FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a program manager for storing channel
information while scanning channels in devices like television. The user can
choose a new search option from an auto store menu. The option allows the
user to append newly search / scanned channels while retaining the information
relating to the channels previously stored in the database.
The invention also relates to a method for storing channel information with the
help of a program manager while scanning the channel in devices like a
television. The program manager can compare the channel information of the
newly search channels with the database and appends their information at the
end of the list in the database.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
US document 5, 809, 419 provides a method for reducing the time required for a
channel scan. The document discloses wireless communication system and
scanning of wireless channels.

US document 5, 020, 142 describes an automatic scanning tuner. According to
this document the frequencies are first: stored in a RAM and then a judgement
circuit compares the current tuning frequency to the stored frequency for storing
or rejecting the frequencies accordingly,
Document WO 2001/006771 provides a method and apparatus for performing a
channel search in a television. This document is different in respect of plurality
of sources. The document describes the use of more than one signal input
where a channel search can be performed for an individual signal input and also
for all the signal inputs.
Although the concept of updating the list / database with the newly searched
channels information has been identified in the last named document, the
concept of retaining the order of the previously stored channels by appending
the newly search channels in the end of the list has not been identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a program
manager that gives flexibility to the user for new channel searching and storage,
and further providing the user an option to start a fresh search or append to the
previous one the newly found channels.
In the prior art systems whenever a new search is executed, all the previous
channel information is lost. So the earlier sorted information is lost and user has
to reorganize the channels again according to his priority. This activity is
cumbersome and user has to memorize his favourite channels again (as the
earlier order is disturbed).
The present invention gives the user an option of starting a new search by which
newly found frequencies are appended at the end of the earlier stored (found)
frequencies. Frequencies (channels or programs) found from new search
operation are compared with the frequencies (channels or programs) which were
found earlier and if new frequencies (channels or programs) are found they are
appended at the end by retaining the previous sorting information.

Thus the present invention provides a program manager for storing channel
information while scanning channels in devices like television, comprising: an
EEPROM; means for creating a database by reading tuning information of the
stored program from said EEPROM; means for comparing the tuning data of the
newly tuned channel with that of the database; means for appending newly
searched channel at the end of the list; and means for drawing auto search
menu sublist in auto stored menu.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for
storing channel information with the help of a program manager while scanning
the channels in devices like a television, said method comprising the steps of:
creating a database by reading the tuning information of the stored program
from an EEPROM; comparing the data of said tuned information of the newly
tuned channel with that of the database; retaining previously searched
information even after the new search; appending the newly searched channels
at the end of the list of database; and drawing the auto search menu sublist in
the auto stored menu.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention can now be described in detail with the help of the figures of the
accompanying drawings in which
Figures 1
(a) and (b) show snap shots of the feature of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a flow diagram giving the structure of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in Figures 1 (a) and (b) whenever user opts for search operation, user
will be given option of New Search or All Search. In All Search operation all the
previous channel information is lost and channels are reorganized as they are
found. If user opts for New Search (Append), previously stored programs
database is created and tuning starts. Whenever a frequency is found, it is
compared with stored programs database and if corresponding frequency is not
present in database, newly found frequency is appended at the end of earlier
found frequencies and search operation continues for finding new frequencies.

For operation of the invention, program manager first reads the tuning
information of the stored programs from the EEPROM and creates a database for
further comparison. The program manager compares the tuning data of the
newly tuned channel with that of the database and returns accordingly. After
this step, the program manager frees or destroys the stored programs database.
Finally, it draws the auto search menu sublist in the auto store menu. By
retaining the order of the previously stored channels by appending the newly
searched channels in the end of the list the user setting are maintained intact.

WE CLAIM
1. A program manager for storing channel information while scanning
channels in devices like television, comprising:
- an EEPROM;
- means for creating a database by reading tuning information of the
stored program from said EEPROM;
- means for comparing the tuning data of the newly tuned channel
with that of the database;
- means for appending newly search channel at the end of the list;
and
- means for drawing auto search menu sublist in auto stored menu.

2. A method for storing channel information with the help of a program
manager while scanning the channels in devices like a television, said
method comprising the steps of;
- creating a database by reading the tuning information of the stored
program from an EEPROM;
- comparing the data of said tuned information of the newly tuned
channel with that of the database;
- retaining previously searched information even after the new
search;
- appending the newly searched channels at the end of the list of
database; and
- drawing the auto search menu sublist in the auto stored menu.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user settings are
maintained intact by retaining the order of the previously stored channels
by appending the newly searched channels in the end of the list.
4. A program manager for storing channel information while scanning
channels in devices like television, substantially as herein described and
illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a program
manager that gives flexibility to the user for new channel searching and storage,
and further providing the user an option to start a fresh search or append to the
previous one the newly found channels.
In the prior art systems whenever a new search is executed, all the previous
channel information is lost. So the earlier sorted information is lost and user has
to reorganize the channels again according to his priority. This activity is
cumbersome and user has to memorize his favourite channels again (as the
earlier order is disturbed).
The present invention gives the user an option of starting a new search by which
newly found frequencies are appended at the end of the earlier stored (found)
frequencies. Frequencies (channels or programs) found from new search
operation are compared with the frequencies (channels or programs) which were
found earlier and if new frequencies (channels or programs) are found they are
appended at the end by retaining the previous sorting information.

Thus the present invention provides a program manager for storing channel
information while scanning channels in devices like television, comprising: an
EEPROM; means for creating a database by reading tuning information of the
stored program from said EEPROM; means for comparing the tuning data of the
newly tuned channel with that of the database; means for appending newly
searched channel at the end of the list; and means for drawing auto search
menu sublist in auto stored menu.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method for
storing channel information with the help of a program manager while scanning
the channels in devices like a television, said method comprising the steps of:
creating a database by reading the tuning information of the stored program
from an EEPROM; comparing the data of said tuned information of the newly
tuned channel with that of the database; retaining previously searched
information even after the new search; appending the newly searched channels
at the end of the list of database; and drawing the auto search menu sublist in
the auto stored menu.