KR20090105276A - Method for linking among related services in internet protocol television service system services and internet protocol television service system for materializing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for linking related services among IPTV services and an IPTV system for realizing the same are provided to enable a user to confirm the broadcast progress of selected contents more conveniently. CONSTITUTION: An IPTV system for linking related services among IPTV services includes an EPG server and a client terminal. The PG server manages and provides an EPG including related VOD contents or additional service information for each program. The client terminal receives and stores the EPG, and displays a VDD service(300), a real-time broadcasting service and additional service information which are related to a program together with program information when displaying the EPG. The client terminal immediately provides a selected service when one of the services is selected by a client.

Description

ｌＰＴＶ system of interworking among related services and ｌＰＴＶ system for implementing the same {METHOD FOR LINKING AMONG RELATED SERVICES IN INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION SERVICE SYSTEM SERVICES AND INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION SERVICE SYSTEM FOR MATERIALIZING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a television service (hereinafter, referred to as an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service) using an internet protocol network, and in particular, another service related to a service being provided in an IPTV system can be directly provided with another related service. And a method for implementing the same and an IPTV system for implementing the same.

Recently, with the spread of broadband media and the increase in communication speed, the Internet has emerged as a new medium for enabling One source Multi Service. As an example of such elements multi-service, a number of airwave television and radio channels, as well as multimedia contents provided by an internet service provider are provided as a broadcast service through the Internet. Along with the rapid increase in the Internet use population, the demand for internet broadcasting that provides OneS multi-service is on the rise.

A representative service that emerged from this background is IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) based on Internet Protocol.

The biggest feature of IPTV is that it provides interactive TV broadcasting service through high speed internet.

IPTV connects the content providing server and the display device connected to the Internet through the set-top box, and displays the information content service, the video content providing service, and the broadcasting content providing service through the display device. To the user.

The IPTV system that provides the IPTV service includes a VOD service that provides VOD (Video On Demand) content, a real-time broadcasting service provided by a general broadcasting center, a game service, a karaoke service, a weather service, a fortune service, a myfolder service, The same additional service, the Value Added Service (VAS) service, is provided.

In order to receive IPTV services, customers select their desired service among VOD service, real-time broadcasting service, and additional service through the set-top box of their client terminal, and select the desired service by selecting sub-categories provided by the selected service. You can watch.

Currently, to select the desired service category, and to receive other services related to the content being received while receiving the selected service, enter the menu for selecting the service category again, select the service to be provided, and then select the sub corresponding to the related content. The category must be selected several times before the desired service can be provided.

That is, at present, since services are not linked to each other, in order to receive a service related to a broadcast content selected by a customer, the user has to select and watch a related service only through several menu selections.

As a result, there is an increasing demand to directly receive services and related services currently provided by customers.

Also, while watching the VOD contents of the series selected by the customer, if the customer wants to check the broadcasting progress on the currently selected VOD contents, select the real-time broadcasting service category as described above and then select the channel for the program. Only when it was able to check the broadcast progress.

Accordingly, the customer has experienced a lot of inconvenience, and thus, a technology for more conveniently checking the broadcast progress status of the content selected by the customer and immediately selecting the relevant broadcast is required.

Therefore, the present invention features a method for providing related information when there is a related VOD content or an additional service of a program in an IPTV system, and an IPTV system for implementing the same.

In addition, the present invention features a method for enabling interworking between services so that a related content or service can be directly provided when a related VOD content or an additional service is provided, and an IPTV system for implementing the same.

In addition, the present invention features a method for enabling a customer to more conveniently check the broadcast progress status of a content selected by a customer, and immediately selecting and viewing a related broadcast, and an IPTV system for implementing the same.

The present invention for achieving the above, in the Internet Protocol Television Service (IPTV) system for implementing interworking between the related services, EPG server for managing and providing the EPG including the associated VOD content or additional service information for each program And, when receiving and storing the EPG, and when displaying the EPG, if there is information on the VOD service, real-time broadcasting service, and additional services related to the program, and displays with the program information, one of the services from the customer If selected, characterized in that it comprises a customer terminal to provide the selected service immediately.

According to an example of the present invention, if there is information on a VOD service, a real-time broadcasting service, and an additional service related to a program when displaying the customer terminal unit and the EPG, the content or service is directly entered when displaying program information. It is characterized in that to display an icon for, and if there is a predetermined icon selection from the customer to recognize that one of the services is selected to provide a service corresponding to the selected icon immediately.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the VOD content included in the EPG is a series of contents, the EPC server may include and manage broadcast progress status information on the corresponding VOD content.

According to an example of the present invention, when the customer terminal unit displays the broadcast menu of the VOD service, if the predetermined VOD content is a series, the EPG checks the EPG to display broadcast progress status information on the corresponding VOD content. If one of the contents included in the broadcast progress information is selected, characterized in that it comprises a customer terminal to provide the selected content immediately.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the customer terminal unit displays the broadcast progress information on the corresponding VOD content when the predetermined VOD content is a series, an icon for directly entering the contents included in the broadcast progress information It is characterized in that the display, and if there is a predetermined icon selection from the customer provides the content corresponding to the selected icon immediately.

The present invention also provides a method for implementing interworking between related services in an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television Service) system, the method comprising: receiving an EPG including related VOD content or additional service information for each program; In the case of displaying, if there is information on a VOD service, a real-time broadcasting service, and an additional service related to the program, displaying the program information together with the program information, and providing the selected service immediately when one of the services is selected from the customer. Characterized in that.

According to an example of the present invention, the display process, if there is information on the VOD service, real-time broadcast service, and additional services related to the program when displaying the EPG for entering the content or service immediately when displaying the program information And displaying a icon and immediately providing a service corresponding to the selected icon by recognizing that one of the services is selected when a predetermined icon is selected by the customer.

According to an example of the present invention, in the case of the VOD content which is a series, the EPG receiving process including broadcast progress status information and the EPG is checked when the broadcasting menu of the VOD service is displayed. And displaying a broadcast progress status information of the VOD content and providing the selected content immediately when one of the contents included in the broadcast progress information is selected by the customer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display process, when the predetermined VOD content is a series, when displaying the broadcast progress information on the corresponding VOD content icon for entering directly into the contents included in the broadcast progress information Characterized in that the process to display.

According to one example of the present invention, the providing process, if there is a predetermined icon selection from the customer among the icons for directly entering the contents included in the broadcast progress status information to provide the content corresponding to the selected icon immediately It is characterized by.

According to the present invention described above, the present invention has an advantage in that the information related to the service selected by the customer is provided in real-time EPG and directly enters the provided related service. In addition, it is possible to more conveniently check the broadcast progress status of the content selected by the customer, there is an advantage that you can select and watch the relevant broadcast immediately.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same components in the figures represent the same numerals wherever possible. Specific details are set forth in the following description, which is provided to aid a more general understanding of the present invention. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings it is possible to check the program selected by the customer and the VOD content or additional services by enabling the interworking between the related services provided in the IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the desired related services immediately A method for providing a shortcut function that can be executed will be described in detail.

First, a network configuration of an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system using an IPTV set-top box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of set-top boxes 100 on a user side, and the plurality of set-top boxes 100 are connected to an IPTV through a network 120. The server unit 130 is connected to each other and interlocked. The IPTV server unit 130 includes a VOD server 132, a broadcast server 134, an additional service providing server 136, and an EPG server 138.

The plurality of set-top boxes 100 are connected to the display device 110, such as a TV or a monitor, which is provided in a home or an office, respectively, to visually display various data information provided from the IPTV server unit 130. It may be performed through a user operation means including a remote control, a keypad, and the like.

The network 120 may be an IP-based network, but the present invention is not limited to using the IP-based network, and is not limited to a specific form as long as the network 120 enables a network. For example, the VOD server 132 and the EPG server 138 may perform wired communication through a local area network (LAN) or a TCP / IP connection.

The VOD server 132 means a web site or a database for providing on-demand video (VOD) content.

A VOD content DB (not shown) in which data of VOD content is stored may be provided inside the VOD server 132. In some cases, a plurality of content supply servers may be provided below the VOD server 132 to provide respective contents. VOD content can be stored on the supply server. According to this configuration, the VOD server 132 may collectively manage the list of content supply servers and the content stored therein.

The broadcast server 134 is distinguished from the VOD content and is a service provider that provides a real-time over-the-air broadcasting service.

The additional service providing server 136 is a server for providing VAS content, and may be provided with a VAS content DB (not shown) in which data of the VAS content is stored.

The EPG server 138 is for providing program information of contents capable of VOD service, that is, electronic program guide (EPG) information. The EPG server 138 is integrated and stored in an EPG file DB (not shown). can do. In addition, the EPG server 138 may store and provide information of contents for which a broadcast service and a VAS service are available. In particular, the EPG server 138 according to an embodiment of the present invention manages the real-time EPG including the relevant VOD content or additional service information for each program. In addition, when the VOD content is a series of contents, it manages a real-time EPG including broadcast progress information about the corresponding VOD content.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is assumed that a service related to the music video includes a real-time song broadcasting service or a karaoke service. Then, the EPG server provides the EPG including the karaoke service information and the real-time song broadcasting service related to the music video VOD, and the customer who selected the music video VOD provides the song broadcasting service or the karaoke service as the related service through the EPG. Get it right away. That is, the interworking between the VOD service, the real time broadcasting service, and the additional service is possible.

As another example, it is assumed that, in the case of the content “drama 13 times” which is a real-time broadcasting service as shown in FIG. 6b, there are “one to 12 times” the last broadcast VOD contents related thereto. Then, the EPG server provides the EPG that stores the contents of the last broadcast VOD contents related to the "13 times the contrast" contents, "1 to 12 times the contents", and the customer who selected the "13 times the contrast" contents through the EPG. The VOD contents of the related service, “Daejoyoung 1 ~ 12 times,” which are related broadcast VOD contents, can be selected and provided immediately.

As described above, in the present invention, by providing information on VOD content, real-time broadcasting service, and additional service related to a predetermined program through real-time EPG information, a customer can check related service information, and select and receive a related service. Make sure

When the IPTV system configured as described above receives a request for a predetermined service from the set-top box 100, the IPTV system responds to the VOD server 132, the broadcast server 134, the additional service providing server 136, and the EPG server 138 in response to the request. By providing stored VOD content, broadcast content, additional service content (VAS content), and EPG information to the set-top box 100, the display device 200 visually displays data information of the corresponding service.

In this case, the set-top box 100 displays the VOD content or additional service related to the program in the EPG, and allows the customer to directly select the related content or service to receive the selected content or service.

Set-top box 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention for this purpose is configured as follows.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a set-top box for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the set-top box 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention basically includes a network interface 11, an input signal receiver 13, a data processor 12, and an interface with an external server. The control unit 14 includes a storage unit 16 and an output unit 15. In addition, the controller 14 includes a VOD application for processing VOD content, a broadcast application for processing real-time broadcast content, and a VAS application for processing VAS content, which is content for an additional service.

Specifically, the network interface 11 is a network for communicating with a VOD server 132 and a broadcast server 134, an additional service providing server 136, and an EPG server 138, which are external servers. Support the environment.

The input signal receiver 13 receives an input signal according to a user's operation, converts the input signal into an electrical signal, and transmits the converted signal to the controller 14. In this case, the user's manipulation may be performed through a user interface such as a remote controller (not shown).

The storage 16 is a memory space for storing software for executing a VOD application, a broadcast application, a VAS application, and the like, and for storing VOD content, broadcast content, and program information (EPG information) of VAS content received from an external server. to be. This storage 16 may be a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory.

The controller 14 drives an application related to the service of the selected content when a signal for selecting content included in the predetermined service is input through the input signal receiving unit 13.

In addition, when displaying the real-time broadcast EPG, the controller 14 displays the related VOD content or additional service information of the corresponding program in the EPG stored in the storage 16 together in the EPG. In this case, the controller 14 may display a shortcut icon for allowing a customer to directly enter related services.

In addition, when a predetermined shortcut icon selection signal for directly entering a related service is received through the input signal receiving unit 13, the controller 14 drives an application corresponding to the service corresponding to the selected icon to immediately execute the corresponding service. to provide.

The output unit 15 is a module for converting the data output from the control unit 14 into an AV signal and outputting it to the screen, in order to visually show the user a series of processes performed by the control unit 14.

The data processor 12 codes or encodes VOD content, real-time broadcast content, VAS content, and EPG information input through the network interface 11 in a format that can be easily controlled by the controller 14.

Then, a process for providing the other service information related to the program when providing the EPG in the IPTV system configured as described above and receiving the related service immediately will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, a process for providing a real-time EPG in the broadcast menu of the VOD so as to check the progress of a broadcast and receiving a related broadcast immediately will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

First, referring to FIG. 3, a process for allowing a user to directly enter and receive a related service when there is a real time broadcasting service or an additional service related to VOD content will be described.

In step 300, it is assumed that the set-top box 100 is providing a VOD service according to a request of a customer and displaying an EPG.

Then, in step 302, the set-top box 100 checks whether there is a broadcast service or additional service information related to the VOD content in the broadcast EPG stored for EPG display. That is, the set top box 100 checks whether there is a broadcast service or additional service information related to a VOD service to be currently displayed through the received EPG.

If there is a broadcast service or additional service information related to the current VOD content, the flow proceeds to step 304 to display the related broadcast service or additional service information and to display a shortcut icon for directly accessing these services and receiving the service. Display.

In this case, if there is a predetermined shortcut icon selection in step 306, the set-top box 100 proceeds to step 308 to drive an application for a service corresponding to the selected icon so that the service can be directly provided.

For example, it is assumed that a case in which an EPG including information on a real-time song broadcasting service or a karaoke service is received and stored as a service related to a music video as shown in FIG. 6A. At this time, when providing an EPG for a predetermined music video VOD, which is a VOD service, a song broadcasting service or a karaoke service information, which is related to the music video VOD, may be provided. Then, the customer selects the corresponding service from the screen to receive the selected service immediately. In this case, the EPG provision time may be a time when the user has a selection for displaying the EPG, or may be a predetermined time before or during the completion of the reproduction of the predetermined music video VOD or the completion of the reproduction.

Therefore, when a customer wants to receive a karaoke service, which is a service related to a music video VOD, the customer can select one of the related services displayed on the screen and receive the service.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, a process for enabling a user to directly enter and receive a related service when there is a VOD service or an additional service related to a real time broadcasting service according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In step 400, it is assumed that the set-top box 100 is providing a real-time broadcasting service and displaying an EPG according to a request of a customer.

Then, in step 402, the set-top box 100 checks whether there is information on a VOD service (for example, a past broadcast VOD) or an additional service related to the broadcast program currently being serviced in the broadcast EPG stored for EPG display. That is, the set top box 100 checks whether there is a VOD service or additional service information related to a broadcast currently provided through the received EPG.

If there is a VOD service related to the currently serving broadcast program, the process proceeds to step 404 to display a shortcut icon on the screen as a user interface for directly entering the broadcast VOD of the related broadcast service and receiving the service.

In addition, if there is an additional service related to the broadcasting service currently being provided, the flow proceeds to step 403 in which the shortcut icon is displayed on the screen as a user interface for directly entering the related additional service and receiving the additional service.

Then, if the set-top box 100 has a predetermined shortcut icon selection in step 406, the set-top box 100 proceeds to step 408 to drive the application for the service corresponding to the selected icon to provide the service immediately. Make sure That is, the broadcast VOD or additional service corresponding to the selected icon can be directly provided.

For example, it is assumed that an EPG including weather view service information, which is an additional service, is received and stored as service information related to news of a real-time broadcasting service in the set-top box 100.

At this time, when the customer selects and watches the news by the real-time broadcasting service, an icon that directly enters the weather viewing service with news and related service information is provided on the screen, and the customer can immediately receive the weather viewing service by selecting the icon. It becomes possible.

Then, referring to FIG. 5, a process for enabling real-time EPG in the broadcast menu of the VOD according to an embodiment of the present invention to check the broadcast progress status and immediately entering the process will be described.

If the terrestrial VOD service is selected according to the customer's request in step 500, the set-top box 100 checks the broadcast progress status of the broadcast associated with the terrestrial VOD currently being serviced in step 502. In this case, it is assumed that the serviced terrestrial VOD is a series of water.

In operation 504, the set-top box 100 displays a broadcast progress state of the identified broadcast on the series synopsis screen. In this case, the displayed screen may be illustrated in FIG. 7.

Thereafter, if the predetermined broadcast is selected in step 506, the set-top box 100 proceeds to step 508 to provide a corresponding broadcast.

In this case, if the predetermined broadcast selected in step 506 is a program currently being broadcast, the broadcast application is driven to receive and display the selected broadcast on the screen.

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, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

1 is a network diagram of an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a set-top box for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention,

3 is a diagram illustrating a process for allowing a user to directly enter and receive a related service when there is a real time broadcasting service or an additional service related to VOD content according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a diagram illustrating a process for allowing a user to directly enter and receive a related service when there is a VOD service or an additional service related to a real time broadcasting service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a process for providing a real-time EPG in a broadcast menu of a VOD to check a broadcast progress state and immediately entering the same according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

6A and 6B illustrate an information table for interworking related services according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a diagram illustrating a VOD broadcast menu screen including a series synopsis of a broadcast progress state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: set-top box 110: display device

120: network 130: IPTV server unit

132: VOD server 134: Broadcast server

136: additional service providing server 138: EPG server

11: network interface 12: data processing unit

13: input signal receiver 14: controller

15: Output 16: Storage

Claims (10)

In the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television Service) system for implementing interworking between related services, An EPG server that manages and provides an EPG including related VOD content or additional service information for each program; When receiving and storing the EPG, and displaying the EPG, if there is information on a VOD service, a real-time broadcasting service, and an additional service related to the program, it is displayed together with the program information, and when one of the services is selected from the customer IPTV system comprising a customer terminal to provide a selected service immediately. According to claim 1, The customer terminal unit, When displaying the EPG, if there is information on a VOD service, a real-time broadcasting service, and an additional service related to a program, an icon for directly entering the content or service is displayed when displaying program information, and a predetermined icon selection from a customer is performed. And if one of the services is selected, immediately providing a service corresponding to the selected icon. The method of claim 1, wherein the EPC server, If the VOD content included in the EPG is a series of contents, the IPTV system comprising a broadcast progress status information for the corresponding VOD content. The method of claim 3, wherein the customer terminal unit, When displaying the broadcast menu of the VOD service, the EPG is checked to display broadcast progress information on the corresponding VOD content when predetermined VOD content is a series, and one of contents included in the broadcast progress information from a customer. If the content is selected, IPTV system comprising a customer terminal to provide the selected content immediately. The method of claim 4, wherein the customer terminal unit, When the predetermined VOD content is a series, when displaying broadcast progress information on the VOD content, an icon for directly entering contents included in the broadcast progress information is displayed. IPTV system, characterized in that directly providing the content corresponding to the selected icon. In a method for implementing interworking between related services in an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television Service) system, Receiving an EPG including related VOD content or additional service information for each program; In the case of displaying the EPG, if there is information on a VOD service, a real-time broadcasting service, and an additional service related to a program, displaying the program information together with the program information; And if one of the services is selected from a customer, providing the selected service directly. The method of claim 6, wherein the displaying process, If the EPG is displayed, if there is information on a VOD service, a real-time broadcast service, or an additional service related to a program, displaying an icon for directly entering the content or service when displaying program information; And recognizing that one of the services is selected when a predetermined icon is selected by a customer, and providing a service corresponding to the selected icon directly. The method of claim 6, In the case of VOD content that is a series, EPG receiving process including broadcast progress information together; Checking the EPG when displaying a broadcast menu of the VOD service and displaying broadcast progress information on the corresponding VOD content when a predetermined VOD content is a series; And if the one of the contents included in the broadcasting progress status information is selected by a customer, providing the selected contents immediately. The method of claim 8, wherein the display process, When the predetermined VOD content is a series, related services, including displaying an icon for directly entering contents included in the broadcast progress information when displaying broadcast progress information about the corresponding VOD content Interlocking method. The method of claim 9, wherein the providing process, The method according to claim 1, wherein the content corresponding to the selected icon is directly provided when a predetermined icon is selected by the customer among the icons for directly entering the contents included in the displayed broadcast progress information.

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