KR101163616B1 - System and method of local custom-made data broadcasting service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for locally tailored data broadcasting services. The method according to the present invention comprises the steps of receiving the service menu configuration data corresponding to the service menu configuration information for each region code, and using the service menu configuration information corresponding to the region code extracted from the smart card by executing an application for data broadcasting service. To configure a service menu. According to the present invention, there is an advantage in that it is possible to provide a customized data broadcasting service through providing a local service menu optimized for each region.

Description

Local customized data broadcasting service system and method {SYSTEM AND METHOD OF LOCAL CUSTOM-MADE DATA BROADCASTING SERVICE}

The present invention relates to a system and method for tailoring data broadcasting services, and more particularly, to a system and method for tailoring data broadcasting services in which a data broadcasting service menu is configured and provided according to an area where a set-top box is located.

In general, a set-top box is a device that is connected to a video reproducing apparatus such as a television, receives a signal from an external source, converts it appropriately, and displays the contents with the video reproducing apparatus. Devices that provide external signals to the set-top box include Ethernet cables, satellite receiver antennas, coaxial cables, telephone lines, and regular VHF or UHF antennas.

Recently, a set-top box that receives a cable broadcast signal and displays it on an image reproducing apparatus, and also supports a user to use a service such as Internet search by transmitting and receiving an internet data signal through a cable network, has emerged. In this way, the user can use additional services such as Internet service as well as the existing broadcast service through the set-top box.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a local data broadcasting service system and method that can provide a data broadcasting service menu according to the area where the set-top box is located.

In order to solve the technical problem, a set-top box supporting a data broadcasting service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a transceiver for receiving service menu configuration data corresponding to service menu configuration information for each region code, and the set-top box is located. A smart card including a region code corresponding to an area to be used, and a controller configured to execute a data broadcasting service application to configure a service menu using service menu configuration information corresponding to the region code extracted from the smart card.

The controller may configure the service menu by executing an application for data broadcasting service when the user selects a predetermined channel.

The predetermined channel may be a local channel.

The service menu configuration information may include main menu information constituting the service menu and screen display setting information of the main menu.

The service menu configuration data may further include category information corresponding to a detailed menu of the main menu.

The transceiver may further receive weather list data including weather information corresponding to each region code, and the controller may provide weather information corresponding to the region code extracted from the smart card to the image reproducing apparatus.

The control unit receives a postal code corresponding to the user from a data broadcasting service center, and transmits the postal code to the data broadcasting service center together with a data broadcasting service request, thereby providing response data customized according to the postal code. It can be provided from data broadcasting service center.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a region-specific data broadcasting service system includes a data broadcasting service center providing service menu configuration data corresponding to service menu configuration information for each region code, and a smart card by executing an application for data broadcasting service. It may include a set-top box constituting the service menu by using the service menu configuration information corresponding to the region code extracted from.

When the user selects a predetermined channel, the set-top box may configure the service menu by executing the application for data broadcasting service.

The data broadcasting service center further provides weather list data including weather information corresponding to each region code to the set top box, and the set top box displays weather information corresponding to the region code extracted from the smart card. Can be provided to

The set-top box may receive a postal code corresponding to the user from the data broadcasting service center when requesting data broadcasting service subscriber information, and transmit the postal code to the data broadcasting service center together with the data broadcasting service request.

The data broadcasting service center may provide response data according to the data broadcasting service request of the set-top box in accordance with the postal code.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a customized data broadcasting service according to the present invention, comprising: receiving service menu configuration data corresponding to service menu configuration information for each region code, and executing a data broadcasting service application in a smart card; And constructing a service menu by using service menu configuration information corresponding to the extracted region code.

A computer-readable medium according to an embodiment of the present invention records a program for causing a computer to execute any one of the above methods.

Conventionally, the same data broadcasting service menu was provided when belonging to the same region data broadcasting service center even though located in different regions, but according to the present invention, a customized data broadcasting service can be provided by providing an optimized region service menu for each region. There is an advantage.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a region-specific data broadcasting service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the data service center shown in FIG. 1 in more detail.
3 is a block diagram illustrating in detail the set-top box shown in FIG.
4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a local service menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of configuring a local service menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of extracting local weather information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of rotating a local service menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 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.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a region-specific data broadcasting service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a regional customized data broadcasting service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a data broadcasting service center 100 and local broadcasting systems 210 and 220, and is set-top via a cable network (not shown). It is connected to the boxes 310 and 320 to provide a data broadcasting service to a user.

The local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 are regional unit broadcasting stations operated by a system operator (SO). The local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 provide various broadcast contents, which are provided from the outside through the wired / wireless network or the self-produced broadcasting contents, to the set top boxes 310 and 320 located in the area where they are serviced through a cable network (not shown). do. For example, when the local broadcasting system 210 is operated by the Yangcheon area SO, and provides a broadcasting service to the set-top box 310 located in the Yangcheon area, and the local broadcasting system 220 is operated by the SO in the Eunpyeong area. It provides a broadcast service to the set-top box 320 located in the Eunpyeong area. In particular, a channel organized by a local broadcasting station to serve a local customized broadcasting content is called a local channel.

The local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 may include a broadcasting headend (not shown) and a cable mode termination system (CMTS). The broadcasting headend performs a function of transmitting QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) modulated to the cable broadcast signal of the corresponding channel and then transmitting the broadcast content to the cable network. The CMTSs 212 and 222 may perform a function of exchanging IP-based cable data signals with the set-top boxes 310 and 320 according to data over cable service interface specifications (DOCSIS). The local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 may mix the cable broadcasting signal and the cable data signal and transmit the radio frequency signal (RF signal) through the cable network.

The data broadcasting service center 100 provides various data and data broadcasting service applications (hereinafter, referred to as an application) related to providing the data broadcasting service to the set top boxes 310 and 320 through the local broadcasting systems 210 and 220. Here, the data broadcasting service refers to a service that provides not only broadcasting program related information but also life information such as weather, news, traffic, and the Internet, electronic commerce, and text message transmission through a broadcasting network. The application is executed in the set-top boxes 310 and 320 to display the data broadcasting service menu screen on the screen of the image reproducing apparatuses 410 and 420, and to request the data broadcasting service center 100 for the data broadcasting service selected by the user. Can be provided.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the data broadcasting service center 100 is connected to two local broadcasting systems 210 and 220, one or a plurality of local broadcasting systems may be connected according to an embodiment. Of course, a plurality of set-top boxes may be connected to the local broadcasting system 210 or 220 through a cable network to receive a broadcast service. The data broadcasting service center 100 may be logically or physically divided into a plurality of local data broadcasting service centers. For example, after several local broadcasting systems are grouped by region, the local data broadcasting service center may be implemented to provide data broadcasting services through local broadcasting systems belonging to the local data broadcasting service center.

The data broadcasting service center 100 provides a region-specific data broadcasting service. Here, the region-specific data broadcasting service means providing a data broadcasting service menu differently according to the region where the user is located and providing a service accordingly. This is described in detail below.

The set top boxes 310 and 320 are connected to the image reproducing apparatuses 410 and 420 to convert the signals from the local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 of the region where they are located, and display them on the image reproducing apparatuses 410 and 420. Various commands input from the user through a remote controller (not shown) may be transmitted to the data broadcasting service center 100.

In particular, the set-top boxes 310 and 320 according to the present invention may configure the data broadcasting service menu screen according to the region where the user is located and display them on the image reproducing apparatus 410 or 420. This is described in detail below.

The image reproducing apparatuses 410 and 420 display a menu screen for using various broadcasting contents and data broadcasting services processed and delivered by the set top boxes 310 and 320 and provide the user with an LCD monitor, a PDP monitor, an organic display device. It can be implemented with a display device such as an EL monitor and a television. Although the set top boxes 310 and 320 are separated from the image reproducing apparatuses 410 and 420 in FIG. 1, the set top boxes 310 and 320 may be separately formed in some embodiments.

The manager terminal 500 is a device used by an administrator who manages the data broadcasting service center 100, and is used for menu configuration and scheduling for providing a personalized data service. Here, the manager terminal 160 includes a microprocessor, as well as a desktop computer, and includes memory means such as a laptop computer, a workstation, a palmtop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web pad, a mobile communication terminal, and the like. It can be made of a terminal equipped with a computing power.

The weather server 600 is a device operated by an organization that provides weather information, such as a meteorological office, and provides weather information to the data broadcasting service center 100.

The text message server 700 performs a function of processing a text message transmission to a destination in connection with a mobile communication system (not shown) when a text message transmission is requested from the set top boxes 310 and 320.

2, the data broadcasting service center 100 according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the data broadcasting service center 100 of FIG. 1 in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, the data broadcasting service center 100 may include a web server 110, a database server 120, a service server 130, a bidirectional broadcasting headend 140, a weather processing server 150, and a subscriber information server. 160 may be included.

The web server 110 provides a web screen for the administrator to access the administrator terminal 500 through the menu configuration, application operation settings, local data service information input, etc. for providing a local customized data service, the operation content Takes input and performs a function provided to the database server 120.

The database server 120 may store various types of information and data necessary for providing a data broadcasting service and may provide the same at the request of the service server 130. In particular, the database server 120 according to the present invention stores regional service menu configuration data (hereinafter, referred to as service menu configuration data) for the regional data broadcasting service. Here, the regional data broadcasting service may mean a data service that is tailored to a region where the set top boxes 310 and 320 are located, and may have a different service menu configuration for each region. The data broadcast service may be classified into a channel-linked service and an independent service linked to a channel selected by a user. Hereinafter, a case of channel-linked service will be described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may be applied to a channel-independent service.

The service menu configuration data includes information necessary for displaying a menu screen for providing a data broadcast service on the image reproducing apparatus 410 or 420. To this end, the service menu configuration data includes service menu information and setting information on how to display the service menu on the screen.

Hereinafter, the service menu configuration data will be described in detail.

The service menu configuration data may be composed of main menu data and category data. The main menu data and category data can be created in one file or in different files.

The main menu data may be composed of data fields of `CENTER_ID`,` SO_ID`, `MENU_NUM`,` MENU_INFO`, `ROTATION_TIME`, and` DURATION_TIME` as shown in [Table 1].

Field name Field description CENTER_ID Local Data Broadcasting Service Center ID Value SO_ID Local SO ID Value MENU_NUM Main Menu Count MENU_INFO Details about the main menu (MENU_ID, MENU_DESC) ROTATION_TIME Timer timer value for the main menu to rotate automatically DURATION_TIME Wait time timer value after automatic rotation

The category data may be composed of data fields of `CENTER_ID`,` MENU_NUM`, `CATEGORY`, and` CATEGORY_INFO` as shown in [Table 2].

Field name Field description CENTER_ID Local Data Broadcasting Service Center ID Value MENU_NUM Number of main menus CATEGORY Number of categories included in main menu (MENU_ID, CATEGORY_NUM) CATEGORY_INFO Details about the category (CATEGORY_ID, CATEGORY_NAME)

The local SO ID value (SO_ID) is pre-assigned as shown in [Table 3].

Regional data broadcast service center Area SO SO_ID
Kyungin Yangcheon (Yangcheon-gu, Seoul) 11 North Incheon (Incheon) 12 Bucheon / Gimpo (Gyeonggi-do) 13 Eunpyeong (Seoul, Eunpyeong-gu) 14 Gyeongnam Gyeongnam / Masan (Gyeongsangnam-do) 21 Gaya (Gyeongsangnam-do) 22
Busan Busan (Busan) 31 Haeundae (Busan) 32 Geumjeong (Busan) 33 Central (Busan) 34 Chungnam Chungnam (Chungcheongnam-do) 41 Yeongnam Yeongnam (Gyeongsangbuk-do) 51

In Table 3, the regional data broadcasting service center is divided into regional data broadcasting service centers 100 as described above. The classification may vary according to embodiments, and the data broadcasting service center 100 may be implemented as one. .

As shown in Table 1, main menu data includes main menu information provided for each local broadcasting station (SO) belonging to the local data broadcasting service center and how the main menu is displayed on the screen (e.g., time of auto rotation, after auto rotation). Information on the waiting time) is corresponding to each area code SO_ID. For example, if the regional data broadcasting service center is in the Gyeongin area, the main menu data includes main menu information and a main menu screen for each region code of Yangcheon (11), North Incheon (12), Bucheon / Gimpo (13), and Eunpyeong (14). The setting information is associated.

The category data includes category information of a menu having a detailed menu (category) among main menus provided by the corresponding regional data broadcasting service center 100.

Meanwhile, the database server 120 may store the following weather list data to provide weather information, which may be included as one of the main menus of the local data broadcasting service, and provide the same according to the request of the service server 130.

The weather list data may be composed of data fields of `CENTER_ID`,` SO_ID`, and `WEATHER` as shown in [Table 4].

Field name Field description CENTER_ID Local Data Broadcasting Service Center ID Value SO_ID Local SO ID Value WEATHER Weather information

For example, when the regional data broadcasting service center 100 is a Gyeongin region, the weather list data includes corresponding regions corresponding to area codes of Yangcheon (11), Bukcheon (12), Bucheon / Gimpo (13), and Eunpyeong (14). Weather information may be included. Meanwhile, the data format illustrated above is just one example, and may be variously configured according to an embodiment, and the information included may of course vary.

The database server 120 may store various data broadcast service data in correspondence with a postal code. For example, restaurant information valid in Mok1-dong, Yangcheon-gu may be stored in correspondence with postal codes corresponding to Mok1-dong, Yangcheon-gu.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the service server 130 may provide various data and applications for the data broadcast service to the set top boxes 310 and 320. In particular, the service server 130 according to the present invention provides the service menu configuration data and the weather list data to the local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 through the bidirectional broadcasting headend 140.

The service menu configuration data and the weather list data provided to the local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 are modulated into a cable broadcasting signal by a method such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and the like. 310, 320 may be provided. The local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 belonging to the same data broadcasting service center 100 receive the same service menu configuration data and weather list data and provide the same to the set top boxes 310 and 320 located in the service area. .

Meanwhile, when the set-top boxes 310 and 320 access an application by executing the application, the service server 130 may perform authentication for the corresponding subscriber through the subscriber information server 160. Of course, the set top boxes 310 and 320 may be directly connected to the subscriber information server 160 to be authenticated.

The subscriber information server 160 may store various pieces of information necessary for providing information about a data broadcasting service subscriber, and may also store a postal code of the subscriber. In addition, the subscriber information server 160 may check the postal code corresponding to the corresponding subscriber and provide the set top boxes 310 and 320 through the service server 130. The postal code provided in this way may be used to provide locally customized data service.

Meanwhile, the service server 130 performs a function of processing various data broadcast service requests generated by an application running on the set top boxes 310 and 320. For example, when a data broadcast service request is received from the set top boxes 310 and 320, the service server 110 may configure and provide response data according to the corresponding service request with reference to the DB server 120. In addition, if necessary, the service server 110 may transfer a corresponding service request to an external system so that a service desired by a user may be achieved. In particular, the service server 130 may check the zip code of the subscriber transmitted together with the data broadcasting service request, and configure the region-specific response data by referring to the information corresponding to the zip code in the database server 120.

The service server 130 may provide service response data according to a data service request to the set top boxes 310 and 320 based on IP. Service request data of an application may also be provided to the service server 130 based on IP. In order to support IP-based data exchange between the service server 130 and the set top boxes 310 and 320, the local broadcasting systems 210 and 220 may include a cable mode termination system (CMTS) (not shown).

The weather data parsing server 150 parses the weather information received from the weather server 600, generates weather list data having a format as shown in Table 4 above, and stores the weather list data in the database server 120. Of course, if the weather list data can be provided from the outside, the data broadcasting service center 100 may not include the weather data parsing server 150.

On the other hand, since the Meteorological Agency also provides weather information in the east, the weather data parsing server 150 processes the weather information received from the weather server 600 to provide the weather information in the east. It may be stored in the database server 120. Just as the data broadcasting service data is stored in correspondence with the postal code, the unit-specific weather information can be stored in correspondence with the postal codes corresponding to the corresponding east.

3, set-top boxes 310 and 320 according to the present invention will be described in detail.

3 is a block diagram illustrating the set top box 310 of FIG. 1 in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 3, the set top box 310 may include a transceiver 3110, a controller 3120, a smart card 3130, and a storage 3140. The transceiver 3110 may include an RF splitter 3111, a tuner 3112, a demodulator 3113, and a cable modem 3114.

The RF splitter 3111 may separate a high frequency signal (RF signal) transmitted by mixing a cable broadcast signal and a cable data signal and provide the same to each tuner 3112a and 3112b of the tuner unit 3112.

The tuner unit 3112 may include a plurality of tuners 3112a and 3112b, and each tuner 3112a and 3112b selects a signal of a predetermined channel from a high frequency signal transmitted from the RF splitter 3111. In particular, the tuner 3112a performs a function of tuning a cable broadcast signal of a channel desired by a user, and the tuner 3112b may perform a function of selecting a channel of a band in which the cable data signal is transmitted. Of course, the number of tuners 3112a and 3112b may vary depending on the embodiment. For example, if it is not necessary to provide a function of simultaneously tuning a cable broadcast signal and a cable data signal, only one tuner may be provided, and if it is necessary to provide a function of tuning multiple channels at the same time, the number of tuners may be increased. You can also implement many.

The demodulator 3113 demodulates the cable broadcast signal modulated by a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) or the like tuned by the tuner 3112a. In particular, the demodulator 3113 according to the present invention may demodulate a cable broadcast signal including service menu configuration data and weather list data transmitted through an in-band channel.

The cable modem 3114 converts the cable data signal output from the tuner 3112b into an IP packet or converts the IP packet into a cable data signal. In particular, the cable modem 3114 according to the present invention may convert a cable data signal containing detailed information about a menu into an IP packet. In addition, the data service request selected by the user may be converted into a cable data signal and transmitted to the data broadcasting service center 100 through the local broadcasting systems 210 and 220.

The smart card 3130 performs a function for authenticating whether the user is allowed to use the corresponding content or service in connection with the local broadcasting system 210 or 220 or the data broadcasting service center 100. In particular, the smart card 3130 according to the present invention stores a region bit for identifying the region in which the set-top box 310 is installed. The region bit may be the same value as the area code SO_ID. The storage unit 3140 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the set top box 310. In particular, the storage unit 3140 according to the present invention stores an application for data broadcasting service transmitted from the data broadcasting service center 100, service menu configuration data, weather list data, and the like, and may be provided according to a request of the controller 3120. have. The storage unit 3140 may store a postal code provided from the subscriber information server 160 through the service server 130 when the data broadcasting service application requests the service subscriber information.

The controller 3120 controls the overall operation of the set top box 310. The controller 3120 may include a CPU (not shown) and a video decoder (not shown) that supports codecs such as MPEC2, H.264, and VC-1. The set top box may be stored in the storage unit 3140. The set-top box 310 is operated using various programs and data for the operation. For example, the controller 3140 may allow an image reproducing apparatus 410 to output an image, text, sound, etc. according to a cable broadcast or video content on demand. In addition, the controller 3120 may request a service corresponding to the data broadcasting service center 100 according to a selection input from a user.

In particular, the controller 3120 according to the present invention provides a local data broadcasting service by downloading and executing an application for a local data service when a user selects a local channel through a remote controller or the like.

The application for local data service executed by the controller 3120 configures the local service menu based on the service menu configuration data included in the cable broadcasting signal of the local channel and the region bits read from the smart card 3130, thereby generating an image reproducing apparatus ( 410 may be indicated.

For example, assuming that the set-top box 310 is located in the Yangcheon area, the service menu configuration data transmitted from the data broadcasting service center 100 includes Yangcheon 11, Bukcheon 12, Bucheon / Gimpo 13, and Eunpyeong ( 14) Service menu information for each region and a method of displaying a service menu screen are included corresponding to region codes. Therefore, the set-top box 310 reads the region bit 11 from the smart card 3130, checks the region where it is located, and then displays the service menu information and the service menu screen corresponding to the Yangcheon 11 region in the service menu configuration data. Service menu screen can be configured by using

In addition, the controller 3120 executes an application for a local data service and based on weather list data included in a cable broadcasting signal of a local channel and region bits read from the smart card 3130, weather information of an area where the set-top box 310 is located. May be extracted and displayed on the image reproducing apparatus 410.

The controller 3120 may rotate the menu when there is no user input even after a predetermined time after the user selects the local channel and displays the local menu. How to configure the local menu, how to extract the weather information, and how to rotate the menu will be described in detail below.

When the user selects one of the local service menus, the controller 315 requests the data broadcasting service center 100 for detailed information about the selected menu. Thereafter, the controller 315 displays the detailed information about the menu selected by the user on the image reproducing apparatus 410 based on the cable data signal containing the detailed information about the menu. In particular, the control unit 315 transmits the zip code provided in the step of performing a request for information by first accessing the data broadcasting service center 100 in order to receive a locally customized data service.

Next, an example of a local data broadcast service menu according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a local data broadcast service menu according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a regional data broadcasting service menu of a first region, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a regional data broadcasting service menu of a second region.

As shown in FIG. 4, the regional data broadcasting service menu m1 of the first region includes a product information, a neighborhood weather, a thrift market, education information, a job, a neighborhood news, and the like. The regional data broadcasting service menu (m2) in the second region consists of 'delivery food' and 'restaurant' menus, while 'product information', 'dongne weather', 'dongne hospital', 'garden marketplace', and 'education information'. It can be seen that it consists of menus such as 'Job', 'Bundong News', 'Discount Information', 'Delivery Food', and 'Restaurant'. As such, by configuring a regional data broadcasting service menu differently for each region, information optimized for each region can be provided. In addition, not only the regional data broadcasting service menu is configured differently, but also detailed information of each menu may be optimized and configured for each region to provide more helpful information to the user.

And by displaying the weather (w1, w2) of each region with the local data broadcasting service menu (m1, m2), the user can easily check the current weather in the neighborhood where they are located.

Next, a method of configuring a local data broadcasting service menu according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of configuring a regional data broadcasting service menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the local channel is selected, the set-top box 310 executes an application for local data broadcasting service to perform the following operation.

The data broadcasting service center 100 transmits regional service menu configuration data to the set top box 310 through in-band (S310). Thereafter, the set-top box 310 receives service menu configuration data for each region (S320).

The set top box 310 reads the region bit from the smart card 316 (S330). The set-top box 310 determines whether the region bit is normally read (S340), and if it is normally read (S340-Y), checks the region information based on the region bit (S350). Here, the region bits of the smart card 316 mounted in the set top box 310 installed in the same area SO are the same. That is, the region bit is made equal to the local SO ID value SO_ID. Therefore, the region bit read from the smart card 316 is used as a value for identifying local information.

Thereafter, the set-top box 310 configures a region menu based on the region information identified through the region bit and the service menu composition data for each region received from the data broadcasting service center 100 (S360). That is, the set top box 310 may search for a field having the same value as the region bit in the main menu data to extract information such as the number of menus, a menu ID, a menu description, and the like for a corresponding local menu. The set top box 310 may configure a local menu using the extracted information. Detailed information of each menu of the local menu, that is, information on a category, may also be extracted from the category data by the same method as above.

The set-top box 310 displays the regional service menu configured as described above on the image reproducing apparatus 410 (S390).

On the other hand, if the region bit is not normally read from the smart card 316 (S340-N), the set-top box 130 determines whether the number of times the region bit is read more than two times (S370), not more than two times If not (S370-N), step S330 is performed again. On the other hand, if more than two times (S370-Y), the set-top box 310 sets the predetermined area as the area information (S380), and performs the steps (S360, S390).

Next, a method of extracting local weather information according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of extracting local weather information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the data broadcasting service center 100 generates weather list data based on the stored region-specific weather information (S410), and transmits it to the set-top box 310 through in-band (S420). Thereafter, the set top box 310 receives the weather list data (S430).

The set top box 310 reads the region bit from the smart card 316 (S440). The set-top box 310 determines whether the region bit is normally read (S450), and if it is normally read (S450-Y), checks the region information based on the region bit (S460). Here, the region bits of the smart card 316 mounted in the set top box 310 installed in the same area SO are the same. In other words, the region bit is made equal to the local SO ID value SO_ID. Therefore, the region bit read from the smart card 316 is used as a value for identifying local information.

Thereafter, the set-top box 310 extracts the local weather information based on the region information identified through the region bit and the weather list data received from the data broadcasting service center 100 and displays it on the image reproducing apparatus 410 (S470). ). That is, the set top box 310 may search for a field having the same value as the region bit in the weather list data to extract weather information of the corresponding region.

On the other hand, when the region bit is not normally read from the smart card 316 (S450-N), the set-top box 310 determines whether the region bit is read more than two times (S480), not more than two times. If not (S480-N), step S440 is performed again. On the other hand, if more than two times (S480-Y), the set-top box 130 sets the predetermined area as the area information (S490), and performs step (S470).

Next, a method of rotating a local menu according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of rotating a regional menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the user selects a local channel, the set-top box 310 configures a local data broadcasting service menu by the method described above and displays it on the image reproducing apparatus 410. Thereafter, the set-top box 310 waits for a user input in a state in which a local data broadcasting service menu is displayed (S510).

The set top box 310 determines whether there is no user input during the rotation time ROTATION_TIME included in the regional service menu configuration data (S520). That is, as described above, the field having the same value as the region bit of the smart card 316 is searched to check the corresponding rotation time ROTATION_TIME, and it is determined whether there is no user input during the rotation time ROTATION_TIME.

As a result, when there is no user input during the rotation time (ROTATION_TIME) (S520-Y), the set-top box 310 rotates the local menu (S530). For example, the currently displayed local menu may be rotated by one space in the vertical direction and displayed again.

After the regional data broadcasting service menu is automatically rotated, the set-top box 310 determines whether there is no user input during the duration time DURATION_TIME included in the regional menu configuration data (S540). That is, as described above, the field having the same value as the region bit of the smart card 316 is searched to check the corresponding duration time DURATION_TIME, and it is determined whether there is no user input during the duration time DURATION_TIME. As a result of the determination, if there is no user input during the duration time DURATION_TIME (S540-Y), step S530 is performed again.

On the other hand, when there is a user input within the duration time (DURATION_TIME) (S540-N) or when there is a user input within the rotation time (ROTATION_TIME) (S520-N), the set-top box 310 is a detailed menu An operation according to a user input such as displaying information is performed (S550).

So far, the channel-linked data broadcasting service has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may be applied to a channel other than a local channel when a data broadcasting service is to be customized.

It is also applicable to channel independent type, not channel linked type. That is, before configuring the service menu screen, the application for data broadcasting service may check the area code on the smart card, and configure the menu screen using information corresponding to the area code in the service menu configuration data.

Embodiments of the present invention include a computer-readable medium having program instructions for performing various computer-implemented operations. This medium records a program for executing the regionally tailored data broadcasting service method described so far. The medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination. Examples of such media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape, optical recording media such as CDs and DVDs, floppy disks and program commands such as magnetic-optical media, ROM, RAM and flash memory. Hardware devices configured to store and perform such operations. Alternatively, the medium may be a transmission medium such as an optical or metal wire, a waveguide, or the like including a carrier wave for transmitting a signal specifying a program command, a data structure, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine code generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

Claims (17)

In the set-top box that supports data broadcasting service,
A transceiver for receiving service menu configuration data corresponding to service menu configuration information for each region code;
A smart card including a region code corresponding to the region where the set-top box is located, and
A control unit for executing a data broadcasting service application to configure a service menu using service menu configuration information corresponding to a region code extracted from the smart card.
Including,
The service menu configuration information,
And a screen display setting information including main menu information constituting the service menu and automatic rotation time information of the main menu. The method of claim 1,
The control unit configures the service menu by executing an application for data broadcasting service when the user selects a predetermined channel. 3. The method of claim 2,
The predetermined channel is a set-top box, characterized in that the local channel. delete The method of claim 1,
The service menu configuration data,
Set top box, characterized in that it further comprises category information corresponding to the detailed menu of the main menu. The method of claim 1,
The transceiver unit further receives weather list data including weather information corresponding to each region code,
The control unit is set-top box, characterized in that for providing the weather information corresponding to the area code extracted from the smart card to the video playback device. The method of claim 1,
The control unit receives a postal code corresponding to the user of the set-top box from a data broadcasting service center, and responds to the postal code by personally providing the postal code to the data broadcasting service center together with the data broadcasting service request. Set-top box, characterized in that the data received from the data broadcasting service center. A data broadcasting service center providing service menu configuration data corresponding to service menu configuration information for each region code; and
Set-top box that configures the service menu by using the service menu configuration information corresponding to the area code extracted from the smart card by executing the application for data broadcasting service
Including,
The service menu configuration information,
And main screen information constituting the service menu and screen display setting information including automatic rotation time information of the main menu. In claim 8,
And the set-top box configures the service menu by executing the application for data broadcasting service when the user selects a predetermined channel. In claim 9,
And said predetermined channel is a local channel. In claim 9,
The set-top box receives a postal code corresponding to the user from the data broadcasting service center when requesting data broadcasting service subscriber information, and transmits the postal code to the data broadcasting service center together with the data broadcasting service request.
The data broadcasting service center may be configured to provide response data according to the data broadcasting service request of the set-top box according to the zip code. delete In claim 8,
The service menu configuration data,
And the category information corresponding to a detailed menu of the main menu. In claim 8,
The data broadcasting service center further provides weather list data including weather information corresponding to each region code to the set top box,
The set-top box is a localized data broadcasting service system, characterized in that for providing the video information to the video playback device corresponding to the area code extracted from the smart card. Receiving service menu configuration data corresponding to the service menu configuration information for each region code; and
Configuring a service menu using service menu configuration information corresponding to a region code extracted from a smart card by executing an application for a data broadcasting service;
Including,
The service menu configuration information,
And main screen information constituting the service menu and screen display setting information including automatic rotation time information of the main menu. In claim 15,
And when the user selects a predetermined channel, executing the data broadcasting service application to configure the service menu. The method of claim 16,
And said predetermined channel is a local channel.

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