KR20100023475A - System and method for providing detailed information of contents in internet protocol television service - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system and a method for providing detailed information of contents in an internet protocol television service are provided to supply more detailed information than VOD contents provided from a current synopsis screen and supply information to a user as reference points, thereby satisfying demands of a user and promoting use and purchase of contents. CONSTITUTION: A system and a method for providing detailed information of contents in an internet protocol television service include a content providing server, an EPG providing server, a content detail information providing server(135), and a user terminal device(100). The content providing server manages a plurality of contents. The EPG providing server offers electronic program guide information related to each content. The content detail information providing server stores detail information about each content and provides detail information about VOD contents(310). The user terminal device requests detail information about contents to the content detail information providing server(306) and displays detail information received by popping up a synopsis screen on a separate screen(312).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DETAILED INFORMATION IN AN INTERNET SERVICE {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DETAILED INFORMATION OF CONTENTS IN INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION SERVICE}

The present invention relates to a television service using an internet protocol network (hereinafter referred to as an IPTV) service. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic program guide (EPG) on a synopsis screen before viewing certain content. Provided video on demand (VOD: Vedio On Demend; hereinafter referred to as VOD) relates to a system and method for providing more detailed content related information other than content information.

Recently, the broadcasting environment is changing due to the development of technology and changing demands of viewers.

In other words, the transition from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting, diversified broadcasting media such as cable and satellite from terrestrial broadcasting, and providing interactive services in conjunction with communication networks, the recent broadcasting environment has undergone more severe changes than any other fields. have.

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

IPTV is an interactive television service provided by using a high-speed internet network, which refers to a TV connected to a content providing server through an internet network through a set-top box. Accordingly, the information service, video content, and broadcast content of the content providing server are provided to the television receiver via the set top box.

IPTV is a type of Digital Convergence in that it is a convergence of the Internet and TV, and it is different from the general public broadcasting in that viewers can selectively watch a program they want to watch at a convenient time.

In addition, in addition to the general broadcasting service, IPTV has various functions by integrating Internet service, data broadcasting service, and personal video recorder (PVR) service.

In general, when a user selects one VOD through a large menu and a submenu through a user interface, a synopsis screen displaying information on the selected VOD content is displayed on the user interface. At this time, information on the VOD content displayed on the synopsis screen is provided through the EPG information.

The synopsis screen displays image information reminiscent of VOD contents, and displays information on contents such as name, channel number, broadcasting time, director and performer information, and plot summary contents of the VOD contents.

Users can check the information on the content to select through the synopsis screen provided as described above, and determine whether the corresponding content is the content they want to watch.

However, although the information on the current content is provided through the synopsis screen as described above, the users are required to be provided with more specific details than the content information provided through the synopsis screen.

Accordingly, the present invention is characterized by providing a system and method for providing content detail information for providing more specific details than content information currently provided through a synopsis screen in an IPTV system.

In the system of the present invention for achieving the above, a content providing server for managing a plurality of contents, an EPG providing server for providing an electronic program guide (EPG) information associated with each of the contents, and A content detail providing server that stores detailed information about each of the contents and provides detailed information about the corresponding VOD content upon request of the detailed information, and displays the detailed information by the user while displaying a synopsis screen according to a predetermined content selection. The user terminal requesting detailed information about the content from the content detail information providing server when a request is made, and displaying detailed information by displaying a separate screen on the synopsis screen when detailed information is received from the content detail information providing server. It characterized in that it comprises a device.

According to an example of the present invention, the content is characterized in that the VOD (Vedio On Demend) content.

According to one example of the present invention, the user terminal device is characterized in that if there is a key input for viewing detailed information among the synopsis screen display for the selected content, the user recognizes that there is a request for viewing the detailed information.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the user terminal device may include information on the user terminal device and content selection information which is information on the selected content when requesting the detailed information on the content from the content detail information providing server. It is done.

According to an example of the present invention, the content detail information providing server includes a detailed information database for storing detailed information about each of the VOD contents, and checks content selection information transmitted when requesting detailed information about the contents. After the detailed information on the corresponding content is read from the detailed information database, the read detailed information is provided to the user terminal device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber station apparatus receives the received information on a separate content detail information display screen in a partial area of the displayed synopsis screen when displaying detailed information received from the content detail information providing server on a screen. It is characterized by displaying detailed information.

In addition, the method of the present invention to achieve the above is provided with a content providing server that manages a plurality of VOD (Vedio On Demend) content, and provides electronic program guide (EPG: Electrical Program Guide) information associated with each of the VOD content A method for providing detailed information on the content in a system including an EPG providing server, the method comprising: storing detailed information about each of the VOD contents, and providing detailed information on the corresponding content in response to a detailed information request. A process of providing a content detail information providing server, a process of a user terminal checking whether a request for viewing detailed information is made by a user during display of a synopsis screen according to selection of a predetermined content, and a view of detailed information of the synopsis screen display Details of the content to the content detailed information providing server, if requested When the process of transmitting a request message to request and detailed information from the content providing server, detailed information is received, it characterized in that it comprises the step of displaying the detailed information received afloat a separate screen in the synopsis display.

According to an example of the present invention, the content is characterized in that the VOD (Vedio On Demend) content.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the request message may include content selection information which is information about the user terminal device and information about the selected content.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after performing the request message transmission process, the content detail information providing server checks the content selection information and reads detailed information about the corresponding content from the detailed information database; The method may further include providing information to the user terminal device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the displaying process may include receiving detailed information from the content detail information providing server and displaying a separate content detail information display screen in a pop-up form on a portion of the synopsis screen being displayed. And displaying detailed information on the content detail information display screen.

According to the present invention described above, there is an effect that can provide more detailed information than the information of the VOD content provided in the current synopsis screen.

In addition, before viewing the program, the user can check the relevant details of the corresponding content through the synopsis screen, thereby maximizing the user's convenience.

In addition, by providing a reference to the user when the user uses the paid program, there is an effect of satisfying the user's desires and promoting the use and purchase of content.

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 the following description of the present invention, if 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, a system for providing more detailed information than the information of the VOD content provided on the current synopsis screen in the IPTV service according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a screen having a synopsis for displaying detailed information of specific VOD content on a predetermined full screen will be referred to as a synopsis screen.

First, a configuration of an IPTV system that provides detailed information of VOD content in an IPTV service according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

System for providing content details information in an IPTV service according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a content providing server 140, an EPG providing server 150, and a content detail providing server 160. IPTV server unit 130 and the user terminal device 100 is included. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the IPTV server unit 130 is illustrated and described as including only the content providing server 140, the EPG providing server 150, and the content detail providing server 160, which are servers related to the present invention. Of course, servers that perform various functions such as an authentication server for authentication and a monitoring server for service monitoring may be provided.

The user terminal device 100 is a device capable of wired and wireless communication, and can be connected to each of the content providing server 140, the EPG providing server 150, and the content detail providing server 160 through the network 120.

The user terminal device 100 may be variously applied according to a user's needs. For example, the user terminal device 100 may be a set-top box (STB) 110 based on an internet protocol network, a computer (PC), a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal). Personal digital assistants such as Digital Assistants). When the user terminal device 100 is the set-top box 110, a display device 102 such as a television receiver or a monitor should be provided.

For reference, in the present specification, the user terminal device 100 including the set top box 110 and the display device 102 is illustrated, and the description thereof will be mainly described.

The user terminal device 100 may be provided in plurality for each user, and may visualize and display the VOD content provided through the content provider on the screen of the display device 102. In addition, the operation command of the user terminal device 100 may be performed by inputting through a user input means (not shown) such as a remote controller or a keypad.

The network 120 is a communication network that enables communication between the user terminal device 100 and the IPTV server unit 130. The network 120 is collectively referred to as a wired / wireless communication network, and the network 120 is not limited to a specific form.

The content providing server 140 is a server such as a web site for the content provider to provide the user terminal device 100 with VOD content such as general content such as home shopping, advertisement, or movie, and broadcast content.

The content providing server 140 includes a content database (DB) 142, and the content DB stores and stores a plurality of VOD contents according to genres.

In addition, the content providing server 140 reads out the corresponding VOD content through the content DB 142 according to a predetermined VOD content providing request from the user terminal device 100 and provides it to the user terminal device 100.

The EPG providing server 150 stores electronic program guide (EPG) information of each of the VOD contents provided by the content providing server 140 in the EPG information DB 152 and manages the same.

In this embodiment, the EPG information depends on the format of the VOD content, but generally includes a content ID, content title, content description, content duration, and other content related information (such as actor, director, storyline, etc.) of the content. can do.

The content detail providing server 160 manages detailed information on the VOD content, and the corresponding VOD content details DB 162 according to the request for providing the detailed information on the predetermined VOD content from the user terminal 100. The detailed information on the VOD content is read and provided to the user terminal device 100.

On the other hand, the user terminal device 100 applied to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG.

2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the user terminal device 100 shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal device 100 applied to an embodiment of the present invention is a network interface unit 202 that enables Internet communication And a data transceiver 204, an input signal receiver 206, a controller 200, a memory 208, and an output 210.

The user terminal device 100 may include a set top box 110 and a display device 102. In this case, the set top box 110 may include a network interface unit 202, a data transceiver 204, and an input signal receiver. 206, the control unit 200, and the memory unit 208, and the output unit 210 may correspond to the display device 102.

The network interface unit 202 supports a network environment to facilitate data transmission and reception with the content providing server 140, the EPG providing server 150, and the content detail information providing server 160 through the network 120.

The data transmitting / receiving unit 204 receives various contents, EPG information, and detailed information on the contents through the network interface unit 202, and requests for providing contents, EPG information, and detailed information of the contents input by the user. It transmits to the server through the network interface 202.

The input signal receiving unit 206 receives an input signal by a user's operation from an input device (not shown) provided separately. In this case, the input device includes a hot key for requesting the user to view related details on the synopsis screen before viewing the predetermined content. That is, the user may request to view related details on the synopsis screen before viewing by using the hot key provided as described above. Such a hot key may give a function of requesting to view related details of content to one of a plurality of keys included in the input device.

In addition, the input signal receiver 206 transmits the received input signal to the controller 200.

The memory unit 208 temporarily stores information received through the data transmission / reception unit 204, that is, content, EPG information, and detailed information about the content.

The output unit 210 visualizes and displays the information received through the data transceiver 204. This output unit 506 becomes a user interface between the user and the service provider.

The controller 200 performs overall control of the user terminal device 100. In particular, the control unit 200 according to the present invention checks whether a key input signal is received from the input signal receiving unit 206 to view detailed information on the corresponding content during synopsis screen display.

If a key input signal for viewing detailed information is received while displaying the synopsis screen, the control unit 200 transmits the content detail information providing server 135 to the current screen through the data transmission / reception unit 204 and the network interface unit 202. Request detailed information about the content being displayed.

Subsequently, when detailed information about the corresponding content is received from the content detail information providing server 135 through the network interface unit 202 and the data transmitting / receiving unit 204, the control unit 200 displays the detailed information on a part of the synopsis screen that is currently displayed. Display the information screen. In other words, a separate screen or browser different from the synopsis screen is displayed in a pop-up form to provide the received detailed information.

For example, referring to the screen structure of FIG. 4A, an AV display screen 402 for displaying unspecified VOD content on a full screen, and a synopsis for displaying detailed information of specific VOD content on the AV display screen 402 ( 404 is provided.

The synopsis 404 displays image information reminiscent of the VOD content, and information provided through the EPG such as the name of the VOD content, channel number, broadcasting time, director and performer information, and the summary summary.

In this case, when the user inputs a key for viewing the detailed information of the content related to the synopsis currently displayed, the user terminal device 100 requests and receives the detailed information of the corresponding content from the content detail information providing server 160.

Subsequently, detailed information of the received content is displayed by displaying a separate content detail information display screen 410 on the synopsis screen as shown in FIG. 4B.

Looking at the screen in which the content detail display screen 410 is displayed in more detail with reference to FIG. 5A, a key for viewing detailed information is input on a synopsis screen for a drama “as much as the sky as the sky”. The information display screen is displayed.

The detailed content information display screen 500 displays detailed broadcast information about the content. Examples of the detailed broadcast information include EPGs such as organization information, crew, planning intention, information, community, additional information, and characters. There may be detailed information that is not provided. Such detailed information may be different for each type of content, and detailed information of the content in the present invention may be based on the content provided by the separate content detail providing server 160 other than the information provided by the EPG providing server 150. Refers to information that includes details.

In addition, when the amount of detailed information about the content is large, it cannot be displayed on a single screen. Therefore, the items corresponding to the “more” item 501, the items belonging to the community, and the additional information are selected. In order to display the information corresponding to the selected item on the sub content detail information display screen, each may be implemented in a hyperlink manner.

That is, the content detail information display screen 500 displayed through the detailed information view key input on the synopsis screen may be the main content detail information display screen, and a predetermined item among the contents displayed on the main content detail information display screen. The content detail information display screen 510 displayed according to the selection may be a sub content detail information display screen.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, the selection of the linked items may display a numerical image on the link items, and the user may select the corresponding link item by using the numeric keys.

In another embodiment, without focusing on the numerical image, focusing on the item displayed at the top of the main content detail display screen, the user can move the focusing using the direction keys, and in the focused state “Ok You can also select the corresponding link item by key input for selection, such as the ”key.

For example, when the user selects the “more” item 501, a detailed screen such as 510 is displayed on the synopsis screen as shown in FIG. 5B to display more detailed contents of the planning intention. In this case, the screen may be scrolled by using a direction key of the input device by using a screen scrolling method.

In this case, the sub content detail information display screen 510 may be overlapped with the same size as the main content detail information display screen 500. If the user closes the sub content detail information display screen 510 of FIG. 5B, the user returns to the screen of FIG. 5A.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sub content detail information display screen 510 and the content detail information display screen 500 may be displayed on the synopsis screen.

Next, a process for providing detailed information other than the EPG information related to the predetermined content on the synopsis screen before viewing in the content detail information providing system in the IPTV service configured as shown in FIG. 1 will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. Let's see.

Referring to FIG. 3, it is assumed in operation 300 that the user terminal device 100 is displaying a synopsis screen for content selected according to a user's menu selection and predetermined content selection.

In operation 302, the user terminal device 100 checks whether there is a key input displayed on the synopsis screen, that is, to view detailed information about the selected content.

If there is a key input for viewing detailed information, the user terminal device 100 requests the detailed content information providing server 135 to provide detailed information about the selected content in step 306. In this case, a request message may be transmitted by request, and the request message includes information on the requesting user terminal and content selection information. Here, the content selection information may be a content ID as information on the content displayed on the synopsis screen.

Then, the content detail providing server 135 checks the content selection information in step 308 to recognize what content should be provided with detailed information, and reads detailed information about the identified content in the content detail information DB 162. do.

In operation 310, the content detail information providing server 135 transmits detailed information of the read content to the user terminal device 100.

In operation 312, the user terminal device 100 that receives the detailed information of the content on the synopsis screen currently displayed from the content detail information providing server 135 displays a separate screen or a browser on a partial region of the synopsis screen. Display on the detailed information display screen.

As described above, in the present invention, in addition to the information of the content provided through the EPG, more detailed detailed information is managed by a separate content detailed information providing server, and a key for viewing detailed information about the corresponding content on the synopsis screen before viewing the predetermined content is displayed. The user can watch detailed information on the corresponding content through a separate screen or a browser.

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, the embodiments described above are provided to fully inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and should be understood as illustrative and not limiting in all aspects. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

1 is a system configuration diagram for providing detailed information on content in an IPTV service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the user terminal device illustrated in FIG. 1;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for providing detailed information on content in an IPTV service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4A through 5C are screen diagrams of a content detail information screen displaying detailed information on content displayed on a synopsis screen in an IPTV service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

100: user terminal device 102: display device

110: set-top box 120: network

130: IPTV server unit 140: content providing server

142: content DB 150: EPG providing server

152: EPG information DB 160: server providing content details

162: content details DB 202: network interface unit

204: data transceiver 206: input signal receiver

200: control unit 208: memory unit

210: output unit

Claims (11)

In the system for providing detailed content information in the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television Service) service, A content providing server managing a plurality of contents, An EPG providing server that provides electronic program guide (EPG) information related to each of the contents; A content detail information providing server for storing detailed information on each of the contents and providing detailed information on the corresponding VOD content according to a request for detailed information; If there is a request to view detailed information by the user while displaying a synopsis screen according to a predetermined content selection, request detailed information about the content from the content detail information providing server, and if detailed information is received from the content detail information providing server, System for providing detailed information on an IPTV service, characterized in that it comprises a user terminal for displaying the received detailed information by opening a separate screen on the synopsis screen. The method of claim 1, wherein the content is: System for providing detailed information on an IPTV service, characterized in that the content is VOD (Vedio On Demend). The method of claim 1, wherein the user terminal device, A system for providing detailed content information of an IPTV service, characterized in that a user's request for viewing detailed information is recognized by a user when a key input for viewing detailed information is displayed among synopsis screen displays for the selected content. The method of claim 1, wherein the user terminal device, And a content selection information which is information on the user terminal device and information on the selected content when the detailed information on the content is requested to the content detail information providing server. The method of claim 1, wherein the content detail information server is provided. A detailed information database storing detailed information about each of the VOD contents, IPTV service, characterized in that the content selection information transmitted when the request for the detailed information on the content is checked, the detailed information about the corresponding content is read from the detailed information database, and the detailed information is provided to the user terminal device. System for providing content details on. The method of claim 5, wherein the subscriber station, In the IPTV service, when the detailed information received from the content detail information providing server is displayed on the screen, the received detailed information is displayed on a separate content detail information display screen in a partial area of the synopsis screen being displayed. Content detail information system. In the system including a content providing server for managing a plurality of VOD (Vedio On Demend) content, and an EPG providing server that provides electronic program guide (EPG) information related to each of the VOD content, In a method for providing detailed information, Storing a detailed information on each of the VOD contents, and providing a detailed information providing server for providing detailed information on the corresponding content in response to a request for detailed information; Checking, by the user terminal device, whether there is a request to view detailed information by the user while displaying the synopsis screen according to selection of predetermined content; Transmitting a request message for requesting detailed information about the content to the content detail information providing server when a request for viewing detailed information is displayed on the synopsis screen; When the detailed information is received from the content detail information providing server, displaying a detailed screen on the synopsis screen to display the received detailed information. The method of claim 7, wherein the content is: Method for providing content details in an IPTV service, characterized in that the content is VOD (Vedio On Demend). The method of claim 7, wherein the request message, And content selection information which is information on the user terminal device and information on the selected content. The method of claim 7, wherein after performing the request message transmission process, The content detail information providing server checking the content selection information and reading detailed information about the corresponding content from the detailed information database; And providing the read detailed information to the user terminal device. The method of claim 10, wherein the display process, Receiving detailed information from the content detail information providing server; Displaying a detailed content detail information display screen in a pop-up form on a portion of the synopsis screen being displayed, and displaying the received detailed information on the content detail information display screen. How to Provide Information.

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