Digital televisions and electronic devices with program alert function, and methods thereof
A digital TV comprises a processor, a communication unit, an output unit, a memory, and a clock. The communication unit receives an electronic program guide (EPG) with program titles corresponding to showtimes. The memory stores selected information corresponding to a selected program title in the EPG data. When the clock reaches a predetermined time before the showtime of the selected program title, the processor outputs a program alert signal utilizing the output unit.
1 . An electronic device with program alert function, comprising:
a first communication unit for receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) from a digital TV broadcaster, wherein the EPG comprises a showtime of a TV program;
a first input unit for receiving a setting comprising information corresponding to the TV program;
a first memory for storing the setting;
a first clock;
a first output unit; and
a first processor coupled to the first communication unit, the first input unit, the first memory, the first output unit, and the first clock, when determining that the first clock has reached a first predetermined time stored in the setting before the showtime of the TV program, directing the first output unit to provide a first program alert signal.
2 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when the first processor compares the setting with the EPG and determines that the setting is to be updated, the first processor updates the setting according to the EPG.
3 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein after the setting is updated, the first processor directs the first output unit to provide the first program alert signal based on the updated setting.
4 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein when the updated setting states that the showtime is canceled, the first program alert signal comprises a message that the showtime has been canceled.
5 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when determining that the clock has reached the showtime of the TV program, the first processor directs the output unit to play the TV program.
6 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a primary power unit supplying power to the electronic device; and
a battery supplying power to the first clock, and when the primary power unit does not provide power, supplying power to the first processor to output the first program alert signal.
7 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined time is adjustable.
8 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first communication unit comprises a tuner.
9 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first communication unit further receives a time signal from the digital TV broadcaster, and the first clock is synchronized with the time signal.
10 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a digital TV.
11 . An electronic device for receiving a setting of an electronic program guide (EPG) from a digital TV, the EPG received by the digital TV from a digital TV broadcaster comprising a showtime of a TV program, the setting comprising information corresponding to the TV program, the device comprising:
a second communication unit receiving the setting;
a second memory storing the setting;
a second output unit;
a second clock; and
a second processor coupled to the second communication unit, the second memory, the second output unit, and the second clock, when determining that the second clock has reached a second predetermined time corresponding to the setting before the showtime of the TV program, directing the second output unit to provide a second program alert signal.
12 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second output unit controlled by the second processor displays the setting stored in the second memory.
13 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the second communication unit receives the EPG, and the second output unit controlled by the second processor displays the EPG.
14 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising a second input unit, coupled to the second processor, serving as an interface for adding or removing the setting stored in the second memory.
15 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second communication unit further receives the EPG, and when the second processor compares the setting with the EPG and determines that the setting is to be updated, the second processor updates the setting according to the EPG.
16 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein after the setting is updated, the second processor directs the second output unit to provide the second program alert signal based on the updated setting.
17 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein when the updated setting states that the showtime has been canceled, the second program alert signal comprises a message that the showtime has been canceled.
18 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second predetermined time is adjustable.
19 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second communication unit further receives a time signal from the digital TV, and the second clock is synchronized with the time signal.
20 . The electronic device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the electronic device is a remote control of the digital TV.
21 . A program alert method, comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) which comprises a showtime of a TV program;
(b) receiving a setting which comprises information corresponding to the TV program, and storing the setting; and
(c) outputting a program alert signal when a predetermined time corresponding to the setting before the showtime of the TV program is reached.
22 . The method as claimed in claim 21 , between step
(b) and step (c), further comprising:
(b-1) comparing the setting with the EPG, and when determining that the setting is to be updated, updating the setting according to the EPG.
23 . The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein in step (b-1) if the setting is updated, in step (c) the program alert signal is outputted based on the updated setting.
24 . The method as claimed in claim 23 , wherein in step (b-1) if the setting is updated and shows that the showtime is canceled, in step (c) the program alert signal comprises a message that the showtime is canceled.
25 . The method as claimed in claim 21 , after step (c), further comprising the step of:
(d) playing the TV program when the showtime of the TV program is reached.
26 . The method as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the predetermined time is adjustable.