KR100627180B1 - System and method of controlling the remote control for bidirectional tv portal service in the set-top box - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated remote control control system for a set-top box-based two-way TV portal service, in particular a set-top box for transmitting a key value according to a key input for selecting a service and product information on the set-top box for generating the key value; And receiving the key value transmitted from the set-top box, generating a command according to the selected service type by referring to a file in which an interpretation value according to the key value for each product information is stored, and executing a service according to the command. And a portal service server provided to the set top box.

Set Top Box, Interactive TV, Portal Site, Integrated Remote Control, XML

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE REMOTE CONTROL FOR BIDIRECTIONAL TV PORTAL SERVICE IN THE SET-TOP BOX}

1 is a flowchart illustrating an integrated remote control control procedure for an interactive TV portal service in a set-top box according to the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating an integrated remote control system for an interactive TV portal service in a set-top box according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an access procedure from a client to a TV portal service server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a key value generation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing procedure in a key value generation unit of a TV portal service server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7 are diagrams of a remote control XML file generated by a key generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a set-top box, and more particularly to a remote control control system and method for a set-top box-based interactive TV portal service.

In the era of advanced information, countries are building information highways to promote national and social informatization and enhance national competitiveness, and foster the information industry. In Korea, new media services such as comprehensive cable broadcasting and satellite broadcasting have begun, and the multi-media multi-channel era has arrived. Accordingly, technology development for introducing interactive multimedia services such as video-on-demand (VOD) or game-on-demand (GOD) using CATV or telephone line is underway.

Cable TV (CATV), which uses broadband cable as a medium, is widely gaining popularity because of the development of digital communication technology, which can provide interactive multimedia services with little investment in equipment. Bandwidth expansion, data acquisition and digital transmission methods, servers, video switches, set-top boxes (STBs), and communication protocols should be developed.

On the other hand, the interactive CATV system is a system that provides various video information services such as movies, games, home shopping, and home banking in real time according to the user's needs by using optical and coaxial transmission networks, which are broadband bidirectional communication networks. It is compatible with CATV system. For this purpose, 54MHz ~ 450MHz frequency band is allocated to existing analog CATV channel, 450MHz ~ 750MHz frequency band is assigned to digital CATV channel, and 5MHz ~ 40MHz band is used as uplink communication channel of analog and digital CATV. Assign. In this case, the conventional analog CATV uses 17.9 MHz to 29.6 MHz for the uplink frequency band and 126.15 MHz to 137.85 MHz for the downlink frequency band for communication and control.

The set-top-box is a complex type that can simultaneously receive services for interactive services and digital / analog networks, and is connected to a network to handle data transmission and reception (NIU) and MPEG- It consists of a set-top unit (STU) which converts two signals into NTSC signals and sends them to a TV. An operating system and application programs for operating these hardware are added. In order to transmit an MPEG2 bit stream in an ATM method in a set-top box, a SAR module for connecting to a network unit is required. The SAR module includes a control memory for storing control information and a packet memory for storing transmitted and received packets. Needed.

However, since the set top box is manufactured and sold according to its own specifications for each manufacturing company, signals input through the remote controller for controlling the set top box are also varied for each manufacturing company.

Therefore, in the TV portal service server that provides predetermined contents according to the information request signal input through the remote controller of the set-top box, when the manufacturing companies of the set-top box is different, various signals set and transmitted for each manufacturing company are transmitted. Each must be treated separately. At this time, since the signals transmitted from the set-top box is different for each manufacturing company as described above, a huge cost and time is required to develop and maintain the portal service system to be compatible with each set-top box manufacturing company. Problems will arise.

In addition, since the set-top box supports different functions for each manufacturing company, there are many problems in setting and developing the TV portal service server to support all the functions.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an integrated remote control system and method that can be applied on a predetermined wired / wireless network providing a portal service based on a set-top box.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to refer to the key value information of the manufacturer and the product model according to the key value of the remote control defined in the portal service server that has already been produced as one extensible markup language (hereinafter referred to as 'XML'). The present invention provides an integrated remote control system and method for reducing the time and cost required to develop and maintain a set-top box-based portal service system by using different set-top boxes and remote controls as a single product. .

The system of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the integrated remote control control system for a set-top box-based interactive TV portal service, for a set-top box for generating a key value and the key value according to the key input for selecting a service Set-top box for transmitting product information; And receiving the key value transmitted from the set-top box, generating a command according to the selected service type by referring to a file in which an interpretation value according to the key value for each product information is stored, and executing a service according to the command. And a portal service server provided to the set top box.

In the method of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the integrated remote control method for a set-top box-based interactive TV portal service, the set-top box received the user's key selection for the service indication according to the key selection Generating a key value; Transmitting the generated key value and product information on the set-top box to a portal service server to provide the indicated service; Receiving, by the portal service server, a key value transmitted from the set-top box, and generating a corresponding service command by referring to a file in which an interpretation value according to the key value for each product information is stored; And providing the set-top box by executing a service according to the generated command.

The present invention proposes an integrated remote control system and method for a set-top box based interactive TV portal service using XML files of remote control models of different manufacturers.

In this case, as the control method, an XML file is generated according to a key value generated in the set-top box according to a remote controller model of a different set-top box manufacturer to be applied to the TV portal service. In addition, if the key value needs to be modified due to the development and production of a new set-top box or a remote controller, the XML file can be easily managed by modifying or deleting the XML file. In addition, the TV portal service menu provided in the set-top box is selected, the selected key value is compared with the generated XML file, and analyzed, and the service is provided to the user according to the analyzed result.

In this case, the XML file generation method, first defines a remote control key value for the TV portal service, receives the key value provided from the remote control of the set-top box, and the XML key is input according to a predefined format The file will be produced.

Here, in the definition of the remote control key value, if modification and deletion of the defined XML file is required, it is implemented to be easily modified and deleted. In addition, as a method for receiving a key value provided by the remote controller of the set-top box, the key value of the remote controller is input in hardware, and the elements of the XML file are directly input according to the document in which the input key value is defined. .

On the other hand, the present invention can provide an integrated function by creating and managing the XML file as described above for all home appliances and all other products that require the remote control, as well as the remote control key value of the set-top box for the TV portal service. Will be.

In addition, according to the present invention, the remote control key values defined above may be differently applied according to the range and use of the integrated remote controller, a control target, and a control system, and the defined contents may be in the form of a predetermined computer file. It may be stored as, it is preferable to implement in an XML file as described above.

On the other hand, the above-described XML file of the definition of the remote control key value of the present invention can manage the data type structurally, and because of the excellent expandability of the file, it is easy to modify and has high utility in terms of maintenance. In addition, the definition of the XML file, it is preferred to define the set-top box manufacturer and model name, divided by the model name, key value according to the model.

At this time, the model name and key values used to distinguish the models of the remote controller according to the type of set-top box applied to the actual TV portal service are directional keys defined by up, down, left, right, and selection keys, number keys from 0 to 9, and generally set-top box service. It can be categorized into a shortcut key that supports four keys used: red, green, yellow, and blue, and a media player key consisting of five start, stop, fast-forward, back-rewind, and pauses.

On the other hand, the components defined in the remote control XML file is basically a defined element, it is preferable to include this, but is not limited thereto, and the method of extending the component in the form using an XML file also in the present invention The range belongs to. In addition, it is apparent that the remote control key value defined as described above may be applied differently according to the range and use of the integrated remote controller, a control target, and a control system.

Therefore, any programming language file that can match and store codes for each function can be used instead of the XML file. In the following description, an XML file will be described as an example.

Hereinafter, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted when it is determined that the detailed descriptions of the known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

1 is a flowchart illustrating an integrated remote control control procedure for an interactive TV portal service in a set-top box according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the integrated remote control method according to the present invention, a user selects a desired service using a remote control from a TV portal service provided through a set-top box (step 101). At this time, the set-top box receives a signal generated from the remote control to generate a key value of the set-top box itself (step 102). The key value generated at this time is generated differently for every manufacturer as described above, and also supports various functions. The key value generated as described above is transmitted to the TV portal server together with the corresponding product information.

Next, the portal server interprets the received key value (step 103). At this time, the corresponding information is searched for in the pre-stored XML file using the product information generated above. That is, the corresponding service is provided as a result of the generated key value using the information stored in the XML file (step 104).

2 is a diagram illustrating an integrated remote control system for an interactive TV portal service in a set-top box according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, an integrated remote control control system for an online set-top box-based interactive TV portal service according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a service selector 201, a service key value receiver 202, and a key value generator 203. ), A set-top box 200 including a client communication device unit 204 and a service result output unit 205, a key value information database 221, a key value generator 222, and a server communication device unit 223. Internet network for communication between the TV portal service server 220 and the set-top box 200 and the TV portal service server 220 including a service key value analyzer 224 and a service execution unit 225. 210).

As shown in FIG. 2, when a user selects a service through the service selection unit 201 (eg, a remote control unit), the service key value receiving unit 202 of the set-top box receives the selected remote control selection key value. In addition, the key value generation unit 203 generates a key value for the corresponding service according to the received remote control selection key value.

Then, the generated key value is transmitted to the TV portal service server 220 through the client communication equipment unit 204 together with the product information of the corresponding set-top box.

The TV portal service server 220 receives the information transmitted from the set-top box 200 through the server communication equipment unit 223.

The TV portal service server 220 reads an XML file for the corresponding remote control key value from the key value information DB 221 according to the transmitted product information.

Then, the XML file is searched using the key value received from the set-top box 200, and the service key value interpreter 224 interprets the received service key value. In addition, by executing the command in the service execution unit 225 as a result according to the interpreted service key value, and transmits to the client, that is, the corresponding set-top box 200 through the server communication equipment unit 223, Will provide the requested service.

That is, the service value analysis unit 224 receives the information file generated in the set-top box, selects the remote control XML file used to use the service, reads the information, and uses the generated key to read the XML file. Search, and transmits the result to the service execution unit 225.

Meanwhile, as described above, different key value information for each set top box 200 is stored in the key value information DB 221, and the corresponding set top box 200 is provided through the key value generation unit 220. Generate a key value and store it in the key value information DB 221. A detailed description of the key value generator 220 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an access procedure from a client to a TV portal service server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the user boots the set-top box (step 301), the user accesses the set-top box authentication server through the Internet (step 302).

In this case, the authentication server performs authentication on the set-top box (step 303). If authentication fails according to the authentication result, an error message is output (step 306) or connection is terminated (step 307). .

On the other hand, if the authentication is successful for the set-top box, the authentication server generates an information file for the set-top box (step 304), and transmits a certificate indicating the successful authentication to the set-top box. Then, the set-top box is automatically connected using the certificate received from the portal server to use the service (step 305).

4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a key value generation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the key value generator 222 may include a TV portal service information inputter 400, a key value inputter 410, an XML file generator 420, and an XML file storage 430. Can be.

The TV portal service information input unit 400 serves to automatically receive the hardware key value of the set-top box applied to the portal service automatically, and the key value input unit 410 stores the input key value in a predefined XML file. Performs a function of typing in. In addition, the XML file generator 420 generates a predetermined XML file according to the input information, and the XML file storage unit 430 performs a function of storing the generated XML file in a database.

That is, the TV portal service information input unit 400 automatically receives the remote control key value of each set-top box manufacturer in hardware, and the key value input unit 410 inputs the remote control key value of each manufacturer in the form of an XML file. Will be entered. In addition, the XML file generation unit 420 generates an XML file according to the input information, and the XML file storage unit 430 stores the generated XML file in the key value information database 221.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing procedure in the key value generator 222 of the TV portal service server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the key value generation unit 222 of the TV portal service server may generate, inquire and modify an XML file to manage key value information of a remote controller for each set-top box manufacturer according to the present invention. have.

When selecting the XML file inquiry in the job selection menu (step 501) of the TV portal service server, inquiring the XML file by selecting a predetermined XML file from the list of pre-stored XML files (step 502) (step 503). Done. At this time, when the inquiry is completed (step 504), the process is terminated. If it is desired to continue the inquiry, it may be implemented to select (502) another XML file.

In the job selection menu (step 501), if creation of a new XML file is selected, XML file information for the corresponding set-top box company can be generated.

In order to generate the XML file, the user first inputs TV portal service information as described above (step 505) and then inputs corresponding key value information (step 506).

After the input is completed (step 507), a new XML file is generated (step 508) with the input values, and the generated XML file is stored in a database (step 509).

Meanwhile, when the modification of the XML file is selected in the job selection menu (501), the corresponding XML file to be modified is first selected 510. Then, the key value for each service module is modified in the values stored in the selected XML file (step 511). After the modification is completed (step 51), the modified XML file is stored (step 513).

Hereinafter, an example of an XML file generated by the above-described method will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

6 and 7 are diagrams of a remote control XML file generated by a key generator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7, the XML file generated for each manufacturing company of the set-top box defines and stores the model name of the manufacturing company and key values corresponding to each button of the remote controller.

For example, information such as arrow keys, numeric keys, hot keys, and playback keys is stored. The direction keys may be defined as four key values such as up, down, left, right, and the like. The numeric keys may be defined as 0 to 9 values. In addition, the hot key may be defined as a key value of red, green, yellow, blue, and the like, and the rekey may be defined as a key value of play, stop, rewind, fast forward, and pause.

As described above, the key values are set differently for each manufacturing company, and the type of the key value may also be different for each manufacturing company. Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the integrated remote controller can be easily implemented by storing and managing key values for each manufacturer as a file as described above. On the other hand, it is preferable to create and manage the file stored in the analysis value according to the key value for each product information for each manufacturing company of the set-top box.

 In addition, the portal service server receives a specific value of the remote control from the set-top box during the first remote control operation in the set-top box, and the file is generated by one of the files generated by the manufacturing company corresponding to the received specific value Can be implemented to choose. In this way, when the portal service server continuously receives the key value from the set-top box, the portal service server can interpret the service key value from the file selected during the first remote control operation.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the appended claims, but also by those equivalent to the claims.

As described above, an easy key value management method is provided by providing a function of creating, modifying, and deleting an XML file that can define general functions and special functions for remote controllers of different set-top boxes according to the present invention. It is possible to reduce the time and cost required to implement a system for a set-top box-based interactive TV portal service.

Claims (17)

In the integrated remote control system for a set-top box-based interactive TV portal service, A set-top box configured to transmit a key value according to a key input for selecting a service and product information on the set-top box generating the key value; And Receives the key value transmitted from the set-top box, generates a command according to the type of the selected service with reference to a file in which an interpretation value according to the key value for each product information is stored, and executes the service according to the command Portal service server provided in the set-top box; Integrated remote control control system for a two-way TV portal service in a set-top box comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the set top box, A service selection unit for selecting service information; A service key value receiving unit for receiving a remote control selection key value according to the selected service information;  A key value generator for generating a key value for a corresponding service according to the received remote controller selection key value; And Client communication equipment for transmitting the generated key value and the product information of the set-top box to the portal service server; Integrated remote control control system for a two-way TV portal service in a set-top box. The method of claim 1, wherein the portal service server, A server communication equipment unit for receiving the information transmitted from the set top box; A key value information database for storing information on remote controller key values for each set-top box; A service key value analysis unit for searching for a key value for each manufacturing company stored in the key value information database using the key value received from the set-top box and interpreting the received service key value; And And a service execution unit for executing a corresponding command as a result of the interpreted service key value. 2. The integrated remote control control system for a two-way TV portal service in a set top box. The integrated remote control system for a two-way TV portal service in a set-top box according to claim 1, wherein the portal service server further comprises a key value generation unit for generating a key value for each manufacturing company of the set-top box. . The method of claim 4, wherein the key value generation unit, A TV portal service information input unit configured to automatically receive a hardware key value of the set-top box applied to the portal service; A key value input unit for inputting the input key value into a predefined XML file; An XML file generator for generating a predetermined XML file according to the input information; And An integrated remote control system for an interactive TV portal service in a set-top box comprising a; XML file storage for performing the function of storing the generated XML file in a database. The integrated remote control system for a two-way TV portal service in a set-top box according to claim 1, wherein a file in which an interpretation value according to the key value for each product information is stored is generated for each manufacturing company of the set-top box. The method of claim 6, wherein the portal service server, Receiving a specific value of the remote control from the set-top box when the first remote control operation in the set-top box, the set-top characterized in that for selecting one of the files generated by the manufacturer corresponding to the received specific value Integrated remote control system for interactive TV portal service in the box. The method of claim 7, wherein the portal service server, When receiving the key value from the set-top box, the integrated remote control system for a two-way TV portal service in the set-top box, characterized in that for interpreting the corresponding service key value from the file selected during the first remote control operation. The integrated remote control system for a two-way TV portal service in a set-top box according to claim 1, wherein the file storing the interpretation value according to the key value for each product information is written in extensible markup language (XML). The method of claim 1, wherein the remote control key value, Integrated remote control system for interactive TV portal service in a set-top box, characterized in that any one or more selected from the direction keys, numeric keys, hot keys and media player keys generally used in set-top box services. In the integrated remote control method for the set-top box-based interactive TV portal service, Generating a key value according to the key selection by the set-top box which has received a user's key selection for service indication; Transmitting the generated key value and product information on the set-top box to a portal service server to provide the indicated service; Receiving, by the portal service server, a key value transmitted from the set-top box, and generating a corresponding service command by referring to a file in which an interpretation value according to the key value for each product information is stored; And And executing the service according to the generated command to provide the set-top box to the set-top box. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the file in which the interpretation value according to the key value for each product information is stored is written in extensible markup language (XML). The method of claim 11, wherein the remote control key value, A method for controlling an integrated remote control for an interactive TV portal service in a set-top box, characterized in that it is at least one selected from a direction key, a numeric key, a shortcut key generally used for a set-top box service, and a media player key. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein a file in which an analysis value is stored according to the key value of each product information is generated, modified, and deleted. The method of claim 11, wherein a file in which an analysis value is stored according to the key value of each product information is generated for each manufacturing company of the set-top box. The method of claim 11, wherein the method is Transmitting a specific value of a corresponding remote control when the first remote control is operated in the set-top box; Selecting one of the files generated by the corresponding manufacturing company by the specific value transmitted to set the file for the set-top box; for the interactive TV portal service in the set-top box comprising a Integrated remote control method. The method of claim 16, wherein after the setting process, And receiving a key value from the set top box, interpreting a corresponding service key value from a file selected during the first remote control operation. The integrated remote control method for an interactive TV portal service in a set top box.

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