KR100937328B1 - The Configuration and operating method of Set-top box for Electronic Service GuideESG and ESG service process - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a set-top box for an electronic service guide, an operation method thereof, and a method for providing an electronic service guide using the same, by using a return channel considered in data broadcasting to obtain relevant information in real time whenever necessary, thereby providing data broadcasting. In order to more effectively provide a guide for all products / services related to a service, a set-top box for an ESG and a method of operating the same are provided.

To this end, the present invention provides a method for providing an electronic service guide, comprising the steps of pre-storing organizational information of a data broadcast and an interactive service list in an organizational database (DB) through an organizational editor; Receiving, by the organization information storage server, a request message in XML format generated according to a user's organization information service request from the set-top box through a return channel; Transmitting, by the organization information storage server, a request message in the received XML format to a database interface unit; Accessing, by the database interface unit, the organization database (DB) to obtain organization information and a bidirectional service list, and to transmit the organization information to the organization information storage server; And transmitting, by the organization information storage server, the received organization information and the bidirectional service list to the set-top box through the return channel in a response message in an XML format, and used for an ESG service.

ESG, Data Broadcasting, Set Top Box, Return Channel, Program Information

Description

Set-top box for electronic service guide and its operation method and method for providing electronic service guide using the same {The Configuration and operating method of Set-top box for Electronic Service Guide (ESG) and ESG service process}

1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an ESG providing method using a set-top box for an ESG according to the present invention;

2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box for an ESG according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: configuration editor 20: set-top box (STB)

30: web server 40: database DB

The present invention relates to a set-top box for an electronic service guide (ESG), and an operation method thereof and a method for providing an electronic service guide using the same, and more particularly, a return considered in data broadcasting. The present invention relates to a set-top box for an ESG, an operation method thereof, and an ESG providing method using the same for acquiring and processing related information in real time whenever necessary using a channel.

As analog broadcasting service has evolved into digital environment, various new services using digital technology are being developed. Most of these new services are derived from the concept of data broadcasting service.

Among the data broadcasting services, the most basic service is an electronic program guide (EPG) service that digitalizes and provides programming information of a broadcast program.

Whereas existing TV programming information service has been delivered through other media such as newspapers and magazines, EPG service is a method of embedding programming information in a set-top box (STB) and then providing it on a TV screen. Allows you to browse and select channels.

However, in order to develop and service a variety of data broadcasting services, a new information delivery method that can deliver not only TV program information but also information on various data broadcasting services in general to users is required. This service, called an electronic service guide (ESG), can be thought of as an extension of the EPG service, but is an unacceptable service method in the current EPG service system.

The basic EPG service provides a guide for organizing information on a broadcast program. Usually, the service structure is built in a receiver, and the program is periodically received in the form of a push in a push form according to a predetermined protocol. In this way, it is difficult to provide an extended service for effectively delivering data broadcasting services, which are already actively developed, to users. In addition, since EPG information must be periodically processed by the set top box (STB) regardless of the subscriber's selection, there is a problem that may cause inefficient set top box (STB) resource waste.

On the other hand, the ESG service not only displays the program guide information for digital broadcast viewers like EPG, but also provides the GUI (Graphic) on the TV to display the functions of the guide and the VOD (Video on Demand) information for the entire data broadcasting service. User Interface). In other words, while the existing EPG is centered on programming guides for broadcasting programs, the ESG is centered on not only the programming information of broadcasting programs but also the concept and composition of the overall service. In addition, the EPG information has a problem in that it is necessary to periodically process even the information that is not necessary as it is periodically transmitted in the middle of the broadcast regardless of the needs of the subscriber.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and by using the return channel considered in the data broadcast to obtain relevant information in real time whenever necessary, guides for all products / services related to the data broadcast service more effectively The purpose of the present invention is to provide a set-top box for an ESG, an operation method thereof, and an ESG providing method using the same.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

The apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the set-top box (STB), generates a request message of the XML (Extensible Markup Language) format in accordance with the user's request for organizational information service, and transmits the request message to the message transmission means, and receives the message Organization information parsing means for parsing the organization information received from the means and an interactive service list (XML stream); Connecting means for connecting an external organization information storage server and the message transmitting means and the message receiving means; The message transmitting means for transmitting the request message in the XML format generated by the organization information parsing means to the organization information storage server; The message receiving means for receiving the organization information and the interactive service list from the organization information storage server as a response message in an XML format and delivering the organization information to the organization information parsing means; And screen processing means for displaying and processing the knitting information and the interactive service list parsed by the knitting information parsing means.

In addition, the method of the present invention, the operation method of the set-top box (STB), the connection step of connecting to the organization information storage server through the return channel in response to the user information service request; A configuration information parsing step of parsing the organization information and the interactive service list received from the organization information storage server; And a screen display step of analyzing and processing the parsed organization information and the bidirectional service list to be displayed on the screen.

On the other hand, the method of the present invention, in the electronic service guide providing method, the step of pre-store the organization information and the interactive service list of the data broadcast in the organization database (DB) through the organization editor; Receiving, by the organization information storage server, a request message in XML format generated according to a user's organization information service request from the set-top box through a return channel; Transmitting, by the organization information storage server, a request message in the received XML format to a database interface unit; Accessing, by the database interface unit, the organization database (DB) to obtain organization information and a bidirectional service list, and to transmit the organization information to the organization information storage server; And transmitting, by the organization information storage server, the received organization information and the bidirectional service list to the set top box through the return channel in a response message in an XML format.

delete

delete

Currently, as analogue broadcast services have evolved into a digital environment, various new broadcast services utilizing digital technologies are being developed, and one of them is an EPG service.

That is, one of the most basic services among broadcast services in a traditional analog environment is an EPG service that guides broadcast programs by date and channel. Such a program guide service was generally delivered through a different medium from a broadcasting medium such as a newspaper or a magazine, but in recent years, as the development of data broadcasting service has been actively progressed, an electronic program guide service called EPG has become a commercial service. It's in place. The EPG service displays a broadcast program schedule on a TV screen through a separate data area, thereby providing viewers with one-sided program information and providing a function for the viewer to search and select such program information. To date, various service models have been developed for this purpose, and commercial services are being provided in many places in Korea and abroad. The main researches related to the EPG service to date are mostly related to the user interface how to express this information well to the users. As communication / broadcasting convergence is accelerated in the future, more diverse services pursued in data broadcasting will be developed in addition to basic programming information. In addition, new services will be developed according to various network characteristics. Electronic service guide (ESG) is emerging as a new concept to reflect this technological development trend. This is not just to provide information on programming of TV broadcast programs, but to provide a guide for all products / services provided by broadcasters. In the present invention, a service providing method for effectively providing such an ESG service using a communication environment will be presented.

Therefore, as the existing EPG has performed the most basic functions of the broadcast service, the ESG service will perform the most basic functions of the data broadcast service in the future, and exchange standard information based on XML (Extensible Markup Language) using the return channel. In addition, the ESG service which processes this as an application program based on the Xlet (data broadcasting application) can provide various services such as content compatibility for each medium or home appliance information transmission in home networking.

Thus, in order to provide real-time ESG services that provide not only the programming information of TV programs but also guide functions of the entire data broadcasting service using the IP-based communication environment, a database server system having ESG information and A communication method capable of accessing an ESG information server and a processing module on a terminal that acquires and analyzes this information and sprinkles it on a TV are required. If users want to turn on the STB or use various data broadcasting service guides such as TV programs, VODs, and TV portals in the middle of the service, the ESB application of the STB goes through the internal ESG processing module. The return channel of the box STB is used to access the ESG web server to obtain the necessary ESG information. At this time, ESG information managed and delivered in the database (DB) is defined in XML standard format to ensure extensibility. The XML-based ESG information is again parsed by the processing module inside the set-top box (STB) and delivered to the Xlet-based ESG application and displayed on the TV screen. At this time, by managing and delivering ESG information based on XML, set-top box (STB) application can utilize these basic information in various ways, and set-top box (STB) function will be expanded in the future to perform gateway function for home networking. When combined with various home appliance state information, effective information control and management is possible. In addition, such ESG information can have a positive effect in terms of sharing and recycling with other service providers.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereby those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. There will be. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an ESG providing method using a set-top box for an ESG according to the present invention.

Usually, in On-Air broadcasting such as satellite or terrestrial broadcasting, both TV broadcasting and data broadcasting have a push type service characteristic. That is, the broadcast information is unilaterally transmitted regardless of the subscribers' request. EPG information is also delivered to the subscriber in this manner.

Meanwhile, in order to implement a bidirectional service, a return channel for transmitting a user's requirement to a broadcast server system needs to be established, and the return channel can be utilized in various ways. That is, the return channel is not simply used as a path for delivering only the direct requirements of the user to the broadcast server system, but can be used to implement a pull type service that handles the direct / indirect requirements of various users.

As shown in FIG. 1, when a user needs guide information for using a data broadcasting service, a set database (DB) 40 of the web server 30 is configured via a return channel in the set-top box 20. ), Get the necessary information, analyze and process it and show it to the user through the browser.

In the case of acquiring the programming information at the request of the viewer or the user in parallel with various information related to the broadcasting service, such a service has a full service flow, which represents the information transmission / reception flow in this case. Through this process, the receiver analyzes the imported information and displays the desired organization information on the ESG browser.

Referring to the operation of the ESG providing method using the set-top box for ESG according to the present invention having the configuration as described above in detail as follows.

① Basically, program information of broadcasting and various service information of data broadcasting are organized in advance through a program editor (10) and stored in a program database (DB) 40, and sometimes such information is updated in real time. have. Therefore, the program database (DB) 40 stores and manages these program information (EPG program information), data broadcast service program information (ESG program information), and interactive service program information.

② If the user wants to look at this information, the ESG application program of the set-top box 20 operates. That is, such an application program transmits these requirements to the data broadcasting middleware of the set-top box 20, and the data broadcasting middleware delivers these requirements to the organization web server 30 as a request message in the form of XML, which is already returned. Use the IP network set as the channel.

③ If the content of the request received through HTTP is linked to the organization database (DB) 40 in the organization web server 30, it is passed to the database interface unit 31.

④ The database interface unit 31 accesses the knitting database (DB) 40 and requests acquisition of the knitting information.

(5) If the request is successful, the database interface unit 31 obtains the knitting information as a result.

(6) The database interface unit 31 transfers it to the organization information storage server (HTTP server) 32 again.

⑦ Set-top box 20 analyzes and processes the XML-formatted information received from the organizational information storage server 32 and shows it on the TV browser.

2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box for an ESG according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the STB for an ESG according to the present invention generates a request message in an XML format according to a user's request for organizational information service, and establishes a message transmission unit 23 and a return channel in real time. Parsing the organization information and the interactive service list (XML stream) transmitted to the organization information storage server (Http Server) 32 through the return channel and the message receiver 24 from the organization information storage server 32 Organizing information (XML message) parsing unit 21 to connect (Http connection) between organization information storage server 32 and message sending / receiving units 23 and 24 so as to meet the requirements of EPG application. Organizes a request message in the XML format generated by the organization information parsing unit 21 for transmitting the requirements of the data broadcasting middleware to the information connection unit 22 and the organization information storage server 32 in a request message in the form of XML. Information storage server Message receiving unit 23 for transmitting to the (32), and a message receiving unit for receiving the organization information and the interactive service list from the organization information storage server 32 in the form of a response message in the form of XML to deliver to the organization information parsing unit (21) And a screen processing unit 25 for displaying and processing the knitting information and the interactive service list parsed by the knitting information parsing unit 21.

The reason for sending and receiving the request / response message in XML format is to enable various extensibility. In other words, the method of sending and receiving only the data that is absolutely necessary as a standardized standard and expressing it on the screen is to apply various methods. In the future, even if the UI (User Interface) is changed, the information of the data exchanged is not modified. Not only that, but also because it can be used and expanded in the standard data format when interworking with other operator's organization information or other CP / PP / DP database (DB) or home appliances control.

Referring to the operation of the set-tack box (STB) for the ESG according to the present invention having the configuration as described above in detail as follows.

First, when the user wants to know the organization information, the requested content is generated as an XML-based organization information, and the XML message (combination information) is parsed when delivered to the set-top box 20. Subsequently, the parsed result data is transferred to the Xlet-based screen processor 25 and displayed on the TV screen of the user.

That is, first, the organization stores and manages the organization information necessary for the organization information storage server 32, and whenever the information request is generated from the user, the set-top box 20 is frequently connected to the organization information storage server 32 using a return channel connectable. By requesting to get the latest service information in real time. At this time, the request for information and the obtained result information form follow an XML expression scheme, and provide such a scalable service by processing such information in an Xlet (data broadcasting application) based application program of the set-top box 20.

As described above, the set-top box can deliver various information desired by the operator to the viewer without being restricted by the organizational standard through the transmission of information in the form of XML, and the overall products and services for various data broadcasting services such as TV portals. Management and control are possible. In addition, this concept is not limited to digital broadcasting services on TV, but can be used to express and transmit information related to all digital devices in the home for home networking in the future.

As described above, the method of the present invention may be implemented as a program and stored in a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) in a computer-readable form. Since this process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art will not be described in more detail.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

As described above, the present invention provides a guide for all products / services provided by the broadcaster, and thus may be regarded as a killer service that can show information such as various additional services.

In addition, the present invention deviates from the existing built-in native EPG concept, so that the broadcaster can easily change the contents and GUI of the ESG without limiting the programming standard, thereby providing a flexible service. It is possible to expand to various data broadcasting services.

In addition, the present invention can not only efficiently transmit and control information in home networking in the home by applying the ESG concept to all device information presentation methods in the home, but also in the broadcasting / communication environment. There is an effect that can facilitate content compatibility.

Claims (10)

In the set-top box (STB), Generate a request message in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format according to the user's request for organization information service, and transmit the request message to the message transmission means, and parse the organization information and the interactive service list (XML stream) received from the message reception means. Organization information parsing means for; Connecting means for connecting an external organization information storage server and the message transmitting means and the message receiving means; The message transmitting means for transmitting the request message in the XML format generated by the organization information parsing means to the organization information storage server; The message receiving means for receiving the organization information and the interactive service list from the organization information storage server as a response message in an XML format and delivering the organization information to the organization information parsing means; And Screen processing means for displaying and processing the knitting information and the interactive service list parsed by the knitting information parsing means; Set top box comprising a. The method of claim 1, The set top box, Whenever a request for programming information occurs, a request message in an XML format is transmitted to the " communication information storage server which previously stores and manages organization information and a bidirectional service list, " Set-top box. In the operation method of the set-top box (STB), An access step of connecting to the organization information storage server through a return channel in response to a user information service request; A configuration information parsing step of parsing the organization information and the interactive service list received from the organization information storage server; And Screen display step of analyzing and processing the parsed organization information and the interactive service list to be displayed on the screen Operation method of a set-top box comprising a. The method of claim 3, wherein In the accessing step, a request message of an XML format is generated according to the user's request for program information service, and the message is transmitted to the program information storage server. The organizing information parsing step includes parsing the organization information and an interactive service list (XML stream) received from the organization information storage server in an XML format response message. The method according to claim 3 or 4, In the screen display step, Method for operating the set-top box characterized in that the parsing information and the bidirectional service list delivered to the Xlet-based ESG module (screen processing unit) to be displayed on the TV screen. In the electronic service guide providing method, Storing the broadcasting information and the interactive service list of the data broadcast in the organization database through the organization editor; Receiving, by the organization information storage server, a request message in XML format generated according to a user's organization information service request from the set-top box through a return channel; Transmitting, by the organization information storage server, a request message in the received XML format to a database interface unit; Accessing, by the database interface unit, the organization database (DB) to obtain organization information and a bidirectional service list, and to transmit the organization information to the organization information storage server; And Transmitting, by the organization information storage server, the received organization information and the bidirectional service list to the set-top box through the return channel in a response message in an XML format. Electronic service guide providing method comprising a. The method of claim 6, The organization database (DB), And storing and managing broadcast program organization information (EPG program information), data broadcast service program information (ESG), and interactive service program information. delete delete delete

Images