KR101527012B1 - Method for processing broadcast data and digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

A broadcast data processing method and a digital broadcast receiver are disclosed. The user interface manager calculates personal channel preference information, which is information for selecting broadcast content provided by the personalized channel. The network interface unit transmits a packet including the personal channel preference information calculated by the user interface manager, and receives the selected broadcast content on the personalized channel based on the transmitted personal channel preference information. The display unit displays the received broadcast content. According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently process request information for broadcast contents provided over the Internet, and to provide the broadcast contents preferred by viewers at a preferred time and place.

Personal, Channel, Network, Affinity, Content

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a broadcast data processing method and a digital broadcast receiver,

The present invention relates to a broadcast data processing method and a digital broadcast receiver, and more particularly, to a broadcast data processing method and a digital broadcast receiver for receiving broadcast data via the Internet and providing the same to a viewer.

Conventional broadcast receivers transmit contents produced by broadcasters through a radio wave transmission medium such as a terrestrial wave, a cable or a satellite broadcast, and users are provided with a service through a receiver capable of receiving the transmission media .

However, digital-based digital broadcasting technology has been developed and commercialized in existing analog broadcasting, so that it is possible to use real-time broadcasting, contents on demand (CoD), games, news And the like can be provided to users.

An example of providing content service using the Internet network is IPTV (Internet Protocol TV). The IPTV refers to transmitting various information services, video contents, broadcasting, and the like to the user's receiver using the Internet network. The Internet network can be implemented on various types of networks such as an optical fiber network, a coaxial cable network, a fiber to the home (FTTH), a telephone network, and a wireless network based on IP (Internet Protocol).

In the case of the service using the Internet network as described above, unlike general terrestrial broadcasting, bidirectionality can be added and the user can watch the content service he wants to watch at a convenient time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a broadcast data processing method and a digital broadcast receiver for efficiently providing a desired broadcast content to a user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a broadcast data processing method and a digital broadcast receiver capable of efficiently processing request information for broadcast contents provided through the Internet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast data processing method, comprising: transmitting personal channel preference information, which is information for selecting broadcast content provided by a personalized channel; Receiving the selected broadcast content on the personalized channel based on the transmitted personal channel preference information; And displaying the received broadcast content. Here, the personal channel preference information may include at least one of content preference information, keyword preference information, and user preference information. The content preference information, the keyword preference information, and the user preference information may include weight information for comparing mutual priorities.

Preferably, the content preference information may include at least one of program preference information and service preference information, and the keyword preference information may be keyword information for searching for a content preferred by a viewer. The user preference information may include at least one of a name information of the viewer, age information, gender information, marital information, child information, occupation information, and interest field information.

Preferably, in the transmitting step, the personal channel preference information is transmitted in a metadata structure.

Preferably, the broadcast data processing method further includes calculating the personal channel preference information.

Preferably, in the calculating step, the personal channel preference information may be calculated from the history information of the downloaded program. Also, in the calculating step, the personal channel preference information may be calculated from the information input by the user. Also, in the calculating step, the personal channel preference information can be calculated from the customer information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital broadcasting receiver comprising: a user interface manager for calculating personal channel preference information, which is information for selecting broadcast content provided by a personalized channel; A network interface unit for transmitting a packet including the calculated personal channel preference information and receiving the selected broadcast content based on the transmitted personal channel preference information on the personalized channel; And a display unit for displaying the received broadcast content. Here, the personal channel preference information may be transmitted in a metadata structure. Also, the personal channel preference information may include at least one of content preference information, keyword preference information, and user preference information. The content preference information, the keyword preference information, and the user preference information may include weight information for comparing mutual priorities.

Preferably, the content preference information may include at least one of program preference information and service preference information, and the keyword preference information may be keyword information for searching for a content preferred by a viewer. The user preference information may include at least one of a name information of the viewer, age information, gender information, marital information, child information, job information, and interest field information.

Preferably, the user interface manager can calculate the personal channel preference information from the history information about the downloaded program. Also, the user interface manager may calculate the personal channel preference information from information inputted by the user.

According to the broadcast data processing method and digital broadcast receiver of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently process request information for broadcast contents provided over the Internet, and to provide broadcast contents preferred by viewers at a preferred time and place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The structure and operation of the present invention shown in the drawings and described by the drawings are described as at least one embodiment, and the technical ideas and the core structure and operation of the present invention are not limited thereby.

Although the terms used in the present invention have been selected in consideration of the functions of the present invention, it is possible to use general terms that are currently widely used, but this may vary depending on the intention or custom of a person skilled in the art or the emergence of new technology. Also, in certain cases, there may be a term selected arbitrarily by the applicant, in which case the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term rather than the name of the term, and on the contents of the present invention throughout.

The operation of the broadcast data processing method and the digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) system, which is an example of a system capable of providing various contents using the Internet, can be divided into a server, a network, and a client.

The server of the IPTV includes various servers such as a service discovery and selection server, a streaming server, a contents guide information server, a customer information server, and a payment information server, ≪ / RTI >

Among the servers, the streaming server transmits moving picture data encoded by MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2, MPEG4, etc. stored in the server to a user via a network. A Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP), an RTP Control Protocol (RTCP), or the like may be used as the protocol for the transmission.

When real-time streaming protocol (RTSP) is used, video stream reproduction may be controlled to a certain extent through a function called network trick play such as pause, replay, and stop . The protocols are examples and other real-time transmission protocols may be used according to embodiments.

The content guide information server is a server for providing information on the various contents provided. The content guide information is information corresponding to EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information and includes various kinds of information about the content. The content guide information server stores content guide information data, and provides the stored data to a receiver.

An information server for service discovery and selection among the servers provides connection information, playback information, and the like to servers providing various contents services such as broadcasting, contents on demand (COD), games, and the like to a receiver.

The network system consists of internet based network and gateways. The Internet-based network may be based on IP, such as an optical fiber network, a coaxial cable network, a fiber to the home (FTTH) network, a telephone network, and a wireless network. The gateway can perform not only general data transmission but also multicast group management and quality of service (QoS) management using protocols such as Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP).

An IPTV receiver is a receiver that receives data transmitted through the Internet and provides it to a user. The receiver includes an IPTV settop, a home net gateway, and an IPTV embedded TV.

In the case of a hybrid IPTV system, various contents of the Internet as well as various existing broadcast contents can be provided. That is, various broadcast contents such as terrestrial broadcast, cable broadcast, satellite broadcast, personal broadcast, etc., various Internet video contents, data contents other than video, and the like can be provided to users. The contents may be provided in real time or on demand.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of an IPTV system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the IPTV system may be divided into a content provider (CP), a service provider (SP), a network provider (NP), and a user have.

The content provider produces and provides various contents. 1, a terrestrial broadcaster, a cable SO (System Operator) or a MSO (Multiple System Operator), a satellite broadcaster, an Internet broadcast sender (Internet broadcaster).

The service provider provides the contents provided by the contents provider in the form of a service package. For example, the service provider of FIG. 1 packages a first terrestrial broadcast, a second terrestrial broadcast, a cable MSO, a satellite broadcast, various Internet broadcasts, and the like to a user. The service provider provides a service to the user side using a unicast or multicast method.

2A and 2B are diagrams schematically showing multicast and unicast methods, respectively.

 Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the unicast method is a method of transmitting data between one sender and one receiver at a ratio of 1: 1. For example, in a case of a unicast method, when a receiver requests data from a server, the server transmits data to the receiver upon request. The personalized channel according to the present invention can be provided from a content provider to an IPTV receiver in a unicast manner.

The multicast method is a method of transmitting data to a plurality of receivers of a specific group. For example, the server can transmit data to a plurality of pre-registered receivers at once. An Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) protocol may be used for the multicast registration.

The network provider provides a network for providing the service to the user. The user may establish a home network (HNED) to receive the service.

As the means for protecting the content transmitted in the IPTV system as described above, conditional access and content protection may be used. As an example of the above-described conditional access or content protection, a scheme such as a CableCARD or a DCAS (Downloadable Conditional Access System) may be used.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of configuring a dedicated channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the user selects a personalized channel (S301). The personalized channel is a channel that provides contents customized to each customer, and provides the selected broadcast contents based on the information requested by the customer or the information calculated by analyzing the customer's preference. Here, the broadcast content may be a broadcast program or a service. For example, a personal channel may provide a specific broadcast program such as King Sejong the Great, Beethoven virus, or may provide another channel service that is broadcast in real time. Also, the user can select a personalized channel by clicking a menu button on the remote controller, a menu button on the broadcast receiver, a menu button on the OSD, and the like.

Since the personalized channel provides the content to each of the customers in a customized manner, when the user does not view the personalized channel, the content server 330 does not need to provide the broadcast content through the personalized channel. Accordingly, when the user does not view the personalized channel, the network bandwidth is not allocated to the personalized channel, thereby reducing the network bandwidth.

The IPTV receiver 310 receives the personal channel request and transmits personal channel preference information (S303). The personal channel preference information is information for selecting a broadcast content provided by the personalized channel, and may include at least one of content preference information, keyword preference information, and user preference information. Here, the content preference information, the keyword preference information, and the user preference information may include weight information for comparing mutual priorities, respectively. That is, when selecting the broadcast content provided by the personalized channel, the degree of reflection of the content preference information, the keyword preference information, and the user preference information may be different depending on the weight information. Also, the IPTV receiver 310 can transmit personal channel preference information in a metadata structure.

The metadata server 320 receives the personal channel preference information and manages the personal channel program list based on the received personal channel preference information (S305). The metadata server 320 generates and modifies the personal channel program list by selecting a content to be provided on the personal channel based on the personal channel preference information. Here, the metadata server 320 can select contents to be provided in the personalized channel by varying the degree of reflection according to the weighted information included in the content preference information, the keyword preference information, and the user preference information.

The metadata server 320 transmits a broadcast request for the broadcast content in the personal channel program list (S307).

The content server 330 receives the broadcast request for the broadcast content, and provides the broadcast content requested by the dedicated channel (S309). Here, the content server 330 can provide a specific broadcast program as a dedicated channel according to a broadcast request for broadcast content, and can provide another channel service broadcasted in real time as a dedicated channel.

The IPTV receiver 310 receives the broadcast content provided by the content server 330 on the dedicated channel, and displays the received broadcast content (S311).

The IPTV receiver 310 receives a change request from the user for the personal channel preference information from the user (S313). The customer can request the change of the personal channel preference information if he or she wants to modify the program preference information while viewing the broadcast content received through the personalized channel.

The IPTV receiver 310 modifies the personal channel preference information according to the input change request (S315). Then, the IPTV receiver 310 transmits the modified personal channel preference information through step S303. The metadata server 320 receives the modified personal channel preference information, updates the personal channel program list, and requests the content server 330 to broadcast the broadcast content in the updated personal channel program list.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of information for configuring personal channel preference information according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, personal channel preference information can be calculated from individual broadcast channel information. The individual broadcast channel programming information may include at least one of program download information, keyword and preference information, and customer information.

The program download information is history information about the downloaded program, and may include at least one of downloaded time information, downloaded program name information, downloaded program genre information, and program viewing place information. For example, " 2008/7/1 "may be used as the downloaded time information," triplet episode "may be used as the downloaded program name information, and" drama " Here, "sergeant" corresponds to a series, and "three episodes " means an episode number of a series.

Also, the program download information may include at least one of the viewing channel information, the viewing channel period information, and the viewing channel location information. The viewing channel information includes information identifying a channel viewed by the user, the viewing channel period information indicates a period during which the user watched the channel, and the viewing channel location information indicates a place where the user watched the channel. For example, "MBC" as the viewing channel information, "21-23" as the viewing channel period information, and "living room" as the viewing channel location information.

Among the personal channel preference information, the content preference information can be calculated from the program download information. In the process of calculating the content preference information from the program download information, priority can be given to each piece of information included in the program download information, and the content preference information can be calculated on the basis of the priority. Priority is given to each information included in the program download information according to the program name or genre that has been most downloaded so far and the latest time of downloading. have.

The content preference information may include at least one of program preference information and service preference information. The program preference information includes at least one of program identification information, series information, program preference time information and program preference place information. The program identification information is information for distinguishing a program preferred by the user from another program. The program preference time information indicates a time when the user desires to view a preferred program, and the program preference information indicates a program preferred by the user To the place where you want to watch. The program preference location information can be designated as "own room", "living room", "children room", "room", etc., and can be designated as "own house" and "friend house".

The program identification information and the program preference time information can be calculated from the downloaded time information contained in the program name information and the program download information respectively and the program preference place information can be calculated from the viewing place information. If the downloaded program is a series, the series information can be calculated from information indicating the episode number of the downloaded program and the series to which the downloaded program belongs. That is, the series information may include at least one of information indicating an episode number and information indicating a series to which the program belongs.

 The service preference information may include at least one of service identification information, service preference time information, and service preference place information. The service identification information is information for distinguishing a service preferred by the user from other services, the service preference time information indicates a time when the user desires to view the service, and the service preference information indicates that the user desires to view the service Indicate the location. The service preference information can be calculated from the program download information. That is, the service identification information, the service preference time information, and the service preference location information can be calculated from the viewing channel information, the viewing channel period information, and the viewing channel location information included in the program download information, respectively.

Priority information indicating a mutual priority order is included in the program preference information and the service preference information, respectively, between the programs indicated by the respective program identification information included in the program preference information and the services indicated by the respective service identification information included in the service preference information . As priority information is included, customers' preferences can be better grasped and conflicts can be avoided.

The keyword and the preference information include a keyword for searching for the content. The keyword and the preference information may be entered directly by the user or may include the keyword identified through the program download information. A keyword or a favorite program genre may not be enough to grasp the broadcast content preference, or the utility of the information may be deteriorated if the user does not input frequently. Accordingly, when the result of analyzing the program download information is added to the keyword and the preference information, more reliable information can be maintained in association with the user preference. Keywords and preferences are keywords such as "Classic Beethoven," "24: 4 season," and "The Lord of the Rings," "American drama rhetoric," "Movie romantic comedy," genre information, Information.

The keyword preference information among the individual channel preference information can be calculated from the keyword and the preference information. That is, the personal channel preference information can be calculated from the information input by the user, and can be calculated by extracting the keyword from the program download information. The personal channel preference information may include at least one of content production information, content content information, content configuration information, and broadcast condition information.

The content production information is keyword preference information related to content production and may include at least one of title information, producer information, production location information, production period information, and production tool information.

The content content information is keyword preference information related to the content content and may include at least one of production country information, production period information, language format information, language information, caption information, content type information, content genre information, and content subject information .

The content configuration information is keyword preference information associated with the content configuration, and may include at least one of content distribution format information, content distribution source information, content distribution date information, content distributor information, and media format information.

The broadcasting condition information is information on a content broadcasting condition, and may include at least one of content preference time information and a content preference place. The content preference time information indicates a time when the user desires to view the broadcast content, and the content preference place information indicates a place where the user desires to view the broadcast content.

The customer information is basic information about the customer and may include at least one of the name information, age information, gender information, marital information, child information, occupation information, and interest information of the customer.

User preference information among personal channel preference information can be calculated from customer information. The user preference information includes information on the general tendency of customers. By selecting the content provided by the personalized channel based on the user preference information, it is possible to reflect the tendency of the general customers to program the personalized channel.

Since the user preference information is general customer preference information, it may be different from the propensity of the specific customer. Therefore, the possibility that the feedback of the customer, that is, the modification request, is received at a later broadcast time is higher than the content preference information and the keyword preference information. If the user receives a complaint about the content provided by the personalized channel while watching the actual broadcast, the personal channel preference information can be updated so that the content is not organized into the program provided through the personalized channel.

In addition to the content preference information, the keyword preference information, and the user preference information, the personal channel preference information further includes broadcast information in a program that has been broadcast on the personal channel once and watched by the customer so that the program viewed by the customer on the personal channel is not reorganized can do.

The personalized channel combination information is a list of programs broadcast on the personalized channel. The personalized channel combination information can be calculated from the program download information, the keyword and the preference information, and the customer information. For example, "Drama Dinner 4", "Drama 24 Season 4 Season 15" and "Drama 24 Season 4" from "2008/7/1 Drama Dinner 3" and "Drama 24 Season 14" Quot; 16 "programs may be included in the personalized channel programming information. In addition, the program "The King of the Movie Ringtone" from the "Lord of the Rings" keyword of the keyword and the preference information can be included in the personalized channel programming information, and from the movie romantic comedy genre information of the keyword and the preference information, Quot; male composing "program may be included in the personalized channel programming information. The program "catch up Hollywood star fashion" from the customer information "early 30's", "woman" and "office worker" can be included in the personalized channel programming information.

The IPTV receiver 310 can directly calculate the personalized channel combination information, and the metadata server 320 can receive the personal channel preference information from the IPTV receiver 310 to generate the personalized channel combination information. Also, if a modification request is input from the user, the personalized channel combination information can be modified.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a user description type according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a user preference type according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a PersonalChannelPreferences Type according to the present invention. FIG.

5 to 7, the personal channel preference information may be transmitted in a metadata structure, for example, in a user description type element.

The UserDescription element may include a UserPreferences element and a UsageHistory element. The UserPreferences element contains the UserIdentifier element, the FilteringAndSearch element, the BrowsingPreferences element, and the PersonalChannelPreferences element as child elements. Here, the UserIdentifier element includes identification information for identifying information of a specific user, the FilteringAndSearch element includes preference information for searching and filtering, and the BrowsingPreferences element includes information about preferences at the time of browsing. And the PersonalChannelPreference element contains personal channel preference information.

The PersonalChannelPreferences element contains the id attribute, the timeBase attribute, the timeUnit attribute, the protected attribute, and the preferenceValue attribute. The id attribute contains identification information for identifying the element. The timeBase attribute contains information for selecting one of the Time data type or TimePoint type in the current description. The timeUnit attribute is named time unit And information on the duration of the small time interval. The protected attribute includes information indicating whether the user desires to keep the information private, and the preferenceValue attribute includes weight information.

The PersonalChannelPreferences element also includes a FavoritePreferences element, a KeywordPreferences element, and a UserInformationPreferences element. The FavoritePreferences element includes content preference information, the KeywordPreferences element includes keyword preference information, and the UserInformationPreferences element includes user preference information.

The PersonalChannelPreferences element can be managed by an IPTV receiver, a separate terminal, and a metadata server for as many family members as there are TVs watched by the whole family, or as many members of a similar group. When a plurality of PersonalChannelPreferences elements are managed by an IPTV receiver or a separate terminal, the PersonalChannelPreferences element requested by the user among the plurality of PersonalChannelPreferences elements may be transmitted to the metadata server. Also, when the metadata server manages a plurality of PersonalChannelPreferences elements, the metadata server may receive information from the IPTV receiver that can select the PersonalChannelPreferences element requested from the user among the plurality of PersonalChannelPreferences elements.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a favorite preference type according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the FavoritePreferences element includes an id attribute, a timeBase attribute, a timeUnit attribute, a protected attribute, and a preferenceValue attribute. The id attribute contains identification information for identifying the element. The timeBase attribute contains information for selecting one of the Time data type or TimePoint type in the current description. The timeUnit attribute is named time unit Contains information about the duration of a small time interval, and the protected attribute contains information that indicates whether the user wants to keep the information private. The preferenceValue attribute review includes weight information, and the weight information is used to compare mutual priorities between content preference information, keyword preference information, and user preference information.

The FavoritePreferences element contains the FavoriteProgram element and the FavoriteService element. The FavoriteProgram element includes a ProgramID attribute, an EpisodeOf element, a MemberOf element, and a PreferenceCondition element. The ProgramID includes identification information for identifying the program, the EpisodeOf element includes episode number information of the series when the program is a series, and the MemberOf element includes information indicating an upper episode when the program is a series . Here, it may be a CRID (Content Reference IDentifier) as an example of identification information for identifying a program. The PreferenceConditon element contains a Place attribute and a Time attribute. The Place attribute includes program preference location information, and the Time attribute includes program preference time information.

 The FavoriteService element contains a ServiceId element and a PreferenceCondition element. The ServiceId element includes identification information for identifying a service. The PreferenceConditon element contains a Place attribute and a Time attribute. The Place attribute includes service preference location information, and the Time attribute includes service preference time information.

9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a schema for a keyword preference type according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the KeywordPreferences element includes an id attribute, a timeBase attribute, a timeUnit attribute, a protected attribute, and a preferenceValue attribute. The id attribute contains identification information for identifying the element. The timeBase attribute contains information for selecting one of the Time data type or TimePoint type in the current description. The timeUnit attribute is a time unit Contains information about the duration of the named small time interval, and the protected attribute contains information indicating whether the user wants to keep the information private. The preferenceValue attribute review includes weight information, and the weight information is used to compare mutual priorities between content preference information, keyword preference information, and user preference information.

The KeywordPreferences element contains a CreationPreferences element, a ClassificationPreferences element, a SourcePreferences element, and a PreferenceCondition element.

The CreationPreferences element contains keyword preference information associated with content creation. To this end, the KeywordPreferences element includes a Title element, a Creator element, a Keyword element, a Location element, a DatePeriod element, and a Tool element. The Title element includes content title information, the Creator element includes author information, and the Keyword element includes keyword information. And the Location element includes production site information, the DatePeriod element includes production period information, and the Tool element includes information related to the production tool.

The ClassificationPreferences element includes keyword preference information associated with content content. To this end, the ClassificationPreferences element includes the country, DatePeriod, LanguageFormat, Language, CaptionLanguage, Form, Genre, Subject, Review and ParentalGuidance elements. The Country element includes country information on which the content is produced, the DatePeriod element includes production period information, and the LanguageFormat element includes information on the language format. The Language element contains information about the language, the CaptionLanguage element contains information about the caption, and the Form element contains information about the content form. The Genre element includes content genre information, the Subject element includes information on a content subject, the review element includes review information on the content, and the ParentalGuidance element includes parent guidance information.

The SourcePreferences element contains keyword preference information associated with the content composition. To do this, the SourcePreferences element contains a DisseminationFormat element, a DisseminationSource element, a DisseminationLocation element, a DisseminationDate element, a Disseminator element, and a MediaFormat element. The DisseminationFormat element includes content distribution format information, the DisseminationSource element includes content distribution source information, and the DisseminationLocation element includes distribution area information. The DisseminationDate element includes content distribution date information, the disseminator element includes content distributor information, and the MediaFormat element includes media format information. Here, the media format may be HD or SD for example.

The PreferenceConditon element contains a Place attribute and a Time attribute. The Place attribute includes content preference location information, and the Time attribute includes content preference time information.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a user informationformation type according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the UserInformationPreferences element includes an id attribute, a timeBase attribute, a timeUnit attribute, a protected attribute, and a preferenceValue attribute. The id attribute contains identification information for identifying the element. The timeBase attribute contains information for selecting one of the Time data type or TimePoint type in the current description. The timeUnit attribute is named time unit Contains information about the duration of a small time interval, and the protected attribute contains information that indicates whether the user wants to keep the information private. The preferenceValue attribute review includes weight information, and the weight information is used to compare mutual priorities between content preference information, keyword preference information, and user preference information.

UserInformationPreferences includes a UserIdentifier element, an Age element, a Sex element, an Occupation element, and a PersonalInterest element. The UserIdentifier element contains a protected attribute containing information indicating whether the user desires to keep the information private, and a Name attribute containing the user name information. The Age element includes user age information, the Sex element includes user gender information, the Occupation element includes user job information, and the PersonalInterest element includes user interest information.

11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a preferred embodiment of a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the IPTV receiver 1100 may include a tuner or the like to receive terrestrial broadcast, cable broadcast, and satellite broadcast. However, in the present invention, for convenience of explanation, a description will be made mainly of a portion for processing a content transmitted using the Internet network.

The IPTV receiver 1100 includes a network interface unit 1102, a TCP / IP manager 1104, a service delivery manager 1106, a PVR (Personal Video Recorder) manager 1108, a demultiplexer 1110, a data decoder 1112, A service information database 1124, a service discovery manager 1126, a service control manager 1128, a meta data manager 1130, and a content database unit (not shown) 1132).

The network interface unit 1102 receives packets received from the network and transmits the packets to the network. That is, the network interface unit 1102 receives the packet including the SD & S record, the BCG metadata, and the packet from the service provider through the network. The network interface unit 1102 transmits personal channel preference information to the network. Here, the personal channel preference information may be transmitted in the metadata structure, and may be included in the PersonalChannelPreferences element described in FIGS. 5 to 10.

The TCP / IP manager 1104 is involved in delivering packets from the source to the destination with respect to the packets received from the IPTV receiver 1100 and the packets transmitted from the IPTV receiver 1100. Then, the TCP / IP manager 1104 classifies the received packets so as to correspond to the appropriate protocols and classifies them into the service delivery manager 1106, the service discovery manager 1126, the service control manager 1128, and the metadata manager 1130 Lt; / RTI > For example, when receiving the SD & S record, the TCP / IP manager 1104 may output the received SD & S record to the service discovery manager 1126. In addition, when receiving the BCG metadata, the TCP / IP manager 1104 can output the received BCG metadata to the meta data manager 1130. Also, the TCP / IP manager 1104 may participate in transmitting a packet including personal channel preference information to the metadata server.

The service delivery manager 1106 is responsible for controlling the received service data. For example, RTP / RTCP (Real-Time Transport Protocol / RTP Control Protocol) can be used to control real-time streaming data. When the real-time streaming data is transmitted using RTP, the service delivery manager 1106 parses the received data packet according to the RTP and transmits it to the PVR manager 1108 or controls the service manager 1122 In the content database unit 1132. [ And feedbacks the network reception information to the server providing the service using the RTCP.

The PVR manager 1108 receives the service data from the service delivery manager 1106 and records it in the content database unit 1132.

The demultiplexer 1110 demultiplexes the received packets into audio, video, PSI (Program Specific Information) data, and transmits them to the decoder 1114 and the data decoder 1112, respectively.

The data decoder 1114 decodes service information such as PSI (Program Specific Information). That is, the data decoder 1114 receives and decodes the demultiplexed PSI section, the Program and Service Information Protocol (PSIP) section, the DVB-SI (Service Information) section and the like in the demultiplexer 1110.

The data decoder 1112 decodes the received sections to create a database of service information, and stores the database related to the service information in the service information database unit 1124.

The decoder 1114 decodes the video data and audio data received from the demultiplexer 1110. To this end, the decoder 1114 includes an audio decoder 1115 and a video decoder 1116. The audio data decoded in the audio decoder 1115 is provided to the user through a speaker (not shown), and the decoded video data in the video decoder 1116 is provided to the user through the display unit 1118.

The application manager 1120 manages the overall state of the IPTV receiver 1100, provides a user interface, and manages other managers. To this end, the application manager 1120 includes a user interface manager 1121 and a service manager 1122.

The user interface manager 1121 provides a GUI (Graphic User Interface) for a user using an OSD (On Screen Display) or the like, receives a key input from a user, and performs a receiver operation according to the input. For example, the user interface manager 1121 may receive a keyword for calculating personal channel preference information from a user, and may update keyword and preference information based on the received keyword. In addition, the user interface manager 1121 can transmit the key input signal to the service manager 1122 when receiving a key input regarding the channel selection from the user. For example, when the user interface manager 1121 receives the input of the personalized channel selection key from the user, the user interface manager 1121 transmits the personalized channel selection key input signal to the service manager 1122.

The user interface manager 1121 calculates personal channel preference information based on personal broadcasting channel combination information. Here, the personal channel preference information is information for selecting a broadcast content provided by the personalized channel, and may include at least one of content preference information, keyword preference information, and user preference information. In addition, the individual broadcast channel programming information may include at least one of program download information, keyword, preference information, and customer information described above in FIG. The user interface manager 1121 calculates the content preference information from the program download information, calculates the keyword preference information from the program download information, the keyword and the preference information, and can calculate the user preference information from the customer information.

The service manager 1122 controls the manager associated with the service such as the service delivery manager 1106, the service discovery manager 1126, the service control manager 1128 and the metadata manager 1130 and the IG-OITF client.

The service manager 1122 also creates a channel map and selects a channel using the channel map according to a key input received from the user interface manager 1121. The service manager 1122 receives the service information of the channel from the data decoder 1112 and sets an audio / video PID (Packet Identifier) of the selected channel in the demultiplexer 1110.

In addition, the service manager 1122 controls the personal channel preference information calculated by the user interface manager 1121 to be transmitted to the metadata server. That is, when the service manager 1122 receives the personalized channel selection key input signal from the user interface manager 1121, the service manager 1122 controls the personal channel preference information to be transmitted to the metadata server. The service manager 1122 controls to receive and display the contents provided on the personalized channel.

The service discovery manager 1126 provides the information necessary to select a service provider that provides the service. That is, the service discovery manager 1126 receives the SD & S record, processes the SD & S record, and stores it in the service information database unit 1124. Upon receiving the channel selection signal from the service manager 1122, the service discovery manager 1126 searches for the service using the information.

The service control manager 1128 is responsible for selection and control of services. For example, when a user selects a service such as IGMP or RTSP when selecting a live broadcasting service such as an existing broadcasting system and selects a service such as VOD (Video On Demand), RTSP is used to select a service, Control is performed. The RTSP protocol may provide a trick mode for real-time streaming. If the user selects the personalized channel, if the content provided by the personalized channel is a Live Broadcasting service, the service selection and control is performed using IGMP or RTSP, and the content provided by the personalized channel is transmitted to the VOD , The service selection and control are performed using the RTSP.

In addition, the service control manager 1128 can initialize and manage a session through the IMC gateway using an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The protocols are one embodiment, and other protocols may be used, depending on the implementation.

The metadata manager 1130 manages the metadata associated with the service and stores the metadata in the service information database 1124. Also, the meta data manager 1130 may change the personal channel preference information generated by the user interface manager 1121 into a meta data structure. In an alternative embodiment, the user interface manager 1121 may change the personal channel preference information to a metadata structure. As an example of the metadata structure, the PersonalChannelPreferences Type described in FIGS. 5 to 10 may be used.

The service information database unit 1124 stores the service information decoded by the data decoder 1112, the metadata managed by the metadata manager 1130, and information necessary for selecting a service provider provided by the service discovery manager 1126 . The service information database unit 1124 may store setup data and the like for the system. Also, it is possible to store the personal channel preference information calculated by the user interface unit 1121.

The service information database unit 1124 and the content database unit 1132 can be implemented using a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) or a flash memory, respectively. The service information database unit 1124 and the content database unit 1132 are logically divided into two areas Can be implemented.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of processing broadcast data according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 12, the IPTV receiver 1100 receives a request signal for a dedicated channel from a user (S1200). Here, the user can select a personalized channel by clicking a menu button on the remote controller, a menu button on the broadcast receiver, a menu button on the OSD, and the like.

The IPTV receiver 1100 confirms whether there is personal channel preference information (S1210). If the personal channel preference information does not exist, the IPTV receiver 1100 calculates personal channel preference information based on the personal broadcasting channel combination information (S1220). Here, the personal channel preference information is information for selecting a broadcast content provided by the personalized channel, and may include at least one of content preference information, keyword preference information, and user preference information. Also, the individual broadcast channel programming information may include at least one of program download information, keyword, preference information, and customer information described above in FIG. IPTV receiver 1100 calculates content preference information from program download information, calculates keyword preference information from program download information, keyword and preference information, and calculates user preference information from customer information.

Then, the IPTV receiver 1100 transmits personal channel preference information (S1230). Here, the IPTV receiver 1100 may transmit the personal channel preference information in the metadata structure, for example, in the Personal Channel Preferences type described in FIGS. 5 to 10.

The IPTV receiver 1100 receives the broadcast content selected on the basis of the transmitted personal channel preference information as a personal dedicated channel (S1240). Here, the metadata server may generate and modify a personal channel program list by selecting broadcast content to be provided on a personal dedicated channel based on personal channel preference information, and the content server may transmit the broadcast content indicated by the personal channel program list information to the IPTV receiver (1100).

The IPTV receiver 1100 displays the received broadcast content (S1250). Then, the IPTV receiver 1100 confirms whether a change request for personal channel preference information is input from the user (S1260). If a change request for personal channel preference information is input from the user, the IPTV receiver 1100 modifies the personal channel preference information according to the input change request (S1270). Then, the IPTV receiver 1100 transmits the modified personal channel preference information through step S1230.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation in the embodiment in which said invention is directed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an IPTV system according to the present invention.

2A and 2B are diagrams schematically showing multicast and unicast methods, respectively,

3 is a diagram illustrating a process of configuring a personalized channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of information for configuring personal channel preference information according to the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a user description type according to the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a user preference type according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a PersonalChannelPreferences Type according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a favorite preferences type according to the present invention;

9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a schema for a keyword preference type according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schema for a user informationformation type according to the present invention; FIG.

11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a preferred embodiment of a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention,

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of processing broadcast data according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Claims (20)

Transmitting personal channel preference information including user preference information to an external server as information for selecting a broadcast content provided by a personalized channel that provides a content customized to each user; Receiving broadcast content selected on the basis of the transmitted personal channel preference information from the external server using the personalized channel; Displaying the received broadcast content; Receiving a change request for the personal channel preference information from a user; Changing the personal channel preference information; And And transmitting the changed personal channel preference information to the external server, The user preference information is at least one of a name information of a viewer, age information, gender information, marital information, child information, occupation information, and interest field information The broadcast data processing method comprising the steps of: The method according to claim 1, Wherein the personal channel preference information includes at least one of content preference information and keyword preference information. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the content preference information, the keyword preference information, and the user preference information each include weight information for comparing mutual priorities. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the content preference information includes at least one of program preference information and service preference information. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the keyword preference information is keyword information for searching for a content preferred by a viewer. delete The method according to claim 1, In the transmitting step, And transmitting the personal channel preference information in a metadata structure. The method according to claim 1, Further comprising the step of calculating the personal channel preference information. 9. The method of claim 8, In the calculating step, And the personal channel preference information is calculated from the history information of the downloaded program. 9. The method of claim 8, In the calculating step, And the personal channel preference information is calculated from information inputted by a user. 9. The method of claim 8, In the calculating step, And the personal channel preference information is calculated from the customer information. A user interface manager for calculating personal channel preference information including user preference information as information for selecting broadcast content provided by a personalized channel that provides a content customized to each user; Receiving a packet including the calculated personal channel preference information to an external server, receiving broadcast content selected on the basis of the transmitted personal channel preference information from the external server on the personalized channel, And transmitting the changed personal channel preference information to an external server; And And a display unit for displaying the received broadcast content, The user preference information is at least one of a name information of a viewer, age information, gender information, marital information, child information, occupation information, and interest field information And a digital broadcast receiver. 13. The method of claim 12, Wherein the personal channel preference information includes at least one of content preference information and keyword preference. 14. The method of claim 13, Wherein the content preference information, the keyword preference information, and the user preference information each include weight information for comparing mutual priorities. 14. The method of claim 13, Wherein the content preference information includes at least one of program preference information and service preference information. 14. The method of claim 13, Wherein the keyword preference information is keyword information for searching for a content preferred by a viewer. delete 13. The method of claim 12, Wherein the user interface manager comprises: And calculates the personal channel preference information from the history information of the downloaded program. 13. The method of claim 12, Wherein the user interface manager comprises: And calculates the personal channel preference information from the information input by the user. 13. The method of claim 12, Wherein the personal channel preference information is transmitted in a metadata structure.

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