EP2090099A1

EP2090099A1 - Digital video broadcasting apparatus and digital video broadcasting method

Info

Publication number: EP2090099A1
Application number: EP08722973A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bo-Young Shin; Dong-Hoon Lee
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-02-16
Filing date: 2008-02-15
Publication date: 2009-08-19
Also published as: EP2090099A4; CN101569187A; WO2008100113A1; KR20080076637A; KR101356466B1

Abstract

A digital broadcast processing apparatus and method are provided. A plurality of signal processing modules digitalize and play back signals of different transmission standards, and a determination unit determines the transmission standard of a signal so that the signal can be processed by a target signal processing module corresponding to the determined transmission standard from among the plurality of signal processing modules.

Description

DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCASTING APPARATUS AND DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCASTING METHOD

Technical Field

[1] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to a digital broadcast processing, and more particularly to a digital broadcast processing apparatus which supports a plurality of transmission standards using a single system and a method for processing digital broadcast. Background Art

[2] The digital video broadcasting (DVB) system is a European terrestrial digital broadcast transceiving system. The DVB system transmits and receives data using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme utilized as a digital multi- carrier modulation method. Digital broadcast transceiving systems are divided into various standards as a result of users having varied requirements, and due to advances in digital broadcast technology. Digital broadcast transceiving systems have been standardized or are in the process of being standardized using various methods, such as digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T), digital video broadcasting-satellite (DVB-S), or digital video broadcasting-cable (DVB-C), and the various standardizations provide services using different methods.

[3] Conventional digital broadcast receivers are implemented to carry out functions corresponding to a specific standard among various standards. The digital broadcast receiver receives and processes only a signal corresponding to the specific standard. The digital broadcast receiver provides backward compatibility between the current receiver and the previous receiver to improve such a problem, but it is difficult to add new functions which the specific standard supports and to perform the functions.

[4] If the emphasis is on improving capability, or adding functions of the apparatus regardless of the compatibility between the current standard and the previous standard, the previous infra is useless, so the service provider or user suffers an economic lose. Accordingly, if a user desires to use services corresponding to n standards, the user should posses the receivers corresponding to each of the n standards. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[5] The present invention provides a digital broadcast system for processing a signal of various standards using a single system without having a plurality of devices for processing signals which support standard to process a signal and a method for processing digital broadcasting. Technical Solution

[6] According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital broadcast processing apparatus including a plurality of signal processing modules to digitize signals of respective transmission standards; and a determination unit to determine a transmission standard of a signal, and to cause a target signal processing module corresponding to the determined transmission standard among the plurality of signal processing modules to process the signal.

[7] The apparatus respective signal processing module may include a receiver to receive the signal; and a signal processing unit to process the received signal into a viewable signal.

[8] The determination unit may receive the signal from the receiver, determines the transmission standard of the signal, and provide a signal processing unit of the target signal processing module with the signal.

[9] The determination unit may receive the signal in advance to determine the transmission standard, and provide the receiver of the target signal processing module with the signal.

[10] The apparatus may further include a receiver to receive the signal, wherein the determination unit receives the signal from the receiver, determines a transmission standard of the signal, and provides the target signal processing module with the signal.

[11] The respective transmission standards may include a digital video broadcasting- terrestrial (DVB-T) standard, a digital video broadcasting-terrestrial 2 (DVB-T2) standard, digital video broadcasting-satellite (DVB-S) standard, or a digital video broadcasting-cable (DVB-C) standard, and the plurality of signal processing modules process signals of the DVB-T standard, DVB-T2 standard, DVB-S standard, and DVB- C standard.

[12] The respective transmission standards may include a digital audio broadcasting

(DAB) standard, a wireless local area network (WLAN) standard, and a wireless asynchronous transfer mode (WATM) standard, and the plurality of signal processing modules process signals corresponding to the DAB standard, WLAN standard, and WATM standard.

[13] The determination unit may be implemented as software, hardware, and hybrid- ware combining software or hardware in order to determine the transmission standards of the signals.

[14] The different respective transmission standards may support a wireless digital transmission and reception method, or if the signal is received via an internet protocol (IP) network, the different respective transmission standards may support a wired connection method. [15] The signal may include at least one of a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal. [16] According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for processing digital broadcasting including determining a transmission standard of a signal; and digitizing the received signal, by a target signal processing module among a plurality of signal processing modules which process signals of different respective transmission standards, to be processed according to the determined transmission standard. [17] The determining may include receiving the signal, by at least one of antennas included in the plurality of signal processing modules; and determining the transmission standard of the received signal. [18] The determining may include receiving the signal, and determining the transmission standard of the signal; and providing an antenna of the target signal processing module with the signal. [19] The determining may be implemented as software, hardware, and hybrid- ware combining software and hardware in order to determine the transmission standards of the signals.

Advantageous Effects

[20] The digital broadcast processing apparatus and the method for processing digital broadcasting according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention processes signals of a plurality of transmission standards using a single system without having a plurality of devices for processing signals.

[21] The digital broadcast processing apparatus and the method for processing digital broadcasting according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention processes appropriately signals of the previous and new standards even without providing the compatibility with the previous transmission standards. Therefore, newly added functions and improved performances may be supported. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[23] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[25] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing digital broadcasting using the digital broadcast receiving apparatus of FIG. 2;

[26] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast processing apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[27] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing digital broadcasting using the digital broadcast processing apparatus of FIG. 4;

[28] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast processing apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[29] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an application embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[30] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[31] In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention with unnecessary detail.

[32] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[33] Referring to FIG. 1, a digital broadcast processing apparatus 100 may include a determination unit 110 and a processing unit 120. The determination unit 110 operates as a format detector. The determination unit 110 determines the transmission standard of a signal transmitted from a digital broadcast transmitter (not shown), and provides the signal to a target signal processing module among a plurality of signal processing modules 120-1, 120-2, ... 120-n to be processed according to the determined standard, in which the target signal processing module correspond to the determined transmission standard. The transmission standard may be at least one of all the standard in which the transmitted signals are formatted differently, and the signal may be one of an audio signal, a video signal, and a data signal.

[34] The processing unit 120 may include a plurality of signal processing modules

120-1, 120-2, ... 120-n to digitize signals having different respective transmission standards, and to play back the digitized signals. Each of the signal processing modules 120-1, 120-2, ... 120-n receives signals having different transmission standard, processes the signals in compliance with the respective transmission standard, and provides a display apparatus with the processed signals. The digital broadcast processing apparatus 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention inputs signals which support a plurality of transmission standards using a signal system, and processes the input signals.

[35] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[36] Referring to FIG. 2, a digital broadcast processing apparatus 200 may include a plurality of signal processing modules (not numbered) and a determination unit 240.

[37] The signal processing modules (not numbered) process signals having different respective transmission standards, and the respective transmission standards may all be standards in which signals to be transmitted are formatted. For example, the first signal processing module (not numbered) may comply with the DVB-T standard, and the second signal processing module (not numbered) may be compliance with the DVB-T2 standard. However, this is merely exemplary, and the standards used are not limited to the above. The DVB-T2 standard is similar to the DVB-T standard, but is not derived therefrom, and supports formats different from the formats supported by the DVB-T standard. The title of the DVB -T2 standard may be changed, and the number of standards may be one or more.

[38] The plurality of signal processing modules (not numbered) include respective receivers 10, 20, ..., n (where n is any positive number) and signal processing units 210, 220, 230, .... Each of the signal processing units 210, 220, 230, ... operate differently according to the transmission standard. The first signal processing module (not numbered) includes the first receiver 10 and the first signal processing unit 210, and the second signal processing module (not numbered) includes the second receiver 20 and the second signal processing unit 220.

[39] The first signal processing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may support the DVB-T2 standard, and is explained below. The first receiver 10 may be an antenna, and may receive signals according to a predetermined transmission standard from a digital broadcast transmitter (not shown). The received signals may be at least one of audio signals, video signals, and data. If channel information, program information, or a bi-directional service are supported, the data may correspond to data uploaded by the digital broadcast processing apparatus 200, and may include all signals except for audio and video signals.

[40] The first receiver 10 transmits the received signal to the determination unit 240, which will be explained below.

[41] If the determination unit 240 determines that the received signal comprises with the standard of the first signal processing module, the first signal processing unit 210 digitizes the signal according to the standard of the first signal processing module, and plays back the signal. To perform such processes, the first signal processing unit 210 includes a first radio frequency/analog to digital converter (RF/ ADC) 211, a first demodulator 212, a first de-multiplexer 213, a first symbol processing unit 214, a first channel decoder 215, and a first source decoder 216.

[42] The first RF/ ADC 211 down-converts a tuned signal among the signals received from the first receiver 10, and then digitizes the down-converted signal.

[43] The first demodulator 212 demodulates the digitized signal using the OFDM scheme. The OFDM is a frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) scheme utilized as a digital multi-carrier modulation method, in which a large number of closely-spaced orthogonal sub-carriers are used to carry data. The data is divided into several parallel data streams or channels, one for each sub-carrier. Each sub-carrier is modulated with a conventional modulation scheme at a low symbol rate, maintaining total data rates similar to conventional single-carrier modulation schemes in the same bandwidth. As this will be apparent to those skilled in the art, detailed description is omitted.

[44] The first de-multiplexer 213 de-multiplexes the signal input from the first modulator 212, and the de-multiplexed signal takes the form of a symbol stream.

[45] The first symbol processing unit 214 converts the de-multiplexed signal into a bit stream by de-mapping symbols. The symbol de-mapping consists of de-mapping the signal mapped by the digital broadcast transmitter (not shown) using the QAM or QPSK modulation method.

[46] The first channel decoder 215 decodes the converted bit stream, and performs error correcting in the bit stream.

[47] The first source decoder 216 decodes the corrected bit stream and restores the stream into video or audio form. The restored video or audio is input to a display apparatus, so that a user can view the video or listen to the audio using the display apparatus.

[48] The second signal processing module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may support the DVB-T standard. The second signal processing module includes the second receiver 20 and the second signal processing unit 220. The second signal processing unit 220 includes a second radio frequency/analog to digital converter (RF/ ADC) 221, a second demodulator 222, a second de-multiplexer 223, a second symbol processing unit 224, a second channel decoder 225, and a second source decoder 226. The second signal processing unit 220 supports a different transmission standard from that of the first signal processing unit 210, so the method of processing a signal is also distinct from that of the first signal processing module. However, the first and second signal processing modules are similar, in that both modules process a signal, so detailed description is omitted.

[49] The nthantenna (not shown) of the nthsignal processing unit 230 receives a signal having a predetermined transmission standard. The nthRF/ADC 231 processes the signals to an RF signal, and digitizes the processed RF signal.

[50] The nthdemodulator 232 demodulates the digitized signal, the de-multiplexer 233 de-multiplexes the demodulated signal, the nthchannel decoder 234 decodes the demultiplexed signal and corrects errors of the signal, and the nthsource decoder 235 processes the corrected signal so as to form a signal which may be played back or utilized.

[51] The determination unit 240 receives a signal transmitted from one of the first to nth receivers 10, 20, ..., n and determines a transmission standard of the received signal. To perform the above processes, the determination unit 240 includes a memory 241, a standard determination unit 242, and a path provider 243.

[52] The memory 241 stores the transmission standards which each signal processing module supports. Every time a signal processing module for a new transmission standard is added, the transmission standard which the added new signal processing module supports is stored in the memory 241.

[53] The standard determination unit 242 checks information regarding the transmission standard included in a header of the signal to determine the standard of the signal. The standard determination unit 242 recognizes the signal processing module capable of supporting the determined transmission standard using the memory 241, and controls the path provider 243 to provide a data transmission path for transmitting data to the signal processing module.

[54] For example, if the signal received through the first receiver 10 among the first to n th receivers 10, 20, 30, ..., n complies with the DVB -T2, the standard determination unit 242 recognize from the memory 241 that the first signal processing module processes the DVB-T2, and controls the path provider 243 to provide a transmission path for transmitting data to the first signal processing module. The signal received through the first receiver 10 is transmitted to the first signal processing module through the determination unit 240, and the signal is processed in a displayable signal.

[55] The determination unit 240 may be implemented as one of software, hardware, and hybrid-ware combining software and hardware, in order to determine a transmission standard of a signal.

[56] The determination unit 240 may be positioned between blocks which are positioned in each signal processing unit 210, 220, 230, .... For example, the determination unit 240 may be positioned between the first to nth de-multiplexers 213, 223, 233, .. and the first to nth symbol processing units 214, 224, 234, .... The signal may be processed differently according to the location of the determination unit 240, and there are no restrictions on the location of the determination unit 240.

[57] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing digital broadcasting using the digital broadcast receiving apparatus of FIG. 2. [58] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, if one of the plurality of receivers 10, 20, 30, ... for example, the first receiver 10, receives a signal, the first receiver 10 provides the received signal to the standard determination unit 242 (S310).

[59] The standard determination unit 242 determines the transmission standard of the signal by checking a header of the signal, and recognizes the signal processing module, for example the first signal processing module, which processes the signal of the determined transmission standard (S320).

[60] The path provider 243 generates a path for communicating with the signal processing module determined by the determination unit 240 in operation S320, and transmits the received signal to the signal processing unit, for example the first signal processing unit 210, of the signal processing module to which the path is generated (S330).

[61] The first signal processing unit 210 processes the received signal using a predetermined transmission standard, so that the signal is capable of being played back, or applied (S340). The processed signal may be displayed on the display apparatus to be viewed by a user.

[62] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast processing apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[63] Referring to FIG. 4, a digital broadcast processing apparatus 400 includes a determination unit 410 and a plurality of signal processing modules 420, 430, 440, ... .

[64] The determination unit 410 receives a signal transmitted from the digital broadcast transmitter (not shown) in advance, determines the transmission standard of the signal, and transmits the signal to a receiver of a target signal processing module corresponding to the determined transmission standard among the plurality of signal processing modules 420, 430, 440, ... .

[65] The determination unit 410 includes a memory 411, a standard determination unit

412, and a path provider 413. The memory 411, standard determination unit 412, and path provider 413 of FIG. 4 are similar to those of FIG. 2, so detailed description is omitted. The determination unit 240 of FIG. 2 is distinct from the determination unit 410, in that the determination unit 240 receives a signal from one of the plurality of receivers 10, 20, 30, ... and determines the transmission standard of the signal, but the determination unit 410 receives signals in advance, determines the transmission standards of the respective signals, and transmits a corresponding signal to the receiver corresponding to a target signal processing module among a plurality of receivers 422, 434, 444, ... .

[66] The plurality of signal processing modules 420, 430, 440, ... may be implemented to process signals of different respective transmission standards. The plurality of signal processing modules 420, 430, 440, ... include respective receivers 422, 434, 444, ... , and respective signal processing units 424, 434, 444, ... . The operation of the signal processing units 424, 434, 444, ... varies according to the respective transmission standards.

[67] The receivers 422, 432, 442, ... and the signal processing units 424, 434, 444, ... of

FIG. 4 operate similarly to those of FIG. 2, so detailed description is omitted. How ever, only one of the receivers 422, 432, 442, ... of FIG. 4 receives a signal from the determination unit 410, and processes the signal. The receivers 422, 432, 442, ... may be an antenna, cables, terminals, or buses which are electrically connected to the determination unit 410 to receive a signal. The received signal may be one of an audio signal, video signal, and data, and if the digital broadcast transmitter supports the channel information, program information, or bi-directional services, the data may correspond to content uploaded by the digital broadcast processing apparatus 400. Alternatively, the content may include all the signals except for audio and video signals.

[68] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing digital broadcasting using the digital broadcast processing apparatus of FIG. 4.

[69] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the standard determination unit 412 receives a signal from the digital broadcast transmitter (not shown), and determines the transmission standard of the received signal to recognize the target signal processing module, for example the first signal processing module 420 which processes the signal of the determined transmission standard (S510).

[70] The path provider 413 generates a path to communicate with the target signal processing module, for example the first signal processing module 420, recognized in operation S510, and transmits the signal input from the standard determination unit 412 to the receiver, for example the first receiver 422 of the target signal processing module, for example the first signal processing module 420 (S520).

[71] If operation S520 is completed, a first RF/ADC 424a, a first demodulator 424b, a first de-multiplexer 424c, a first symbol processing unit 424d, a first channel decoder 424e, and a first source decoder 424f included in the first signal processing unit 424 receive a signal from the first receiver 422, and process the signal to be played back or utilized using a defined transmission standard (S530). The processed signal may be output on the display apparatus so as to be viewed by a user.

[72] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a digital broadcast processing apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[73] Referring to FIG. 6, a digital broadcast processing apparatus 600 includes a receiver

610, a determination unit 620, and a plurality of signal processing modules 630, 640, 650, ... .

[74] The receiver 610 is a device for receiving a signal, and may be an antenna. The receiver 610 receives a signal corresponding to a specific transmission standard transmitted from the digital broadcast transmitter (not shown), and transmits the received signal to the determination unit 620.

[75] The determination unit 620 receives the signal transmitted from the digital broadcast transmitter (not shown) in advance, determines the transmission standard of the signal, and transmits the signal to a target signal processing module corresponding to the determined transmission standard.

[76] The determination unit 620 includes a memory 621, a standard determination unit

622, and a path provider 623. The memory 621, the standard determination unit 622, and the path provider 623 of FIG. 6 are similar to those of FIG. 2, so detailed description is omitted.

[77] The standard determination unit 622 of FIG. 6 is distinct from that of FIG. 2, in that the standard determination unit 622 determines a transmission standard of the signal, and if the target signal processing module capable of processing the determined transmission standard is recognized, the path provider 623 provides a transmission path for transmitting data to the target signal processing module. The path provider 623 transmits the signal input from the standard determination unit 622 to the target signal processing module through the data transmission path.

[78] For example, if the target signal processing module is the first signal processing module 630, a signal is input from the path provider 623 to the first RF/ADC 631 of the first signal processing module 630, and the signal is processed by a first demodulator 632, a first de-multiplexer 633, a first symbol processing unit 634, a first channel decoder 635, and a first source decoder 636.

[79] The plurality of signal processing modules 630, 640, 650, ... may be implemented to process signals of different respective transmission standards. The signal processing modules 630, 640, 650, ... operate similarly to those of FIG. 2, so detailed description is omitted. The signal processing modules 630, 640, 650, ... are distinct from those of FIG. 2, in that one of the receivers 10, 20, 30, ... of FIG. 2 receives a signal, and transmits the signal to the determination unit 240, but only the single receiver 610 of the digital broadcast processing apparatus of FIG. 6 is provided to receive a signal, and transmit the received signal to the determination unit 620. Specifically, the signal processing modules 630, 640, 650, ... time-shares one receiver 610 without having an additional receiver such as an antenna.

[80] When the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 described above support bi-directional services, the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 may further include at least one transmitter (not shown) having at least one channel encoder (not shown), at least one de-modulator (not shown), at least one multiplexer (not shown), and at least one RF transmission circuit (not shown).

[81] The at least one may have a logical or physical meaning. In a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or a digital signal processing unit (DSP), a single transmitter (not shown) may physically support software of a plurality of transmission standards, and in an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC), respective transmitters (not shown) corresponding to respective transmission stnadards may be required according to the transmission standards. Alternatively, multiple frms may be used to support bidirectional services.

[82] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an application embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[83] Referring to FIG. 7, a signal corresponding to the DVB-T standard and a signal corresponding to the DVB-T2 are transmitted to the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 using various bandwidths. Specifically, the DVB-T standard transmits the signal using a first bandwidth between f 1 and f2, and the DVB- T2 standard transmits the signal using a second bandwidth between f3 and f4.

[84] The digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 may receive signals corresponding to both the DVB-T standard and the DVB-T2 standard, and may process the signal to be viewed by a user, without providing compatibility between the previous DVB-T standard and the new DVB-T2. Accordingly, if a new transmission standard such as the DVB-T2 provides new services, improved performance, and various additional applications not provided by previous transmission standards, the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 may provide services appropriately, because the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 are capable of processing signals corresponding to the previous transmission standards even without providing the compatibility the previous transmission standards.

[85] The newly added or improved performance features may be additional services such as information regarding adjacent cells, alarms warning of cetrain problems or conditions, or a position search feature.

[86] If the function of determining a transmission standard of the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 is applied to a portable or mobile apparatus, the portable or mobile apparatus may provide new broadcast services using various mobile transmission standards by using a multi-carrier modulation method, bidirectional up and down stream services, techniques for saving powers, multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) method for transmitting and receiving high-speed data, and hierarchical coding.

[87] The channel bonding using higher bandwidth is added to the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600, or the portable or mobile apparatus in order to enhance the transmission stability and data transmission rate, and thus the apparatuses can produce a greater range of effects.

[88] According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit for determining a transmission standard of a signal may be implemented in various manners for receiving a signal from a receiver, or receiving a signal and transmitting the signal to an antennal. Even if the determination unit is placed between blocks of signal processing modules, the determination unit may operate as described above. In other words, the position of the determination unit may vary when an apparatus is implemented. For example, the determination unit may be positioned within the signal processing unit.

[89] The determination units 240, 410, 620 of the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as one of software, hardware, and hybrid- ware combining software and hardware, in order to determine a transmission standard of a signal.

[90] The transmission standards which are input to the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 may include digital audio broadcasting (DAB), wireless local area network (WLAN), and wireless asynchronous transfer mode (WATM) standards, and the plurality of signal processing modules may process signals corresponding respectively to the DAB, WLAN, and WATM standards.

[91] The respective transmission standards input to the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 may be either the DVB-T or DVB-T2 standard to provide similar services, or may include the DVB-S standard and the DVB-C standard to provide different services, that is bi-directional services. In this case, the different respective transmission standards support a wireless digital transmission and reception method.

[92] If a signal is received using an internet protocol (IP) network, the transmission standard of the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 may support a wired connection method.

[93] If the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 have a picture- in-picture (PIP) function, each of the determination units 240, 410, 620 receives sequentially signals of channel selected by a user, determines the transmission standard of the signals, and provides the respective determined transmission standard to the signal processing module. Specifically, as each of the determination units 240, 410, 620 determines the transmission standards of the input signals, and transmits the signals to the target signal processing module, thus the respective digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600 can apply the technical methods such as the PIP function, without having a plurality of determination units (not shown).

[94] While the DVB-T standard, DVB-T2 standard, or the like are described to explain different standards which are supported by the digital broadcast processing apparatuses 100, 200, 400, 600, the range of standard supported in the OFDM scheme is not limited. The present invention may be applied to the transmission standards for audio signals, video signals, data, or composite signals.

[95] The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Industrial Applicability

[96] Aspects of the present invention may be applied to an image processing apparatus such as a TV, settop box, or the like which receives and processes digital broadcasting, and supports a plurality of transmission standards using a signal system.

Claims

[1] A digital broadcast processing apparatus, comprising: a plurality of signal processing modules to digitize signals of different respective transmission standards; and a determination unit to determine a transmission standard of a signal, and to cause a target signal processing module corresponding to the determined transmission standard among the plurality of signal processing modules to process the signal.

[2] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of signal processing modules comprises: a receiver to receive the signal; and a signal processing unit to process the received signal into a viewable signal.

[3] The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the determination unit receives the signal from the receiver, determines the transmission standard of the signal, and provides a signal processing unit of the target signal processing module with the signal.

[4] The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the determination unit receives the signal in advance to determine the transmission standard, and provides the receiver of the target signal processing module with the signal.

[5] The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a receiver to receive the signal, wherein the determination unit receives the signal from the receiver, determines a transmission standard of the signal, and provides the target signal processing module with the signal.

[6] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the respective transmission standards comprise a digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) standard, a digital video broadcasting-terrestrial 2 (DVB -T2) standard, digital video broadcasting- satellite (DVB-S) standard, or a digital video broadcasting-cable (DVB-C) standard, and the plurality of signal processing modules process signals of the DVB-T standard, DVB-T2 standard, DVB-S standard, and DVB-C standard.

[7] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the respective transmission standards comprise a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) standard, a wireless local area network (WLAN) standard, and a wireless asynchronous transfer mode (WATM) standard, and the plurality of signal processing modules process signals corresponding to the DAB standard, WLAN standard, and WATM standard.

[8] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the determination unit is implemented as software, hardware, or hybrid- ware combining software and hardware in order to determine the transmission standards of the signals.

[9] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the different respective transmission standards support a wireless digital transmission and reception method.

[10] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein if the signal is received via an internet protocol (IP) network, the different respective transmission standards support a wired connection method.

[11] The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises at least one of a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal.

[12] A method for processing digital broadcasting, comprising: determining a transmission standard of a signal; and digitizing the received signal, by a target signal processing module among a plurality of signal processing modules which process signals of different respective transmission standards, to be processed according to the determined transmission standard.

[13] The method of claim 12, wherein the determining comprises: receiving the signal, by at least one of antennas included in the plurality of signal processing modules; and determining the transmission standard of the received signal.

[14] The method of claim 12, wherein the determining comprises: receiving the signal, and determining the transmission standard of the signal; and providing an antenna of the target signal processing module with the signal.

[15] The method of claim 12, wherein the respective transmission standards comprise a digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) standard, a digital video broadcasting-terrestrial 2 (DVB-T2) standard, digital video broadcasting-satellite (DVB-S) standard, or a digital video broadcasting-cable (DVB-C) standard, and the plurality of signal processing modules process signals of the DVB-T standard, DVB-T2 standard, DVB-S standard, and DVB-C standard.

[16] The method of claim 12, wherein the respective transmission standards comprise a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) standard, a wireless local area network (WLAN) standard, and a wireless asynchronous transfer mode (WATM) standard, and the plurality of signal processing modules process signals corresponding to the DAB standard, WLAN standard, and WATM standard.

[17] The method of claim 12, wherein the determining step is implemented as software, hardware, or hybrid- ware combining software and hardware in order to determine the transmission standards of the signals.

[18] The method of claim 12, wherein the respective transmission standards support a wireless digital transmission and reception method.

[19] The method of claim 12, wherein if the signal is received via an internet protocol

(IP) network, the respective transmission standards support a wired connection method.

[20] The method of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises at least one of a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal.