KR100891732B1 - Method and apparatus for providing an adjustable electronic program guide user interface in internet protocol television - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for offering a variable EPG UI of an IPTV and an apparatus therefor are provided to allow a user to adjust the category configuration of an EPG menu and the display location on a screen of the IPTV in desired types, thereby satisfying various propensities of users. A set-top box receives the authentication command for a user and then performs the user authentication after connecting to a main server(S210). The set-top box receives the first EPG UI from the main server(S220). The received first EPG UI is outputted on a display device(S230). The first EPG UI is stored in the set-top box(S240). When the authenticated user instructs the change of the first EPG UI through a user controller, the set-top box receives the command of the user and then generates the changed second EPG UI(S250). The second EPG UI is outputted on the display device(S260). The set-top box updates the first EPG UI stored in the main server with the second EPG UI(S270).

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN ADJUSTABLE ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE USER INTERFACE IN INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION}

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a variable electronic program guide (EPG) user interface (UI) of an internet television (IPTV), and more specifically, to a category of an EPG menu for each user. A method and apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface capable of changing configuration and display position.

IPTV is an interactive television service provided using a high-speed internet network, and has an advantage over general cable broadcasting in that viewers can see only programs they want to watch at a convenient time. IPTV uses a set-top box that connects the Internet with a TV to search for TV programs and save downloaded files at the desired time. Therefore, IPTV is not the same as over-the-air or cable broadcasting where users only receive broadcast signals. In other words, the biggest feature is that the user can select the desired program and view it at the desired time.

Currently, the number of IPTV service subscribers is increasing, and accordingly, the field and quantity of contents provided by each service provider are continuously increasing. This means that programs that can meet a variety of personal tastes are specialized and thus the user has more choice. However, it is not easy to see the information of this increased channel while the general user is watching IPTV. To this end, each service provider provides an EPG.

Generally, EPG refers to program guide information displayed on a screen of a digital television, or an application for operating the same. EPG information includes basic program information such as broadcast time, title, simple synopsis, and main character of a program to be broadcast on a broadcast channel, and EPG application is one of the core applications of digital television. It is an application that receives information and processes it in a way that is easy for the user to see. In the case of the IPTV service, since a great number of channels and contents are provided, it is difficult to know which program is broadcasted in which channel. Therefore, an EPG that summarizes and displays the schedule and contents of a broadcast program is an essential element.

Currently, EPG is produced and supplied by each service provider, and user interface such as EPG menu category composition is uniform, and it does not satisfy the needs of users of various tendencies. In other words, since the content mainly used by each user is different, the menu of unused content is configured in the front and the menu of frequently used content is configured in the back. There is a lot of inconvenience in watching. In addition, since the position where the EPG is displayed on the screen is fixed, there is a lot of inconvenience in viewing the EPG according to the viewing angle of the user.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a variable EPG user interface providing method that allows a user to adjust the category configuration of the EPG menu in IPTV.

An object of the present invention is to provide a variable EPG user interface providing apparatus that allows the user to adjust the category configuration of the EPG menu in IPTV.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the variable EPG user interface providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of the set-top box connected to the main server to authenticate the user in response to a user authentication command from the user, And receiving, by the set-top box, a first EPG user interface directly configured by the authenticated user from the main server, and outputting the first EPG user interface to a display device.

In an embodiment, the method of providing a variable EPG user interface may further include storing the first EPG user interface in the set top box.

In an embodiment, the set top box may store EPG user interfaces of a plurality of users.

In an embodiment, in the method of providing a variable EPG user interface, a user may change a position on a screen on which the first EPG user interface is output to the display apparatus.

The method may further include generating a second EPG user interface whose set top box is changed in response to a command for changing the first EPG user interface from the authenticated user. Outputting an interface to the display device; and updating, by the set top box, the first EPG user interface stored in the main server to the second EPG user interface.

In an embodiment, the method of providing a variable EPG user interface may further include storing the second EPG user interface in the set top box.

In an embodiment, the set top box may store EPG user interfaces of a plurality of users.

In an embodiment, in the method of providing a variable EPG user interface, a user may change a position on a screen on which the second EPG user interface is output to the display apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, an apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is a user controller for instructing a user to authenticate a user and change an EPG user interface, and an EPG user configured by each user. A main server for storing interfaces, a display device for outputting an EPG user interface on a screen, a control unit for receiving a command from the user controller to control an operation of the set-top box, and performing user authentication to the main server in response to a command of the control unit A user authentication unit configured to generate a second EPG user interface modified in response to a first EPG user interface change command of the controller, the user configured directly by the user from the main server in response to a command of the controller Receive a first EPG user interface, The first EPG user interface and the second EPG to the display apparatus in response to a command of the data transceiver and the controller to update the first EPG user interface with the second EPG user interface generated by the EPG user interface generator. It includes an image output unit for providing a user interface.

The apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface may further include a storage configured to store the first EPG user interface and the second EPG user interface.

In an embodiment, the storage unit may store EPG user interfaces of a plurality of users.

In an embodiment, the controller may change a position of a screen on which the first EPG user interface and the second EPG user interface are output to the display apparatus.

Hereinafter, a method and apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, which are common in the art. Those skilled in the art will be able to implement the invention in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "having" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, action, component, part, or combination thereof that is described, and that one or more other features or numbers are present. It should be understood that it does not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of steps, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof. Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

On the other hand, when an embodiment is otherwise implemented, a function or operation specified in a specific block may occur out of the order specified in the flowchart. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be performed substantially simultaneously, and the blocks may be performed upside down depending on the function or operation involved. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is a schematic diagram of a general IPTV system.

Referring to FIG. 1, a general IPTV system includes a user controller 110, a settop box 120, a display unit 130, and a main server 140. It is composed.

The set top box 120 receives and stores broadcast channel and broadcast program related information from the main server 140, and a user displays an EPG on the set top box 120 through the user controller 110 such as a remote controller. When the command is made, the set top box 120 outputs EPG information to the display device 130 through the built-in EPG application. At this time, since the user interface, such as menu category configuration and EPG display location, is fixed in the embedded EPG application, all users use the same user interface, and users cannot adjust the EPG user interface as they wish. Does not meet their needs.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a variable EPG user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the method of providing a variable EPG user interface, when the user issues a user authentication command through the user controller 110 such as a remote controller, the set top box 120 receives the command and transmits the command to the main server 140. The user authentication step (S210), the set-top box 120 receives the first EPG user interface configured and stored directly from the main server 140 by the authenticated user (S220) and the received first 1 outputting the EPG user interface to the display device 130 (S230).

In addition, the method may further include storing the first EPG user interface in the set top box 120 (S240). In this case, the set top box 120 may store an EPG user interface directly configured by a plurality of users whose user authentication is completed. Therefore, even if the same display device and the same set-top box is used, an EPG user interface specialized for each user can be provided.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, when the authenticated user commands a change of the first EPG user interface through the user controller 110 such as a remote controller, the set top box 120 receives the command. Generating the changed second EPG user interface (S250), outputting the second EPG user interface to the display device 130 (S260) and the set-top box 120 is stored in the main server 140 The method may further include updating an existing first EPG user interface with the second EPG user interface (S270). By storing the EPG user interface changed by the user in the main server 140 as described above, even if the user watches IPTV at a place other than his home, the user directly configures the user from the main server 140 through user authentication. Since the EPG user interface can be downloaded and used, spatial limitations can be overcome in providing a variable EPG user interface.

The method may further include updating the first EPG user interface by storing the second EPG user interface in the set top box 120 (S280). Accordingly, even if the user does not undergo user authentication for each EPG display request, the user may provide the user-configured EPG user interface stored in the set-top box 120.

In the variable EPG user interface providing method, a user may change a position on the screen on which the EPG user interface is output to the display apparatus 130. Therefore, the user may adjust the EPG user interface to be positioned at a desired position such as up, down, left, or right on the screen according to the viewing angle.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the variable EPG user interface providing apparatus 300 includes a user controller 110, a set top box 120, a display device 130, and a main server 140, and the set top box 120 includes: The controller 340 includes a user authentication unit 350, an EPG user interface generation unit 360, a data transmission / reception unit 370, and an image output unit 380. In addition, in one embodiment, the set top box 120 may further include a storage unit 390. The main server 140 includes an image database 142 storing image data of a program, and a user database 144 storing user information, an EPG user interface configured by a user, and the like. 4 shows the field configuration of the user database 144. Referring to FIG. 4, the user database 144 includes a user ID, a password, and an EPG user interface field.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the user commands the user authentication and the EPG user interface change through the user controller 110. The main server 140 stores the user-configured EPG user interfaces for each user in the user database 144. The display device 130 outputs the EPG user interface on the screen. The controller 340 receives a command from the user controller 110 and controls the operation of the set top box 120. The user authentication unit 350 is a user of the main server 140 in response to a command of the control unit 340 that receives the user's command when the user commanded user authentication through the user controller 110. User authentication is performed through the database 144. The EPG user interface generation unit 360 may be configured to be changed in response to a command of the control unit 340 that receives the user's command when the user commands the change of the first user interface through the user controller 110. 2 Create an EPG user interface. The data transceiver 370 receives the first EPG user interface directly configured by the user stored in the user database 144 of the main server 140 in response to a command from the controller 340, The first EPG user interface is updated with the second EPG user interface generated by the EPG user interface generator 360. The image output unit 380 provides the first EPG user interface and the second user interface to the display device 130 in response to a command from the controller 340. The storage unit 390 stores the first EPG user interface and the second user interface in response to a command of the control unit 340.

The storage unit 390 may store an EPG user interface configured by a plurality of users who have completed user authentication. Therefore, even if the same display device and the same set-top box is used, a user interface specialized for each user can be provided.

The controller 340 may change the position of the screen on which the EPG user interface is output to the display device 130. Therefore, the user may adjust the EPG user interface to be positioned at a desired position such as up, down, left, or right on the screen according to the viewing angle.

2 and 3 will be described in detail the operation of the method and apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When a user requests a user authentication using the user controller 110 such as a remote controller, the image output unit 380 receives a command of the controller 340 and outputs a user authentication screen to the display device 130. 5 is an exemplary view showing a user authentication screen. When the user inputs an ID and a password, the user authentication unit 350 receives a command from the control unit 340 and performs user authentication through the user database 144 of the main server 140 (S210). When user authentication is completed, the data transmission / reception unit 370 receives a first EPG user interface configured and stored by the user directly from the user database 144 of the main server 140 by receiving a command from the control unit 340. (S220). The image output unit 380 outputs the received first EPG user interface to the display apparatus 130 according to the command of the controller 340 (S230). 6 illustrates an example in which an EPG user interface is output to a display device. The EPG user interface, such as the category constituting the menu shown in FIG. 6 and the position on the screen on which the menu is output, is directly configured by the user. The controller 340 stores the first EPG user interface received in the storage 390 (S240). In this way, when the user next issues the EPG user interface display command, the first EPG user interface stored in the storage unit 390 may be output without a user authentication procedure.

When a user wants to change the first EPG user interface, when the user makes a change command through the user controller 110, the image output unit 380 sends the display device 130 to the display device 130 according to the command of the controller 340. Outputs the EPG user interface change screen. 7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an EPG user interface change screen. Referring to FIG. 7, the user selects items to configure the upper menu category through the primary selection button and selects items to configure the lower menu category through the secondary selection button while watching the preview image. When the user completes the change of the EPG user interface, the EPG user interface generation unit 360 generates the changed second EPG user interface (S250), and the image output unit 380 according to the command of the controller 340 The second EPG user interface is output to the display apparatus 130 (S260). The data transmitter / receiver 370 updates the first EPG user interface stored in the user database 144 of the main server 140 with the second EPG user interface according to the command of the controller 340. (S270). In addition, the controller 340 stores the second EPG user interface in the storage 390 to update the first EPG user interface (S280).

8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an EPG user interface after the user completes the change of the EPG user interface. In FIG. 8, the user deletes 'MBC', 'KBS' and 'SBS' among the upper menu configuration items, adds 'sports', 'fishing' and 'go' and arranges the order of the menu items in the order desired by the user. , 'GAGYA' and 'GAG CONCERT' are selected as the sub menu configuration items for 'ACCESS' and the display position is changed to the upper part of the screen.

Due to the above operation, each user can download and use the EPG user interface directly configured from the main server 140 through user authentication even when watching IPTV in another place.

The method and apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention can satisfy the needs of users of various tendencies as the user can change the category configuration of the EPG menu and the position displayed on the screen as desired by the user. It can be used effectively in the field of IPTV service.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but those skilled in the art may vary the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be understood that modifications and changes can be made.

1 is a schematic diagram of a general IPTV system.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a variable EPG user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for providing a variable EPG user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 illustrates a field configuration of a user database included in the main server.

5 is an exemplary view showing a user authentication screen.

6 illustrates an example in which an EPG user interface is output to a display device.

7 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an EPG user interface change screen.

8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a menu configuration after a user changes an EPG user interface.

Claims (12)

In response to a user authentication command from the user, the set-top box accessing the main server to authenticate the user; Receiving, by the set-top box, a first electronic program guide (EPG) user interface directly configured by the authenticated user from the main server; Outputting the first EPG user interface to a display device; Generating a second EPG user interface whose set top box is changed in response to a change command of the first EPG user interface from the authenticated user; Outputting the second EPG user interface to the display device; And And the set top box updating the first EPG user interface stored in the main server with the second EPG user interface. delete delete delete delete The method of claim 1, And storing the second EPG user interface in the set top box. The method of claim 6, wherein the set top box stores EPG user interfaces of a plurality of users. The method of claim 1, A method of providing a variable EPG user interface for an IPTV, characterized in that the user can change the position on the screen where the first EPG user interface and the second EPG user interface are output to the display device. A user controller for instructing the user to authenticate the user and change the EPG user interface; A main server that stores EPG user interfaces configured by each user; A display device for outputting an EPG user interface to a screen; A control unit which receives a command from the user controller to control an operation of the set top box; A user authentication unit performing user authentication on the main server in response to a command of the control unit; An EPG user interface generation unit configured to generate a changed second EPG user interface in response to a first EPG user interface change command of the controller; Receiving the first EPG user interface configured by the user directly from the main server in response to a command of the controller, and updating the first EPG user interface with the second EPG user interface generated by the EPG user interface generator; A data transceiver; And And an image output unit configured to provide the first EPG user interface and the second EPG user interface to the display device in response to a command of the controller. The method of claim 9, And a storage unit for storing the first EPG user interface and the second EPG user interface in response to a command of the controller. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the storage unit stores the EPG user interfaces of the plurality of users. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller can change a position of a screen on which the first EPG user interface and the second EPG user interface are output to the display device. .

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