KR100631391B1 - A postal systems and postal service method using a digital set-top box - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a postal delivery service system and method using a digital set-top box.

In particular, a postal system using a communication system including a digital set-top box, which includes a personal terminal for transmitting postal contents, and which is detachably installed on a television and associated with video, audio and postal codes provided through a telephone line of a VDSL. A transmitter system having a digital set-top box for displaying information in real time on a television; At least one post office system having a communication system using the Internet or a leased line, and delivering received mails to a receiver offline; The digital set-top box and the personal terminal of the sender system make an online connection with the post office system to deliver the mail contents transmitted from the sender's personal terminal to the post office system, and to transmit the completion signal sent from the post office system to the digital set-top box of the sender system. An operator system having a data transmitting / receiving system for transmitting the information to a sender database having information related to the sender of the sender system having the digital set-top box, and a post office database having information related to each post office system. Is configured to include,

A sender inputting and transmitting postal contents to be transmitted through a personal terminal; Outputting the transmitted mail contents; Transmitting a bill of charge for postal delivery and postal cost to a sender's digital set-top box; It is a step of paying the cost of delivering the mail.

Digital Set Top Box, Mail, Smart Card

Description

A postal systems and postal service method using a digital set-top box}

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a postal system according to the present invention,

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operator system in a service system according to the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing an example of a sender system in the service system according to the present invention;

4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a sender DB configured in an operator system in a service system according to the present invention;

5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a post office DB configured in an operator system in a service system according to the present invention;

6A to 6C are diagrams showing different examples of the configuration of a television screen configured in the sender system in the service system according to the present invention;

7 is a block diagram showing an example of a digital set-top box used in the service system according to the present invention,

8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a service method according to the present invention.

※ Explanation of code for main part of drawing

100 .. Operator system 110. Sender DB

120. Post Office DB 130 .. Data transmission and reception means

140 .. Shopping Mall DB 200 .. Sender System

210 .. Personal terminal 220. TV

230 .. Digital set-top box 300 .. Post office system

400 .. 500 recipients .. Internet

600 .. Shopping mall system

The present invention relates to a postal system and a service method using a digital set-top box, and more particularly, it is possible not only to deliver mail at a faster time in connection with online, but also to check whether the mail is delivered through a television connected to the digital set-top box. The present invention relates to a postal system and a service method using a digital set-top box that enables a user to check whether a mail is delivered in a shorter time.

In addition, the present invention relates to a postal system using a digital set-top box that can facilitate the management of costs by enabling the billing and payment of the costs for the delivery of mail to a digital set-top box or a smart card installed in the digital set-top box. All.

Conventional information delivery means include on-line and off-line methods.

One of the methods of delivering such information or goods is to use the postal service to receive written mail at a nearby post office, and at the post office where the mail is received, the postal mail to the post office where the recipient resides by means of a vehicle, ship or aircraft. And postal mail to the recipient at the post office in the area where the recipient resides.

There is a problem that a lot of time and manpower is required to deliver mail in this way, and as a way to solve this problem, electronic mail using computer communication is widely used.

The current state of the e-mail is that the recipients who cannot use the Internet can not send and receive information, and the information is delivered to the recipients who cannot use the Internet in a general offline manner, that is, by mail or courier.

In addition, there is a limitation that the use of mails requiring a certain ritual, such as an invitation letter, a greeting card, an official document, etc., is limited, and a recipient who does not have a printing device cannot print and store it.

As a technology to compensate for the above problems, a mail system, which is connected to the Internet network and offline, has been developed. However, in this method, the sender cannot check whether the mail is delivered or not, and the billing and settlement of the cost of the mail is delivered. Is complicated and gives a lot of inconvenience to the sender.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned conventional inconvenience, the sender transmits the content and format to be transmitted by using the Internet, and writes it to the receiver by writing in the jurisdiction post office where the receiver resides, and delivers it. Post-delivery system and service method using digital set-top box that shortens the time required for mail delivery and confirms delivery in a short time by transmitting to the sender's TV by using digital set-top box immediately after delivery. The purpose is to provide.

Another object of the present invention can be billed together with the postal cost when billing according to the service item provided through the digital set-top box, so that the sender can easily manage the cost, the post office can charge the postal fee in a batch Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a postal system and a service method using a digital set-top box that can efficiently perform the task.

An object of the present invention as described above in the postal system using a communication system comprising a digital set-top box,

Digital set-top, which includes a personal terminal for transmitting mail content, has a unique number and is detachably mounted on a television, and displays in real time television-related information on video, sound and mail transmitted via VDSL's telephone lines. A sender system having a box;

At least one post office system having a communication system using the Internet or a leased line, and outputting the received mail to the recipient;

The digital set-top box and the personal terminal of the sender system make an online connection with the post office system to deliver the mail contents transmitted from the sender's personal terminal to the post office system, and to transmit the completion signal sent from the post office system to the digital set-top box of the sender system. An operator system having a data transmitting / receiving system for transmitting the information to a sender database having information related to the sender of the sender system having the digital set-top box, and a post office database having information related to each post office system. Made by a postal system using a digital set-top box to include.

In addition, an object of the present invention in the postal service method is made in connection with the communication network and offline connected to the digital set-top box,

A sender inputting and transmitting postal contents to be transmitted through a personal terminal;

Outputting the transmitted mail contents;

The post office forwards the claim for postal delivery and postal charges to the operator system, which transmits it to the sender's digital set-top box;

It is made by a postal service method using a digital set-top box, characterized in that the step of paying the costs required for the delivery of the mail.

Hereinafter, a mail system and a service method using a digital set-top box according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a postal system according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an operator system in the service system according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a service system according to the present invention 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a sender system, Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a sender DB configured in the operator system in the service system according to the present invention, Figure 5 is an operator in the service system according to the present invention 6A through 6C are diagrams showing different examples of the configuration of a television screen configured in the sender system in the service system according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a digital set-top box used in the service system according to the present invention.

As shown, a postal system according to the present invention comprises a user system 200 having a digital set-top box 230 connected to a television and a personal terminal 210 capable of connecting to the Internet, the sender system 200 and the following. The operator system 200 is connected to the post office system 300 online, and the post office system 300 is connected to the operator system online.

The transmitter system 200 includes a general communication system including a personal terminal 210 that can be connected to the Internet network, and a television 220 in which the digital set-top box 230 is detachably installed.

The personal terminal 210 is a computer in which a communication modem is installed, which may vary according to the size of the sender system, and may include a plurality of terminals connected by a LAN.

The digital set-top box 230 installed in the user system 200 may have a card reader function or a built-in function of a credit card, may have a unique number, and may be a payment method, and a television 220 ) Can be turned on / off and the channel can be controlled as well as controlled by the signal transmitted from the television remote control.

In addition, the digital set-top box 230 may be used by installing a smart card having the function of a credit card.

The television 220 may include a main display window and a sub display window. An image provided through the digital set-top box 230 is displayed on the main display window, and information related to delivery of mail items is displayed on the sub display window.

The sub display window may be displayed in the form of a subtitle on a part of the main display window so as to overlap the main display window, but information related to the delivery of the mail may be displayed on the entire screen according to the user's intention.

One side of the information related to the delivery of the mail displayed on the television is preferably provided with a means for informing the operator system that the sender has confirmed the delivery message, and this means selects a number or a letter indicating the delivery confirmation. The sender can then confirm this number or letter by clicking on the remote control or the button on the TV.

The digital set-top box 210 is a two-way transmission / reception apparatus for receiving a user-selected content (video and sound) using a VDSL and displaying it on a television in real time. It is connected to the operator system 100 through, the operator system 100 transmits information on whether or not to deliver the mail to the digital set-top box 210 through the data transmission and reception system and the digital set-top box 210 transmits this information. The content information and information on whether the mail is delivered are displayed on the television 220.

The operator system 100 has one or more databases and is connected to the digital set top box 220 of the sender system 200 by a predetermined communication line as described above.

The database provided in the operator system 100 includes a sender database 110 and a post office database 120. The sender database 110, as shown in FIG. Information such as the sender's unique number, sender's social security number, card number, credit card details, and phone number is stored.

The post office database 120 is a database that manages information about each post office, and stores information on a mail sending area under the jurisdiction of the post office, as well as information related to the name, address and email of each post office.

In the above, the post office system 300 and the operator system 100 may be connected using the Internet or a dedicated line, and may be configured by integrating the operator system 100 as a part of the post office system 300.

In addition, the operator system 100 is provided with a data transmission and reception system 130 for communicating with the digital set-top box 230 and the personal terminal 210 of the sender system 200, the digital set-top box 230 and personal The terminal 210 and the data transmission / reception system 130 are bidirectional communication systems capable of mutual transmission and reception.

The operator system 100 further includes a form database 150 having a form for providing convenience when the sender inputs mail contents.

The form database 150 can be accessed through the Internet. The form database 150 has a function of selecting a list of goods to be added to the mail contents, and when the goods are selected, the goods are sold. It can be a shopping mall system.

As described above, the postal system according to the present invention may be associated with a shopping mall system.

In the mail delivered by the system according to the present invention there is a letter, but a commodity, a telegraphic transfer, etc. can be delivered together, including the letter, wherein the item containing the gift enclosed with the letter can be purchased online. In the case of delivery, it may be associated with an internet shopping mall to easily and cheaply purchase a product.

A preferred shopping mall system is a shopping mall that is currently implemented at a post office.

By using a post office shopping mall, the purchase of goods is easier than when connecting other shopping malls, and the cost can be reduced by linking different services. However, in order to expand the range in which a sender, that is, a user can select a product, You can also link with other shopping malls.

The digital set top box 230 used in the present invention is configured as shown in FIG.

The digital set-top box 230 receives analog / audio signals input from various types of audio / video input means (eg, TV tuner, movie camera, VTR, cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, CCD camera, microphone, etc.). A plurality of analog / digital converters (ADCs) for receiving inputs and converting them into digital signals; The audio / video signal of any one channel selected from the audio / video signals of the multiple channels provided from the analog / digital converters is output through the storage signal output port, and the audio / video signals and MPEG of the multiple channels are output. An audio / video switching unit for outputting the decoded audio / video signal through the audio / video signal output port; An MPEG encoder which receives an audio / video signal output through the storage signal output port of the audio / video switching unit and encodes the MPEG; A storage unit in the form of a hard disk drive (HDD) in which audio / video signals encoded by the MPEG encoder are stored, and MPEG contents input through a VDSL line or a LAN line are stored; A sub-control unit which stores the output data from the MPEG encoder and the MPEG contents input through the VDSL line or the LAN line to the storage unit, and outputs the data stored in the storage unit; A main control unit for providing a control command for storing and outputting data to the storage unit to the sub control unit, and controlling a corresponding operation based on a remote signal from the remote control received from the remote control receiving unit; An MPEG decoder which MPEG-decodes the data output from the sub-controller and transmits it to the audio / video switching unit; A screen generator for making a video signal of any one channel among the video signals of the plurality of channels from the audio / video switching unit as a main screen and a video signal of other channels as a sub picture; Compare the contents of the 24-bit overlay memory of RGB 8: 8: 8 to a specific color key value (i.e. the color key value corresponding to the OSD character (or picture) required for the screens to be output). An OSD synthesizing unit that implements an appropriate graphic OSD on the screen from the screen generating unit; A video output section for displaying a video screen from the OSD synthesizing section on a television monitor (not shown); An audio digital / analog converter for analog converting the audio signal of the active channel to the main screen provided by the audio / video switching unit; An audio output unit for outputting audio from the audio digital / analog conversion unit to the outside through a speaker of a television (not shown); RAM that stores the code of the operating program required for the digital set-top box; And a ROM in which all programs related to driving and control of the digital set-top box are stored.

Here, the audio / video switching unit, the sub control unit and the OSD synthesis unit are field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) which are a type of programmable logic chip.

The main control unit and the sub control unit communicate with each other via a local bus. The ROM additionally stores personal information (eg, name, address, social security number, email address, etc.) of the person using the digital set-top box.

In addition, in FIG. 7, the screen generating unit, the OSD synthesizing unit, the image output unit, the audio digital / analog converting unit, and the audio output unit are collectively referred to as a plurality of channels of audio and video output from the audio / video switching unit. It is called audio / video output means outputted according to a user's selection condition under the control of the controller.

The MPEG encoder has a built-in first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer (not shown), and the secondary controller directly accesses the buffer of the MPEG encoder, and the main controller processes only the control command. The main control unit processes only the control command and the address index for the storage unit, and the sub control unit is in charge of the remaining large burst transmission.

In addition, in FIG. 7, the VDSL line realizes VOD through the VDSL line as a telephone line, and the LAN line is composed of two Internet lines as the Internet line. A network interface card (NIC) is installed between the VDSL line and the two LAN lines and the local bus.

Network interface cards allow digital set-top boxes and networks to be connected at all times. The network interface card connected to the two internet lines is provided with a network address translation (NAT) function, which is used as a home gateway device. In other words, if the user is not in a VDSL environment, the digital set-top box of the present invention may be directly connected to an Internet line (ie, a LAN line).

In addition, the ROM of FIG. 7 includes VOIP software for enabling a digital set-top box to perform Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) function, and a slick (SLIC-SUBSCRIBER LINE INTERFACE CIRCUITS) on the local bus to perform the VOIP function. One output is connected and the other output of the SLIC is connected to an audio / video switching section.

The SLIC outputs an analog audio signal input as a digital audio signal. The digital audio signal output from the output terminal of the SLIC is input to the audio / video switching unit and also to the main control unit via the local bus.

The main control unit controls the VOIP function based on the VOIP software after storing the VOIP software stored in the ROM when the digital set-top box is powered on. Therefore, the digital set-top box of FIG. 7 also serves as a VOIP phone. That is, the digital set-top box of FIG. 7 has a built-in VOIP function for transmitting voice and video using IP.

The audio / video signal input from the audio / video input source (ie, the signal input through the analog / digital converter) is composed of an RCA input and a super video (S-video), and one of the four input sources is input. Only the audio / video signal of the source is stored in the storage unit via the MPEG encoder and the sub-controller according to the command of the main controller. Since the four input sources are transmitted to the screen generator in real time, the four input sources are displayed in a combination of up to three channels while displaying the stored contents.

In addition, the digital set-top box 230 may be selected and used in a VDSL telephone environment or a LAN environment capable of high-speed communication of up to 25 megabytes per second and 12 megabits per second in both directions. When a network is selected, a server (not shown) is selected. Through updating the latest content information and the data required by the user's request is provided. In addition, to facilitate multi-tasking, data input through the network is stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) storage for temporal buffering, and then read from the storage, and the MPEG decoder and audio / video switching unit It is transmitted to the screen generation unit through.

The digital set-top box 110 configured as described above may be provided with various contents as desired through a VDSL line or a LAN line as well as a normal PVR function, and may also be output.

Hereinafter, a method of providing a postal service by a postal system using a digital set-top box according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.

8 illustrates an example of a process of providing a service using a postal system using a digital set-top box according to the present invention.

As shown, the service providing method according to the present invention

It can be divided into delivery process and confirmation process.

First, explain the delivery process.

The delivery process is accomplished by a communicable personal delivery device configured in the sender system.

The sender can access the operator's system via the internet network and enter the mail contents through a letter form displayed on the operator's web page.

At this time, the items to be served with the letter contents may be selected from the list of enclosed items included in the letter form, and the selected items include goods and wire transfers.

If a product is selected, it is associated with a shopping mall that sells the product.

That is, in the process of selecting a product, the shopping mall system transmits this information when a product is selected from the shopping mall and the intention to enclose the product is displayed by referring to the product column formed in the letter form. Charges are made from the shopping mall, and the charge details are stored in the sender database of the operator system.

The operator system identifies the recipient's address, name, and the goods or items to be enclosed from the contents of the mail sent.

The operator system identifies the post office that has jurisdiction over the recipients from the recognized recipient information from the transmitted mail, extracts it from the post office database, and uses the online means such as a leased line to provide information and information about the goods to be enclosed in the letter. Send it to the system.

At this time, the operator system sends the destination of the product selected by the sender to the shopping mall system to inform the address and the name of the receiver where the goods are delivered.In the shopping mall system, the product is sent to the post office having jurisdiction over the recipient address. Fill out and send.

The post office system prints the contents of the letter sent from the operator system according to the form, and serves the recipient along with the goods received from the shopping mall system.

When the service is completed, the sender confirms whether the service is complete.

The post office transmits the delivery to the operator system, and the completion message is sent to the sender system's digital set-top box via the operator system's data transmission and reception system.

The transmission completion report message is stored in the digital set-top box, and with the VOD image continuously transmitted by the data transmission / reception means of the operator system when the sender having the digital set-top box turns on the television and turns on the digital set-top box. Displayed on the TV screen.

The type of information displayed at this time is as shown in Figs. 6A to 6C.

That is, the display window may be displayed in the form of a subtitle at the bottom of the display window or may be displayed on the sub-display window, and a large overlap or only a delivery message may be displayed on the entire screen. The means, i.e., a number or letter that requests delivery confirmation is displayed and the sender clicks on it to tell the operator system whether the sender has confirmed delivery.

In the process of delivering the delivery message, in particular, when the delivery is not normally performed, it is preferable to display on the entire display window so that the sender can fully recognize that the delivery has not been performed.

In the above process, the payment of the required cost for the delivery of the mail may be made before or after the delivery, but it is preferable that the required fee is charged and settled on a prepayment basis in consideration of the ordinary mail delivery process using offline. .

That is, a method of accumulating a predetermined cost in an account of a smart card having a credit card function installed in a corresponding digital set-top box or a digital set-top box, and then deducting every mail delivery may be used. After payment is also possible.

The payment process may be charged to a unique number of the sender's digital set-top box or a smart card installed in the digital set-top box in the process of confirming the mail to be sent and then confirming the details of the expenses through the delivery confirmation lump. Can be.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the information belonging to the recipient from the sender by transmitting the information or goods to be sent through the Internet to the corresponding post office where the receiver resides and delivering the mail or goods written in the post office to the receiver It can shorten the time to deliver to the post office via offline, reducing the time required to deliver mail or goods, and to deliver the facts delivered to the recipient to the connected to the digital set-top box. By receiving, there is an effect that can be confirmed quickly and easily without performing a separate verification process.

In addition, according to the diversification of life, the sender (user) should receive and handle many kinds of billing notices, but the sender can manage the postage charges through the service using the digital set-top box of the present invention. It is possible to facilitate, and the post office can also be processed collectively without a window according to the usage fee for each mail, there is an effect that can facilitate the processing of billing.

The present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiments, but may be modified and modified without departing from the scope of the present invention, and the technical spirit to which such modifications and variations are applied should also be regarded as belonging to the following claims. .

Claims (11)

delete In a postal system using a communication system including a digital set-top box, The digital set-top box includes a plurality of analog / digital conversion means for receiving audio / video signals from a plurality of audio / video input sources and converting them into digital signals; The audio / video signal of any one channel selected from the audio / video signals of the plurality of channels provided from the plurality of analog / digital converting means is output through a storage signal output port, and the audio / video signal and MPEG of the plurality of channels are decoded. Audio / video switching means for outputting an input audio / video signal through an audio / video signal output port; An MPEG encoder which receives an audio / video signal output through the storage signal output port of the audio / video switching means and encodes the MPEG; Storage means for storing an audio / video signal encoded by the MPEG encoder and storing MPEG content input through a VDSL line or a LAN line; Sub-control means for storing output data from the MPEG encoder and MPEG contents input through the VDSL line or LAN line to the storage means, and outputting the data stored in the storage means; Main control means for providing a control command for storing and outputting data to said storage means to said sub control means, and controlling a corresponding operation based on a remote signal from a remote controller; MPEG decoder for decoding MPEG data output from the secondary control means to the audio / video switching means; And audio / video output means for outputting audio and video of multiple channels output from the audio / video switching means according to a user's selection condition under the control of the main control means. A digital set-top box that includes a personal terminal for transmitting mail content, has a unique number, is removably mounted on a television, and displays in real time television-related information and mail provided through the VDSL's telephone line. A sender system provided; At least one post office system having a communication system using the Internet or a dedicated line, which outputs and forwards mail transmitted from a transmission system; The digital set-top box and the personal terminal of the sender system make an online connection with the post office system to deliver the mail contents transmitted from the sender's personal terminal to the post office system, and to transmit the completion signal sent from the post office system to the digital set-top box of the sender system. An operator system having a data transmitting / receiving system for transmitting the information to a sender database having information related to the sender of the sender system having the digital set-top box, and a post office database having information related to each post office system. Postal system using a digital set-top box further includes. The postal system according to claim 2, wherein the television has a main display window and a sub display window, and the sub display window has a subtitle form on one side of the main display window. The postal system of claim 2, wherein the postal system is connected to a shopping mall system online, and the operator system further includes a shopping mall database having information related to the shopping mall. 3. The postal system according to claim 2, wherein the operator system can be integrated with the post office system in the post office system, and the post office system with the operator system is a central post office. The postal system of claim 2, wherein the digital set-top box has a card terminal function and has a smart card having a credit card function. delete delete delete delete delete

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