KR100806771B1 - Cable broadcasting system and method for providing a viewer-made broadcast channel using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A cable broadcasting system and its method for providing a viewer-tailored broadcast channel are provided to allow a viewer to select his desired broadcast channel or cancel an undesired broadcast channel, and calculate his rate immediately for viewing a channel. A memory unit(22) stores broadcast channel information, broadcast channel rate information and viewer information. A transceiver(23) receives a customized broadcast channel menu request signal. An identification information extracting unit(21) extracts identification information of a viewer from the received customized broadcast channel menu request signal. A controller(24) checks whether the extracted identification information of the viewer is the same as previously stored identification information of a viewer. A transceiver(23) encodes the stored broadcast channel and rate information and transmits the same. A request signal processing unit(35) processes the customized broadcast channel menu request signal. A data transceiver(32) transmits the processed customized broadcast channel menu request signal. A data transceiver(32) receives the broadcast channel and rate information. A cable card(34) decodes the broadcast channel and rate information. A signal processing unit(33) processes the decoded information. A memory unit(39) stores the processed information. A menu window generating unit(40) generates a customized broadcast channel menu window. A display unit(41) displays the customized broadcast channel menu window including the stored broadcast channel and rate information. A calculating unit(38) calculates a rate of the selected broadcast channel. A controller(37) controls the request signal processing unit(35), the cable card(34) and the menu window generating unit(40).

Description

Cable broadcasting system and method for providing a customized broadcast channel for the viewer {cable broadcasting system and method for providing a viewer-made broadcast channel using the same}

1 is a view for explaining a cable broadcasting system according to the present invention.

2 is a view showing a customized broadcast channel menu window according to the present invention.

3A to 3D are flowcharts illustrating a method for providing a viewer-customized broadcast channel in a cable broadcasting system according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

11: cable broadcast transmitter 12: cable broadcast receiver

21: identification information extraction unit 22: memory unit

23,39: transmitter / receiver 24,37: controller

31: A / V receiver 32: Data transmitter / receiver

33: signal processor 34: cable card

35: request signal processing unit 36: key input unit

38: calculator 40: menu window generating unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cable broadcasting system, and more particularly, to a cable broadcasting system providing a variety of broadcasting channel menus so that viewers can selectively watch only desired broadcasting channels, and a method for providing a broadcasting channel customized to the viewer.

Since the broadcast of television broadcasts officially started, the receivers receiving the television waves have spread faster than any conventional media, and a lot of broadcast contents have begun to be produced accordingly.

In addition, television broadcasting has contributed a lot in terms of knowledge transfer and information sharing.

However, in order to produce and broadcast a broadcast program, a certain amount of investment in facilities and capital must be combined, and these limitations have been insufficient to catch up with the demands of various consumers.

In response to these demands, cable stations have emerged that offer specialized programs with less investment than existing airwave stations.

In order to receive a cable broadcast, a separate device such as a set-top box was required in addition to an antenna for receiving a conventional television broadcast.

The set-top box refers to a control box capable of receiving a broadcast and implementing various additional functions. Until the digital broadcasting became full-scale, receiving a broadcast data from a specific broadcaster was a main function.

However, as the digital conversion of the set-top box accelerates, it is evolving to implement various additional functions such as broadcast reception, communication function, personal image storage function, and electronic program guide function.

In general, a cable broadcasting system is a transmission system called a head end, a cable broadcasting receiver called an OpenCable device such as a set-top box, and a cable card called a Point of Depolyment (POD) device. It is largely composed.

The transmission system plays a role of transmitting a cable broadcast signal, the cable broadcast receiver plays a role of receiving a cable broadcast signal transmitted from the transmission system, and the cable card performs security and reception restriction functions.

In the cable broadcasting system configured as described above, the transmission system compresses various cable broadcasting programs and transmits them into a channel called InBand, and transmits information related to the corresponding broadcasting program and the like out of band. When transmitting to an external channel, viewers could enjoy various programs through a cable broadcast receiver.

Accordingly, cable broadcast providers collect monthly charges based on contract terms with viewers, and provide various services as well as broadcast programs only to viewers whose contracts are completed.

On the other hand, viewers watch only the contracted broadcast channels, and check and pay for the broadcast channels and programs watched for one month from the cable broadcast providers, and the viewing fee.

However, a broadcast channel menu provided by cable broadcast providers is provided to viewers by packaging only basic broadcast channels, and some broadcast channels require an additional viewing fee.

Therefore, viewers have to pay a viewing fee even for broadcast channels that are not necessary among broadcast channel menus provided by cable broadcast providers.

In addition, the viewers are uncomfortable because they do not have a system that can check the list of viewing channels, viewing fees, etc. currently being viewed by the viewer while watching the broadcast channel.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, and to provide a cable broadcasting system and a method for providing a customized broadcast channel that allows viewers to selectively select only the broadcast channels that the viewer wants to watch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable broadcasting system capable of converting and confirming a broadcast channel list and a viewing fee that a viewer is currently watching, and a method for providing a broadcast channel customized to the viewer.

In the cable broadcasting system, the method for providing a viewer-customized broadcast channel according to the present invention includes the steps of: processing and transmitting the identification information of the viewer in the customized broadcast channel menu request signal by the cable broadcast receiver; Extracting the identification information of the viewer from the customized broadcasting channel menu request signal, encrypting and transmitting the pre-stored broadcasting channel and the rate information, and decoding the received broadcasting channel and the rate information by the cable broadcasting receiver to process the signal; Displaying a customized broadcast channel menu window including the processed broadcast channel and fee information, completing the custom broadcast channel configuration through the displayed custom broadcast channel menu window, and transmitting a custom broadcast channel configuration completion signal; In the broadcast transmitter, the configuration of the received customized broadcast channel is completed Storing the customized broadcast channel configuration information from the data signal and transmitting the cable broadcast signal according to the stored customized broadcast channel configuration information.

Here, the processing and transmitting of the customized broadcast channel menu request signal may include determining whether there is a customized broadcast channel menu request, and if there is a customized broadcast channel menu request, the identification information of the viewer is included in the customized broadcast channel menu request signal. And the step of transmitting the processed customized broadcast channel menu request signal.

The encrypting and transmitting of the pre-stored broadcast channel and fee information may include extracting identification information of the viewer from the customized broadcast channel menu request signal, and confirming whether the extracted identification information of the viewer matches the identification information of the previously stored viewer. If it is determined that the identification information and the viewer's identification match, it may comprise the step of encrypting and transmitting the pre-stored broadcast channel and fee information.

The transmitting of the customized broadcast channel configuration completion signal may include: decoding and processing the broadcast channel and the rate information, storing the processed broadcast channel and the rate information, and storing the stored broadcast channel and the rate information. And displaying a customized broadcast channel menu window, and determining whether the customized broadcast channel configuration is completed through the displayed customized broadcast channel menu window, and transmitting a custom broadcast channel configuration completion signal.

The cable broadcasting system according to the present invention includes a memory unit for storing broadcast channel information, broadcast channel fee information, and viewer information, a receiver for receiving a customized broadcast channel menu request signal, and a viewer from the received customized broadcast channel menu request signal. Cable broadcast transmission including an identification information extraction unit for extracting identification information, a control unit for determining whether the identification information of the extracted viewer and the identification information of the pre-stored viewer, and a transmitter for encrypting and transmitting the stored broadcast channel and fee information And a request signal processor for processing the customized broadcast channel menu request signal, a transmitter for transmitting the processed customized broadcast channel menu request signal, a receiver for receiving broadcast channel and fee information, and decoding the broadcast channel and fee information. A cable card, a signal processor for signal processing the decoded information, A memory unit for storing the processed information, a menu window generator for generating a customized broadcast channel menu window, a display unit for displaying a customized broadcast channel menu window including stored broadcast channel and fee information, and a selected broadcast channel. It may be configured to include a cable broadcasting receiver including a calculator for calculating a fee, a request signal processor, a cable card, a calculator, a menu window generating unit.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a configuration and an operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a cable broadcasting system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cable broadcasting system of the present invention may be largely composed of a cable broadcasting transmitter 11 and a cable broadcast receiver 12.

The cable broadcast transmitter 11 may further include an identification information extractor 21, a memory 22, a transmitter / receiver 23, a controller 24, and an encryption unit 25.

Here, the transmitter / receiver 23 may receive a viewer customized broadcast channel menu request signal from the cable broadcast receiver 12, and transmit the encrypted broadcast channel information and the broadcast channel fee information accordingly. The broadcast receiving unit 12 may receive a customized broadcast channel configuration completion signal, and thereby transmit a corresponding cable broadcast signal.

The identification information extracting unit 21 extracts the viewer's identification information from the received customized broadcast channel menu request signal, and the control unit 24 advances the extracted viewer's identification information and the memory unit 22 in advance. It is determined whether the stored identification information of the viewer matches, and if it matches, the broadcasting channel information and the broadcasting channel fee information stored in the memory unit 22 are encrypted through the encryption unit 25, and if not, the received customized broadcasting channel menu request signal is received. Ignore

The memory unit 22 also stores broadcast channel information, broadcast channel fee information, and viewer information.

Meanwhile, the cable broadcast receiver 12 includes an audio / video receiver 31, a data transmitter / receiver 32, a signal processor 33, a cable card 34, a request signal processor 35, and a key inputter 36. The controller 37 may further include a controller 38, a calculator 38, a memory 39, a menu window generator 40, and a display 41.

Here, the audio / video receiver 31 may receive audio and video signals from the cable broadcast transmitter 11, and the data transmitter / receiver 32 may process the processed viewer customized broadcast channel menu request signal or the viewer customized broadcast channel. It transmits the configuration completion signal to the cable broadcast transmission unit 11 and receives the encrypted broadcast channel information and broadcast channel fee information from the cable broadcast transmission unit (11).

In some cases, the audio / video receiver 31 and the data transmitter / receiver 32 may be configured as one tuner.

When the viewer customized broadcast channel menu request signal is received from the key input unit 36, the controller 37 processes the viewer customized broadcast channel menu request signal through the request signal processor 35.

The request signal processor 35 processes a customized broadcast channel menu request signal to include viewer identification information of the cable card 34.

In addition, the cable card 34 decodes the broadcast channel information and the broadcast channel fee information received from the cable broadcast transmitter 11, and the signal processor 33 signals the decoded information or the audio / video receiver 31 It processes the audio / video signal received through).

The menu window generator 40 generates a customized broadcast channel menu window according to the control signal of the controller 37, and the display 41 displays a customized broadcast channel menu window including broadcast channel information and broadcast channel fee information. do.

Here, the customized broadcast channel menu window may be displayed in various forms such as a pop-up form.

Subsequently, the calculator 38 calculates the fee of the customized broadcast channel selected by the viewer according to the control signal of the controller 37 and displays the charge on the display 41.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a customized broadcast channel menu window according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, broadcast channels are divided by items.

That is, the items of the broadcast channel may be sports, dramas, movies, etc., and each item may have several channels.

Therefore, channel numbers are listed for each item, channel information corresponding to the channel number is displayed, and fee information corresponding to each channel number is also displayed.

Here, the broadcast channel information and the broadcast channel fee information may be updated with the latest information updated from time to time from the cable broadcast transmitter.

In addition, a broadcast channel button corresponding to each broadcast channel number is formed, and the viewer can select the broadcast channel button to be viewed, thereby allowing the viewer to watch the corresponding broadcast channel.

In addition, a fee addition button is formed in the customized broadcast channel menu window, and when the viewer wants to calculate the fee sum of the broadcast channels selected by the viewer, the total broadcast channel viewing fee is displayed by selecting the fee add button.

Therefore, viewers can conveniently select their desired broadcast channel or cancel their own unwanted broadcast channel, and can calculate their own viewing fee on the fly, so that they can watch the broadcast channel economically. .

After the above process, if the viewer thinks that the configuration of the customized broadcast channel is completed, by selecting the broadcast channel configuration complete button formed in the custom broadcast channel menu window, the custom broadcast channel menu window is terminated.

On the other hand, the control unit 37 of the cable broadcast receiving unit 12 transmits the completion of the customized broadcast channel configuration signal to the cable broadcast transmission unit 11, the control unit 24 of the cable broadcast transmission unit 11 receives the received customized broadcast channel The customized broadcasting channel configuration information is stored in the memory unit 22 from the configuration completion signal to update the currently stored viewer information.

The controller 24 transmits the cable broadcast signal to the cable broadcast receiver 12 of the corresponding viewer according to the updated broadcast channel configuration information of the viewer.

3A to 3D are flowcharts illustrating a method for providing a viewer-customized broadcast channel in a cable broadcasting system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the controller 37 of the cable broadcast receiver 12 determines whether the viewer has a customized broadcast channel menu request through the key input unit 36 (S11).

If the viewer requests a customized broadcast channel menu, the controller 37 processes the request signal processor 35 to include the identification information of the viewer in the customized broadcast channel menu request signal (S12).

However, if there is no viewer request for a customized broadcast channel menu, the determining is repeated.

Subsequently, the controller 37 transmits the customized broadcast channel menu request signal processed through the data transmitter / receiver 32.

3B, the transmitter / receiver 23 of the cable broadcast transmitter 11 receives a customized broadcast channel menu request signal from the cable broadcast receiver 12 (S21), and the controller 24 The identification information extraction unit 21 extracts the viewer's identification information from the customized broadcast channel menu request signal received (S22).

Next, the controller 24 determines whether the extracted viewer's identification information and the viewer's identification information stored in advance in the memory unit 22 match (S23).

If the identification information of the viewer is matched, the control unit 24 encrypts the broadcast channel and the rate information previously stored in the memory unit 22 through the encryption unit 25 and transmits the information through the transmission / reception unit 23. (S24)

However, if the viewer's identification information does not match, the controller 24 ignores the customized broadcast channel menu request signal and ends the operation.

3C, the data transmitter / receiver 32 of the cable broadcast receiver 12 receives broadcast channel information and broadcast channel fee information from the cable broadcast transmitter 11 (S31).

Next, the cable card 34 decodes the received broadcast channel information and the broadcast channel fee information, and the signal processor 33 processes the decoded broadcast channel information and the broadcast channel fee information and then processes the processed broadcast channel information. And store the broadcast channel fee information in the memory unit 39 (S32).

The menu window generator 40 generates a customized broadcast channel menu window according to the control signal of the controller 37, and the display 41 displays a customized broadcast channel menu window having broadcast channel information and broadcast channel fee information. Display (S33).

Subsequently, the controller 37 determines whether the viewer selects a desired broadcast channel button through the customized broadcast channel menu window (S34).

If the broadcast channel button is selected, the controller 37 determines whether the charge summing button for the broadcast channel is selected (S35). If the broadcast channel button is not selected, the controller 37 opens a customized broadcast channel menu window. It is removed after a predetermined time.

Next, if the rate adding button is selected, the control unit 37 calculates the rate for the broadcast channel selected by the viewer through the operation unit 38 and displays the calculated value in the customized broadcasting channel menu window (S37). If is not selected, the control unit 37 determines whether the broadcast channel configuration complete button is selected (S36).

If the broadcast channel configuration complete button is selected, the controller 37 generates a customized broadcast channel configuration complete signal including the customized broadcast channel configuration information of the viewer and transmits it through the data transmitter / receiver 32 (S38).

However, if the broadcast channel configuration complete button is not selected, the control unit 37 removes the customized broadcast channel menu window after a predetermined time.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, the transmitter / receiver 23 of the cable broadcast transmitter 11 receives a customized broadcast channel configuration completion signal from the cable broadcast receiver 12 (S41), and the controller 24 From the received customized broadcast channel configuration complete signal, the customized broadcast channel configuration information is stored in the memory unit 22 to update viewer information (S42).

Subsequently, the controller 24 transmits the cable broadcast signal selected by the viewer according to the customized broadcast channel configuration information stored through the transmitter / receiver 23 (S43).

As described above, the present invention is a system for providing a customized broadcast channel menu window so that a viewer can selectively view only broadcast channels to be watched.

Through the customized broadcast channel menu window of the present invention, the viewer can conveniently select only the desired broadcast channel and immediately recognize and calculate the charge information of the corresponding broadcast channel, which is a practical system.

A cable broadcasting system and a method for providing a customized broadcasting channel to a viewer according to the present invention have the following effects.

The present invention provides a customized broadcast channel menu window so that the viewer can selectively select only the broadcast channels that the viewer wants to watch, and can watch the broadcast channel very conveniently and practically.

In addition, the present invention allows viewers to conveniently select their desired broadcast channel or cancel the broadcast channel they do not want, and can instantly calculate their own viewing fee so that they can watch the broadcast channel economically. There is an advantage.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the embodiments, but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (9)

In the method of providing a viewer-specific broadcast channel of a cable broadcast system comprising a cable broadcast transmitter and a cable broadcast receiver, Processing and transmitting the customized broadcasting channel menu request signal to include the identification information of the viewer in the cable broadcasting receiving unit; Extracting, by the cable broadcast transmitter, identification information of the viewer from the received customized broadcast channel menu request signal, encrypting and transmitting previously stored broadcast channel and fee information; The cable broadcast receiver decodes the received broadcast channel and fee information to process a signal, displays a customized broadcast channel menu window including the processed broadcast channel and fee information, and displays the displayed customized broadcast channel menu window. Completing a custom broadcast channel configuration and transmitting a custom broadcast channel configuration complete signal; And storing, by the cable broadcast transmitter, customized broadcast channel configuration information from the received customized broadcast channel configuration complete signal, and transmitting a cable broadcast signal according to the stored customized broadcast channel configuration information. A method of providing a broadcasting channel customized for a viewer of a cable broadcasting system. The method of claim 1, wherein in the cable broadcasting receiver, processing and transmitting a customized broadcast channel menu request signal includes: Determining whether there is a customized broadcast channel menu request; Processing the customized broadcast channel menu request to include identification information of the viewer in the customized broadcast channel menu request signal; And providing the processed customized broadcast channel menu request signal. The method of claim 1, wherein in the cable broadcast transmitter, encrypting and transmitting the pre-stored broadcast channel and fee information, Extracting identification information of the viewer from a customized broadcast channel menu request signal received from the cable broadcast receiving unit; Determining whether the extracted identification information of the viewer matches the identification information of a previously stored viewer; And if the identification information of the viewer is matched, encrypting and transmitting the pre-stored broadcast channel and fee information. The method of claim 3, wherein the determining of whether the extracted identification information of the viewer coincides with identification information of a pre-stored viewer. And if the identification information of the viewer does not match, ignoring the customized broadcast channel menu request signal. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the customized broadcast channel configuration completion signal comprises: Decoding and processing the broadcast channel and fee information received from the cable broadcast transmitter; Storing the signal-processed broadcast channel and fee information; Displaying a customized broadcast channel menu window including the stored broadcast channel and fee information; And determining whether a custom broadcast channel configuration is completed through the displayed custom broadcast channel menu window, and transmitting a custom broadcast channel configuration completion signal to the viewer of the cable broadcasting system. The method of claim 5, wherein in the transmitting of the customized broadcast channel configuration completion signal, Determining whether a viewer selects a desired broadcast channel button through the customized broadcast channel menu window; If the broadcast channel button is selected, determining whether a charge summing button for the broadcast channel is selected; If the rate sum button is not selected, determining whether the broadcast channel configuration completion button is selected; If the broadcast channel configuration complete button is selected, the user-defined broadcast channel providing method of the cable broadcasting system, characterized in that for transmitting the custom broadcast channel configuration complete signal. The method of claim 6, wherein in the determining whether the broadcast channel button or the broadcast channel configuration complete button is selected, And if the broadcast channel button or the broadcast channel configuration complete button is not selected, after the predetermined time, removing the customized broadcast channel menu window. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of determining whether the rate adding button for the broadcast channel is selected, And if the fee summing button is selected, calculates a fee for the broadcast channel selected by the viewer and displays the calculated value thereof. A memory unit for storing broadcast channel information, broadcast channel fee information, and viewer information, a receiver for receiving a customized broadcast channel menu request signal, and an identification information extraction unit for extracting identification information of a viewer from the received customized broadcast channel menu request signal And a cable broadcasting transmitter including a controller configured to determine whether the extracted viewer identification information matches a previously stored viewer identification information, and a transmitter for encrypting and transmitting the stored broadcasting channel and fee information. A request signal processor for processing the customized broadcast channel menu request signal, a transmitter for transmitting the processed customized broadcast channel menu request signal, a receiver for receiving the broadcast channel and fee information, and the broadcast channel and fee information A cable card for decoding, a signal processing unit for signal processing the decoded information, a memory unit for storing the signal processed information, a menu window generating unit for generating a customized broadcast channel menu window, the stored broadcast channel and fee And a display unit for displaying a customized broadcast channel menu window including information, a calculator for calculating a fee for the selected broadcast channel, and a controller for controlling the request signal processor, a cable card, a calculator, and a menu window generator. Cable broadcasting system comprising a cable broadcasting receiver.

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