Method for providing gui for selecting broadcast channel with keypad operated by pointer and broadcast receiving apparatus thereof

Abstract

A method for providing Graphical User Interface (GUI) for selecting a broadcast channel, and a broadcast receiving apparatus having the same are provided. The GUI for selecting a broadcast channel includes a keypad having a pointer to be moved by manipulation of a user on a remote control apparatus and keys selectable by the pointer, and then the user is able to input a preferred broadcast channel by using the keypad and the pointer. Accordingly, the user is able to input a preferred broadcast channel without using the number keys, so the number keys may be omitted in the remote control apparatus. As a result, miniaturization of the remote control apparatus is possible.

1 . A method for providing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for selecting a broadcast channel comprising:
 generating a keypad having a pointer movable by manipulation of a remote control apparatus, and keys selectable by the pointer;   combining the generated keypad with an image to be displayed; and   tuning to a broadcast channel input using the keypad and the pointer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the keypad comprises number keys which input numbers, and a subdividing key which divides a channel number into a major broadcast channel number and a minor broadcast channel number. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting, using the pointer, an icon which inputs a command for displaying the keypad on the display, and then carrying out the generating and the combining. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inputting a corresponding manipulation using the remote control apparatus, and then carrying out the generating and the combining. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the corresponding manipulation comprises double-clicking of a predetermined key on the remote control apparatus within a reference time. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a channel list and combining the generated channel list with the image to be displayed; and   tuning to a broadcast channel selected by the pointer from broadcast channels listed in the broadcast channel list.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pointer is movable by two-dimensional movement of the remote control apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a face of the remote control apparatus is moved on a virtual plane which is parallel with a screen of the display and the pointer moves in the same direction. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying the pointer and the keypad on the display; and   displaying a broadcast provided from the tuned broadcast channel.   
     
     
         10 . A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising:
 a broadcast receiving unit which tunes to one of a plurality of broadcast channels;   a Graphical User Interface (GUI) generator which generates a GUI and combines the generated GUI with an image to be displayed; and   a controller which controls the GUI generator to generate a keypad having a pointer movable by manipulation of a remote control apparatus and keys selectable by the pointer, combines the generated keypad with an image to be displayed, and controls the broadcast receiving unit to tune to a broadcast channel input using the keypad and the pointer.   
     
     
         11 . The broadcast receiving apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the keypad comprises a number key which inputs a number, and a subdividing key which divides a channel number into a major broadcast channel number and a minor broadcast channel number. 
     
     
         12 . The broadcast receiving apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein an icon which inputs a command for displaying the keypad on the display, is selected by the pointer. 
     
     
         13 . The broadcast receiving apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a corresponding manipulation is input using the remote control apparatus so the controller controls the GUI generator to generate the keypad and combine the generated keypad with the image. 
     
     
         14 . The broadcast receiving apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the corresponding manipulation comprises double-clicking of a predetermined key on the remote control apparatus within a reference time. 
     
     
         15 . The broadcast receiving apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the controller controls the GUI generator which generates a broadcast channel list and combines the generated broadcast channel list with the image to be displayed, and controls the broadcast receiving unit which tunes to a broadcast channel selected by the pointer from broadcast channels listed in the broadcast channel list. 
     
     
         16 . The broadcast receiving apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the pointer is movable by two-dimensional movement of the remote control apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The broadcast receiving apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein a face of the remote control apparatus is moved on a virtual plane which is parallel with a screen of the display and the pointer moves in the same direction. 
     
     
         18 . The broadcast receiving apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a display which displays the pointer and the keypad, and displays a broadcast provided from the tuned broadcast channel.