KR20100009384A - Method and system for providing information using watermark - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and a system for providing information using watermark is provided to supply the media content and the corresponding information by detecting the audio watermark when the media content plays. CONSTITUTION: A watermark inserting unit(100) inserts audio watermark including identification information of the media content into media contents. An information service unit(300) detects the identification information by detecting the audio watermark from an audio signal of the media contents in order to play the media contents. The information service part is connected based on the detected identifying information with the information service server. The information service part offers the link information which is in associated with the detected identifying information.

Description

Method and system for providing information using watermark {Method and System for Providing Information Using Watermark}

The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing information using a watermark. More particularly, the present invention relates to inserting an audio watermark including predetermined identification information into media content and to various information associated with the media content based on the identification information. It relates to a watermark technology and information providing technology that can provide them.

In general, digital convergence is a convergence of different digital services to create a new type of service, for example, a digital broadcasting service. Digital broadcasting service basically provides high quality broadcasting contents to users through wired network or wireless network. Furthermore, digital broadcasting service can provide extended concept services such as interactive service and contents sharing service through linkage with digital home environment. Can be. Such digital broadcasting services include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV).

In order to receive such a digital broadcasting service, a user must have a receiving terminal capable of receiving digital broadcasting transmitted from a service provider. The receiving terminal requests a broadcast schedule list such as an electronic program guide (EPG) or a list of content services such as an electronic content guide (ECG) from a digital broadcast service provider, and receives a service from a service provider. You can display the list to the user. Then, the user can select and watch the desired media content, such as a broadcast program, a movie, or a music, from the service list displayed through the receiving terminal.

At this time, if the user wants to obtain information related to the media content played by the receiving terminal, the user should obtain the information by using data broadcasting or find the information through a separate internet search. For example, when a user listens to a favorite music while watching a specific program, in order to obtain the information of the music, the user needs to use a data broadcast in real time or search a selection list through internet search.

However, in the related art, content related information of media content may be acquired only by a corresponding user due to the nature of data broadcasting, and may not be available when the data broadcasting service is a separate paid product. In addition, there is a problem in that retrieving information of media content through the Internet is inefficient due to time and space constraints and difficulty in retrieval.

Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new technology that efficiently provides content information related to the media content and makes it easy for a user to use the media content during playback.

An object of the present invention is to insert an audio watermark including identification information of the media content, identification information for each playback section, and the like, and detect the audio watermark when the media content is played. It is to provide an information providing method and system using a watermark that can provide a variety of information.

In order to solve this technical problem, the present invention provides an information providing method using a watermark in an aspect. The information providing method using the watermark may include detecting an audio watermark from an audio signal of the media content when the media content is played back; Analyzing the audio watermark to detect first information of the media content; Detecting second information of the media content associated with the first information in association with an information service entity; And displaying the detected second information.

Detecting second information of the media content may include requesting transmission of the second information associated with the first information to the information service entity; And receiving the second information from the information service entity.

The first information may include identification information for identifying the media content. In this case, the second information may include at least one of meta information, additional information, and advertisement associated with the media content.

In addition, the first information may further include identification information for each playback section, which may identify which section is played when the media content is played. In this case, the second information may include additional information for each playback section or advertisement information for each playback section associated with identification information for each playback section of the media content.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides an information providing method using an audio watermark in another aspect. The information providing method using the audio watermark may include: inserting, by a watermark inserter, an audio watermark including identification information of the media content in the media content when the media content is provided; When the media content is played, an information service unit receiving an audio signal of the media content and detecting the audio watermark embedded in the media content from the audio signal; Detecting identification information of the media content from the detected audio watermark; And providing linkage information associated with the media content based on the detected identification information through interworking with a communication network with an information service server. The linkage information associated with the media content may include at least one of meta information, additional information, and advertisement of the media content.

The providing of the linkage information may include: requesting the linkage information associated with the detected identification information to the information service server; Receiving the linkage information from the information service server; And displaying the received association information.

On the other hand, the step of providing the linkage information, requesting a list of information associated with the detected identification information to the information service server; Receiving the list of information from the information service server; Displaying the list of received information; Requesting the information service server for an information item selected from the list of information; Receiving the requested information item from the information service server; And displaying the received information item.

In the information providing method using the watermark, the watermark embedding unit reproduces an audio watermark including identification information for each playback section that can identify which section is being played on the media content when the media content is played back. The method may further include inserting every section.

The information providing method using the watermark may further include: when the media content is played, an information service unit receives an audio signal of the media content and detects an audio watermark including identification information for each playback section from the audio signal. Steps; Detecting identification information for each reproduction section from the detected audio watermark; And providing, in real time, connection information for each playback section associated with a corresponding playback section of the media content based on the detected identification information for each playback section, through a communication network interworking with an information service server.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides an information providing system in another aspect. The information providing system includes: a watermark inserting unit for inserting an audio watermark including identification information of the media content into media content; An information service server configured to store identification information of the media content and association information associated with the identification information; And when the media content is played back, the audio watermark is detected from an audio signal of the media content to detect the identification information, and the detected identification information is linked with the information service server based on the detected identification information. It may include an information service unit for providing the associated information linked.

The information service unit may request linkage information associated with the detected identification information to the information service server, and display linkage information received from the information service server. In addition, the information service unit requests the information service server to list the information associated with the detected identification information, displays the information list received from the information service server, and if the specific information item is selected from the information list, the information. The information item may be obtained by requesting a service server and then displayed. The linkage information associated with the identification information may be any one of meta information, additional information, and advertisement of the media content.

The watermark inserting unit may further insert an audio watermark for each corresponding playback section of the media content, which includes identification information for each playback section for identifying which part is played back when the media content is played back. The information service server may further store linkage information associated with the identification information for each play section.

When the media content is played back, the information service unit detects an audio watermark including identification information for each playback section from an audio signal of the media content, detects identification information for each playback section, and detects the identification information for each playback section. Based on the interworking with the information service server may provide linkage information associated with the identification information for each play section. In this case, the linkage information associated with the identification information for each play section may include additional information for each play section or advertisement for each play section.

Meanwhile, in order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention may provide an information providing device in another aspect. The information providing device includes: an audio signal receiving module configured to receive an audio signal of the media content when playing the media content; A watermark detection module for detecting an audio watermark from the audio signal received by the audio signal receiving module; A watermark analysis module for analyzing the audio watermark detected by the watermark detection module to obtain first information of the media content; An information transceiving module may be configured to request a second service associated with the first information from a specific service entity and receive the second information from the service entity. The information providing device may further include a display module for receiving and displaying the second information from the information transceiving module.

As described above, according to the present invention, an audio watermark including identification information of the media content, identification information for each playback section is inserted into the media content, and the audio watermark embedded in the media content is detected when the media content is played back. Various information associated with media content may be provided. Therefore, if the audio watermark is inserted into the media content, the user can obtain the information of the media content or the information for each playback section of the content in real time by using a portable device wherever the media content is played.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described below, specific technical terms are used for clarity of content. However, the invention is not limited to the particular term selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical synonyms that operate in a similar manner to achieve a similar purpose.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for realizing a method of providing information using a watermark according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a system for realizing an information providing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a watermark inserting unit 100, a media playback unit 200, an information service unit 300, and information. The service server 400 and the advertisement server 500 may be provided.

The watermark inserting unit 100 may insert an audio watermark including first information of the media content into media content. In this case, the first information includes identification information for identifying the media content. For example, the first information may include a unique code, title, and the like of the media content. Also, the first information may further include identification information for each playback section, which may identify which section is played when the media content is played.

The watermark inserting unit 100 may be provided in the media content provider side, for example, in the media content providing system 10. In this case, the media content provider may mean a wired or wireless digital TV broadcasting station, a content service provider, or the like. The watermark embedding unit 100 may apply an audio watermark embedding technique to media content generated by the media content providing system 10. For example, the watermark inserting unit 100 may include audio information including first information associated with the media content when the media content is generated by the media content providing system 10, that is, identification information and identification information for each playback section. Can be inserted in the form of a mark. In this case, the audio watermark may include traditional information of the watermark, for example, copyright information, in addition to the first information. Meanwhile, the copyright information may be included in additional information of the media content.

The audio watermark is embedded in the media content according to a predetermined algorithm and can be detected when the audio signal is played back. At this time, the user cannot recognize the existence of the watermark. The present applicant has disclosed various techniques for inserting and detecting an audio watermark including specific information in an audio signal in Korean Patent Publication Nos. 1999-0010821, 2004-0087759, 2003-16583, and the like.

The media playback unit 200 and the information service unit 300 may be provided on the user side. For example, the media player 200 and the information service 300 may be provided in the playback device 20 and the service device 30 as shown in FIG. 1. However, this is not a limitation and the media playback unit and the information service unit may be provided in the same device depending on the implementation environment.

The media player 200 may be provided in the playback device 20 as described above, and may play media content with an audio watermark inserted from the media content providing system 10. The playback device 20 may be, for example, a digital TV broadcast receiver, a CD or DVD playback device, an MP3 player, an IPTV reception device, or the like.

The information service unit 300 may be provided in the service device 30. In this case, the service device 30 may be, for example, a personal mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a vehicle auto PC, a mobile Internet device, a UMPC, a notebook computer, or a PC; It may be an online terminal such as a TV, a TV capable of connecting to the Internet, a similar IPTV utilizing the same, etc. The information service unit 300 is provided in the service device 30 to play media content that is reproduced by the media player 200. The first information of the reproduced media content is obtained by acquiring the audio signal of the audio signal and detecting and decoding the audio watermark included in the audio signal.

In addition, the information service unit 300 may request information from the information service server 400 based on the acquired first information, receive the second information of the corresponding media content, and display it in various forms. The second information may include meta information of the media content, meta information associated with the media content, additional information or an advertisement. In addition, when the first information further includes identification information for each playback section, the second information includes additional information or advertisement for each playback section corresponding to the identification information for each playback section (ie, in real time according to playback of the media content). Changing additional information or advertisements).

Meanwhile, the information service unit 300 requests a list of second information that can be displayed on the information service server 400 based on the first information of the media content, and requests the list of the second information from the information service server 400. It can also be received from and displayed. In addition, when a user selects a specific item from the displayed list of second information, the second service may request the second information corresponding to the selected item and display the received information.

The information service server 400 may include first information associated with media content and second information associated with the first information, such as meta information of media content, additional information, advertisement content, additional information for each playback section, and playback sections. Ad content can be stored in a database and managed. The information service server 400 may interwork with the information service unit 300 through a communication network. When the information service server 400 receives a request for the second information associated with the first information from the information service unit 300, the information service server 400 may transmit the second information of the corresponding media content to the information service server 400 through a communication network. .

In addition, the information service server 400 may store and manage a list of second information associated with the first information. In this case, the information service server 400 provides the list of the second information to the information service unit 300 in response to a request of the information service unit 300, and a specific item is selected from the list so that the information service unit 300 receives the information service unit 300 from the information service unit 300. If requested, the second information may be transmitted to the information service unit 300.

Meanwhile, the information service server 400 may interwork with the advertisement server 500 through a communication network. In this case, the information service server 400 may store and manage the advertisement content and the advertisement related information transmitted from the advertisement server 500 in association with the first information. The advertisement server 500 may store and manage advertisement related information such as advertisement contract information, a correlation between media content and advertisement, and provide advertisement related information to the information service server 400.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the information service unit 300 and the information service server 400 shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information service unit 300 includes an audio signal receiving module 310, a watermark detection module 320, a watermark analysis module 330, an information transmitting and receiving module 350, and a display module 340. And the service control module 301. In this case, the service control module 301 may control the interaction and overall signal flow between the above-described modules 310 to 350. The information service unit 300 may operate under the control of the service control module 301. The service control module 301 may be implemented as one independent module, or may be implemented as a plurality of sub-modules and distributed to the above-described modules 310 to 350.

The audio signal receiving module 310 receives an audio signal of media content reproduced by the media player 200. The audio signal of the media content includes an audio watermark that is not recognized by the user but includes the first information. The received audio signal may be transmitted to the watermark detection module 320 under the control of the service control module 301.

The watermark detection module 320 detects an audio watermark in the audio signal transmitted from the audio signal receiving module 310 and transmits the detected audio watermark to the watermark analysis module 330. The watermark analysis module 330 analyzes the audio watermark detected by the watermark detection module 320 to obtain first information of the playback media content. As mentioned above, the first information may include identification information of media content, identification information for each playback section, and the like.

The information transceiving module 350 receives the first information of the media content from the watermark analysis module 330 and requests the information service server 400 to transmit the second information corresponding to the first information through a communication network. Can be. In addition, the second information transmitted from the information service server 400 may be received and transmitted to the display module 340. The second information may include meta information of the media content, additional information, an advertisement, additional information for each playback section, an advertisement for each playback section, and the like.

The display module 340 may control and output a display panel (not shown) of the service device 30 for the second information transmitted from the information transmission / reception module 350. Accordingly, the service device 30 may display meta information, additional information, advertisements, additional information for each playback section, advertisements for each playback section, and the like, in real time.

Meanwhile, after receiving the first information, the information transmission / reception module 350 may request the information service server 400 for a list of second information associated with the first information through the communication network. In this case, the information service server 400 may transmit a list of second information associated with the first information to the information transmission / reception module 350, and the information transmission / reception module 350 may receive and transmit the list to the display module 340. have. In this case, the display module 340 may display the list of the second information. Then, the user can select a desired second information item from the list of the displayed second information, and the information transmitting / receiving module 350 can receive and receive the second information corresponding to the selected item to the information service server 400. The display module 340 may display this.

Meanwhile, the information service server 400 may include the meta information database 420 storing the identification information of the media content and the meta information associated with the identification information, and the additional information storing additional information associated with the identification information and the identification information of the media content. Database 440, an advertisement database 460 for storing advertisement information associated with identification information and identification information of media content or identification information of media content and identification information for each playback section, and advertisement information for each playback section associated with the media content, and media content. A section storing additional information database 480 for storing the identification information, the identification information for each playback section, and additional information for each playback section associated therewith, and a list of identification information of the media content and second information associated with the identification information. Two information list database 490 or the like.

In the above, the configuration of the system for realizing the information providing method using the watermark according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail. Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described based on such a system, which discloses a procedure for providing meta information, additional information, advertisement information, and additional information for each playback section. In the following embodiments, the components of the system described above may participate, and the functions and functions of specific components may be variously modified within the technical spirit of the present invention according to the characteristics of each embodiment.

<Example 1>

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing information using a watermark according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which identification information for identifying the media content is inserted into the media content as an audio watermark and inserted into the audio watermark. The procedure for providing meta information or additional information of media content based on the mark is shown.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the watermark inserting unit 100 provided on the media content provider side may share the identification information associated with the media content in advance in cooperation with the information service server 400. Using the shared information, the watermark inserting unit 100 may insert identification information of the media content into the media content in the form of an audio watermark when generating a specific media content in a media content providing system (step : S1).

For example, when the media content is a video file, the watermark inserting unit 100 inserts a unique identifier for identifying the video file into the video file in the form of an audio watermark. The audio watermark may be inserted at a position that can be detected at the start point of the playback of the video file. However, the audio watermark is not limited thereto, and the audio watermark may be inserted at various playback points of the video file.

As such, the media content having the audio watermark embedded therein may be provided to the user. For example, the media content with the audio watermark embedded therein may be transmitted to the playback device 20 on the user side via DMB, DVB or IPTV service. In this case, the playback device 20 may be a digital broadcast receiver. Alternatively, the media content having the audio watermark embedded therein may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD, or sold or distributed through an online transmission or the like, and the user may purchase or receive it. In this case, the playback device 20 may be a CD player, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a PC, or the like.

The media player 200 provided in the playback device 20 may play the media content (step S2). Then, the audio signal according to the reproduction of the media content is output. In this case, the information service unit 300 of the service device 30 may acquire the output voice signal and detect an audio watermark (step S3). The service device 30 may be a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a navigation terminal, a vehicle auto PC, a mobile internet device, a UMPC, a laptop, or the like. It may be an online terminal such as a TV capable of connecting to the Internet, a similar IPTV utilizing the same, etc. The service device 30 may be a different device from the playback device 20. However, depending on the implementation environment, the two devices may be the same device.

Subsequently, the information service unit 300 may analyze the extracted audio watermark to detect identification information of the media content (step S4). In this case, since the audio watermark is not recognized by the user, it does not interfere with viewing or listening to media content at all. Next, the information service unit 300 may request meta information or additional information associated with the identification information to the information service server 400 through a communication network (step S5).

The information service server 400 stores and manages identification information associated with media content, meta information and additional information associated with the identification information. The information service server 400 may transmit the requested meta information or additional information to the information service unit 300 in response to a request from the information service unit 300. Then, the information service unit 300 may receive the meta information or the additional information (step: S6), and display (step: S7).

Therefore, by the operation of the information service unit 300, the service device 30 displays meta information or additional information of the media content currently being played through the playback device 20, and the user can view or view the current content. Information related to the media content being listened to can be easily obtained. For example, a user may receive and watch a video file having an audio watermark embedded therein by using a digital broadcasting receiver, and may view meta information or additional information related to the video file to be viewed using his or her mobile phone. Will be.

In the above first embodiment, the first information of the media content may include identification information of the media content, and the second information may include meta information or additional information of the media content.

<Example 2>

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing information using a watermark according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and inserts identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section into the media content as an audio watermark. The procedure for providing additional information for each playback section of media content based on the audio watermark is shown.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, the watermark inserting unit 100 provided at the media content provider side may identify identification information associated with the media content and playback sections of the media content in cooperation with the information service server 400. Identification information for each playback section may be shared in advance.

Using the information shared in this way, the watermark inserting unit 100 generates identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section when generating a specific media content in a media content providing system. It can be inserted in the form (step: S11).

For example, when the media content is a video file, the watermark inserting unit 100 may identify a unique identifier for identifying the video file and which part is being played when the video is played. The identification information for each playback section is inserted in the form of an audio watermark. The audio watermark including the identification information may be inserted at a position that can be detected at a playback start point of the video file, and the audio watermark including identification information for each reproduction section may be inserted at a position that can be detected in each reproduction section. . Alternatively, the identification information and the identification information for each playback section may be paired with identification information-identification information for each playback section, and may be inserted as an audio watermark at a position detectable in each playback section.

As described above, the media content having the audio watermark embedded therein may be provided to the user. For example, the media content with the audio watermark embedded therein may be transmitted to the playback device 20 on the user side via DMB, DVB or IPTV service. In this case, the playback device 20 may be a digital broadcast receiver. Alternatively, the media content having the audio watermark embedded therein may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD, or sold or distributed through an online transmission or the like, and the user may purchase or receive it. In this case, the playback device 20 may be a CD player, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a PC, or the like.

The media player 200 provided in the playback device 20 may play the media content (step S12). Then, the audio signal corresponding to the reproduction of the media content is output. At this time, the information service unit 300 of the service device 30 may acquire the output voice signal and detect an audio watermark (step S13). The service device 30 may be a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or the like or a network terminal such as a PC. In addition, the service device 30 is preferably a different device from the playback device 20. In the second embodiment, the service device 30 is assumed to be a different device. However, the two devices may be the same device depending on the implementation environment.

Subsequently, the information service unit 300 may analyze the extracted audio watermark to detect identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section (step S14). For example, the audio watermark extracted at the start of playback of the media content is analyzed to detect the identification information of the media content, and when the media content is played, the extracted audio watermark is analyzed for each playback period to reproduce the corresponding playback section. Star identification information can be detected. Alternatively, when the media content is played back, the audio watermark extracted for each playback section may be analyzed to detect a pair of identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section. On the other hand, since the audio watermark is not recognized by the user, it does not interfere with viewing or listening to media content at all.

Next, the information service unit 300 may request additional information for each reproduction section associated with the identification information and the identification information for each reproduction section from the information service server 400 through the communication network (step S15). The information service server 400 stores and manages identification information associated with media content, identification information for each playback section, and additional information for each playback section associated with the identification information / specific information for each playback section. In response to the request from the information service unit 300, the information service server 400 may transmit additional information for each playback section associated with the identification information for each playback section of the media content to the information service unit 300.

Then, the information service unit 300 may receive additional information for each playback section corresponding to the current playback section of the media content transmitted from the information service server 400 (step S16), and display it (step S17).

Therefore, by the operation of the information service unit 300, the service device 30 displays additional information corresponding to the playback section of the media content currently being played through the playback device 20, and the user views it through Alternatively, information related to the current playback portion of the media content being listened to can be easily obtained. For example, a user may receive or watch a video or a sound source using a digital broadcasting receiver, or may listen to subtitles or lyrics of a video or sound source currently being watched or listened to using a mobile phone. Can be seen.

In the above-described second embodiment, the first information of the media content may include identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section, and the second information may include additional information for each playback section of the media content.

<Example 3>

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing information using a watermark according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and inserts identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section into the media content as an audio watermark. The procedure for providing an advertisement based on the audio watermark is shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, the watermark inserting unit 100 provided on the media content provider side may identify identification information associated with the media content and playback sections of the media content in cooperation with the information service server 400. Identification information for each playback section may be shared in advance. Using the information shared in this way, the watermark inserting unit 100 generates identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section when generating a specific media content in a media content providing system. It can be inserted in the form (step: S21).

For example, when the media content is a video file, the watermark inserting unit 100 may identify a unique identifier for identifying the video file and which part is being played when the video is played. The identification information for each playback section is inserted in the form of an audio watermark. The audio watermark including the identification information may be inserted at a position that can be detected at the start point of reproduction of the video file, and the watermark including the identification information for each reproduction period may be inserted at a position that can be detected in each reproduction period. Alternatively, the identification information and the identification information for each playback section may be paired with identification information-identification information for each playback section, and may be inserted in the form of a watermark at a position detectable in each playback section.

As described above, the media content having the audio watermark embedded therein may be provided to the user. For example, the media content with the audio watermark embedded therein may be transmitted to the playback device 20 on the user side via DMB, DVB or IPTV service. In this case, the playback device 20 may be a digital broadcast receiver. Alternatively, the media content having the audio watermark embedded therein may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD, or sold or distributed through an online transmission or the like, and the user may purchase or receive it. In this case, the playback device 20 may be a CD player, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a PC, or the like.

The media player 200 provided in the playback device 20 may play the media content (step S22). Then, the audio signal corresponding to the reproduction of the media content is output. In this case, the information service unit 300 of the service device 30 may acquire the output voice signal and detect an audio watermark (step S23). The service device 30 may be a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or the like or a network terminal such as a PC. In addition, the service device 30 is preferably a different device from the playback device 20. In the second embodiment, the service device 30 is assumed to be a different device. However, the two devices may be the same device depending on the implementation environment.

Subsequently, the information service unit 300 may analyze the extracted audio watermark to detect identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section (step: S24). For example, the audio watermark extracted at the start of playback of the media content is analyzed to detect the identification information of the media content, and when the media content is played, the extracted audio watermark is analyzed for each playback period to reproduce the corresponding playback section. Star identification information can be detected. Alternatively, when the media content is played back, the audio watermark extracted for each playback section may be analyzed to detect a pair of identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section. Meanwhile, since the audio watermark is not recognized by the user, it does not interfere with viewing or listening to media content at all.

Next, the information service unit 300 may request an advertisement associated with the identification information and the identification information for each reproduction section to the information service server 400 through the communication network (step S25). The information service server 400 stores and manages advertisement information corresponding to identification information / playback section identification information and the identification information / playback section identification information associated with media content. To this end, the information service server 400 may interwork with the advertisement server 500. The advertisement server 500 may store and manage advertisement related information such as advertisement contract information and advertisement content according to a contract with an advertiser, and provide the same to the information service server 400. The information service server 400 may store and manage the identification information of the media content, the identification information for each playback section, and the advertisement content in association with the advertisement contract information of the advertisement server 500. Preferably, the advertisement content may be of various types such as banner advertisement, text advertisement, video advertisement, sound source advertisement, image advertisement, and the like.

The information service server 400 may transmit the advertisement content corresponding to the currently playing section of the media content to the information service unit 300 in response to the request from the information service unit 300. In this case, the information service server 400 may transmit information including the exposure time, the exposure method, the exposure position, and the like of the advertisement content to the information service unit 300 together with the advertisement content.

Then, the information service unit 300 may receive the advertisement content and the related information transmitted from the information service server 400 (step S26), and display the advertisement content (step S27). Accordingly, by the operation of the information service unit 300, an advertisement corresponding to a playing section of the media content currently being played through the playback device 20 is displayed on the service device 30, and the user may watch the advertisement.

In the above-described third embodiment, the first information of the media content may include identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section, and the second information may include an advertisement for each playback section.

Meanwhile, in the above-described third embodiment, a process of displaying an advertisement according to the playback of the media content has been described. However, by combining the technology of the third and second embodiments, additional information may be provided in real time according to the playback section of the media content. A fourth embodiment of displaying, but additionally displaying an advertisement together with the additional information, is also possible. For example, a user may receive or watch a video or a sound source using a digital broadcasting receiver, or may listen to subtitles or lyrics of a video or sound source currently being watched or listened to using a mobile phone. You can watch the ad at the same time. In such a fourth embodiment, the first information of the media content may include identification information of the media content and identification information for each playback section, and the second information may include additional information and advertisement for each playback section of the media content. have.

In addition, in the above-described third embodiment, the scenario in which an advertisement corresponding to the corresponding playback section is displayed according to the playback section of the media content is displayed. It will be appreciated that the fifth embodiment of displaying an advertisement on the service device 30 is also possible. In this fifth embodiment, the first information of the media content may include identification information of the media content, and the second information may include an advertisement.

<Example 6>

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing information using a watermark according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which identification information for identifying the media content is inserted into an audio watermark and inserted audio. A procedure of displaying a list of second information of media content based on a watermark and then providing second information selected from the list of the second information is shown.

As shown in FIG. 6, the watermark inserting unit 100 provided on the media content provider side may share the identification information associated with the media content in advance in cooperation with the information service server 400. Using the shared information, the watermark inserting unit 100 may insert identification information of the media content into the media content in the form of an audio watermark when generating a specific media content in a media content providing system (step : S31).

For example, when the media content is a video file, the watermark inserting unit 100 inserts a unique identifier for identifying the video file into the video file in the form of an audio watermark. The audio watermark may be inserted at a position that can be detected at the start point of the playback of the video file. However, the audio watermark is not limited thereto, and the audio watermark may be inserted at various playback points of the video file.

As such, the media content having the audio watermark embedded therein may be provided to the user. For example, the media content with the audio watermark embedded therein may be transmitted to the playback device 20 on the user side via DMB, DVB or IPTV service. In this case, the playback device 20 may be a digital broadcast receiver. Alternatively, the media content having the audio watermark embedded therein may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD, or sold or distributed through an online transmission or the like, and the user may purchase or receive it. In this case, the playback device 20 may be a CD player, a DVD player, an MP3 player, a PC, or the like.

The media player 200 provided in the playback device 20 may play the media content (step S32). Then, the audio signal corresponding to the reproduction of the media content is output. In this case, the information service unit 300 of the service device 30 may acquire the output voice signal and detect an audio watermark (step S34). The service device 30 may be a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or the like or a network terminal such as a PC. In addition, the service device 30 is preferably a device different from the playback device 20. In the first embodiment, the service device 30 is assumed to be a different device. However, depending on the implementation environment, the two devices may be the same device.

Subsequently, the information service unit 300 may detect the identification information of the media content by analyzing the extracted audio watermark. In this case, since the audio watermark is not recognized by the user, it does not interfere with viewing or listening to media content at all. Next, the information service unit 300 may request the list of the second information associated with the identification information to the information service server 400 through the communication network (step S35).

The information service server 400 may include identification information associated with media content, a list of second information associated with the identification information, and second information corresponding to each information item (eg, meta information, additional information, advertisement, etc.). Store and manage them. The information service server 400 may transmit the requested list of the second information to the information service unit 300 in response to the request from the information service unit 300. Then, the information service unit 300 may receive the list of the second information (step: S36) and display it through the service device 30 (step: S37).

When the list of the second information is displayed, the user can select a desired information item (step S38). When a specific information item is selected by the user, the information service unit 300 may request the information service server 400 to transmit the information item. In response, the information service server 400 finds the information item requested from the information service unit 300 and transmits the information item to the information service unit 300. Then, the information service unit 300 receives this and displays it (step S39). Thus, the user can view the desired information item using the service device 30.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment described above, identification information for identifying the media content is inserted into the media content as an audio watermark, and a list of the second information is displayed based on the inserted audio watermark. An example of displaying meta information, additional information, and advertisement selected from the list according to the selection has been described.

On the other hand, by incorporating the description of the sixth embodiment with the description of the third or fourth embodiment mentioned above, the identification information of the media content and the identification information for each playback section are inserted into the media content as an audio watermark. A seventh embodiment is also possible in which a list of second information is displayed based on an audio watermark and then additional information or advertisement for each playback section is displayed according to a user's selection.

In this case, the audio watermark including the identification information of the media content is inserted at the beginning of the playback of the media content to display the list of the second information first. The audio watermark inserted in each section may be detected to display additional information for each playback section.

On the other hand, the second information provided in the above-described first to seventh embodiments, for example, meta information, additional information, additional information for each playback section, an advertisement, etc. may have a hyperlink component. In this case, the information service server 400 may store and manage hyperlink information in response to the second information, and may also provide hyperlink information when the information service unit 300 requests the second information. The user may then conveniently visit the associated website or the like using the second information displayed via the service device 30.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to its preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will variously modify the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. And can be practiced with modification. Accordingly, modifications to future embodiments of the present invention will not depart from the technology of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for realizing a method of providing information using a watermark according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the information service unit and information service server shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method using a watermark according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method using a watermark according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method using a watermark according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an information providing method using a watermark according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

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

10: media content providing system

20: playback device

30: service device

100: watermark insertion unit

200: media playback unit

300: Information Service Department

301: Service Control Module

310: audio signal receiving module

320: watermark detection module

330: watermark analysis module

340 display module

350: information transmission and reception module

400: Information Service Server

420: Meta Information Database

440: Additional Information Database

460: advertising database

480: additional information database by section

490: Second Information List Database

500: ad server

Claims (22)

Detecting an audio watermark from an audio signal of the media content upon playback of media content; Analyzing the audio watermark to detect first information of the media content; Detecting second information of the media content associated with the first information in association with an information service entity; And And displaying the detected second information. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting of the second information of the media content comprises: Requesting the information service entity to transmit the second information associated with the first information; And Receiving the second information from the information service entity. The method of claim 1, wherein the first information includes identification information for identifying the media content. The method of claim 3, wherein the second information includes at least one of meta information, additional information, and an advertisement associated with the media content. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first information further includes identification information for each playback section, which identifies which section is played when the media content is played. The method of claim 5, wherein the second information includes additional information for each play period or advertisement information for each play period associated with identification information for each play period of the media content. Inserting, by the watermark inserting unit, an audio watermark including identification information of the media content in the media content; When the media content is played back, an information service unit receiving an audio signal of the media content and detecting the audio watermark embedded in the media content from the audio signal; Detecting identification information of the media content from the detected audio watermark; And And providing linkage information associated with the media content on the basis of the detected identification information through interworking with a communication network with an information service server. The method of claim 7, wherein the linking information associated with the media content includes at least one of meta information of the media content, additional information, and an advertisement. The method of claim 7, wherein providing the linkage information comprises: Requesting the linkage information associated with the detected identification information to the information service server; Receiving the linkage information from the information service server; And And displaying the received linkage information. The method of claim 7, wherein providing the linkage information comprises: Requesting a list of information associated with the detected identification information to the information service server; Receiving the list of information from the information service server; Displaying the list of received information; Requesting the information service server for an information item selected from the list of information; Receiving the requested information item from the information service server; And And displaying the received information item. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the watermark inserting unit inserts an audio watermark in each of the corresponding playback sections, which includes identification information for each playback section that identifies which section is being played when the media content is played back. Information providing method using a watermark, characterized in that it further comprises a step. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving an audio signal of the media content and detecting an audio watermark including identification information for each playback section from the audio signal when the media content is played; Detecting identification information for each reproduction section from the detected audio watermark; And And providing, in real time, connection information for each playback section associated with a corresponding playback section of the media content on the basis of the detected identification information for each playback section by interworking with a communication network with an information service server. Information provision method using watermark. A watermark inserting unit inserting an audio watermark including identification information of the media content into media content; An information service server configured to store identification information of the media content and association information associated with the identification information; And When the media content is played back, the audio watermark is detected from the audio signal of the media content to detect the identification information, and linked with the detected identification information in association with the information service server based on the detected identification information. And an information service unit for providing the associated information. The information providing system of claim 13, wherein the information service unit requests linkage information associated with the detected identification information to the information service server, and displays linkage information received from the information service server. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the information service unit requests the information service server for an information list associated with the detected identification information, displays the information list received from the information service server, and displays a specific information item in the information list. Is selected, the information service system requests the information service server to acquire and display the information item. The information providing system of claim 13, wherein the linking information associated with the identification information is any one of meta information, additional information, and advertisement of the media content. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the watermark inserter further inserts an audio watermark for each corresponding playback section of the media content, the audio watermark including identification information for each playback section for identifying which part is played back when the media content is played back. Information providing system, characterized in that. 18. The information providing system according to claim 17, wherein the information service server further stores linkage information associated with identification information for each playback section. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein, when the media content is played back, the information service unit detects an audio watermark including identification information for each playback section from an audio signal of the media content, and detects the identification information for each playback section. The information providing system, characterized in that the linkage information associated with the identification information for each playback section in association with the information service server based on the identification information for each playback section. The system of claim 19, wherein the linkage information associated with the identification information for each playback section includes additional information for each playback section or an advertisement for each playback section. An audio signal receiving module for receiving an audio signal of the media content when playing the media content; A watermark detection module for detecting an audio watermark from the audio signal received by the audio signal receiving module; A watermark analysis module for analyzing the audio watermark detected by the watermark detection module to obtain first information of the media content; And an information transceiving module for requesting second information associated with the first information to a specific service entity and receiving the second information from the service entity. 22. The information service device of claim 21, further comprising a display module for receiving and displaying the second information from the information transceiving module.

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