KR101126764B1 - System and method for transmitting short message - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a short message transmission system and method for transmitting a short message using a TV-based set-top box.

The short message transmission method according to the present invention is based on a short message information input from a user by accessing a TV portal server that provides various contents on a TV screen in which the content includes a short message transmission service in a general situation. The SMS server generates and transmits a short message, and in an emergency, the SMS server generates and transmits a short message based on the short message information set in the memory in the set-top box. In this way, the message transmission method can be selected by distinguishing between emergency and general situations, and in the case of emergency, the short message information can be shortened as the time for receiving the short message information from the user can be quickly transmitted. . In addition, only the short message information transmitted in an emergency is stored in the set-top box, and the rest of the set-top box is connected to a TV portal server to provide a service, thereby not limiting the memory capacity of the set-top box.

Set-top box, TV, web, SMS, remote control, memory, TV portal server

Description

Short message transfer system and method {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING SHORT MESSAGE}

1 is a block diagram of a short message transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a short message transmission system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an operation process of a general and emergency short message transmission system, respectively.

The present invention relates to a short message transmission system and method for transmitting a short message using a TV-based set-top box.

In general, a set-top box is a signal conversion system that must be installed in the subscriber's home to transmit and receive digital broadcasting or telecommunication services through a cable or satellite. A digital device mounted on an existing analog TV set It is connected to cable, telephone line, satellite, etc., and changes the digital TV signal so that existing analog TV can receive.

These set-top boxes are being developed as advanced set-top boxes that can send control and data messages to the head-end in more advanced forms, in addition to services that simply allow broadcasts to be viewed via satellite or cable. The application area is expanding.

However, the set-top box has a smaller CPU or memory and limited capacity than a general PC, and thus cannot set a service function desired by a user. In particular, a message transmission service using a conventional set-top box provides a service by installing an SMS application in the set-top box. In this case, the SMS application takes up a lot of the memory of the set-top box and there is insufficient memory in the set-top box as service functions are upgraded. If you do not receive the upgrade will occur.

In addition, a message transmission service using a conventional set-top box has a problem in that it is not possible to transmit a message quickly because a short message must be transmitted by receiving a message content and a recipient number from a user in the same manner as in a normal situation even when an emergency occurs.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a short message transmission system that can overcome the limitation of the memory capacity in the set-top box. It is also to provide a way to quickly send a short message in case of emergency.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transmitting a short message using a TV-based set-top box interworking with a TV portal server and a Short Message Service (SMS) server. This transmission method comprises the steps of: a) setting the message content and reception number to be transmitted in an emergency to a memory in the set-top box; b) requesting transmission of the set message using a single predetermined command; And c) requesting an SMS server to transmit a short message to the set reception number by the request.

The method may also include accessing a TV portal initial web page when the set top box is turned on, wherein the TV portal initial web page includes at least short message transmission content; And receiving a message content and a receiving number from a user through an SMS server linked with the short message transmission content of the initial TV portal web page, and transmitting the short message.

The memory may be a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

According to another aspect of the invention, a system for transmitting a short message is provided. The system includes a TV portal server that provides a variety of content on a TV screen, wherein the content includes at least a short message transmission service; A short message service (SMS) server that generates a short message and transmits the short message through a short message transmission interface, and is connected to the short message transmission service of the TV portal server to receive short message information from a user when selecting the service; And a TV-based set-top box for selectively transmitting the short message generated based on the short message information received from the user and the short message generated based on the preset short message information.

The set top box may include a memory unit in which the preset short message information is stored, and the short message information may include at least one of a message content, a recipient number, and a caller number.

The apparatus may further include a remote controller for remotely controlling the set-top box and the TV, wherein at least one of the set-top box and the remote controller is a first key associated with a short message transmission using a short message transmission service of the TV portal server. ; And a second key associated with short message transmission using a memory unit of the set top box in which the short message information is stored. At this time, the first key is connected to the SMS server via the set-top box via the TV portal server, and the second key is directly connected to the SMS server through the set-top box.

The transmission system may further include an authentication server that authenticates a right to transmit a short message by using a memory unit of the TV portal server and the set-top box.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention. Like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the specification.

Now, a short message transmission system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the short message transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a block diagram of a short message transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the short message transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a set-top box 20, a TV portal server 40, and a short message service (SMS) server 50.

The set-top box 20 accesses the TV portal server 40 via the Internet network 30 to display the initial TV portal web page on the TV screen, and is connected to the SMS server linked to the content of the 'short message transmission' content of the initial TV portal web page. In connection with 50, the short message is transmitted to the recipient number.

In addition, the set-top box 20 stores the content of the message and the recipient number in an internal memory unit (not shown) so that a short message can be quickly transmitted in an emergency. As the memory unit, a rewritable memory such as a flash memory may be used.

Emergency button keys 22 and 3 associated with the memory unit are provided in the set-top box 20 or the remote controller 1. The remote control 1 remotely controls the set-top box 20 or the TV (10).

The remote control and the set-top box are equipped with a plurality of button keys including emergency button keys 3 and 22 and general button keys 4 and 24 for selecting and transmitting a short message in an emergency or general situation. Each of the plurality of button keys has a corresponding letter and number set so that the message contents and numbers are input using the plurality of button keys. At this time, the set top box 20 is able to grasp the character input corresponding to the character input of the corresponding button key. Emergency button keys (3, 22) are associated with the memory unit to quickly send a message in an emergency situation, and general button keys (4, 24) recognizes the normal button key signal in the set-top box 20 TV portal The short message can be transmitted by interworking with the server 40 and the SMS server 50.

Accordingly, when the user presses the emergency button keys 3 and 22, the set-top box 20 recognizes the emergency button key signal, and transmits the message content and the recipient number stored in the memory unit through the SMS server (the Internet server 30). 50). The SMS server 50 then generates and transmits a short message based on this information. When the user presses the normal button keys 4 and 24, the set-top box 20 recognizes the general button key signal and selects the 'send short message' content displayed on the initial web page of the TV portal. send.

The TV portal server 40 provides various contents including a short message transmission service and various information similar to an internet portal site displayed on a TV screen when the user turns on the TV 10 and the set-top box 20. .                     

The SMS server 50 generates a short message based on the short message information received from the set-top box 20 or the TV portal server 40 through the Internet network 30, and transmits the short message to the corresponding recipient number through the mobile communication network 60. send.

Specifically, the SMS server 50 is connected to the 'send short message' content of the TV portal initial web page, and when the user accesses the TV portal server 40 and selects the 'send short message' content, the short message is received from the user. The input window is displayed on the TV screen by switching to the short message input mode so that message information can be input. When the user inputs the message content, the recipient number, and the sender number in the corresponding input window, a short message is generated based on the short message information and transmitted through the short message transmission interface.

Mobile communication network 60 includes an exchange 62 and a base station 64. When the short message is received, the exchange 62 inquires the location of the receiver to determine the location of the receiver, and then transfers the short message. The base station 64 is wirelessly connected to the mobile communication terminal 2 to transfer the short message to the receiver. Transfer to the communication terminal (2).

Using the short message transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, in a general situation, a user selects a 'short message transmission' content from an initial web page of a TV portal displayed on a TV screen, and connects to an SMS server connected thereto. 50) to send a short message to the receiver, in an emergency, the user simply presses the emergency button key (22, 3) of the set-top box 20 or the remote control (1), the pre-stored recipient through the SMS server 50 Short messages are automatically generated and sent to the number, so that you can respond quickly in an emergency.

Meanwhile, in the first embodiment of the present invention, although the authentication is not performed in the process of displaying the TV portal web page on the TV screen when the set-top box 20 is powered on, the authentication may be performed. This embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

2 is a block diagram of a short message transmission system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the short message transmission system using the TV-based set-top box according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first embodiment of the present invention except that an authentication server 70 is added.

The authentication server 70 is connected to the Internet network and grants the authority to transmit a short message using the set-top box 20. That is, the authentication server 70 receives the device or user ID set in the set-top box 20 when the power of the set-top box 20 is turned on, confirms the subscription, and transmits the corresponding signal to the set-top box 20.

As such, the set top box 20 may be connected to the TV portal server 40 after authentication from the authentication server 70 to display the initial TV portal web page on the TV screen.

In addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, a billing server (not shown) may be further included. When the authentication is completed in the authentication server 70 sends a key value to the set-top box 20. In the set-top box 20 receiving the key value, after storing the time as a cookie, the key value having the cookie is transmitted to the authentication server 70 to apply for billing. Then, the authentication server 70 requests the charging to the charging server. The billing server may store the billing request and notify the user of the integration.

Next, an operation process of the short message transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an operation process of the short message transmission system of the present invention, respectively. 3A shows a short message transmission process in a general situation, and FIG. 3B shows a short message transmission process in an emergency situation.

As described above, a simple message content, a receiver number, and a caller number are set in a memory unit in the set-top box 20, and the memory unit is configured to the emergency button keys 3 and 22 provided in the remote controller 1 or the set-top box 20. It is linked.

First of all, in order to transmit a short message in a general or emergency situation, the power of the set-top box 20 is turned on and the initial setting items are checked and input. When the initial setting is completed as described above, the device or user ID of the set-top box 20 set in the set-top box 20 is automatically sent out, and the authentication server 70 performs subscriber confirmation from the ID of the set-top box 20. After authentication from the authentication server 70, the set-top box 20 is connected to the TV portal server 40 to display the initial TV portal web page on the TV 10 screen. Here, if the authentication step is not passed, the operation process of the short message transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is the same. This step will be omitted below.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the user wants to send a short message using the TV portal initial web page displayed on the TV 10 screen in a normal situation, the user may display the TV portal initial web page displayed on the TV screen. Select the 'Send short message' content. In this case, as described above, the general button keys 4 and 24 provided in the remote controller 1 or the set-top box 20 are pressed to select a corresponding service. Then, the SMS server 50 connected to the "sent short message transmission" content of the initial TV portal web page is converted to the short message input mode and the corresponding input window is displayed on the TV screen (S302-S304). Then, the user inputs the message content in the text message input window and the recipient number in the recipient input window and the caller number in the sender input window (S306).

Then, the SMS server 50 generates a short message based on the message content, the recipient number, and the sender number input from the user (S308). When the user clicks on the generated short message transmission, the SMS server 50 is connected to the mobile communication network 60 through the short message transmission interface and transmits the short message to the recipient number (S310).

At this time, if the short message is re-sent within a certain time, for example, within one minute after transmitting the short message to the recipient number, the SMS server 50 checks whether the short message is the same, and if the same short message is sent, Do not send short messages because they are treated as errors. This will help you avoid fees that can be overpaid in the future due to mischief.

As such, in a general situation, the short message is connected to the TV portal server 40 to transmit the short message, so that the memory capacity in the set-top box is not limited. It also makes it easy to scale, change, modify, and upgrade service features regardless of the limited set-top box capacity.                     

As shown in FIG. 3B, in an emergency situation, the user presses emergency button keys 3 and 22 provided in the remote controller 1 or the set-top box 20 (S312). Then, the message content, the recipient number and the sender number set in the memory unit of the set-top box 20 associated with the emergency button keys 3 and 22 are transmitted to the SMS server 50. Then, the SMS server 50 generates a short message based on the received message content and the recipient number (S314). Then, the short message is transmitted to the set recipient number using the short message transmission interface (S316).

As such, since the short message is generated using the message content and the recipient number stored in the set-top box 20, the user does not need time to input the message content, the recipient number and the caller number in the input window as shown in FIG. 3A. You can quickly deliver a message to a configured recipient.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the SMS server 50 has been described as generating a short message. However, this may vary depending on a function setting when the system is initially implemented. For example, in the initial implementation of the system, a function of generating a short message in the TV portal server 40 and the set-top box 20 may be set, and the SMS server 50 may set only a function of delivering a short message.

The above embodiments are intended to illustrate the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, it can be modified or modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

 According to the present invention, the set-top box includes only essential functions, and other service functions are connected to a service server to receive a service. That is, in case of emergency, the short message is transmitted based on the message content and the recipient number stored in the set-top box, so that the short message can be transmitted quickly. In general, the short message is transmitted by using the short message transmission service of the TV portal web page. By transmitting in a server manner, the memory capacity in the set-top box is not limited.

In addition, since a short message is transmitted through a web server method in general, a record of use of a short message that is not possible in a service embedded method of a conventional set-top box can be stored.

Claims (12)

In the method for transmitting a short message by using a TV-based set-top box interlocked with a TV portal server and a Short Message Service (SMS) server, a) setting a message content and a reception number transmitted in an emergency to a memory in the set top box; b) requesting transmission of the set message using a single predetermined command; And c) requesting the SMS server to send a short message to the set reception number according to the request. Short message transmission method comprising a. The method of claim 1, Accessing a TV portal initial web page, wherein the TV portal initial web page includes at least short message transmission content when the set top box is turned on; And Transmitting a short message by receiving a message content and a receiving number from a user through an SMS server linked with the short message transmitting content of the initial TV page of the TV portal; The short message transmission method further comprising. 3. The method of claim 2, Is provided with a remote control for remote control of the set-top box, At least one of the remote control and the set top box, A first key associated with short message transmission using the TV portal initial web page; And A second key associated with a short message transmission using a message set in a memory in the set top box Short message transmission method comprising a. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, And the memory is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. In a system for transmitting a short message, A set-top box connected to the Internet network and providing a TV signal to the TV; A TV portal connected to the set-top box via the Internet network and displaying an initial web page that provides a plurality of contents on the screen of the TV via the set-top box, wherein the content includes at least a short message transmission service? server; And It is connected to the set-top box and the TV portal server through the Internet network to provide a short message service, wherein the short message is transmitted by a user in link with a short message transmission service of an initial web page displayed by the TV portal server. Short message service (SMS) server that generates and sends a short message according to the short message information input from the user when selecting a service, The set top box, A memory unit for storing preset short message information including a message content and a reception number transmitted in an emergency; When the transmission of the predetermined short message information stored in the memory unit is requested by using a single predetermined command from a user, the message is included in the predetermined short message information without input of a message content and a reception number from the user. Request to the SMS server to transmit the content of a message included in the predetermined short message information to a reception number; Short message transmission system. delete The method of claim 5, The short message information includes at least one of a message content, a recipient number, and a sender number. The method of claim 5, Remote control for remote control of the set top box and the TV More, At least one of the set top box and the remote control, A first key associated with a short message transmission using a short message transmission service of the TV portal server; And A second key associated with a short message transmission using a memory unit of the set-top box in which the short message information is stored Short message transmission system comprising a. The method of claim 8, The first key is connected to the SMS server via the set-top box via the TV portal server, And the second key is directly connected to the SMS server through the set top box. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, Authentication server for authenticating the authority to send a short message by using the memory of the TV portal server and the set-top box Short message transmission system further comprising. The method of claim 10, The authentication server, the short message transmission system for performing authentication from the device or user ID (ID) automatically sent from the set-top box. The method of claim 10, And the memory unit is a flash memory.

Images