KR20120138654A - Apparatus and method for receiving a broadcast - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A broadcast receiving device and a broadcast receiving method thereof are provided to efficiently manage a storage space of the broadcast receiving device by storing content items based on item information. CONSTITUTION: A receiving unit(110) receives a broadcast stream. A processing unit(130) processes a signal to obtain content item information and plural content items corresponding to a program used in the broadcast stream. A storage unit(150) stores the processed content items and the content item information. The content item information includes one or more group identifiers related to the content items. [Reference numerals] (110) Receiving unit; (130) Processing unit; (150) Storage unit

Description

Broadcast receiving apparatus and broadcast receiving method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING A BROADCAST}

The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving device and a broadcast receiving method, and more particularly, a broadcast receiving device and a broadcast receiving method for storing a content item corresponding to a program available in a broadcast stream and receiving content item information corresponding to each content item. It is about.

In a typical broadcast system, a receiver receives a program via a broadcast stream that includes a number of channels. The receiver adjusts one of the channels to receive the program currently being transmitted on that particular channel.

Recently, television user-on-demand systems have been developed to allow access to specific programs at specific times selected by the user. An example of such a system is TV-Anytime, developed by the Global TV-Anytime Forum. In an on-demand system, the receiver has a storage having sufficient capacity to store a plurality of programs. In addition, the receiver is associated with each program and receives metadata that the broadcaster can use to deliver interesting content to the user.

In the UK, for example, a technical manual for digital terrestrial television broadcasting is issued as "D-Book." The D-Book defines a broadcast record list feature to allow a user to subscribe to one or more record list groups, which are programs grouped by genre. Examples of possible record list groups include "classic films", "news" or "last comedy of the last week" and the like. When metadata indicates a program in a broadcast stream belonging to a recording list group to which a user is subscribed, the program is automatically stored by the receiver. In a later step, the viewer can select a stored program to watch.

However, in existing broadcast systems, promotional content, such as trailers and teaser, are broadcast in a linear fashion through a broadcast stream. When the trailer is being broadcast, the trailer is shown to the user only if the receiver is on the appropriate channel.

An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast receiving device, a broadcast receiving method, and a display device for receiving a content item and content item information corresponding to a program available in a broadcast stream.

A broadcast receiving device connectable to a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a receiver for receiving a broadcast stream, a program available in the broadcast stream, a plurality of content items corresponding to each of the programs, and the plurality of content items, respectively. A processing unit for processing a signal to obtain content item information for the storage unit; and a storage unit for storing the signal-processed plurality of content items and the content item information, wherein the content item information includes an identifier of the program and the content item. And at least one group identifier associated with the program, wherein the identifier of the program identifies a program corresponding to the content item, wherein the at least one group identifier identifies at least one content item group to which the plurality of content items belong. can do.

In this case, the processing unit may select the plurality of content items stored in the storage unit based on at least one group identifier.

In this case, the receiver may receive virtual channel information defining a virtual channel, and the processor may select the at least one content item based on the virtual channel information.

The processor may select the at least one content item based on at least one of the at least one group identifier, the time of the program, and the channel of the program.

Meanwhile, the broadcast receiving apparatus may be a DVB-compliant receiver, and the identifier of the program and the at least one group identifier may be a content reference identifier included in a data fragment received through the broadcast stream.

The content item information may further include locator information for identifying a source from which the content item can be obtained.

In this case, when the receiver receives the plurality of content items through the broadcast stream, the processor may identify the location of the content item in the broadcast stream based on the locator information.

In this case, the broadcast receiving apparatus is a DVB-compliant receiver, and the locator information may define an event information table in the broadcast stream.

Meanwhile, the broadcast receiving apparatus may be a DVB-compliant receiver that receives the plurality of content items through a digital storage medium command and a control carousel (DSM CC carousel).

Meanwhile, the content item information may further include information regarding a providing format of the content item.

In this case, the providing format may be any one of a video file format, a still image file format, and an HTML file format.

In this case, the processing unit determines the storage space available in the storage unit, and if the available storage space capacity is smaller than a predetermined value, the content item provided in one of the predetermined providing formats is provided to the storage unit. Can be controlled to save.

In this case, the processor may determine whether a program corresponding to the stored content item is available through the broadcast stream, and if the program is not available, delete the content item from the storage.

In this case, the content item information further includes deletion information on whether to delete the content item, and if the processing unit instructs the deletion information not to delete the content item, the content item information may be deleted even if the program is not available. The content item may not be deleted.

In this case, when the deletion information instructs not to delete the content item, the processor may delete the content item after a predetermined time period.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a display apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a plurality of content items corresponding to a program available in a broadcast stream and content item information for each of the plurality of content items, the plurality of content items, and the A storage unit for storing content item information, a selection unit for selecting the plurality of content items stored in the storage unit based on the at least one group identifier, and at least corresponding to the selected program in response to a selection command of the selection unit; And a display unit for displaying one related content item. The content item information includes an identifier of a program available in the broadcast stream and at least one group identifier associated with the content item, wherein the identifier of the program identifies a program corresponding to the content item, and the at least one The group identifier may identify at least one content item group to which the content item belongs.

In this case, the display unit may continuously display the selected at least one content item in a virtual channel.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a broadcast receiving method includes: storing a plurality of content items corresponding to a program available in a broadcast stream, receiving content item information for each content item, and a program identifier And storing content item information including at least one group identifier associated with the content item, the program identifier identifying a program corresponding to the stored content item, wherein the at least one group identifier is: At least one content item group to which the content item belongs may be identified.

In this case, the present broadcast receiving method may further include selecting a stored content item based on the at least one group identifier associated with the content item.

Meanwhile, the present broadcast reception method further includes receiving a command for selecting at least one of the programs and displaying at least one related content item corresponding to the selected program and associated with the same program identifier as the selected program. It may include.

The broadcast receiving method may include selecting at least one content item from the plurality of stored content items and continuously displaying the selected at least one content item through a virtual channel.

The broadcast receiving method may further include receiving virtual channel information for defining a virtual channel, and selecting the at least one content item may include the at least one content based on the virtual channel information. You can select an item.

The plurality of content items may be selected based on at least one of the at least one group identifier, the program time, and the channel of the program.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiving apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a view for explaining the structure of content item information according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining elements of a data fragment of GroupInformation of FIG. 4; FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining elements of the PushDownloadProgram data fragment of FIG. 4; FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining elements of the ProgramInformation data fragment of FIG. 4; FIG.
8 is a diagram for describing a user interface displaying a plurality of different types of content items corresponding to a selected program, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a view for explaining a user interface for displaying a content item corresponding to a selected program, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a view for explaining a user interface for displaying a content item corresponding to a currently broadcasted program, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
11 is a view for explaining a user interface for displaying information on a selected virtual trailer channel;
12 is a flowchart illustrating a broadcast stream receiving method according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a stored content item, according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the broadcast reception device 100 includes a receiver 110, a processor 130, and a storage 150.

The receiver 110 receives audio-visual (A / V) data of a plurality of programs through a broadcast stream.

The processor 130 receives a broadcast stream, adjusts a channel in the broadcast stream, and decodes A / V data of a program received in the adjusted channel. The processor 130 may control to transmit the decoded A / V data to a separate display device or to store the decoded A / V data in the storage 150.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 130 adjusts a channel of a broadcast stream and signal-processes A / V content, metadata, content items, etc. included in the received broadcast stream. In addition, the processor 130 performs an overall control operation of the broadcast reception device 100. For example, the processor 130 selects and reads at least one of A / V data, a plurality of content item information, and a plurality of content items stored in the storage 150.

The processor 130 may select at least one content item based on at least one of at least one group identifier, a time of the A / V program, and a channel of the A / V program.

The storage unit 150 stores decoded A / V data. The storage unit 150 may be implemented in the form of a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory drive.

The broadcast receiving device 100 shown in FIG. 1 may be connected to a display device and implemented as a device such as a set-top box displaying a broadcast stream received through the display device. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the broadcast receiving device 100 shown in FIG. 1 that may be connected to a display device will be described.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiving apparatus connectable to a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the broadcast reception device 100 may be connected to the display device 200. That is, the broadcast reception device 100 receives a broadcast stream, signal processes it, and displays the processed A / V program through the display device 200.

The broadcast reception device 100 will be described in more detail as follows.

First, the receiver 110 may receive audio-visual (A / V) data 310, metadata 320, and content item 330 of a plurality of programs through the broadcast stream 300. In this case, the plurality of programs may be transmitted through a plurality of channels of the broadcast stream 300. In the present embodiment, the broadcast receiving device 100 receives the broadcast stream 300 by the receiver 110 and adjusts a channel selected from the broadcast stream 300 by the processor 130. The broadcast reception device 100 decodes A / V data 131 of a current program broadcast in a channel adjusted by the processor 130.

The processor 130 transmits the decoded A / V data to the display apparatus 200 for display to the user. In FIG. 2, the processor 130 is illustrated as a single module for clarity, but the function of the processor 130 may be extended to a plurality of separate modules. For example, separate tuner and decoder modules may be provided for tuning and decoding broadcast streams.

The broadcast reception device 100 further includes a storage unit 150 that stores a content item 330 corresponding to a program available in the broadcast stream 300. Here, the term "content item" means a promotional material including trailers, teasers, still images, and webpages. The trailer is typically about 60 to 90 seconds long, while the teaser is typically about 15 and 30 seconds long. The plurality of content items have different formats. Teasers and trailers are delivered in the appropriate video file format, such as the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) file format, and still images are Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), or Bitmap (BMP) files. The webpage may be provided in the form of Hypertext Markup Langage (HTML) or Extensible Markup Langage (XML) file. The storage unit 150 may be another form of nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory drive. The storage unit 150 may be used not only to store a plurality of content items, but also to store A / V data of a program received through the broadcast stream 300. The broadcast reception device 100 may record a selected program.

In one embodiment, the content item is not delivered to the receiver as a typical linear broadcast. Instead, the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to automatically store not only content items but additional metadata for each stored content item. This additional metadata enables other forms of multi-content items that are linked to one or more programs available in the broadcast stream.

Referring to FIG. 2, the receiver 110 may be configured to receive the metadata 320 for each content item. The metadata 320 may be, for example, content item information that is information related to a content item. The metadata 320 for each content item may include a program identifier and at least one group identifier associated with the content item. The processor 130 may use a program identifier to identify a program corresponding to the content item, and may use at least one group identifier to identify at least one content item group to which the content item belongs.

The processor 130 may be configured to store all received content items in the storage 150 or may select specific content items to be stored according to a group identifier and / or a program identifier associated with the content item. For example, when a program is recorded in the storage 150 or other storage medium of the broadcast receiving device 100, the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to automatically store a content item associated with the same program identifier as the stored program. Can be. In addition, the broadcast reception device 100 may be configured to automatically store content items belonging to content items related to a selected group, for example, a group identifier of the selected group. By using a program identifier and / or a group identifier to determine whether to store a specific content item, the broadcast receiving device 100 may automatically select the stored content item without user input.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast receiving device 100 may receive the metadata 320 and the content item 330 through the broadcast stream 300. However, in other embodiments, metadata 320 and / or content item 330 may be received from other sources. For example, the broadcast reception device 100 may further include means for connecting with the Internet. The broadcast reception device 100 may download all or part of content items from the Internet.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a broadcast receiving apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display unit 170 is further included in the configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The broadcast receiving device 100 shown in FIG. 3 may be implemented as a television having a settop box, for example. That is, the broadcast receiving device 100 includes a receiver 110, a processor 130, a storage 150, and a display 170. The broadcast receiving device 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 further includes a display unit 170, and may further include a specific configuration for signal processing an image displayed by the display unit 170, but a detailed description thereof will be omitted. do.

The receiver 110 receives a plurality of content items corresponding to a program available in a broadcast stream and content item information for each of the plurality of content items.

The processor 130 may process the broadcast stream received through the receiver 110, and may process the plurality of content items and the plurality of content item information corresponding to the plurality of content items and store the signal in the storage 150. To control.

The processor 130 may select and read a plurality of content items stored in the storage based on at least one group identifier.

In this case, the content item information may include an identifier of a program available in the broadcast stream and at least one group identifier associated with the content item.

At this time, the identifier of the program identifies the program corresponding to the content item. The at least one group identifier is information for identifying at least one content item group to which the content item belongs.

The storage unit 150 stores a plurality of content items and the content item information.

The display unit 170 displays at least one related content item corresponding to the selected program in response to a selection command of the processor 130.

In addition, the display unit 170 may continuously display at least one content item selected as a virtual channel.

4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of content item information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, an information structure of a content item according to an embodiment of the present invention is based on a broadcast record list defined in a D-Book (version 6.2). The information 210 of the content item shown in Fig. 3 is referred to as a "content record list" as a whole by inferring from the broadcast record list. However, unlike a typical broadcast record list, the content record list of FIG. 3 enables multi-content items not included in the Event Information Table (EIT) grouped together and can be linked with corresponding programs and programs. have. In other words, unlike the programs grouped together by the broadcast record list, the content items grouped by the content record list do not become part of the television timetable. Therefore, there are many differences between the content record list and the broadcast record list, which will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment of the present invention, the content record list 410 may include a PushDownloadProgram data fragment 411, a GroupInformationdata fragment 412, and a ProgramInformation data fragment 413. The content record list 410 is a kind of content item information. The content item information 410 includes information required for representing them to the user without user input and for automatically recording a collection of content items in the storage 150.

As shown in FIG. 4, the PushDownloadProgram fragment 411 may be connected to the GroupInformation fragment 412 by a group identifier (Group CRID). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Group CRID is formatted as a Content Reference Identifier (CRID). In addition, the PushDownloadProgram fragment 411 may include a locator that specifies the location of the content item 420 so that the receiver 110 may receive and install the content item 420. In one embodiment of the present invention, the content item information 410 may be used in a receiver according to the Digital Video Broadcating (DVB) scheme. Thus, the locator is formatted as a DVB locator. In addition, the PushDownloadProgam fragment 411 includes a program identifier (Program CRID) that allows the receiver 110 to identify the program 430 corresponding to the content item 420. In addition, the program identifier may be formatted as a CRID like the group identifier. Finally, to connect the PushDownloadProgram fragment 411 to the ProgramInformation fragment 413, the PushDownloadProgram fragment 411 includes a Content Item CRID. ProgramInformation fragment 413 includes information about content item 420.

In one embodiment of the invention, the program 430 corresponding to the content item 420 is available in a broadcast stream, such as an EIT event. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. In another embodiment, the content item 420 is not a broadcast, such as an EIT event, but corresponds to a program that is previously downloaded instead of to the receiver, such as for example as part of a TV-time service.

The content record list 410 of one embodiment of the present invention includes additional information in contrast to the broadcast record list to enable a multi-form content item that is associated with a corresponding program or programs. The content record list 410 may also be used to specify how content items are displayed. The difference between the content record list and the data fragments of the broadcast record list will be described in detail with reference to Figs. Certain elements of the data fragments are similar to those of a typical broadcast record list, and detailed descriptions of these elements are omitted for brevity.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an element of a data fragment of GroupInformation of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the GroupInformation fragment may include @fragmentId, @fragmentVersion, @lang, @groupID, @metadataOriginIDRef, @ordered, GroupType, BasicDescription, Title, Synopsis, Genre, MemberOf and @index elements. In one embodiment of the invention, other elements may be added to that shown in FIG.

The @fragmentId and @fragmentVersion elements are both required. The @fragmentId element may have a value expressed in hexadecimal between 0x000001 and 0xFFFFFF. The @fragmentVersion element may have a value expressed in 2 digit hexadecimal and 0xFF. The @fragmentVersion value can be incremented at any time when the fragment is updated.

The @lang value is an optional element and is included to indicate the language used for any literal details contained in the GroupInformation fragment. If @lang is expressed, it may override the language set by the TVAMain fragment. @GroupID element may also be required. This is a unique identifier for the current content record list, in the form of a CRID. This is the group CRID shown in FIG. @metadataOriginIDRef is optional and has an identifier to resolve the originator of the current content record list.

Regarding the GroupType element, in one embodiment of the present invention, several new group types are defined in contrast to a typical broadcast record list. In general, the content record list may have a group form of "automaticAcquisitionThemed" or "automaticAcquisitionNonThemed". The GroupType element may include information about the content item type, for example, whether the content item included in the group is a trailer, a teaser, an image, or a web page. The receiver may be configured to use the GroupType element to determine the type of content item included in the group and to subscribe only to the group if the content item type is supported. For example, if the receiver does not have an internet connection, the receiver cannot subscribe to a group of content items that must be received over the internet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the GroupType element has one of a predetermined numeric value. For example, if GroupType is set to "automaticAcqusitionTrailer", this indicates that the content item belonging to the group is an off-scheduled trailer in the form of a video / audio clip recorded from the broadcast stream. If the GroupType is set to "automaticAcquisitionTitleSequence", this indicates that the video clip is not updated frequently by the broadcaster, so that it can be handled differently by the receiver. If GroupType is set to "carouselAcquisitionHtmlMetadata", it indicates that the content item belongs to a group that contains additional metadata, such as an HTML page, available in the DSM-CC carousel. In this case, the carousel location can be defined in the PushDownloadProgram fragment and the receiver can be configured to open each content item individually and automatically determine its shape. If GroupTyped is set to "carouselAcquisitionImageMetadata", this is similar to carouselAcquisitionHtmlMetadata, but indicates that the group contains still images.

The BasicDescription element includes a title, synopsis, and genre element. The title element holds the title of the content record list having a preset maximum length, for example 40 characters. The synopsis element maintains a brief description of the content of the content record list. As with a typical broadcast record list, the synopsis GroupInformation fragment of the content record list has the same length as defined in TS 102 822-3-1. That is, a synopsis with a length attribute value "medium", with a maximum of 210 characters, can always be represented. Additional synopsis with "short" or "long" length values may also be included. The genre element is optional and, if there is one, can contain an item ID from Content CS (TS 102 822-3-2 Appendix A.8) to define one or more genre types. .

Finally, the MemberOf element allows the creation of a content record list hierarchy by keeping a reference to a more general, eg higher level, record list. Thus, the group ID can be used to organize the multi-content record list in a hierarchical tree structure, where the root of the group ID can get the form crid: // <authority> / default1. If a hierarchical group structure is used, MemberOf is required for all groups apart from the root group. The @index element is optional and can be used to determine the order if the parent group instructs the child group to order.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing elements of the PushDownloadProgram data fragment of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, the PushDownloadProgram fragment may include @fragmentId, @fragmentVersion, Program, @RelatedCRID, @CRID, DVB Locator, MemberOf, OtherIdentifier, PublishedDuration, ContentVersion, ExpiryTime, ActivationTime, and TrailerExpirySupported elements. According to an embodiment of the present invention, other elements may appear in addition to those shown in FIG. 5. In order to maintain brevity, elements other than the PushDownloadProgram fragment of a typical broadcast recording list are described below.

The @RelatedCRID element is used to provide the information required to associate the corresponding program with the content item. This element holds the CRID of the program corresponding to the content item. The content item in question can be identified by @CRID, which maintains the CRID of the content item itself.

Referring to FIG. 3, the receiver 110 may receive a content item through a broadcast stream or through another source such as a DSM-CC carousel or the Internet. The location of the content item is specified by the DVB Locator element of the PushDownloadProgram fragment. This element is required because the content item is not part of the television timetable, but because the content item is not included in the EIT.

More specifically, in the case of a trailer, the DVB locator may indicate an EIT event. For example, a DVB locator can be generated in the following form:

dvb: // <original_network_id>. [<transport_stream>]. [service_id>; <event_id> [~ time_duration]

Alternatively, the DVB locator may be associated with the DSM-CC carousel such that the receiver acquires other types of content items, including still images and html pages. In this case the DVB locator can be implemented in the following form:

dvb: // <original_network_id>. [transport_stream_id>]. <service_id> $ <carousel_id> / path_segments

The form of the DVB locator described above is merely exemplary, and in other embodiments, the content item may be modified and used in other forms depending on the available sources.

Referring to FIG. 6, the MemberOf element may include at least one group identifier in the form of a CRID for identifying a group or group to which the PushDownloadProgram fragment belongs. That is, a single PushDownloadProgram fragment associated with a particular content item may belong to multiple content record lists, multiple groups, for example.

The TrailerExpirySupported element may optionally be included. This may be used to indicate whether the trailer may be terminated when the reference content is no longer available in the EPG or the record browser. When the corresponding program is no longer available, the broadcaster can determine whether to automatically delete the content item. Alternatively, this element may be omitted, and the broadcast receiving device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention determines whether to store a content item that can be deleted when the corresponding program is no longer available. It may also be configured to.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing elements of the ProgramInformation data fragment of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 7, the ProgramInformation fragment may include @fragmentId, @fragmentVersion, @lang, BasicDescription, Title, Synopsis, ParentalGuidance, mpeg7: ParentalGuidance, and ExplanatoryText elements. The ProgramInformation fragment of the content record list is optional with title and synopsis, which is different from the ProgramInformation fragment of a typical broadcast record list. That is, when the ProgramInformation fragment is associated with a content item, such as a program, instead of an EIT event, the title and synopsis elements may be omitted. Optionally, these elements can be used to maintain information unique to the content element itself.

As described above, the content item information is transmitted to the corresponding program of the specific content item by the broadcast receiving device 100 through the program identifier and the CRID included in the @RelatedCRID element of the PushDownloadProgram fragment for the content item in one embodiment of the present invention. You can link any particular content item. In other embodiments, content item information may be transmitted in other formats. Also, the content item information may be identified by the broadcast reception device 100 according to whether the content item belongs to a specific group or groups based on at least one group identifier included in the MemberOf element of the PushDownloadProgram fragment for the content item. You can do that. Therefore, the broadcast reception device 100 may be arranged to only store content items belonging to the selected group or groups.

Furthermore, since the request information is transmitted to the broadcast receiving device 100, an embodiment of the present invention is suitable for use in a unidirectional environment, where the broadcast receiving device 100 is information in the reverse direction of the source of the broadcast stream. You cannot send it. Instead, all content items may be sent to the broadcast receiving device 100, and the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to determine whether or not to store the content item when it is transmitted.

Hereinafter, a method of displaying a stored content item will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a user interface displaying a plurality of different types of content items corresponding to a selected program, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the user interface may be executed in a device such as the display device 200 shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 8, the user interface 800 includes a title bar 810 indicating that the display device 200 is currently set to the additional content display mode. This may be referred to as the "trailer view" mode in one embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments, the title bar 810 may be omitted. For example, when selecting a program from an electronic program guide (EPG) program or a navigation menu of a personal video recorder (PVR), the user enters the trailer view mode by entering a display mode change command. You can choose. When entering the trailer view mode, the broadcast receiving device 100 or the display device 200 may search for a plurality of stored content items corresponding to the selected program and display different content items according to their respective formats.

More specifically, the user interface 800 includes a video window 820, in which a selected video file, such as a trailer or teaser, can be displayed. The user interface 800 further includes an additional information area 830, in which additional content items of other formats such as still images and text may be displayed. Here, the additional content item displayed in the additional information area 830 may be another stored content item corresponding to the same program as the trailer currently displayed in the video window 820. If a plurality of content items, such as a trailer or teaser, of a video file format corresponding to the same program as displayed in the video window 820 are available, the content item selection area 840 for the user to select another displayed content item. ) May be provided. The selected content item can then be reproduced in the video window 820.

If there is only one content item stored in the video file format corresponding to the selection program, the content item is automatically displayed in the video window 820 and the content item selection area 840 may be omitted.

FIG. 9 illustrates a user interface for displaying a content item corresponding to a selected program, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, like the user interface of FIG. 8, the user interface of FIG. 9 may be displayed on the display apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 2. The user interface shown in FIG. 9 is a modified electronic program guide (EPG) screen. This can be displayed when the user presses the "guide" button on the remote control. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the user interface 900 may include a title bar 910 indicating whether the broadcast reception device 100 is currently in a “guide” mode. In addition, the title bar 910 may display the current date and time. In other embodiments, the title bar 910 may be omitted.

The user interface 900 may further include a program selection grid 920, a program information display area 930, and a content item display area 940. For example, the program selection grid 920 may display a list of programs available in the broadcast stream, as defined by the EIT information in the broadcast stream. The trademarks shown in FIG. 9, such as "Rocks & Co", "Ideal Extra", "BBC HD", "ITV1 HD", "Channel 4 HD", etc., are intended to provide practical examples only and they are the respective owners. Remains a property of.

The user can select one of the programs in the typical way of operating the buttons on the remote control. When a program selection command is retrieved, the selected program may be highlighted in the program selection grid 920. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the program “BBC HD Preview” is currently selected and highlighted in the program selection grid 920.

Additionally, when a program selection command is retrieved, additional information about the selected program may be displayed in the program information display area 930. For example, additional information may be included in metadata associated with the selected program. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, when a program selection command is retrieved, the broadcast reception device 100 may be configured to search for a stored content item corresponding to the selected program. The stored content item may then be automatically displayed in the content item display area 940 or alternatively in response to a command entered by the user.

The stored content item displayed in the content item display area 940 may be a video file such as a trailer or teaser, or may be another type of content item. For example, the broadcast reception device 100 or the display device 200 may be configured to select a stored trailer or teaser to be displayed in the content item display area 940.

If a plurality of video files corresponding to the selected program are stored in the storage unit 150, the broadcast receiving device 100 may be configured to continuously play the plurality of video files in the content item display area 940. . Alternatively, the display device 200 may select at least one of the available video files randomly or on a predetermined basis, and display the video file or files continuously.

If the trailer or teaser corresponding to the selection program is not stored in the storage unit 150, for example, the display apparatus 200 may select another stored content item corresponding to the selection program such as an image or a web page, and the content This content item may be displayed in the item display area 940. In another embodiment, the user interface 900 may further include another display area for displaying the plurality of content items in the same manner as the user interface of FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, the user interface 900 is displayed as a modified EPG screen, where the grid may be displayed to show programs that are available in the future or currently available in the broadcast stream. In other embodiments, a similar user interface may be implemented with a device such as a personal video recorder (PVR). In such an embodiment, the grid may replace the list of recorded programs so that the user can select one of the recorded programs shown. The PVR may then be configured to retrieve the stored content item corresponding to the selected stored program, and display the content item in the content item display area 940 as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a user interface for displaying a content item corresponding to a currently broadcasted program, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the trademarks shown in FIG. 10 are provided for illustrative purposes only and they belong to the property of their respective owners. Like the user interfaces of FIGS. 8 and 9, the user interface of FIG. 10 may be executed on the display device 200 as shown in FIG. 2. The user interface 1000 includes a program display area 1010, where a program currently viewed can be played. The user interface 1000 further includes a program information area 1020 and a content item display area 1030, which lie horizontally in the program display area 1010. The program information area 1020 and the content item display area 1030 may be displayed correspondingly to a user input when the program is shown, for example, when the user presses the "info" button on the remote control. The user can then enter additional commands to close the information window, in which case both the program information area 1020 and the content item display area 1030 can be cleared.

The program information area 1020 is similar to a typical channel banner that may be displayed on top of the currently displayed program. However, unlike a typical channel banner, the user interface 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a content item display area 1030 that displays a stored content item corresponding to a currently selected program, for example, a program currently being displayed. Include. When the user interface 1000 is displayed, in a manner similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 9, the display device 200 may retrieve the stored content item corresponding to the currently selected program, such as a trailer or teaser. The content item may then be displayed in the content item display area 1030. In one embodiment of FIG. 10, the displayed content item is a video file that includes a trailer for the current selection program, but in other embodiments the content item may be in another form such as a still image, for example.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a user interface displaying information on a selected virtual trailer channel.

Referring to FIG. 11, like the user interfaces of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the user interface of FIG. 11 may be executed in the display apparatus 200 such as one shown in FIG. 2. The trademarks shown in FIG. 11 are provided for illustrative purposes only and they belong to the property of the respective owners. One or more virtual trailer channels may be included in using a grid for selecting the plurality of channels shown, such as a user interface similar to one of those shown in FIG. 9. The user can choose to view the virtual trailer channel in a similar manner to selecting any other channel shown. However, unlike other channels in the grid, the virtual trailer channel is not included in the EIT of the broadcast stream and it does not contain multiple EIT events, but can instead be created locally on the device. Instead of tuning the currently selected channel and displaying the currently broadcast program on the channel, the device retrieves multiple stored content items such as trailers and / or teasers when a virtual trailer channel is selected, and the content items stored in a loop. Can play. In a virtual trailer channel, trailers can be grouped according to criteria such as genre, timing, channel, and the like.

In one embodiment of the invention, when the virtual trailer channel is selected, the user interface of FIG. 11 may be displayed to provide the user with information about the selected trailer channel. For example, a user may enter a first command to select a virtual trailer channel and may enter a second command to show the selected virtual trailer channel. The user interface 1100 may include a channel information area 1110 to display information about a title and a synopsis included in a selected virtual trailer channel, for example, a GroupInformation fragment corresponding to the selected channel. The user interface 1100 may further include a trailer information area 1120 to display a list of trailers included in the currently selected channel.

11 shows an example, where a user selects a virtual trailer channel named "Next Week Drama", which is a virtual trailer channel for playback as a back trailer for an episode of a drama program broadcast next week. Can be. The trailer is associated with the program, not part of the television schedule. A further example of a virtual trailer channel may be a channel named "movie of the day", for playing trailers for movies of all channels during the evening. The user can enter a program selection command when the trailer is shown, in order to reserve the recorded corresponding program or to set a reminder.

The display apparatus 200 may use various methods for configuring a virtual trailer channel. For example, the display apparatus 200 may be configured to select a stored content item included in a specific virtual trailer channel according to criteria such as genre, broadcast time, broadcast channel, and the like. For example, if a virtual trailer channel named "Next Week Drama" is selected, the display device 200 may examine the metadata stored as each stored content item. When the metadata indicates that the genre of the content item is "drama", the content item included in the channel is selected. The broadcast time of the corresponding program takes place next week, and the broadcast channel is a channel to which the user is subscribed. However, according to another method, the virtual trailer channel can be defined remotely by the provided service. For example, a content record list may be defined for a virtual trailer channel that uses one or more GroupInformation and PushDownloadProgram fragments to define specific content items included in the channel. In this case, the content record list title can be used as the channel name, and the content record list synopsis can be used as the detailed description of the channel.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a broadcast reception method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the broadcast reception method according to another embodiment of the present invention may be executed in the broadcast reception device 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2. First, a content item corresponding to a program available in a broadcast stream may be received (S1201). Thereafter, content item information for the content item may be received (S1202). In this case, the content item information may include metadata having a format as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. The content item information may include a program identifier and at least one group identifier associated with the content item.

Next, it is determined whether to store the content item based on the content item information (S1203). More specifically, the content item may be used in various ways to use a program identifier to identify a program corresponding to the content item, and to use at least one group identifier to identify at least one content item group to which the content item belongs. Identify and store the content item (S1204). For example, when configured to record a trailer in a virtual trailer channel defined by a group, it automatically stores all content items belonging to a particular group. Alternatively, all content items corresponding to a program having a specific genre, broadcast time or broadcast channel may be automatically recorded.

Additionally, it may be determined whether to store the content item based on the available amount of storage medium and the format of the content item. For example, the program may have three corresponding content items with different formats, short teasers, and trailers that include pictures. The amount of available space remaining in the storage 150 is determined, and if there is a large amount of available space, for example, higher than the first threshold level, the content item in various formats is stored. If the available space is adequate, for example between the first threshold level and the second threshold level, and the second threshold is lower than the first threshold value, then only the content item of a particular type is stored. For example, only teasers and pictures can be stored, and the entire trailer is not stored. If there is less space available, for example lower than the second threshold level, it may be configured to store only content items in image format. For example, only pictures can be stored. If no space is available, or if the space is now active, it is determined whether any content items that exist are to be deleted. Therefore, according to the present invention, an effect of efficiently managing a storage space of a broadcast reception device is provided.

The method of managing the stored content item will be described below with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing a stored content item, according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 13, the method of managing stored content items according to another embodiment of the present invention periodically determines which stored content can be deleted. To this end, it is suitable for use in the broadcast receiving device 100 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. According to the present management method, when the content item is no longer needed, the broadcast reception device 100 may effectively manage the space available in the storage 150 by deleting the content item. The management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used when the stored content item is stored like a virtual trailer channel.

First, each recording trailer channel is checked to determine a program corresponding to the stored content item (S1301). Next, it is checked whether each program corresponding to the stored content item is a program available in the EPG (S1302). For example, if it is determined that the program is available if it is a program that is still being broadcasted (S1302-Y), it is determined that the corresponding content item is still needed. In this case, the management method is terminated without deleting the corresponding content item (S1308).

Alternatively, if it is determined that the corresponding program is not available in the EPG (S1302-N), it is checked whether the EPG is sufficiently dense (S1303). If the EPG is not dense enough (S1303-N), it checks again whether the EPG is dense in a later step (S1304).

If the EPG is sufficiently dense (S1303-Y), it is determined whether the corresponding program is already being broadcast, and it is determined whether the program is stored (S1305). That is, it is checked whether the program is recorded in the storage unit or whether the program is stored locally (S1305). If the program is stored (S1305-Y), the management method ends without deleting the item (S1308).

If the program is not stored (S1305-N), in one embodiment, the step of automatically deleting the content item may be performed in this step. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, another check can be confirmed before deleting the content item. In particular, it is determined whether content item deletion is available (S1306).

In more detail, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the broadcasting station may indicate that the content item cannot be deleted automatically. For example, the TrailerExpirySupported element of the PushDownloadProgram fragment for the content item may indicate that it is not deleting the content item as soon as it expires. In this case, the broadcast receiving device 100 may determine that deleting the content item is not available. This feature can be used for content items that do not change, such as title sequences for news programs.

If it is determined that deleting the content item is not available (S1306-N), a predetermined time period is waited before deleting the content item. For example, it may be configured to maintain the content for a period of 13 weeks, and if the corresponding program referred to by the content item is not received after this time, the content item may be deleted (S1307).

Finally, if it is determined that the deletion of the content item is available (S1306-Y), the corresponding content is deleted (S1308), that is, the content item can be deleted from the storage unit 150.

The method of FIG. 13 may take advantage of that content items, such as trailers, may typically be sent for future programming. Thus the trailer can be recorded and the reference program is already transferred and no longer exists in the EPG. The method of FIG. 13 allows the receiver to automatically delete the expired trailer to resolve the space for the new trailer. The broadcast reception device 100 may be configured to check an expired content item periodically or when the space available in the internal storage unit 150 falls below a preset threshold.

An embodiment of the present invention describes that a device such as the broadcast receiving device 100 can automatically record a content item such as a promotional trailer without user interaction. For example, the broadcast reception device 100 may have a predetermined storage area in the internal storage only for the promotion content. Many promotional content items only require a relatively small amount of storage area. The teaser is typically 15-30 seconds long, while the trailer is 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds long. In contrast, a single movie is two hours long and requires a large amount of storage space equivalent to 80 trailers (80 minutes) and 80 teasers (40 minutes).

The broadcast reception method and management method illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be executed in the broadcast reception apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 or 3.

In addition, the broadcast reception method and management method shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be included in a computer-readable storage medium and executed in a computer.

Specifically, the code for performing the above-described methods may include random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electronically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard drives. It may be stored in various types of recording media readable by the terminal, such as a disk, a removable disk, a memory card, a USB memory, a CD-ROM, and the like.

Although illustrative embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, and such modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains It can be clearly understood. Accordingly, the described embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not limited by the accompanying detailed description, but is capable of modifications within the scope of the claims.

Claims (23)

A broadcast receiving device connectable to a display device,
Receiving unit for receiving a broadcast stream;
A processor for signal processing to obtain a program available in the broadcast stream, a plurality of content items corresponding to the program, and content item information for each of the plurality of content items; And
And a storage unit which stores the plurality of content items and the content item information processed.
The content item information includes an identifier of the program and at least one group identifier associated with the content item,
And the program identifier identifies a program corresponding to the content item, and the at least one group identifier identifies at least one content item group to which the plurality of content items belong. The method of claim 1,
And the processing unit selects the plurality of content items stored in the storage unit based on at least one group identifier. The method of claim 2,
The receiving unit receives virtual channel information defining a virtual channel,
And the processing unit selects the at least one content item based on the virtual channel information. The method of claim 1,
Wherein,
And selecting the at least one content item based on at least one of the at least one group identifier, the time of the program, and the channel of the program. The method of claim 1,
The broadcast receiving device is a DVB-compliant receiver,
And the at least one group identifier of the program is a content reference identifier included in data received through the broadcast stream. The method of claim 1,
The content item information,
And locator information for identifying a source from which the content item can be obtained. The method according to claim 6,
When the receiving unit receives the plurality of content items through the broadcast stream,
And the processing unit identifies the location of the content item in the broadcast stream based on the locator information. The method of claim 7, wherein
The broadcast receiving device is a DVB-compliant receiver,
And the locator information defines an event information table in the broadcast stream. The method of claim 7, wherein
The broadcast receiving device,
And a DVB-compliant receiver for receiving the plurality of content items via a digital storage medium command and control carousel (DSM CC carousel). The method of claim 1,
The content item information further includes information regarding a format of providing the content item. The method of claim 10,
And the providing format is any one of a video file format, a still image file format, and an HTML file format. The method of claim 11,
The processing unit determines the storage space available in the storage unit,
And if the available storage space is smaller than a predetermined value, controlling to store the content item provided in one of the predetermined providing formats in the storage unit. The method of claim 12,
Wherein,
Determine whether a program corresponding to the stored content item is available through the broadcast stream,
And if the program is not available, deleting the content item from the storage. The method of claim 13,
The content item information further includes deletion information regarding whether to delete the content item.
And the processing unit does not delete the content item even if the program is not available when the deletion information instructs not to delete the content item. 15. The method of claim 14,
And the processing unit deletes the content item after a predetermined time period when the deletion information instructs not to delete the content item. In the broadcast receiving device,
A receiving unit for receiving a plurality of content items corresponding to a program available in a broadcast stream and content item information for each of the plurality of content items;
A storage unit which stores the plurality of content items and the content item information;
A processing unit to select the plurality of content items stored in the storage unit based on the at least one group identifier; And
And a display unit for displaying at least one related content item corresponding to the selected program in response to a selection command of the processing unit.
The content item information includes an identifier of a program available in the broadcast stream and at least one group identifier associated with the content item,
And the program identifier identifies a program corresponding to the content item, and the at least one group identifier identifies at least one content item group to which the content item belongs. 17. The method of claim 16,
And the display unit continuously displays the selected at least one content item in a virtual channel. In the broadcast receiving method,
Storing a plurality of content items each corresponding to a program available in the broadcast stream;
Receiving content item information for each content item; And
Storing content item information including a program identifier and at least one group identifier associated with the content item;
The program identifier identifies a program corresponding to the stored content item,
The at least one group identifier identifies at least one content item group to which the content item belongs. 19. The method of claim 18,
The broadcast receiving method,
Selecting a stored content item based on the at least one group identifier associated with the content item. 19. The method of claim 18,
The broadcast receiving method,
Receiving a command to select at least one of the programs; And
And displaying at least one related content item corresponding to the selected program and associated with the same program identifier as the selected program. 19. The method of claim 18,
Selecting at least one content item of the plurality of stored content items; And
And continuously displaying the selected at least one content item in a virtual channel. The method of claim 21,
Receiving virtual channel information for defining a virtual channel;
The selecting of the at least one content item comprises selecting the at least one content item based on the virtual channel information. The method of claim 21,
The plurality of content items,
And at least one of the at least one group identifier, the program time, and the channel of the program.

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