KR100690353B1 - Apparatus providing electronic program guide in multi-channel broadcasting and screen configuration method for electronic program guide - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for providing an electronic program guide for multi-channel broadcasting and a method for configuring an electronic program guide screen, wherein the electronic program guide providing apparatus can hierarchically search for grouped channels through a mosaic cell and move in real time to a dynamically changing event. And a screen configuration method, an electronic program guide providing device for providing scheduled program alarms, channel search, reservation, and movement through a mini electronic program guide during a predetermined channel broadcast, and enabling immediate purchase of a program through a program trailer channel; The screen composition method is disclosed.

Electronic Program Guide (EPG), Mosaic Cells, Groupings, Events

Description

Device providing electronic program guide in multi-channel broadcasting and screen configuration method for electronic program guide

1 is a view showing the overall configuration of the electronic program guide providing system,

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a portal type main electronic program guide screen according to the present invention; FIG.

2b illustrates a navigation method in a mosaic cell of a Main electronic program guide;

3A and 3B illustrate a sub-electronic program guide screen displaying channels belonging to a predetermined channel group through mosaic cells;

3C to 3D illustrate screens for providing TV online subscription through a package popup message when a user selects an unauthorized channel;

3E is a flow chart illustrating an online subscription procedure on an unauthorized channel;

4 to 8 are views illustrating a mini electronic program guide screen according to the present invention;

FIG. 9A illustrates a Pay Per View (PPV) promotion channel screen; FIG.

9B is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a PPV portal screen;

10 illustrates the structure of a promotional channel;

11 illustrates an embodiment of a system configuration for immediate purchase of a program through a promotional channel;

12 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a portal screen for data broadcasting;

13 is a view showing an embodiment of an event schedule management method according to the present invention, and

14 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a remote controller.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing an electronic program guide in a multi-channel broadcast and a method for configuring an electronic program guide screen. More particularly, the present invention provides a mini-program guide during program broadcasting of a predetermined channel by providing an electronic program guide through a mosaic cell. It relates to a device for providing a and a screen configuration method thereof.

In the multi-channel broadcasting, information about each channel is provided through an electronic program guide, and the set-top box of the user side processes the received EPG information to display an electronic program guide screen for the user to select a desired channel. to provide.

However, since the devices providing the electronic program guide through the conventional mosaic cell simply display the multi-channel through the mosaic cell, when the number of channels is large, the user has to search all the mosaic cells to select a desired channel.

In addition, the mosaic cell corresponding to a channel (unsubscribed channel) to which the user does not have access rights among the mosaic cells completely blocks the image of the channel or broadcasts the image of the channel as it is. Therefore, there is an injustice in which the user views a broadcast of an unauthorized channel through a small mosaic cell, and when the user completely blocks the channel, the user may not know information about the channel and thus cannot induce the user to join the channel.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to easily search for a desired channel through a hierarchical search using channels grouped by genre / characteristic, to move to a desired event through a banner advertisement that changes according to a schedule, and to semi-transparent access control channel. The present invention provides an electronic program guide providing apparatus that facilitates subscription induction and a screen configuration method thereof.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a mini electronic program guide even while watching a predetermined program, the subscriber can simultaneously search, reserve and move a desired channel at the same time as watching the program, and can move in real time to a predetermined event. An electronic program guide providing apparatus and a screen configuration method thereof are provided.                         

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic program guide providing apparatus and a PPV portal screen composition method which can immediately purchase a desired program while watching a trailer of a PPV.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to display a semi-transparent processed event on a A / V screen of a predetermined channel in a data broadcasting portal according to a schedule for a method of constructing a data broadcasting portal screen that can lead a user to participate in high events. To provide.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing an electronic program guide according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein channel groups grouped according to genres / characteristics are displayed on each of mosaic cells, and when a predetermined mosaic cell is selected, A channel display unit for displaying the channels belonging to the channel group displayed in the selected mosaic cell on the mosaic cells, respectively; A detailed information display unit displaying information of channels belonging to the channel group displayed on the mosaic cell where the cursor is located or program information of the channel displayed on the mosaic cell where the cursor is currently located; And a banner advertisement display unit configured to display at least one banner advertisement scheduled based on a date, a start time, and an end time according to the scheduled date and time, and to move to an event associated with the banner advertisement when the banner advertisement is selected. .

One embodiment of a mini-electronic program guide providing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above technical problem is a mini-electronic program guide providing apparatus for overlapping a program currently being broadcast on one side of the screen to display the electronic program guide information The program information display unit may display a program screening degree of a current channel through a bar graph and display channel information. It provides a detailed information button and a data broadcast button including a plot, a schedule and additional information, if the detailed information button is selected to display the detailed information through a pop-up window, and if the data broadcast button is selected, data broadcast via a pop-up window An additional information display unit displaying a service menu and an event menu; And a banner advertisement display unit which displays banner advertisements for various events according to a predetermined schedule, and moves to an event service providing screen connected to the banner advertisement when the banner advertisement is selected.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the method for constructing a PPV portal screen according to the present invention includes: displaying PPV program list information broadcast through predetermined channels; And if a predetermined program list is selected among the PPV program lists, displaying the channels and times available for purchase of the selected program list.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data broadcasting portal screen configuration method, comprising: displaying a data broadcasting program list; Broadcasting a program of a user's most recently watched channel through a predetermined region, and displaying a translucent event banner advertisement on the program; And displaying at least one event banner advertisement according to a predetermined schedule.

Hereinafter, an electronic program guide providing apparatus and screen configurations according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an electronic program guide providing system.

The manager generates an electronic program guide background screen including a predetermined number of mosaic cells through the mosaic generator tool 100.

The mosaic A / V generating unit 110 generates a multi-channel video / audio image for the mosaic cell of the electronic program guide screen and then moves to the set-top box 180 of the user side through a predetermined communication network together with the electronic program guide screen. send.

The traffic control system (TCS) 120 receives a channel-specific program metadata including program channel organization information from an electronic program guide (EPG) provider 122 and then uses a CAS (Conditional Access Scheme). 130 and the PSIP / SI (Program and System Information Protocol / Service Information) 140 generation unit.

The CAS 130 generates and transmits an Entitlement Control Message (ECM), which is a message indicating a limited reception characteristic of a program, and an Entitlement Management Message (EMM) for managing the viewing authority of the user, to the set-top box 180 on the user side.

The PSIP / SI generating unit 140 generates a PSIP including basic channel tuning information, channel branding information, video and audio stream information for providing an EPG service, and sets the generated PSIP through an in-band to the user side. Send to box 180.

PSIP / SI generation unit 140 generates an SI including channel information of all channels for providing EPG service, channel branding information of broadcaster, programming information, and program information, and sets the generated SI on the user side through OOB. Send to box 180.

The mosaic metadata generator 150 is driven by the user's set-top box and channel grouping information (mosaic pages) grouping each channel provided by the multi-channel broadcast according to the genre / characteristics to provide the electronic program guide screen to the user. The mosaic application is generated and transmitted to the set-top box of the user side through the application delivery server 160.

The event / promotion metadata generating unit 170 generates an advertisement banner such as at least one event / banner / ticker scheduled by an administrator, and generates a company logo appearing on the electronic program guide screen to the user-side set-top box 180. send.

The set-top box 180 on the user side receives the EPG information such as the electronic program guide screen, channel programming information, authorization information from CAS, banner advertisement, company logo, and the like, and performs a predetermined screen configuration for achieving the object of the present invention. to provide. Each screen configuration will be described in detail below.

2A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a portal type main electronic program guide screen according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a main electronic program guide screen includes a plurality of mosaic cells 210, 212, 214, and 216, a detailed information display area 220, a banner advertisement area 230, and a broadcaster logo area 240. In the banner advertisement area, there is a color button 232 for selecting a banner advertisement area.

Each mosaic cell 210 displays channel groups grouped according to genre / feature. When the user selects a predetermined mosaic cell through the direction key 1405 of the remote controller 1400 of FIG. 14, channels belonging to the channel group corresponding to the selected mosaic cell 210 are displayed through the mosaic cell as shown in FIG. 3A.

In addition, the channel groups displayed on the mosaic cells provided in the main electronic program guide screen include music / audio 212, pay per view (PPV) 214, and VOD as well as groups 210 grouping A / V channels. (Video On Demand) 216 service and the like. When the user selects the music / audio 212, the PPV 214, the VOD 216, and the like through the remote controller, the user moves to the music / audio portal, the PPV portal (see FIG. 9B), and the VOD portal screen.

In other words, the Main electronic program guide screen provides a hierarchical electronic program guide screen in order to facilitate user access to a predetermined channel group or a predetermined service.

Each mosaic cell displays an image representing a channel group or a predetermined channel image of the channel group, or channels belonging to the channel group are alternately displayed at predetermined time intervals. Audio is turned on only in the mosaic cell where the cursor is currently positioned, and audio of the remaining mosaic cells is turned off. In addition, the name of the channel group corresponding to the current mosaic cell is displayed at the bottom of each mosaic cell.

The number of mosaic cells displayed on the main electronic program guide screen is not limited to 12 and can be flexibly changed and used according to the number of channels displayed on one screen, such as 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 divisions. Referring to FIG. 1, an administrator may change the number of mosaic cells through the mosaic generator tool 100.

The detailed information display area 220 displays information about channels belonging to the channel group corresponding to the mosaic cell 210 where the cursor is located among the mosaic cells. The information of the channels is a channel number and a channel name, and may further include other information.

If the number of channels belonging to the group is too large to display in the detailed information display area, the channels are scrolled sequentially by one line to display the channels. In this case, the time delay between scrolls can be adjusted. It is preferable to make it into a candle. Alternatively, the channel information is displayed in units of pages. In this case, the delay time from one page to the next page is preferably longer than the scroll time delay.

For example, when the detailed information display area 220 has a size capable of simultaneously displaying nine channel information, the detailed information display area 220 displays the channels by scrolling one line in the channel order. If the channel name is long, use ellipsis ("...") and set the time delay between one line scroll to about 2 seconds.

The banner advertisement area 230 dynamically displays the updateable banner at any time dynamically (schedule management function, see FIG. 13). In addition, a button 232 of a predetermined color is displayed in the banner advertisement area, and the user uses the same color button (one of 1410 to 1416) displayed on the banner advertisement area on the remote controller 1400 of FIG. 14 to display the banner advertisement area. If the user selects and moves to the advertisement target company or data broadcasting service area corresponding to the advertisement or data broadcasting currently displayed in the banner advertisement area.

The banner displayed in the banner advertisement area 230 is displayed only between the date, start and end time preset by the schedule management. In addition, the administrator may set a target to be linked when the user selects a banner advertisement area when creating a schedule through the event / promotion metadata generating unit 170 of FIG. 1. For example, the link target may be an AV channel, an advertisement page in an data broadcast (ITV), a corresponding reservation application in a PPV application, a corresponding program purchase application in a VOD application, and a specific application.

As described above, by registering and registering a plurality of banners by date and time, the advertisement may be changed in the banner advertisement area 230 at a predetermined time, and the target connected to the advertisement may also be changed.

In the broadcaster logo area 240, a broadcaster logo generated by an administrator in the event / promotion metadata generating unit 170 of FIG. 1 is displayed. When the sub DMC transmits the logo transmitted from the main digital media center (DMC) or if a separate system operator (SO) wants to implement digital broadcasting by accepting only the broadcasting service, the logo is changed according to the SO. To keep the SO unique. All SOs in the DMC form the Sub DMC, which is the construction for the reception of all digital broadcasts. Accordingly, the Sub DMC may lose its own local or own brand identity. However, the present invention may mount its own logo for each Sub DMC or its affiliated SOs, so the service is maintained by the Main DMC. do.

2B is a diagram illustrating a navigation method in a mosaic cell of a Main electronic program guide.

Referring to FIG. 2B, 3x4 mosaic cells are illustrated as the mosaic cells of the Main electronic program guide screen of FIG. 2A. The cursor at a predetermined position of the mosaic cell is moved up, down, left, and right by the user's remote control (1405 of FIG. 14).

If the cursor is located at the far right cell and the move right command is entered through the remote control, the cursor moves to the far left cell of the same row. Conversely, if the cursor is located at the leftmost cell and the left move command is input, the cursor moves to the rightmost cell of the same row.

Similarly, if the cursor is located at the top end cell and the move up command is entered, the cursor moves to the bottom end cell of the same column. If the cursor is located at the bottom end cell and the move down command is entered, the cursor moves to the top end cell of the same column.

3A and 3B are sub-electronic program guide screens displaying channels belonging to a predetermined channel group through mosaic cells.

Multiple channels of multi-channel broadcasting are classified into predetermined groups according to genres and characteristics of programs broadcast in each channel. Examples of groups include terrestrial / home shopping, movie / paid channels, drama / entertainment, cartoon quiz / games, and news / information.

The user may directly enter a desired channel number through the remote controller on the Main electronic program guide screen of FIG. 2A and move to the channel. Alternatively, the user selects a predetermined group from the main mosaic cell of FIG. 2A through the remote controller and selects a desired channel from the sub mosaic cell when the channels belonging to the group are displayed through the sub mosaic cell as shown in FIG. 3A. However, when selecting the Pay Per View (PPV) and the Video On Demand (VOD) group, the screen moves to the portal screen as shown in FIG. 9B.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the sub-electronic program guide screen 300 displaying the predetermined group of channels is the mosaic cells 310, the detailed information display area 320, and the banner advertisement area 330 as in FIG. 2A. And a broadcaster logo area 340.

At the bottom of each mosaic cell 310, the names (eg, HOME CGV, MBC Movies, etc.) for each channel are displayed. If the number of channels is larger than the number of mosaic cells in one screen, the channels may be divided in units of pages and then moved to the next page by using the arrow keys 1405 of FIG. 14. For example, if the cursor is located at the rightmost side of the mosaic cell and a right shift command is input through the remote controller, the channels of the next page are displayed in the mosaic cell. In this way, when the page is moved to the last page displaying the channels belonging to one group and the page moving command is input again through the remote controller, the channels of the next group are displayed.

The detailed information display area 320 displays detailed information about the channel of the cell where the cursor is located. The detailed information includes a channel number, a channel name, a program name currently being broadcast, a program start time and end time, a viewing age restriction guide, a Dolby stereo status, and whether or not to broadcast HD. When the user selects a cell at a predetermined position through the remote controller, channel information displayed by the cell is provided.

The banner advertisement area 330 and the broadcaster logo display area 340 are the same as described with reference to FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the sub mosaic cell of FIG. 2 according to user authority. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3B, when a user moves a cursor to a cell of a predetermined channel through a remote controller, the image and sound of a program of a predetermined channel are broadcast through the cell. Channels provided in multi-channel digital broadcasting are general channels provided to all users, advanced channels provided by subscribing to a certain class of packages, and paid channels provided through payment through a predetermined payment method for channel viewing. Can be divided into In addition, a program broadcast through each channel may have a restriction function according to the viewing age.

Each cell is a small screen but broadcasts a program of a predetermined channel. Therefore, there is a problem that an unauthorized user views a broadcast program such as a paid channel or a high-end channel, and thus it is necessary to prevent an unauthorized user from viewing the program through the mosaic cell.

Conventionally, when an unauthorized user approaches a mosaic cell, the image is transmitted as it is through the cell or the image is not displayed at all through the cell. When the image is transmitted in the mosaic cell as it is, it is inconvenient to continuously display the channel viewing impossibility through the cell so that an unauthorized user can recognize that the channel is unauthorized. In addition, if the image of the mosaic cell is blocked at all, it is good to let the user know that the channel is not authorized, but a good result cannot be expected for additional user recruitment.

Therefore, when the user accesses a predetermined channel without access authority, the present invention processes the screen in a semi-transparent process (hereinafter, referred to as 'alpha blending'), thereby allowing the user to access channels 312 and 318 without access authority. At the same time as notifying that the access is made, the contents of the part of the channel can be abnormally viewed to help the user subscribe to the package. However, it is desirable to cover the entire cell screen without processing the parental control channel 316 or the predetermined restricted channels 314 in a semi-transparent manner.

In general, the package to which the user subscribes can be divided into high-end and low-end, and there are differences in the channels provided for each package. If a user who subscribes to a low-end type wants to see a high-end channel, he or she must subscribe to a high-end package. In addition to this, there may be a paid channel 312, and a user who does not subscribe to the paid channel 312 may access the paid channel after paying for the paid channel through a predetermined payment means.

For example, the access restriction for the advanced channel 318 is as follows.

When a user subscribed to the entry-level type moves a cursor to a mosaic cell of a high-end channel using a remote controller, the image displayed in the cell is semi-transparently processed by the alpha branding method and the sound is also cut off. The cell is displayed with a graphic called a high-end channel, and the detailed information display area 320 displays a message asking for intention to join with the channel guide text. In the detailed information display area, a predetermined color button exists for the user's online subscription, and the user selects a button of the same color as the colored button displayed in the detailed information display area (the same color button in 1410 to 1416 of FIG. 14) on the remote controller. Then, the user can go to the package subscription screen (FIGS. 3C and 3D) to subscribe to a telephone or TV online.

As an example, we look at access restrictions for paid channels.

When the user moves the cursor to a cell of the paid channel 312 that is not subscribed through the remote controller, the cell is displayed semi-transparently and the sound is cut off. In addition, the cell displays a graphic called paid channel, and the detailed information display area 320 displays a message asking for intention to join with the channel guide text. When the user selects the cell using the remote controller (color buttons 1410 to 1416), the user moves to the paid channel subscription screen. 3C to 3D illustrate screens for providing an online subscription on a TV through a package popup message when a user selects an unauthorized channel.

3E is a flow chart illustrating an online subscription procedure on an unauthorized channel.

Referring to FIG. 3E, when a user selects a predetermined channel group on the Main electronic program guide screen (FIG. 2A) using the remote controller (FIG. 14) (S380), the sub-electronic program guide displaying channels belonging to the selected channel group. It moves to the screen (FIGS. 3A and 3B) (S382). When the channels 312 to 318 without access rights of the user are selected among the predetermined mosaic cells of the sub-electronic program guide screen (FIGS. 3A and 3B) (S384), the online subscription screen (FIGS. 3C and 3D) is popped up to display the user's access. Induce subscription (S386). When the user completes the subscription, the CAS (130 of FIG. 1) is released to allow the user to access the channel (S388).

4 to 8 are diagrams illustrating a mini electronic program guide screen according to the present invention.

4 to 8, when a user presses a predetermined button (EPG call button) (1420 of FIG. 14) of a remote control while broadcasting a program for a predetermined channel, a mini-electronic program guide screen is displayed on the program being broadcast. In addition, when the user selects and moves a cell of a predetermined channel of the sub-electronic program guide screen of FIG. 3A, the mini-electronic program guide screen also appears.

The mini-electronic program guide screen can be closed by the user pressing a predetermined button on the remote control, and automatically closed if no control signal is received from the user's remote control for a predetermined time.

The mini-electronic program guide screen is divided into a program information display area 410 and an additional information display area 420. In the program information display area 410, a program name, a start and end time of a program broadcast in a channel currently being watched by a user are displayed, and a screening degree of the program is displayed in a bar graph form 412.

When the user presses the left and right buttons (1405 of FIG. 14) of the remote controller, the program information display area 410 displays information about a previous program or a subsequent program of a channel currently broadcasting the program.

In addition, when the user presses the up and down buttons of the remote control, information of another channel is displayed in the program information display area 410. When the user searches for basic channel information (channel number, channel name, program name, program start and end time, screening degree, etc.) through the information display area 410 by using the up and down buttons, and selects a predetermined channel, You can go to that channel.

In the additional information display area 420, color-coded buttons exist for detailed information 422 and data broadcast provision 424. When the user selects a button of the remote controller having the same color as the detailed information button 422 (the same color button among 1410 to 1416 of FIG. 14) by using the remote controller, detailed information about the channel currently displayed in the program information display area is displayed in a separate window. Provided over 510.

The detailed information includes the program's storyline, schedule, and additional information, which can be increased. If the user selects a plot, the plot for the program currently being broadcast on the channel appears, and if the plot is long, the long plot is easily expressed through scrolling 512 and page up / down functions. Additional information includes program-related additional information (shooting location, background music, production company), cast member (including profile), episode plot, HD, production year (movie), and provides various information to the user. Obtain information conveniently and increase the utilization of the program.

The programming table 610 provides a list of programs in a channel that can be reserved for the current program. When a plurality of programs are provided, a list of programs (such as time zones and program titles) can be inquired through a screen scroll function. The user may reserve a predetermined program among a list of available programs available on the schedule 610. For example, if you provide organization information up to three days later, you can search for and reserve programs up to three days later. The information providing period can be freely changed and the information providing period is determined in consideration of the convenience of the viewer.

When the broadcast time of a predetermined program reserved by a user approaches, information about the reserved program is displayed in the program information display area 410 of the mini-electronic program guide screen. The alarm time of this reservation program is settable by the user and is generally preferred 5 minutes before.

The window 510 providing the detailed information does not disappear automatically after a certain time passes without any manipulation, and disappears only when the user presses the close button 514 of the detailed information window through the remote controller. After the detailed information window is closed, the mini electronic program guide screen disappears if no operation is performed for a predetermined time.

When the user selects the buttons of the remote controller having the same color as the data information button (1410 to 1416 of FIG. 14), a window for selecting the data broadcast 710 and the event menu 720 pops up, and the predetermined data broadcast is performed. Select to go to the screen that provides the service.

Data broadcasting refers to a system that delivers text, pictures, graphics, audio, video, program packages, and other digital / multimedia contents at high speed to terminal devices such as PCs, digital set-top boxes, and mobile phones in a broad sense. However, in a narrow sense, it means a service that provides broadcasting program related information, life information, Internet access, electronic commerce, two-way entertainment, etc. using a broadcasting network such as terrestrial or satellite broadcasting or cable.

When the user selects the event menu 720, information on the current event is displayed. When the user selects a predetermined event among the displayed events, the user moves to the event service main page.

In the technical aspect of the present invention, data broadcasting is a method of transmitting the interactive multimedia content enjoyed on the Internet through a broadcast capable of high-speed mass transfer and the Internet is integrated technology. Subscribers can not only get detailed information about programs from broadcasters through data broadcasting, but also can travel, shop, and make reservations and reservations.

The mini channel guide screen according to the present invention includes a banner advertisement area 800 displaying advertisements / events according to a predetermined schedule (specific date and time). Banner advertisements have a predetermined time and date to be displayed on the screen by the advertisement / event provider, and when the user selects the banner advertisement, the banner advertisement immediately goes to a service / event designated by the banner advertisement (see FIG. 13).

In other words, the mini-channel guide screen shows the advertisement dynamically. When the user clicks on the banner via the remote control, the user is directed to a data broadcast or a general AV channel associated with the banner.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a pay per view (PPV) promotion channel screen, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of the PPV portal screen.

During viewing of the PPV promotion channel of FIG. 9A, a user may select a current video order button (color button 910) using the color buttons 1414 to 1416 of the remote control to purchase a program that is currently being announced. Pressing the color button of the remote control corresponding to the schedule table button 920 moves to the PPV portal screen of FIG. 9B.

When the user selects a cell of the PPV group in the Main electronic program guide screen of FIG. 2A, the user moves to the PPV portal screen of FIG. 9B. Referring to FIG. 9B, a screening program title 960 is listed on the left side of the screen like a theater, and when the user selects a predetermined program title 960, detailed information 965 about the selected program title appears on the right side. . The detailed information 965 displays the cost for the program title, the show channel and show time, the viewing age limit, and the like.

Also at the bottom of the PPV portal screen is a usage guidance button for the user and a trailer channel view button 970 for the selected program title.

Selecting the trailer channel view button 970 takes you to the trailer channel, that is, the promotion channel (FIG. 9A). Promo clips, a collection of video trailers, next week's trailers, Coming soon, and highlights, are currently available through PPV through the promotional channel.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a promotional channel, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system configuration for immediate purchase of a program through a promotional channel.

The A / V of the promotional channel (FIG. 9A) is a continuous progression of the currently serving PPV program trailer. The promotional channel corresponds to one PPV service (channel, VCT), one trailer corresponds to one program, and one trailer is about 3-5 minutes long. Here, VCT stands for Virtual Channel Table and is a channel information table transmitted to the set-top box (STB) 1120 based on the PSIP (ATSC 65A) and SI (SCTE 65, DVS 234) standards. The VCT is a table that contains channel information (channel number, channel name, frequency, etc.) for basic channel tuning in the set-top box 1120. The table transmitted by PSIP (inband) is CVCT (Cabel Vritual Channel) Talbe), and SI (OOB) transmits two types of short-form virtual channel talbe (SVCT) and long-form virtual channel table (LVCT). SVCT and LVCT differ slightly in the items sent.

One PPV service consists of several PPV reference services, and the PPV reference service consists of several PPV time shifted services. The number of PPV reference services is equal to the number of PPV programs currently being serviced (ie, the number of trailers). In addition, the number of PPV time shift services per PPV reference service is the same as the number of channels in which one program is serviced.

The PPV reference service is also mapped to one physical channel, not a virtual service. In the VCT of the PPV reference service, data (Time_Shifted_Service_Descriptor) that knows the channel number of the PPV time shift service of the PPV reference service exists.

If a user selects a trailer during a broadcast of a trailer through a promotion channel (using the current video order butt 910 of FIG. 9A), a purchase service is immediately provided. Purchase a movie starting at the earliest start time based on the end time of the trailer currently being broadcast on the promotion channel. That is, when the user presses the purchase button 910 of FIG. 9 while viewing the promotion channel, the user moves to the purchase screen. Movies can be purchased up to 5 minutes after starting, and the movie can be canceled within 5 minutes after the movie starts. There may be expressions of a coming soon movie and a next week, but not a purchase.

Referring to FIG. 11, the TCS 1100 performs a task of binding a PPV reference service and a PPV promotion service. The TCS 1100 manages scheduling information and content information, including scheduling information of all services provided in digital broadcasting, provides necessary functions according to the broadcasting company's business model such as scheduling and content management, and provides interworking with related systems. It performs a traffic control function of data necessary for digital broadcasting.

The TCS 1100 detects a movie starting at the earliest time (PPV reference service including a movie within 5 minutes of starting and a PPV time shift service) based on the ending point of the trailer currently being broadcast on the PPV promotion channel. A validation check is performed to include the Event_ID of the fastest starting movie in the PPV promotion channel schedule and transmit it to the PSIP / SI 1110.

Here, PSIP is an abbreviation of Program and System Information, which is program information sent to Inband, and the tables constituting PSIP are STT (time information), MGT (version information), VCT (channel information), RRT (grade information), and the like. It is composed. SI stands for Service Information, which is program information sent to OOB, and the tables that make up SI are NIT (Network Information), NTT (Network Additional Information), SVCT (Channel Information), STT (Time Information), MGT (Version Information), It consists of LVCT (channel information), RRT (grade information), and the like.

The PSIP / SI 1110 includes the Event_ID to be purchased as a separator in the ETT and AETT information of the PPV promotion channel. Here, ETT is an abbreviation of Extended Text Table and transmits program description (synopsis) about program-specific events (for example, 9 o'clock news), and AETT is an abbreviation of Aggregate Extended Text Table. The table name to use when sending to OBB.

The PSIP / SI 1110 generates a PSIP and SI table including the purchase target Evnet_ID and transmits it to the set-top box 1120. When the user clicks on the 'buy immediately' button while watching the PPV promotion channel, the middleware parses the purchase target Event_ID of the currently airing movie from the ETT and AETT information of the PSIP and SI tables. By using the parsed Evnet_ID, the purchase process for the corresponding movie (including the PPV reference service and the PPV time shift service) is performed, and the purchase can be made by moving to the purchase screen (pin number input screen) of the movie.

12 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a portal screen for data broadcasting.

Referring to FIG. 12, the A / V channel screen 1210 most recently watched by a user is displayed on the data broadcasting portal screen 1200 in a PIG (Picture In Graph) manner, and the data carousel generator is displayed on the broadcasting channel screen. The scheduled event image 1215 is displayed translucently. The user selects the event displayed on the A / V screen by using a hotkey of the remote controller and moves to the event providing screen. In addition, the data broadcasting service list 1220 is displayed so that the user can select it through the remote controller, and a predetermined banner, ticker 1230, and the like are displayed.

Here, looking at the scheduling method, the event / advertisement / ticker appears in the state scheduled by the provider, the event / banner can be multi-link by the time and location schedule. This is a combination of the concept of broadcasting and data, and events / banners appearing in a certain time frame are connected to service screens that are customized according to their characteristics.

Banners / tickers registered by the supplier can have various schedule combinations. If you put only one event / banner / ticker in a schedule, the event / banner / ticker will run at the scheduled time. At this time, the registration can set the start period and the end period, and at the same time, the day of the week and the time within the day can be set. That is, only the desired date and time are displayed within the period. In addition, when a plurality of events / banners / tickers are scheduled in one schedule, each of the plurality of events / banners / tickers is looped at regular intervals.

In addition, when a flag is assigned to prioritize schedules, all schedules operate in priority, which manages duplicate schedules. In other words, if one schedule schedules all 24 hours within a certain period, another schedule is registered and prioritized, and if the priority flag is activated, the schedule operates at the designated time. The event / banner / ticker of the configured general schedule is activated. Therefore, even if it is already scheduled in time, the schedule can be flexibly applied in case of emergency or temporary situation.

13 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an event schedule management method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, a user sets scheduling for a banner, an event, and a ticker through the user interface 1300 and registers with the database 1310.

When a banner or the like is registered in the database 1310, the ready state becomes ready, when the broadcast starts, the state changes to the on-air state, and when the broadcast ends, the state changes to the active state. If you put the banner on the broadcast schedule again, it will be changed to On-Air at the time it should be sent. To stop a banner, etc. that is being broadcast, you must delete it from the schedule.

The data agent 1320 takes an on-air banner and the like from the data table 1310 and transmits the banner to the set top box 1340 through the CMTS 1330 in the form of Out of Band Private Section.

Thus, the set-top box 1340 displays the transmitted banner or the like according to the scheduled time.

14 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a remote controller.

Referring to FIG. 14, the remote controller has keys for moving to the electronic program guide screen 1420, the data broadcast 1422, the PPV 1424, and the VOD 1426. In addition, the remote controller includes a direction key 1405 for controlling the movement of the cursor on the electronic program guide screen, and color buttons 1410, 1412, 1414, and 1416 for displaying additional information are defined.

The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may also be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

So far I looked at the center of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

According to the present invention, in a multi-channel broadcast, a plurality of channels are grouped into respective groups and displayed through mosaic cells so that a user can easily find a desired channel. In addition, the mini electronic program guide provided during a predetermined program broadcast may find various detailed information about the current broadcast, and may easily move to a desired channel by searching for information about another channel or another program.

If a user accesses a cell of an unauthorized channel, the cell can be semi-transparent to indicate that the user is an unauthorized channel and to prompt the user to join the channel. It can be easy to join. And, you can buy the program directly from the trailer for the program provided by PPV.

Claims (26)

A channel display unit displaying channel groups grouped according to genres / characteristics on each of the mosaic cells, and displaying channels belonging to the channel group displayed on the selected mosaic cell on the mosaic cells when a predetermined mosaic cell is selected; A detailed information display unit for displaying information on channels belonging to the channel group displayed on the mosaic cell where the cursor is located or program information about the channel displayed on the mosaic cell where the cursor is currently located; And And a banner advertisement display unit configured to display at least one banner advertisement scheduled based on a date, a start time, and an end time according to the scheduled date and time, and to move to an event associated with the banner advertisement when the banner advertisement is selected. An electronic program guide providing device. The method of claim 1, And the cursor is displayed around the mosaic cell using a predetermined border. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the cursor moves cyclically from end to end of mosaic cells of the same row and column in moving mosaic cells representing channel groups. The method according to claim 1 or 2, In the channel display unit displaying a mosaic cell displaying channels belonging to a predetermined channel group, when the cursor moves to the left or right of the left or right end mosaic cell, the channels of the previous or next page are respectively assigned to the mosaic cells. And an electronic program guide providing device. The method of claim 4, wherein The channel display unit displays the first page channels of the next channel group in the mosaic cells when the cursor moves to the right from the rightmost mosaic cell in the mosaic cell indicating the last page of the channels belonging to a certain channel group. Guide provision device. The method of claim 1, The channel group includes a PPV and a VOD group, And the channel display unit provides a portal screen for providing the PPV or the VOD when the mosaic cell in which the PPV or the VOD group is displayed is selected. The method of claim 1, And displaying the channels of a predetermined channel group on the mosaic cells, wherein the channel display unit semi-transparently displays a channel without a user's access authority among the channels displayed on the mosaic cells. The method of claim 7, wherein the channel display unit, And providing an online subscription screen through a pop-up message when the channel without the access right is selected. The method of claim 7, wherein the detail information display unit, And when the cursor is located on the channel without the access right, displaying the channel information and the subscription information on the channel without the access right. The method of claim 1, And a logo display unit which displays a broadcaster logo received from a service provider, and displays the changed broadcaster logo upon receiving the broadcaster logo changed by the service provider. In the mini-electronic program guide providing apparatus to display the electronic program guide information superimposed on the program currently being broadcast on one side of the screen, A program information display unit displaying a program screening degree of the current channel through a bar graph and displaying channel information; It provides a detailed information button and a data broadcast button including a plot, a schedule and additional information, if the detailed information button is selected to display the detailed information through a pop-up window, and if the data broadcast button is selected, data broadcast via a pop-up window An additional information display unit displaying a service menu and an event menu; And And a banner advertisement display unit configured to display banner advertisements for various events according to a predetermined schedule and to move to an event service providing screen connected to the banner advertisement when the banner advertisement is selected. The method of claim 11, wherein the program information display unit, When the left and right movement key of the remote control is input, the program information before and after the current channel is displayed, and when the up and down movement key of the remote control is displayed, the program information being broadcast on the channel before and after the current time is displayed. Program guide provision device. The method of claim 11, wherein the program information display unit, And selecting a program of a predetermined channel inquired by using up, down, left, and right keys of the remote controller, wherein the selected program moves to the channel being broadcasted. The method of claim 11, wherein the additional information display unit, The mini electronic program guide providing apparatus, characterized in that for displaying the program information of the channel that can be currently reserved through the schedule of the detailed information. The program information display unit according to claim 11 or 14, The mini-electronic program guide providing device, characterized in that to display the information of the reserved program before a predetermined time of the broadcast start of the reserved program through the schedule of the detailed information. The method of claim 11, If the currently broadcast program is a trailer channel program, The program information display unit displays the program information of the trailer channel, The additional information display unit displays a program immediate purchase button and a screening schedule button of the trailer channel, and when the immediate purchase button is selected, the mini-electronics, wherein the movie is purchased at the earliest time from the end of the trailer. Program guide provision device. The method of claim 16, wherein the additional information display unit, When the screening timetable button is selected, a program list being broadcast on the PPV channels is displayed, and when a predetermined program is selected, the screening time information of the selected program is moved to the PPV portal screen. Provision device. The method of claim 16, And the program information display unit displays program reservation information before a predetermined time of starting the screening of a program purchased on the trailer channel or purchased through the PPV portal screen. Displaying a group of channels grouped by genre / feature in a plurality of mosaic cells, and if a predetermined channel group is selected, displaying channels of the selected channel group in the mosaic cells; Displaying channel information of the channel group or detailed information of the channel according to whether the mosaic cell where the cursor is located is a channel group or a channel of a predetermined channel group; And And displaying an event banner advertisement according to a predetermined scheduling, and moving to an event associated with the banner advertisement when the banner advertisement is selected. The method of claim 19, wherein the displaying of the detailed information comprises: And displaying the channel numbers and channel names of the channels belonging to the channel group when the cursor is in a mosaic cell indicating the channel group. The method of claim 20, wherein the displaying of the detailed information comprises: And displaying the channels belonging to the channel group through a scroll function. The method of claim 20, wherein the channel display step, And translucently displaying a mosaic cell displaying a channel to which a user does not have an access right among the mosaic cells displaying the channels. Displaying a screening degree of a program of a current channel through a bar graph and displaying information of the program; Displaying detailed information and data broadcasting service information including a plot, organization information, and additional information through a pop-up window; And Displaying at least one event banner advertisement according to a predetermined schedule, and if the banner advertisement is selected, moving to an event providing screen connected to the banner advertisement. delete delete delete

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