Broadcast receiver and method of controlling the same

A broadcast receiver which outputs a warning signal when the amount of remaining battery power is insufficient to perform a scheduled operation of a broadcast program, and a method of controlling an operation of the broadcast receiver, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes identifying broadcast information of a predetermined broadcast program; detecting an amount of remaining power of a battery of the broadcast receiver; determining if the remaining battery power is sufficient to perform a scheduled operation for the predetermined broadcast program based on the broadcast information and the detected remaining battery power; and outputting a warning signal if the determining determines that the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform the scheduled operation.

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-104883, filed on Oct. 27, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a broadcast receiver which outputs a warning signal when the amount of remaining power of a battery is insufficient to perform a scheduled broadcast reception function that is set in advance.

2. Description of the Related Art

Digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) includes digital video and audio broadcasting technology that enables a user to watch a broadcast program while moving from place to place and broadcast services that are provided using the digital video and audio broadcasting technology. Originally, DMB has been developed for the existing terrestrial analog radio broadcasting. However, recent developments in DMB technology have enabled the transmission of not only audio data but also digital versatile disc (DVD)-quality moving image data. DMB is classified into terrestrial-DMB (T-DMB) and satellite-DMB (S-DMB) according to the type of radio transmission/reception. In recent years, research has been vigorously conducted to develop ways to provide bilateral DMB data services.

Examples of broadcast receivers capable of receiving multimedia broadcast data and executing the multimedia broadcast data include DMB phones integrated with mobile phones, personal portable devices with no communication function, and set-top boxes for vehicles.

With the distribution of such broadcast receivers and the commercialization of various terrestrial DMB services, users can nowadays enjoy a variety of contents such as music, text data, and video/audio data anytime anywhere.

However, typical broadcast receivers simply display the amount of remaining power of a battery that supplies operating power and do not provide any information indicating whether the amount of remaining battery power is sufficient to perform a scheduled broadcast reception function (e.g., scheduled viewing or scheduled recording) for a desired broadcast program.

Therefore, users are unable to determine in advance whether they need to charge their broadcast receivers for a scheduled reception of a desired broadcast program. Thus, the scheduled viewing or scheduled recording of a broadcast program may not be properly performed or may be terminated due to, for example, a battery discharge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a broadcast receiver which can thus allow a user to take appropriate measures to handle a battery power shortage by outputting a warning signal when the amount of remaining battery power is insufficient to perform a scheduled broadcast reception function, and provides a method of controlling all operation of the broadcast receiver.

The present invention is directed to a broadcast receiver such as a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the broadcast receiver, which address the limitations and disadvantages associated with the related art.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an operation of a broadcast receiver, the method including identifying a broadcast time of a predetermined broadcast program; detecting an amount of remaining power of a battery that supplies operating power; and comparing an amount of time for which the broadcast receiver can be driven with the remaining battery power with the broadcast time of the predetermined broadcast program and, if the result of the comparison indicates that the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform a scheduled recording of the predetermined broadcast program, outputting a warning signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an operation of a broadcast receiver, the method including setting a scheduled reception of a broadcast program; detecting, at regular intervals of time, an amount of remaining power of a battery that supplies operating power; and comparing an amount of time for which the broadcast receiver can be driven with the remaining battery power with the broadcast time of the predetermined broadcast program and, if the result of the comparison indicates that the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform the scheduled recording of the predetermined broadcast program, outputting a warning signal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast receiver including a remaining battery power detection unit which detects an amount of remaining power of a battery that supplies operating power; and a control unit which identifies a broadcast time of a predetermined broadcast program, compares an amount of time for which the broadcast receiver can be driven with the remaining battery power with the broadcast time of the predetermined broadcast program and, if the result of the comparison indicates that the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform a scheduled recording of the predetermined broadcast program, outputs a warning signal.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling an operation of a broadcast receiver, the method comprising: identifying broadcast information of a predetermined broadcast program; detecting an amount of remaining power of a battery of the broadcast receiver; determining if the remaining battery power is sufficient to perform a scheduled operation for the predetermined broadcast program based on the broadcast information and the detected remaining battery power; and outputting a warning signal if the determining determines that the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform the scheduled operation.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling an operation of a broadcast receiver, the method comprising: setting a scheduled recording of a broadcast program; detecting, at regular intervals of time, an amount of remaining power of a battery that supplies operating power; and comparing an amount of time for which the broadcast receiver can be driven with the remaining battery power, with broadcast time information of the predetermined broadcast program and, if the result of the comparison indicates that the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform the scheduled recording of the predetermined broadcast program, outputting a warning signal.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a broadcast receiver comprising: a remaining battery power detection unit which detects an amount of remaining power of a battery that supplies operating power; and a control unit which identifies broadcast information of a predetermined broadcast program, determines if the remaining battery power is sufficient to perform a scheduled operation of the predetermined broadcast program based on the detected remaining battery power and the broadcast information, and outputs a warning signal if the control unit determines that the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform the scheduled operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail, as examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.

A method of controlling a broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) environment using Binary Format for Scene (BIFS), but the present invention is not restricted to this. In other words, the present invention may be applied to various broadcast environments, other than a DMB environment using BIFS.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, the broadcast receiver has a mobile communication function. For instance, the broadcast receiver can be or can be included in a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, a smart device, a MP3 player, a computer laptop, etc. The broadcast receiver includes a broadcast reception unit110, a wireless communication unit120, a memory unit130, a key input unit140, a display unit150, a sound processing unit160, a battery170, a remaining battery power detection unit180, and a control unit190. The broadcast receiver can include other components, and all components of the broadcast receiver are operatively coupled and configured.

The broadcast reception unit110receives a broadcast signal such as a DMB signal from a channel selected by a user, and performs a number of processes such as demodulation on the DMB signal, thereby generating a transport stream (TS). Then, the broadcast reception unit110divides the TS into a number of element streams, including video, audio, and data information, and decodes the element streams separately from one another, thereby generating a broadcast signal that can be played back. The broadcast reception unit110may include an electronic program guide (EPG) decoder. In this case, the broadcast reception unit110may extract EPG information which is transmitted thereto via an EPG service, and transmit the EPG information to the control unit190.

The wireless communication unit120provides an interface for wireless communication with a base station through an antenna. Further, the wireless communication unit120can include a duplex filter for filtering a signal received through an antenna, a power amplifier for amplifying a transmission signal, a frequency tip-convert circuit in a transmission path, a frequency down-convert circuit in a reception path, etc.

The memory unit (or storage unit)130may include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory, or other type of storage unit. The memory unit130stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the broadcast receiver such as the mobile communication device and various other data that the user wishes to store in the memory unit130. The memory unit130may store data corresponding to a signal output by the broadcast reception unit110, and may thus store any desired broadcast program. The key input unit140may comprise a plurality of keys, including number keys and function keys, buttons, a keypad, etc. The key input unit140transmits a signal corresponding to a key selected by the user to the control unit190and thus receives an operation command and data from the user.

The display unit150may include one or more display screens. Such a screen can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a PDP, a CRT, etc. The display unit150may display a menu for controlling an operation of the broadcast receiver, information regarding a state of a received broadcast signal, battery information, and information regarding an operating state of the broadcast receiver that varies in response to a command input by the user, and may play back a broadcast program desired by the user. The sound processing unit160may amplify a sound signal output by the control unit190and output the amplified sound signal via, for example, speakers. In addition, the sound processing unit160may convert a sound signal input via, for example, a microphone, into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the control unit190.

The battery170supplies operating power to the broadcast receiver, and may be charged using an external battery charger. The remaining battery power detection unit180determines the degree to which the battery170is charged and the amount of remaining power of the battery170, and transmits remaining battery power information based on the results of the determination to the control unit190. The remaining battery power detection unit180measures various parameters of the battery170such as the charge, discharge, or self-discharge of the battery170and the temperature of the battery170. The remaining battery power detection unit180may include an auto-calibration voltage-to-frequency converter (VFC) for integrating continuous charge and discharge functions, and may thus be able to measure the parameters of the battery170with high precision under various operating conditions for the battery170.

The control unit190controls the operations of the broadcast reception unit110, the wireless communication unit120, the memory unit130, the key input unit140, the display unit150, the sound processing unit160, the battery170, and the remaining battery power detection unit180. More specifically, the control unit190controls the display unit150to display a signal output by the broadcast reception unit110. If the user sets a scheduled broadcast reception function for a predetermined broadcast program using the key input unit140, the control unit190calculates the amount of the remaining power of the battery170based on the remaining battery power information transmitted by the remaining battery power detection unit180, and estimates the remaining operating time and the standby time of the broadcast receiver. If the amount of the remaining power of the battery170is insufficient to perform a scheduled broadcast reception function for a predetermined broadcast program, the control unit190controls the display unit150to output a warning message or an alarm sound to alert the user.

FIGS. 2A through 2Care flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling an operation of a broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate examples of screen images for explaining the method illustrated inFIGS. 2A through 2C.

Referring toFIG. 2A, in operation S200, a user sets a scheduled broadcast reception function (e.g., a scheduled viewing and/or scheduled recording) for one or more predetermined broadcast programs by using the key input unit140. In operation S205, the control unit190identifies the start time (e.g., scheduled broadcast time) of the predetermined broadcast program by referring to EPG information, which is received by the broadcast reception unit110and then is stored in the memory unit130.

The EPG information includes information regarding broadcast programs currently being broadcast or to be broadcast such as the titles, synopses, and broadcast times (e.g., start time, end time, length, etc.) of broadcast programs. Also, the EPG information provides a number of functions such as scheduled recording and scheduled viewing. Therefore, the user may set a scheduled broadcast reception function for any desired broadcast program using an EPG screen. In other words, if the user sets the scheduled broadcast reception function for a designated or predetermined broadcast program using an EPG screen, the broadcast receiver may be automatically switched to a channel that broadcasts the predetermined broadcast program at a scheduled time, and may receive a broadcast signal regarding the predetermined broadcast program from the channel.

In operation S210, once the start time of the predetermined broadcast program is identified from the EPG information, the control unit190receives the remaining battery power information regarding the amount of the remaining power of the battery170from the remaining battery power detection unit180. Thereafter, in operation S215, the control unit190estimates the remaining operating time of the broadcast receiver based on the remaining battery power information, and compares the estimated remaining operating time of the broadcast receiver with the start time of the predetermined broadcast program and/or with other information pertaining to the predetermined broadcast program. For instance, the control unit190can compare the estimated remaining operating time of the broadcast receiver with the scheduled broadcast time as well as the broadcast length of the predetermined broadcast program to determine if there is sufficient power to perform a scheduled broadcast reception function (e.g., recording and/or reproducing) on the broadcast program.

In one example, in operation S215, the control unit190determines whether the amount of the remaining power of the battery170is sufficient to perform a scheduled broadcast reception function for the predetermined broadcast program, based on one or more factors such as the result of the comparison of the estimated remaining operating time of the broadcast receiver with the start time of the predetermined broadcast program, the amount of power expected to be consumed by the broadcast receiver until the start of the predetermined broadcast program, and the amount of power generally required to perform the scheduled broadcast reception function (e.g., scheduled viewing and/or scheduled recording). Further, the length (duration) of the predetermined broadcast program can also be considered in making this determination.

In operation S220, if it is determined in operation S215that the amount of remaining power of the battery170is sufficient to perform the scheduled broadcast reception function for the predetermined broadcast program, the control unit190places the broadcast receiver to operate in a scheduled broadcast reception mode so that the scheduled viewing and/or scheduled recording of the predetermined broadcast program can be performed.

In operation S230, if it is determined in operation S215that the amount of remaining power of the battery170is insufficient to perform the scheduled broadcast reception function for the predetermined broadcast program, the control unit190outputs a warning signal to the user through the display unit150or some other way. The warning signal may be an alarm sound and/or a warning message indicating that the amount of remaining power of the battery170is insufficient to perform the scheduled broadcast reception function for the predetermined broadcast program. The warning message can be output audibly and/or visually. When the warning signal is output, the user may take appropriate measures such as charging the battery170or canceling or modifying the scheduled broadcast reception function.

Referring toFIG. 2B, in operation S240(after operation S230inFIG. 2A), the control unit190displays information indicating the amount of time for which the predetermined broadcast program can be scheduled-recorded or scheduled-viewed (or both if that was the scheduled function) with the remaining power of the battery170. For example, if the predetermined broadcast program is one hour long and the scheduled recording or the scheduled viewing of the predetermined broadcast program can be performed only for ten minutes with the remaining power of the battery170, the control unit190may display or output this information to the user, i.e., information indicating the amount of time for which the scheduled recording or the scheduled viewing of the predetermined broadcast program can be performed with the remaining power of the battery170. Then, in operation S245, the user may decide whether to keep driving the broadcast receiver in the scheduled broadcast reception mode.

In operation S270, if the user wishes to keep driving the broadcast receiver in the scheduled broadcast reception mode even though the amount of remaining power of the battery170is insufficient to perform the scheduled broadcast reception function for the predetermined broadcast program, the control unit190sets a scheduled broadcast mode. Thereafter, in operation S280, the control unit190switches the broadcast receiver to a power conservation mode so that the power consumption of the broadcast receiver can be minimized while the scheduled broadcast reception function is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in operation S245that the user does not wish to keep driving the broadcast receiver in the scheduled broadcast reception mode even though the amount of remaining power of the battery170is insufficient to perform the scheduled broadcast reception function for the predetermined broadcast program, then the control unit190determines in operation S250if the user wishes to perform only a scheduled recording of the broadcast program. This determination can be made based on stored data or other data. For instance, the user can be asked if the user wishes to perform only the scheduled recording of the broadcast program in view of the warning signal of operation S230. In operation S255, if the user wishes to perform only the scheduled recording of the predetermined broadcast program, the control unit190controls appropriate components (e.g., recording unit) of the broadcast receiver to perform the scheduled recording function on the broadcast program. As a result, the predetermined broadcast program is stored in the memory unit130upon arrival of its scheduled time, instead of being played back by the display unit150, and the method proceeds to operation S280. In this manner, it is possible to reduce the power consumption by the display unit150. Thus, the user can store many broadcast programs even with a limited battery power, and play back the stored broadcast programs later after charging the battery170.

If the control unit190determines in operation S250that the user does not wish to perform only the scheduled recording of the broadcast program, then in operation S260, the user decides whether to drive the broadcast receiver in a sound output mode for minimizing the power consumption of the broadcast receiver. This determination can be made by the control unit190based on the stored data or other data, e.g., additional user input. For instance, the user can be asked if the user wishes to drive the broadcast receiver in a sound output mode for minimizing the power consumption of the broadcast receiver. In operation S265, if the user decides to drive the broadcast receiver in the sound output mode in operation S260, the control unit190controls only audio data of the predetermined broadcast program so that the broadcast program is output only audibly upon arrival of the scheduled time, and the method proceeds to operation S280.

Referring toFIG. 2C, even if a scheduled reception function is set for a plurality of broadcast programs, the broadcast receiver may be set to operate in the scheduled broadcast reception mode only for some of the broadcast programs. More specifically, in operation S285, it is determined whether to drive the broadcast receiver in the scheduled broadcast reception mode only for some broadcast programs. In operation S287, if it is determined in operation S285to drive the broadcast receiver in the scheduled broadcast reception mode only for some broadcast programs, one or more broadcast programs for which the broadcast receiver is to operate in the scheduled broadcast reception mode, are selected. As an example, this selection can be made by the user or by the control unit190. For instance, a menu or message may be displayed on the screen to the user, which asks to select certain program(s) from the list of broadcast programs previously selected by the user for the scheduled broadcast reception function. In another example, the control unit190can determine which broadcast program(s) should be selected based on the length of the broadcast programs and the remaining battery power information, etc. and then notify the result to the user.

In operation S289, the broadcast receiver is set to operate in the scheduled broadcast reception mode for the selected broadcast program(s). In operation S291, the broadcast receiver is switched to the power conservation mode so that the power consumption of the broadcast receiver can be minimized until the arrival of the scheduled time.

In operation S293, if it is determined in operation S285not to drive the broadcast receiver in the scheduled broadcast reception mode because of the battery power shortage, it is determined whether to cancel the scheduled broadcast reception function. In operation S295, if it is determined in operation S293to cancel the scheduled broadcast reception function, the scheduled broadcast reception function is canceled, and a message indicating the cancellation of the scheduled broadcast function is output. Otherwise, the method proceeds to ‘C’ (step S245) inFIG. 2B.

FIG. 3Aillustrates one example of an EPG screen300, which can be displayed on the display unit150. Referring toFIG. 3A, reference numeral303indicates menu items for searching for a broadcast program, setting a scheduled reception function, and performing various menu settings using the EPG screen300. By using the menu items303, it is possible to schedule the reception of any desired broadcast program, e.g., for setting the scheduled viewing and/or recording of any desired broadcast program. Reference numeral305indicates a broadcast program scheduled to be received. Referring toFIG. 3B, if the amount of remaining battery power is determined to be insufficient to perform a scheduled reception of the broadcast program305, a warning message307indicating a battery power shortage may be output as a popup window. The warning message307may be output in various manners, other than that set forth herein. For example, the warning message307may be output along with a warning sound. Other messages pertaining to the operations ofFIGS. 2A-2Cmay also be output to the user on the screen.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of a method of controlling an operation of a broadcast receiver according to another embodiment of the present invention. More specifically.FIG. 4illustrates the situations when the amount of remaining battery power of the broadcast receiver ofFIG. 1varies when the broadcast receiver operates in a scheduled broadcast reception mode. Referring toFIG. 4, the broadcast receiver operates in a scheduled broadcast reception mode (S400). The control unit190plays back a predetermined broadcast program desired by a user (S410) at the request of the user (S405). Thereafter, the control unit190periodically detects the amount of remaining battery power of the broadcast receiver during the playback of the predetermined broadcast program. If the result of the detection indicates that the amount of the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform a scheduled reception of the predetermined broadcast program (S415), the control unit190outputs a warning signal (S420).

In general, a broadcast receiver consumes much more power when playing back a broadcast program than when being in a standby mode. Thus, even if the amount of the remaining battery power initially appears to be sufficient to perform a scheduled reception of a broadcast program, the broadcast receiver may later suffer from the battery power shortage after consuming power in playing back the broadcast program.

If the user wishes to stop viewing the predetermined broadcast program (S425) for various reasons, the playback of the predetermined broadcast program is terminated (S430). On the other hand, if the user wishes to keep watching the predetermined broadcast program (S425), the playback of the predetermined broadcast program continues, and the method returns to operation S410.

If it is determined at operation S405that the user does not wish to view the broadcast program, then if the broadcast receiver provides a mobile communication function and the user wishes to make/receive a call using the broadcast receiver (S440), the control unit190makes/receives the call using the wireless communication unit120upon the request of the user (S445). Thereafter, if it is determined that the amount of the remaining battery power is insufficient to perform a scheduled reception of the predetermined broadcast program and/or to continue with the call (S450), the control unit190outputs a warning signal visually and/or audibly (S455). For instance, in some situations, the user may not be able to view the warning message from the display unit150during the call. Thus, the control unit190may output a voice signal as the warning signal. If the user wishes to terminate the call (S460), the control unit190terminates the call (S465). On the other hand, if the user wishes not to terminate the call regardless of the warning signal, the method returns to operation S445.

In short, if the amount of reaming battery power of the broadcast receiver is insufficient to perform a scheduled reception of a broadcast program because the broadcast receiver has consumed a considerable amount of battery power in playing back a broadcast program or making/receiving a call in the scheduled broadcast reception mode, the control unit190may output a warning signal so that the user can take appropriate measures to handle the battery power shortage, e.g., by recharging the battery. The control unit190may also output a warning signal if the amount of remaining battery power of the broadcast receiver is insufficient to perform a scheduled reception of a broadcast program because the broadcast receiver has consumed power in performing a multitask operation or other operations.

As described above, according to the examples of the present invention, a warning signal is output specifically when the amount of remaining battery power is insufficient to perform a scheduled broadcast reception function which is set in advance by a user. As a result, the user (or the broadcast receiver) can take appropriate measures to handle the battery power shortage as needed.

In addition, according to the examples of the present invention, the amount of time for which the scheduled broadcast reception function can be performed with a current remaining battery power is displayed or otherwise notified to the user. Further a broadcast receiver is driven in a power conservation mode so that the broadcast receiver can store a broadcast program, instead of playing back the broadcast program, or can output only audio data of the broadcast program upon arrival of a scheduled time. As a result, it is possible to perform as many functions regarding the scheduled reception of a broadcast program as possible with the limited battery power.

Moreover, according to the examples of the present invention, a warning signal is also output when the amount of remaining battery power of a broadcast receiver is insufficient to perform a scheduled reception of a broadcast program because the broadcast receiver has already consumed a considerable amount of battery power in making/receiving a call and/or playing back a broadcast program. Therefore, it is possible to improve user convenience by preventing the scheduled viewing and/or scheduled recording of a broadcast program desired by the user from being improperly performed or being terminated due to the battery power shortage.