KR100289712B1 - Multimedia service nevigator system and service selecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multimedia service navigator system and a method for selecting a service are provided to form the multimedia service navigator system for providing a service selection function to a user by using an interface protocol. CONSTITUTION: A service database(510) is used for storing information about a multimedia service. A subscriber interface block(520) is used for receiving necessary information from the service database according to a service request of a subscriber and requesting connection between the subscriber and a service provider to a level 1 gateway. The subscriber interface block(520) is formed with an STB interface module, a query analysis module, a database access module, a session transmission module, and a service provider interface module. A service provider interface block(530) is used for receiving necessary information from one or more multimedia service provider, registering the received information to the service database(510), and transmitting a request for connecting the subscriber with the service provider(510) to the level 1 gateway.

Description

Multimedia service nevigator system and service selecting method

The present invention relates to the field of multimedia application development, and more particularly, to a service navigator system that provides a service selection function that can be conveniently used by a user based on an interface protocol for a multimedia service.

In general, an interactive multimedia service system such as Video On Demand (VOD) consists of a service provider providing a service, a subscriber using the service, and a network connecting the same. In order to receive the interactive multimedia service, the subscriber must know which video service provider is provided by all the multimedia services.

After all, if a subscriber wants to see a particular service, for example, Lion King, a popular video, through the VOD system, he must know who is the video service provider that provides the service, and selects the video service provider based on this. In this way, the selected video service provider can view a list of the various services provided and select a desired service. This will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of a multimedia service providing network, in which a subscriber's TV is provided through a set-top box from a video service provider 100 and 110 providing a video service, a multimedia service network 120 transmitting multimedia service data, and a video service provider. Level 1 gateway (130) for controlling the data transmission path between the video service provider and the set-top box connected to the subscriber for transmitting the video data to the subscriber, a set-top box (Setop) that is a terminal device for receiving VOD services in the home Box, 140, 150 and the television set (TV, 160, 170) connected to the set-top box (140, 150). In FIG. 1, when the subscriber powers on the set-top box 140, the subscriber views a VIP selection screen for selecting a VIP as shown in FIG. 2 through the TV 160.

If a video service called 'Lion King' is provided at VIP A, the subscriber will select VIP A. If VIP A is selected, the subscriber will see a service menu displaying specific details of the service as shown in FIG. 3. Eventually, the subscriber would choose 1 to see the Lion King and watch the video service.

As such, in order to receive a service in a conventional manner, a subscriber may know which video service provider (VIP) the desired service is provided to receive the service. If the subscriber only knows the title and does not know which VIP is provided by the service, it is inconvenient to look at all the VIPs connected to the network in the worst case.

The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in order to select a service not only with a service name (for example, Lion King) but also other information such as a main character, a director, etc. Service installation in the service navigator system and multimedia service system for subscribers to receive the desired service in an easy way by installing a system with all the information and providing subscribers with an easy way to connect. The purpose is to provide a method.

1 illustrates a schematic multimedia service providing network.

2 illustrates a VIP selection screen for selecting a VIP.

3 illustrates a service menu displaying specific details of a service.

4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a multimedia network system including a service navigator system that provides an easy service to a user according to the present invention.

5 shows a block diagram of a service navigator.

6 illustrates the subscriber interface block and the service provider interface block in more detail.

7 illustrates a connection protocol between a set top box (STB) and a service navigator.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a service by a service navigator.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multimedia service provider for providing a multimedia service, a subscriber using the multimedia service, and a level 1 gateway for controlling a transmission path of the service provider and the subscriber through a multimedia service network. A service navigator system that provides easy service selection in a multimedia service system

A service database storing information on the multimedia service;

A subscriber interface block receiving desired service information from the service database in response to a subscriber's service request and requesting the level 1 gateway to connect for data transmission between the subscriber and a service provider; And

When there is no information on the service desired by the subscriber in the service database, the service information is received from the one or more multimedia service providers, registered in the service database, and connected for data transmission between the subscriber and the service provider. And a service provider interface block requesting the level 1 gateway.

In addition, a service selection method in a multimedia service system including a multimedia service provider providing a multimedia service, a subscriber using the multimedia service, and a level 1 gateway for controlling a transmission path between the service provider and the subscriber through a multimedia service network.

Constructing a service database storing information about the multimedia service;

Analyzing a service request of a subscriber and receiving desired service information from the constructed database; And

And requesting the Level 1 gateway for a connection for data transmission between a subscriber and a service provider.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a multimedia network system including a service navigator system that provides an easy service to a user, according to the present invention. FIG. The service navigator system 480 is added to the service providers 400 and 410, the multimedia service network 420, the level 1 gateway 430, one or more set top boxes 440 and 450, and the television receivers 460 and 470 connected to the set top boxes.

The service navigator system 480 is largely composed of two blocks. 5 shows a block diagram of a service navigator 480, which is comprised of a service database 510, a subscriber interface block 520, and a service provider interface block 530. As shown in FIG. 6 illustrates the subscriber interface block 520 and the service provider interface block 530 in more detail.

The service database 530 stores information on multimedia services, for example, video service providers 400 and 410, that is, addresses for video servers.

The subscriber interface block 520 receives the desired service information from the service database 510 in response to the service request of the subscriber, and requests the level 1 gateway device 430 to connect the subscriber and the service provider for data transmission. It performs the function.

In more detail, the subscriber interface block 520 includes an STB interface module 522, a query analysis module 524, a database access module 526, a VIP interface module 528, and a session transmission module 529. The STB interface module 522 is responsible for the subscriber's set-top box interface by receiving the subscriber's service request through the set-top box. Query analysis module 524 analyzes the subscriber's query through the STB interface module. The database access module 526 accesses the service database 510 through a query analyzed by the query analysis module 524 to receive information about a corresponding service. If there is no information on the service desired by the subscriber in the service database 510, the service provider interface module 528 receives information about the service from the database access module 526 and transmits the information to the service provider interface block 530. . The session transfer module 529 transmits information on the corresponding service output from the database access module 526 to the level 1 gateway 430 to request a connection path between the subscriber and the service provider.

On the other hand, if the service provider interface block 530 does not have information on a service desired by the subscriber in the service database 510, the service provider interface block 530 receives information on a desired service from the one or more multimedia service providers 400 and 410 and the service database. In operation 510, the level 1 gateway 430 requests a connection for data transmission between the subscribers 440 and 450 and the service providers 400 and 410.

In more detail, the service provider interface block 530 includes a subscriber block interface module 532, a service provider interface module 534, a database update module 536, and a session transfer module 538.

The subscriber block interface module 532 receives information from the subscriber interface block that there is no service desired by the subscriber in the service database and is in charge of interfacing with the subscriber interface block. The service provider interface module 534 sends the information received from the subscriber block interface module 532 to one or more service providers to receive information about the service from a service provider having a desired service. The database update module 536 registers the information about the service from the service provider interface module 534 in the service database 510 and outputs the information about the service. The session transmission module 538 receives the information on the service from the database update module 536 and transmits the information to the level 1 gateway 430 to request a connection path between the subscriber and the service provider.

Meanwhile, the operation of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 illustrates a connection protocol between the set top box STB 440 and the service navigator 480. In the system as shown in FIG. 4, when the subscriber 460 powers on the set top box STB 440 in order to receive the service, the set top box 440 is internationally controlled in the technical section of the MPEG. The level 1 gateway device 430 is connected to the service navigator 480 using a standardized protocol called 'DSM-CC (Digital Storage Media Command & Control)'. Here, 'connected' means that a passage of an ATM switch is set between the set-top box 440 and the service navigator 480.

In this case, the service navigator 480 downloads an application program for selecting a service to the set-top box 440. Through the downloaded program, the subscriber 460 connects with a service provider (VIP) that satisfies a specific query, that is, the service, through the level 1 gateway 430.

This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8 as follows. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a service by a service navigator. First, when the subscriber requests a service to the STB interface module 522 through the set top box (step 800), the query analysis module 524 analyzes the subscriber's query. Then, the database access module 526 accesses the service database 510 through the query analyzed by the query analysis module 524, and receives information about the corresponding service (step 810). In step 820, the session transfer module 529 then transmits the information about the corresponding service output from the database access module 526 according to the protocol defined in the DSM-CC session transfer. Request a connection path between the subscriber and the service provider (step 830).

If there is no information on the service desired by the subscriber in the service database 510 (step 810), the service provider interface module 528 receives the information from the database access module 526 and the service provider interface block ( Send to the subscriber block interface module 532 of 530. Then, the service provider interface module 534 transmits the information received from the subscriber block interface module 532 to one or more service providers in a broadcast manner (step 840), and the service having the service desired by the subscriber. Wait for information about the service from the provider.

Then, when information about the service comes from the service provider through the service provider interface module 543 (step 850), the database update module 536 receives information about the service from the service provider interface module 534. The update is registered in the service database 510 (step 860), and information about the service is output (step 820). Then, the session transfer module 538 is defined in the DSM-CC session transfer. According to the protocol, the information about the service is received from the database update module 536 and transmitted to the level 1 gateway 430 so as to request a connection path between the subscriber and the service provider so as to establish a path (step 830). When a VIP is added to a service, it is reported to the service navigator and this information is updated directly in the database.

According to the present invention, subscribers can receive a desired service by variously requesting a desired service, thereby greatly activating a multimedia service such as VOD. In addition, the service can be managed systematically so that users can use the service.

Claims (4)

Providing easy service selection in a multimedia service system including a multimedia service provider providing a multimedia service, a subscriber using the multimedia service, and a level 1 gateway for controlling a transmission path of the service provider and the subscriber through a multimedia service network. In the service navigator system, A service database storing information on the multimedia service; An STB interface module for receiving a service request from a subscriber through a set top box and managing a set top box interface at the subscriber side; A query analysis module for analyzing a subscriber's query through the STB interface module; A database access module accessing the service database through a query analyzed by the query analysis module and receiving information on a corresponding service; A session transmission module for requesting a connection path between a subscriber and a service provider by transmitting information on a corresponding service output from the database access module to the level 1 gateway; And a service provider interface module for receiving information on the service desired by the subscriber from the service database, and transmitting the information from the database access module to the service provider interface block. A subscriber interface block that receives desired service information from a database and requests the level 1 gateway for a connection for data transmission between a subscriber and a service provider; And When there is no information on the service desired by the subscriber in the service database, the service information is received from the one or more multimedia service providers, registered in the service database, and connected for data transmission between the subscriber and the service provider. And a service provider interface block for requesting the level 1 gateway. The method of claim 2, wherein the service provider interface block A subscriber block interface module which receives information from the subscriber interface block that there is no service desired by the subscriber in the service database and is in charge of interfacing with the subscriber interface block; A service provider interface module for sending the information received from the subscriber block interface module to one or more service providers to receive information about the service from a service provider having a desired service; A database update module for registering information on the service from the service provider interface module in the service database and outputting information on the service; And a session transmission module receiving the information on the service from the database update module and transmitting the information about the service to the level 1 gateway to request a connection path between a subscriber and a service provider. A service selection method in a multimedia service system comprising a multimedia service provider for providing a multimedia service, a subscriber using the multimedia service, and a level 1 gateway for controlling a transmission path between the service provider and the subscriber through a multimedia service network. Constructing a service database storing information about the multimedia service; Analyzing a service request of a subscriber and receiving desired service information from the constructed database; And Requesting the level 1 gateway for a connection for data transmission between a subscriber and a service provider. The method of claim 3, wherein the service receiving step Requesting information about a desired service from the one or more multimedia service providers if there is no information on a service desired by the subscriber in the service database; Registering in the service database when the multimedia service provider provides a service requested by a subscriber; And Requesting the level 1 gateway for a connection for data transmission between a subscriber and a service provider.