Method, device and system for automatically managing and organizing the database of the LCN (Logical Channel Number)

[0037] With reference to the accompanying drawings, some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described and illustrated below. It will immediately become apparent that what is described herein may be subject to numerous variations and modifications (eg, in shape, size, arrangement, and functionally equivalent components) without departing from the protection of the invention as set forth in the claims scope.

[0038] refer to figure 2 , shows a schematic diagram of a system 1 according to the invention comprising operatively connected to at least one broadcast television device 9 (shown here as a television, but of course any other equipment suitable for the purpose, such as a set-top box, video recorder, decoding remote control device 2 (shown here as a common remote control).

[0039] refer to image 3 , showing the figure 2 Overall block diagram of the main components of System 1. First, it comprises a remote control device 2, which may advantageously comprise: at least a first central processing unit (CPU) 3 operatively connected to the actuating part 5 and a transmission part 7, which is adapted to be used by the actuating part 5 The control signals that are driven and processed by the central processing unit 3 and prepared for transmission are transmitted to the at least one broadcast television device 9 . The central processing unit 3 is also connected to at least one first memory 11 containing data necessary for the normal operation of the remote control device 2 .

[0040] It should be noted that the actuating member 5 here consists of one or more keys of the remote control device 2 or another switching element (wheel or mouse) by means of which the user can select broadcast television services to watch.

[0041] image 3 The lower part of the Figure illustrates a general block diagram of the components of the broadcast television set 9 used by the present invention, namely: (a) at least one second central processing unit (CPU) 14, operatively connected to a receiving unit 16, which is adapted to receive control signals transmitted by the remote control device 2; (b) at least one second memory 18, operatively connected to the second central processing unit 14 and containing the data necessary to implement the method of the present invention (eg the LCN database 20, which will be described later ).

[0042] In the following description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, reference will be made to a system 1 consisting of a remote control 2 operatively connected to a television 9, such as image 3 shown in the description, but no limitations are derived from these descriptions in any way.

[0043] As previously described, the information about the LCN corresponding to each service of the multiplexing is transmitted by using user-defined descriptors, that is, descriptors not yet specified by MPEG or DVB. This descriptor exists in the NIT ("Network Information Table") as a "loop", which lists all the LCNs of the services included in the multiplex. This descriptor is included in all recently constructed broadcast TV sets that use it to sequence services after scanning the entire TV band, and it needs to be continuously transmitted without modification in order to ensure backward compatibility with existing TV sets.

[0044] According to the invention, a user-defined second descriptor is transmitted, preferably in the NIT table, which includes another ring with the new type of LCN. This provides an LCN system with two or more levels, where the first level identifies the broadcaster, the second level identifies the broadcast television service belonging to said broadcaster, and possibly the third level identifies the area from which the service is transmitted or place.

[0045] Create an LCN database 20 with two or more levels (to be stored in the receiver 9) and access the various levels through control signals specially sent for the purpose of accessing the various levels, and on the screen of the receiver 9 The step of displaying a list of desired channels on the display, and finally selecting a preferred channel for final viewing, is a step that can be easily managed by suitable software (either in the receiver 9 or in the remote control 2) present in the system 1 according to the invention, It will not be further described here, as it can be created by a person skilled in the art without much effort.

[0046] In the case of a two-level LCN, considering the second level, two solutions are possible:

[0047] - Broadcast television services are numbered in ascending order by using a number that always starts with a first initial value, eg 1, for each broadcaster, without interruption (eg "RAI1"=1, "RAI2"=2 , "RAI3"=3, "RAI4"=4, "RAI5"=5, and also "Rete4"=1, "Canale5"=2, "Italia1"=3, etc.);

[0048] -Broadcast TV services keep current valid numbers (eg "RAI1"=1, "RAI2"=2, "RAI3"=3, "RAI4"=21, "RAI5"=23, "Rete4"=4, "Canale5" "=5, "Italia1"=6, etc.).

[0049] The first solution is preferred as it is unlikely that the user will remember the LCNs associated with secondary services such as "RAI4" and "RAI5", while the second solution has become familiar with the current LCN numbers and It's an advantage for those users who don't want to give it up.

[0050] According to a first solution, a new LCN consisting of at least two numbers (where the first number identifies the broadcaster and the second number identifies the service, the service being selected from those transmitted by the broadcaster specified by the first number) Transmission in the new ring, which is preferably entered in the NIT table. The third number will constitute the third level, indicating the geographic area.

[0051] If the second solution is adopted, the second level of the new LCN will overlap with the traditional LCN already entered in the NIT table through known user-defined descriptors. Thus, the new user-defined descriptor may contain only the first level indication (ie broadcaster), and possibly also the third level indication (geographical area). Of course, nothing prevents repeating the second level (service identification) in a new ring, the advantage of which is that a new TV receiver in a new service access mode will only have to read the new LCN (which will contain all the information), Instead of reading the old LCN as well, the old LCN represents the second level in the new service access model. In either case, the old TV receiver will still use the old LCN, ignoring the new descriptor.

[0052] refer to Figure 4 , showing a preferred example of the actuating member 5 of the remote control device 2 according to the invention. In this case, the actuating member 5 comprises four keys arranged in a cross pattern, two of which allow access to the first level of the LCN number, namely the broadcaster's choice ( Figure 4 B+ and B- keys in ), and the other two ( Figure 4 The S+ and S- keys in ) allow access to the second level, ie the selection of broadcast television services from those belonging to the selected broadcaster. If the user presses the B+ or B- key repeatedly, the broadcast television device 9 will tune each time to the first service belonging to the selected broadcaster (the one with the smallest second level LCN). If the user presses the S+ and S- keys repeatedly, the broadcast television device 9 will cyclically tune to the broadcast television services belonging to the selected broadcaster.

[0053] Thus, the method according to the invention envisages that the selection of the desired broadcast television service takes place through four keys arranged in a cross pattern, wherein the first two keys (B+, B-) are associated with the first level LCN for selecting the broadcaster Associated, the second two keys (S+, S-) are associated with a second level LCN for selecting the desired broadcast television service of the selected broadcaster.

[0054] Obviously, many configurations and variations can be conceived and obtained, all with regard to the selection of keys and their operation, in order to select the desired broadcast television service in accordance with the present invention.

[0055] As previously described, the method according to the present invention envisages adding a third level of LCN numbering in order to take into account the situation in which broadcast television services are diversified geographically or geographically. From what has been described so far, in order to tune to the "RAI3" Peimonte, the user will have to select the first level 1 RAI, then the second level 3 "RAI3", and finally the third level 1 "RAI3" Piemonte. All these steps can be performed by means of the remote control device 2 according to the invention. In particular, selection of broadcasters and services can be done by means of four keys arranged in a cross pattern, while selection of geographically diverse services (ie regional services) can be done by using the third two keys - in particular are those associated with the next program "PROG+" and/or the previous program "PROG-" - to proceed.

[0056] So far, it has been assumed that the remote control device 2 is a conventional remote control. Typically, however, the remote control device 2 may be a smartphone, a tablet, a remote control with an alphanumeric keypad, or the like. In these cases, a variant of the present invention allows the use of multi-level LCN numbers with alphanumeric fields. For example, in the first level, the broadcaster RAI may be defined by the letter R or by the full name RAI, the Mediaset may be defined by the letter M or by the full name Mediaset, etc. Similarly, in the third level, the service "RAI3Piemonte" may be indicated by its full name or by the abbreviated name "RAI3P" or "RAI3Pie", and so on.

[0057] From a memory point of view, this variant offers the advantage of facilitating the user's assimilation of the LCN number according to the invention. This variant can be employed if the remote control device 2 is a smartphone or tablet or a remote control with an alphanumeric keyboard or another device capable of providing an alphanumeric keyboard (physical or virtual on a secondary screen).

[0058] In another variant, a menu dedicated to selecting the desired broadcast television service is displayed on a screen associated with the broadcast television device 9 . In this variant, the broadcast television device 9 generates and allows visualization of one or more tables with a list of available broadcast television services, which tables can then be managed and controlled by the user via an on-screen pointer (managed and controlled by the remote control device 2). ) to select. In this variant, the broadcast television set 9 preferably generates and allows on-screen visualization of a first table with a list of broadcasters (the first level of the LCN database 20 according to the invention); once a broadcaster is selected (via a remote control) Device 2), the broadcaster 9 may generate and allow on-screen visualization of a second table for selection of services belonging to said broadcaster (second level of LCN database 20), and finally, if a third level exists, The broadcast television device 9 generates and allows on-screen visualization of a third table with a list of geographically diverse (ie regional) services. This variant may work properly even when there are alphanumeric fields in the LCN numbering according to the invention.

[0059] All in all, the reference Figure 5 , an improved method for automatically managing and organizing a database 20 of LCNs associated with broadcast television services selectable for viewing by a user comprising the steps of:

[0060] - providing (S1) an LCN database 20 consisting of at least two levels of LCN records, namely LCN records of the first level and LCN records of the second level, the LCN records of the second level being grouped into a group belonging to a corresponding one of the LCN records of the first level of LCN records;

[0061]- assigning (S2) a first digital identification type to each broadcast television service as a first level LCN stored in said database 20;

[0062] - Possibly assigning a second digital identification type to said broadcast television service as a second level LCN linked to an already assigned first level LCN;

[0063] In order to provide users with the following possibilities:

[0064] - by selecting (S4) each broadcast television service to watch, starting from the first level LCN of the broadcast television service itself; and

[0065] - if the first level LCN is the same for more than one service, select (S5) the desired service to watch by using the relevant second level LCN;

[0066] Wherein the LCN record of the first level identifies the broadcaster and the LCN record of the second level identifies the broadcast television service belonging to the broadcaster.

[0067] Thus, in the case of a two-level LCN, a general broadcast television service is unambiguously identified by a first-level and second-level LCN record field pair; for example, a service "RAI5" may have a value equal to "1.5" or "R. 5” LCN.

[0068] In addition, the method according to the invention envisages that said broadcast television service is assigned a third digital identification type as a third level LCN linked to an already assigned second level LCN;

[0069] In order to provide users with the following possibilities:

[0070] - by selecting (S4) each broadcast television service to watch, starting from the first level LCN of the broadcast television service itself; and

[0071] - if the first level LCN is the same for more than one service, select (S5) the desired service to watch by using the relevant second level LCN;

[0072] - If the second level LCN is the same for more than one service, select (S6) the desired service to watch by using the relevant third level LCN.

[0073] It has been specified that the third level LCN identifies geographically diverse services, ie regional broadcast television services.

[0074] Thus, in the case of a three-level LCN, a general broadcast television service is unambiguously identified by three LCN record fields (ie, first, second, and third); for example, the service "RAI3TGRLombardia" may be according to the present invention Has an LCN equal to "1.3.2" or "R.3.2" if RAI3TGRPiemonte specifies an LCN equal to "1.3.1" or "R.3.1".

[0075] Furthermore, the present invention contemplates that one or more LCN record levels employ LCN numbers with alphanumeric fields.

[0076] The system 1 described above is therefore suitable for implementing a method for automatically managing and organizing the LCN database 20 as follows:

[0077] - the second memory 18 contains an LCN database 20 with at least two logging levels;

[0078] - each service is assigned a first numerical identification type as a first level LCN stored in the database 20;

[0079] - each service is assigned a second numerical identification type as a second level LCN linked to an already assigned first level LCN;

[0080] - if the number of levels is greater than 2, each service may be assigned a third numerical identification type as a third level LCN linked to an already assigned second level LCN;

[0081] - the second central processing unit 14 is adapted to, upon input from the actuating means 5, select each service to view by starting from its own first level LCN of each service input through the actuating means 5;

[0082] - if the first level LCN is the same for more than one service, the second central processing unit 14 is adapted to use the relevant second level LCN entered through the actuating means 5 upon input from the actuating means 5, select the desired service to watch;

[0083] - if the number of LCN levels is greater than 2 and the second level LCN is the same for more than one service, the second central processing unit 14 is adapted to, upon input from the actuating means 5 , by using the correlation input through the actuating means 5 The third level of LCN, select the desired service to watch.

[0084] Also, the values ​​of the first level and the second level LCN can be transmitted to the broadcast television apparatus 9 by the broadcaster. The same applies to the third level LCN. In particular, the broadcaster information about the first LCN level, the information about the second LCN level, and the information about the third LCN level are preferably entered by the broadcaster's broadcaster in user-defined descriptors entered into the NIT table transmission.

[0085] The method according to the invention can be implemented by means of a computer program product, which can be loaded into the memory 18 of the device 9 and which contains software code portions suitable for implementing the method.

[0086] The features of the present invention and its advantages are apparent from the foregoing description.

[0087] A first advantage of the method, broadcast television apparatus, remote control device and system according to the invention is that the user can first select a preferred television broadcaster (eg RAI, Mediaset, LA7), and then among the broadcast television services available from that broadcaster Select the desired broadcast TV service.

[0088] A second advantage of the method, broadcast television apparatus, remote control device and system according to the invention is that conflicts between LCNs (services with the same LCN) are avoided and services can be easily selected by their own LCNs without having to search bottom of the list.

[0089] A method for automatically managing and organizing a database of LCNs associated with broadcast television services, and associated broadcast television apparatus, remote control devices and systems, may undergo many possible variations without departing from the novel spirit of the inventive idea; and it is evident that , in a practical implementation of the invention, the example details may have different shapes or be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0090] Therefore, it can be readily understood that the present invention is not limited to a method for automatically managing and organizing LCN databases associated with broadcast television services and associated broadcast television apparatus, remote control devices and systems, but is subject to many modifications, improvements or substitution of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the idea of ​​the invention.