KR20130013938A

KR20130013938A - Digital broadcasting system viewing classified corner of contents and service method thtereof

Info

Publication number: KR20130013938A
Application number: KR1020110075890A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 최요한; 한지상; 양정우; 변현석; 전재오; 차지현
Original assignee: 브로드밴드미디어주식회사
Priority date: 2011-07-29
Filing date: 2011-07-29
Publication date: 2013-02-06

Abstract

The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system and a service method thereof. Specifically, in a broadcasting content of a series including several rounds, a corner is divided from the information of a point where a specific content or an episode starts and a desired corner among the divided corners is determined. When selected, the present invention provides a digital broadcasting system and a service providing method for collecting or re-viewing selected corners at once by grouping selected corners by group or grouping selected corners and automatically replaying them.

Description

DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM VIEWING CLASSIFIED CORNER OF CONTENTS AND SERVICE METHOD THTEREOF}

The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system and a service method thereof, and more particularly, to classify corners from information of a specific content or episode starting point in broadcast content, and select a desired corner from among the divided corners. The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system and a service providing method for collecting or reconstructing individual corners at once by grouping each episode or grouping the same specific contents, the same episode, and the same characters automatically.

With the advent of the home network era, specific protocols for realizing a home network have been enacted. Digital television is expected to be at the center of the device for realizing such a home network. A representative service that emerged from this background is IPTV (Internet Protocol Television). For example, IPTV refers to an interactive television service provided using an Internet network. IPTV is a type of Digital Convergence in that it is a convergence of the Internet and television.

In this IPTV service, a practical device that enables digital television to transmit interactive information through the Internet is a set-top box. That is, in the IPTV service, each user's display device (TV) is connected to the Internet through a set top box.

In the conventional IPTV service, it is possible to accurately select a point that a user wants to play when playing content by providing information of a specific content or an episode starting point with the content file.

For example, by viewing only the corners of the ballerina corners from the weather corner of the news desk or the gag concert organized by episodes, viewing by corners is possible.

However, the above-described conventional corner-by-corner viewing can be viewed only in designated corners, and in the case of a series of contents composed of several rounds, there is a troublesome problem of selecting the corner-by-row viewing for each round.

For example, if you want to watch the ballerina corner for all episodes (from 1 to 4) of the gag concerts broadcast so far, first enter the gag concert and play the ballerina corner in the first round. Enter the 2nd Gag Concert and select the 2nd Ballerina Corner. After the second round of ballerina corner regeneration is completed, the third round of gag concert to select the third round of ballerina corner, and the fourth round of gag concert to enter the fourth round of ballerina corner must be selected.

As such, according to the conventional corner-specific viewing method, the user must repeatedly check the next round and enter and select a desired corner from the corner list. Therefore, there is a problem that users' interest in viewing by corner is not sustained and falls.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and when the desired corner is selected from the divided corners and the corners are divided from the information of the point where the specific content or episode starts in the broadcast content, the selected corners are grouped by the times of the series. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital broadcasting system and a service providing method capable of continuously reproducing each corner by gathering or successively viewing each corner by automatically regenerating them by grouping the same specific contents / episodes / protagonists or automatically.

To this end, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a digital broadcasting system capable of viewing at each corner according to the present invention includes a content providing server that provides a content file for broadcast content requested by a user; An EPG providing server configured to provide EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information including a content list and channel information with respect to broadcast content available through the content providing server; And extracting each corner included in the content by analyzing the frame structure of the content file provided by the content providing server, attaching identification information to the starting point of each extracted corner, and generating playback point identification information for each corner. Providing playback point identification information for each corner to the EPG providing server to enable viewing by corners, and grouping corners that are related to each other from the identification information of the corners to provide a group-by-corner-by-corner or corner-by-corner service. It characterized in that it comprises a corner information providing server.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the set-top box of the present invention, the input signal receiving unit for receiving an input signal according to the user's key input; A storage unit which stores EPG information about broadcast content and playback point identification information for each corner; When the viewing request for each corner of the broadcast content is input from the input signal receiver, a plurality of corner lists included in the broadcast content are retrieved from the storage and displayed, and if the desired corner is selected from the displayed corner list, the selected corner is associated. A data processing unit which processes data to be automatically reproduced by grouping with another corner of the same; And an output unit converting the data output according to the processing of the data processing unit into data that can be displayed on the screen and outputting the converted data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the digital broadcast service providing method for viewing the corners of the present invention of the present invention, (a) from the network-based service providing server to the playback point identification information for each corner included in each broadcast content Receiving EPG information comprising; (b) displaying a menu screen based on the received EPG information; (c) selecting broadcast content that the user wants to watch through the displayed menu screen; (d) displaying a list of corners included in the selected broadcast content; (e) selecting a desired corner from the list of corners; And (f) automatically regenerating the other corners associated with the selected corner or the selected corner by group.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a digital broadcast service for viewing at a corner according to the present invention includes (a) receiving EPG information about a round or broadcast content for viewing at a corner from a network-based service providing server. step; (b) receiving an event for a viewing service per corner through a hot key or a shortcut icon menu; (c) displaying a list of corners included in episodes or broadcast contents registered in a corner-specific viewing service based on the EPG information; (d) displaying a list of corners included in the selected broadcast content; (e) selecting a desired corner from the list of corners; And (f) automatically regenerating the corners grouped with the selected corner.

According to the present invention, if a desired corner is selected in the broadcast content, the selected corners are collected for each series of the series and reproduced continuously, so that the user can directly view the desired corners without having to select the corner viewing for each episode.

In addition, if a plurality of desired corners are selected from one broadcast content and the corners are re-viewed, the selected corners may be grouped and automatically played back, thereby enabling the user to immediately watch the desired corners. Here, the corner refers to a scene divided by specific contents, episodes, and main characters.

1 is a view illustrating a concept of a corner-by-corner collection service of the present invention.
2 is a view for explaining a concept of a corner-by-corner ear service according to the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a digital broadcasting system according to the present invention.
4 is a view for explaining an example of the configuration for classifying corners in the broadcast content of the present invention.
5 is an example of a screen displaying a list of corners divided in FIG. 4.
6 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a set-top box in a digital broadcasting system according to the present invention.
7 and 8 illustrate an approach for performing a corner gathering or corner ear viewing function according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a digital broadcast service method for providing viewing per corner through the approach of FIG. 7.
10 and 11 illustrate examples of screens shown in the step of accessing content to be viewed in FIG. 9.
12 to 14 illustrate examples of screens shown in steps S140 to S170 of FIG. 9 in each step.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a digital broadcast service method for providing viewing per corner through the approach of FIG. 8.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen shown in operation S200 of FIG. 15.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the present invention and the operation and effect thereof will be clearly understood through the following detailed description.

Prior to the detailed description of the present invention, the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals even if they are displayed on different drawings, and the detailed description will be omitted when it is determined that the well-known configuration may obscure the gist of the present invention. do.

In addition, the corner referred to in the present invention means a scene that can be divided according to a specific content, episode, or main character in the broadcast content. For example, if a single content includes a number of topics (specific content), such as a "gag concert," each topic may be divided into corners, and in the case of broadcast content for a professional baseball or professional football game, a baseball home run scene Or the goal of the football (goal) can be divided into corners. Or, in the case of broadcast content for a flexible program, corners may be divided by artists (main characters).

The present invention proposes a configuration in which each corner is extracted to allow viewing by each corner when the broadcast content includes a plurality of corners. In particular, the present invention, when selecting a corner to be viewed in the broadcast content of the series, the corner-by-corner gathering service for grouping the selected corner by the turn of the broadcast content, and when a plurality of corners in a single broadcast content, the corner corner grouping each other Star star service is provided.

Prior to describing the configuration of the present invention for providing this, the corner-by-corner service and the corner-by-corner service will be described.

1 is a view illustrating a concept of a corner-by-corner collection service of the present invention.

The illustrated content A is a series, consisting of several rounds (1st, 2nd, 3rd), each of which contains a number of corners (corner 1, corner 2, corner 3, corner 4, etc.) in one content. Doing.

The corner-by-corner view of the present invention refers to a service that collects corners to be viewed in series contents and replays them corner by corner.

For example, if you select Corner 3 in Content A, you can group Corner 3 in each round, namely Corner 3-1 in Round 1, Corner 3-2 in Round 2, and Corner 3-3 in Round 3. Continuous playback in a certain order. Here, the predetermined order may follow a method such as random or high order or low order.

2 is a view for explaining a concept of a corner-by-corner ear service according to the present invention.

Corner-by-corner rehearsal of the present invention means a service that continues to play only the desired corner of one or more corners divided by episodes, scenes, or characters in one content.

For example, if the corners 1-1 and 4-1 are selected in one piece of content A shown in Fig. 2, the selected corners 1-1 and 4-1 are grouped so that corner 4 immediately after the playback of corner 1-1 is performed. -1 will be automatically played.

This corner-by-corner view is different from the corner-by-corner view in that it means to group individual corners that are separated from each other in a single content rather than a plurality of series contents.

However, the present invention provides a configuration that allows the user to continuously play the grouped corners without performing a viewing operation for each corner by grouping the corners related to the contents in the content, whether it is a corner-by-corner service or a corner-by-corner service. There is a characteristic.

Hereinafter, the digital broadcast system of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a digital broadcasting system according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of classifying corners in broadcast content of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 3, the digital broadcasting system according to the present invention may be implemented through the set-top box 100, the network 200, and the service providing server 300.

That is, in the digital broadcasting system, the display device 400 of the user is connected to the set-top box 100 and the set-top box 100 is connected to the service providing server 300 through the network 200 to receive desired content and receive the content. The content is displayed on the display device 400 according to a user's request.

In this case, the network 200 may be an IP-based network, but the present invention is not limited to using an IP-based network. In addition, the network 200 is not limited to a specific type as long as the wired / wireless communication network enables the network.

The service providing server 300 includes a content providing server 310, an EPG providing server 320, a corner information providing server 330, and the like.

Here, although the service providing server 300 is illustrated to be configured independently for each function for convenience of description, the service providing server 300 may be provided by integrating functions in one or more servers. In addition, the service providing server 300 may further include servers for providing various functions in addition to the servers shown as needed.

The content providing server 310 of the service providing server 300 includes a content DB 312 storing various broadcast contents (VOD content), and the content DB 312 when a user requests a predetermined content. Load the content stored in the provided via the network 200 to the set-top box 100 of the user.

In addition, when the content providing server 310 receives a request for viewing of each corner of the content from the set-top box 100, the content providing server 310 transmits a part of the content corresponding to the corner portion of the content to the set-top box 100. At this time, the transmission method is not limited to a specific method and may be any one of a download and play method and a streaming method.

The EPG providing server 320 serves to provide the set top box 100 with a list of contents that can be provided through the content providing server 310, for example, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) file, which is channel information about the content. When the set top box 100 of the user is booted and connected to the service providing server 300 through the network 200, the EPG providing server 320 provides the EPG file to the set top box 100. Then, the user's set-top box 100 downloads the EPG file and displays a content list on the screen.

In addition, the EPG providing server 320 provides the set top box 100 with the EPG file along with playback point information of each content set by the corner information providing server 330.

The corner information providing server 330 sets identification information on a plurality of corners included in each content, and stores and manages the identification information in the corner-specific content DB 332.

The corner information providing server 330 analyzes the frame structure of the content file stored in the content DB 312, extracts each corner included in the content, and attaches predetermined identification information to each extracted corner to be included in each content. Separate multiple corners. Here, extracting each corner included in the content means extracting a starting point of each corner. Therefore, when the identification information of the corresponding corner is marked at the start point of the extracted corner, the starting point of each corner becomes the playback point through the identification information.

In addition, the corner information providing server 330 stores the correlated corners from the corner identification information attached to the start point of each corner and stores them in the content DB 332 for each corner and collects the grouped corners for each corner. Or, it is provided through the corner view service. For example, if there is a request for a collection or viewing service for each corner from the set-top box of the user, the set-top box first displays the corners for viewing or viewing the viewing for each corner through the EPG information provided from the EPG provision server 320. If there is a display and selection of the displayed corner, the corner information providing server 330 provides the content file grouped for the corner.

For example, the corner information providing server 330 may classify each corner by using an I frame of the content file.

Referring to FIG. 4, in general, when a content file is transmitted from the content providing server 310 to the set-top box 100, the content file is transmitted as a content data stream encoded according to a standardized encoding format (H.264, MPEG, etc.).

The content data stream consists of I-frames (Intra-coded Frames), P-frames (Previous-coded Frames), and B-frames (Bidirectional-coded Frames). I-frames are key frames that contain the entire image information compressed directly from the source data. It contains. P frame is the encoding of the difference between the previous screen and the current screen based on the information of the previously existing I frame, and the B frame is between the previous I frame or P frame and the subsequent I frame or P frame. It is coded based on the difference value.

Unlike the P frame and the B frame, the double I frame can decode the image information alone, so that when the I frame is extracted, the image cut can be independently extracted from the I frame. The image cut may be image information located at the beginning of an I frame or image information in which a character such as a title or artist name for each corner exists in a specific screen area.

As such, the corner information providing server 330 extracts I frames from the data stream of each content and identifies each corner by an image cut captured from the extracted I frames. The corner information providing server 330 attaches identification information of the corresponding corner to each identified I frame, and generates reproduction point identification information of the corner and stores the generated information in the corner-specific content DB 332.

In addition, the corner information providing server 330 has been described as an example of identifying each corner from the I frame as image cut or content identification information (content name, channel number), but is not limited thereto. That is, the playback point based on the accumulated playback time of each corner, the capacity ratio of the playback point, the number of bytes of the position in the content file, and the like can be utilized.

For example, when 5 minutes have elapsed since the playback start time is 0:00 and the cumulative playback time is 0:05, and the capacity ratio is 5%, it can be identified as the first playback point.

Or, if the total capacity of the content file is 100MByte, and the capacity ratio of the first corner start point is 5%, the first corner start point is a position of 5MByte in the content file. Therefore, the EPG provision server 320 gives the set-top box 100 the number of position bytes in the file as 5MBytes as identification information of the playback point of the first corner, and the user selects the playback point of the first corner. At the 5MByte point, download is requested and played.

In addition, the corner information providing server 330 provides the EPG providing server 320 with playback point identification information for each corner generated from each content, and the EPG providing server 320 when a user requests a viewing of each corner for each content. Provides the playback point identification information for each corner of each content to the set-top box (100). Accordingly, the set-top box 100 displays a UI (User Interface) on the display screen 400a by using the playback point identification information for each corner (400b of FIG. 5) provided from the EPG provision server 320.

6 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a set-top box in a digital broadcasting system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the set-top box 100 according to the present invention includes a network interface unit 110, an input signal receiver 120, a data processor 130, an output unit 140, and a storage unit 150. Can be implemented.

The network interface unit 110 is connected to the service providing server (300 of FIG. 3) through an IPTV-based network and is responsible for transmitting and receiving data.

The input signal receiver 120 receives a key input signal input by a user through an input means such as a remote controller and provides the same to the data processor 130. In particular, the input signal receiving unit 120 receives a user's request signal regarding viewing of each corner and receives a request signal of whether viewing a corner gathering or viewing a corner ear-view during viewing of each corner.

The output unit 140 converts and outputs the content data output through the data processing unit 130 into an audio / video signal for display on a display device (not shown). In particular, the output unit 140 according to the present invention converts the screen into a video signal to display the screen for setting the user interface on a display device (not shown) and outputs the converted video signal.

The storage unit 150 stores related control contents in order to provide an IPTV service, and stores data (eg, content data and EPG information) provided through the network interface unit 110. In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention stores the gathering information for each corner or the resume information for each corner set by the user. Corner gathering information includes the information of the group content that the user or service provider directly stored as a corner gathering. The corner replay information includes information of group contents stored directly by the user or service provider as the corner replay.

The data processor 130 performs overall data processing of the set-top box 100 and performs data processing for viewing of each corner of the present invention.

The data processor 130 loads a content file previously stored in the storage 150 or receives a content file provided from the network interface 110 when a request for viewing content is received from the user through the input signal receiver 120. And a file reproducing unit 132 for reproducing. In addition, the data processing unit 130, when receiving a viewing request for each corner of the content from the user through the input signal receiving unit 120, the corner gathering management unit for processing data to perform the corner-by-corner or corner-by-corner function ( 134 and a corner ear view manager 136.

Here, the file playback unit 132, the corner gathering management unit 134, the corner earring management unit 136 may each be an independent program or application or a program in the form of an ActiveX control that works with a web browser. have.

When the corner gathering management unit 134 receives a gathering request for each corner of the content from the user through the input signal receiving unit 120, a list of corners included in the corresponding content is displayed and a selection of a desired corner is displayed from the displayed corner list. If so, the file reproducing unit 132 is controlled to automatically replay the selected corners by group. The reproduction method at the time of corner reproduction may be provided in descending order based on the selected turn. For example, if you approach from 13 times, 13 times, 12 times, 11 times in order to replay the view. The corner list may provide thumbnail images of the corresponding corners for each scene, or title information of each corner may be exposed.

In addition, the corner gathering management unit 134 is stored in the storage unit 150 for each registered corner when the user registers for a corner gathering in the corner gathering view, and the desired corner by the selection of the corners in the latest order (descending order) or You can automatically play by grouping in ascending order. In this case, the corner gathering management unit 134 may display on the screen to select the turn of the content for the corner selected by the user. Accordingly, the user may be provided with a collection service for a desired corner without accessing the corresponding content or the round including the specific corner.

When the corner re-view manager 136 receives a re-view request for each corner of the content from the user through the input signal receiver 120, the corner replay manager 136 displays a list of a plurality of corners included in the corresponding content and selects a desired corner from the displayed corner list. If so, the file playback unit 132 is controlled to automatically play by grouping selected corners. The reproduction scheme may be provided based on the selected corner. For example, if you selected Corner 1 and Corner 4 in 13 times, you can watch the corner-by-corner sequence in the order of Corner 1, Corner 4.

In addition, the corner re-view manager 136 may provide a function of connecting the cross-edited scenes in the same content. For example, when scenes composed of the same corner identification information are intersected in one piece of content, if a user wants to see only the story of the desired main character, only the scene of the corresponding main character may be reproduced when the scene is selected. As such, the corner ear view manager 136 may be provided only within one piece of content selected by the user.

Meanwhile, the corner gathering manager 134 and the corner ear manager 136 expose the service through the following two methods.

One method is a method of exposing each content through a menu screen to expose a corner gathering or a corner ear-viewing service as shown in FIG. 7.

Another method is a method of exposing the corner-by-corner view or the corner-by-corner shortcut screen using a specific key as a pop-up.

Referring to FIG. 7, the set-top box sequentially selects desired genres and contents through a menu screen that divides contents according to genres, and provides a viewing menu 412 for each corner on the synopsis screen 410 that provides detailed information of the selected contents. Expose The viewing menu 412 for each corner can select the viewing menu 412 for each corner after selecting a series in the case of the series contents. For a round or content that does not provide a viewing function for each corner, the viewing menu 412 for each corner is not exposed.

Referring to FIG. 8, the set-top box directly exposes the viewing menu 422 for each corner on the screen 420 by using a hot key or a shortcut key. The corner viewing menu 422 may display a list of corners registered by a user or a service provider, and when a desired corner is selected from the corner list, a popup for selecting a corner of the corresponding round may be provided.

In this case, the corner list may provide thumbnails of images representing the corresponding corners for each scene, or may display title information of each corner (eg Balsam Institute, Master of Life, Superstar KBS, Dubuntoron, Ballerino, etc.). Alternatively, title information may be displayed together with the representative image of each corner. If thumbnails are not provided, you can provide a report thumbnail and watch the corner of the round when selecting a thumbnail.

In addition, the gather button displayed together with the corner list performs a function of collecting and viewing the corners of the series only from the first to the last round or for a certain round according to the service policy. The content playback criteria of the gathering view may be provided in the latest order based on the user's selected episode.

The method according to the present invention according to the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 15.

First, in the present invention, the corner extraction for each content is performed in advance by analyzing the frame structure of each content, and when the service providing server provides the EPG information about each content, the EPG information regarding the content for each corner is provided. On the premise that

For ease of understanding, the description will be given taking an example of classifying corners through I frames of respective contents.

When a content file is generated and uploaded to the content DB 312 in the service providing server 300, the corner information providing server 330 extracts an I frame from the content file.

Then, the corner information providing server 330 attaches time information or file position information of the corresponding point as identification information of each corner to the extracted I-frame, and generates playback point identification information of the corner, and the content DB for each corner 332 ). This completes the generation of the playback point identification information for each corner.

Next, a description will be given of a process of providing a gathering service for each corner or a continuous viewing service for each corner when playing content in the user's set-top box.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a digital broadcasting service method for providing viewing by corners through the approach of FIG. 7, and FIG. 15 is a digital broadcasting service method for providing viewing by corners through the approach of FIG. 8. This is a flow chart illustrating.

First, referring to FIG. 9, when a user sets a user's set top box to access a service providing server, the set top box receives EPG information from the EPG providing server of the service providing server.

When the set-top box displays a menu screen as content information on the display device through the received EPG file and selects a content to be watched from the displayed content list, the corresponding content is requested to the service providing server (S100 and S110).

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, there are two ways of accessing the desired content for viewing on the menu screen.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of accessing desired content through a menu screen in which content is classified according to genres as described above.

For example, selecting a drama (①) from the upper menu on the menu screen shows a lower category belonging to the drama category, and selecting a melo (②) from the lower category shows a list of contents for the melo (②). When selecting the content (③) that you want to watch from the displayed content list, a synopsis screen (④) displaying detailed information (return, plot, main character, etc.) for the corresponding content appears. The synopsis screen ④ includes a selection menu for requesting viewing of each corner.

Meanwhile, FIG. 11 illustrates a method of directly entering a desired content by exposing a round or content that can be viewed for each corner in the upper menu ⑤ on the menu screen.

Thereafter, the set-top box checks whether the selected content is a series (S120).

If the series, the set-top box is provided on the screen to select the episode you want to watch (S130).

If the series is not a series or a selection of episodes to be watched is input, the set-top box displays the viewing menu 12a for each corner on the screen as shown in FIG. 12 and displays the contents according to the selection of the viewing menu 12a for each corner. The viewing service for each corner is requested (S140).

At this time, the viewing service for each corner is one of a corner-by-corner or corner-by-corner service.

For example, if there is a request for a viewing service for each corner of the viewing service for each corner, the set-top box displays a list of a plurality of corners included in the corresponding content (S150).

Thereafter, the user receives a selection of a corner that the user wants to watch from the displayed corner list (S160).

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the corner list may be superimposed on the currently running screen and provided to the corner list screen 13a. The corner list may display thumbnails of images representing each corner for each scene and display title information of each corner together. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the 'radio star' corner 13b is selected on the corner list screen 13a.

Thereafter, the set-top box groups the selected 'radio star' corners on a recurring basis and automatically reproduces the image on the screen as shown in FIG. 14 (S170).

When the automatic playback is completed, the set-top box checks whether or not to use the viewing service for each corner to the user (S180).

When no longer using the viewing service for each corner, the set-top box terminates the service and provides a menu screen or a synopsis screen to select another corner when maintaining the viewing service for each corner (S190).

Whether to select another corner may be set according to a service policy provided by a service provider. For example, if a specific corner is designated as a group from the 10th to the 1st time, and the service is provided, and if the selection of the other corner is requested, the 11th or more after the 10th time for the same corner may be selectively added or the 11th Can be selected for each group of up to 15 rounds. In this case, the profit of the business can be obtained in connection with the billing service.

Alternatively, the service may be provided as a group from the 10th to the 1st round with respect to a specific corner, and may be provided to select another corner other than the same corner when the selection of the other corner is requested. In this case, a screen for accessing other corners included in the same content may be provided, or corner lists registered in a corner-specific gathering service may be provided.

Next, referring to FIG. 15, the set-top box checks whether an event for viewing service for each corner is requested using a hot key or a shortcut execution icon (S200). The viewing service for each corner is divided into either a gathering by corner or a follow-up by corner.

In addition, the request for viewing service for each corner can be requested either on the screen on which the menu screen is displayed or on the screen on which content is played.

FIG. 16 provides viewing information for each viewing corner on the entire menu screen, so that if there is an input of a key identical to the color displayed on the shortcut, the viewing information for each viewing section is directly entered.

As such, if there is an input of a hot key or a shortcut execution icon for a corner-by-corner service in the set-top box, the system directly enters the corner-by-corner service and displays a list of previously stored corners (S210).

The previously stored corner list is corners registered in advance by the user or the service provider. The user may register a corner that he / she wants to watch, and the service provider may register an entire corner list that can be viewed for each corner in each content. In this case, the service provider may periodically change it when it is newly added or deleted.

Thereafter, the set-top box receives a selection of a corner that the user wants to watch from the displayed corner list (S220).

Subsequently, the set top box automatically reproduces the selected corners by grouping them each time (S230).

When the automatic playback is completed, the set-top box checks whether or not to use the viewing service for each corner to the user (S240).

When no longer using the viewing service for each corner, the set-top box terminates the service and provides a menu screen or a synopsis screen to select another corner within the same content when maintaining the viewing service for each corner (S250).

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the present invention, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the detailed description, only the gathering view by corner is described, but the corners are selected and grouped with each other when the request of the subsequent viewing service is performed to automatically reproduce the corners by the ear viewing.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the specification of the present invention are not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all the techniques within the scope of equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: set-top box 200: network
300: service providing server 400: display device
110: network interface unit 120: input signal receiving unit
130: data processing unit 132: file playback unit
134: corner view management unit 136: corner view management unit
140: output unit 150: storage unit

Claims

A content providing server providing a content file with respect to broadcast content requested by a user;
An EPG providing server configured to provide EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information including a content list and channel information with respect to broadcast content available through the content providing server; And
Analyze the frame structure of the content file provided by the content providing server, extract each corner included in the content, attach the identification information to the starting point of each extracted corner, and generate playback point identification information for each corner, Corner to provide the playback point identification information for each corner to the EPG providing server to enable viewing by corner, grouping the corners that are correlated with each other from the identification information of the corner to provide a corner-by-corner or corner-by-corner service. Informational server
Digital broadcasting system capable of viewing per corner, characterized in that it comprises a.

The method of claim 1,
When viewing the corners for the broadcast content being viewed, the corner information providing server is capable of viewing the corners, wherein the corner information providing server continuously provides the content files grouped together with each other, including corners selected by the user. Broadcasting system.

The method of claim 1,
The corner information providing server
A digital broadcasting system capable of viewing by corners, wherein the cumulative playing time information or file position information of each corner is attached to the extracted I frame by extracting the I frame of the content file provided by the content providing server. .

An input signal receiver configured to receive an input signal according to a user's key input;
A storage unit which stores EPG information about broadcast content and playback point identification information for each corner;
When the viewing request for each corner of the broadcast content is input from the input signal receiver, a list of a plurality of corners included in the broadcast content is retrieved from the storage and displayed. If a desired corner is selected from the displayed corner list, the selected corner is selected. A data processing unit for processing data to be automatically reproduced by grouping with another relevant corner; And
An output unit converting the data output according to the processing of the data processing unit into data displayable on a screen
Set top box characterized in that it comprises a.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The data processing unit
A file reproducing unit for retrieving a content file pre-stored in the storage unit or receiving a corresponding content file from a network-based external service providing server when the request for viewing a content is input from the user through the input signal receiving unit; And
When a viewing request for each corner of content is received from the user through the input signal receiving unit, a plurality of corner lists included in the broadcast content are retrieved and displayed from the storage unit, and if the desired corner is selected from the displayed corner list, the selected corner is selected. Corner-viewing / ear-view management unit for controlling the file playback unit to automatically play by grouping each time or grouping individual corners existing in one broadcast content according to a predetermined criterion
Set top box characterized in that it comprises a.

The method of claim 5, wherein
The corner gathering / ear management unit,
Set-up box characterized in that the grouped content files are automatically played using any one of the latest order (descending order), ascending order, random on the basis of the time.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The plurality of corner lists may include a representative image of a corresponding corner for each scene as a thumbnail or expose the title information of a corner together with the thumbnail.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The data processing unit
If the broadcast content requested from the input signal receiving unit is a series including a plurality of corners in one content set-top box, characterized in that for grouping the selected corner from the displayed corner list.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The data processing unit
And a viewing request for each corner of the broadcast content according to whether a hot key is input through the input signal receiver or through a shortcut icon menu displayed on a screen.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The playback point identification information for each corner is
A set-top box, comprising information on identifying a start point of a corner included in the broadcast content, including accumulated reproduction time information or file position information.

(a) receiving EPG information including playback point identification information for each corner included in each broadcast content from a network-based service providing server;
(b) displaying a menu screen based on the received EPG information;
(c) selecting broadcast content that the user wants to watch through the displayed menu screen;
(d) displaying a list of corners included in the selected broadcast content;
(e) selecting a desired corner from the list of corners; And
(f) automatically replaying another corner associated with the selected corner or the selected corner by group
Digital broadcasting service providing method capable of viewing per corner, characterized in that it comprises a.

The method of claim 11,
The step (c)
Displaying the menu screen in a hierarchical structure by dividing the broadcast content by genre, so as to sequentially enter the desired broadcast content for viewing, the menu containing the broadcast content is sequentially selected digital broadcasting capable of viewing by corners How we deliver the service.

The method of claim 11,
The step (c)
A method of providing a digital broadcasting service that enables viewing by corners, wherein the section or content that can be viewed by corner is exposed to an upper menu of the menu screen so that the viewer can directly enter the broadcasting content that the viewer wants to watch.

The method of claim 11,
The step (d)
And providing a representative image of the corresponding corner for each scene in the list of the corners as thumbnails, and providing title information of the corners together with the thumbnails.

The method of claim 11,
When the corners selected in the step (f) are automatically played by grouping the respective rounds, the corners selected in the latest rounding order (descending order), ascending order or random order are automatically played based on the rounding of the corners. How to provide digital broadcasting service that can be viewed by corner.

The method of claim 11,
When grouping the corner selected in the step (f) with the other associated corner, the selected corner and the other associated corner is included in the same content, characterized in that the digital broadcast service providing method for each corner.

(a) receiving EPG information on a round or broadcast content that can be viewed by corner from a network-based service providing server;
(b) receiving an event for a viewing service per corner through a hot key or a shortcut icon menu;
(c) displaying a list of corners included in episodes or broadcast contents registered in a corner-specific viewing service based on the EPG information;
(d) displaying a list of corners included in the selected broadcast content;
(e) selecting a desired corner from the list of corners; And
(f) automatically replaying the selected corners and grouped corners
Digital broadcasting service providing method capable of viewing per corner, characterized in that it comprises a.

The method of claim 17,
The corner list displayed in step (c) includes a corner registered in advance by a user or a service provider.

The method of claim 17,
Selecting a round of the series when the corner selected in the step (e) is a series;
The digital broadcasting service providing method that can view each corner further comprising a.

The method of claim 17,
Corners grouped with the corner selected in step (f) are
The method of claim 1, wherein the other corners associated with the selected corner are grouped or the selected corner is grouped in turn.

The method of claim 17,
The corner list provides a representative image of the corresponding corner for each scene as a thumbnail, and the title information of the corner with the thumbnail to provide a digital broadcast service capable of viewing per corner, characterized in that.