KR100891069B1 - Menu picture display method for Internet Protocol TV and apparatus the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for displaying a menu screen of a content provided in an Internet Protocol TV. Menu screen display device in the IPTV according to the present invention comprises a menu screen display for displaying a menu screen of the content; An input unit for detecting an input operation by a user and detecting a selection of a menu on the menu screen; And a controller for switching a menu screen to be displayed on a menu screen display unit according to a result detected by the input unit, wherein the menu screen display unit comprises: a top menu display area; A submenu display area displaying a plurality of submenus belonging to the top menus; And a selector display area for displaying a menu focused according to one of the top menus or one of the plurality of sub-menus.

IPTV, Menu Screen, Convenience, User Interface

Description

Menu picture display method for Internet Protocol TV and apparatus the same}

The present invention relates to an Internet Protocol TV (hereinafter referred to as "IPTV"), and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for displaying a menu screen of content provided by an IPTV.

Recently, the broadcasting environment is changing due to the development of technology and changing demands of viewers.

In other words, the transition from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting, diversified broadcasting media such as cable and satellite from terrestrial broadcasting, and providing interactive services in conjunction with communication networks, the recent broadcasting environment has undergone more severe changes than any other fields. have.

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is an example of a representative service that emerged from this background.

IPTV is an interactive television service provided by using a high-speed Internet network, which is connected to a content providing server through an Internet network through a TV set-top box. The information service, video content, and broadcast content of the content providing server are provided to the television receiver via the set top box.

IPTV is a type of Digital Convergence in that it is a convergence of the Internet and TV, and it is different from the general public broadcasting in that viewers can selectively watch a program they want to watch at a convenient time.

In addition, in addition to the general broadcasting service, the IPTV has various functions by integrating Internet service, data broadcasting service, and personal video recorder (PVR) service.

As such, as functions are gradually diversified, IPTV needs to build a user interface that provides various menus for users to easily use.

At this time, the consideration should be the ease of use that puts the user's position first.

Ease of use may be achieved when the minimum amount of input and procedure that a user makes to perform a function is minimized, or when such input can be made easily and conveniently.

The ease of use in IPTV is a problem because most of the remote control must be used to move between menus and to select menus. In general, when the menu is selected or moved on the menu screen of the content, the menu screen is inevitably changed. In this case, when the menu is incorrectly selected, it is difficult to return to the previous menu screen. In the end, the user gives up the choice of content.

Accordingly, in the process of selecting a menu and content using a remote controller, it is required to provide various functions while reducing screen switching.

The present invention is derived in response to such a demand, and implements a user interface that satisfies the user's convenience in IPTV, so that the user can simply and easily select the desired content and quickly access the desired content. It is a task.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a menu screen display device for an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) includes: a menu screen display unit for displaying a menu screen of content; An input unit for detecting an input operation by a user and detecting a selection of a menu on the menu screen; A control unit for switching a menu screen to be displayed on the menu screen display unit according to a result detected by the input unit, wherein the menu screen display unit comprises: a top menu display area for displaying menus belonging to a top category of contents; A submenu display area displaying a plurality of submenus belonging to the top menus; And a selector display area for displaying a menu focused according to one of the top menus or one of the plurality of sub-menus.

According to an example of the present invention, the sub-menu display area may be provided with a pull-down menu display bar displaying a pull-down icon to display the plurality of sub-menus at once.

According to an example of the present invention, the selector display area may be displayed by increasing the size of the selected menu or by changing the color of the selected menu.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the top menu display area and the sub menu display area are displayed in a hierarchical structure with each other.

 According to an example of the present invention, the top menu display area, the lower menu display area, and the selector display area may be formed in a bar shape.

On the other hand, the menu screen configuration of the Internet Protocol TV according to the present invention for achieving the technical problem, the configuration of the menu screen for the content of the Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), the highest level for displaying the menus corresponding to the top category of the content A menu display element, a submenu display element for displaying a plurality of submenus belonging to the respective top menus under the top menus, and a menu focused according to the selection of the top menus or the submenus; Contains a selector display element that displays.

According to an example of the present disclosure, the sub-menu element may further include a pull-down menu display element for displaying a pull-down icon to display the plurality of sub-menus at once.

On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the method for displaying the menu screen in the Internet Protocol TV according to the present invention, in the method for displaying a selection menu screen of the content on the Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), the entire menu screen display by the user If a mode is set, receiving menu information of the content and displaying the entire menu of the content on a display device; Receiving an input value generated from the user at the display device; Analyzing and determining an input value received by the display device; And moving the selector or switching pages of the menu screen according to the determination result.

In this case, the displaying of the entire menu of the contents on the display device may include displaying a top-level menu displaying the top-level menus of the content in a row, and sequentially sub-menus belonging to the top-level menus below the top-level menus. And a selector display step of displaying a focused menu according to selection of the uppermost menus and the lower menus.

The determining of the input value received by the display device may include determining whether the input value is a moving value of a menu, and determining whether the input value is a selection value of a menu.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention described above, by presenting a menu for the content on one screen, when the user selects the content, it is possible to move and select between the menus without changing the menu screen, and to quickly access the desired content. It has the effect of increasing convenience.

In addition, by displaying the content provided to the IPTV in the upper menu and the lower menu according to the category, it is possible to easily grasp the relationship between the layers, and in particular, it is possible to easily identify the location of the desired content, thereby increasing the intuitiveness of use.

Hereinafter, an apparatus for displaying a menu screen in an IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing the entire system of the IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an IPTV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a VOD server 1, a plurality of set-top boxes 3 connected to the VOD server 1, and a display device 4 of a user.

The display device 4 of the user is connected to the VOD server 1 via the network 2 via the set top box 3.

In the present embodiment, the network 2 collectively refers to a wired and wireless communication network that enables internet communication and is not limited to a specific form as long as it enables internet communication.

The VOD server 1 is provided with a content DB (not shown) in which various contents are stored, and delivers the corresponding content to the set-top box 3 at the request of the set-top box 3. Then, the set-top box 3 processes the VOD content delivered through the VOD server 1 and displays it on the display device 4 of the user.

Input of commands to the set top box 3 and the display device 4 is performed by the remote controller 5.

In such a configuration, the display device 4 displays a menu screen of various contents provided through the set top box 3 and reproduces the selected content according to the user's operation, thereby providing a user interface between the user and the set top box 3. Providing.

The display device 4 for this purpose is configured as follows.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device for displaying a menu screen of content in an IPTV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display device 4 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention switches a menu screen according to an input value received from an input unit 41 and an input value received from an input unit 41. And a menu screen display unit 45 for displaying a menu screen of the content under the control of the control unit 43 and the control unit 43.

Here, the menu screen display unit 45 is an initial screen and has a feature of displaying all of the menu screens classified by contents according to a category on one screen.

That is, the menu screen display unit 45 displays the top menu of the content and the submenus according to the top menu in a hierarchical structure, and selectors for displaying the currently focused menu are located on the top menu and the submenu. do. Details thereof are described in detail below.

In addition, the menu screen display unit 45 switches and displays pages of the menu screen under the control of the controller 43.

The input unit 41 receives an input value generated as the user operates the remote controller 5 (see FIG. 1) to analyze and determine the input value. For example, it is determined whether the input value is a signal for performing menu movement or a signal for selecting a menu.

In this embodiment, the input unit 41 receives the operation signal of the remote control. At this time, the signal for performing the menu movement is generated by selectively operating the up, down, left and right direction keys on the remote control, the signal for selecting the menu may be generated by operating the confirmation key or ok key on the remote control.

The controller 43 controls to perform a corresponding function according to the result determined by the input unit 41. If the input value is a signal for moving the menu, the selector is moved in sequence according to the movement of the menu. If the input value is a signal for selecting the menu, the page of the menu screen is switched to the corresponding page. .

According to an example of the invention, the selector is used for displaying a menu focused according to the movement or selection of the menu.

Accordingly, the display device 4 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a full menu of contents classified into a top menu and a sub menu on one screen so that the user can quickly select desired contents without moving the menu between the top menu and the sub menu. There is an advantage to this.

3 is a diagram illustrating a basic concept of classifying content provided according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an interface screen displayed by displaying a menu of content classified as shown in FIG. 3 on a menu screen display unit.

First, referring to FIG. 3, various contents provided according to an embodiment of the present invention are basically classified according to a top menu and a sub menu according to the top menu. Therefore, when the content is provided through the display device, the first menu 100 displaying the top menu, the second menu 200 displaying the submenu, and the third menu 300 showing the actual content list of the submenu It is shown step by step.

The first-tier menu 100 is an upper category classified according to the category of the content, and the second-tier menu 200 is a hierarchical structure of the top menu. The three-tier menu 300 includes a detailed list of contents corresponding to each subcategory.

For example, the first menu may be movie, sports, drama, music, broadcaster name (eg KBS, BS, MBC), etc., and the second menu may be family movie, horror depending on the genre if the first menu is movie. It may be classified into a movie, a SF movie, an action movie, a romance movie, and the like.

As an example, looking at the classification of the "die hard 4" and the "monster" content among the most popular movies, the "die hard 4" content is the top menu of the movie, its sub-menu is the action movie. The "monster" content may be classified as a horror movie whose top menu is a movie.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the menus of the content classified based on these criteria are displayed on the menu screen display unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the menu screen display unit 45 is the top menu of the content. And a top menu display area 451 for displaying all of them in a grid, and a lower menu display area 452 for displaying a hierarchical structure with the top menu.

In addition, a selector display area 453 is provided on the top menu display area 451 and the sub menu display area 452 to display a focused menu according to the movement and selection of the menu. In particular, the lower menu display area 452 is provided. In order to display a plurality of submenus at once, a pulldown menu display bar 454 displaying a pulldown icon may be provided.

The top menu display area 451 may form a menu for each category in a bar shape, and the sub menu display area 452 may also be arranged in a bar shape below the top menu display area 451. A plurality of layers may be formed.

The selector display area 453 displays a menu that is currently focused on the top menu display area 451 and the lower menu display area 452. That is, the selector display area 453 shows that the menu is currently waiting for selection by increasing the size of the menu or displaying the menu differently from the unfocused menu.

The selector display area 453 can be freely moved in the up, down, left, and right directions on the menu screen.

An operation process of moving a menu and selecting a menu in the menu screen configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 through 8.

5 to 8 are user interface screens showing step by step a method of selecting content in the menu screen shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen in which the entire menu is displayed on the menu screen display unit (45 of FIG. 2) of the display device. When the entire menu of contents is displayed on the initial screen as illustrated, the top menu display area 451 is displayed. The select display area 453 is generated.

Thereafter, the user can move between the top menus or the bottom menus according to the user's operation. When the desired top menu MENU 14 is selected as shown in FIG. 6, the selector display area 453 is selected. It is located at, and simultaneously focuses on the lower menus (MENU14-1 to MENU14-6) of the top menu (MENU14). Then, the selector 453a is generated on the lower menu.

In this case, the size of the menu is larger than the conventional one in order to display the select display area 453. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be used in various ways, such as displaying the menu to distinguish it from the unselected menus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen before selecting a menu of a desired genre from a lower menu of the selected top menu. As shown, when the top menu (MENU14) is selected in the previous step, at the same time as the selection, the sub menus (MENU14-1 to MENU14-6) of the top menu (MENU14) are displayed in the select display area 453, and the submenu When the menu movement is operated to select the desired menu (MENU 14-5) from the menus (MENU 14-1 to MENU 14-6), the selector 453a is sequentially moved as the menu moves. The menu may be moved by the user selectively operating the direction keys of the remote controller.

Subsequently, when the desired menu (MENU14-5) is selected from the submenu, as shown in FIG. 8, the menu screen is displayed to display a list of contents of the submenu (Content1, Content2, ..., Content8). The page is switched and displayed.

Thus, the user can access the desired content without switching the page of the menu screen, and provides an interface for easily identifying the location of the desired content through the hierarchical relationship.

Hereinafter, a method of displaying a menu screen in an IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a menu screen of content in an IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, a system of a set-top box that can receive various content providing services from a VOD server through a network is provided. When a service request for the content is made through the set-top box, a desired content is provided through user authentication.

At this time, when the menu screen display mode is set by the user, the display device connected to the IPTV receives the menu information of the content, and displays the entire menu of the content on one screen of the menu screen display unit 45 of FIG. 2 as the initial screen. (S10, S20).

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Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the menu screen display unit includes a top menu display area 451 displaying menus corresponding to the top category of the content, and a sub menu display area 452 displayed in a hierarchical structure with the top menu. A selector display area 453 for displaying the focused menu is provided on the top menu display area 451 and the lower menu display area 452.

The selector display area 453 may improve the user's convenience by increasing the size of the menu as shown, or by displaying the menu differently from the color of the unfocused menu.

Thereafter, an input value by a user operation is received through the input unit 41 of FIG. 2 (S30).

The input value is a signal of the remote controller generated by the user's operation.

Thereafter, the received input value is analyzed and determined (S40, S60).

The received input value may be a signal value for performing a movement of a top menu or a sub menu, or may be a signal value for performing selection of a top menu or a sub menu.

Therefore, in the step of analyzing and determining the received input value, determining whether the received input value is a signal for moving the menu (S40), and determining whether the received input value is a signal for selecting a menu. Each may be divided into steps S60.

As a result of the determination, if the received input value is a signal for moving the menu, the controller controls to move the position of the selector through the control unit (43 of FIG. 2), and displays the result on the menu screen display unit (45 of FIG. 2). Provides an interface (S50).

As a result of the determination, if the received input value is a signal for selecting a menu, the corresponding menu is selected and focused through the control unit 43 of FIG. 2 or the page of the menu screen is switched (S70). The page of the switched menu screen is displayed on the menu screen display unit (45 in FIG. 2).

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that.

Therefore, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

1 is a view showing the entire system of the IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device for displaying a menu screen of content in an IPTV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view for explaining the basic concept of classifying content provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an interface screen displayed by displaying a menu of content classified as shown in FIG. 3 on a menu screen display unit.

5 to 8 are user interface screens showing step by step a method of selecting content in the menu screen shown in FIG.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a menu screen of content in an IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: VOD server 2: network

3: set-top box 4: display device

5: remote control 41: input unit

43: control unit 45: menu screen display unit

100, 200, 300: 1, 2, 3 menu

451: Top menu display area 452: Sub menu display area

453: select display area 454: pull-down display bar

Claims (10)

A menu screen display unit which displays an entire menu of contents on a screen; An input unit which receives an input signal from a user and determines whether the menu is moved or selected on a screen displayed on the menu screen display unit; A control unit which processes according to the determination result of the input unit and displays the processing state on the menu screen display unit; The menu screen display unit, A top menu display area which displays all top menus classified into a top category in a plurality of contents on one screen; A sub-menu display area for displaying a plurality of sub-menus belonging to the top-level menus under each top-level menu corresponding to the plurality of sub-menus; And The user can move the menu between the uppermost menu display area and the lower menu display area by the user's moving operation, and select one of the upper menus or select one of the plurality of submenus according to the user's selection operation. Selector display area where any one has been focused Including, In the menu screen display unit, the entire menu including the uppermost menu area and the lower menu area belonging thereto is displayed on one screen. The control unit switches to a menu screen for displaying a list of detailed contents of the selected submenu when the input signal input to the input unit is a selection operation of selecting the submenu. The menu screen display device of the Internet Protocol TV, characterized in that the list is displayed. The method of claim 1, The sub-menu display area is And a pull-down menu display bar for displaying a pull-down icon to display the plurality of sub-menus at one time. The method of claim 1, The selector display area is The menu screen display device of the Internet protocol TV, characterized in that the size of the selected menu is increased or the color of the selected menu is displayed differently. The method of claim 1, And the uppermost menu display area and the lower menu display area are displayed in a hierarchical structure with each other. The method of claim 1, And wherein the uppermost menu display area, the lower menu display area, and the selector display area are formed in a bar shape. delete delete In the method for displaying a content selection menu screen on the Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), If a full menu screen display mode is set by a user, receiving menu information of the content and displaying the full menu of the content on a display device; Receiving an input value generated from the user at the display device; Analyzing and determining whether an input value received by the display device is a movement value of a menu or a selection value of a menu; And The determination result, further comprising the step of: if the movement value of the menu navigation in a display screen on the display device in the menu, and, when the selected value of the menu to select the menu, the user to quickly access the desired content, The display device on which the entire menu of the content is displayed, A top menu display area for displaying all top menus classified into a top category in a plurality of contents on one screen; A sub-menu display area for displaying a plurality of sub-menus belonging to the top-level menus under each top-level menu corresponding to the plurality of sub-menus; And The user can move the menu between the uppermost menu display area and the lower menu display area by the user's moving operation, and select one of the upper menus or select one of the plurality of submenus according to the user's selection operation. Selector display area where any one has been focused Consisting of, The entire menu including the top menu area and the sub menu area belonging to the top menu area are all displayed on one screen, When the input value received by the display device is a selection value for selecting the submenu, the display screen switches to a menu screen for displaying a list of detailed contents of the selected submenu so that the list of the selected detailed contents is changed by only one screen change. The menu screen display method of the Internet protocol TV, characterized in that displayed. delete delete

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