Parallel Channel Scanning in Multi-Tuner Digital Broadcast Receivers

The patent divides the channel scanning task into multiple segments, with each tuner responsible for scanning specific channels or channel ranges simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel processing of channel data across multiple tuners, dramatically improving scanning efficiency and reducing total scanning time compared to sequential single-tuner operation.

The patent transitions from one-dimensional sequential scanning (single tuner, one channel at a time) to multi-dimensional parallel scanning by utilizing multiple tuners operating simultaneously on different channels. This dimensional expansion in the scanning process enables concurrent data collection across the channel spectrum, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and time loss.

The patent applies partial action by selectively parsing and storing channel data only for channels that contain actual broadcast signals, rather than processing every channel in the range. The system determines channel validity first, then performs detailed parsing only on valid channels, reducing unnecessary processing time while maintaining information completeness for usable channels.

The patent extracts and processes only the essential channel information needed for broadcasting, separating critical data (channel validity, basic metadata) from optional detailed information. This extraction approach ensures complete necessary information is captured while minimizing processing overhead by avoiding redundant parsing of all channel parameters.