EP1932342A1 - Method and apparatus for provision of service information by using query and view in digital data broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for provision of service information by using query and view in digital data broadcast receiver

Info

Publication number
EP1932342A1
EP1932342A1 EP06798664A EP06798664A EP1932342A1 EP 1932342 A1 EP1932342 A1 EP 1932342A1 EP 06798664 A EP06798664 A EP 06798664A EP 06798664 A EP06798664 A EP 06798664A EP 1932342 A1 EP1932342 A1 EP 1932342A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
string
list
service information
view
query
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06798664A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1932342A4 (en
Inventor
Gwang-Soon Lee
Kyu-Tae Yang
Kwang-Yong Kim
Young-Kwon Hahm
Chung-Hyun Ahn
Soo-In Lee
Do-Hyung Kim
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI
Alticast Corp
Original Assignee
Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI
Alticast Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI, Alticast Corp filed Critical Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI
Publication of EP1932342A1 publication Critical patent/EP1932342A1/en
Publication of EP1932342A4 publication Critical patent/EP1932342A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/8166—Monomedia components thereof involving executable data, e.g. software
    • H04N21/8173—End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/235—Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/433—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations
    • H04N21/4332—Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request, caching operations by placing content in organized collections, e.g. local EPG data repository
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/434—Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream
    • H04N21/4345—Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
    • H04N21/4355—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream involving reformatting operations of additional data, e.g. HTML pages on a television screen
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/443—OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
    • H04N21/4431—OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB characterized by the use of Application Program Interface [API] libraries

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing service information (SI) in a digital data broadcast receiver; and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing service information using a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver, such as a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) receiving apparatus.
  • SI service information
  • DMB Digital Multimedia Broadcasting
  • Data broadcasting means broadcasting a data file and/or executable program codes in addition to a conventional video and/or audio broadcasting which is transmitted in real-time, such as radio broadcasting and television broadcasting.
  • Service information generally includes the schedule of services and programs received through a data broadcasting network. The service information is stored and processed in a low-level data structure for efficiency in a data broadcast receiver.
  • Service information makes receivers know available channels and data in a digital data broadcasting system. Also, service information shows users the name of service, audio language, and current broadcasting information. Therefore, it is necessary for users or application programs to transmit service information on programs including a current broadcasting program and programs to be broadcasted in diverse service environments where a broadcasting network is connected with a communication network and to efficiently search information in need quickly among diverse service information.
  • a general example of a service information reception model for receiving and applying service information is as follows. Service information is received through a broadcasting network or a communication network and converted by a service information decoding unit into a low level for efficiency in terminals and then stored.
  • an application program such as Electronic Program Guide (EPG) needs to provide users with the service information, it makes a request to the service information decoding unit through a service information application interface (API).
  • EPG Electronic Program Guide
  • the requested service information is converted from the low- level representation form, which is an efficient form for a terminal, into a high-level object defined by the service information API and transmitted to the application program, e.g., EPG.
  • the service information model is composed of classes for representing a structure of service information transmitted through a terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) network.
  • the service information model defines the structures of multiplex configuration information (MCI) transmitted through a fast information block (FIG) channel and service-related information.
  • MCI multiplex configuration information
  • FOG fast information block
  • the service information reception model uses a tree-type service information structure in most digital broadcasting systems.
  • the kinds of services become diverse, it takes much time and effort for a user or an application program to search for a service in need.
  • SI service information
  • a method for providing service information by using a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver comprising the steps of: a) receiving a query on a specific service information from an application program; b) searching a service information database for the query, acquiring a list of service information objects, and generating and storing a service information view; and c) providing the generated service information view to the application program.
  • the method further includes the step of: d) when the application program makes a request for ari object data included in the service information view, converting a low-level data of the object into a high-level data that can be processed in the application program, and transmitting the high-level data to the application program.
  • another view composed of the objects of the view may be generated in the service information view generation and storing step b) .
  • an apparatus for providing service information by using a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver which includes: an application program execution unit for transmitting a query on a specific service information to execute an application program; a view manager for storing and managing the query, search a service information database to acquire a service information object list for the query, and generating and managing a service information view; and a data converter for converting low-level data of an object included in the generated view into high- level data, and providing the high-level data to the application program.
  • the present invention makes an application program author draw up an application program easily and save time for searching service information in a middleware. Also, the present invention provides diverse forms of data to a user or an application program by providing a view composed of additional information of an object.
  • Fig. 1 is an exemplary view showing a conventional structure of a service information (SI) model in a terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) ;
  • SI service information
  • DMB terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting
  • Fig. 2 is a block view illustrating a service information providing apparatus for executing a service information reception model based on the principle of the present invention in a digital data broadcast receiver;
  • Fig. 3 is a flowchart describing a service information providing method based on a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a service information (SI) reception model signifies a method for managing and providing service information between an application program or a user and a service information decoding unit, or a method thereof.
  • the service information reception model of the present invention uses a query and view method.
  • an application program or a user transmits a request to a middleware in the form of a query to extract information on a service or a program which is transmitted through a broadcasting network or a communication network. Then, the middleware including a service information decoding unit makes a search for the query at a high speed and transmits a search result to the application program.
  • an application program author is a search equation for searching a service or a program that conforms to a specific condition and it easily draws up a program by using a text sequence indicating a service or a program and performs a search easily.
  • the present invention presents a view to show a result for the service or the program searched out by using the query.
  • a view is a set of objects searched out based on a specific condition defined by a query, and a view is changed when a database is updated.
  • Another feature of the service information reception model suggested in the present invention is generation of a view.
  • a query for a specific condition 1 is created to form a list of corresponding objects and form a view 1.
  • a new object list may be created by collecting only the objects of views corresponding to the attribute values of the objects included in the view 1. It is possible to reduce the range of programs desired by the user by giving a condition 2 to the object list and generating a view thereon.
  • a view is generated by creating a query for a specific channel set among service components and acquiring a specific channel set satisfying the query. Then, a view for a program set which is a value among attributes (or fields) of a channel set is generated and a query for the program set is created. This way, a view on specific program information corresponding to the condition is generated.
  • audio channel objects are acquired by creating a query on an audio channel based on a query on a channel set among service components. Then, a view is generated by acquiring information on audio programs which are attributes of the audio channel, and another view is generated by picking out pay-programs among the audio programs.
  • Fig. 2 is a block view illustrating a service information providing apparatus for executing a service information reception model based on the principle of the present invention in a digital data broadcast receiver.
  • the service information providing apparatus includes an application program execution unit 210 for storing and executing diverse application programs, a service information decoding unit 220, a service information database 230.
  • Examples of interface, class, exception, and object interface type which form the service information decoding unit 220 are shown in the following Tables 1 to 4.
  • examples of the object interface type are presented in the following Table 5.
  • service information is schedule information generally received in a broadcasting network and it has a low-level data structure. The low-level service information data should be converted into high- level service information data to be processed in an application program.
  • an application program of the application program execution unit 210 transmits a query of a predetermined condition to the service information decoding unit 220.
  • the query of a predetermined condition may be given by a user using the application program.
  • a view manger 221 of the service information decoding unit 220 receives the query from the application program, searches service information stored in the service information database 230 to thereby generate a service information view, and provide the service information view to the application program.
  • the user or the application program execution unit 210 can have a list of objects that conform to the condition from the service information view provided by the view manager 221. Also, the view manager 221 stores the query transmitted from the application program, monitors whether there is a change in the data of the service information database 230, and, if there is a change, notifies the application program of a change. When there is a request for an object from the application program, the view manager 221 transmits low- level data for the object to a data converter 223. The data converter 223 converts the transmitted low-level data into high-level data that can be processed in the application program and transmits the high-level data to the application program.
  • the view manager 221 generates related views of a service information view to generate the service information view.
  • the view manager 221 acquires specific objects needed to generate the service information view from the service information database 230, generates an attribute view based on the attributes included in the fields of the objects, and generates a detailed view by adding an additional data to the attribute view.
  • the additional condition added to the attribute view may be transmitted from the application program.
  • the view manager 221 acquires audio channel objects, generates an attribute view by acquiring attributes of the audio channel, i.e., information on audio programs, and then generates a detailed view by picking out pay programs among the audio programs.
  • a service information providing apparatus of the present invention does not have to repeat a query processing when the same query is transmitted from an application program, because it keeps the query transmitted from the application program in a service information decoding unit. Also, when service information transmitted from a communication network is changed, the change in service information is informed to the application program. Therefore, it is possible to monitor service information efficiently.
  • Fig. 3 is a flowchart describing a service information providing method based on a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • middleware e.g., the service information decoding unit, receives a query from the application program.
  • the middleware searches a service information database based on the received query to thereby generate a service information view.
  • the middleware does not search the service information database provides a service information view stored therein to the application program.
  • the generated service information view is transmitted to the application program.
  • the middleware converts low-level data corresponding to the object into high- level data and provides the high-level data to the application program.
  • Table 1 shows an interface for realizing a service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Table 2 shows a class for realizing the service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Each database_ may be information acquired from one source in a lower rank or a combination of information
  • each database may include information or event describing different services, or one or more databases may describe the same service or event.
  • Table 3 shows an exception in realization of a service information decoding unit according to embodiment of the present invention.
  • DMB terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting
  • SIType ENSEMBLE (An ensemble object type)
  • SIType GROUP A group object type
  • SIType PROGRAM (A program object type)
  • SIType SERVICE A service object type
  • attributes used in each service information interface type for realizing the DMB service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention are as shown in the following Table 5.
  • Table 6 shows a method used in an SIView interface for realizing the service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the middleware for digital data broadcasting can efficiently provide the service information to an application program and manage it by realizing the service information providing apparatus and method of the present embodiment adopting a query and view method based on the Tables 1 to 6.
  • the following shows an example of using an SIQuery and SIView.
  • -SIAttributeSet SIDatabase . getDefault ( ) . getAttributeSet (Types . PROGRAM) ;
  • -SIQuery ql v. get (AttributeGENRE) . equal (“Movie” ) ; //A query whose genre is movie is generated.
  • -SIQuery q2 v. get (AttributeFREE) . isTrue ( ) ;
  • the method of the present invention which is described in the above can be realized as a program and stored in a computer-readable recording medium, such as CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, magneto- optical disks and the like. Since the process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art of the present invention, detailed description on it will not be provided herein.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • Library & Information Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus and method for providing service information in a digital data broadcast receiver, more particularly, a service information providing apparatus and method adopting a query and view method in a data broadcast receiver, such as a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) receiving terminal. The service information providing method adopting a query and view method in a data broadcast receiver includes the steps of : a) receiving a query on a specific service information from an application program; b) searching a service information database for the query, acquiring a list of service information objects, and generating and storing a service information view; and c) providing the generated service information view to the application program.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVISION OF SERVICE INFORMATION BY USING QUERY AND VIEW IN DIGITAL DATA BROADCAST
RECEIVER Description Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing service information (SI) in a digital data broadcast receiver; and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing service information using a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver, such as a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) receiving apparatus.
Background Art
Data broadcasting means broadcasting a data file and/or executable program codes in addition to a conventional video and/or audio broadcasting which is transmitted in real-time, such as radio broadcasting and television broadcasting. Service information (SI) generally includes the schedule of services and programs received through a data broadcasting network. The service information is stored and processed in a low-level data structure for efficiency in a data broadcast receiver.
Service information makes receivers know available channels and data in a digital data broadcasting system. Also, service information shows users the name of service, audio language, and current broadcasting information. Therefore, it is necessary for users or application programs to transmit service information on programs including a current broadcasting program and programs to be broadcasted in diverse service environments where a broadcasting network is connected with a communication network and to efficiently search information in need quickly among diverse service information.
A general example of a service information reception model for receiving and applying service information is as follows. Service information is received through a broadcasting network or a communication network and converted by a service information decoding unit into a low level for efficiency in terminals and then stored. When an application program such as Electronic Program Guide (EPG) needs to provide users with the service information, it makes a request to the service information decoding unit through a service information application interface (API). The requested service information is converted from the low- level representation form, which is an efficient form for a terminal, into a high-level object defined by the service information API and transmitted to the application program, e.g., EPG.
As shown in Fig. 1, the service information model is composed of classes for representing a structure of service information transmitted through a terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) network. The service information model defines the structures of multiplex configuration information (MCI) transmitted through a fast information block (FIG) channel and service-related information.
As shown in Fig. 1, the service information reception model uses a tree-type service information structure in most digital broadcasting systems. Thus, when the kinds of services become diverse, it takes much time and effort for a user or an application program to search for a service in need.
Disclosure Technical Problem It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a service information (SI) providing method which easily acquires available channels and service information in a middleware of a digital data broadcasting network by using query and view method.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description and become apparent with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Also, the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means as claimed and combinations thereof.
Technical Solution
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing service information by using a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver, comprising the steps of: a) receiving a query on a specific service information from an application program; b) searching a service information database for the query, acquiring a list of service information objects, and generating and storing a service information view; and c) providing the generated service information view to the application program. The method further includes the step of: d) when the application program makes a request for ari object data included in the service information view, converting a low-level data of the object into a high-level data that can be processed in the application program, and transmitting the high-level data to the application program.
Also, when the attribute values of the objects in the service information view indicates a view, another view composed of the objects of the view may be generated in the service information view generation and storing step b) .
The method further includes the step of: e) receiving again a query from the application program for the linked view, and generating another view. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing service information by using a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver, which includes: an application program execution unit for transmitting a query on a specific service information to execute an application program; a view manager for storing and managing the query, search a service information database to acquire a service information object list for the query, and generating and managing a service information view; and a data converter for converting low-level data of an object included in the generated view into high- level data, and providing the high-level data to the application program.
Advantageous Effects
The present invention makes an application program author draw up an application program easily and save time for searching service information in a middleware. Also, the present invention provides diverse forms of data to a user or an application program by providing a view composed of additional information of an object.
Description of Drawings
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exemplary view showing a conventional structure of a service information (SI) model in a terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) ;
Fig. 2 is a block view illustrating a service information providing apparatus for executing a service information reception model based on the principle of the present invention in a digital data broadcast receiver; and
Fig. 3 is a flowchart describing a service information providing method based on a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode for the Invention
Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which is set forth hereinafter. When it is considered that detailed description on a prior art may obscure the points of the present invention, the description will not be provided herein. Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings .
In the following description, a service information (SI) reception model signifies a method for managing and providing service information between an application program or a user and a service information decoding unit, or a method thereof.
The service information reception model of the present invention uses a query and view method.
According to the service information reception model of the present invention, an application program or a user transmits a request to a middleware in the form of a query to extract information on a service or a program which is transmitted through a broadcasting network or a communication network. Then, the middleware including a service information decoding unit makes a search for the query at a high speed and transmits a search result to the application program. Herein, an application program author is a search equation for searching a service or a program that conforms to a specific condition and it easily draws up a program by using a text sequence indicating a service or a program and performs a search easily. Also, the present invention presents a view to show a result for the service or the program searched out by using the query. A view is a set of objects searched out based on a specific condition defined by a query, and a view is changed when a database is updated. Another feature of the service information reception model suggested in the present invention is generation of a view. A query for a specific condition 1 is created to form a list of corresponding objects and form a view 1. When one value among attributes of the objects included in the view 1 is a view again, a new object list may be created by collecting only the objects of views corresponding to the attribute values of the objects included in the view 1. It is possible to reduce the range of programs desired by the user by giving a condition 2 to the object list and generating a view thereon. In other words, a view is generated by creating a query for a specific channel set among service components and acquiring a specific channel set satisfying the query. Then, a view for a program set which is a value among attributes (or fields) of a channel set is generated and a query for the program set is created. This way, a view on specific program information corresponding to the condition is generated. To take an example, audio channel objects are acquired by creating a query on an audio channel based on a query on a channel set among service components. Then, a view is generated by acquiring information on audio programs which are attributes of the audio channel, and another view is generated by picking out pay-programs among the audio programs.
Fig. 2 is a block view illustrating a service information providing apparatus for executing a service information reception model based on the principle of the present invention in a digital data broadcast receiver. Referring to Fig. 2, the service information providing apparatus includes an application program execution unit 210 for storing and executing diverse application programs, a service information decoding unit 220, a service information database 230. Examples of interface, class, exception, and object interface type which form the service information decoding unit 220 are shown in the following Tables 1 to 4. Also, examples of the object interface type are presented in the following Table 5. As described above, service information is schedule information generally received in a broadcasting network and it has a low-level data structure. The low-level service information data should be converted into high- level service information data to be processed in an application program. Therefore, it is efficient to store and process the service information as the quantity of signals exchanged between the application program execution unit 210 and the service information decoding unit is small. Referring to Fig. 2, the operation of the service information providing apparatus will be described herein. First, an application program of the application program execution unit 210 transmits a query of a predetermined condition to the service information decoding unit 220. The query of a predetermined condition may be given by a user using the application program. A view manger 221 of the service information decoding unit 220 receives the query from the application program, searches service information stored in the service information database 230 to thereby generate a service information view, and provide the service information view to the application program. The user or the application program execution unit 210 can have a list of objects that conform to the condition from the service information view provided by the view manager 221. Also, the view manager 221 stores the query transmitted from the application program, monitors whether there is a change in the data of the service information database 230, and, if there is a change, notifies the application program of a change. When there is a request for an object from the application program, the view manager 221 transmits low- level data for the object to a data converter 223. The data converter 223 converts the transmitted low-level data into high-level data that can be processed in the application program and transmits the high-level data to the application program.
The view manager 221 generates related views of a service information view to generate the service information view. In other words, the view manager 221 acquires specific objects needed to generate the service information view from the service information database 230, generates an attribute view based on the attributes included in the fields of the objects, and generates a detailed view by adding an additional data to the attribute view. The additional condition added to the attribute view may be transmitted from the application program. To take an example of the related views, the view manager 221 acquires audio channel objects, generates an attribute view by acquiring attributes of the audio channel, i.e., information on audio programs, and then generates a detailed view by picking out pay programs among the audio programs.
A service information providing apparatus of the present invention does not have to repeat a query processing when the same query is transmitted from an application program, because it keeps the query transmitted from the application program in a service information decoding unit. Also, when service information transmitted from a communication network is changed, the change in service information is informed to the application program. Therefore, it is possible to monitor service information efficiently.
Fig. 3 is a flowchart describing a service information providing method based on a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
At step SlO, middleware, e.g., the service information decoding unit, receives a query from the application program. At step S20, the middleware searches a service information database based on the received query to thereby generate a service information view. When the currently received query is the same as a previously received query, the middleware does not search the service information database provides a service information view stored therein to the application program. At step S30, the generated service information view is transmitted to the application program. Subsequently, when the application program requests for data on a specific object included in the service information view, at step S40, the middleware converts low-level data corresponding to the object into high- level data and provides the high-level data to the application program.
Table 1 shows an interface for realizing a service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Table 1
The following Table 2 shows a class for realizing the service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Table 2
Summary of Class
Database storing SI. Each database_ may be information acquired from one source in a lower rank or a combination of information
SIDatabase acquired from diverse sources. Also, each database may include information or event describing different services, or one or more databases may describe the same service or event.
The following Table 3 shows an exception in realization of a service information decoding unit according to embodiment of the present invention.
Table 3
Description of Exception
InvalidQueryException is generated
InvalidQueryException when a query cannot be generated or executed.
Meanwhile, in case of a terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) , service information interface types for realizing a DMB service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention are as shown in the following Table 4.
Table 4
Summary of Field
SIType ENSEMBLE (An ensemble object type)
SIType GROUP (A group object type)
SIType LOCATION (A location object type)
SIType PROGRAM (A program object type)
SIType PROGRAM EVENT (A program event object type)
SIType SERVICE (A service object type)
Meanwhile, in the terrestrial DMB, attributes used in each service information interface type for realizing the DMB service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention are as shown in the following Table 5.
Table 5
Summary of Field
String ACTUAL DURATION Actual showing time
String ACTUAL TIME Actual starting time
String BEARER ID Locator on a transmission network
String BEARER TRIGGER Trigger transmitted on a transmission network
String BITRATE Bit rate
String CA CA identifier
String DURATION Showing time
String ENSEMBLE Ensemble
String FORMAT Service format
String FREQUENCY KHZ Frequency kHz
String FREQUENCY TYPE Frequency type
String GENRE Genre list
String GROUPS Group list
String ID Object ID
String ID LIST List of service ID locators
String ID TYPE List of service ID types
String KEYWORDS List of keywords arranged with comma between them
String LANGUAGE List of languages
String LINK DESCRIPTION List of titles of linked contents
String LINK EXPIRY TIME Expiry time of linked contents
String LINK MIME MIME type list of linked contents
String LINK URL URL list of linked contents
String LOCATIONS List of locations
String LONG DESCRIPTION Long description
String LONG NAME Long name
String MULTIMEDIA HEIGHT List of multimedia information heights String MULTIMEDIA MIME List of multimedia information MIME types
String MULTIMEDIA TYPE List of multimedia information types
String MULTIMEDIA URL List of multimedia information URL
String MULTIMEDIA WIDTH List of multimedia information widths
String NAME Name
String ON AIR Whether a content is on air or not
String PARENT GROUP A larger group to which one pertains
String PROGRAM Program
String PROGRAM EVENT Program event
String PROGRAM EVENTS List of program events
String PROGRAMS Included programs
String RECOMMENDATION Whether a program is recommended or not
String RELATIVE ACTUAL TIME Relative/actual starting time
String RELATIVE TIME Relative starting time
String SERVICES Service list
String SHORT DESCRIPTION Short description
String SHORT ID Short CRID
String SHORT NAME Short name
String SIMULCAST ID ID text sequence indicating location of a simulcasted content on a network.
String SIMULCAST SYSTEM List of simulcasted network systems
String TIME Starting time
Also, the following Table 6 shows a method used in an SIView interface for realizing the service information decoding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Table 6
Summary of Method
The middleware for digital data broadcasting can efficiently provide the service information to an application program and manage it by realizing the service information providing apparatus and method of the present embodiment adopting a query and view method based on the Tables 1 to 6. The following shows an example of using an SIQuery and SIView.
-SIAttributeSet=SIDatabase . getDefault ( ) . getAttributeSet (Types . PROGRAM) ;
//An SIDatabase including attributes corresponding to a program-type SlObject is generated.
-SIQuery ql=v. get (AttributeGENRE) . equal ("Movie" ) ; //A query whose genre is movie is generated. -SIQuery q2=v. get (AttributeFREE) . isTrue ( ) ;
//A query for checking whether a content is free or not is generated.
-SIQuery q=ql . and (q2 ) ;
//A query simultaneously satisfying ql and q2 is generated. Herein, a view for the query q corresponds to the aforementioned linked view.
-SIView programs=IDatabase . getDefault ( ) .getSIView(SIObjectPROGRAM) ;
//A service information object list of SlObject representing a program is obtained and shown in a view. -SlObject [] result=programs . executeQuery (q) ; //A query object q is executed.
The method of the present invention which is described in the above can be realized as a program and stored in a computer-readable recording medium, such as CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, magneto- optical disks and the like. Since the process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art of the present invention, detailed description on it will not be provided herein.
While the present invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing service information by using a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver, comprising the steps of: a) receiving a query on a specific service information from an application program; b) searching a service information database for the query, acquiring a list of service information objects, and generating and storing a service information view; and c) providing the generated service information view to the application program.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of: d) when the application program makes a request for an object data included in the service information view, converting a low-level data of the object into a high- level data that can be processed in the application program, and transmitting the high-level data to the application program.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a linked view composed of objects related to attribute values of the objects in the service information view in the step b) .
4. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the step of: e) receiving again a query from the application program for the linked view, and generating another view.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the query and view for the service information are represented by an interface defined in a Table 1:
Table 1
6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein a class for the interface is defined as a Table 2:
Table 2
Summary of Class
Database storing SI. Each database may be information acquired from one source in a lower rank or a combination of information
SIDatabase acquired from diverse sources. Also, each database may include information or event describing different services, or one or more databases may describe the same service or event.
and the database has the feature of the Table 2.
7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein attribute of an object included in the query and view is defined as a Table 3:
Table 3
Summary of Field
String ACTUAL DURATION Actual showing time
String ACTUAL TIME Actual starting time
String BEARER ID Locator on a transmission network
String BEARER TRIGGER Trigger transmitted on a transmission network
String BITRATE Bit rate
String CA CA identifier
String DURATION Showing time
String ENSEMBLE Ensemble
String FORMAT Service format
String FREQUENCY KHZ Frequency kHz
String FREQUENCY TYPE Frequency type
String GENRE Genre list
String GROUPS Group list
String ID Object ID
String ID LIST List of service ID locators
String ID TYPE List of service ID types
String KEYWORDS List of keywords arranged with comma between them
String LANGUAGE List of languages
String LINK DESCRIPTION List of titles of linked contents
String LINK EXPIRY TIME Expiry time of linked contents
String LINK MIME MIME type list of linked contents String LINK URL URL list of linked contents
String LOCATIONS List of locations
String LONG DESCRIPTION Long description
String LONG NAME Long name
String MULTIMEDIA HEIGHT List of multimedia information heights
String MULTIMEDIA MIME List of multimedia information MIME types
String MULTIMEDIA TYPE List of multimedia information types
String MULTIMEDIA URL List of multimedia information URL
String MULTIMEDIA WIDTH List of multimedia information widths
String NAME Name
String ON AIR Whether a content is on air or not
String PARENT GROUP A larger group to which one pertains
String PROGRAM Program
String PROGRAM EVENT Program event
String PROGRAM EVENTS List of program events
String PROGRAMS Included programs
String RECOMMENDATION Whether a program is recommended or not
String RELATIVE ACTUAL TIME Relative/actual starting time
String RELATIVE TIME Relative starting time
String SERVICES Service list
String SHORT DESCRIPTION Short description
String SHORT ID Short CRID
String SHORT NAME Short name
String SIMULCAST ID ID text sequence indicating location of a simulcasted content on a network.
String SIMULCAST SYSTEM List of simulcasted network systems
String TIME Starting time
An apparatus for providing service information by using a query and view method in a digital data broadcast receiver, comprising: an application program execution unit for transmitting a query on a specific service information to execute an application program; a view manager for storing and managing the query, search a service information database to acquire a service information object list for the query, and generating and managing a service information view; and a data converter for converting low-level data of an object included in the generated view into high-level data, and providing the high-level data to the application program.
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the view manager notifies the application program execution unit of a change in the service information, when the service information is changed.
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the view manager generates a linked view composed of objects related to attribute values of the objects in the service information view.
11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein the view manager receives again a query from the application program for the linked view, and generates and stores another view.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein attributes of the objects included in the query and view are as defined in a table:
Summary of Field
String ACTUAL_DURATION Actual showing time String ACTUAL TIME Actual starting time
String BEARER ID Locator on a transmission network
String BEARER TRIGGER Trigger transmitted on a transmission network
String BITRATE Bit rate
String CA CA identifier
String DURATION Showing time
String ENSEMBLE Ensemble
String FORMAT Service format
String FREQUENCY KHZ Frequency kHz
String FREQUENCY TYPE Frequency type
String GENRE Genre list
String GROUPS Group list
String ID Object ID
String ID LIST List of service ID locators
String ID TYPE List of service ID types
String KEYWORDS List of keywords arranged with comma between them
String LANGUAGE List of languages
String LINK DESCRIPTION List of titles of linked contents
String LINK EXPIRY TIME Expiry time of linked contents
String LINK MIME MIME type list of linked contents
String LINK URL URL list of linked contents
String LOCATIONS List of locations
String LONG DESCRIPTION Long description
String LONG NAME Long name
String MULTIMEDIA HEIGHT List of multimedia information heights
String MULTIMEDIA MIME List of multimedia information MIME types
String MULTIMEDIA TYPE List of multimedia information types
String MULTIMEDIA URL List of multimedia information URL
String MULTIMEDIA WIDTH List of multimedia information widths String NAME Name
String ON AIR Whether a content is on air or not
String PARENT GROUP A larger group to which one pertains
String PROGRAM Program
String PROGRAM EVENT Program event
String PROGRAM EVENTS List of program events
String PROGRAMS Included programs
String RECOMMENDATION Whether a program is recommended or not
String RELATIVE ACTUAL TIME Relative/actual starting time
String RELATIVE TIME Relative starting time
String SERVICES Service list
String SHORT DESCRIPTION Short description
String SHORT ID Short CRID
String SHORT NAME Short name
String SIMULCAST ID ID text sequence indicating location of a simulcasted content on a network.
String SIMULCAST SYSTEM List of simulcasted network systems
String TIME Starting time
EP06798664.6A 2005-09-05 2006-09-05 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING SERVICE INFORMATION BY DEMANDING AND VISUALIZING IN A DIGITAL DATA BROADCASTING RECEIVER Withdrawn EP1932342A4 (en)

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PCT/KR2006/003523 WO2007029959A1 (en) 2005-09-05 2006-09-05 Method and apparatus for provision of service information by using query and view in digital data broadcast receiver

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