Thumbnail Update Mechanism for Digital Broadcasting Channel Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of digital broadcasting channels increases, users face difficulty in selecting channels due to the time-consuming process of navigating through multiple options, especially when trying to find preferred or new programs.

Innovation Solution

An image display apparatus and operation method that generate and display thumbnail images for each channel, allowing for different update periods for each thumbnail, enabling users to easily identify and select channels by prioritizing updates for preferred or new programs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of broadcast channels increases to meet various user demands, then the variety of programs available to users is improved, but the time required for users to select a channel increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of programsVSAvoidchannel selection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates thumbnail image copies of the broadcast content for each channel. Instead of requiring users to navigate through multiple channel options, the system generates visual thumbnails that represent each channel's current program, allowing users to quickly identify and select desired content through visual inspection rather than sequential channel surfing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs visual characteristics including color and image content in thumbnail generation. Different channels are represented by distinct visual appearances through their program thumbnails, and the system can highlight or change visual properties of thumbnails based on user preferences, program types, or selection state, enabling rapid visual discrimination between channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Device complexity

If all thumbnail images are updated at the same rate, then the system complexity is reduced, but user-preferred channels may not be highlighted effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate management complexityVSAvoidchannel identification ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements differential update strategies where different thumbnail images are updated at different rates based on local characteristics. User-preferred channels, newly added channels, or channels with live sports events can be configured to update more frequently, while other channels use standard update intervals. This allows the system to highlight important channels without requiring complete system-wide redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thumbnail update system is dynamic and adaptive. Update frequencies can change based on user behavior patterns, program types, and channel importance. The system can automatically adjust update rates or allow users to customize them, making the channel identification process more efficient as user preferences evolve over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2476249B1Image display apparatus and operation method therefore
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2476249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2476249B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2476249B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for operating an image display apparatus includes generating a plurality of thumbnail images based on an input signal, displaying a thumbnail list including at least one of the plurality of the generated thumbnail images, and updating at least one of the thumbnail images included in the thumbnail list. An update period of a thumbnail image is different from an update period of another thumbnail image in the thumbnail list.