KR100871872B1 - System providing ecg service on a pc and the method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An ECG service providing system for a PC and a method thereof are provided to search various contents of various distribution paths and desired contents easily by referring to metadata of the contents. A TV receiving card(210) receives a broadcast stream. A network module(220) communicates with a metadata server and a contents server in which contents are stored. A history management unit(252) sets user preference information by referring to a user history and preference information with regard to the broadcast stream and the contents. A preference filter unit(253) extracts user preference contents information from contents or metadata of the broadcast stream by referring to the user preference information. A TV control linker(256b) controls the TV receiving card. A user interface unit(251) displays the user preference contents information automatically and manually according to a command of a user.

Description

ECC service providing system and method for PC {SYSTEM PROVIDING ECG SERVICE ON A PC AND THE METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing ECG (Electronic Contents Guide) service for a PC. In particular, the metadata for the content is defined to facilitate the desired content by receiving a user preferred content list and location information of the desired content through the metadata. The present invention relates to an ECG service providing system and method for a PC.

Thanks to the construction of high speed network infrastructure, users can use multimedia contents through various paths, and a lot of contents are produced and distributed through various paths.

In the sea of contents, it is more difficult to find the desired content, and accordingly, the ECG service that introduces the detailed information of the content as metadata, searches for the desired content using metadata, and finds the desired content easily.

The ECG service has been upgraded from digital broadcasting to digital broadcasting that transmits a broadcast stream including metadata that provides detailed information about the broadcast content from an analog broadcast that transmits not only a network but also a terrestrial or a cable. .

Digital broadcasting, which encompasses terrestrial broadcasting and cable broadcasting, provides more channels and contents than existing ones and requires upgraded service through providing metadata.

Early versions of ECG services were limited to EPG (Electronic Program Guide) services, which provided electronic program guides for each channel extracted from a broadcast stream to a television receiver including a settop box.

An EPG service is a service that processes EPG information extracted from a received broadcast stream, stores program schedule information in an electronic storage device, and formats and displays program schedule information on a television screen according to a user's operation.

As such, the EPG is limited to services that simply provide program information, so that interaction with the viewer is limited.

As described above, the ECG service according to the prior art is limited to the EPG service, and thus there is a problem that it is insufficient to provide a service that provides use of various network infrastructures, search for desired content, and interaction with various viewers.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ECG service providing system and method for a PC that can easily find a desired content by receiving location information of a user preferred content list and selected content through metadata of the content.

In order to achieve the above object, an ECG service providing system for a PC according to the present invention includes a TV receiving card for receiving a broadcast stream, a network module for communicating with a metadata server and a content server in which content is stored, and the broadcast stream and the content. A preference manager configured to set user preference information by referring to usage history and preference information of the user; and a preference filter that extracts the user preference content information from the content or metadata of the broadcast stream by referring to the user preference information; Unit, a TV control linker for controlling the TV receiving card, a user interface unit for automatically or manually displaying the user preference content information according to a user's command, the history manager, the preference filter unit, and the user. It is configured to include an interface unit, And an ECG module that is software for controlling a TV receiving card to provide an ECG service, wherein the TV control linker provides a TV application for the TV receiving card when the TV receiving card does not provide a control API. Its feature is that it controls to work with the module.

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According to another aspect of the invention, in the ECG service providing method for a PC providing an ECG service through a PC having a TV receiving card, receiving a broadcast stream to extract metadata including content and broadcast schedule information And receiving a list of broadcast content with high preference by referring to the metadata, selecting a desired broadcast content from the list to set a predetermined ECG service, and the TV receiving card does not include a control API. Provided is a method of providing an ECG service for a PC comprising providing a TV application for the TV receiving card when not provided to the user.

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The ECG service providing system and method for a PC according to the present invention is provided with metadata of various contents and contents distributed through various paths through a PC including a TV receiving card and a network module to easily refer to the metadata and desired contents. You can search.

The present invention can provide a user-preferred content list using metadata, thereby improving user accessibility to desired content.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments are provided to those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, can be modified in various forms, the scope of the present invention is limited to the embodiments described below no.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an ECG service providing system for a PC connected to various paths according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the ECG service providing system for a PC includes a network connecting a PC equipped with a receiver 500 for receiving a broadcast stream of digital broadcasting, an internet network, and an ECG module 250, which is software for providing ECG services. 400, a content server 200 providing content provided by a digital broadcasting provider and a multimedia content provider, and a metadata server 300 storing metadata of the content.

ECG service providing system for PC is installed on PC, and ECG (Electronic Contents Guide) service including EPG service analyzes user preference information and user content usage history from metadata and recommends content that meets user's preference and desired content It is a service that provides the location and the like.

Compared to the existing set-top box, the ECG service using a PC has a high frequency of use and utilization, and can provide various services by configuring a flexible environment for resources and devices.

The receiver 500 is a cable connected to the TV receiving card 210 of the PC from the antenna and the antenna for receiving a broadcast stream of digital terrestrial and cable broadcasting.

In this case, the broadcast stream includes content of digital broadcast, information on the content, broadcast schedule information, and the like.

The network 400 is an internet network including xDSL, cable, IDSN, VoIP and LAN connected to the network module 220 of the ECG service providing system 100, and network equipment such as switches, routers, hubs, and the like connected thereto.

The content server 200 is a server that collects contents provided by the digital broadcasting provider and the multimedia content provider through the Internet network. The content server 200 may include one or more digital broadcast providers and one or more multimedia providers. Can be.

The metadata server 300 stores metadata of contents provided by the digital broadcasting provider and the multimedia content provider and provides the metadata to the ECG service providing system 100 through the Internet.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing a system for providing ECG service for a PC according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the ECG service providing system for a PC includes a TV receiving card 210 for receiving a broadcast stream of digital broadcasting, a network module 220 for communicating with a metadata server and a content server storing contents. It is composed of an ECG module 250 that is software installed on a PC to provide ECG services for digital broadcasting and multimedia contents.

The TV receiving card 210 is connected to a cable connected to an antenna for receiving a broadcast stream of digital terrestrial wave and cable broadcast, receives a digital broadcast stream including metadata, and converts the digital broadcast stream into a signal form that can be interpreted by a PC.

There are two types of TV receiving cards 210 that provide a TV control API for controlling the user interface 251 of the ECG module 250 and two types that do not provide a TV control API for controlling the user interface 251. have.

The network module 220 is connected to the Internet network including xDSL, cable, IDSN, VoIP, LAN, etc., and is a module such as a LAN card, an xDSL modem, or a wireless LAN card that is installed differently according to the type of the Internet network. Converts the signal into a form that can be interpreted.

The ECG module 250 is software installed in a PC to provide an ECG service for digital broadcasting and multimedia contents. The ECG module 250 includes a history management unit 252, the preference filter unit 253, the user interface unit 251, and the like. .

The history manager 251 sets user preference information by referring to usage history and preference information on previously received broadcast streams and contents, or by referring to information input by the user.

In this case, the user preference information is preferably stored and managed in a storage unit (not shown).

The preference filter unit 253 extracts the user preference content information from the metadata of the content and the broadcast stream with reference to the user preference information and provides the same to the user interface unit 251.

The user interface unit 251 is provided based on a widget or a web application, which is a mini program, and automatically or manually extracts user preference content information extracted by the preference filter unit 253 according to a user's command. Express.

For example, the ECG service providing system may display the user preference content information 251 when new user preference content information is provided or before a predetermined time (eg, one hour) before the content is provided for the content that is provided once in real time. ) Can be displayed.

The ECG module 250 includes a playback unit 255a for controlling an operation state of broadcast stream content or a TV reception card 210 that does not provide a TV control API when the TV reception card 210 that provides a TV control API is used. When used, the TV control linker 255b for controlling the operation state of the TV application, and when the user's request to the metadata server 300 to send the condition of the desired content to retrieve the content information that meets the condition Engine 254 is further included.

The playback unit 255a is an operation state of the broadcast stream received through the TV reception card 210 or the content received through the network module 220 when the TV reception card 210 providing the TV control API is used. Controls Play, Stop, Pause, Fast Forward (FF), Rewind (REW), Record (REC), Channel-Up, Channel-Down, and more.

The TV control linker 255b controls the TV application when using the TV receiving card 210 which does not provide a TV control API.

Specifically, the ECG module 250 service provider provides a TV control linker 255b, which is a prototype program (Proto Type Program) for controlling the application of the TV reception card 210, and in connection with this, the TV reception card company Link control of simple TV application provided.

In this case, the TV control linker 255b may be implemented in two ways, using a socket communication between the ECG module 250 and a TV application, and using a web control.

The search engine 254 differs in that the preference filter 253 performs a similar function and searches for content by setting user preference information when a desired content is to be found.

In detail, the search engine 254 inputs a condition of content desired by a user through a search box, etc., and transmits the condition to the metadata server 300 and information of content corresponding to the condition from the metadata server 300. Comes in.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of an ECG service providing method through an Internet network according to an embodiment of the present invention. A description with reference to FIG. 3 is as follows.

If the user preference information, which is a condition of the content desired by the user through the ECG module 250, is set, the user preference information is transmitted to the metadata server through the Internet (S310).

Here, the user preference information is information such as a genre, an actor, a director, and a writer, and may be set through the preference filter 253 or the search engine 254.

At this time, before execution of step S310, the metadata including the search and location information of the multimedia content or the digital broadcasting content is defined and stored in the metadata server 300.

Subsequently, the metadata server provides a list of recommended contents corresponding to the user preference information to the PC (S320).

The user selects one or more desired contents from the recommended content list and requests the metadata server 300 for detailed information on the selected contents (S330).

Then, the metadata server 300 provides detailed information including location information on the selected content (S340).

Here, the detailed information may be content provider, providing time and location information, and the desired content may be easily found from various contents of various paths by referring to the location information included in the metadata.

Subsequently, the ECG service providing system 100 requests desired content from the content server 200 of the corresponding location with reference to the location information (S350).

Then, the content server 200 provides the requested content to the ECG service providing system 100 (S360).

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of an ECG service providing method through a broadcast stream according to an embodiment of the present invention. A description with reference to FIG. 4 is as follows.

First, the broadcast stream of the broadcast content is received through the TV receiving card 210, and the metadata for providing the content and the broadcast schedule information included in the broadcast stream is extracted (S410).

Subsequently, the broadcast content list having a high preference is provided to the user with reference to the extracted metadata (S420).

In this case, the broadcasting content having high preference may be configured to display metadata of the currently received broadcasting content based on user preference information set by referring to metadata including information on a previously received broadcasting content title, author, director, and actor. Filter by screening.

In operation S430, the user selects a desired broadcast content from a broadcast content list having a high preference and sets a predetermined service.

Here, the predetermined service may be a move to a desired content during reception of another broadcast stream, a notice for a desired content broadcast, and a reservation recording of a desired content.

The ECG module 250 receives the set service at the corresponding time (S440).

The configuration of the present invention has been described above through the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. However, these are only examples and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from this, and the true scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating an ECG service providing system for a PC connected to various paths according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a system for providing ECG service for PC according to the present invention.

3 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of the ECG service providing method through the Internet network according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a method of providing an ECG service through a broadcast stream according to the present invention.

<Description of main parts of drawing>

210: TV receiving card 220: network module

250: ECG module 251: user interface unit

252: history management unit 253: preference filter unit

254: search engine 255a: playback unit

255b: TV control linkage

Claims (16)

A TV reception card for receiving a broadcast stream, A network module in communication with the metadata server and the content server where the content is stored; A history manager configured to set user preference information by referring to usage history and preference information of the broadcast stream and the content; A preference filter unit extracting the user preference content information from the content or metadata of the broadcast stream with reference to the user preference information; A TV control linker for controlling the TV receiving card; A user interface for automatically or manually displaying the user preference content information according to a user's command; And an ECG module configured to include the history management unit, the preference filter unit, and the user interface unit, and to provide an ECG service by controlling the TV receiving card. When the TV receiving card does not provide a control API, And the TV control linker provides a TV application for the TV receiving card to control the interworking with the ECG module. The method of claim 1, wherein the metadata server, Store / manage metadata including detailed information and location information of content provided by digital broadcasting provider or multimedia content provider ECG service providing system for a PC, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface unit, ECG service providing system for a PC, characterized in that provided in the form of a widget or a web application that is a mini program. The method of claim 1, wherein the ECG module, ECG service providing system for a PC, characterized in that it further comprises a search engine for receiving the information of the content that meets the condition by transmitting the condition of the desired content to the metadata server at the request of the user. The method of claim 1, wherein when the TV receiving card provides the control API, And the TV control linker plays the broadcast stream or the content using the control API. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the TV control linkage, ECG service providing system for a PC, characterized in that the interworking with the TV application in a socket communication method. The method of claim 1, wherein the TV control linkage, ECG service providing system for a PC, characterized in that the interworking with the TV application in a web control method. The method of claim 1, wherein the history management unit, ECG service providing system for a PC, characterized in that for setting the user preference information with reference to the user input conditions. delete delete delete delete In the ECG service providing method for a PC that provides an ECG service through a PC having a TV receiving card, Receiving a broadcast stream and extracting metadata including content and broadcast schedule information; Receiving a list of broadcasting contents having a high preference by referring to the metadata; Selecting a desired broadcast content from the list and setting a predetermined ECG service; Providing the set ECG service to a user by providing a TV application for the TV receiving card when the TV receiving card does not include a control API. ECG service providing method for a PC comprising a. The method of claim 14, wherein in the extracting step, The method of providing an ECG service for a PC, wherein the reception of the broadcast stream is performed by the TV reception card. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein in the setting and providing the service, ECG service providing method for a PC comprising moving to a desired content during the reception of another broadcast stream, a notice for providing the desired content and reservation recording of the desired content.

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