WO2009002101A1

WO2009002101A1 - Apparatus and method for managing a favorite channel in multi-channel broadcasting

Info

Publication number: WO2009002101A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003662
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Won Kim; Shin Lee; Jun-Hwan Kim; Jin-Sun You; Hye-Kyung Park; Sung-Pill Yoon; Hyung-Jun Kim
Original assignee: Cj Cable Net Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-06-25
Filing date: 2008-06-25
Publication date: 2008-12-31

Abstract

Provided are an apparatus for and a method of providing an electron program guide (EPG). Hierarchically classified channels are displayed using a multi-stage menu list, thereby enabling easy search and selection of channels and program search using a first vowel or syllable of a program. In addition, when pushing a predetermined button of a remote control, registered favorite channels can be sequentially moved.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A FAVORITE CHANNEL IN MULTI-CHANNEL BROADCASTING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of searching and selecting a favorite channel in multi-channel broadcasting.

BACKGROUND ART

In multi-channel broadcasting, channel information is provided via an electronic program guide (EPG), and a set-top box (STB) of a user processes received EPG information to provide an EPG screen so that the user can select the desired channel.

However, a conventional STB displays EPG information simply through a screen, and thus if the number of the channels is large, the user has to check many channels one by one to find the desired one.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system providing an electronic program guide EPG;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another system providing EPG;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for providing EPG according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing EPG according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate examples of displaying multiple channels through a four-stage menu list;

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of moving a cursor on a menu list according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate EPG information displayed using a multi-stage menu list according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of moving a cursor on a menu list according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate examples of displaying advertisement screens of EPG;

FIG. 13 illustrates a VOD contents list screen of the EPG screens according to the i present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a contents detailed screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a contents storage box screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a latest movie information screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a latest movie storage box screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates an event screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a blocked channel screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a non-subscription channel screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates a program searching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching programs according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates a favorite channel searching system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a screen for inputting a search word for searching for programs according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 illustrates a program search result according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 illustrates a screen for inputting a search word for searching for programs according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 illustrates an apparatus of providing a favorite channel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 illustrates a method of providing a favorite channel according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 illustrates a channel list displayed on a screen for selecting a favorite channel according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 30 illustrates a system of providing local data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The present invention provides an apparatus for and method of easily setting and selecting for favorite user channels among channels provided in multi-channel broadcasting.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for managing a favorite channel, comprising: a favorite channel input unit storing favorite channel information of a user; a favorite channel searching unit, which, when the user selects a favorite channel while watching a predetermined channel, searches for channels having numbers near to the number of the channel that is being watched by the user in an ascending or descending order, from among favorite channels which are stored by the user in advance; and a channel changing unit changing the channel to the searched channel number.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of storing favorite channel information of the user, comprising: searching for channels having numbers near to the channel number of the channel the user is watching in an ascending or descending order from among the favorite channels that are stored in advance by the user, when the user wants to watch a favorite channel while watching a predetermined channel,; and changing the channel to the searched channel number.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

According to the present invention, the user can search for and select a desired channel hierarchically and easily from among multiple channels. Also, the user can search for a desired program using a first syllable, and set and select a favorite channel easily.

BEST MODE According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for managing a favorite channel, comprising: a favorite channel input unit storing favorite channel information of a user; a favorite channel searching unit, which, when the user selects a favorite channel while watching a predetermined channel, searches for channels having numbers near to the number of the channel that is being watched by the user in an ascending or descending order, from among favorite channels which are stored by the user in advance; and a channel changing unit changing the channel to the searched channel number.

MODE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system providing an electronic program guide (EPG).

Referring to FIG. 1 , the system of an operator, which provides multiple channels, includes a contents information generating unit 100, a program and system information protocol/service information (PSIP/SI) information generating unit 110, an integrated information generating unit 120, a cable modem termination system (CMTS) 130, and a manager input unit 140.

The contents information generating unit 100 generates information on contents such as video on demand (VOD). The PSIP/SI information generating unit 110 generates information on all AV channels and PSIP/SI information. The integrated information generating unit 120 integrates and processes the information on contents generated in the contents information generating unit 100 and the AV channel information generated in the PSIP/SI information generating unit 1 10. The CMTS 130 transmits the integrated information of the integration information generating unit 120 and the PSIP/SI information generated by the PSIP/SI information generating unit 110, to a STB 150.

The manager input unit 140 provides an interface so that the manager can process the integrated information that is generated in the integrated information generating unit 120 and transmitted to the STB 150. For example, the manager adds banner advertisement information to the integrated information through the manager input unit 140, or changes the menu of or order for providing EPG information, or changes or appoints groups for the channels. In other words, since a manager can edit data that is generated in and transmitted from the integrated information generating unit 120, the manager can add, delete, or change the menus to be viewed by a viewer, and change the order of the displayed menus as well.

EPG application and VOD application of the STB 150 receive and display the data transmitted by the integrated information generating unit 120.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another EPG providing system.

Referring to FIG. 2, the EPG providing system includes a traffic control system (TCS), an integrated user interface (Ul) server, a VOD catalog server, a VOD server, a viewer behavior monitoring (VBM) server, and an STB, and the STB includes a VOD module, an EPG module, and a VBM module.

A TCS controls information in a centralized manner in order to obtain synchronization with various components needed for digital broadcasting such as VOD, PSIP/SI generator, iTV, H/E, SMS, etc. The integrated Ul server receives required data from the TCS, and broadcasts the data directly to the STB of a subscriber. In other words, the integrated Ul server receives integrated information including VOD contents information and channel information from the TCS and transmits the integrated information to the STB 150.

Since the Ul server transmits additional information which is arbitrarily defined and included in the PSIP/SI information, classification genres regarding all channels transmitted by a broadcasting station can be included in the PSIP/SI information. Based on the integrated information, the integrated Ul server defines and transmits a screen display method of bundling and displaying only channels of a common genre among the arbitrarily defined additional information so as to enable the viewer to search channels easily. Then, the STB of the viewer reads information of the PSIP/SI defined with respect to individual channels by a broadcasting station to thereby read a method of displaying the viewer screen that is transmitted from the integrated Ul server and to display only channels of the common genre on a corresponding screen.

A VOD catalog server receives from the TCS information related to only VOD, and processes the information into data appropriate for each system operator (SO) and stores the data, and when data transmission is requested from a VOD module of the STB, a VOD catalog server transmits corresponding data to the VOD module of the STB and allows the user to read data including channel information and VOD-related information satisfying the search conditions, particularly in terms of a search function, and thereby to read the data without discriminating between channel program and VOD contents. In other words, the VOD catalog server has information in units of SO that is obtained by collecting channel information and VOD-related information from the TCS and classifying the information. Thus, when search conditions are conveyed from the STB, the channel information and the VOD contents information are not separated but search is performed with respect to all viewable contents to transmit the search result.

The VOD module of the STB is a separate application that is present in the STB, reacting to a series of actions of the user conducted to watch a VOD. For example, when necessary, the VOD module requests related information from the VOD catalog server, or directly requests the VOD server for a streaming.

When the viewer changes channels up or down using a remote control or changes channels using number buttons of the remote control, a VBM module of the STB recognizes events regarding the channel change through an EPG module and stores data related to events regarding the channel change. The VBM module analyzes such events to calculate the channel number and channel time of the channels viewed by the viewer, and then transmits the calculated information to the VBM server at predetermined times that are given for each of STBs. In this manner, the VBM server can read the viewing manner of the owner of the STB in which the VBM module is installed.

The VBM server collects information on the channels or contents viewed by the viewer, and analyzes the information to find out the viewing behavior, viewing pattern, and viewing time, and displays them.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for providing EPG according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing EPG according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus for providing EPG includes a multi-stage menu display unit 200, a single menu display unit 210, and an advertisement display unit 220. Hereinafter, the apparatus for and method of providing EPG will be described with reference to FIGS.3 and 4.

In operation S250, the multi-stage menu display unit 200 displays menu lists up to certain stages in multiple stages on a screen that is being viewed, from among the multi-stage menu lists displaying channels classified hierarchically according to a certain standard. The single menu display unit 210 deletes previous menu lists after menu lists of certain stages, and displays only currently selected menu lists on the screen in operation S260. A method of displaying menu lists according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

The advertisement display unit 220 displays an advertisement screen at a side on the screen when the menu list is displayed on the screen by the multi-stage menu display unit 200 or the single menu display unit 210. The advertisement display unit 220 may display a plurality of advertisement screens on the screen at the same time, or a plurality of advertisement screens sequentially according to a time schedule, for example, at intervals of five seconds. A link to move to other screen may be displayed on the advertisement screen, and in this case, when the user selects the advertisement screen using a remote control, the advertisement display unit 220 is moved to a screen of a certain service or a certain product purchase screen that is connected to the advertisement screen. The advertisement display unit 220 may preferably delete the advertisement screen when a predetermined period of time passes without any operation of the user or when a menu list of a lower stage is displayed by the selection of the user.

The stage or position of displaying advertisement may vary. For example, referring to FIG. 11 , when a menu list of a first stage is displayed on the screen by the multi-stage menu display unit 200, the advertisement display unit 220 displays the advertisement screen in a lower right corner of the screen. Referring to FIG. 12, when a menu list of a last stage is displayed, the advertisement display unit 220 displays the advertisement screen in an upper corner of the menu list.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate examples of displaying multiple channels through a four-stage menu list.

Referring to FIG. 5, a multi-stage menu display unit 200 displays a menu list 300 of a first stage to overlap with a screen that is being viewed. When the user selects a certain menu of the first stage using a remote control, the multi-stage menu display unit 200 displays a menu list 310 of a second stage corresponding to the selected menu on the screen. In this way, the multi-stage menu display unit 200 displays up to a menu list 320 of a third stage on the same screen. When the user selects a certain menu of the menu list 320 of the third stage, the single menu display unit 210 deletes previous menu lists from the screen and displays only a menu list 330 of a fourth stage on the screen. FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate examples of displaying menu lists in multiple stages according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of moving a menu list in reverse order, from the last menu list to the first menu list. When the user selects a reverse movement of the menu list using a predetermined button of the remote control, the multi-stage menu display unit 200 and the single menu display unit 210 displays corresponding menu lists on the screen. When moving from the menu list of the fourth stage to the menu list of the third stage, the multi-stage menu display unit 200 displays the menu lists of the first through third stages, and when moving from the third stage to the second stage, the multi-stage menu display unit 200 deletes the menu list of the third stage from the screen using an animation method.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of moving a cursor on a menu list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a cursor moves upward or downward in the menu list at each stage. When all menus are displayed in the menu list displayed on the screen, and the cursor moves downward from the last menu, the cursor is moved to the top menu in a circular manner. However, when not all menus can be displayed in the menu list displayed on the screen, and the cursor moves downward from the last menu, then the menus are moved line by line upward while the position of the cursor is fixed. In this manner, when the cursor moves downward from the last menu, the cursor moves again to the top menu in a circular manner.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate EPG information displayed using a multi-stage menu list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Multiple channels can be classified hierarchically according to the genre or characteristics of the channels. For example, channels are classified into TV program channels, VOD channels, latest movies channels, etc. The channels belonging to TV program channels are classified into terrestrial broadcasting/home shopping channels, movie/pay channels, drama/entertainment channels, news/information channels, education/women channels, etc. Also, channels belonging to VOD channels may be classified into movie channels, adult channels, history channels, etc. The channels may be classified into multiple stages in this manner, and menu lists of each stage include menus indicating groups to which the classified channels belong. For example, when the user selects TV PROGRAM > DRAMA/ENTERTAINMENT, information on channels belonging to this group, that is, the channel number, the channel name, the name of the currently processing program, etc., are displayed on the menu list.

The menu list of the first stage which provides EPG information may also include various menus such as environment installation menu, service guide menu, etc., in addition to the information on the channels.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of moving a cursor on a menu list according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the menu list consists of multiple pages, and when the cursor moves downward from the last line of the menu list, a menu of a next page is displayed on the menu list, and the cursor is positioned at the top line of the new page. On the contrast, when the cursor moves upward from the top line, a previous page is displayed on the menu list, and the cursor is positioned at the bottom line of the previous page. When the cursor is moved to the left or right, the line where the cursor is positioned is fixed and just the page displayed on the menu list is moved to the previous or next page. When the cursor is moved to the left from the first page, then the last page is displayed.

The method of moving the cursor illustrated in FIG. 10 may preferably be applied to a case where only one menu list is displayed on the screen, that is, to the menu list of the fourth stage of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 illustrates a VOD contents list screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the contents list screen is a single menu appearing when a VOD menu is selected from the menu list of the first stage, and a kids/infant menu is selected from the menu list of the second stage, and Disney is selected from the menu list of the third stage.

Examples of information shown in the VOD contents list include the title of contents, pay/free information, and monthly-based price information of the contents. In the case of one program, the contents are arranged in a descending order of the installment, and in the case of different contents, the contents are arranged in the order of latest registration date.

FIG. 14 illustrates a contents detailed screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the contents detailed screen is shown when menus of VOD > KBS/SBS REVIEW > KBS DRAMA are selected step by step. On the contents detailed screen, a poster of the contents, the title of the contents, the rating, the properties of the contents (HD), the price, the viewing period, and other detailed information on the contents are displayed, and if age restriction is set to the contents, the poster image is made semi-transparent or hidden. In the case of free on demand (FOD) contents, the price information is marked free, and a password input process is omitted, and buttons View Now and Cancel are positioned in the lower part of the detailed information.

FIG. 15 illustrates a contents storage box of the EPG screens according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, a contents storage box screen is shown when menus of VOD > STORAGE BOX are sequentially selected in the multi-stage menu list 200. When there is no list in the storage box, the expression THERE IS NO VIEWABLE LIST' is displayed on the screen of the storage box. Adult contents may preferably not be listed in the list of the storage box, and purchased adult contents can be reviewed only within the viewing remaining time from the contents list. Viewing remaining time is calculated based on days if more than one day is left, and if less than 24 hours is left, based on hours. If the viewing remaining time is less than one hour, it is marked 1 hour. Free VOD (FOD) is also marked in the storage box list.

FIG. 16 illustrates a latest movie information screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, a latest movie information screen is shown when menus of LATEST MOVIE THEATER > MOVIES NOW PLAYING are sequentially selected. Before purchase of the contents, the screen is hidden by i-Frame, and information such as the channel number, a poster of the program, the name of the program, the rating, the price, viewing period, start time of the show, synopsis, and image buttons are displayed.

FIG. 17 illustrates a latest movie storage box screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, a latest movie storage box screen is shown when menus of LATEST MOVIE THEATER > STORAGE BOX MENU are sequentially selected. On the screen of the storage box, lists are arranged according to the order of latest purchase, and viewable movies in the purchase list and next start time of the movies are shown. The earliest start time based on the current time is displayed, and if the playing time is next day, the day of the week is displayed, and if the playing time is today, the day of the week is not shown.

FIG. 18 illustrates a screen showing event of the EPG screens according to the present invention.

An event menu is positioned below the VOD menu or the latest movie theater menu of the menu list of the first stage, and when the event menu is selected, an event screen of FIG. 18 is shown.

Information shown by the event menu can be classified into a general notice, a link to the contents list screen, and a link to the contents detailed screen.

When the user makes a message to expose to the viewer for advertisement purposes, as an image and registers the image in the integrated Ul server, or when the user inputs information such as the image or the number of a channel or VOD contents in the integrated Ul for the sales purposes and broadcasts the information using out-of-band (OOB) data in the STB owned by the subscriber (viewer), EPG application of the STB of the user receives corresponding information, and outputs the image or message input by the user to a defined area, for example, on the event screen of FIG. 18. If the channel number or information on the VOD contents exist, the EPG application enables the user to watch the corresponding channel or the VOD contents according to an operation of the user.

FIG. 19 illustrates a blocked channel screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 19, when the user selects a predetermined channel using EPG, etc., and the channel is a restricted channel, the apparatus for receiving local broadcasting data of the present invention hides the entire screen of the restricted channel using a predetermined image, for example, using an i-Frame, and displays a small screen for inputting a password and basic information on the channel (channel number, channel name, and program being currently provided). If a password input by the user is correct, the apparatus provides A/V regarding the restricted channel.

FIG. 20 illustrates a non-subscription channel screen of the EPG screens according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, when the selected channel is a non-subscription channel, the apparatus for receiving local broadcasting data hides the entire screen of the restricted non-subscription channel using a predetermined image, for example, using an i-Frame, and provides a channel subscription screen. The user can subscribe to the non-subscription channel by inputting a password.

FIG. 21 illustrates a program searching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching programs according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 21 , the program searching apparatus includes a search word input unit 1600, a program searching unit 1610, and a result display unit 1620. Hereinafter, the apparatus for and method of searching programs will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22.

The search word input unit 1600 receives a query word for searching for programs from the user in operation S1650. The search word input unit 1600 provides a screen displaying only Korean consonants on the screen as illustrated in FIG. 24. When the user selects one of the consonants displayed on the screen using a remote control, the program searching unit 1610 searches for program names that start with the selected consonant in operation S1660. The program searching unit 1610 searches for programs such as A/V channel and VOD contents.

The result display unit 1620 displays a search result obtained by the program searching unit 1610 as illustrated in FIG. 25 in operation S1670. Examples of information displayed as the search result include the channel number, the channel name, and the program name. The result display unit 1620 displays the search result in the order of VOD, latest movie theater, and A/V channel; if under the same condition, the arrangement of the program names may preferably be in the Korean alphabetical order or in the order of earliest start time.

The search word input unit 1600 is capable of receiving not only consonants but also both vowels and consonants as illustrated in FIG. 26. In this case, the search result may be more accurate. Also, English titles can be searched for by displaying English characters on the screen.

FIG. 23 illustrates a favorite channel searching system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 23, the favorite channel searching system includes a VOD contents information generating unit 1680, a PSIP/SI information generating unit 1682, an integrated information generating unit 1684, and a STB 1686. The VOD contents information generating unit 1680 generates information on the VOD contents, and the PSIP/SI information generating unit 1682 generates information on each of the channels. The integrated information generating unit 1684 integrates the information generated by the VOD contents information generating unit 1680 and the information generated by the PSIP/SI information generating unit 1682 to provide the integrated information to the STB 1686. When receiving a search request for a predetermined program from the STB 1686, the integrated information generating unit 1684 searches for the program and transmits the search result to the STB 1686.

FIG. 27 illustrates a favorite channel providing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 28 illustrates a method of providing a favorite channel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 27, the favorite channel providing apparatus includes a favorite channel input unit 2000, a favorite channel searching unit 2010, and a channel changing unit 2020. The apparatus for and method of providing favorite channel will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.

The favorite channel input unit 2000 stores a user favorite channel in operation S2050. The favorite channel input unit 2000 may display a channel information list including channel numbers and channel names on a screen, which is being viewed, and receives a favorite channel from the user through the channel information list as illustrated in FIG. 29. Alternatively, the favorite channel input unit 2000 may search for predetermined channels using the apparatus of providing EPG illustrated in FIG. 3 to receive a favorite channel. The number of favorite channels may preferably be about twenty, and when the user selects more favorite channels than the restricted number, the number in excess is displayed on the screen.

When the user selects a favorite channel while watching a predetermined channel, the favorite channel searching unit 2010 searches for a channel number that is nearest to the channel the user is currently watching in an ascending or descending order in operation S2010. The channel changing unit 2020 changes the channel using the channel number searched by the favorite channel searching unit 2010 in operation S2070.

FIG. 30 illustrates a system of providing local data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 30, the system of providing local data includes a TCS 2200, an integrated Ul server 2210, VOD servers 2220, 2222, and 2224 for each SO, and a STB 2230. Particularly, the STB 2230 includes a smart card 2232, a local area checking unit 2234, and a data extracting unit 2236.

The TCS 2200 selects information needed for the viewer among data related to VOD and data related to the channels, and generates data specialized for each local SO to transmit the data to the integrated Ul. The integrated Ul server 2210 receives data from the TCS 2200 and inputs a classifier, which can be separately classified, in data of each SO and broadcasts the data to the whole broadcasting network.

The smart card 2232 of the STB 2230 includes a unique number of the local area in which the STB 2230 is installed. The local area checking unit 2234 of the STB 2230 checks which local area to install the STB 2230 based on the local unique number is included in the smart card 2232. The data extracting unit 2236 extracts only data corresponding to the current local area that is found out through the smart card 2232 among the data received from the integrated Ul server, for example, EPG information. Accordingly, even when all data is transmitted via one communication network, different data can be respectively received according to the local area where the STB 2230 is installed.

The VOD servers 2220, 2222, and 2224 for each SO may receive a streaming transmission request from the STB belonging to the SOs of the local area, and when a streaming transmission request is received, the VOD servers 2220, 2222, and 2224 transmit a streaming to the STB 2230 that has requested the streaming transmission request.

The invention can also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves (such as data transmission through the Internet). The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing a favorite channel, comprising: a favorite channel input unit storing favorite channel information of a user; a favorite channel searching unit, which, when the user selects a favorite channel while watching a predetermined channel, searches for channels having numbers near to the number of the channel that is being watched by the user in an ascending or descending order, from among favorite channels which are stored by the user in advance; and a channel changing unit changing the channel to the searched channel number.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the favorite channel input unit displays channel information including the channel number and the channel name on a screen, and stores a channel that is selected by the user based on the channel information displayed on the screen.

3. A method of storing favorite channel information of the user, comprising: searching for channels having numbers near to the channel number of the channel the user is watching in an ascending or descending order from among the favorite channels that are stored in advance by the user, when the user wants to watch a favorite channel while watching a predetermined channel,; and changing the channel to the searched channel number.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein in the storing of the favorite channel information, channel information including the channel number and channel name are displayed on a screen, and a channel that is selected by the user based on the channel information displayed on the screen is stored.

5. A computer readable recording medium having embodied thereon a program for executing the method of claim 3 or 4.