U.S. patent application number 14/057023 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for three-dimensional electronic programming guide providing apparatus and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Dong-wook KANG, Eun-jung KANG, Bong-yen KIM, Jae-kwon KIM, Yong-jun KIM.
Application Number | 20140047482 14/057023 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37963850 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140047482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Yong-jun ; et
al. |
February 13, 2014 |
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE PROVIDING APPARATUS
AND METHOD
Abstract
An electronic programming guide (EPG) providing apparatus and
method, in which an EPG is configured as a 3D form to facilitate a
search for broadcasting program information included in the EPG.
The EPG providing apparatus includes an EPG screen configuring unit
and a control unit. The EPG screen configuring unit configures an
EPG screen such that broadcasting program information is displayed
on at least three faces of a 3D polyhedron. The control unit
controls the EPG screen configuring unit to configure the EPG
screen such that broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel is
displayed on the EPG screen based on a user input signal requesting
a search for the broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel.
Inventors: |
KIM; Yong-jun; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; KIM; Jae-kwon; (Suwon-si, KR) ; KIM;
Bong-yen; (Seongnam-si, KR) ; KANG; Eun-jung;
(Seongnam-si, KR) ; KANG; Dong-wook; (Yongin-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
37963850 |
Appl. No.: |
14/057023 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11590788 |
Nov 1, 2006 |
8613018 |
|
|
14057023 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/8146 20130101;
H04N 21/482 20130101; G06F 2203/04802 20130101; H04N 21/4828
20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/4312 20130101; H04N 5/44543
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/53 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/482 20060101
H04N021/482; H04N 21/81 20060101 H04N021/81 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 17, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0015629 |
Feb 17, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0015630 |
Claims
1. An EPG (electronic programming guide) providing apparatus
comprising: an EPG screen configuring unit configuring an EPG
screen such that broadcasting program information is displayed on a
front face of a 3D (three-dimensional) hexagon and four faces of
the 3D hexagon, which are adjacent to the front face; and a control
unit controlling the EPG screen configuring unit to configure the
EPG screen such that broadcasting program information corresponding
to another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel
is displayed on the EPG screen based on a user input signal
requesting a search for the broadcasting program information
corresponding to another broadcasting time zone or another
broadcasting channel.
2. The EPG providing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a
broadcasting signal processing unit receiving and processing a
broadcasting signal including EPG information and broadcasting
program content; a network unit receiving the EPG information from
an EPG server connected to a network; a storing unit storing the
received EPG information and broadcasting program contents; and a
decoder decoding the broadcasting program contents processed by the
broadcasting signal processing unit or read from the storing
unit.
3. The EPG providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit
determines broadcasting program information corresponding to a
predetermined broadcasting channel and a predetermined broadcasting
time zone as broadcasting program information to be displayed on
the front face of the hexagon and determines broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the four faces adjacent to the front
face based on the broadcasting program information to be displayed
on the front face of the hexagon, and the EPG screen configuring
unit configures the EPG screen such that the determined
broadcasting program information is displayed on the front face and
the four faces adjacent to the front face.
4. The EPG providing apparatus of claim 3, wherein when the control
unit determines the broadcasting program information to be
displayed on the four faces adjacent to the front face, it
determines broadcasting program information corresponding to a
broadcasting channel that is the same as and broadcasting time
zones that are different from the broadcasting program information
displayed on the front face of the hexagon as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on faces that are adjacent in a
predetermined direction with respect to the front face of the
hexagon and determines broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the same as and
broadcasting channels that are different from the broadcasting
program information displayed on the front face of the hexagon as
broadcasting program information to be displayed on faces that are
adjacent perpendicularly to the predetermined direction with
respect to the front face of the hexagon.
5. The EPG providing apparatus of claim 4, wherein when the control
unit determines the broadcasting program information to be
displayed on the faces that are adjacent perpendicularly to the
predetermined direction with respect to the front face of the
hexagon, it determines broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that precedes the
broadcasting program information to be displayed on the front face
as broadcasting program information to be displayed on the top face
and determines broadcasting program information corresponding to a
broadcasting time zone that follows the broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the front face as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the bottom face.
6. The EPG providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit
determines broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting time zone requested by a user as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the front face of the
hexagon based on a user input signal and determines broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the four faces adjacent to
the front face based on the broadcasting program information to be
displayed on the front face of the hexagon.
7. The EPG providing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit
determines broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting channel requested by a user as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the front face of the
hexagon based on a user input signal and determines broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the four faces adjacent to
the front face based on the broadcasting program information to be
displayed on the front face of the hexagon.
8. An EPG (electronic programming guide) providing method
comprising: receiving a user input signal requesting a search for
broadcasting program information; and configuring an EPG screen
such that the broadcasting program information is displayed in the
form of a 3D (three-dimensional) hexagon based on the user input
signal, wherein the EPG screen is configured such that the
broadcasting program information is displayed on a front face of
the 3D hexagon and four faces adjacent to the front face.
9. The EPG providing method of claim 8, further comprising:
receiving EPG information through a broadcasting signal or from an
EPG server connected to a network; storing the received EPG
information.
10. The EPG providing method of claim 8, wherein the configuring of
the EPG screen comprises: determining broadcasting program
information corresponding to a predetermined broadcasting channel
and a predetermined broadcasting time zone as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the front face of the hexagon;
determining broadcasting program information to be displayed on the
four faces adjacent to the front face based on the broadcasting
program information displayed on the front face of the hexagon; and
configuring the EPG screen such that the determined broadcasting
program information is displayed on the front face and the four
faces adjacent to the front face.
11. The EPG providing method of claim 10, wherein the determining
of the broadcasting program information to be displayed on the four
faces adjacent to the front face comprises determining broadcasting
program information corresponding to a broadcasting channel that is
the same as and broadcasting time zones that are different from the
broadcasting program information displayed on the front face of the
hexagon as broadcasting program information to be displayed on
faces that are adjacent in a predetermined direction with respect
to the front face of the hexagon and determining broadcasting
program information corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that
is the same as and broadcasting channels that are different from
the broadcasting program information displayed on the front face of
the hexagon as broadcasting program information to be displayed on
faces that are adjacent perpendicularly to the predetermined
direction with respect to the front face of the hexagon.
12. The EPG providing method of claim 11, wherein the determining
of the broadcasting program information to be displayed on the
faces that are adjacent perpendicularly to the predetermined
direction with respect to the front face of the hexagon comprises:
determining broadcasting program information corresponding to a
broadcasting time zone that precedes the broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the front face as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the top face; and
determining broadcasting program information corresponding to a
broadcasting time zone that follows the broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the front face as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the bottom face.
13. The EPG providing method of claim 8, wherein the receiving of
the user input signal comprises receiving a user input signal for
the user's up and down or left and right searches entered using a
user input device, and the configuring of the EPG screen comprises:
determining broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting time zone requested by a user as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the front face of the
hexagon based on the user input signal; determining broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the four faces adjacent to
the front face based on the broadcasting program information to be
displayed on the front face of the hexagon; and configuring the EPG
screen such that the determined broadcasting program is displayed
on the front face of the hexagon and the four faces adjacent to the
front face.
14. The EPG providing method of claim 8, wherein the receiving of
the user input signal comprises receiving a user input signal for
the user's up and down or left and right searches entered using a
user input device, and the configuring of the EPG screen comprises:
determining broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting channel requested by a user as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the front face of the
hexagon based on the user input signal; determining broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the four faces adjacent to
the front face based on the broadcasting program information to be
displayed on the front face of the hexagon; and configuring the EPG
screen such that the determined broadcasting program is displayed
on the front face of the hexagon and the four faces adjacent to the
front face.
15. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a
program for implementing an EPG providing method of claim 8.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/590,788, filed Nov. 1, 2006, which claims priority from
Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2006-0015629 and 10-2006-0015630,
filed on Feb. 17, 2006, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office,
the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an electronic programming
guide (EPG) providing apparatus and method, and more particularly,
to an EPG providing apparatus and method, in which an EPG is
configured as a 3D form to facilitate a search for broadcasting
program information included in the EPG.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The utility of an electronic programming guide (EPG) becomes
an increasing matter of concern in an environment where
broadcasting services are provided over multiple channels through
various media such as terrestrial waves, satellites, and cables.
Users are generally provided with EPG information by manipulating a
multimedia recording device such as a personal video recorder (PVR)
that provides an EPG using a remote controller.
[0006] The EPG generally provides a broadcasting program list in
the form of a two-dimensional (2D) lattice. The EPG in the 2D
lattice form includes rows that show lists of broadcasting programs
provided by different channels and columns that show lists of
broadcasting programs provided at different broadcasting times.
However, the EPG in the 2D lattice form has problems as follows.
First, since broadcasting program information is displayed within a
limited space, i.e., a single square cell, only a portion of the
broadcasting program information can be displayed. Moreover, the
size of the displayed characters should be reduced to display as
much information as possible within the cell having a limited size,
resulting in degradation of readability of the information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides an EPG providing apparatus
and method, in which an EPG is configured as a 3D form to
facilitate a search for broadcasting program information included
in the EPG.
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an EPG providing apparatus including an EPG screen
configuring unit and a control unit. The EPG screen configuring
unit configures an EPG screen such that broadcasting program
information is displayed on at least three faces of a 3D
polyhedron. The control unit controls the EPG screen configuring
unit to configure the EPG screen such that broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone or
another broadcasting channel is displayed on the EPG screen based
on a user input signal requesting a search for the broadcasting
program information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone
or another broadcasting channel.
[0009] The 3D polygon may be a hexagon.
[0010] The EPG providing apparatus may further include a
broadcasting signal processing unit, a network unit, a storing
unit, and a decoder. The broadcasting signal processing unit
receives and processes a broadcasting signal including EPG
information and broadcasting program content. The network unit
receives the EPG information from an EPG server connected to a
network. The storing unit stores the received EPG information and
broadcasting program contents. The decoder decodes the broadcasting
program contents processed by the broadcasting signal processing
unit or read from the storing unit.
[0011] The control unit may determine broadcasting program
information corresponding to a predetermined broadcasting channel
or a predetermined broadcasting time zone (e.g., a time slot) as
broadcasting program information to be displayed on a first or
front face of the polyhedron, and may determine broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the other faces of the
polyhedron based on the broadcasting program information to be
displayed on the first face of the polyhedron, and the EPG screen
configuring unit may configure the EPG screen such that the
determined broadcasting program information is displayed on the
first face and the other faces of the polyhedron.
[0012] When the control unit determines the broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the other faces of the polyhedron,
it may determine broadcasting program information corresponding to
a broadcasting channel that is the same as, and a broadcasting time
zone that is different from, the broadcasting program information
displayed on the first face of the polyhedron as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on a second face positioned in
a predetermined direction with respect to the first face of the
polyhedron, and determine broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the same as, and
a broadcasting channel that is different from, the broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the first face of the
polyhedron as broadcasting program information to be displayed on a
third face positioned perpendicularly to the predetermined
direction with respect to the first face of the polyhedron.
[0013] The control unit may determine broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone
requested by a user as broadcasting program information to be
displayed on a first face of the polyhedron based on a user input
signal for the user's up and down or left and right searches, and
determine broadcasting program information to be displayed on the
other faces of the polyhedron based on the broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the first face of the
polyhedron.
[0014] The control unit may determine broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting channel requested
by a user as broadcasting program information to be displayed on a
first face of the polyhedron based on a user input signal for the
user's up and down or left and right searches and determine
broadcasting program information to be displayed on the other faces
of the polyhedron based on the broadcasting program information to
be displayed on the first face of the polyhedron.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an EPG providing method including receiving a user
input signal requesting a search for broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone or
another broadcasting channel and configuring an EPG screen such
that the broadcasting program information is displayed in the form
of a 3D polyhedron based on the user input signal. The EPG screen
is configured such that the broadcasting program information is
displayed on at least three faces of the 3D polyhedron.
[0016] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an EPG providing apparatus including an EPG
screen configuring unit and a control unit. The EPG screen
configuring unit configures an EPG screen such that broadcasting
program information is displayed on a front face of a 3D hexagon
and four faces of the 3D hexagon, which are adjacent to the front
face. The control unit controls the EPG screen configuring unit to
configure the EPG screen such that broadcasting program information
corresponding to another broadcasting time zone or another
broadcasting channel is displayed on the EPG screen based on a user
input signal requesting a search for the broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone or
another broadcasting channel.
[0017] The EPG providing apparatus may further include a
broadcasting signal processing unit, a network unit, a storing
unit, and a decoder. The broadcasting signal processing unit
receives and processes a broadcasting signal including EPG
information and broadcasting program contents. The network unit
receives the EPG information from an EPG server connected to a
network. The storing unit stores the received EPG information and
broadcasting program contents. The decoder decodes the broadcasting
program contents processed by the broadcasting signal processing
unit or read from the storing unit.
[0018] The control unit may determine broadcasting program
information corresponding to a predetermined broadcasting channel
and a predetermined broadcasting time zone as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the front face of the hexagon and
determine broadcasting program information to be displayed on the
four faces adjacent to the front face based on the broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the front face of the
hexagon, and the EPG screen configuring unit may configure the EPG
screen such that the determined broadcasting program information is
displayed on the front face and the four faces adjacent to the
front face.
[0019] When the control unit determines the broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the four faces adjacent to the front
face, it may determine broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting channel that is the same as and
broadcasting time zones that are different from the broadcasting
program information displayed on the front face of the hexagon as
broadcasting program information to be displayed on faces that are
adjacent in a predetermined direction with respect to the front
face of the hexagon and determine broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the same as and
broadcasting channels that are different from the broadcasting
program information displayed on the front face of the hexagon as
broadcasting program information to be displayed on faces that are
adjacent perpendicularly to the predetermined direction with
respect to the front face of the hexagon.
[0020] When the control unit determines the broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the faces that are adjacent
perpendicularly to the predetermined direction with respect to the
front face of the hexagon, it may determine broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that precedes
the broadcasting program information to be displayed on the front
face as broadcasting program information to be displayed on the top
face between the faces that are adjacent in the predetermined
direction with respect to the front face and determine broadcasting
program information corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that
follows the broadcasting program information to be displayed on the
front face as broadcasting program information to be displayed on
the bottom face between the faces that are adjacent in the
predetermined direction with respect to the front face.
[0021] The control unit may determine broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone
requested by a user as broadcasting program information to be
displayed on the front face of the hexagon based on a user input
signal for the user's up and down or left and right searches and
determine broadcasting program information to be displayed on the
four faces adjacent to the front face based on the broadcasting
program information to be displayed on the front face of the
hexagon.
[0022] The control unit may determine broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting channel requested
by a user as broadcasting program information to be displayed on
the front face of the hexagon based on a user input signal for the
user's up and down or left and right searches and determine
broadcasting program information to be displayed on the four faces
adjacent to the front face based on the broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the front face of the hexagon.
[0023] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an EPG providing method including receiving a
user input signal requesting a search for broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone or
another broadcasting channel and configuring an EPG screen such
that the broadcasting program information is displayed in the form
of a 3D hexagon based on the user input signal. The EPG screen is
configured such that the broadcasting program information is
displayed on a front face of the 3D hexagon and four faces adjacent
to the front face.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The above and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent by describing in detail
exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
drawings in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an EPG providing apparatus
according to the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate EPG screens provided by an
EPG providing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate EPG screens provided by an
EPG providing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method
according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic programming guide
(EPG) providing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. The EPG providing apparatus 100 is provided with
broadcasting program contents and EPG information from a
broadcasting station or with EPG information from an EPG provider
such as an operator who provides EPG services. The EPG information
is broadcast program information which may include titles,
broadcasting channels, broadcasting time, categories of
broadcasting programs, the number of broadcasting times, starring
actors, and brief information on the broadcasting program
information. The EPG providing apparatus 100 may be implemented
with a personal video recorder (PVR), a personal computer (PC), or
other devices capable of receiving and recording broadcasting
program information. The EPG providing apparatus 100 can receive
and store the EPG information of all broadcasting channels at a
specific time moment set by a user or at the issuance of an EPG
information update command. The EPG providing apparatus 100
configures and provides the EPG in the form of a 3D polyhedron
according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The EPG
providing apparatus 100 may also configure and provide the EPG in
the form of a 3D hexahedron according to a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0034] To this end, the EPG providing apparatus 100 according to
the present invention includes a broadcasting signal processing
unit 110, a decoder 120, a control unit 130, an EPG screen
configuring unit 140, a storing unit 150, and a network unit 160.
The broadcasting signal processing unit 110 processes a received
broadcasting signal to generate broadcasting program contents and
EPG information. The broadcasting signal processing unit 110 may
include a tuner (not shown) that tunes and demodulates a
broadcasting signal input through a specific channel selected by a
user and outputs a transport stream and a demultiplexer (not shown)
that demultiplexes a multiplexed transport stream output from the
tuner into broadcasting program contents including a video stream
and an audio stream and EPG information. The configuration of the
broadcasting signal processing unit 110 may vary with the type of
broadcasting signal to be processed.
[0035] The decoder 120 receives the video/audio audio transport
streams from the demultiplexer and decodes them to output
video/audio signals. The decoder 120 reads broadcasting program
contents stored in the storing unit 150 and decodes and outputs the
read broadcasting program contents under the control of the control
unit 130.
[0036] The control unit 130 stores the broadcasting program
contents and the EPG information generated by the broadcasting
signal processing unit 110 in the storing unit 150. Upon receipt of
a user input signal requesting an EPG from a user input device such
as a remote controller, the control unit 130 reads the EPG
information stored in the storing unit 150 and controls the EPG
screen configuring unit 140 to configure an EPG screen for
providing an EPG to the user using the read EPG information.
[0037] The control unit 130 receives a user input signal requesting
a search for broadcasting program information corresponding to
other broadcasting time zones or other broadcasting channels. The
control unit 130 then controls the EPG screen configuring unit 140
to configure an EPG screen based on the received user input signal
such that the broadcasting program information corresponding to
other broadcasting time zones or other broadcasting channels is
displayed on the EPG screen.
[0038] The network unit 160 receives the EPG information from an
EPG server connected to a network. If the control unit 130
determines that the EPG information cannot be obtained from the
received broadcasting signal, it may control the network unit 160
to receive the EPG information from the EPG server. The received
EPG information is stored in the storing unit 150.
[0039] The EPG screen configuring unit 140 configures an EPG screen
such that broadcasting program information is displayed on at least
three faces of a 3D polyhedron. Hereinafter, EPG screens provided
by the EPG providing apparatus 100 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 2A through 2C. According to a second embodiment
of the present invention, the EPG screen configuring unit 140
configures the EPG screen such that broadcasting program
information is displayed on the front face of a 3D hexahedron and
four faces adjacent to the front face. EPG screens provided by the
EPG providing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of
the present invention will be described later with reference to
FIGS. 5A through 5C.
[0040] FIG. 2A illustrates an EPG screen provided by the EPG
providing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the EPG screen
configuring unit 140 configures an EPG screen in the form of a 3D
polyhedron 200. The EPG screen configuring unit 140 configures a
polyhedral EPG screen such that broadcasting program information is
displayed on at least three faces of the 3D polyhedron 200.
[0041] The control unit 130 determines broadcasting program
information corresponding to a predetermined broadcasting time zone
and a predetermined broadcasting channel as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on a face of the polyhedron 200. The
broadcasting program information to be displayed on a face of the
polyhedron 200 may be determined by the broadcasting time of a
broadcasting channel a user was viewing or the broadcasting time
zone of a specific broadcasting channel.
[0042] The control unit 130 determines broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the other faces of the polyhedron
200 based on the broadcasting program information displayed on the
first or front face of the polyhedron 200. In other words, the
control unit 130 determines broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is different from
and a broadcasting channel that is the same as the broadcasting
program information displayed on a first face of the polyhedron 200
as broadcasting program information to be displayed on a second
face positioned in a predetermined direction with respect to the
first face, e.g., the second face positioned vertically with
respect to the first face in FIG. 2A. The control unit 130 also
determines broadcasting program information corresponding to a
broadcasting channel that is different from and a broadcasting time
zone that is the same as the broadcasting program information
displayed on the first face of the polyhedron 200 as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on a third face positioned
perpendicularly to the predetermined direction with respect to the
first face, e.g., the third face positioned horizontally with
respect to the first face in FIG. 2A. The EPG screen configuring
unit 140 configures an EPG screen under the control of the control
unit 130 such that the determined broadcasting program information
is displayed on the first face and the other faces, i.e., the
second face positioned in the predetermined direction with respect
to the first face or the third face positioned perpendicularly to
the predetermined direction with respect to the first face.
[0043] In the EPG screen of FIG. 2A, broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting channel KBS 1TV 9-1 and
a broadcasting time zone 12:00 pm-6:00 pm is displayed on a front
face 201 of the polyhedron 200. Broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting channel that is different from and
a broadcasting time zone that is the same as the broadcasting
program information displayed on the front face 201, i.e.,
corresponding to a broadcasting channel MBC TV 11-1 and the
broadcasting time zone 12:00 pm-6:00 pm is displayed on a side face
202 positioned horizontally with respect to the front face 201.
Broadcasting program information corresponding to a broadcasting
channel that is the same as and a broadcasting time zone that is
previous to the broadcasting program information displayed on the
front face 201, i.e., corresponding to the broadcasting channel KBS
1TV 9-1 and a broadcasting time zone 6:00 am-12:00 am, is displayed
on a top face 203 positioned vertically with respect to the front
face 201.
[0044] The EPG providing apparatus 100 according to the present
invention searches for and provides broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting channel according
to a user input signal for the user's left and right searches as
indicated by an arrow A and searches for and provides broadcasting
program information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone
according to a user input signal for the user's up and down
searches as indicated by an arrow B.
[0045] Although the 3D polygon 200 of FIG. 2A is a hexagon having
square faces, it may take various polygonal forms in which
broadcasting program information is displayed on at least three
faces. An EPG screen may have faces in different forms and, for
example, its top face and bottom face may be pentagonal or
hexagonal and the other side faces may be quadrangular. Although
broadcasting program information is displayed on the right side
face and the top face of the 3D polygon 200 in FIG. 2A, the EPG
screen may be configured as a polygon that displays broadcasting
program information on its left side face and bottom face or may
have various other forms. The amount of broadcasting program
information displayed on each face of a 3D polyhedron may be
adjusted in consideration of the area of each face or user
readability. In addition, although broadcasting time zones and
titles of broadcasting programs are displayed as broadcasting
program information in FIG. 2A, other broadcasting program
information may be additionally displayed. Moreover, a time-based
searching direction is a vertical direction and a channel-based
searching direction is a horizontal direction in FIG. 2A, but a
reverse implementation thereto is also possible.
[0046] FIG. 2B illustrates an EPG screen configured according to
the user input signal for the user's up and down searches according
to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control unit
130 controls the EPG screen configuring unit 140 to configure an
EPG screen based on the user input signal for the user's up and
down searches to request a search for broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone.
[0047] For example, if the user inputs a user input signal using up
and down buttons of a remote controller, the control unit 130 may
search in the storing unit 150 for broadcasting program information
corresponding to another broadcasting time zone requested by the
user. The control unit 130 then determines the broadcasting program
information corresponding to the requested broadcasting time zone
as broadcasting program information to be displayed on the first
face of the polygon 200 and determines broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the other faces of the polygon 200
based on the broadcasting program information displayed on the
first face of the polygon 200. As mentioned above, the control unit
130 determines broadcasting program information corresponding to a
broadcasting channel that is the same as, and a broadcasting time
zone that is different from, the broadcasting program information
displayed on the first face of the polygon 200 as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on a second face positioned in
a predetermined direction with respect to the first face of the
polygon 200, e.g., the second face positioned vertically with
respect to the first face. The control unit 130 then determines
broadcasting program information corresponding to a broadcasting
channel that is different from, and a broadcasting time zone that
is the same as, the broadcasting program information displayed on
the first face of the polygon 200 as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on a third face positioned
perpendicularly to the predetermined direction with respect to the
first face, e.g., the third face positioned horizontally with
respect to the first face in FIG. 2B. The EPG screen configuring
unit 140 then configures an EPG screen under the control of the
control unit 130 such that the determined broadcasting program
information is displayed on the first face and the other faces of
the polygon 200.
[0048] FIG. 2B illustrates one of EPG screens during a process of
searching for broadcasting program information of KBS 1TV
corresponding to another broadcasting time zone according to the
user input signal for the user's up and down searches in the EPG
screen of FIG. 2A. Broadcasting program information of KBS 1TV
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone 6:00 am-12:00 am
requested by the user is displayed on the front face 201 of the
polygon 200. Broadcasting program information of KBS 1TV
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone 0:30 am-6:00 am that
precedes the broadcasting program information displayed on the
front face 201 of the polygon 200 is displayed on the top face 203
of the polygon 200. Broadcasting program information corresponding
to a broadcasting channel 11-1 MBC TV that is different from, and a
broadcasting time zone 6:00 am-12:00 am that is the same as, the
broadcasting program information displayed on the front face 201 is
displayed on the side face 202 of the polygon 200. Thus, the EPG
providing apparatus 100 according to the present invention
interactively responds to the user input signal for the user's up
and down searches to allow a polygon to display broadcasting
program information corresponding to the same broadcasting channel
and another broadcasting time zone while moving vertically.
Therefore, the user can intuitively search an EPG using the EPG
providing apparatus 100 according to the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 2C illustrates an EPG screen configured based on the
user input signal for user's left and right searches according to
the first embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 130
controls the EPG screen configuring unit 140 to configure an EPG
screen based on the user input signal for the user's left and right
searches to request a search for broadcasting program information
corresponding to another broadcasting channel.
[0050] For example, if the user inputs the user input signal for
user's left and right searches using left and right buttons of the
remote controller, the control unit 130 searches for broadcasting
program information corresponding to a next broadcasting channel
requested by the user. The control unit 130 then determines
broadcasting program information corresponding to the requested
broadcasting channel as broadcasting program information to be
displayed on a first face of the polygon 200 and determines
broadcasting program information to be displayed on the other faces
of the polygon 200 based on the broadcasting program information
displayed on the first face. As mentioned above, the control unit
130 determines broadcasting program information corresponding to a
broadcasting channel that is the same as, and a broadcasting time
zone that is different from, the broadcasting program information
displayed on the first face of the polygon 200 as broadcasting
program information to be displayed on a face positioned in a
predetermined direction with respect to the first face, e.g., a
face positioned vertically with respect to the first face in FIG.
2B. The control unit 130 determines broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the
same as, and a broadcasting channel that is different from, the
broadcasting program information displayed on the first face of the
polygon 200 as broadcasting program information to be displayed on
a face positioned perpendicularly to the predetermined direction
with respect to the first face, e.g., a face positioned
horizontally with respect to the first face in FIG. 2B. The EPG
screen configuring unit 140 then configures an EPG screen under the
control of the control unit 130 such that the determined
broadcasting program information is displayed on the first face and
the other faces of the polygon 200.
[0051] FIG. 2C illustrates one of EPG screens during a process of
searching for broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting channel based on the same broadcasting time
zone according to the user input signal for the user's left and
right searches in the EPG screen of FIG. 2A. Broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting channel 11-1 MBC TV
requested by the user and a broadcasting time zone 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
is displayed on the front face 201 of the polygon 200. Broadcasting
program information of 11-1 MBC TV corresponding to a broadcasting
time zone 6:00 am-12:00 am that precedes the broadcasting program
information displayed on the front face 201 of the polygon 200 is
displayed on the top face 203 of the polygon 200. Broadcasting
program information corresponding to a broadcasting channel SBS TV
that is different from and a broadcasting time zone 12:00 pm-6:00
pm that is the same as the broadcasting program information
displayed on the front face 201 is displayed on the side face 202
of the polygon 200. Thus, the EPG providing apparatus 100 according
to the present invention interactively responds to the user input
signal for the user's left and right searches to allow a polygon to
display broadcasting program information corresponding to the same
broadcasting time zone and another broadcasting channel while
moving horizontally. Therefore, the user can intuitively search an
EPG using the EPG providing apparatus 100 according to the present
invention.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] The control unit 130 receives a user input signal requesting
a search for broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel in
operation S310. Based on the user input signal, the control unit
130 controls the EPG screen configuring unit 140 to configure an
EPG screen such that broadcasting program information corresponding
to another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel
is displayed on a 3D polyhedron, in operation S320. The EPG screen
is configured such that the broadcasting program information is
displayed on at least three faces of the 3D polyhedron.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] The broadcasting signal processing unit 110 processes a
broadcasting signal including EPG information or receives EPG
information from an EPG server connected to a network in operation
S410. The control unit 130 stores the received EPG information in
the storing unit 150 in operation S420. The EPG screen configuring
unit 140 configures an EPG screen such that broadcasting program
information is displayed on at least three faces of the 3D
polyhedron using the EPG information, and the configured EPG screen
is displayed through an output device in operation S430.
[0056] Once a user input signal for the user's up and down or left
and right searches is input to request a search for broadcasting
program information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone
or another broadcasting channel in operation S440, the control unit
130 determines broadcasting program information corresponding to
the requested broadcasting time zone or broadcasting channel as
broadcasting program information to be displayed on a face of the
polyhedron based on the user input signal in operation S450. The
control unit 130 then determines broadcasting program information
to be displayed on the other faces of the polyhedron based on the
broadcasting program information to be displayed on the determined
face of the polyhedron in operation S460.
[0057] In other words, broadcasting program information to be
displayed on a face positioned in a predetermined direction with
respect to the determined face of the polyhedron is determined as
broadcasting program information corresponding to a broadcasting
channel that is the same as, and a broadcasting time zone that is
different from, the broadcasting program information displayed on
the determined face of the polyhedron, and broadcasting program
information to be displayed on a face positioned perpendicularly to
the predetermined direction with respect to the determined face of
the polyhedron is determined as broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the same as, and
a broadcasting channel that is different from, the broadcasting
program information displayed on the determined face of the
polyhedron. The EPG screen configuring unit 140 then configures an
EPG screen such that the determined broadcasting program
information is displayed on corresponding faces of the 3D
polyhedron, i.e., the first face and the other faces of the 3D
polyhedron in operation S470. The configured EPG screen is
displayed through an output device.
[0058] Hereinafter, an EPG providing apparatus according to a
second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0059] FIG. 5A illustrates an EPG screen provided by the EPG
providing apparatus 100 according to the present invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 5A, the EPG screen configuring unit 140
configures a hexagonal EPG screen in which broadcasting program
information is displayed on five faces. In FIG. 5A, broadcasting
program information is displayed on a front face 501 of a hexagon
500 and four faces 502, 503, 504, and 505 adjacent to the front
face 501.
[0060] The control unit 130 determines broadcasting program
information corresponding to a predetermined broadcasting channel
and a predetermined broadcasting time zone as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the front face 501 of the hexagon
500. The broadcasting program information displayed on the front
face 501 of the hexagon 500 may be determined by the broadcasting
time of a broadcasting channel a user is viewing or the
broadcasting time zone of a specific broadcasting channel.
[0061] The control unit 130 determines broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the faces 502, 503, 504, and 505
based on the broadcasting program information displayed on the
front face 501. In other words, the control unit 130 determines
broadcasting program information corresponding to a broadcasting
channel that is the same as, and a broadcasting time zone that is
different from, the broadcasting program information displayed on
the front face 501 of the hexagon 500 as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on faces adjacent in a predetermined
direction with respect to the front face 501, e.g., the faces 502
and 504 that are vertically adjacent to the front face 501 in FIG.
5A. The control unit 130 then determines broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the
same as, and a broadcasting channel that is different from, the
broadcasting program information displayed on the front face 501 of
the hexagon 500 as broadcasting program information to be displayed
on faces adjacent perpendicularly to the predetermined direction,
e.g., the faces 503 and 505 that are horizontally adjacent to the
front face 501 in FIG. 5A.
[0062] In the EPG screen of FIG. 5A, broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting channel KBS 1TV 9-1 and
a broadcasting time zone 6:00 am-12:00 am is displayed on the front
face 501 of the hexagon 500. Broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting channel that is same as and
broadcasting time zones that are different from (one precedes and
the other follows) the broadcasting program information displayed
on the front face 501, i.e., corresponding to the broadcasting
channel KBS 1TV 9-1 and broadcasting time zones 0:30 am-6:00 am and
12:00 pm-5:00 pm, is displayed on the faces 502 and 504 that are
vertically adjacent to the front face 501. Broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the
same as, broadcasting time zones and a broadcast channel that are
different from, the broadcasting program information displayed on
the front face 501, i.e., corresponding to broadcasting channels
11-1 MBC TV and 6-1 SBS TV and the broadcasting time zone 6:00
am-12:00 am, is displayed on the faces 503 and 505 that are
horizontally adjacent to the front face 501.
[0063] The EPG providing apparatus 100 according to the present
invention searches for and provides broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting channel according
to a user input signal for the user's left and right searches as
indicated by an arrow C and searches for and provides broadcasting
program information corresponding to another broadcasting times
zone according to a user input signal for the user's up and down
searches as indicated by an arrow D. The amount of broadcasting
program information displayed on faces of a 3D hexagon may be
adjusted in consideration of the area of each face or user
readability. In addition, although broadcasting time zones and
titles of broadcasting programs are displayed as broadcasting
program information in FIG. 5A, other broadcasting program
information may be additionally displayed. Moreover, the time-based
searching direction is the a vertical direction and the
channel-based searching direction is the horizontal direction in
FIG. 5A, but a reverse implementation thereto is also possible.
[0064] FIG. 5B illustrates an EPG screen configured according to
the user input signal for the user's up and down searches according
to the second embodiment of the present invention. The control unit
130 controls the EPG screen configuring unit 140 to configure an
EPG screen based on the user input signal for the user's up and
down searches to request a search for broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone.
[0065] For example, if the user inputs a user input signal using up
and down buttons of a remote controller, the control unit 130 may
search in the storing unit 150 for broadcasting program information
corresponding to another broadcasting time zone requested by the
user. The control unit 130 then determines the broadcasting program
information corresponding to the requested broadcasting time zone
as broadcasting program information to be displayed on the front
face 501 of the hexagon 500 and determines broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the faces 502, 503, 504, and 505
adjacent to the front face 501 based on the broadcasting program
information displayed on the front face 501 of the hexagon 500. As
mentioned above, the control unit 130 determines broadcasting
program information corresponding to a broadcasting channel that is
the same as, and a broadcasting time zone that is different from,
the broadcasting program information displayed on the front face
501 of the hexagon 500 as broadcasting program information to be
displayed on faces adjacent in a predetermined direction with
respect to the front face 501 of the hexagon 500, e.g., the faces
502 and 504 that are vertically adjacent to the front face 501 in
FIG. 5B. The control 130 unit then determines broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting channel that is
different from, and a broadcasting time zone that is the same as,
the broadcasting program information displayed on the front face
501 of the hexagon 500 as broadcasting program information to be
displayed on faces adjacent perpendicularly to the predetermined
direction with respect to the front face 501, e.g., the faces 503
and 505 that are horizontally adjacent to the front face 501 in
FIG. 5B. The EPG screen configuring unit 140 then configures an EPG
screen under the control of the control unit 130 such that the
determined broadcasting program information is displayed on the
front face 501 and the faces 502, 503, 504, and 505 adjacent to the
front face 501.
[0066] FIG. 5B illustrates one of the EPG screens during a process
of searching for broadcasting program information of KBS 1TV
corresponding to another broadcasting time zone according to the
user input signal for the user's up and down searches in the EPG
screen of FIG. 5A. Broadcasting program information of KBS 1TV
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
requested by the user is displayed on the front face 501 of the
hexagon 500.
[0067] Broadcasting program information of KBS 1TV corresponding to
a broadcasting time zone 6:00 am-12:00 am that precedes the
broadcasting program information displayed on the front face 501 of
the hexagon 500 is displayed on the top face 502 that is vertically
adjacent to the front face 501. Broadcasting program information of
KBS 1TV corresponding to the broadcasting time zone 6:00 pm-10:00
pm that follows the broadcasting program information displayed on
the front face 501 of the hexagon 500 is displayed on the bottom
face 504 that is vertically adjacent to the front face 501.
[0068] Broadcasting information corresponding to broadcasting
channels 11-1 MBC TV and 6-1 SBS TV that are different from, and a
broadcasting time zone 12:00 pm-6:00 pm that is the same as, the
broadcasting program information displayed on the front face 501 is
displayed on the faces 503 and 505 that are horizontally adjacent
to the front face 501. Thus, the EPG providing apparatus 100
according to the present invention interactively responds to the
user input signal for the user's up and down searches to allow a
polygon to display broadcasting program information corresponding
to the same broadcasting channel and another broadcasting time zone
while moving vertically. Therefore, the user can intuitively search
an EPG using the EPG providing apparatus 100 according to the
present invention.
[0069] FIG. 5C illustrates an EPG screen configured based on the
user input signal for the user's left and right searches according
to the second embodiment of the present invention. The control unit
130 controls the EPG screen configuring unit 140 to configure an
EPG screen based on the user input signal for the user's left and
right searches to request a search for broadcasting program
information corresponding to another broadcasting channel.
[0070] For example, if the user inputs the user input signal for
the user's left and right searches using left and right buttons of
the remote controller, the control unit 130 searches for
broadcasting program information corresponding to a next
broadcasting channel requested by the user. The control unit 130
then determines broadcasting program information corresponding to
the requested broadcasting channel as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the front face 501 of the hexagon
500 and determines broadcasting program information to be displayed
on the faces 502, 503, 504, and 505 adjacent to the front face 501
based on the broadcasting program information displayed on the
front face 501. As mentioned above, the control unit 130 determines
broadcasting program information corresponding to a broadcasting
channel that is the same as, and broadcasting time zones that are
different from, the broadcasting program information displayed on
the front face 501 of the hexagon 500 as broadcasting program
information to be displayed on faces adjacent in a predetermined
direction with respect to the front face 501, e.g., the faces 502
and 504 that are vertically adjacent to the front face 501 in FIG.
5C. The control unit 130 determines broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the
same as, and broadcasting channels that are different from, the
broadcasting program information displayed on the front face 501 of
the hexagon 500 as broadcasting program information to be displayed
on faces adjacent perpendicularly to the predetermined direction
with respect to the front face 501, e.g., the faces 503 and 505
that are horizontally adjacent to the front face 501 in FIG. 5C.
The EPG screen configuring unit 140 then configures an EPG screen
under the control of the control unit 130 such that the determined
broadcasting program information is displayed on the front face 501
and the faces 502, 503, 504, and 505 adjacent to the front face
501.
[0071] FIG. 5C illustrates one of EPG screens during a process of
searching for broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting channel based on the same broadcasting time
zone according to the user input signal for user's left and right
searches in the EPG screen of FIG. 5A. Broadcasting program
information corresponding to a broadcasting channel 11-1 MBC TV
requested by the user and a broadcasting time zone 6:00 am-12:00 am
is displayed on the front face 501 of the hexagon 500.
[0072] Broadcasting program information of 11-1 MBC TV
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone 0:00 am-6:00 am that
precedes the broadcasting program information displayed on the
front face 501 of the hexagon 500 is displayed on the top face 502
that is vertically adjacent to the front face 501. Broadcasting
program information of 11-1 MBC TV corresponding to the
broadcasting time zone 12:00 pm-5:00 pm that follows the
broadcasting program information displayed on the front face 501 of
the hexagon 500 is displayed on the bottom face 504 that is
vertically adjacent to the front face 501.
[0073] Broadcasting information corresponding to broadcasting
channels 13-1 EBC TV and 9-1 KBS TV that are different from, and a
broadcasting time zone 6:00 am-12:00 am that is the same as, the
broadcasting program information displayed on the front face 501 is
displayed on the faces 503 and 505 that are horizontally adjacent
to the front face 501. Thus, the EPG providing apparatus 100
according to the present invention interactively responds to the
user input signal for user's up and down searches to allow a
polygon to display broadcasting program information corresponding
to the same broadcasting time zone and another broadcasting channel
while moving horizontally. Therefore, the user can intuitively
searches an EPG using the EPG providing apparatus 100 according to
the present invention.
[0074] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] The control unit 130 receives a user input signal requesting
a search for broadcasting program information corresponding to
another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel in
operation S610. Based on the user input signal, the control unit
130 controls the EPG screen configuring unit 140 to configure an
EPG screen in which broadcasting program information corresponding
to another broadcasting time zone or another broadcasting channel
is displayed on a 3D hexagon in operation S630. The EPG screen is
configured such that broadcasting program information is displayed
on the front face of the 3D hexagon and four faces adjacent to the
front face.
[0076] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an EPG providing method
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0077] The broadcasting signal processing unit 110 processes a
broadcasting signal including EPG information or receives EPG
information from an EPG server connected to a network in operation
S710. The control unit 130 stores the received EPG information in
the storing unit 150 in operation S720. The EPG screen configuring
unit 140 configures an EPG screen such that broadcasting program
information is displayed on the front face of the 3D hexagon and
the faces adjacent to the front face using the EPG information, and
the configured EPG screen is displayed through an output device in
operation S730.
[0078] Once a user input signal for the user's up and down or left
and right searches is input to request a search for broadcasting
program information corresponding to another broadcasting time zone
or another broadcasting channel in operation S740, the control unit
130 determines broadcasting program information corresponding to
the requested broadcasting time zone or broadcasting channel as
broadcasting program information to be displayed on the front face
of the hexagon based on the user input signal in operation S750.
The control unit 130 then determines broadcasting program
information to be displayed on the faces adjacent to the front face
based on the broadcasting program information to be displayed on
the front face of the hexagon in operation S760.
[0079] In other words, broadcasting program information to be
displayed on faces adjacent in a predetermined direction with
respect to the front face of the hexagon is determined as
broadcasting program information corresponding to a broadcasting
channel that is the same as, and broadcasting time zones that are
different from, the broadcasting program information displayed on
the front face of the hexagon, and broadcasting program information
to be displayed on faces adjacent perpendicularly to the
predetermined direction with respect to the front face of the
hexagon is determined as broadcasting program information
corresponding to a broadcasting time zone that is the same as, and
broadcasting channels that are different from, the broadcasting
program information displayed on the front face of the hexagon. The
EPG screen configuring unit 140 then configures an EPG screen such
that the determined broadcasting program information is displayed
on corresponding faces of the 3D hexagon, i.e., the front face and
the faces adjacent to the front face of the 3D hexagon in operation
S770. The configured EPG screen is displayed through an output
device.
[0080] As described above, according to the present invention, the
user can easily and intuitively search for broadcasting program
information included in an EPG through a 3D EPG screen.
[0081] Meanwhile, the EPG providing method according to the present
invention can also be embodied as computer-readable code on a
computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording
medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be
thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the
computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM),
random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks,
optical data storage devices, and carrier waves (e.g., transmission
over the Internet). The computer-readable recording medium can also
be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the
computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed
fashion.
[0082] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the following claims.
* * * * *