Description

MULTI-OUT BROADCASTING RECEIVER SYSTEM USING RF

REMOTE CONTROL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a multi-out broadcasting receiver system using a RF remocon, and more specifically to a multi-out broadcasting receiver system using a RF remocon which enables, in a house or other specific location, under a connection between a set-top box and TV receivers in distant locations through a pre-installed network, a remote control to a set-top box from a distant location where the set-top box is not positioned using a RF (UHF) remocon transmitter/receiver.

[2]

Background Art

[3] According as fast development of digital technologies as to digital video encoding or digital modulation/demodulation, the standardization and commercialization for digital TV is fast launching. Under this situation, a digital broadcasting receiver for receiving digital television broadcast, e.g. Set- Top Box (hereinafter, "STB"), helps users seletively watch the broadcast program by reconstructing, using a built-in decoder, origianl A/V (Audio/Video) data for a user-selected broadcast program and outputing the reconstructed to a A/V output device, e.g. TV.

[4] Further, recently in most of houses, each room is equipped a TV for its own. If these TV's are connected to single STB, it has advantage that through these TVs, users may watch satellite broadcast, cable broadcast, and digital terrestrial broadcast, etc.

[5] However, the prior technology for connecting a plurality of TV's to a single STB has problems that loss is engaged during signal transmission from STB to each room and cable engineering is further needed, which results in cost and difficulties for installation.

[6]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon which enables a lossless connection between a set- top box and TV receivers in distant locations through a pre-installed network without any furthe cable engineering, and further enables, using a RF (UHF) remocon transmitter/receiver, a remote control to a set-top box from a distant location where the set-top box is not positioned.

[8]

Technical Solution

[9] For accomplishing said object, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system comprises, at least one RF remocon transmitter for transmitting RF remote control signal following a user operation; a RF remocon receiver for sensing via antenna and outputting said RF remote control signal transmitted by said RF remocon transmitter; and a set-top box, which comprising, a first broadcast processing module for, following a user operation, selecting a channel from broadcast signal received through external transmission medium; and a second broadcast processing module for, when receiving said RF remocon control signal from said RF recomon transmitter, selecting a channel from said broadcast signal received through external tranmission medium, for modulating A/V broadcast signal of said selected channel (hereinafter, "A/V remote broadcast signal") to a predetermined broadcast frequency, and for outputting said modulated signal to a network.

[10]

Advantageous Effects

[11] As described, according to the present invention, by connecting through a pre- installed network one single set-top box and TV receivers in distant locations and enabling remote control by RF (UHF) remocon transmitter from distant location where the set-top box is not positioned, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system is advantageous in that inside of a network a user may independently watch TV in distant locations using one signal set-top box, in that cable engineering is not required, and in that the installation is easily accomplished in lower cost.

[12]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a construction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[14] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal construction of the second broadcast processing module for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system in the FIG. 1.

[15] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a modified contraction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[16] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a modified contraction in case a plurality of rooms in distant locations is engaged for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[17]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[18] Hereinafter, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon

according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[19] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a construction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal construction of the second broadcast processing module for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system in the FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a modified contraction of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[20] Hereinafter, detailed description about general prior art construction or functions regarding set-top box 300 shall be omitted in order to let the description of the specfication simple and clear.

[21] As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-out broadcasting receiver system according to a preferred embodiment includes an RF (UHF) remocon transmitter 100, an RF (UHF) remocon receiver 200, and a set-top box 300 comprising a first broadcast processing module 310 and a second broadcast processing module 320.

[22] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a modified contraction in case a plurality of rooms in distant locations is engaged for the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the present invention includes at least one RF (UHF) remocon transmitters 100, an RF (UHF) remocon receiver 200, and a set-top box 300 comprising a first broadcast processing module 310 and at least one second broadcast processing modules 320.

[23] The multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to an embodiment of the present invention, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, may be similarily extended to be adapted to a case having two rooms as shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, or adapted to a case having many rooms as shown in FIG. 4, which lets any repetitive descriptions regarding substantially same constuction be omitted.

[24] The RF (UHF) remocon transmitters 100 generates an RF remote control signal following a user operation, and outputs the RF remote control signal to the RF (UHF) remocon receiver 200 in the distant location. The RF remote control signal from the RF (UHF) remocon transmitters 100 is RF signal in the band of Ultra High Frequency (UHF).

[25] The RF (UHF) remocon receiver 200 senses using UHF antenna the RF (UHF) remote control signal transmitted by the RF (UHF) remocon transmitter 100, and outputs the sensed signal to the second broadcast processing module 320.

[26] The first broadcast processing module 310 in the set- top box 300 selects, following a user operation, a channel as to broadcast signal received through external transmission medium, and outputs the selected channel of A/V broadcast signal to

main TV receiver 30.

[27] The set-top box 300 may be constructed as one single set which includes the RF

(UHF) remocon receiver 200 for sensing and outputting the RF (UHF) remote control signal.

[28] The second broadcast processing module 320 in the set-top box 300 selects, when receiving the RF remocon control signal from the RF (UHF) recomon receiver 200, a channel as to the broadcast signal received through external tranmission medium, and modulates the selected channel of A/V broadcast signal (hereinafter, "A/V remote broadcast signal") to a predetermined broadcast frequency. Further, the second broadcast processing module 320 outputs the A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated to a network 10.

[29] The first broadcast processing module 310 and the second broadcast processing module 320 may be implemented in one-chip.

[30] As shown in FIG. 2, the second broadcast processing module 320 includes broadcast signal receiver 321, MPEG decoder 322, broadcast signal modulator 323, amplifier 324, and 2nd broadcast processing controller 325.

[31] The broadcast signal receiver 321, when receiving the broadcast signal from external transmission medium, outputs the received broadcast signal to the MPEG decoder 322. The MPEG decoder 322 receives and decodes the digital broadcast signal from the broadcast signal receiver 321. Further, the MPEG decoder 322 digital- analog (D/A) converts the decoded signal, and outputs the D/A converted signal.

[32] The broadcast signal modulator 323 receives the broadcast signal from the MPEG decoder 322, modulates the received broadcast signal to a predetermined broadcasting frequency, and outputs the modulated signal to the amplifer 324. The broadcast signal modulator 323 may directly output A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated onto network 10.

[33] The A/V remote broadcast signal which is outputted from the broadcast signal modulator 323 of the second broadcast processing module 320 may be set to a specific broadcasting channel.

[34] The A/V remote broadcast signal that is outputted from the broadcast signal modulator 323 of the second broadcast processing module 320 may be set to an intermediate frquency for avoiding broadcasting channel frequencies. In that case, a modulting unit 330 for re-modulating the intermediate frequency into a specific broadcasting channel frequency may be further included in the sub-TV receiver part of the network 10 in the distant location, as shown in FIG. 3.

[35] The amplifer 324 compensates any loss in the A/V remote broadcast signal incurred during the cable line distance by amplifying the A/V remote broadcast signal which is modulated to a predetermined broadcasting frequency and outputting the amplified

signal onto the network 10.

[36] The second broadcast processing controller 325 sets the broadcast signal receiver

321 to the broadcast channel following the RF (UHF) remote control signal received from the RF (UHF) remocon receiver 200.

[37] The second broadcast processing controller 325 further includes functions of, following the RF (UHF) remote control signal, system configuration, menu setup, PVR (Personal Video Recorder) control, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) control.

[38] The network 10 configures a network by connecting a plurality of RF terminals 11, and the RF terminals 11 may be installed in a wall in a house (e.g., living room, room 1 ~ N) or other specific locations.

[39] The network 10 may be a pre-installed TV coaxial cable or post- installed network cable.

[40] The sub-TV receiver 20 receives the A/V remote broadcast signal via network 10, and shows a program corresponding to the A/V remote broadcast signal.

[41] Then, the operations of the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGs. 1 to 3.

[42] In the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon according to the present invention, as shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, in a house or other specific location, with the set- top box 300 having the first broadcast processing module 310 and the second broadcast processing module 320, RF (UHF) remocon receiver 200 and main TV receiver 30 being positioned in [Distant_Location #1], and with the RF (UHF) remocon transmitter 100 and sub-TV receiver 200 being positioned in [Distant_Location #2], the second broadcast processing module 320 and the sub-TV receiver 20 are connected via network 10 in separate locations [Distant_Location #1, #2].

[43] A user in [Distant_Location #2] activates RF (UHF) remote control via the RF

(UHF) remocon transmitter 100 in order to watch a broadcast program, the RF (UHF) remocon transmitter 100 transmits a RF (UHF) remote control signal as selected according to the user operation.

[44] The RF (UHF) remocon receiver 200 senses using UHF antenna the RF (UHF) remote control signal transmitted by the RF (UHF) remocon transmitter 100, and outputs the sensed signal to the second broadcast processing controller 325 in the second broadcast processing module 320.

[45] Then, the second broadcast processing controller 325 in the second broadcast processing module 320 sets the broadcast signal receiver 321 to the broadcast channel following the RF (UHF) remote control signal received from the RF (UHF) remocon receiver 200.

[46] The second broadcast processing controller 325 further includes functions of, following the RF (UHF) remote control signal, system configuration, menu setup, PVR

(Personal Video Recorder) control, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) control. [47] Using internal modules, the second broadcast processing controller 325 analyses the data of the RF (UHF) remote control signal, controls baseband A/V, and sets the broadcast signal receiver 321 to the broadcast channel via I2C (Inter IC bus) commnand. [48] The MPEG decoder 322, upon receiving a digital broadcast signal for the broadcast channel set in the broadcast signal receiver 321, decodes the received broadcast signal and D/ A converts the decoded signal. [49] The broadcast signal modulator 323, upon receiving a broadcast signal from the

MPEG decoder 322, modulates to a predetermined broadcast frequency and outputs the modulated signal to the amplifier 324. [50] At this time, the broadcast signal modulator 323 may directly output the A/V remote broadcast signal as modulated onto network 10. [51] The A/V remote broadcast signal which is outputted from the broadcast signal modulator 323 may be set to a specific broadcasting channel, or an intermediate frequency for avoiding broadcasting channel frequencies. [52] When the A/V remote broadcast signal is set to an intermediate frequency, as shown in FIG. 3, a modulting unit 330 for re-modulating the intermediate frequency into a specific broadcasting channel frequency may be further included in the sub-TV receiver part of the network 10 in the distant location. [53] The amplifer 324 amplifies the A/V remote broadcast signal which is modulated to a predetermined broadcasting frequency and outputs the amplified signal onto the network 10. [54] Then, the sub-TV receiver 20 receives the A/V remote broadcast signal via network

10, and shows a program corresponding to the A/V remote broadcast signal. [55] The main TV receiver 30 positioned in [Distant_Location #1], following a user operation, selects a channel from broadcast signal received through external transmission medium, receives A/V broadcast signal of the selected channel from the first broadcast processing module 310, and shows a program corresponding to the A/V broadcast signal. [56] FIG. 4 illustrates the multi-out broadcasting receiver system using RF remocon when a plurality of rooms in distant locations is engaged according to present invention, and the detailed description regarding the operation flow for this embodiment is similar to that described above with reference to FIGs. 1 to 3, which lets the repetitive description be omitted in this specification. [57] RF A/V signals in terrestrial TV and set-top box use silent channels (channel free

from A/V broadcast signal) out of 51 channels, VHF 3-4 and UHF 21-69, by controlling the broadcast signal modulator (VHF/UHF broadcast signal modulator), which let any interference avoided.

[58] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.