JP2010158025A - Method and apparatus for providing program search service on other channels during program broadcasting - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a list of recommended programs on other channels in order of ranking broadcast in a time zone similar to a program currently on air. <P>SOLUTION: A method for providing a bidirectional broadcast terminal with services for searching for programs on other channels while a program is on air includes: (a) providing a search area for providing a picture of the bidirectional broadcast terminal with search services in response to a key input of a user input means; (b) providing the search area with a search window where a key word associated with the program on air is automatically input; (c) providing the search area with a list of recommended programs on other channels broadcast in a time zone similar to the program on air; and (d) providing the search area with a list of programs on other channels by arranging it in order near to broadcast time of the program on air. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a program search service for other channels during program broadcasting, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing a program search service for other channels during program broadcasting to an interactive broadcasting terminal. About.

  Recently, with the disappearance of the boundary between broadcasting and data communication, interactive broadcasting services such as video on demand (VOD), data broadcasting, T-commerce, and IP television have been actively developed. Has been.

  Such interactive broadcasting goes beyond the level of simply providing the same broadcast content to all users, and reflects the viewer's request using the return channel to provide the content directly selected by the viewer. Service is also possible.

  On the other hand, by combining various services of the Internet into broadcasting, a search service, which is one of the most important Internet services, can be executed by a broadcast receiver. For example, IP television provides a variety of existing IP-based services combined with broadcasting while providing broadcast content using an Internet IP-based network. In particular, there is still a great demand for content-related keyword search that can immediately satisfy the curiosity of viewers for broadcast content.

  Recently, an electronic program guide (EPG) service providing various broadcast program information has been commercialized, and a digital broadcast receiver such as a set top box (STB) After receiving the EPG information, the user can easily search for desired broadcast program information by outputting the EPG information through a screen of an externally connected device such as a television.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a conventional system for searching for content-related supplement information.

  As a first prior art, Korean Patent Publication No. 2003-96362 discloses a configuration in which a radio listener or a television viewer is provided with supplementary information regarding a broadcast program received in real time.

  The conventional broadcast program system shown in FIG. 1 includes a broadcast receiver 10, a user terminal 20, a broadcast station 30, a channel information server 40, and a web server 50.

  The broadcast receiver 10 receives broadcast content transmitted from the broadcast station 30, and may be a television, for example.

  The channel information server 40 provides URL information regarding supplementary information for each broadcast content broadcast from the broadcast station 30. When the viewer wishes to search for supplementary information regarding the content currently being broadcast, the user terminal 20 is used to request URL information regarding supplementary information from the channel information server 40.

  The channel information server 40 transmits the URL information by subject of the channel and the broadcast program to the user terminal 20, and the user terminal 20 searches the supplement information from the web server 50 using the URL information by subject. it can.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a general IP television broadcast service system.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a general IP television broadcast service system includes a broadcaster 60, an IP television broadcast system 70, and a user terminal 80.

  The IP television broadcasting system 70 stores a broadcast content, a control server for transmitting the broadcast content to the user terminal 80 and processing a user request signal input from the return channel, and distributes the broadcast content. A distribution server or the like may be included.

  The IP television broadcasting system 70 manages program content provided from a content provider (CP) or a broadcaster 60, and sends the program content to a terminal near the subscriber through a CDN (Content Delivery Network) or the like. It can be distributed to provide broadcasting / recording / playback services. At this time, the program content provided from the content provider or the broadcaster 60 may include related additional information.

  The user terminal 80 is a device for using the Internet broadcast service, and generally includes a television 81, a set top box 82, and a remote controller 83. The television 81 outputs broadcast content received from the IP television broadcast system 70. The user request signal input using the remote controller 83 is transmitted to the IP television broadcasting system 70 through the return channel of the set top box 82.

  On the other hand, as a second prior art, Korean Patent Publication No. 2002-00817 discloses an invention named “EPG-based data broadcasting system and method and recording medium storing the program source”.

  The second prior art is related to data broadcasting, and the broadcast program show time, celebrity personal information, and product information are constructed in a database, and the search results of each search module are configured in a data broadcast carousel. Output. The provided data is provided as entertainer information and product information selected by the viewer from the data channel.

  On the other hand, as a third prior art, Korean Patent Publication No. 2003-70145 discloses an invention named “System and Method for Extending Broadcasted or Recorded Programs Using Information on the World Wide Web”. Has been.

  The third prior art selects a plurality of subjects related to a specific program, and sets a hyperlink located on one of a plurality of servers accessible to a user device for the plurality of subjects. Thus, a configuration for storing a program timing file is disclosed. Here, for each selected subject, the hyperlink defines a time interval in the program and stores it in association with the time interval, so that a user device connected to the network can perform the hyperlink. It is disclosed that it is possible to search for a destination address related to the.

  Further, the third prior art discloses that even in the case of a recorded program, information related to the subject can be retrieved from a channel server that broadcasts the recorded program using the universal time standard.

Korean Patent Publication No. 2003-0096362 Korean Patent Publication No. 2002-0000817 Korean Patent Publication No. 2003-0070145

  As described above, although techniques for providing additional information related to a program and searching for a subject in a broadcasting terminal are disclosed in the first to third prior art documents, the screen space is limited as the program is viewed. , Provide a list of recommended programs for other channels that will be aired in the same time zone as the program currently being broadcast, or a program list for each channel in order of the broadcast time of the program currently being broadcast There is no disclosure of the technique of providing in an aligned manner.

  The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing a list of recommended programs of other channels that are broadcast in the same time zone as a program currently being broadcast according to rank.

  In addition, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for arranging and providing a program list for each channel in the order close to the broadcast time of a currently broadcast program.

  In addition, the present invention provides a method and apparatus capable of separately selecting only programs that are selected by separately selecting programs that the user is interested in.

  The object of the present invention is not limited to the object described above, and other objects not described can be clearly understood from the following description.

  In order to achieve the above object, a method for providing a program search service of another channel during a program broadcast to an interactive broadcasting terminal according to an aspect of the present invention includes: (a) in response to a key input of a user input means. Providing a search area for providing a search service on the screen of the interactive broadcasting terminal; (b) providing a search window in which a keyword related to the program being broadcast is automatically input in the search area; ) In the search area, a recommended program list of other channels aired in the same time zone as the program being broadcast is provided by rank, and (d) the search area is close to the broadcast time of the program being broadcast. And providing a list of programs for each channel in order.

  In addition, an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast to an interactive broadcasting terminal according to another aspect of the present invention grasps a broadcast time of the program being broadcast based on broadcast organization information, A program information extraction unit that extracts program information of each channel aired during a time slot similar to the grasped broadcast time, and a program of another channel aired at a time similar to the broadcast time of the program being broadcast When a program search service request for another channel is received from the interactive broadcasting terminal, a broadcast time of the program being broadcast is received. A search area providing unit for providing a search area for providing program information and a recommended program list of each channel aired at the same time to the interactive broadcasting terminal.

  Specific matters for achieving the above object will be clarified by referring to embodiments described later in detail with reference to the drawings.

  However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be configured in various different forms. This embodiment is provided in order to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those who have ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

  According to one of the method and apparatus for providing a program search service for other channels during the program broadcast of the present invention described above, the ranking among a plurality of programs currently being broadcast in a limited screen space together with the viewing of the program. The program after the currently broadcast program can be easily searched for each channel, and a desired program can be selected and viewed.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a system for searching for content-related supplement information according to a conventional technique. It is a schematic block diagram of a general IP television broadcast service system. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the system which provides the program search service of another channel during the program broadcast by one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing a program search service of another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a recommended search word extraction unit that generates a recommended keyword for each program and a modified word (similar word) of the recommended keyword according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a television screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a television screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a television screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a television screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a television screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a television screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily carry out. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described below.

  In the drawings, in order to clearly describe the present invention, portions not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are given to the same portions throughout the specification. Throughout the specification, when a part is “coupled” or “connected” to another part, this is only when it is “directly coupled” or “directly connected”. In addition, the case where it is “electrically coupled” or “electrically connected” via another element in between is also included. In addition, when a part “includes” an arbitrary component, this does not exclude other components, and can include other components unless otherwise stated. Means.

  Hereinafter, specific contents for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to a configuration diagram or a flowchart. For reference, in the embodiment of the present invention, an IP television (hereinafter referred to as a television) is used as a bidirectional broadcast terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and bidirectional communication used in a broadcast system is used. It should be understood that any terminal capable of supporting the above is included in the category of the interactive broadcasting terminal of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of a system for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  A system for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a broadcaster server 310, an IP television broadcast system 320, a user terminal 330, and a search service providing unit 340.

  The components of the system shown in FIG. 3 will be described in more detail. First, the broadcaster server 310 provides various broadcast contents. The IP television broadcasting system 320 includes a storage server for storing broadcast content, a return path server for processing user request signals (program recommendation request signal, additional information request signal, etc.) input from the return channel, and broadcast content A distribution server for distributing the content may be included.

  Here, the broadcast content includes a broadcast program provided by terrestrial broadcast based on a program organization plan, a broadcast program provided by cable broadcast, and a VOD service provided by a communication company. That's it.

  On the other hand, the user terminal 330 is a device for using the Internet broadcast service, and generally includes a television 331, a set top box 332, and a remote controller 333 as user input means. The user terminal 330 reproduces the broadcast content received from the IP television broadcast system 320 and transmits a user request signal input using the remote controller 333 to the IP television broadcast system 320 through the return channel of the set top box 332.

  As the user terminal 330, any one of a terminal having a built-in set top box or a set top box connected to the user's TV, a desktop personal computer, a notebook personal computer, or a personal portable terminal is used. be able to.

  The set-top box includes a hardware hierarchy composed of STB hardware such as a CPU, a media processor, a flash RAM, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) module, a system software hierarchy including system software such as a device driver and an operating system, and a Java A middleware layer equipped with a virtual machine (Java Virtual Machine: JVM), a conditional access system (CAS) module, a digital rights management (DRM) interface module, a streaming protocol RTP, and RTSP MPEG2, MPEG4, MPEG7, H., and so on. H.264, WMV-9, and other multi-codecs, and includes four layers including an application layer including an electronic program guide (EPG) for selecting an IP television service channel. At this time, an IPv4 address or an IPv6 address may be assigned to the IP set top box of the subscriber.

  Meanwhile, the search service providing unit 340 provides an Internet portal site equipped with a search engine. When a large number of users connect to an Internet portal site to search for program-related search terms, the search service providing unit 340 stores search term log data searched by a large number of users in a search log DB, and based on this After collecting a search word pool for a program, a recommended search word keyword predicted to be input by the user in relation to a program that the user is currently viewing in the search word pool and a modified word (similar word) of the recommended search word Generate and provide. Here, the recommended search word includes a representative keyword of a currently broadcast program and a search word related to the currently broadcast program.

  In addition, the search service providing unit 340 can provide a real-time sudden rise search word and a variant (similar word) of the real-time sudden rise search word. A real-time spike search term may be related to a program or may be an issue not related to a program, but in general, a search term related to the program before and after the program broadcast The search frequency often increases rapidly.

  For reference, the real-time jump search term may be provided by a search engine included in the search service providing unit 340 or may be provided by a separate search server 350 that is linked to the search service providing unit 340.

  In addition, the search service providing unit 340 may search for a program search service of another channel during a program broadcast to the user terminal 330 in response to an input of any one of the keys of the remote controller 333 as a user input unit. Provide area. Here, the search area includes a search window in which a representative keyword of a currently broadcast program is automatically input as a search word, and programs of other channels that are broadcast at the same time as the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program. Among them, a real-time recommended program list tab (Tab) in which a recommended program list arranged in order based on an expected audience rating is provided, and a program list for each channel are arranged in the order of the broadcast time of a currently broadcast program. And a program guide tab for each channel to be provided.

  Therefore, if the user inputs a predetermined key of an input unit such as the remote controller 333 while viewing a specific program, the search service providing unit 340 grasps the program that the user is currently viewing and the broadcast time of the program, Representative keywords related to the program, recommended program list by order of other channels aired in the same time zone as the program currently being broadcast, and program list by each channel in order from the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program By providing the user, even in an environment where input means such as the remote controller 333 are restricted, the user can search the Internet related to the currently broadcast program, rank among a plurality of currently broadcast programs, and currently broadcast. The program after the program can be easily searched for each channel.

  As a reference, the search area is adjacent to the search window described above, that is, a search window (hereinafter referred to as a first search window) in which a representative keyword of a currently broadcast program is automatically input as a search word, and a program currently being broadcast. The second search window automatically entered in a completed form in relation to the search term, and the first search window adjacent to one or more of the first search window and the second search window, and the first search term automatically entered in real time. 3 search windows may be included.

  Here, the search term automatically input in the completed form in the second search window and the real-time rapidly increasing search term automatically input in the third search window may be changed to a rolling method. In addition, when the second search window and the third search window are selected by the user's selection of the remote controller 333, the second search window and the third search window include a modified word (similar word) of the displayed search word. Extended pop-ups may be provided.

  Further, when the search area is displayed on the screen of the television 331, the problem that the displayed search area blocks a program to be viewed can be solved by adjusting the transparency and the position.

  Hereinafter, a configuration of an apparatus for providing a program search service of another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An apparatus for providing a program search service for other channels during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a search log DB 341, a search engine 342, a recommended search word extraction unit 343, a program information extraction unit 344, and a program list provision unit 345. , A search area providing unit 346, a search result providing unit 347, and a program switching unit 348.

  For reference, the components shown in FIG. 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention may mean software components or hardware components such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). I do.

  However, “components” are not meant to be limited to software or hardware, and each component may be configured to be located on a storage medium that can be addressed and includes one or more The processor may be configured to regenerate.

  Thus, by way of example, components can be software components, object-oriented software components, components such as class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware Hardware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays and variables.

  The components and the functions provided within the components may be grouped into a smaller number of components or further separated into additional components.

  First, the search log DB 341 stores the search log data received from the search engine 342 and related search terms corresponding to a specific search term (for example, other search terms searched by a user who has searched a specific program, a specific program name). , Etc., or consecutive search terms).

  For reference, the search log DB 341 includes not only related search terms corresponding to a specific search term, but also data directly input by a broadcaster, program information collected in advance, and caption / A search word pool can be constructed by combining subtitle information and the like.

  On the other hand, the recommended search word extraction unit 343 generates a recommended keyword for each program and a modified word (similar word) of the recommended keyword based on the search log DB 341. Hereinafter, the configuration of the recommended search word extraction unit 343 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a recommended search word extraction unit 343 that generates a recommended keyword for each program and a modified word (similar word) of the recommended keyword according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the recommended search word extraction unit 343 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a viewer prediction extractor 343 a, a recommended keyword determination unit 343 b, a program-keyword time synchronization unit 343 c, a seed keyword DB 343 d, and a viewer predictor. DB 343e and program-specific recommended keyword DB 343f are included.

  The recommended search word extraction unit 343 can operate in conjunction with the normal search server 350 or the search engine 342. The recommended search word extraction unit 343 according to the embodiment of the present invention can use information in the search log DB 341 that stores a search query log transmitted to the search server 350 or the search engine 342.

  When a program is played back through the user terminal 330, keyword searches regarding broadcast programs are statistically generated by the user terminal 330 over the period before and after the airing time. For such search queries, the search log DB 341 Save search term, search time and user identification number.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the recommended search word extraction unit 343 will be described in detail. The expected viewer extraction unit 343a of the recommended search word extraction unit 343 operates in conjunction with the search engine 342 and the seed keyword DB 343d. The search engine 342 may be replaced by an external search server 350 that provides web search.

  In the seed keyword DB 343d, basic keywords related to a specific program, that is, seed keywords are stored by matching with a broadcast time zone. For example, the seed keyword may be the program name described above or a modified word thereof.

  On the other hand, the seed keywords may be stored according to categories and given different weight values. For example, in the drama category, the first category may include the title and the name of the cast, and the second category may include the name of the actor and the production team. Here, the first category having a higher search probability than the second category has a higher weight value than the second category.

  The prospective viewer extraction unit 343a checks whether or not a search keyword received by the search server 350 or the search engine 342 within a predetermined time before and after the program broadcast time includes a seed keyword stored in the seed keyword DB 343d. The identification number of the user who searched the seed keyword is extracted.

  As a reference, a viewer corresponding to the extracted user identification number may be classified as a viewer expected viewer. Here, only users who have searched for a seed keyword equal to or greater than the threshold number may be classified as viewers for viewing.

  In addition, when an automatic completion function is provided in the search window, a keyword (for example, a popular search word or a recommended search word) provided by the search server 350 or the search engine 342 including a search word by the automatic completion function is included. , A user who selects and searches for a real-time rapidly increasing search word) may be excluded from the viewers.

  As described above, when a predicted viewer is extracted, the user identification number of the predicted viewer is stored in the predicted viewer DB 343e. In the viewer anticipation DB 343e, the user identification number is matched with a specific broadcast program or a specific broadcast program series or group and stored.

  On the other hand, the recommended keyword determination unit 343b collects the search terms searched by the viewers during the broadcast time zone of the program with reference to the viewers DB 343e. In addition, the recommended keyword determination unit 343b determines that the collected search word is a keyword of the program when the predetermined condition is satisfied, and includes the search word in the keyword set. The predetermined condition may be a condition that a degree of correlation with the program among search words of viewers who are expected to watch is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

  The recommended keyword determination unit 343b determines that a keyword satisfying the above-described condition is a recommended keyword for the program, and generates a keyword set for the program.

  On the other hand, the program-keyword time synchronization unit 343c performs a function of matching keywords included in the keyword set according to program playback time zones. For example, a keyword with a large ratio for each time zone is selected based on the number of searches for each time zone keyword at intervals of 60 seconds.

  At this time, a predetermined inappropriate keyword can also be filtered. For example, keywords that are incompatible with keywords such as live broadcasting, rebroadcasting, display, organization, and broadcast time may be removed. As a reference, the search log DB 341 stores the search time information for the keyword selected as the recommended keyword, so that the keywords included in the keyword set are matched and synchronized according to the broadcast time of the program. Can do.

  Finally, keywords matched by program are stored in the recommended keyword DB 343f for each program. Therefore, when the subsequent content of the same program is broadcast, the recommended keyword of the program can be provided in real time. The configuration and operation of the recommended search word extraction unit 343 as described above are merely illustrative, and the recommended keyword for each program can be generated by various other algorithms.

  On the other hand, the program information extraction unit 344 grasps the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program based on the broadcast organization information, and extracts the program information of each channel aired in the same time zone as the grasped broadcast time.

  Here, “the same time as the broadcast time of the currently broadcasted program” is based on the broadcast start time of the currently broadcasted program as “the broadcast start time of the program after the start time of the currently broadcasted program. Or “the broadcast end time of the program is after the start time of the currently broadcast program”.

  In addition, the program information of each channel may include the channel number, channel name, representative image, etc. of the program organized in the “time similar to the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program” as described above. It may further include a program appearance group, a program scenario (broadcast content preview), and the like.

  On the other hand, the program list providing unit 345 determines the program currently being broadcast based on the program information of each channel that is broadcast in the same time slot as the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program extracted by the program information extraction unit 344. A recommended program list arranged in the order based on the expected audience rating is provided among programs of other channels aired at the same time as the broadcast time.

  In addition, the program list providing unit 345 determines the program currently being broadcast based on the program information of each channel aired in the same time zone as the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program extracted by the program information extraction unit 344. The program list for each channel is arranged and provided in order from the closest broadcast time.

  On the other hand, the search area providing unit 346 responds to the input of any one of the keys of the remote controller 333 that is a user input means to the user terminal 330 for the program search service of other channels during the program broadcast. Provides a search area.

  Here, the search area includes a search window in which a representative keyword of a currently broadcast program is automatically input as a search word, and programs of other channels that are broadcast at the same time as the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program. Of each channel, the list of recommended programs listed in order based on the expected audience rating is provided, and the program list for each channel is arranged in order from the closest to the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program. And a program guide tab.

  In addition, the search area provides a list of programs currently aired among (favorite) programs selected in advance by the user among the programs provided in the real-time recommended program list tab and the program guide tab for each channel. It may further include “favorite program tab being broadcast”.

  As a reference, the search area includes the search window described above, that is, a first search window in which a representative keyword of a currently broadcast program is automatically input as a search word, and a program currently being broadcast that is adjacent to the first search window. A second search window in which related search terms are automatically input in a completed form, and a third search in which real-time rapidly increasing search terms are automatically input adjacent to one or more of the first search window and the second search window. And a window.

  Here, when the search area includes the third search window in which the real-time suddenly increasing search word is automatically input, the real-time search word extraction unit (not shown) may receive another channel during the program broadcast shown in FIG. It may be further included in an apparatus that provides the program search service.

  The real-time search word extraction unit (not shown) will be described. The real-time search word extraction unit extracts the real-time search word and the real-time search word related to the program, and transforms the real-time search word. Generate a word (similar word).

  In this case, the real-time spike search terms can be extracted using a number of algorithms that are the same as or similar to the popular search terms currently provided on Internet portal sites and the like. As for the rapidly increasing search word related to the program, the search word related to the program among the search words processed by the search server 350 or the search engine 342, program organization table data provided from the broadcaster server 310, program related information, etc. Then, popular search terms related to the program can be extracted based on the number of searches.

  Although the real-time spike search term can be generated independently of the program being broadcast, it is generated by the search action of the viewer who views the currently broadcast program, so the program-related recommended keyword described above is provided. Can compensate for not real-time search trends.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the real-time search word extraction unit (not shown) provides the real-time rapidly increasing search word has been described. Soaring search terms may be provided.

  Further detailed description of the search area will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  When any one program is selected from the above-described program list provided on the real-time recommended program list tab or the program guide tab for each channel, the search result providing unit 347 searches for the selected program. Display the results in the search area.

  The program switching unit 348 is currently broadcasting when a program list provided on the real-time recommended program list tab, the program guide tab for each channel, or the favorite program tab being broadcast is selected. The program is changed to the selected program and displayed on the television screen.

  Hereinafter, the search area according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 11, and it is assumed that the program currently being viewed is “Happy Sunday, 2 days and 1 night” broadcast on the “SBS broadcast station”. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a television screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a search area 600 for providing a program search service for other channels during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention, a representative keyword (Happy Sunday) of a program that is currently being viewed (SBS Happy Sunday 2 days and 1 night) is input. A first search window 610, a second search window 620 in which search words related to the currently broadcast program (LEE SEUNG GI) are automatically entered in a completed form, and a real-time rapidly increasing search word ( And a third search window 630 in which (US President) is automatically entered.

  In addition, the search area 600 is a real time in which a recommended program list arranged in order based on the expected audience rating is provided among programs of other channels aired at the same time as the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program. A recommended program list tab 640, a program guide tap 650 for each channel that arranges and provides a program list for each channel in the order close to the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program, a real-time recommended program list tab 640, and a channel-specific program list tap 640 Among the program lists provided in the program guide tab 650, a currently-selected favorite program tap 660 that provides a list of programs currently aired among the programs previously selected by the user (“favorites”).

  As described above, the real-time recommended program list tab 640, the channel-specific program guide tab 650, and the favorite program tab 660 that are being broadcast included in the search area 600 are any one of the tabs using the remote controller 333 by the user. If is selected, the selected tab is expanded from other tabs that are not selected, or the name of the tab is displayed so that the distinction between the selected tab and the unselected tab is clearly displayed. can do.

  FIG. 6 shows a case where the real time recommended program list tab 640 is selected. The tab 640 has the same broadcast time as that of the currently broadcast “SBS Happy Sunday 2 days and 1 night” program. A list of recommended programs arranged in order based on the expected audience rating among programs of other channels broadcasted in time is displayed, and the recommended program list includes a channel number, a channel name, and a representative image of the program. ing.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the search area 600 may occupy the entire television screen, and may be overlaid on the currently broadcast program and positioned in a bar shape at the lower stage of the television screen. In order to solve the problem that the search area 600 blocks a program currently being broadcast, the transparency of the search area may be adjusted.

  For this, the search service providing unit 340 may additionally include a screen processing unit (not shown) that processes the search area 600 in a screen format that can be output by the user terminal 330. Alternatively, a screen processing unit (not shown) may be configured to exist in the user terminal 330.

  For reference, FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the search area 600 is positioned in a bar shape in the lower part of the television screen. However, the search area according to the embodiment of the present invention is transmitted to the television through the screen processing unit (not shown). You may set so that it may be located in any part of right and left which is not the lower stage of a screen.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a TV screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service of another channel during a program broadcast according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  7 illustrates a case where any one of the program lists included in the real-time recommended program list tab 640 illustrated in FIG. 6 is selected.

  When any one program is selected by the user using the remote controller 333, an information window 641 having a predetermined size displaying the recommendation order of the program, the program name, and the number of broadcasts of the program is selected. Overlaid on the representative image of the program.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a TV screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

  The drawing shown in FIG. 8 shows a case where the program selected by the user is further selected from the program list included in the real-time recommended program list tab 640 shown in FIG.

  When the program is further selected by the user using the remote controller 333, as shown in FIG. 8, a viewing button 810 for viewing the program and a detailed information button for viewing detailed information on the program A screen 800 including 820 and a favorite button 830 for pre-selecting (favorite) the program and providing it as an interest program list through a favorite program tab 660 being broadcast is shown in FIG. Overlaid on the screen.

At this time, the transparency of the overlaid screen 800 may be adjusted as illustrated in order to solve the problem of blocking the screen shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a TV screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service of another channel during a program broadcast according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

  The drawing shown in FIG. 9 shows a case where the program guide tab 650 for each channel is selected, and the tab 650 has the same broadcast time as the “SBS Happy Sunday 1 night 2 days” program currently being broadcast. The program list for each channel is displayed in order from the broadcast time of the “SBS Happy Sunday 1 night 2 days” program that is currently being broadcast among the programs of other channels aired at a certain time. The program list includes the channel number, channel name, representative image, number of broadcasts, and broadcast time information of the program.

  Further, the program guide tab 650 for each channel includes a channel area 651 displaying each channel for movement to each channel. Each channel displayed in the channel area 651 is as shown in FIG. In addition, the channel number and the channel name may be displayed. In addition, other means capable of displaying each channel such as a channel number and a channel icon can be used.

  When one of the channels 652 in the channel area 651 is selected by the user using the remote controller 333, the “SBS Happy Sunday 1 night 2 day” program currently being broadcast among the programs of the channel 652 is displayed. A list of programs is provided in the order in which the program is aired at a time close to the broadcast time, and the user can select a program to be viewed from the provided program list using the remote controller 333.

  Since the screen after selecting the program to be viewed is the same as that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the description thereof will be omitted.

  For reference, an On-Air icon 653 may be displayed for a program included in the program guide tab 650 for each channel and currently broadcasted in the program list for each channel. Nextx1 icon 654 may be displayed for a program broadcast immediately after a currently broadcast program.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a TV screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service of another channel during a program broadcast according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 10 shows a case where a favorite program tab 660 being broadcast is selected. The tab 660 includes a real-time recommended program list tab 640 and a channel-specific program guide tab 650. Among the program lists, a list of programs that are currently aired among programs selected by the user in advance (“favorites”) is displayed. The user's “favorites” program list includes the channel number and channel of the program. Name and representative image are included. The user can separately manage only the program of interest through the favorite program tab 660 being broadcast.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a search area displayed on a TV screen through an apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

  The drawing shown in FIG. 11 shows a case where the program selected by the user is further selected from the program list included in the favorite program tab 660 being broadcast shown in FIG.

  When the program is further selected by the user using the remote controller 333, as shown in FIG. 11, a viewing button 1110 for viewing the program and a detailed information button for viewing detailed information on the program A screen 1100 including 1120 and a favorite setting button 1130 for setting (for example, canceling a favorite) a selection for the program is overlaid on the screen shown in FIG.

  At this time, the overlaid screen 1100 may be adjusted in transparency as shown in order to solve the problem of blocking the screen shown in FIG.

  Accordingly, through an apparatus for providing a program search service of another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can search for TV or search related to a currently watched program. You can quickly search and solve real-time spikes in search terms via the Internet on a TV without using a computer or other media. Can be easily searched for each channel, and a desired program can be selected and viewed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  For convenience of explanation, the system shown in FIG. 3 and the configuration of an apparatus for providing a program search service for other channels during the program broadcast shown in FIG. 4 will be described. It is assumed that a program is received and broadcast through the provider server 310 and the IP television broadcast system 320.

  First, the search area providing unit 346 provides the user terminal 330 with a search area for providing a program search service for another channel during a program broadcast in response to a key input from the user input means (S1201).

  After S1201, the search area providing unit 346 provides the representative keyword of the currently broadcast program extracted by the recommended search word extracting unit 343 in the first search window of the search area (S1202).

  For reference, the search area providing unit 346 displays a search word in a completed form related to the currently broadcast program extracted by the recommended search word extraction unit 343 in a second search window adjacent to the first search window in the search area. May be provided.

  At this time, the search terms automatically entered in the second search window are keywords selected from among the search logs collected by the separate search server 350 or the search engine 342 and related to the currently broadcast program. The search terms that have been selected and automatically entered in the second search window may be changed to the rolling method and displayed.

  In addition, the search area providing unit 346 extracts the real time extracted by a real time search word extraction unit (not shown) in a third search window adjacent to one or more of the first search window and the second search window in the search area. A soaring search term may be provided, and if the second search window and the third search window are selected by the user, an expanded popup may be provided that includes variants of the selected search term. The search area can be adjusted in transparency and position on the screen.

  Also, the search area providing unit 346 selects the search word that is automatically input in any one of the first search window, the second search window, and the third search window as a search engine. The search results can be received from the search engine and displayed in the search area. The search results are provided by processing the search results of the search server that provides the web search service so as to be adapted to the TV. May be.

  After S1202, the program information extraction unit 344 grasps the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program based on the broadcast organization information, and extracts the program information of each channel aired in the same time zone as the grasped broadcast time. (S1203).

  Here, “the same time as the broadcast time of the currently broadcasted program” is based on the broadcast start time of the currently broadcasted program as “the broadcast start time of the program after the start time of the currently broadcasted program. Or “the broadcast end time of the program is after the start time of the currently broadcast program”. In addition, the program information of each channel may include the channel number, channel name, representative image, etc. of the program organized in the “time similar to the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program” as described above. Further, it may further include a program appearance group and a program scenario (broadcast content preview).

  After S1203, the program list providing unit 345 is currently broadcasting based on the program information of each channel aired in the same time slot as the currently broadcasting program extracted by the program information extracting unit 344. Among the programs of other channels aired at the same time as the broadcast time of the program, a recommended program list arranged in order based on the expected audience rating is provided (S1204).

  After S1204, the program list providing unit 345 is currently broadcasting based on the program information of each channel aired in the same time slot as the currently broadcasting program extracted by the program information extracting unit 344. A program list is provided for each channel arranged in the order of the broadcast time of the program (S1205).

  As a reference, a list of recommended programs arranged in order based on the expected audience rating among programs of other channels aired at the same time as the broadcast time of the currently broadcast program provided in S1204 is displayed in the search area. It may be provided in the real-time recommended program list tab.

  Further, the program list for each channel arranged in the order close to the broadcast time of the currently broadcasted program provided in S1205 may be provided through the program guide tab for each channel.

  In addition to the above-mentioned real-time recommended program list tab and the program guide tab for each channel, the search area is selected by the user in advance from the programs provided in the real-time recommended program list tab and the program guide tab for each channel. The program may further include a “favorite program tab being broadcast” that provides a list of programs currently being broadcast among the “favorite” programs.

  As a reference, FIG. 12 shows a search area provided by the search area providing unit 346, a list of recommended programs arranged in order based on a representative search word of a currently broadcast program, an expected audience rating, and a broadcast of a currently broadcast program. Although it has been described that the program list for each channel arranged in the order close to the time is provided in order, the present invention is not necessarily provided in such an order, and this is performed in an arbitrary order. The

  The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains may be used without changing the technical idea and essential features of the present invention. It can be understood that it can be easily transformed into a specific form.

  Accordingly, the embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. For example, each component described in a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as being distributed may be implemented in a combined form. .

  The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the detailed description hereinbefore, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof are included in the scope of the invention. Should be understood.

341 Search log DB
342 Search engine 343 Recommended search word extraction unit 344 Program information extraction unit 345 Program list providing unit 346 Search area providing unit 347 Search result providing unit 348 Program switching unit

Claims (12)

A method for providing a program search service of another channel to a bidirectional broadcasting terminal during program broadcasting,
(A) providing a search area for providing the search service on the screen of the interactive broadcasting terminal in response to a key input of the user input means;
(B) providing a search window in which keywords related to the broadcast program are automatically entered in the search area;
(C) A method for providing a program search service for another channel, including providing a program list for another channel in the search area.   The program list may be a recommended program list of other channels aired in the same time zone as the program being broadcast, or an ordered program list for each channel in order of the broadcast time of the program being broadcast. The method for providing a program search service for another channel according to claim 1, wherein any one or more of them is provided.   The method for providing a program search service for another channel according to claim 2, wherein the ranking of the recommended programs in the recommended program list is determined based on an expected audience rating based on a search result.   The list according to claim 2, wherein the sorted program list for each channel is provided by selecting a channel area in which information of each channel is displayed for movement to each channel. A program search service providing method for other channels.   2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: (d) changing the broadcast program to the selected program when the program provided in (c) is selected, and broadcasting. A program search service providing method for other channels.   5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: (e) providing a representative keyword for the selected program in the search window when the program provided in (c) is selected. How to provide channel program search service.   A recording medium on which a program for providing a program search service of another channel to an interactive broadcasting terminal during program broadcasting is recorded, and software for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 A computer-readable recording medium characterized by being recorded. In an apparatus for providing a program search service for other channels during program broadcasting to an interactive broadcasting terminal,
A program information extraction unit that grasps the broadcast time of the program being broadcast based on broadcast organization information, and extracts program information of each channel that is broadcast in the same time zone as the grasped broadcast time;
A program list providing unit for providing a program list of another channel based on the program information extracted from the program information extracting unit;
When a program search service request for the other channel is received from the interactive broadcast terminal, a search area providing unit that provides the interactive broadcast terminal with a search area that provides the program list;
An apparatus for providing a program search service for other channels,   The program list is a recommended program list arranged in an order based on an expected audience rating among programs of other channels aired at the same time as the broadcast time of the program being broadcast, or broadcast of the program being broadcast 9. The apparatus for providing a program search service for other channels according to claim 8, wherein any one or more of the arranged program lists for each channel are arranged in the order of time.   9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the search area includes a channel area for displaying each channel for movement to each channel.   The search result providing unit according to claim 8, further comprising: a search result display unit configured to display a search result related to the selected program in the search area when any one program is selected from the program list. Program search service providing apparatus for other channels.   The system of claim 8, further comprising: a program switching unit that, when any one program in the program list is selected, changes the broadcast program to the selected program and broadcasts the selected program. An apparatus for providing a program search service for another channel.