KR100774817B1 - Video service system and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a video service system and a method of controlling a menu and content at the same time. The video service method for this purpose comprises the steps of: allocating a plurality of menus and contents corresponding to the menus to a plurality of channels; And performing the movement of the menu and / or the content through the switching between the channels, and the video service system allocates a plurality of menus and contents corresponding to the menus to the plurality of channels, respectively, And / or a video platform server that performs content movement via the inter-channel switching, so that when a menu and / or content conversion occurs, new call setup can be omitted, and content movement of the same category having the same parent node is performed. As a result, media access time can be shortened, and switching between menus and / or contents can be performed in real time, thereby providing a seamless service.

Media, menu, move

Description

VIDEO SERVICE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF

1 is a block diagram showing a video service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart briefly illustrating a video service method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a detailed configuration diagram of the video platform server of FIG.

4 is a detailed flowchart of a video service method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exemplary view showing a main menu screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an exemplary view showing a submenu of a main menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

* Explanation of Codes on Major Parts of Drawings *

100: mobile terminal 200: mobile communication network

210: exchange 220: gateway

300: video platform server

The present invention relates to a video service system and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a video service system and method for controlling a menu and content at the same time.

In general, a video service provided to a mobile terminal through a wireless communication network includes various menus and various contents corresponding to the menus, and tends to process the menus and contents separately in separate devices. For example, a menu is mostly provided in a tree structure having a plurality of nodes for searching for a specific content in the form of a swap, and the content is produced and provided in various forms such as a media form.

An example of such a conventional method of moving between menus and contents is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2003-0044462 entitled "Method for Moving Between Menus of Wireless Internet in a Mobile Communication Terminal". The disclosed patent discloses a method of moving from a lower menu to another lower menu without passing through the upper menu of the lower menu. In particular, the prior art is based on the wireless Internet. Accordingly, a menu or content is produced in a WAP form and provided to a subscriber, and a server for mapping a URL of a menu or content and a predetermined mobile code is provided to conveniently switch between menus and contents on a screen of a mobile communication terminal. I can move it. However, in the related art, there is an inconvenience in that a subscriber needs to know a mobile code according to a corresponding URL in order to quickly move a menu or contents, and to input it manually.

Meanwhile, another example of the related art of the method of moving between menus and contents without using such a URL and a swap is a Korean Patent Publication entitled “Method of providing a live TV service for a mobile terminal and a system for providing a live TV service for a mobile terminal using the same”. 10-2005-0046693. The above-described prior art provides a method and system for supporting a channel change similar to an offline TV by downloading and executing a dedicated player program in a mobile terminal without using a swap menu. That is, when a user sets a channel on a dedicated player program running on his mobile terminal, the TV content corresponding to the changed channel is changed from the live server (service providing server) according to the channel change information. Based on the content provision), the TV content currently being played is terminated and the TV content corresponding to the changed channel is played. In this process, the TV-based content providing service method based on the swap menu is required to exit from the current channel and reconnect to another channel in order to watch one channel and to enjoy another channel. Disclosed is a method and system for instantly watching TV contents of a changed channel by simply clicking a channel change button on a dedicated player program. In this case, the above-described conventional technology provides a dedicated player program driven by the mobile terminal in the service providing server in order to simplify the TV content movement. However, this was inconvenient for the subscriber to download and watch TV directly.

In addition, since the provision of the menu provided to the mobile terminal and the contents (eg, TV program) corresponding to the menu in the dedicated player program are handled by separate devices or methods, a disconnection phenomenon occurs on the screen of the mobile terminal. There was a problem that the quality of the screen to be passed to the content falls.

In addition, in order to solve this problem, in the related art, the TV content is provided to the mobile terminal by performing buffering for a predetermined time, but there is a problem that the configuration device is increased, the cost increases, and the processing is not performed in real time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a video service system and a method for providing a video service without providing a dedicated player program or a wireless Internet to a mobile terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a video service system and a method for providing a natural screen by processing a menu or content movement in real time.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a video service method of a video platform server that provides a video service to a mobile terminal through a wireless network includes a) a plurality of menus and a plurality of contents corresponding to the menus; Allocating to channels of each; And b) moving the menu and / or the content through the switching between the channels.

Here, step b) may include: b-1) receiving a menu and / or content movement request through a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signal; b-2) determining whether to move between menus, between contents, or from menu to contents based on the DTMF signal; And b-3) switching the channel in real time according to the determination result of step b-2).

In addition, a) between step a) and step b) may include inserting a key button number for moving the menu and / or content into the menu or the content as a caption.

Meanwhile, in a video service system for providing a video service to a mobile terminal through a wireless network according to an embodiment of the present invention, after allocating a plurality of menus and contents corresponding to the menus to a plurality of channels, the menu and / or And a video platform server for performing content movement through channel switching.

Here, the video platform server, the switching controller for receiving a call connection request from the mobile terminal; A logic controller which performs caller authentication for the call and determines the corresponding service, and requests a corresponding menu and / or content movement according to the determination result; And a media switching device for providing a menu and / or content movement requested by the logic controller to the mobile terminal in real time through inter-channel switching.

In addition, the video platform server is connected to the media switching device in real time, detailed menus are configured and mediated according to the video scenario, and the mediated menus are assigned to the channels, and then the menus requested by the media switching device are displayed. Menu providing apparatus for providing in real time; And a content providing device for allocating the content to the channel, and providing the content requested by the media switching device in real time.

The video platform server may further include a caption processing device connected to the menu providing device and / or the content providing device and inserting a key button number for moving the menu and / or content into the menu or the content as a caption. do.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a specific embodiment. Like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout the drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing a video service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the video service system includes a mobile communication network 200 and an image platform server 300. Here, reference numeral 100 denotes a mobile terminal.

The mobile terminal 100 wirelessly connects to the mobile communication network 200, and receives a video service by connecting to the image platform server 300 through the mobile communication network 200. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 may display a key button (not shown) for performing menu navigation for a video service and a selected video service, in addition to means (not shown) for a mobile communication function. Device (not shown, hereinafter abbreviated to screen).

The mobile communication network 200 provides a video service to the mobile terminal 100 through the video platform server 300. The mobile communication network 200 is based on the WCDMA network and is based on the H.324M circuit switched system (CS channel). In addition, the mobile communication network 200 includes a switch 210 for call processing with the mobile terminal 100 and a gateway 220 for protocol conversion between the mobile communication network 200 and an external network. Since the mobile communication network 200 includes various other components in addition to the switch 210 and the gateway 220, those skilled in the art can easily understand the detailed configuration and description thereof.

After the image platform server 300 analyzes the menu and content requested by the mobile terminal 100, the image platform server 300 transmits the corresponding menu and content to the mobile terminal 100 through the mobile communication network 200. In particular, the image platform server 300 should be connected (occupied) with the menu providing apparatus 350 and the content providing apparatus 340 in advance in order to switch menus and / or contents in real time in the present invention. Detailed configuration and operation of the image platform server 300 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a video service method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First, the image platform server 300 allocates a menu and content to a plurality of channels, respectively (S201). The menu is configured in detail according to a video service scenario. The menu is converted into a media form and assigned to a specific channel. The channel assignment is performed by the menu providing apparatus 350, and the menu providing apparatus 350 may be configured outside the image platform server 300. The content is then assigned to a plurality of channels, respectively. The content allocation is performed in the content providing device 340, and the content providing device 340 may be configured outside the image platform server 300. At this time, the video platform server 300, the menu providing apparatus 350 and the content providing apparatus 340 are connected to the channel through, for example, a Real Time Protocol (RTP).

Subsequently, the image platform server 300 receives a selection of a menu or content from the mobile terminal 100 (S202). For example, a menu / content selection is received through a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signal provided by a mobile terminal.

The image platform server 300 determines a service requested by the mobile terminal based on the received DTMF signal and a menu currently displayed on the mobile terminal 100 (S203). The service requested by the mobile terminal may be 1) moving between menus 2) moving between menus and contents or 3) moving between contents.

For example, 1) in the case of moving between menus, the video platform server 300 displays a menu currently displayed on the mobile terminal 100 as a main menu, and the received DTMF signal is a key button of the mobile terminal 100 (ie, 0-9, *). Or #) If it corresponds to '1', it is determined as a service requesting to move to the lower menu. '0-9' of the key button moves to the sub menu of the provided menu on the screen or selects the corresponding content of the lowest menu, '*' means moving to the upper menu of the current screen, and '#' means the main menu. You can also configure navigation between menus to mean moving to.

2) In the case of the movement between the menu and the content, the video platform server 300 indicates that the menu currently displayed on the mobile terminal 100 is the lowest menu, and the received DTMF signal is a key button of the mobile terminal 100 (that is, 0-9,). * Or #) in the case of '1', it is determined that the lowest menu is selected, and accordingly it is determined as a service for requesting movement between the menu (ie, the lowest menu) and the content.

3) In the case of moving between contents, the video platform server 300 is a menu currently displayed on the mobile terminal 100 corresponds to the content and the received DTMF signal is a key button of the mobile terminal 100 (ie, 0-9, * or If it corresponds to a key button (for example, '2') other than the selection number of the content selected in the lowest menu among the #), the service is determined to request immediate movement from the content to the other content.

Subsequently, the image platform server 300 performs an operation corresponding to the determination of step S203 and then provides the corresponding media (menu or content) to the mobile terminal 100 (S204).

That is, 1) in the case of moving between menus, the video platform server 300 switches, for example, from a channel to which a main menu is allocated to a channel to which the determined submenu is allocated, and thus the submenu selected from the main menu is a mobile terminal. Provided at 100.

2) In the case of moving between the menu and the content, the video platform server 300 switches from the channel to which the lowest menu is assigned, for example, to the channel to which the determined content is assigned, and thus, in the menu (ie, the lowest menu). The selected content is provided to the mobile terminal 100.

3) In the case of the inter-content movement, the video platform server 300 switches, for example, from the channel to which the content is assigned to the channel to which the determined other content is assigned (ie, without moving to a higher menu) / real time, Accordingly, other content selected from the content is provided to the mobile terminal 100.

In the case of such content-to-content movement, in the related art, it is provided through an application such as a swap or a dedicated program driven in a mobile terminal. However, the image platform server 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention mediates a menu. Then, the mediated menus and contents are allocated to specific channels and then switched to direct / real time to be provided to the mobile terminal (that is, the menus and contents are simultaneously controlled). In addition, the image platform server 300 may provide a key button number on the mobile terminal screen for moving to another content through a guide means (eg, a caption, etc.) at the time of providing the content.

3 illustrates a detailed configuration diagram of the image platform server of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the video platform server 300 includes a service switching controller 310, a service logic controller 320, a real-time media switching (RTMS) device 330, a content providing device 340, and a menu providing device. And a subtitle device (not shown) for guiding key buttons to provide movement between contents. Although not specifically illustrated in the drawing, the caption device may be included in the content providing device 340 and / or the menu providing device 350.

The service switching controller (hereinafter, SSC 310) receives a call connection request from the mobile terminal 100 and requests a service analysis controller for the service for the call. In addition, when the call connection request is authorized, the SSC 310 transmits messages for the call connection with the mobile terminal 100 to the gateway 220 included in the mobile communication network 200, and then the real time media with the gateway 220. The switching device 330 is connected.

The service logic controller (hereinafter, SLC) 320 determines caller authentication and service for the call requested by the SSC 310. In this case, when the service is a broadcast service as in the embodiment of the present invention, the real-time media switching device 330 is requested to transmit a main menu for broadcast content, and a response message is received. In this case, the response message includes the requested media resource (eg, menu or content). Thereafter, the SSC 310 determines the service requested by the mobile terminal 100 through DTMF after call setup, and requests the real-time media switching device 330 for menu switching or content switching corresponding thereto.

The real-time media switching device (hereinafter, RTMS device 430) is connected to the menu providing device 350 and the content providing device 340 in real time according to the service scenario. That is, after allocating and storing the menus of the menu providing apparatus 350 and the contents of the content providing apparatus 340 to channels, the corresponding menus or contents are switched in response to a request of the SLC 320, and the mobile communication network is executed in real time. Provided to the mobile terminal 100 through 200.

The menu providing apparatus 350 is connected to the RTMS device 330 in real time. After detailed menus are configured according to the video service scenario, the menu providing apparatus 350 is mediated and stored in the form of content. The mediated menus are allocated for each channel. Accordingly, when the RTMS device 330 requests a specific menu, corresponding mediated menus are provided. The menu providing apparatus 350 may be connected to the image platform server 300 as a separate component.

The content providing device 340 provides the target content of the video service to the mobile terminal 100 through the mobile communication network 200. In this case, the content providing device 340 may be broadcasting stations providing various broadcast contents, and in some cases, the content providing device 340 may provide voice content or multimedia content. In addition, the content is allocated to each channel and connected to the RTMS device 330. Accordingly, the content providing device 340 is connected (ie, occupied) with the RTMS device 330 in real time to provide the corresponding content immediately upon request of a specific content. The content providing device 340 may be connected to the image platform server 300 as a separate component.

The operation of the video platform server 300 configured as described above is included in the following description of the embodiment, and the video service method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Here, the mobile communication network 200 uses a circuit switched based WCDMA network.

4 is a detailed flowchart of a video service method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First, the image platform server 300 (more specifically, the RTMS device 330) is connected to a menu providing device 350 providing a menu and a content providing device 340 providing content to display menus and contents in real time. Set to receive (S401). In this case, the menu and the content is preferably provided in the form of media. As such, the RTMS device 330 connects (occupies) the menu providing device 350 and the content providing device 340 in real time, so that switching between menus, switching between contents, and switching between menus and contents can be performed in real time. Become.

Then, the image platform server 300 performs an initialization process with the mobile terminal 100 (S402). Referring to step S402 in more detail, first, when the subscriber of the mobile terminal 100 inputs / selects the representative number for the video service or selects the video service on the screen of the mobile terminal 100, the mobile terminal 100 switches the switch 210. Perform the call connection request. The exchange 210 determines the corresponding service and requests a call connection for the video service to the gateway 220. That is, the exchange 210 transmits an ISUP message (IAM) to the gateway 220, and the gateway 220 transmits a SIP INVITE message to the SSC 310 of the image platform server 300. Then, the SSC 310 requests the SLC 320 to analyze the call, and the SLC 320 determines the calling party authentication and the service menu for the call. For example, if the broadcast content providing service as described above, the RTMS device 330 is requested to transmit the main menu for providing broadcast content.

Then, the RTMS device 330 responds with the corresponding media resource in the response message so that the broadcast content is provided to the mobile terminal 100 in real time. Accordingly, the SLC 320 analyzes the response message from the RTMS device 330 and enables the media to be connected to the SSC 310 through the service request response message. The SSC 310 transmits a 180 RING message for accessing the SIP call to the gateway 220, and performs a connection for transmitting the corresponding media between the RTMS device 330 and the gateway 220. Subsequently, the gateway 220 performs ACM / ANM processing and performs codec negotiation with the mobile terminal 100, and then connects a main menu between the mobile terminal 100 and the RTMS device 330.

Accordingly, the video platform server 300 provides a main menu for the corresponding video service to the mobile terminal 100 (S403). 5 shows an example of such a main menu, which is one of the main menus of various video services, and is not limited to the present invention.

Thereafter, when the image platform server 300 receives a DTMF signal for menu movement or content movement from the mobile terminal 100, the service is determined in operation S404-S405. For example, the SLC 320 determines a service related to the DTMF signal. In this case, the service may move from the main menu to a lower menu or may be an end to the video service. However, in the present embodiment, the case of service termination is omitted for simplicity of explanation. Therefore, the service requested by the mobile terminal 100 in the main menu exists only when a lower menu is requested among the main menus. 6 shows an embodiment of a submenu for such a main menu.

Subsequently, when the determination of step S405 is a specific submenu of the main menu (for example, the viewable broadcast services shown in FIG. 6), the image platform server 300 switches the selected submenu to switch the mobile terminal 100. To provide (S406-S407). For example, the RTMS device 330 switches to the corresponding submenu.

Thereafter, when one of the lower menus is selected from the mobile terminal 100, the image platform server 300 determines the corresponding service (S408-S409). That is, the image platform server 300 receives the selection as the DTMF signal, and determines the corresponding service based on the DTMF signal. In this case, the service that may be requested by the mobile terminal 100 is one of a higher menu (FIG. 5) or a content (eg, KBS broadcast program) of the current menu.

Therefore, if the corresponding service is a service related to menu movement, the video platform server 300 switches the menu providing apparatus 350 and then provides the switched menu (ie, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6) to the mobile terminal 100. If the service is related to the movement of the content in the menu, the menu providing device 350 switches from the content providing device 340 to provide the switched content to the mobile terminal 100 (S410-S411). For example, the RTMS device 330 of the video platform server 300 performs this switching.

Then, while providing the content, if a new resource request is received from the mobile terminal 100 (via DTMF signal), the video platform server 300 determines the service for the resource request based on the DTMF signal (S412-). S413). In this case, since the video platform server 300 is currently providing the content, the service corresponding to the resource request from the mobile terminal 100 is the upper menu (FIG. 6), the top menu (FIG. 5), or the movement of the content (ie, , Moving content currently being sent).

Accordingly, when the video platform server 300 determines that the content is moved in step S413, for example, the video platform server 300 switches to another content (eg, MBC broadcast program), and then moves the switched content (ie, MBC broadcast program). Provided to the terminal 100 (S414-S415). Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 is moved in real time from the content (ie, KBS broadcast program) to other content (ie, MBC broadcast program) without going through the upper menu (eg, FIG. 6).

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications or changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

According to the present invention, an image service can be provided even in a circuit switched WCDMA network.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the service provider switches the menu media and the content media in the same system when providing the video service, there is an effect that it is possible to omit new call setup when the menu and / or content conversion occurs.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to move the contents of the same category (eg, the same depth of the tree structure) having the same parent node, thereby reducing the media access time.

In addition, according to the present invention, switching between menus and / or content is performed in real time, and thus, there is an effect of providing a service without interruption of the screen.

Claims (12)

A video service method for providing a video service to a mobile terminal through a wireless network, a) assigning a plurality of menus or contents corresponding to the menus to a plurality of channels, respectively; b) performing the movement of the menu or content through the channel-to-channel switching. The method of claim 1, wherein the menu and content are: Video service method, characterized in that the media form. The method of claim 1, wherein before step a) And configuring the menu according to the scenario of the video service, and converting the menu into a media form. The method of claim 1, wherein b) b-1) receiving the menu or content movement request through a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signal; b-2) determining whether to move between menus, between contents, or from menu to content based on the DTMF signal; And b-3) switching the channel in real time according to the determination result of the step b-2). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein between step a) and step b), And inserting a key button number for moving the menu or content into a corresponding menu or content as a subtitle. The method of claim 1, wherein step a) is performed. Allocating the channel through the Real Time Protocol (RTP). 5. The wireless network of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprises: The video service method, characterized in that the network based on the H.324M circuit-switching scheme of the WCDMA network. A video service system for providing a video service to a mobile terminal through a wireless network, An image platform server for allocating a plurality of menus or contents corresponding to the menus to a plurality of channels, and then performing the menu or content movement through the switching between the channels; A menu providing device connected to the video platform server in real time, configuring and mediating detailed menus according to the video service scenario, and providing a menu requested by the video platform server in real time; And And a content providing device connected to the video platform server in real time and providing the content requested by the video platform server in real time. The method of claim 8, wherein the moving instruction of the menu or content is Image service system, characterized in that receiving through the DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) of the mobile terminal. The method of claim 8, wherein the wireless network is Video service system, characterized in that the network based on the H.324M circuit-switching scheme of the WCDMA network. In claim 8, And a caption processing device connected to the menu providing device or the content providing device and inserting a key button number for moving the menu or content into a corresponding menu or content as a caption. The video platform server according to any one of claims 8 to 11, A switching controller for receiving a call connection request from the mobile terminal; A logic controller which performs caller authentication for the call, determines a service requested from the mobile terminal, and requests a corresponding menu or content movement according to the determination result; And And a media switching device which provides the mobile terminal in real time after performing the menu or content movement requested by the logic controller through the inter-channel switching.

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