Method for processing still image and broadcast receiving apparatus thereof

A method for processing a still image and a broadcast receiving apparatus thereof is provided. The method for processing a still image includes transmitting to an external apparatus a still image selected by a user using a GUI window to select a desired still image from among still images of a stored broadcast. Accordingly, the user can conveniently use the home network service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0019768, filed on Feb. 27, 2007, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to receiving a broadcast and, more particularly, to receiving a broadcast which may be provided to a user and in which communication may be wirelessly performed with peripheral wireless devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

The recent development of wireless communication and networking technologies has led to the appearance of wireless networks, and wireless communication between wireless devices in the wireless network enables users to utilize various and convenient services.

Display apparatuses, such as televisions (TVs), may display large amounts of information and various graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to users through wide screens, and accordingly TVs serve as leaders in home networks. Therefore, users may control and access the entire home network through TVs.

In order to easily use home network services, there is a need for a method for more conveniently using home network services through TVs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for processing a still image and a broadcast receiving apparatus thereof, in which a still image selected by a user through a graphical user interface (GUI) window for selecting a desired still image from among still images of a stored broadcast is transmitted to an external apparatus so that the user may more easily use a home network service.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for processing a still image, the method comprising simultaneously displaying and storing a received broadcast; providing a graphical user interface (GUI) to select one still image from among still images of the stored broadcast; and transmitting the still image selected by a user using the GUI to an external apparatus which is wirelessly connected.

The storing the received broadcast may comprise storing the received broadcast as a moving image in First-In-First-Out (FIFO) order.

The storing the received broadcast may comprise decoding the received broadcast; and simultaneously displaying and storing a decoded broadcast.

The GUI for selecting a still image may be a GUI which enables a user to select one still image from among still images which were broadcast prior to the most recently stored still image.

The GUI for selecting a still image may be a GUI which enables a user to select one still image from among still images which were broadcast a fixed number of times during a predetermined period of time prior to the most recently stored still image.

The GUI for selecting a still image may comprise a first graphic representation in which broadcast times for still images are mapped in chronological order; and a second graphic representation which visually moves over the first graphic representation by user operation to indicate one of the broadcast times which are mapped on the first graphic representation.

The wirelessly connected external apparatus may comprise a wireless printing apparatus which prints a still image which is wirelessly received. The transmitting may comprise changing the resolution of the still image selected by the user to a specific resolution and transmitting the still image to the wireless printing apparatus.

The specific resolution may be one of the original resolution of the still image selected by the user and the maximum resolution supported by the wireless printing apparatus.

The transmitting may comprise transmitting the still image selected by the user to the external apparatus using a Bluetooth technique.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus comprising a storage unit which stores a received broadcast; a generator which generates a graphical user interface (GUI) to be provided through a display; a communication module which enables the broadcast receiving apparatus to wirelessly communicate with an external apparatus; and a controller which controls the generator to display on the display a GUI for selecting a still image which enables a user to select one image from among still images of the broadcast stored in the storage unit, and transmits the still image selected by the user through the GUI to the external apparatus through the communication module.

The storage unit may store the received broadcast as a moving image in First-In-First-Out (FIFO) order.

The broadcast receiving apparatus may further comprise a broadcast processor which decodes the received broadcast. A broadcast decoded by the broadcast processor may be stored in the storage unit.

The GUI for selecting a still image may be a GUI which enables a user to select one still image from among still images which were broadcast prior to the most recently stored still image.

The GUI for selecting a still image may be a GUI which enables a user to select one still image from among still images which were broadcast a fixed number of times during a predetermined period of time prior to the most recently stored still image.

The GUI for selecting a still image may comprise a first graphic representation in which broadcast times for still images are mapped in chronological order; and a second graphic representation which visually moves over the first graphic representation by user operation to indicate one of the broadcast times which are mapped on the first graphic representation.

The wirelessly connected external apparatus may comprise a wireless printing apparatus which prints a still image which is wirelessly received. The controller may transmit the resolution of the still image selected by the user as a specific resolution to the wireless printing apparatus through the communication module.

The specific resolution may be one of the original resolution of the still image selected by the user and the maximum resolution supported by the wireless printing apparatus.

The communication module may be connected to communicate with the external apparatus using a Bluetooth technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a Bluetooth digital television (DTV)100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The Bluetooth DTV100may provide a broadcast received from a broadcasting station to a user, and also may wirelessly transmit a “paused broadcast image” (hereinafter, simply referred to as “still image”) to a Bluetooth printer from among Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nso that the still image may be printed.

As shown inFIG. 1, the Bluetooth DTV100which performs the above-described functions comprises a broadcast receiver110, a broadcast processor120, a display information generator130, an output unit140, a Bluetooth communication module150, a storage unit160, a controller170, and an operator180.

The broadcast receiver110tunes to a broadcast received via a cable or wirelessly, and demodulates the tuned broadcast. The broadcast processor120decodes the broadcast output from the broadcast receiver110.

The display information generator130generates display information to be displayed on a display. The generated display information is added to the broadcast decoded by the broadcast processor120to be output, and this function is known as an on-screen display (OSD) function. The display information generated by the display information generator130may comprise a guide window which contains a guide message, and a graphical user interface (GUI) window for receiving user commands.

The output unit140displays the broadcast combined with the display information output from the display information generator130on the display, or outputs the broadcast to an external display (for example, an external TV) which is connected through an external output terminal.

The Bluetooth communication module150wirelessly communicates with the Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nwhich are disposed peripherally around the Bluetooth DTV100, according to a Bluetooth technique. The Bluetooth communication module150may transfer data relating to a specific still image to one Bluetooth printer from among the Bluetooth printers10-1to10-n.

The storage unit160stores the broadcast decoded by the broadcast processor120as a moving image in First-In-First-Out (FIFO) order. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, only the most recent predetermined segment (for example, approximately 3 seconds) of the decoded broadcast is stored in the storage unit160. The predetermined segment may also be longer or shorter than 3 seconds (for example, approximately 6 seconds or approximately 2 seconds).

Since the broadcast is stored as a moving image in the storage unit160, several still images constituting the broadcast may be stored in the storage unit160. The still images stored in the storage unit160may be transferred to the display information generator130to be displayed together with additional information on the display, or may be transmitted to the Bluetooth printer through the Bluetooth communication module150to be printed.

The controller170controls the entire operation of the Bluetooth DTV100according to the user operation commands input through the operator180. The operator180may be implemented with, for example, a remote controller, and a light receiving element for transmitting the user operation commands received by the remote controller to the controller170.

In particular, the controller170controls the display information generator130so that a GUI window for selecting a still image to be printed, a GUI window for receiving user commands relating to printing, or other windows may be provided to a user through the display. Additionally, the controller170controls the operation of the Bluetooth DTV100according to the user commands input through the GUI window, and detailed description thereof will be given in detail with reference toFIG. 2.

FIG. 2is a flowchart explaining a process by which the Bluetooth DTV shown inFIG. 1provides a GUI window for receiving user commands relating to a still image and processes the still image according to the user commands input through the provided GUI window.

InFIG. 2, the broadcast processor120decodes a broadcast received from the broadcast receiver110(S210). The broadcast decoded in operation S210is displayed by the output unit140, and simultaneously stored in the storage unit160(S215). As described above, the storage unit160stores the most recent predetermined segment (for example, approximately 3 seconds) of the decoded broadcast as a moving image in FIFO order.

During operations S210and S215, if a user inputs a “Pause” command through the operator180(S220-Y), the controller170may control such that a still image processing window may be displayed on the still image obtained by pausing the broadcast image displayed on the display (S225).

The “Pause” command in operation S220may be input by pressing a “temporary stop” button included in the operator180.

In order to perform operation S225, the controller170controls the broadcast receiver110so that the broadcast may not be received after the input of the Pause command, controls the latest still image stored in the storage unit160when inputting the Pause command to be transferred to the display information generator130, and controls the display information generator130to add the still image processing window to the transferred still image so that the still image and the still image processing window may be displayed on the display.

The “still image processing window” refers to a GUI window for receiving user commands relating to the next processes of the still image displayed on the display.FIG. 3Ashows a display on which the still image and the still image processing window are displayed.

As shown inFIG. 3A, a guide window310which contains a message to inform the user that the broadcast image has been paused is displayed and a still image processing window320comprising several details is also displayed on the display.

Specifically, the still image processing window320comprises a “Select still image” item, a “Print” item, and a “Cancel” item, detailed descriptions of which are given below.

The “Select still image” item is selected to call a GUI window used to replace a still image currently displayed on the display with another still image, the “print” item is selected to command to print a still image currently displayed on the display through the Bluetooth printer, and the “cancel” item is used to command to release the Pause command and to display a received broadcast on the display.

If the “Select still image” item is selected from the still image processing window320(S230-Y), the controller170may control the display information generator130to display a GUI window340for selecting a still image on the display (S235).

The GUI window340for selecting a still image is a GUI window which enables the user to select one still image from among the still images stored in the storage unit160.FIG. 3Bshows a display on which the GUI window340for selecting a still image together with a guide window330which contains a message to inform the user that the “Select still image” item is selected.

The user may replace the still image currently displayed on the display with another still image through the GUI window340for selecting a still image. Specifically, the user may select one still image from among still images which were broadcast prior to the still image currently displayed on the display (that is, the most recent still image stored in the storage unit160), through the GUI window340for selecting a still image.

The GUI window340for selecting a still image comprises a progress bar340-1and a slide bar340-2. The progress bar340-1is a graphic representation of the broadcast stored in the storage unit160in a form of a bar. Still images corresponding to specific broadcast times among the still images stored in the storage unit160are mapped in chronological order on marks on a scale displayed on the progress bar340-1.

The marks may have constant intervals, and the still images mapped on the marks may have constant intervals between broadcast times. Accordingly, still images which were broadcast a fixed number of times during a predetermined period of time prior to the most recent still image stored in the storage unit160are mapped on the marks.

More specifically, if a broadcast for approximately 3 seconds is stored in the storage unit160and the number of marks displayed on the progress bar340-1is 11, (1) a still image which has been broadcast 3 seconds prior to the last still image (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “still image 3 seconds before”), (2) a still image 2.7 seconds before, (3) a still image 2.4 seconds before, . . . , (10) a still image 0.3 seconds before, and (11) the last still image may be individually mapped on 11 marks appearing on the progress bar340-1.

The slide bar340-2visually slides left or right along the progress bar340-1by user operations input through the operator180. The slide bar340-2is a graphic representation used to indicate one mark among the marks displayed on the progress bar340-1.

If a “still image replace” command is input through the GUI window for selecting a still image provided in operation S235(S240-Y), the controller170may control such that the still image displayed on the display may be replaced with another still image (S245).

In operation S240, the user may input the “still image replace” command by moving the slide bar340-2displayed on the progress bar340-1to an earlier position (using marks on the left side) or a later position (using marks on the right side) using a “left direction button” and a “right direction button” which are included in the operator180.

In order to perform operation S245, the controller170may control a still image which is mapped on a mark indicated by the slide bar340-2after being moved by the “still image replace” command to be transferred from the storage unit160to the display information generator130.

FIG. 3Cshows a display on which the still image is replaced with another image by moving the slide bar340-2displayed on the progress bar340-1to an earlier mark using the left direction button of the operator180in operation S240. As shown inFIG. 3C, the slide bar340-2slides to the left by one mark, and a still image mapped on the mark indicated by the slide bar340-2is displayed on the display.

If a “still image selection” command is input (S250-Y), operation S225may be performed and the still image process window320shown inFIG. 3Amay be again displayed on the display. The “still image selection” command of operation S250may be input by pressing a “selection” button included in the operator180.

If the “Select still image” item is selected from the still image process window320(S230-Y), processing may be re-performed from operation S235.

If the “Print” item is selected from the still image process window320(S255-Y), the controller170may control the display information generator130to display a “printer selection window” on the display (S260).

The “printer selection window” is a GUI window which enables the user to select a desired printer from among the Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nthat are currently connected wirelessly through the Bluetooth communication module150.FIG. 3Dshows a display on which a printer selection window350is displayed. As shown inFIG. 3D, names of the Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nthat are wirelessly connected are arranged on the printer selection window350, and a currently selected printer from among the arranged Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nis indicated with a cursor or by highlighting.

If a Bluetooth printer is selected through the printer selection window350provided in operation S260(S265-Y), the controller170may control the display information generator130to display a “printer confirmation window” on the display (S270).

The “printer confirmation window” is a GUI window which enables the user to check finally whether a command to print the still image currently being displayed on the display is transmitted to the selected Bluetooth printer.FIG. 3Eshows a display on which a printer confirmation window360is displayed.

As shown inFIG. 3E, items “YES” and “NO”, which allow the user to input whether to print the image, are displayed on the printer confirmation window360. Additionally, a message notifying the maximum resolution supported by a selected first Bluetooth printer10-1appears on the printer confirmation window360.

If a print command is input through the printer confirmation window360provided in operation S270(S275-Y), the controller170may change the resolution of the still image displayed on the display, and may transmit the still image having the changed resolution to the Bluetooth printer (S280). Accordingly, the still image may be printed using the Bluetooth printer.

In this situation, since the user selects “YES” through the printer confirmation window360provided in operation S270, the print command is input in operation S275.

In order to perform operation S280, the controller170reads from the storage unit160the still image (that is, a still image selected by the user) currently being displayed on the display, and changes the resolution of the read still image to the maximum resolution supported by the Bluetooth printer selected in operation S265. Additionally, the controller170transmits the still image having the changed resolution to the Bluetooth printer selected in operation S265through the Bluetooth communication module150.

When performing operation S280, if the maximum resolution supported by the Bluetooth printer selected in operation S265is higher than the original resolution of the still image currently being displayed on the display, the still image currently being displayed on the display may be transmitted to the Bluetooth printer without changing the resolution of the still image. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image quality degradation which may arise when increasing the resolution of the still image.

After operation S280, processing may be re-performed from operation S225, and thus the still image processing window320shown inFIG. 3Amay be displayed on the display again. If the “Cancel” item is selected from the still image processing window320(S285-Y), processing may be re-performed from operation S210.

The process for printing the still image, which is selected by the user using the GUI window to select the still image to be printed from among still images of the stored broadcast, using the Bluetooth printer was described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. However, the process for printing is not limited to using a Bluetooth printer and other printing processes may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the decoded broadcast (that is, decoded still images) is stored in the storage unit160, in order to quickly replace the still image to be displayed on the display with another image. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, so decoding may be performed after storing a broadcast without decoding and displaying still images of the stored broadcast on a display.

Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the storage space of the storage unit160and intervals between the marks displayed on the progress bar340-1are merely exemplary for convenience of description, and accordingly various numerical values may be applied.

Furthermore, the technical aspect of the present invention may be applied, even if the marks displayed on the progress bar340-1represent irregular intervals. The number of marks displayed on the progress bar340-1may be adjusted by the user setting.

Although the slide bar340-2is slid along the progress bar340-1by user operation in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the slide bar340-2may automatically slide to the left along the progress bar340-1without direct operation by the user. In this situation, if the slide bar340-2is placed on the mark on which a desired still image is mapped, the user may input a “Pause” command to select the still image. Additionally, if the slide bar340-2slides to the leftmost side of the progress bar340-1, the slide bar340-2may then move to the rightmost side of the progress bar340-1and may slide to the left again.

In order to provide the printer selection window to the user through the display, the controller170has already secured information relating to the Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nwhich are connected through the Bluetooth communication module150, or may secure the information relating to the Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nwhich are connected through the Bluetooth communication module150after the “Print” item is selected.

In addition, the names of the Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nwhich are wirelessly connected are arranged on the printer selection window350shown inFIG. 3D, but other information, for example, information relating to the maximum resolution supported by the Bluetooth printers10-1to10-nmay be arranged together with the names.

Moreover, the controller170may change the resolution of the still image in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and may also control the operation of the broadcast processor120.

The situation in which the still image of the received broadcast is selected and printed was described in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, but the technical aspect of the present invention may also be applied to a situation in which a still image of an image stored in a recording medium is selected and printed.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the DTV may wirelessly communicate with the printers by a Bluetooth communication technique, but wireless communication may be performed using wireless communication techniques other than the Bluetooth communication technique. Wireless communication techniques may include a wireless personal area network (WPAN) communication technique, a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication technique or other wireless communication techniques.

A DTV is used as a broadcast receiving apparatus to implement the method for processing the still image according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, but the technical aspect of the present invention may also be applied to other broadcast receiving apparatuses (for example, a set-top box) in addition to the DTV. Additionally, an image device other than a broadcast receiving apparatus may also be employed in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5. Referring toFIG. 4, a broadcast receiving apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a generator410, a controller420, a communication module430, and a storage unit440.

The generator410generates a GUI to be provided through a display, and the communication module430enables the broadcast receiving apparatus to wirelessly communicate with an external apparatus. The storage unit440stores a received broadcast.

The controller420controls the generator410so that a GUI for selecting a still image which enables a user to select one still image from among the still images of the broadcast stored in the storage unit440may be displayed on the display. The controller420also transmits the still image selected by the user through the GUI to the external apparatus through the communication module430.

According to a process for processing a still image as shown inFIG. 5, the broadcast receiving apparatus simultaneously displays and stores the received broadcast (S510). The broadcast receiving apparatus then provides the GUI for selecting a still image which enables a user to select one still image from among the still images of the stored broadcast (S520). Next, the broadcast receiving apparatus transmits the still image selected by the user through the GUI to the external apparatus which is wirelessly connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus (S530).

Accordingly, the still image selected by the user using the GUI window to select a still image to be printed from among still images of the stored broadcast may be transmitted to the external apparatus.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to transmit to the external apparatus the still image selected by the user using the GUI window to select a desired still image from among still images of the stored broadcast. The GUI window also enables the user to select still images which have already been broadcast and have disappeared from the display. Additionally, a service to print a still image which has already been broadcast and is selected using the external apparatus may be provided to the user, and thus the user can conveniently use the home network service.