, an icon which inputs a command for displaying the keypad
on the display, and then carrying out the generating and the
combining.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising inputting a
corresponding manipulation using the remote control apparatus, and
then carrying out the generating and the combining.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the corresponding manipulation
comprises double-clicking of a predetermined key on the remote
control apparatus within a reference time.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a channel
list and combining the generated channel list with the image to be
displayed; and tuning to a broadcast channel selected by the
pointer from broadcast channels listed in the broadcast channel
list.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pointer is movable by
two-dimensional movement of the remote control apparatus.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein a face of the remote control
apparatus is moved on a virtual plane which is parallel with a
screen of the display and the pointer moves in the same
direction.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying the
pointer and the keypad on the display; and displaying a broadcast
provided from the tuned broadcast channel.
10. A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: a broadcast
receiving unit which tunes to one of a plurality of broadcast
channels; a Graphical User Interface (GUI) generator which
generates a GUI and combines the generated GUI with an image to be
displayed; and a controller which controls the GUI generator to
generate a keypad having a pointer movable by manipulation of a
remote control apparatus and keys selectable by the pointer,
combines the generated keypad with an image to be displayed, and
controls the broadcast receiving unit to tune to a broadcast
channel input using the keypad and the pointer.
11. The broadcast receiving apparatus of claim 10, wherein the
keypad comprises a number key which inputs a number, and a
subdividing key which divides a channel number into a major
broadcast channel number and a minor broadcast channel number.
12. The broadcast receiving apparatus of claim 10, wherein an icon
which inputs a command for displaying the keypad on the display, is
selected by the pointer.
13. The broadcast receiving apparatus of claim 10, wherein a
corresponding manipulation is input using the remote control
apparatus so the controller controls the GUI generator to generate
the keypad and combine the generated keypad with the image.
14. The broadcast receiving apparatus of claim 13, wherein the
corresponding manipulation comprises double-clicking of a
predetermined key on the remote control apparatus within a
reference time.
15. The broadcast receiving apparatus of claim 10, wherein the
controller controls the GUI generator which generates a broadcast
channel list and combines the generated broadcast channel list with
the image to be displayed, and controls the broadcast receiving
unit which tunes to a broadcast channel selected by the pointer
from broadcast channels listed in the broadcast channel list.
16. The broadcast receiving apparatus of claim 10, wherein the
pointer is movable by two-dimensional movement of the remote
control apparatus.
17. The broadcast receiving apparatus of claim 16, wherein a face
of the remote control apparatus is moved on a virtual plane which
is parallel with a screen of the display and the pointer moves in
the same direction.
18. The broadcast receiving apparatus of claim 10, further
comprising: a display which displays the pointer and the keypad,
and displays a broadcast provided from the tuned broadcast channel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2007-0008525 filed on Jan. 26, 2007 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present
invention relate to a method for providing Graphical User Interface
(GUI) for selecting a broadcast channel and a broadcast receiving
apparatus thereof, and more particularly, a method for providing a
Graphical User Interface (GUI) to select a preferred broadcast
channel and a broadcast receiving apparatus thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A TV is a typical apparatus for receiving a broadcast. A
user selects a preferred broadcast channel by using a remote
control. More particularly, the broadcast channel is selected by
pressing keys of the remote control.
[0006] The remote control size is comparatively large because of
the number-keys for inputting the broadcast channel. However, users
prefer a remote control of small size such that there is a need to
provide a method for inputting the preferred broadcast channel
using a remote control without number-keys.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been provided to address the
above-mentioned and other problems and disadvantages occurring in
the conventional arrangement, and an aspect of the present
invention provides a method for inputting a preferred broadcast
channel without using number-keys, and providing a Graphical User
Interface (GUI) to select a broadcast channel having a keypad
operable with a pointer, and a broadcast receiving apparatus
thereof.
[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a method for providing
a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for selecting a broadcast channel
comprises generating a keypad having a pointer to be moved by
manipulation of a user on a remote control apparatus, and keys
selectable by the pointer, and combining the generated keypad with
an image to be displayed; and tuning to a broadcast channel input
by the user using the keypad and the pointer.
[0009] The keypad comprises number keys which input numbers, and a
subdividing key which divides channel numbers into a major
broadcast channel number and a minor broadcast channel number.
[0010] The generating and combining the keypad may be conducted, if
an icon which inputs a command for calling for the keypad onto the
display D, is selected by the pointer.
[0011] The generating and combining the keypad may be conducted, if
a corresponding manipulation is input by the user using the remote
control apparatus.
[0012] The corresponding manipulation may comprise double-clicking
of a certain key on the remote control apparatus within a reference
time.
[0013] The method for providing GUI for selecting the broadcast
channel further comprises generating a channel list and combining
the generated channel list with the image to be displayed; and
tuning to a broadcast channel selected by the pointer from
broadcast channels listed in the broadcast channel list.
[0014] The pointer may be moved in a space by two-dimensional
movement of the remote control apparatus by user.
[0015] The pointer may move to the same direction as the face of
the remote control is moved on a virtual plane which is parallel
with the screen of the display D.
[0016] The method for providing GUI for selecting the broadcast
channel further comprises displaying a broadcast combining the
pointer and the keypad on the display; and displaying a broadcast
provided from the broadcast channel tuned at the tuning, on the
display.
[0017] A broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present
invention comprises a broadcast receiving unit which tunes to a
broadcast channel; a Graphical User Interface (GUI) generator which
generates a GUI and combines the generated GUI with an image to be
displayed; and a controller which controls the GUI generator which
generates a keypad having a pointer to be moved by manipulation of
a user on a remote control apparatus and keys selectable by the
pointer and combines the generated keypad with an image to be
displayed, and controls the broadcast receiving unit which tunes to
a broadcast channel input by the user using the keypad and the
pointer.
[0018] The keypad may comprise number keys which input numbers, and
a subdividing key which divides channel numbers into a major
broadcast channel number and a minor broadcast channel number.
[0019] The controller may control the GUI generator to generate the
keypad and combine the generated keypad with the image to be
displayed on the display, if an icon which inputs a command for
calling for the keypad onto the display D, is selected by the
pointer.
[0020] The controller may control the GUI generator to generate the
keypad and combine the generated keypad with the image to be
displayed on the display, if a corresponding manipulation is input
by the user using the remote control apparatus.
[0021] The corresponding manipulation may comprise double-clicking
of a certain key on the remote control apparatus within a reference
time.
[0022] The controller may control the GUI generator which generates
a channel list and combines the generated channel list with the
image to be displayed, and controls the broadcast receiving unit
which tunes to a broadcast channel selected by the pointer from
broadcast channels listed in the broadcast channel list.
[0023] The pointer may be moved in a space by two-dimensional
movement of the remote control apparatus by user.
[0024] The pointer may move to the same direction as the face of
the remote control is moved on a virtual plane which is parallel
with the screen of the display D.
[0025] The Broadcast receiving apparatus further comprises display
which displays a broadcast combining the pointer and the keypad,
and displays a broadcast provided from the tuned the broadcast
channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures of which:
[0027] FIGS. 1A to 1C are views illustrating a broadcast receiving
system to which an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
applicable;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a TV and a remote control of
FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing
GUI for selecting a broadcast channel according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIGS. 4A to 4E are views illustrating the method for
providing GUI for selecting a broadcast channel of FIG. 3;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a broadcast receiving apparatus
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0032] FIG. 6 is a flow chart explaining a method for providing GUI
for selecting a broadcast channel according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
now be described in greater detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0034] FIG. 1A is a view illustrating a broadcast receiving system
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a broadcast receiving system comprises a DTV
100 as a broadcast receiving apparatus and a remote control (remote
control apparatus) 200 as a user input apparatus.
[0035] The DTV 100 provides a user with a broadcast received over
wire or wirelessly, through a display D. Additionally, the DTV 100
may provide a user with an external input received from an external
apparatus which is connected over wire or wirelessly, through the
display D, and may also provide a user with a broadcast by
reproducing a file, such as a moving image file, a still image
file, and a music file, stored in a built-in storage media.
[0036] The remote control 200 sends information on the manipulation
of the user to the DTV 100, and the DTV 100 operates according to
the received information. Although the remote control 200 of FIG.
1A includes a plurality of keys, the remote control 200 may include
either one or two keys as occasion demands. A plurality of keys are
provided on the top side of the remote control 200, but the
plurality of keys may be provided on the other sides such as the
left or right side, or the bottom.
[0037] As indicated by dotted arrows in FIG. 1A, the face of the
remote control 200 may be moved in a space by the user in an
upwards or downwards direction, or to the left or right, or in a
direction combining two of these directions, such as an
upper-leftwards direction. That is, the face of the remote control
200 may be moved in any direction.
[0038] For example, the face of the remote control 200 may be moved
while drawing a locus on a virtual plane (VP) which is in a
parallel relation with a screen of the display D. FIG. 1B is a view
illustrating a case in which the face of the remote control 200 is
moved to the left direction while drawing a locus on a virtual
plane which is in a parallel relation with the screen of the
display D by the user.
[0039] The VP may not be in a complete parallel relation with the
screen of the display D, and may not be a complete plane. That is,
it is practically impossible for the movement of the face of the
remote control 200 by the user to be on a complete plane and in a
complete parallel relation with the screen of the display D.
[0040] Accordingly, the present invention is applicable to the case
in which the face of the remote control 200 moves on an incomplete
plane and in an incomplete parallel relation with the screen of the
display D.
[0041] A user may move the face of the remote control 200 by
turning only the user's wrist while the user's arm holding the
remote control 200 is fixed.
[0042] If only the user's wrist moves in an upwards or downwards
direction, or to the left or right, or in a direction combining
these, such as an upper leftward direction, the face of the remote
control 200 may be moved upwards, downwards, or to the left or
right, or in a direction combining these, such as an upper
leftwards direction while drawing a curved locus on a virtual
hemisphere surface. FIG. 1C is a view illustrating the case in
which the face of the remote control 200 is moved to the left by a
user while drawing a curved locus on a virtual hemisphere
surface.
[0043] The virtual hemisphere surface, on which the face of the
remote control 200 is moved by rotation of the user's wrist, may be
a mathematically incomplete hemisphere surface. That is, it is
practically impossible for the face of the remote control 200 to be
moved by rotating the user's wrist while drawing a locus on a
mathematically complete hemisphere surface.
[0044] Accordingly, the present invention may be applicable to the
case in which the face of the remote control 200 moves not on a
mathematically complete hemisphere but an incomplete hemisphere
surface while drawing a curved locus.
[0045] That is, the pointer P displayed on the display D may be
moved by the user spatially moving the remote control 200. The
spatial movement of the face of the remote control 200 is
distinguished from the movement of a mouse for a personal computer
(PC) which is moved over a surface.
[0046] When the face of the remote control 200 is moved in a space,
the pointer P displayed on the display D moves in the same
direction as the face of the remote control 200. For example, i) if
a user moves the face of the remote control 200 upwards within a
space, the pointer P may move upwards, and ii) if the user moves
the face of the remote control 200 to the upper-left in a space,
the pointer P may move to the upper-left.
[0047] Hereinafter, the TV 100 and the remote control 200
illustrated in FIG. 1 will be explained in detail with reference to
FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the TV 100 and the remote
control 200 of in FIG. 1.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the remote control 200 includes a
movement sensor 210, a transmitting unit 220, a remote control unit
230, and a key input unit 240.
[0049] The movement sensor 210 senses the movement of the face of
the remote control 200 by the user, and sends the result of sensing
to the remote control unit 230 which will be explained in detail
below. An exemplary implementation may use a biaxial gyro sensor as
the movement sensor 210.
[0050] The key input unit 240 may include a power key, a channel
key, a volume key, and a select key.
[0051] The remote control unit 230 transmits information on the
movement such as moving direction, moving distance, which is
obtained from the sensing result transmitted from the movement
sensor 210, to the TV 100 via the transmitting unit 220. The remote
control unit 230 also sends the TV 100 information about keys input
by the user through the transmitting unit 220.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, the TV 100 includes a broadcast
receiver 110, a broadcast processor 120, a Graphic User Interface
(GUI) generator 130, an output unit 140, a controller 150, and a
receiver 160.
[0053] The broadcast receiver 110 tunes to one of the broadcast
channels and demodulates a broadcast signal. The broadcast
processor 120 executes broadcast signal processing such as
decoding, or scaling of the broadcast signal provided from the
broadcast channel tuned by broadcast receiver 110.
[0054] The GUI generator 130 generates a GUI to display on the
display D, and combines the GUI with the broadcast output from the
broadcast processor 120.
[0055] The output unit 140 may display broadcast combining the GUI
output from the GUI generator 130 on the display D, or output to an
external display such as external TV connected through an external
output terminal (not shown).
[0056] The controller 150 controls the overall operation of the TV
according to the user's manipulation including movement of the face
of the remote control 200, or a key input, which is transmitted
from the remote control 200 via the receiver 160. More
specifically, the controller 150 controls the tuning of the
broadcast receiver 110, and the generation of the GUI by the GUI
generator 130.
[0057] The controller 150 controls the GUI generator 130 to provide
GUI for selecting a broadcast channel having an operable keypad
usable with a pointer P, and controls the broadcast receiver 110 to
tune to a broadcast channel selected by the user using the GUI for
selecting a broadcast channel, which will be described in detail
below referring to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a
method for providing GUI for selecting a broadcast channel in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, if a broadcast channel list display
command is input (S310-Y), the controller 150 controls such that a
broadcast channel list and a pointer P are displayed on the display
D (S315).
[0059] The broadcast channel list display commend at S310 may be
input by pressing the channel key on the key input unit 240.
[0060] To execute S315, the controller 150 controls the GUI
generator 130 to combine the broadcast channel list and the pointer
P with a broadcast to be displayed on the display D.
[0061] FIG. 4A illustrates an example of the display D displaying
the broadcast channel list 410 and the pointer P combined at S315.
Referring to FIG. 4A, a keypad icon 420 and a preferred channel
icon 430 are displayed at the bottom of the broadcast channel list
410.
[0062] The keypad icon 420 is used to input a command for calling
for the keypad onto the display D, and the preferred channel icon
430 is used to input a command for calling for a preferred
broadcast channel list onto the display D.
[0063] If the keypad icon 420 is selected by the pointer P
(S320-Y), the controller 150 controls such that the keypad is
displayed on the display D (S325).
[0064] The selection at S320 is executed by moving the face of the
remote control 200 on the VP to move the pointer P to point the
keypad icon 420, and then by pressing the select key on the key
input unit 240 of the remote control 200.
[0065] To execute process S325, the controller 150 controls the GUI
generator 130 to generate a keypad and combine the generated keypad
with the broadcast displayed on the display D.
[0066] FIG. 4B illustrates an example of the display D displaying
the keypad 440 combined at S325 at the right of the broadcast
channel list 410. Referring to FIG. 4B, the keypad 440 includes
number keys (0.about.9) to input numbers, a subdividing key (-) to
divide channel numbers into a major broadcast channel number and a
minor broadcast channel number, and an input completion key (OK) to
confirm an input completion. The keys may be selected by using the
pointer P.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 4B, an input window 450 is displayed at
the top of the keypad 440. The input window 450 displays the
numbers (0.about.9) and the subdividing (-) as selected by the
pointer P on the keypad 440. For example, number "16" is displayed
on the input window 450 in FIG. 4B. It means that the user selects
number keys "1" and "6" by using the keypad 440 and the pointer
P.
[0068] According to the number key input by the user using the
keypad 440 and the pointer P, the broadcast channels being listed
in the broadcast channel list 410 may be changed. More
specifically, all the broadcast channels including the number input
by using the keypad 440 and the pointer P may be displayed in the
broadcast channel list. For example, referring to FIG. 4C, if the
user selects the number key "3" by using the keypad 440 and the
pointer P, all the broadcast channels beginning with "3" may be
listed in the broadcast list 410. In another example, if the user
selects the number key "3" by using the keypad 440 and the pointer
P, all the broadcast channels such as 13, 311, 93 including "3" may
be listed in the broadcast list 410.
[0069] If the broadcast channel is input by using the keypad 440
and the pointer P displayed at S325 (S330), the controller 150
controls the broadcast receiver 110 such that the input broadcast
channel is tuned (S335). The broadcast provided from the broadcast
channel tuned at S335 is displayed on the display D.
[0070] The broadcast channel input at S330 is terminated i) if the
input completion key (OK) on the keypad 440 is selected by the
pointer P, or ii) if no key is selected by the pointer P for a
reference time (for example, for 2 seconds), after inputting the
broadcast channel by using the keypad 440 and the pointer P.
[0071] Meanwhile, if the preferred channel icon 430 is selected by
the pointer P after S315 (S320-N and S340-Y), the controller 150
controls such that the preferred channel list is displayed on the
display D (S345).
[0072] The selection at S340 is executed by moving the face of the
remote control 200 on the VP to move the pointer P to point the
preferred channel icon 430, and then by pressing the select key on
the key input unit 240 of the remote control 200.
[0073] To execute S345, the controller 150 controls the GUI
generator 130 to generate a preferred broadcast channel list and
combine the generated preferred broadcast channel list with a
broadcast to be displayed on the display D.
[0074] FIG. 4D illustrates an example of the display D listing a
preferred broadcast channel list 460 combined at S345 at the right
of the broadcast channel list 410. Referring to FIG. 4D, the
preferred broadcast channels are listed on the preferred broadcast
channel list 460, and the user may select one of the preferred
broadcast channels listed by using the pointer P.
[0075] If one of the preferred broadcast channels listed on the
preferred broadcast channel list displayed at S345 is selected by
the pointer (S350-Y), the controller 150 controls the broadcast
receiver 110 such that the selected preferred broadcast channel is
tuned (S335). The broadcast provided from broadcast channel tuned
at S335 is displayed on the display D.
[0076] Meanwhile, if one of the broadcast channels listed on the
broadcast channel list 410 displayed at S315 is selected by the
pointer (S320-N, S340-N, and S355-Y), the controller 150 controls
the broadcast receiver 110 such that the selected broadcast channel
is tuned (S335). The broadcast provided from the broadcast channel
tuned at S335 is displayed on the display D.
[0077] Meanwhile, if a keypad display command is input (S310-N and
D360-Y) when the broadcast channel list 410 is not displayed on the
display D, the controller 150 controls such that the keypad 440 and
the pointer P are displayed on the display D (S365).
[0078] The keypad display command at S360 may be input by
double-clicking the channel key on the key input unit 240 of the
remote control 200 within one second.
[0079] To execute the S365, the controller 150 controls the GUI
generator 130 to combine the keypad 440 and the pointer P with a
broadcast to be displayed on the display D.
[0080] FIG. 4E illustrates an example of the display D displaying
the keypad 440 and the pointer P combined at S365. The GUI for
selecting channel displayed on the display D illustrated in FIG. 4E
has a different form from GUI for selecting channel on the display
D illustrated in FIG. 4B, that is, the broadcast channel list 410
is not displayed in FIG. 4E.
[0081] If the broadcast channel is input by using the keypad 440
and the pointer P displayed at S365 (S370-Y), the controller 150
controls the broadcast receiver 110 to tune to the input broadcast
channel (S335). Accordingly, the broadcast provided from the
broadcast channel tuned at S335 is displayed on the display D.
[0082] As described above, the process of tuning to a broadcast
channel selected through GUI for selecting a broadcast channel
having an operable keypad usable with the pointer is explained with
exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0083] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, the broadcast channel may be selected through not only a
keypad operable with a pointer, but also a preferred broadcast
channel list or a broadcast channel list operable with a
pointer.
[0084] Although the exemplary embodiments have described the TV as
an example of the broadcast receiving apparatus, the broadcast
receiving apparatus may be implemented as a set top box (STB), a
digital multimedia broadcast (DMB) receiving apparatus, and a
portable apparatus with a built-in module for receiving broadcast
such as a mobile phone with a built in module for receiving DMB. In
the case of the portable apparatus, a pointer may be moved by using
a touch pad instead of a remote control.
[0085] The pointer and the keypad forming a GUI for selecting a
broadcast channel may be embodied in the form as illustrated in
FIG. 4B, but different forms are possible. Keys on the keypad may
also be configured in a different form from FIG. 4B, according to
alternative examples of the present invention.
[0086] In the exemplary embodiments, when the broadcast channel
list is not displayed on the display, the command to display the
keypad is input by double-clicking the channel key on the remote
control within one second. Herein, "one second" may be changed as
occasion demands.
[0087] Instead of double-clicking the certain key on the remote
control within the reference time, another examples such as
pressing once the certain key on the remote control, are possible
to cause the keypad to display while the broadcast channel list is
not displayed on the display.
[0088] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to the FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 5, the broadcast receiving apparatus
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
includes a broadcast receiver 510, a GUI generator 520, and a
controller 530.
[0090] The broadcast receiver 510 tunes to a broadcast channel, the
GUI generator 520 generates a GUI and combines the generated GUI
with a image displayed, and the controller 530 controls the GUI
generator 520 to generate a pointer to be moved by manipulation of
the user on a remote control, and a keypad having selectable keys
by the pointer, and to combine the generated pointer and keypad
with the displayed image. The controller 530 controls the broadcast
receiver 510 to tune to a broadcast channel input by using the
keypad and the pointer.
[0091] According to the method for providing the GUI for selecting
the broadcast channel illustrated in FIG. 6, the controller 530
controls the GUI generator 520 to generate a pointer to be moved by
manipulation of the user on a remote control, and a keypad having
selectable keys by the pointer and to combine the generated pointer
and keypad with the displayed image (S610). The controller 530
controls the broadcast receiver 510 to tune to a broadcast channel
input by using the keypad and the pointer (S620).
[0092] Accordingly, a GUI for selecting a broadcast channel having
an operable keypad with a pointer may be provided.
[0093] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention as described above, the broadcast channel is selected
with a keypad usable with a pointer. Accordingly, the user is able
to input a preferred broadcast channel without using the number
keys, so the number keys may be omitted in the remote control
apparatus. As a result, miniaturization of the remote control
apparatus is possible.
[0094] Further, the foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages
are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the
present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to
other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary
embodiments of the present invention is intended to be
illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many
alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
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