KR100712696B1 - Data service system of network for digital television - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coupon service, and more particularly, to a data service system technology of a digital television network that serves coupons through a broadcast receiving device such as a set top box for digital television.

A data service system of a digital television network according to the present invention includes a subscriber identification module for identifying a broadcast subscriber requesting a coupon; A coupon generation module for generating corresponding coupon data in response to a coupon request from a broadcast receiving device; And a coupon transmission module for providing coupon data generated by the coupon generation module to the corresponding subscriber with reference to the subscriber information confirmed by the subscriber identification module.

Digital, Broadcast, Coupon, Broadcast Subscribers

Description

Data service system of digital television network

1 is a schematic network connection diagram of a data service system of a digital television network according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a data service system of a digital television network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view schematically showing a coupon service processing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to coupon services, and more particularly, to a data service system technology of a digital television network that serves coupons through a broadcast receiving device such as a set-top box for digital television.

Coupon, as can be understood from the term, refers to a commodity discount ticket, an event ticket, a commodity exchange ticket, etc., a product that generates a substantially cash-like effect on the target product. In other words, a coupon is a token indicating a requirement for a product to be discounted, and usually a discount is provided for a specific product for a certain period of time. In this specification, a coupon includes all types of coupons, such as a product discount ticket that can receive a discount on a product price, an event ticket that can be applied to an event event, and an exchange ticket that can be exchanged for a specific product. As consumers use these coupons to purchase the product intensively, manufacturers can achieve the effect of increasing the sales of coupon products and improving the distribution handling rate, and in retail stores, the sales increase and the handling fee income are generated. have.

Such coupons are typically distributed to consumers through daily newspapers, magazines, or storefronts. The random distribution of such coupons off-line causes a waste of costs and negatively affects coupon collection. In order to solve this problem, a technique for distributing and managing coupons on the Internet has been proposed. However, the Internet-based method provides a disadvantage that a person who wants to obtain a coupon must actively surf the Internet. That is, modern people have to go through a cumbersome process to use the coupon when purchasing a product or using a specific service in a busy daily life.

Accordingly, the present applicant has sought a technical scheme for efficiently serving coupons through a broadcast receiving device such as a TV, which is most familiar to the daily lives of modern people. Meanwhile, according to registration number 10-0409030, filed and registered on April 2, 2003, a technology that can receive and use a discount coupon through a digital set-top box and a smart card used therein is disclosed. However, this is related to the category on the digital set-top box side, it does not disclose a variety of technologies that can service and manage the coupon, in particular the technology for identifying and authenticating the coupon issuing requestor at the service provider side issuing the coupon Not.

An object of the present invention is to provide a data service system of a digital television network capable of servicing a coupon through a broadcast receiving device.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to enable a data service system of a digital television network to provide a coupon requested from a broadcast receiving device to a broadcast subscriber (viewer) who has requested to issue a coupon through various methods.

In addition, the data service system of the digital television network aims to allow a broadcast subscriber who requests a coupon to use various coupons through one card without having to issue a coupon directly.

It is also an object of the data service system of the digital television network to perform an approval process for coupon use at a coupon merchant.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to enable a digital television network data service system to issue a coupon associated with a specific advertisement requested from a broadcast subscriber.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to enable a data service system of a digital television network to provide various coupon information through a broadcast receiving device.

It is also an object of the digital television network data service system to provide subscriber-specific coupon information.

It is also an object of the data service system of the digital television network to obtain additional information from the broadcast subscriber.

In addition, the purpose of the data service system of the digital television network to allow the broadcast subscriber and the coupon affiliate manager, who is the coupon service user, to process the inquiry and management of the coupon.

In addition, the purpose of the digital television network data service system to analyze the comprehensive coupon information for the issued coupons to provide them to the coupon affiliates.

A data service system of a digital television network according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a subscriber identification module for identifying a broadcast subscriber, that is, a viewer and a coupon request from a broadcast receiving device such as a set-top box for a digital TV. Coupon generation module for generating the corresponding coupon data, and coupon transmission module for providing the coupon data generated by the coupon generation module to the subscriber with reference to the subscriber information confirmed by the subscriber identification module. According to this aspect of the present invention, when the viewer displays a service for issuing a coupon on a screen when watching TV, the viewer can be provided with a coupon by requesting the coupon through a remote control operation.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the subscriber identification module is characterized by identifying a broadcast subscriber in connection with a subscriber authentication system of a broadcast service provider. According to this aspect of the present invention, a data service system of a digital television network can identify a broadcast subscriber through a subscriber authentication system of a known broadcast service provider, and thus has an advantage of efficiently identifying a subscriber.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the data service system of the digital television network further includes a coupon providing module configured to store and manage the coupon data generated by the coupon generating module with the corresponding coupon card, and the coupon generating module further includes the generated coupon. The data is provided to one module selected according to a specified coupon data request method among a coupon transmission module and a coupon provision module. According to this aspect of the present invention, if the broadcast subscriber requesting the coupon designates to use the coupon card, the data service system side of the digital television network does not need to transmit the coupon data, thereby preventing unnecessary waste of network resources. The broadcast subscribers can use a variety of coupons through a single coupon card.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the data service system of the digital television network further includes a coupon use approval processing module for receiving coupon information from a coupon payment system located at a coupon affiliate and returning a result of whether the coupon is approved. According to this aspect of the present invention, by providing the approval processing function for the use of the coupon issued by the data service system of the digital television network, the coupon merchant stores the necessary information such as the discount amount of the coupon, the available period, and the like on the digital television network data. Since it does not need to have a database provided from the service system, unnecessary resource waste can be prevented. In addition, the data service system side of the digital television network can check in real time the information on the use of the issued coupon.

In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, the data service system of the digital television network further includes a coupon broadcasting service module for serving data broadcasting for providing various coupon information, and the coupon generating module serves data broadcasting in the coupon broadcasting service module. Corresponding coupon data is generated according to a coupon request designated by the broadcast receiving apparatus. According to this aspect of the present invention, a subscriber may obtain various coupon information through a coupon service broadcast channel, and may designate a desired coupon among them.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the coupon broadcasting service module provides coupon information suitable for subscriber taste with reference to subscriber information obtained from the subscriber identification module. According to this aspect of the present invention, a broadcast viewer as a subscriber can easily grasp the coupon information desired by the subscriber.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a data service system of a digital television network transmits additional information request data to a broadcast receiving device to obtain corresponding additional information according to a coupon request designated by the broadcast receiving device, and returns from the broadcast receiving device. The additional information processing module may further include an additional information processing module configured to receive and store additional information, and when the coupon generation module receives the additional information from the additional information processing module, generates the coupon data to which the additional coupon discount amount and the discount rate are applied. According to this aspect of the present invention, the subscriber can receive additional coupon service by providing additional information on the request for additional information requested by the data service system side of the digital television network, and the additional service provided by the data service system side of the digital television network. The information can be reflected in the coupon service, and according to an example, the coupon propensity of the broadcasting subscribers can be grasped and used for broadcasting the coupon service data.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a data service system of a digital television network allows a subscriber and a coupon service manager of a coupon affiliate to access a data service system of a digital television network so as to query, register, or delete their coupons. Further includes a coupon management service module. The coupon management service module allows a subscriber to search for a coupon through a broadcast receiving device or a web / web service, and a coupon service manager of a coupon affiliate company registers or requests to register, delete or delete a coupon through a web / web service. Allow you to manage your coupons. According to this aspect of the present invention, subscribers and coupon affiliates, which are broadcast viewers, can efficiently manage coupons.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the digital television network data service system acquires at least subscriber-issued coupon issuance information and coupon use information, thereby generating analysis data necessary for customer management, service or product management to which the coupon is applied, and affiliated with the coupon. Process the transfer to the vendor server. According to this aspect of the present invention, the coupon affiliate company may use the data to generate profitability through customer management, service or product management through analysis data provided from the data service system of the digital television network.

The foregoing and further aspects of the present invention will become more apparent through the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to easily understand and reproduce the present invention.

1 is a network diagram schematically illustrating a connection configuration between a broadcast receiving device and a broadcast service system according to an embodiment. First of all, the broadcasting system 100 is a broadcasting service that receives a broadcasting program from a program provider (PP) and / or a data broadcasting service provider (DP) in cable broadcasting and processes a broadcasting service. It is operated by SO (System Operator) operator. However, the broadcast system 100 and the PP side system are not necessarily operated by separate operators, but may be operated by a single broadcast service provider.

The broadcast system 100 receives broadcasts provided from the PPs and DPs and transmits them to the broadcast receiving apparatus 200 in real time, or stores the received broadcast programs and transmits them according to broadcast scheduling. The transmission method is compressed through MPEG compression, preferably MPEG-2, and the compression and transmission technology itself of digital broadcasting is a well-known technology, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the broadcast system 100 may provide EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information for providing broadcast program information to the digital TV through data broadcasting.

The broadcast receiving device 200 may preferably be a set-top box for a digital television capable of processing digital broadcasts broadcast from the broadcast system 100. The broadcast reception device 200 may perform bidirectional communication with the broadcast system 100 due to the digital broadcast characteristics. The broadcast receiving device 200 includes at least one or more tuners, and processes the tuning to the broadcast channel selected by the viewer's remote control under the control of the controller. The broadcast reception device 200 preferably outputs the tuned broadcast signal by processing VSB, QPSK, QAM decoding according to a transmission method from the broadcast system 100, and converts the broadcast signal into a video signal and an audio signal through an MPEG decoder. Decode process. The audio signal is output through the speaker, and the video signal is processed into broadcast screen data suitable for screen display and output to the display device. Since the technical configuration itself of the broadcast reception device 200 is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The broadcast receiving device 200 may also be electrically connected to a smart card through a card reader unit provided separately or a card reader unit provided separately, and transmitted from the data service system 300 of the digital television network to be described later according to the present invention. The coupon data can be received and stored in a smart card. Since the technology itself in which the broadcast receiving device 200 is electrically connected to the smart card through the card reader is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For reference, such a smart card may be used as one component of a subscriber authentication system to be described later.

In addition, communication between the broadcast system 100 and the digital broadcast receiver 200 is performed through a method for processing current broadcast transmission and reception such as satellite, airwaves, and optical cables. To this end, the broadcast system 100 and the digital broadcast reception device 200 have a hardware and / or software configuration suitable for a corresponding communication method. For broadcast communication such as satellite, airwaves, and optical cables, hardware and / or software itself implemented in the broadcast system 100 and the digital broadcast reception device 200 are also known technical configurations, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, in digital broadcasting, a subscriber authentication system (called a conditional access system (CAS)) technology is implemented between the broadcasting system 100 and the broadcast receiving device 200. Subscriber authentication system is a general term for a device that can receive only broadcast subscribers who are eligible for paid broadcasting service. It consists of three areas: frequency band scrambler, key management, and subscriber database management. Since the technology itself is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. According to an example, a smart card that stores personal information may be used at the broadcast reception device side for the subscriber authentication system. Since the technology itself is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. And such smart card may be stored coupon data according to the present invention.

The data service system 300 of the digital television network according to the characteristic aspect of the present invention proposes a technology for servicing a coupon through the broadcast reception device 200. Such a data service system 300 of a digital television network is networked with a point of sales (POS) server 400 which is a known configuration according to a preferred embodiment, and the point of sales (400) server 400 is known. It is connected to a plurality of POS terminals 500 in a configuration. The POS server 400 requests the coupon usage inquiry to the data service system 300 of the digital television network according to the present invention. Coupon inquiry processing itself in the POS server of a known configuration is a well-known technique, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the data service system 300 of the digital television network is network-connected with a coupon affiliate company server 600 which is a coupon affiliate store, and generates analytical data according to a later-described aspect and transmits it to the coupon affiliate company server 600. This aspect will be described later.

Hereinafter, the data service system 300 of the digital television network will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown, the data service system 300 of the digital television network includes a subscriber identification module 315, a coupon generation module 320, and a coupon transmission module 325 according to one aspect. The subscriber identification module 315 preferably identifies the broadcast subscriber who requested the coupon when there is a coupon request from the broadcast receiving device 200 according to an example as described below. To this end, the subscriber identification module 315 identifies the broadcast subscriber in connection with the subscriber authentication system of the broadcast service provider as described above according to one aspect. That is, the subscriber identification module 315 may confirm broadcast subscriber information by acquiring broadcast subscriber information in association with a subscriber authentication system (also called a reception restriction system).

The coupon generation module 320 receives the coupon request data from the broadcast reception device 200 through the communication unit 305. Here, the coupon generation module 320 does not directly receive the coupon request data from the broadcast receiving device 200, but through the broadcast system 100. That is, the broadcast system 100 receives the coupon request data from the broadcast receiving device 200 through a return channel or a back channel, and the broadcast system 100 receives the received coupon request data from a LAN or a dedicated line. Or the like to be transmitted to the networked coupon service system 300. Here, the uplink channel is a channel connected to a broadcasting station from a receiver and is an essential element for providing a bidirectional communication service, which is a feature of digital broadcasting. Since the uplink itself is a known technical configuration, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The coupon generation module 320 generates the corresponding coupon data by referring to the coupon DB of the database 310 according to the coupon request data received from the broadcast receiving apparatus 200. In the coupon DB, the corresponding product or service information for each coupon, coupon use period information, coupon benefit information such as a discount, bar code information, and additionally related coupon information are mapped and stored. Coupon generation module 320 generates the requested coupon data based on the information stored in the coupon DB.

The coupon request at the broadcast reception device 200 may be made by, for example, manipulating a remote control of a viewer. That is, when the viewer performs a specific key operation of the remote control to receive the coupon provided on the screen in various ways (the embodiment thereof will be described later) when watching TV, the broadcast receiving device 200 receives the key signal from the remote control. The coupon request data is transmitted to the broadcast system 100 through the uplink channel. The broadcast system 100 transmits the coupon request data received through the uplink channel to the data service system 300 of the networked digital television network. The coupon generation module 320 of the data service system 300 of the digital television network receives the coupon request data through the communication unit 305 and performs the processing as described above.

The coupon transmission module 325 may refer to the coupon data generated by the coupon generation module 320 with reference to the subscriber information confirmed by the subscriber identification module 315 so that the corresponding subscriber may be provided with the coupon. According to an aspect, the coupon providing of the coupon transmitting module 325 may transmit or process the coupon data generated by the coupon generating module 320 to the broadcast receiving device 200 according to a designated coupon data request method, or send an e-mail (E-). mail), SMS, MMS can be made by providing a method corresponding to the coupon data request method.

According to an example, the designated coupon data request method may be determined according to a coupon reception request method transmitted from the broadcast reception device 200 through a remote controller key operation (this will be described later through an embodiment according to an aspect to be described later). Will be explained). According to another example, one of the designated methods may be a request for receiving a coupon provided by a member who wants to use a coupon service. The coupon reception request method provided by the member subscriber is preferably stored in the subscriber DB together with the subscriber information obtained from the subscriber identification module 315, and the coupon transmission module 325 refers to the subscriber DB of the database 310. The coupon data is transmitted and processed according to the method.

In addition, the coupon transmission module 325 stores the issuance content (who, what coupon, when, etc.) information for the coupon issued according to the above-described embodiments in the issuing coupon DB of the database 310. This may be processed first before the coupon data is provided, or may be processed after the coupon is provided.

First, the coupon transmission module 325 will be described with respect to the process of transmitting the coupon data generated by the coupon generation module 320 to the broadcast receiving device 200, the coupon transmission module 325 is coupon data (preferably products, LAN discount information for the product, available period information, etc.) and the identification information of the broadcast reception device 200 (which may be subscriber information obtained from the subscriber identification module 315) through the communication unit 305. It transmits to the network-connected broadcasting system 200 by a dedicated line. The broadcast system 100 receives the coupon data and the identification information of the broadcast receiving device 200 and transmits the coupon data to the corresponding broadcast receiving device 200 through the uplink channel with reference to the identification information.

The broadcast receiving device 200 receives the coupon data transmitted through the uplink channel and stores the coupon data in the smart card as described above. Accordingly, a smart card holder who is issued a coupon through such a method when watching TV may enjoy a certain profit by using a smart card when purchasing a product to which the coupon is applied or using a service.

Next, when the coupon transmission module 325 provides the coupon data generated by the coupon generation module 320 through the service of the E-mail, SMS, MMS method, first, the communication unit 305 is connected to the Internet for this purpose. It includes the configuration of a web adapter for handling connection with a network. The web adapter may transmit the coupon data processed by the coupon transmission module 325 to the email address of the viewer who requested the coupon through the internet network, or the viewer's mobile communication through the mobile network through the internet network. It can also be sent by SMS or MMS to the terminal. The communication unit 305 including such a web adapter configuration may further include a wireless network adapter configuration for connection processing with a mobile communication network. When the coupon transmission module 325 transmits the coupon data by SMS / MMS, the coupon transmission module 325 transmits the coupon data to the viewer's mobile communication terminal through the direct mobile communication network without having to go through the internet network. Since the configuration of the Web Adapter and the Wireless Network Adapter itself is a known technical configuration, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the data service system 300 of the digital television network having the configuration of the communication unit 305, a description will be given of a processing procedure for the case where the coupon reception request method is E-mail or MMS. Preferably, coupon image data including barcode information (for example, an image of information such as product shape, product name, available period, etc.) is generated. The coupon transmission module 325 converts the generated coupon data according to the transmission method of E-mail or MMS and transmits the coupon data to a mobile communication terminal such as an email address of the subscriber or a mobile phone of the subscriber. Accordingly, a person who has issued a coupon through an e-mail can print and use the coupon, and a person who has been issued a coupon through the MMS method can use the coupon through a mobile communication terminal.

Next, when the designated coupon receipt request method is SMS, the coupon generation module 320 generates text data according to an embodiment. And the coupon transmission module 325 converts it to the SMS transmission method and transmits to the subscriber's mobile communication terminal. In this case, the person who issued the coupon can use the coupon through the mobile communication terminal, but the coupon data provided by the SMS characteristics is only available for text information such as the coupon title and the coupon unique number, so the store staff checks visually and enters the number. Since it is necessary to query the availability of coupons, there is a disadvantage in that processing in the store is inconvenient.

In order to solve this problem, the coupon generation module 320 preferably generates coupon image data including barcode information. The coupon transmission module 325 transmits a callback URL to the subscriber's mobile terminal. The subscriber accesses the SMS received Callback URL to his mobile communication terminal, accesses the data service system 300 of the digital television network, and downloads the coupon image data provided by the coupon transmission module 325. Accordingly, the person who has issued the coupon can conveniently use the coupon through the mobile communication terminal, and the store clerk can process the payment by conveniently scanning the coupon barcode information displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal through the scanner.

According to this aspect of the present invention, when the viewer displays a service for issuing a coupon on the screen when watching TV, the coupon can be issued and used by requesting the coupon through a remote control operation. In addition, the broadcast viewer requesting the coupon can be issued to use the coupon as desired through a variety of coupon receiving method of his smart card, e-mail address, mobile communication terminal.

The data service system 300 of the digital television network according to an additional aspect of the present invention further includes a coupon providing module 330 for mapping and storing and managing coupon data generated by the coupon generating module 320 with corresponding coupon card information. The coupon data generated by the coupon generation module 320 may be provided to only one module according to the coupon data request method specified among the coupon transmission module 325 or the coupon providing module 330.

First of all, a coupon card is the same as a mileage or loyalty card that is currently used, and refers to a card that stores only coupon card information without directly storing coupon data in its internal memory. Such a coupon card may be provided to the registered subscribers by mail or the like. When a member subscriber having a coupon card requests to receive a coupon receipt request method as described above, the coupon generation module 320 provides the generated coupon data to the coupon providing module 330. The coupon providing module 330 is to provide a coupon by mapping the coupon data provided from the coupon generating module 320 to coupon card information and storing and managing the coupon data in the issued coupon DB.

According to this aspect of the present invention, since the data service system 300 side of the digital television network does not need to transmit coupon data, unnecessary waste of network resources can be prevented, and a broadcast subscriber having a coupon card can use one coupon card. Various coupons can be used.

The data service system 300 of the digital television network according to an additional aspect of the present invention further includes a coupon use approval processing module 335. According to an example, for example, the above-described point of sales (POS) terminal 500 having a known configuration in a coupon affiliated company and affiliated stores thereof transmits product and coupon information through the POS server 400 to view the coupon approval. When the request is made, the coupon use approval processing module 335 determines whether the coupon is a coupon for the product with reference to the issued coupon DB of the database 310, and checks whether the coupon period is available and returns whether the coupon is approved. . The description of the processing and the reply according to the coupon approval inquiry request from the affiliated store is well known, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the issued coupon DB not only stores and stores the coupon data information stored and managed by the coupon providing module 330 with the corresponding coupon card information, and also maps and stores the smart card information and the corresponding coupon data information. It stores coupon data information provided (issued) according to the method by E-mail, SMS, and MMS. The issuing coupon DB may further store additional information such as date and time of issuing the coupon by mapping the corresponding coupon data. In addition, in the issued coupon DB, the coupon use is approved by the coupon use approval processing module 335, and information about the coupon used in the store is preferably mapped with the corresponding date information. Preferably, the issued coupon DB is configured to store and manage the coupon information issued by the coupon transmission module 325 and the coupon providing module 330 and the coupon information issued and used.

According to this aspect of the present invention, by providing the approval processing function for the use of the coupon issued by the data service system of the digital television network, the coupon merchant stores the necessary information such as the discount amount of the coupon, the available period, and the like on the digital television network data. Since it does not need to have a database provided from the service system, unnecessary resource waste can be prevented. In addition, the data service system side of the digital television network can check in real time the information on the use of the issued coupon.

In addition to the above-described aspect, the coupon directly or indirectly requested from the broadcast receiving device 200 is associated with a specific advertisement, and the coupon generation module 320 obtains specific advertisement information and generates corresponding coupon data. do. In a commercial associated with the coupon service, a specific logo indicating that the coupon is issued may be displayed. For example, when the company A wants to use the coupon service according to the present invention, the company A may use an advertisement (eg, For example, a hamburger advertisement). A viewer watching such an advertisement can receive a coupon in real time by operating a specific key of the remote controller, for example.

Referring to this embodiment, the broadcast receiving device 200 first receives a coupon request associated with a specific advertisement from a remote controller, and transmits it to the data service system 300 of the digital television network. The coupon generation module 320 of the data service system 300 of the digital television network receives a coupon request from the broadcast receiving device 200, and the viewer views the current broadcast receiving device 200 on the broadcast system 100 side. Request specific advertisement information. The broadcast system 100 obtains broadcast channel information currently tuned in the broadcast reception device 200 according to a request of the data service system 300 of the digital television network, and refers to specific advertisement information by referring to a database in which a broadcast schedule is stored. To the data service system 300 of the digital television network. Alternatively, when the broadcast system 100 receives a coupon request associated with a specific advertisement from the broadcast receiving device 200 and transmits the request to the data service system 300 of the digital television network, the specific advertisement information is obtained and accompanied. Can handle transfer.

The coupon generation module 320 obtains specific advertisement information provided by the broadcasting system 100 and generates corresponding coupon data with reference to the coupon DB. To this end, the coupon DB preferably stores the corresponding advertisement information in addition to the corresponding product or service information as described above, coupon use period information, coupon benefit information such as a discount, barcode information, and the like. That is, the coupon generation module 320 accesses the acquired specific advertisement information in the coupon DB of the database 310 and generates coupon data through the above-described information mapped to the accessed advertisement information.

According to this aspect of the present invention, a broadcast subscriber (viewer) can receive a desired coupon in real time while viewing an advertisement associated with a coupon service.

The data service system 300 of the digital television network further includes a coupon broadcasting service module 340 for serving data broadcasting for providing a plurality of coupon information to the broadcast receiving apparatus 200. The generation module 320 may generate corresponding coupon data according to a coupon request specified by the broadcast receiving device 200 during data broadcasting serviced by the coupon broadcasting service module 340.

The coupon broadcasting service module 340 provides a separate data broadcast for the coupon service to a broadcasting subscriber who has subscribed to use the coupon service. The coupon broadcasting service module 340 may provide the data broadcasting to the broadcasting system 100 in real time or may provide the data broadcasting in advance. To this end, the communication unit 305 of the data service system 300 of the digital television network further includes a broadcast TV adapter (Digital TV Broadcast Network Adapter). Since the configuration of the Digital TV Broadcast Network Adapter itself is a well-known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The broadcast system 100 receives a coupon broadcast in real time from the coupon broadcast service module 340 of the data service system 300 of the digital television network, or broadcasts the coupon broadcast received in advance according to a broadcast schedule. The broadcast reception device 200 preferably checks whether the subscriber subscribes to the coupon service broadcast through the subscriber authentication system of the broadcast system 100 (if the coupon service broadcast is charged), and provides the coupon service broadcast channel from the remote controller. Tune to receive coupon data broadcasts as requested.

In the coupon data broadcast in which the coupon broadcast channel is tuned by the broadcast receiving device 200 and displayed on a TV screen, information on a plurality of coupons may be provided in the form of text, image, video, etc. according to a method of providing the coupon data. Can be displayed. The plurality of coupons have unique identification information, and specific coupons may be highlighted by the viewer's remote controller operation. The coupon broadcast service module 340 may receive more detailed coupon information by receiving selection information of a specific coupon from the broadcast receiving device 200.

The coupon broadcast service module 340 according to an aspect may provide category information for each coupon type. For example, the coupon broadcast service module 340 may serve a data broadcast providing a category to food, clothing, home appliances, and the like, and may serve a data broadcast having sub information on a category selected by a viewer's remote control operation. Can be. When the viewer selects a food category, the coupon broadcasting service module 340 provides a subcategory classified into Korean, Western, and Chinese. Among them, when the viewer selects Korean, the coupon broadcasting service module 340 is a merchant of the coupon service. Provides a number of coupons that can be used in Korean restaurants.

When the viewer selects and specifies a coupon to be issued through a remote controller according to the coupon data broadcasting method, the broadcast receiving device 200 preferably transmits identification information of the designated coupon to the data service system 300 of the digital television network. send. The coupon generation module 320 of the data service system 300 of the digital television network receives the identification information of the designated coupon transmitted through the uplink channel from the broadcast receiving device 200 through the Interaction Network Adapter of the communication unit 305. The coupon generation module 320 generates the coupon data with reference to the coupon DB of the database 310 according to the identification information of the coupon received through the communication unit 305. To this end, the coupon DB is preferably stored by mapping the identification information for identifying the coupon requested to the corresponding product or service information, the coupon available period information, coupon benefit information such as discount, bar code information, and the like described above. That is, the coupon generation module 320 accesses the identification information of the coupon received through the communication unit 305 in the coupon DB of the database 310, and the coupon data through the information as described above mapped to the accessed identification information. To generate.

According to an example, when there is a coupon request from the broadcast reception device, the coupon transmission module 325 may query the broadcast reception device 200 for a coupon reception request method (E-mail, SMS, MMS, etc.). Can be transmitted. The broadcast receiving device 200 displays a coupon receiving request method on the TV screen, and returns the coupon receiving request method selected from the remote controller to the data service system 300 of the digital television network. The coupon transmission module 325 of the data service system 300 of the digital television network may additionally request necessary information (eg, an email address, a mobile phone number, etc.). To this end, the remote control may be manufactured to enable a text input function such as a mobile phone. The coupon transmission module 325 may provide coupon data through a coupon receipt request method that is returned accordingly. Alternatively, as described above, coupon data may be provided through pre-stored coupon reception request method information of the subscriber.

According to this aspect of the present invention, a subscriber can obtain various coupon information through a coupon broadcasting channel, and can designate a desired coupon among them. Furthermore, when the coupon broadcasting channel service module serves a category categorized broadcast, the broadcast viewer can easily search for a desired coupon through a remote controller operation.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the coupon broadcasting service module 340 may provide data broadcasting for providing specialized coupon information through subscriber information acquired by the subscriber identification module 315. When the viewer selects the coupon service channel through the remote control operation, the subscriber identification module 315 obtains the broadcast subscriber information requesting the coupon service channel broadcast through the subscriber authentication system of the associated broadcast service provider. The coupon broadcast service module 340 accesses the corresponding subscriber information stored in the subscriber DB of the database 310 through the subscriber information acquired by the subscriber identification module 315. The coupon broadcasting service module 340 provides a data broadcast including specialized coupon information through access subscriber information and additionally issued coupon information stored and mapped thereto. The data broadcast including such specialized coupon information may be prepared in advance and provided according to a coupon service channel request of the corresponding broadcast subscriber. In addition, a data broadcast including specialized coupon information may be provided at the request of a viewer in a data broadcast providing general coupon information.

According to this aspect of the present invention, a viewer who is a broadcast subscriber can easily grasp desired coupon information according to taste.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the data service system 300 of the digital television network transmits and processes corresponding additional information request data to the broadcast receiving device 200 according to a coupon request designated by the broadcast receiving device 200, and broadcasts the broadcast. Further comprising an additional information processing module 345 for receiving and storing additional information transmitted from the receiving device 200, when the coupon generation module 320 receives the additional information from the additional information processing module 345, It is characterized by generating the corresponding coupon data with reference to this.

As described above, when a viewer requests a specific coupon when viewing a data broadcast for a coupon service, the additional information processing module 345 corresponds to a questionnaire, customer information input, etc., when there is an additional item corresponding to the requested coupon. Present additional menu. When a questionnaire or customer information input is presented on the TV screen through the broadcast receiving device 200, the viewer operates a remote controller to input a response thereto. To this end, the remote control may be manufactured to enable a text input function such as a mobile phone. Also, when the request for additional information is viewing an advertisement related to a coupon, the viewer only needs to watch the related advertisement.

The broadcast receiving device 200 transmits and processes additional information performed according to a viewer's remote control operation and advertisement viewing, and the additional information processing module 345 stores and manages additional information transmitted from the broadcast receiving device 200. Such additional information may be used as one information for providing coupon information specialized for each broadcast subscriber in the above-described coupon broadcast channel service module 340. When the additional information processing module 345 obtains additional information from the broadcast receiving device 200, the coupon generating module 320 provides additional services by generating coupon data such as additional coupon discount.

According to this aspect of the present invention, a subscriber can receive additional coupon service by providing additional information on a request for additional information requested by the data service system side of the digital television network, and additional information provided by the data service system side of the digital television network. Through more specialized subscriber management, etc., it is possible to grasp the propensity of broadcast subscribers and to use in the coupon service.

The data service system 300 of the digital television network according to an additional aspect of the present invention further includes a coupon management service module 350. The coupon management service module 350 processes a subscriber coupon inquiry request from the broadcast receiving device 200. According to an exemplary embodiment, an icon such as 'my coupon' may be displayed on one side of a data broadcasting screen for a coupon service provided by the coupon broadcasting service module 340 to allow a subscriber to request his coupon. When the viewer selects the 'my coupon' icon through the remote control operation, the broadcast receiving device 200 requests the coupon search of the subscriber to the coupon broadcasting system 300. The coupon broadcasting system 300 provides information such as coupon issuance details, usage details, etc. of the subscriber according to the coupon management request of the subscriber. The broadcast subscriber may also query various information such as issuance history, usage history, etc. of his coupon through a computer. For this purpose, the coupon management service module 350 provides a web / web service. Since the information providing itself using the web / web service itself is a known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the coupon management service module 350 may issue a coupon by registering (or requesting registration) a coupon of a manager of a coupon affiliate, and managing a coupon such as deleting (or deleting request) and inquiring web / web. Provide service. Accordingly, the coupon affiliate manager can process the company's coupon registration (for example, in the case of a clothing company, discount coupon registration for a new product) through a web / web service provided by the coupon management service module 350 through a computer. have. The coupon management service module 350 updates the coupon DB of the database 310 according to the registration and deletion processing of the coupon affiliate company manager.

According to this aspect of the present invention, a subscriber who is a broadcast viewer can inquire information such as when and where the issued coupon was used, and the coupon affiliate company can search for the issued coupon and register (issue) and delete the coupon. The same coupon can be managed efficiently.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the data service system 300 of the digital television network further includes a coupon usage analysis module 355. Coupon usage analysis module 355 refers to the database 310 at least coupon issuance information and coupon usage information for each subscriber, and additional coupon information obtained from the additional information processing module 345, etc. coupon issuance results, customer preferences It generates and processes the CRM (Consumer Relationship Management) analysis data and transmits to the coupon affiliate server. In addition, the coupon use analysis module 355 stores and manages the generated analysis data, and may be provided according to the coupon management request from the coupon management service module 350 described above.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the coupon affiliate company may use the data to generate profitability through customer management, service or product management through analysis data provided from the data service system of the digital television network.

3 is a view schematically showing a coupon service processing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3, a coupon service processing process according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, a TV viewer selects a coupon service broadcast channel by operating a remote controller (step ①). The broadcast reception device 200 performs a tuning process to receive a coupon service broadcast channel according to a viewer's remote control operation command. According to the tuning processing of the broadcast receiving device 200, a coupon service broadcast providing various coupon information is displayed on the TV screen. In this case, the data service system 300 acquires the broadcast subscriber information as described above to meet the subscriber's preference. A coupon service broadcast including specialized coupon information may be provided (step ②).

The viewer selects a coupon to be issued from the plurality of coupons presented on the TV screen by operating the remote controller (step ③). The broadcast receiving device 200 requests the selected coupon by transmitting identification information on the selected coupon to the data service system 300 (step ④). When there is an additional item corresponding to the requested coupon as described above, the data service system 300 requests additional information such as a corresponding survey and customer information according to the coupon request from the broadcast receiving device 200. (Step ⑤). The viewer provides the requested additional information by operating the remote controller to which the text function is added as described above (step ⑥). The broadcast receiving device 200 transmits additional information provided by the remote controller to the data service system 300 (step ⑦).

The data service system 300 receives additional information transmitted from the broadcast receiving device 200 and stores and manages the additional information in the database 310 (step ⑧). Next, according to the acquisition of the additional information from the broadcast receiving device 200, the data service system 300 generates coupon data to which the additional service is applied and provides the coupon to the broadcast subscriber who is the viewer who requested the coupon. In this case, as described above, the data service system 300 transmits the coupon data to the broadcast receiving device 200, stores the mapping of the coupon data with the corresponding coupon card, and manages the mobile phone / email address according to the coupon receiving request method of the broadcast subscriber. The coupon is provided to the broadcast subscriber who is the viewer by any one of the coupon data transmission to the subscriber (step ⑨).

As described above, when the viewer displays a service for issuing a coupon on a screen when watching TV, the viewer can be issued and used by requesting the coupon through a remote control operation.                     

In addition, the broadcast viewer requesting the coupon can be issued to use the coupon as desired through a variety of coupon receiving method of his smart card, e-mail address, mobile communication terminal.

In addition, since the data service system side of the digital television network does not need to transmit coupon data, unnecessary waste of network resources can be prevented, and a broadcast subscriber having a coupon card can use various coupons through one coupon card.

In addition, by providing the approval processing function for the use of coupons issued by the data service system of the digital television network, the coupon merchant is provided with the necessary information such as the discount amount of the coupon and the available period from the data service system of the digital television network. Since it does not need to have it, it can prevent unnecessary resource waste. In addition, the data service system side of the digital television network can check in real time the information on the use of the issued coupon.

In addition, the broadcast subscriber (viewer) can be issued in real time the desired coupon during viewing the advertisement associated with the coupon service.

In addition, the broadcast subscriber may obtain various coupon information through a coupon broadcast channel, and may designate a desired coupon among them. Furthermore, when the coupon broadcasting channel service module serves a category categorized broadcast, the broadcast viewer can easily search for a desired coupon through a remote controller operation. Furthermore, broadcast viewers can easily grasp the coupon information according to their taste.                     

In addition, the broadcast subscriber can receive additional coupon service by providing additional information for the additional information request requested by the data service system side of the digital television network, and more specialized subscriber management through the additional information provided by the data service system side of the digital television network. Etc., the propensity of broadcasting subscribers can be grasped and used for a coupon service.

In addition, a subscriber as a broadcast viewer can query information such as when and where the issued coupon was used, and the coupon affiliates can efficiently manage coupons such as inquiry of issued coupons and registration and deletion of coupons.

In addition, coupon affiliates will be able to use the data to generate profitability through customer management, service or product management through the analysis data provided from the data service system of the digital television network.

On the other hand, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, which are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

A subscriber identification module for identifying a broadcast subscriber of the broadcast reception device with respect to a coupon request from the broadcast reception device; A coupon generation module for generating coupon data corresponding to the coupon requested from the broadcast receiving device; A coupon transmission module for providing the generated coupon data to the identified subscriber, and transmitting the generated coupon data to the subscriber's e-mail or the subscriber's portable terminal; Data service system of a digital television network comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber identification module is: A data service system of a digital television network, characterized by identifying a broadcast subscriber in association with a subscriber authentication system of a broadcast service provider. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is: And a coupon providing module configured to map and store the generated coupon data with the confirmed subscriber's coupon card information. And one of the coupon transmission module and the coupon providing module is provided with the generated coupon data. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The coupon requested from the broadcast receiving device is associated with a specific advertisement, The coupon generation module has: And obtaining the specific advertisement information to generate corresponding coupon data. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A coupon broadcasting service module for serving data broadcasting for providing a plurality of coupon information to the broadcasting receiving apparatus; The coupon generation module has: And a corresponding coupon data is generated according to a coupon request designated by the broadcast receiving device among data broadcasts serviced by the coupon broadcasting service module. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is: A coupon use approval processing module for receiving product or service information, coupon or coupon card or smart card information from the coupon payment system, and returning whether to use the coupon to the coupon payment system with reference thereto; And a data service system of a digital television network. The method of claim 5, wherein the coupon broadcast service module is: A data service system of a digital television network, comprising providing coupon information according to a category type according to a coupon type. The method of claim 5, wherein the coupon broadcast service module is: And a data broadcast for providing coupon information specific to the identified subscriber. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is: An additional information processing module configured to transmit and process corresponding additional information request data to the broadcast receiving device according to a coupon request designated by the broadcast receiving device, and to receive and store additional information transmitted from the broadcast receiving device; More, The coupon generation module has: When the additional information processing module receives the additional information, the data service system of the digital television network, characterized in that to generate the corresponding coupon data. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is: A coupon management service module for processing a coupon inquiry request of a subscriber through the broadcast receiving device or a web / web service and a coupon management request from a coupon affiliate company through a web / web service; And a data service system of a digital television network. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is: A coupon usage analysis module for obtaining at least subscriber-specific coupon issuance information and coupon usage information and generating analysis data thereof and transmitting the same to the coupon affiliate server; And a data service system of a digital television network.

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