KR20060099147A - Apparatus and method for automatic redirection of multimedia contents play device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically switching a multimedia content playback apparatus. More particularly, when a multimedia content playback apparatus needs to be switched due to a user's position shift, the multimedia content playback apparatus selected based on a user's preference is provided. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically switching a multimedia content reproduction apparatus providing a multimedia content used by a user.

The automatic switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a service switching determination unit for determining whether the automatic switching of the multimedia content playback device occurs, and when the automatic switching situation occurs as a result of the determination to search for the target device to display the multimedia content service; A switching target device searching unit, a service reproducing checker for checking whether to play the multimedia content service on the searched switching target device, and controlling the multimedia content service to be displayed on the searched switching target device according to whether to play the multimedia content service; It includes a control unit.

Multimedia content, automatic switching device, portal service server

Description

Apparatus and method for automatic redirection of multimedia contents play device}

1 is a conceptual diagram of a display switching service between devices using a home server and a home gateway in a home according to the related art.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a system for automatically switching the multimedia content playback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for automatically switching a multimedia content playback apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a table storing information of a multimedia content player and preference information of a user in an apparatus for automatically switching a multimedia content player according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically switching a multimedia content playback apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

100: automatic switching device 110: service switching determination unit

120: switch target device search unit 130: service playback check unit

140: authentication unit 150: storage unit

160: information transmitter 170: controller

200: portal service server 300: multimedia content playback device

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically switching a multimedia content playback apparatus. More particularly, when a multimedia content playback apparatus needs to be switched due to a user's position shift, the multimedia content playback apparatus selected based on a user's preference is provided. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automatically switching a multimedia content reproduction apparatus providing a multimedia content used by a user.

Conventional digital content display switching method is a display switching method between devices using a wired / wireless device that serves as a home server (local server) such as a media box (Home Box), such as a home, For example, it is common to convert a movie from the living room to a display in a room.

This method is limited to display switching between devices connected with address information on a home network, and is limited and passive in that switching is performed through a control device connected on the network only when a user command is given.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a display switching service between devices using a home server and a home gateway in a home according to the related art.

As shown, the home server 10 provides and controls services between the devices 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 connected on the home network through the home gateway.

In addition, the mobile control pad 11 can monitor and change the setting and current state of the device connected to the home network by wire, so that the user can control the device connected to the home network regardless of the location in the home. Can be. Here, the home server / home gateway 10 and the devices 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 are connected to a wired / wireless IP network using Bluetooth, wired / wireless LAN, or radio frequency.

The home server 10 is connected to a portal server that provides wired / wireless contents so that digital contents such as video, audio, and images can be stored, and the stored contents are connected to devices 21, 22, 23, 24, 25).

The mobile control pad 110 receives and displays a setting state of each device wirelessly through the home server 10, receives a setting change command from a user, and applies it to each device through a home gateway as a control command.

Each of the devices 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 has IP address information and additional identification information on the home network, so that the reception state and the display switchable device can be confirmed from the mobile control pad 11. do.

The existing display switching service is a method in which the home server 10 transfers an IP packet to a changed address by changing a reception IP address of a device for display switching in a wired IP network.

However, the conventional display switching method has a spatial limitation that the service can be provided only in a limited place when the user moves the location, and there is a physical limitation that the service can be provided only when the user has a display terminal as a display switching between devices connected on the network. have.

In addition, when there is a user's switching command can be switched through the control device, there is a problem that there is a functional limitation that the function of providing an automatic switching service environment without the user's command is insufficient.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia content used by a user to the multimedia content playback device selected on the basis of the user's preference, when switching of the multimedia content playback device that provides the multimedia content due to the user's position shift. .

Another object of the present invention is to be able to receive the multimedia content used through the automatic switching service of the multimedia content playback device regardless of whether the user owns the multimedia content playback device.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the automatic switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention displays a service switching determination unit for determining whether the automatic switching of the multimedia content playback device occurs, and the multimedia content service when the automatic switching situation occurs as a result of the determination; A switching target device searching unit for searching for a switching target device to perform; a service playing checking unit for checking whether to play the multimedia content service on the searched switching target device; And a controller for controlling the multimedia content service to be displayed.

In addition, the method for automatically switching the multimedia content playback apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes determining whether the automatic switching of the multimedia content playback device occurs, and if the automatic switching situation occurs as a result of the determination, the multimedia content service Searching for the switching target device to be displayed; checking whether to play the multimedia content service used by the user on the searched switching target device; and checking the multimedia content service used by the user when the user requests playback. And displaying the detected switching target device on the device.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram showing a system for automatically switching a multimedia content playback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The system for automatically switching the multimedia contents playback apparatus includes an automatic switching apparatus 100, a portal service server 200, and a multimedia contents playback apparatus 300. Here, the automatic switching device 100 may be located in the multimedia content playing device 300 or the portal service server 200.

The automatic switching device 100 checks whether or not an automatic switching situation of the multimedia content provided to the user occurs, and if it is necessary to switch the multimedia content playing device 300 that provides the multimedia content as a result, the user of the multimedia content playing device ( 300) The multimedia content playing apparatus 300 to be switched is selected based on the possession and the preference, and the multimedia content used by the user is provided to the selected multimedia content playing apparatus 300. FIG.

Here, the automatic switching device 100 is a service switching determination unit 110, switching target device search unit 120, service playback check unit 130, authentication unit 140, storage unit 150, information transmitter 160 It is configured to include). Hereinafter, the automatic switching device 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The portal service server 200 provides predetermined multimedia content according to a user's request. For example, the portal service server 200 provides video (movie, drama, etc.) content, music content, and various information.

In addition, the portal service server 200 stores the interruption location of the multimedia content used by the user who was interrupted when the multimedia content playback device 300 was switched, and then the service is started from the interrupted content location when the multimedia content playback request is made. To provide.

The multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 is a wired / wireless apparatus that reproduces multimedia contents such as video and audio, and recognizes a user who wants to use a multimedia contents service by recognizing a user authentication means. Here, the multimedia content reproduction apparatus 300 may be understood as a user-owned device and a free sharing device.

In other words, the user-owned device is a device that the user carries or is located in the home, and may be understood as, for example, a TV, a personal computer, a PDA, a notebook, a mobile phone, and the like, and a shared free device is used to be shared with multiple users. For example, the device may be understood as a multimedia kiosk of a bus station, a display device of a PC room, a digital pond in a hot spot, and the like.

3 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for automatically switching a multimedia content playback apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the automatic switching device 100 is a service switching determination unit 110, switching target device search unit 120, service playback check unit 130, authentication unit 140, storage unit 150, information It comprises a transmitter 160, and a control unit 170.

The service switching determination unit 110 checks the current location and the current state of the user and determines whether the automatic switching of the multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 occurs. Here, the method of determining whether the automatic switching occurs is when the movement of the user is detected as a result of the multimedia content playback apparatus 300 recognizes the user recognition means, when the content currently being played is stopped, and the user can switch It may be understood as the case where the multimedia content playing apparatus 300 enters the region.

When the switching target device search unit 120 determines that the multimedia content playback device 300 is automatically switched as a result of the determination by the service switch determination unit 110, whether the user holds the multimedia content playback device and the storage unit 150 to be described below. Search for and select the switching target device (that is, the multimedia content playing apparatus 300 that is switched to play the multimedia content service used by the user).

That is, the switching target device searcher 120 checks whether the user owns the multimedia content playback device 300 (that is, whether the current user is in the home or outside the home) and then stores the available data stored in the storage 150. The switching target device is selected based on the multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 information and the user's preference information.

The service playback checker 130 checks whether the multimedia content service used by the user is played by the switching target device searched by the switching target device searcher 120.

For example, when a user enters a home while watching a movie (eg, metrics) through a PDA when the user is out, the service switching determination unit 110 determines whether the automatic switching of the multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 occurs. In response to the determination result, when the automatic switching of the multimedia content player 300 occurs, the service playback checker 130 is a movie (eg, By displaying a screen asking the user whether to continue to watch the metrics). Here, the playback check screen asking whether to play the multimedia content may be displayed on the user PDA.

When the automatic switching state of the multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 occurs, the authenticator 140 performs user authentication through the information obtained through the user authentication means, and transmits the authentication result to the controller 170.

For example, when the user wants to play the multimedia content previously used through the switched multimedia content playing apparatus 300, the authenticator 140 is held by the user who wants to use the switched multimedia content playing apparatus 300. User authentication is performed by recognizing the authentication means. Here, the authentication means may be understood as a RFID (Radio Frequenty Identification) tag, iris recognition, biometrics.

The storage unit 150 stores device information, user information, and device preference information of a multimedia content service. Here, the storage unit 150 is divided into a user-owned device (that is, a device located in the house or a user's mobile device) and a shared free device (device located outside the house) according to the type of the multimedia content playback device 300. Stores information by device type.

In addition, the storage unit 150 stores information on the multimedia content file used by the user. Here, the information on the multimedia content file used by the user may include the name of the multimedia content file used by the user when the automatic switching of the multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 occurs, and the multimedia content file interrupted due to the automatic switching. Location and the like.

For example, by storing the playback stop position of the multimedia content file used by the user, the multimedia content file can be played from the portion where the playback is stopped when the user requests to play the multimedia content.

In addition, the information stored in the storage unit 150 may be updated by the controller 170 through a user arbitrary setting or a user's device utilization. Hereinafter, the information stored in the storage unit 150 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

The information transmitter 160 transmits the information of the multimedia content player 300 to provide the multimedia content service to the portal service server 200 and the user information to use the multimedia content player 300. Here, the information transmitting unit 160 is operated when the automatic switching device 100 is located in the multimedia content playing device 300, and does not operate when the automatic switching device 100 is located in the portal service server 2000.

For example, when the user enters home while watching a movie (eg, a matrix) through the PDA when the user is out, when the multimedia content playing apparatus 300 to play the multimedia contents is changed from the PDA to the DTV, the information transmitter 160 ) Informs the portal service server 200 that the switching target device to play the user information and the multimedia content is changed to DTV, so that the portal service server 200 can receive multimedia information about a movie (eg, metrics) that the user was watching. The content service is transmitted to the DTV.

The control unit 170 may switch information about the switching target device stored in the storage unit 150 through the switching target device search unit 120 according to whether the automatic switching of the multimedia content playback apparatus 300 determined by the service switching determination unit 110 occurs. And select the switching target device using the user preference information.

In addition, when the switching target device is selected, the control unit 170 controls to check whether to play the multimedia content service used by the user to the selected switching target device through the service playback checking unit 130, and checks whether the playback target device is selected. The multimedia content used by the user is controlled through the selected switching target device.

In addition, the controller 170 controls to perform user authentication through the authenticator 140 when the user wants to play the multimedia content used through the switched multimedia content playback apparatus 300.

In addition, the controller 170 requests the portal service server 200 to stop the multimedia content service when an automatic switching situation occurs, and the user information and the selected information are selected by the portal service server 200 through the information transmitter 160 when a user requests playback. Information of the multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 is transmitted.

Therefore, when the movement of the user is captured, when the content to be played is stopped, and when the user enters the domain of the other multimedia content playback device 300, etc. When the automatic switching is required, the automatic switching device 100 selects a switching target device to play the multimedia content used by the user based on whether the user owns the multimedia content playing device 300 and the preference, and selects the user as the selected switching target device. By providing the multimedia content used by the user, the user can be provided with the multimedia content service used as the multimedia content playback device 300 suitable for its location and status.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a table storing information of a multimedia content player and preference information of a user in an apparatus for automatically switching a multimedia content player according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the table stored in the storage unit 150 stores information of the multimedia content playing apparatus 300 by distinguishing between a case where the user is in the home and a case outside the home, and also the multimedia content playing apparatus 300. Information indicating a user's preference and availability for the is stored.

For example, when the user comes home while watching a movie (eg, metrics) through a PDA when he is out of the house, the conversion target device searcher 120 may display a multimedia content playback device (eg, a table stored in the storage 150). Information of the user 300, user preferences, and availability are checked, and a multimedia content playback device (for example, a large TV) that is currently available and has high user preference is selected.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically switching a multimedia content playback apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the automatic switching device 100 is located in the predetermined multimedia content playing device 300.

First, the service switching determination unit 110 determines whether to switch the multimedia content playback device 300 (S100). Here, the method of determining whether the automatic switching occurs is when the movement of the user is detected as a result of the multimedia content playback apparatus 300 recognizes the user recognition means, when the content currently being played is stopped, and the user can switch It may be understood as the case where the multimedia content playing apparatus 300 enters the region.

When the automatic switching situation occurs as a result of the determination (S110), the switching target device search unit 120 checks whether the user has the multimedia content playback device 300 (that is, whether the current user is in the house or out of the house). Afterwards, the multimedia object playback apparatus 300 for switching to display the multimedia contents used by the user is searched based on the information on the available multimedia contents playback apparatus 300 stored in the storage 150 and the user's preference information. And select (S120).

For example, when the user enters the house after going out, the conversion target device search unit 120 selects the multimedia content playback device 300 available in the home from among the multimedia content playback devices 300 stored in the storage 150. The multimedia content playback apparatus 300 having a high user preference among the checked multimedia content playback apparatuses 300 is selected as the switching target device.

Next, the controller 170 requests the portal service server 200 to stop the multimedia content service used by the user through the information transmitter 160 (S130). Accordingly, the portal service server 200 stores the playback stop position of the multimedia content currently used by the user, and then terminates the corresponding multimedia content service.

Next, the authentication unit 140 recognizes who is the user who wants to use the multimedia content service as the current switching target device through the information that the predetermined multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 recognizes the user recognition means (S140). Here, the authentication means may be understood as a RFID (Radio Frequenty Identification) tag, iris recognition, biometrics, and the like, and performing the user recognition may be performed by any user through the multimedia content reproducing apparatus 300 used by a plurality of users. This is to search for whether the playback device 300 is to be used or what multimedia content service the user is currently using.

Next, the service playback checker 130 displays a screen inquiring whether to continue playing the multimedia content service used by the user in the switching target device searched by the switching target device searcher 120. That is, it is checked whether the multimedia content is played back from the user (S150).

Next, when the user requests to play the multimedia content (S160), the controller 170 transmits the user information and the information of the switching target device to play the multimedia content to the portal service server 200 through the information transmitter 160. do.

Next, the portal service server 200 transmits the multimedia content service used by the user to the switching target device received from the controller 170, and thus the multimedia content used by the user is transferred to the multimedia content playback device 300. It is reproduced (S170).

On the other hand, the automatic switching device 100 may be located in the portal service server 200, in which case the information transmitter 160 does not operate.

Therefore, when the movement of the user is captured, when the content to be played is stopped, and when the user enters the domain of the other multimedia content playback device 300, etc. When the automatic switching is required, the automatic switching device 100 selects a switching target device (that is, the multimedia content playing device 300) to play the multimedia content based on whether the user has the multimedia content playing device 300 and the preference. By automatically converting and providing the multimedia content used by the user to the selected multimedia content playing device 300, the user used the multimedia content playing device 300 suitable for the location and state of the user without performing a separate switching process. Content services can be provided.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the case where the user movement situation is captured as a result of recognizing the user recognition means will be described as an example. In addition, it is assumed that the automatic switching device 100 is located in the predetermined multimedia content playback device 300.

When the user comes home while watching a movie (eg, metrics) through the PDA when the user is out, it is determined whether the multimedia content playing apparatus 300 is switched. In this case, when the user places the PDA in his room and is moving to the living room, the user is moved away from the PDA through the user recognition means, and the situation that the current moving is checked so that the automatic switching state of the multimedia content playing device 300 is displayed. Judging that it occurred.

Accordingly, the automatic switching device 100 determines that the user is currently located in the house, and checks the information on the multimedia content playing apparatus 300 and the user's preference information available in the house. Next, a target device (eg, a DTV) to display the multimedia content is selected based on the checked information.

Then, it recognizes the user's authentication means, and displays a screen inquiring whether to continue watching the movie (eg, metrics) that the user has been watching on the selected DTV to check whether the multimedia content is played back from the user.

As a result of the check, when the user requests to play the multimedia content, the multimedia content service (for example, the matrix) used by the user is played on the DTV. Here, the automatic switching device 100 transmits the user information and the target device (eg, DTV) information to display the multimedia content to the portal service server 200, thereby enabling the multimedia content (eg, DTV) used by the user through the DTV. For example, the matrix is reproduced.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, a case where the user requests an image switching request from the automatic switching device 100 to view a picture taken with a digital phone on a larger screen will be described. In addition, it is assumed that the automatic switching device 100 is located in the portal service server 200.

When the user requests to switch the image by accessing the portal service server 200 in order to view the picture taken with the decaphone on a larger screen, the automatic switching device 100 located in the portal service server 200 determines the current location of the user. The location of the shared free device (eg, multimedia kiosk at the bus station) closest to the current user is informed via the decaphone.

Next, when the user is located in the multimedia kiosk of the bus stop, the multimedia kiosk recognizes the user authentication means, and the automatic switching device 100 displays the photographic image taken by the user through the multimedia kiosk.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

According to the apparatus and method for automatically switching the multimedia content playback apparatus of the present invention as described above, there are one or more of the following effects.

First, when the multimedia content playback device needs to be switched, the multimedia content playback device is automatically switched to the multimedia content playback device according to the user's preference, so that the user can be provided with the multimedia content playback device suitable for the current environment. There is an advantage.

Second, there is an advantage in that the convenience of the user can be enhanced by using a multimedia content service without restriction of space due to freedom of access environment in viewing multimedia content.

Third, there is an advantage that the multimedia contents can be provided to the multimedia contents playback apparatus that can be used according to the position and preference of the user regardless of whether the user has the multimedia contents playback apparatus.

Claims (5)

A service switch determining unit to determine whether an automatic switching of the multimedia content playing apparatus occurs; A switching target device searching unit searching for a switching target device to display a multimedia content service when an automatic switching situation occurs as a result of the determination; A service reproduction checker for checking whether to play the multimedia content service on the searched switching target device; And And a controller for controlling a multimedia content service to be displayed on the searched switching target device according to whether the playback is performed. The method of claim 1, An authentication unit for authenticating a user using the switch target device; And And a storage unit which stores information of a multimedia content player for playing the multimedia content service, user information, user preference information, and information on a multimedia content file used by a user. The method of claim 1, The service switching determining unit determines that the automatic switching situation occurs when the user's movement is captured, when the multimedia content being played is stopped, or when the user enters the domain of another multimedia content playing apparatus. Automatic switching device characterized in that. Determining whether automatic switching of the multimedia content playback apparatus occurs; Searching for a switching target device to display a multimedia content service when an automatic switching situation occurs as a result of the determination; Checking whether to play the multimedia content service used by the user in the found conversion target device; And And displaying the multimedia content service used by the user on the searched conversion target device when the user requests a playback. The method of claim 4, wherein Determining whether the automatic switching of the multimedia content playback device occurs, Characterized in that it is determined that an automatic switching situation occurs when the user's movement is captured, when the multimedia content that has been played is stopped, or when the user enters a domain of another multimedia content playback device. How to automatically switch multimedia content playback devices.

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