KR100952751B1 - Vod service system and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a VOD service method for serving a live video on demand (VOD) using a user defined program, and initial user authentication for user defined channel configuration through a user terminal device. Performing the user-defined channel configuration by arranging the VOD content in various time bands of the channel provided by the operator and user-provided, and collecting the user-defined channel organization information and performing the necessary live for each content organization block. Generating a VOD channel and transmitting it in a multicast manner; and receiving information of the live VOD channel to access the live VOD channel to watch VOD contents, thereby making full use of the characteristics of the multicast transmission scheme. Can efficiently use network resources, and Can provide high efficiency and satisfaction by providing VOD content, and can also get additional effects through advertisement insertion.

IPTV, VOD, Custom Channels, Channel Composition

Description

VOD service system and method thereof {VOD SERVICE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a video on demand (VOD) service system and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a VOD service system and a method for serving a live VOD using a user defined channel programming.

In general, VODs are classified into Real VOD (RVOD), Download and Play (D & P), Push VOD, Near VOD (NVOD), Pay Per View (PPV), etc. according to a technical method.

RVOD is a method in which a service provider transmits a video on a network of which quality of service (QoS) is guaranteed by a user's request in a unicast manner. It can be provided immediately according to the user's request, and convenience features such as pause, rewind, and forward can be provided, but there are disadvantages of securing network bandwidth and investing in operator equipment to improve the quality of contents. .

D & P is serviced on networks where operators can guarantee near real-time QoS in a unicast fashion at the user's request. Since the video is reproduced while buffering the terminal device of the user, real-time performance is not guaranteed, but high-definition service is possible.

The push VOD downloads the content requested by the user to the user terminal device in a unicast manner at the idle time of the user terminal device, and watches the content when the download is completed, so that the QoS of the network does not have to be guaranteed. In addition, push VOD is not guaranteed real-time for user requests.

NVOD is based on QoS-guaranteed multicast network, which uses multiple channels to transmit the same VOD content at regular intervals to provide services close to VOD, taking advantage of the multicast transmission scheme. Although the network resource provider provides an advantage in serving popular VOD content, the network resource is inefficient compared to the number of viewers due to the repetitive programming of multiple channels and one content in one channel. Creation is inevitable and channel switching is inconvenient in terms of service usability.

The PPV service is a method of purchasing and watching some content of one channel and one channel provided by an operator. Although there is an advantage of efficiently using the channel band, there is a disadvantage that the content viewing is not possible at the time desired by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described disadvantages, and to provide a VOD service system and a method for serving a live VOD using a user-defined channel configuration.

In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, in providing a live VOD service using a user-defined channel configuration, by using the channel configuration according to the user's request to ensure concurrency at a specific time and by using a multicast method for video transmission Efficient use of network resources is also required, and it is not necessary to secure multiple channels for the same content so that usability due to channel switching (Zapping) is also secured.

According to an aspect of the present invention, in the VOD service method, performing initial user authentication for user-defined channel formation through a user terminal device, VOD in various time bands of a channel provided by an operator and user-organized Arranging content to perform user-defined channel organization, collecting user-defined channel organization information, generating a live VOD channel required for each content organization block, transmitting the data in a multicast manner, and receiving the information of the live VOD channel. The present invention provides a VOD service method including accessing the live VOD channel to watch VOD contents.

The initial user authentication may include registering an ID, a password, and a set-top box unique key to be used by another terminal device to perform a user-defined channel configuration in the set-top box, using the set-top box. A user authentication is performed by transmitting an ID, a password, or a set-top box unique key to enter a channel.

Herein, the set top box unique key may be one of a smart card identification number, a set top box management key, and a MAC address. In addition, the set-top box unique key is used for mapping the set-top box and information on the user-defined channel when the terminal device performing the user-defined channel configuration is not the set-top box.

The performing of the user-defined channel configuration may include: generating a content organization block for organizing a user-defined channel in consideration of individual display time of VOD content to be provided to a user, and generating a VOD content pool to be provided to the user; Performing user authentication for user-defined channel configuration through the user terminal device, and organizing VOD content provided by the operator at a time desired by an authenticated user among content organization blocks provided by the operator.

Here, the step of organizing the VOD content, when the VOD content screening time is shorter than the content organization block, using the live VOD channel authoring tool to place the VOD content in the time band suitable for the execution time of the VOD content, the remaining Organize alternatives or pre / post / intermediate ads over time.

Alternatively, the performing of the user-defined channel configuration may include: performing billing processing for the VOD content selected by the user; performing billing processing on the VOD content selected by the user; and when the user does not watch the content at the corresponding time. , Canceling the chargeback process, if the user pays a fixed amount of time, leaves a log of the request for the corresponding content, and if the pre / post / intermediate ad is inserted or for the free content, Do not include more steps.

The generating and transmitting the live VOD channel in a multicast manner may include collecting user request information such as user authentication information, channel configuration date, content organization block ID, and VOD content information, and receiving the user-defined channel organization information. Generating driving information such as transmission time, VOD content and advertisement information, alternative programming content, and generating and managing EPG information for a user-defined user channel based on the driving information. Requesting and encrypting the content only for the content, preparing a data application in a timely manner according to the user-defined channel programming information, and before / after / middle of the VOD content arranged in the content programming block. Inserting ads, and VOD content, ads, and data It receives the application includes the step of generating a multicast channel.

Here, the EPG information includes user authentication information, billing information, program meta information, and multicast channel information corresponding to one content organization block of a user defined channel. The inserting of the advertisement may include: placing an advertisement organized by a business operator in the content organization block before, after, and in the middle of the advertisement organization, and an advertisement mapped to meta information of VOD content arranged in the content organization block. And inserting into a part of the basic advertising area arranged before / after / middle, and analyzing the user request information collected through the data application, and if the advertisement mapped to the meta information exists in the advertising system. Inserting at the earliest time point of the post / middle basic advertisement area.

The viewing of the VOD content may include: generating a multicast channel for the VOD content organized by the entire user for each corresponding time period in the content organization block; and when performing channel switching to a user-defined channel through a set-top box. Performing user authentication, receiving EPG information of a user-defined channel with the authenticated user information, checking billing information at the time of entry into the content organization block, and real billing in the case of paid content; and Whenever a specific content configuration block is executed through the EPG information of the user defined channel, joining the multicast group of the VOD content using the IGMP standard to receive an image.

As described above, according to the present invention, by inducing a plurality of users to watch a specific VOD at a concentrated time, network resources can be efficiently used by utilizing the characteristics of the multicast transmission method, and a plurality of multicast channels are not generated. Providing an appropriate number of VOD content can lead to high efficiency and satisfaction, and can also provide additional effects through advertisement insertion.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it can further include other components, without excluding other components unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, the terms “… unit”, “… unit”, “… module” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software. Can be.

Now, a VOD service system and a method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system for using live VOD using user-defined channel configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The VOD (hereinafter, referred to as "picture information") service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a subscriber device unit 100 and a broadcaster device unit 200 as shown in FIG. 1. Here, a bidirectional communication channel is secured in a section between the subscriber device unit 100 and the broadcaster device unit 200 for user-defined channel formation.

The subscriber device unit 100 is divided into a user terminal device 110 and a set-top box 120.

The user terminal device 110 includes a personal computer (PC), a mobile terminal device, a set-top box, and the like, and secures two-way communication, and includes a live VOD channel authoring tool (ie, a programming tool) for user-defined channel formation. Device.

The live VOD channel authoring tool (ie, corresponding to the user-defined channel organization module 112 as shown in FIG. 3) is a VOD at the user terminal device 110 such as a PC, mobile terminal device, set-top box, etc., upon request of the user. The content is arranged in a desired programming time block to perform a user defined program, and information about the user defined channel programming is transmitted to the broadcaster device unit 200.

Here, live VOD refers to real-time VOD.

Set-top box 120 is a device that can receive the organization information and move to the live VOD channel to watch the actual VOD content. In addition, when the user moves to the user-defined channel through the set-top box 120 of the subscriber device unit 100, the VOD content is joined by joining to different multicast groups for each time zone through user authentication. Watch.

In addition, the broadcaster device unit 200 includes a user-defined channel configuration manager 210 and a channel generator / distributor 220 as a headend. The broadcaster device unit 200 processes user authentication, VOD content management to be used for live VOD, billing processing, and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) generation including a content organization block through the user-defined channel organization management unit 210, and a channel. The live VOD channel organized by the user-defined channel organization managing unit 210 is scheduled and generated by the generation / sending unit 220 and transmitted to the subscriber device unit 100.

The user-defined channel organization manager 210 includes an EPG generation system 214 as shown in FIG. 3 to manage user-defined channel organization information.

The channel generation / sending unit 220 includes a transmission scheduling system 221 and a live transmission system 222 as illustrated in FIG. 3, and a user-organized plan and user basically provided by the transmission scheduling system 221. It collects the channel information, and generates the necessary multicast channel for each time zone and registered VOD content through the live transmission system 222. That is, when the operator views the programming time band for the VOD content to be provided by default, and the user performs the user-defined channel configuration, the channel generator / distributor 220 views the corresponding channel programming information and registers for each time zone. Create a multicast channel for each VOD content.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for user authentication in a VOD service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The configuration for user authentication in the VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, user authentication in the user terminal device 110 in the user section (that is, the user subscriber unit 100) A module 111 and a user authentication module 121 in the set-top box 120, the authentication system 211 in the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210 in the headend (ie, broadcaster device unit 200) ) And a user authentication information database 212.

The user authentication module 111 of the user terminal device 110 is a module for use in the user terminal device 110 having a bidirectional communication channel for user defined channel formation. In addition, the user authentication module 121 of the set-top box 120 is a module for use in the set-top box 120 for actually driving the live VOD.

The authentication system 211 of the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210 manages user authentication information in order to configure a user authentication-based system and uses two types of user authentication information stored in the user authentication information database 212 (that is, Both the user authentication module 111 and the user authentication module 121 are controlled.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for user-defined channel configuration in a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the VOD service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the configuration for user-defined channel configuration may include a user authentication module 111 and a user-defined channel organization module 112 in the user terminal device 110 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210, the authentication system 211, back office system 213, EPG generation system 214, content management system 215, billing system 216, content organization block ( 217, a VOD content pool 218, and a transmission scheduling system 221 and a live transmission system 222 in the channel generation / distribution unit 220.

The user authentication module 111 of the user terminal device 110 receives user authentication through the authentication system 211 of the user-defined channel organization management unit 210 for user-defined channel organization.

The user-defined channel organization module 112 of the user terminal device 110 organizes VOD content provided by the service provider at a desired time among the content organization block 217 provided by the service provider.

The authentication system 211 of the user-defined channel organization managing unit 210 processes user authentication with the user terminal device 110.

The back office system 213 of the user-defined channel organization management unit 210 controls the operations of the EPG generation system 214 and the content management system 215.

The EPG generation system 214 of the user-defined channel organization management unit 210 controls a content organization block for organizing a user-defined channel in consideration of individual display time of VOD content to be provided to the user under the control of the back office system 213. 217 is generated and provided to the user terminal device 110.

The EPG generation system 214 also collects full user request information. The EPG generation system 214 collects information such as 'user authentication information, channel organization date, content organization block ID, VOD content information', and the like. In addition, the EPG generation system 214 generates and manages EPG information for a user-defined channel for each user based on the driving information generated by the transmission scheduling system 221.

The content management system 215 of the user-defined channel organization managing unit 210 generates a VOD content pool 218 to be provided to the user under the control of the back office system 213 and provides the generated content to the user terminal device 110.

The billing system 216 of the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210 performs the charging process for the content selected by the user.

The transmission scheduling system 221 of the channel generation / transmission unit 220 receives user-defined channel configuration information from the EPG generation system 214 and generates operation information.

The live transmission system 222 of the channel generator / distributor 220 receives a VOD content, an advertisement, and a data application to generate a multicast channel.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for creating a user defined channel in a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration for creating a user-defined channel includes a live VOD receiving module 121 and an EPG receiving module 122 in the set-top box 120 as shown in FIG. 4. And a EPG generation system 214 in the user-defined channel organization management unit 210, and a transmission scheduling system 221, a live transmission system 222, and a data application system 223 in the channel generation / distribution unit 220. , An advertising system 224, a content protection system 225, and a content management system 226.

The live VOD receiving module 121 of the set-top box 120 joins a multicast group of the corresponding VOD content using the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) standard whenever a specific content configuration block is executed through EPG information of a user defined channel. Join to receive the image.

The EPG receiving module 122 of the set-top box 120 has authenticated user information, receives the user-defined channel EPG information from the user-defined channel organization manager 210, and stores the user-defined channel EPG information in the database 125.

The EPG generation system 214 of the user-defined channel organization management unit 210 generates a content organization block 217 for organizing a user-defined channel in consideration of individual display time of VOD content to be provided to the user, thereby generating a user terminal device ( 110).

The transmission scheduling system 221 of the channel generation / transmission unit 220 receives the user-defined channel configuration information from the EPG generation system 214 and generates operation information.

The transmission scheduling system 221 requests the content management system 226 for the content only for the content organized for the user-defined channel, and encrypts the signal via the content protection system 225 (eg, digital rights (DRM). Management) packaging or scramble using CAS (Conditional Access System).

The delivery scheduling system 221 prepares the transmission of the data application generated by the back office system 213 in time according to the organization information.

The delivery scheduling system 221 inserts an advertisement before, after, and in the middle of the VOD content arranged in the content organization block 217.

The live transmission system 222 of the channel generator / distributor 220 receives a VOD content, an advertisement, and a data application to generate a multicast channel.

The data application system 223 of the channel generator / distributor 220 manages the data application generated by the back office system 213.

The advertisement system 224 of the channel generator / distributor 220 provides an advertisement to be inserted before / after / intermediate of the VOD content disposed in the content organization block 217.

The content protection system 225 of the channel generator / distributor 220 encrypts (eg, scrambles using a DRM packaging or a CAS) the content signal provided by the content management system 226.

The content management system 226 of the channel generator / distributor 220 provides content organized for a user-defined channel according to the request of the broadcast scheduling system 221.

5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for user defined channel operation in a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration for the user-defined channel operation (that is, the movement of the user-defined channel and the viewing of the VOD content), as shown in FIG. 5, receives the live VOD in the set-top box 120. Module 121, EPG receiving module 122, billing module 123, user authentication module 124, database 125, the authentication system 211, EPG generation in the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210 A system 214, a billing system 216, and a live broadcast system 222 and a live channel pool 227 in the channel generator / distributor 220.

The live VOD receiving module 121 of the set-top box 120 joins an image by using IGMP standard to a multicast group of the corresponding VOD content whenever a specific content configuration block is executed through EPG information of a user defined channel. Receive.

The EPG receiving module 122 of the set-top box 120 has authenticated user information, receives the user-defined channel EPG information from the user-defined channel organization manager 210, and stores the user-defined channel EPG information in the database 125.

The billing module 123 of the set-top box 120 checks billing information of the EPG received by the EPG receiving module 122 at the time of entering the content organization block 217, and processes billing in the case of paid content.

The user authentication module 124 of the set-top box 120 performs user authentication to the user-defined channel configuration manager 210 when the user performs channel switching to the user-defined channel.

The database 125 of the set-top box 120 stores content organization blocks, multicast channel information, and billing information.

The authentication system 211 of the user-defined channel organization managing unit 210 processes user authentication with the user terminal device 110.

The EPG generation system 214 of the user-defined channel organization management unit 210 generates a content organization block 217 for organizing a user-defined channel in consideration of the individual display time of VOD content to be provided to the user, and thus the user terminal device 110. )

The billing system 216 of the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210 performs charging processing for the corresponding VOD content with the user terminal device 110.

The live transmission system 222 of the channel generator / distributor 220 generates a multicast channel (ie, a live channel pool 227) for the VOD content organized by the entire user for each corresponding time period. Do it.

Hereinafter, a VOD service method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a VOD service method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, user authentication is basically performed in order to form a user-defined channel (S601). At this time, the authentication system 211 provided in the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210 of the broadcaster device unit 200 manages user authentication information to configure a user authentication based system. In this case, the user authentication based system includes a billing system 216 and a user-defined channel configuration.

The user receives user authentication from the authentication system 211 for user-defined channel formation through the user terminal device 110 having a bidirectional communication channel.

Here, the initial user authentication should proceed in the set-top box 120, 'ID, password' and the set-top box unique key (for example, to be used in other terminals for performing user-defined channel configuration in the set-top box 120) The smart card identification number, the set-top box management key, and the MAC address (optional)) is registered in the broadcaster device unit 200. In this case, the set-top box unique key is required to map the set-top channel 120 and information on the user-defined channel when the terminal device performing the user-defined channel configuration is not the set-top box 120.

In addition, the user receives the user authentication using one of the following methods to enter the user defined channel through the set-top box 120. One is to authenticate by sending the set-top box unique key, and the other is to authenticate by sending 'ID, password'.

Thereafter, the subscriber device unit 100 performs user-defined channel configuration using the live VOD channel authoring tool (S602). In this case, the user-defined channel configuration is a method of organizing channels by arranging VOD contents in various time bands of channels provided by an operator. At this time, the live VOD channel authoring tool allows the user to place the VOD content in a time band suitable for the execution time of the VOD content.

In addition, general channel programming is provided by a broadcasting company, and a channel service is provided in a form in which a user subscribes to a provided channel. Like this channel organization, VOD service is provided by the service provider, and NVOD is provided as organizational information as in general channels, and other VODs (eg, RVOD, D & P, etc.) are provided in a menu format.

Meanwhile, the broadcaster arranges a channel (for example, a user-defined channel configuration scenario as shown in FIG. 7) that the user can organize in addition to the channel provided by the broadcaster, and provides a live VOD channel authoring tool to provide a user's desired time zone. The VOD content provided by the operator may be arranged in the section (that is, the content organization block) to induce viewers to watch at the same time.

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user-defined channel configuration scenario in a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In other words, user-defined channel organization is a way of organizing channels by placing VOD content in various time bands of channels provided by an operator.

First, the user places the content in a time band that matches the execution time of the VOD content, and the user-defined channel may be organized as shown in FIG. 7.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of VOD channel organization for each user in a VOD service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

VOD channel configuration for each user as shown in FIG. 8 is possible in all terminals having a bidirectional data channel such as a user terminal device 110 such as a PC, a mobile terminal device, a set-top box, and a set-top box 120.

In addition, in order to perform user-defined channel configuration in the user terminal device 110, the set-top box 120, and the like, an authentication scheme that each device 110 and the set-top box 120 can recognize is assumed as in step S601. do. Alternatively, the alternative channel image may be organized if the VOD content is not placed in a specific time band.

The user-defined channel organization management unit 210 provided in the broadcaster device unit 200 controls the EPG generation system 214 and the content management system 215 through the back office system 213 by the operator to provide to the user. Create a content organization block 217 for organizing a user-defined channel in consideration of the individual display time of the VOD content, generates a VOD content pool 218 to be provided to the user, and then provides it to the user terminal device 110. .

Accordingly, the user receives user authentication for user-defined channel formation through the user terminal device 110 having a bidirectional communication channel. The authenticated user organizes the VOD content provided by the operator at a desired time among the content organization block 217 provided by the operator through an authoring tool (ie, the user-defined channel configuration module 112) for user-defined channel configuration. .

At this time, if the VOD content screening time is longer than the content organizing block 217, it may not be arranged. If the VOD content screening time is shorter than the content organizing block 217, it may be arranged. Or organize the pre / post / middle ads.

And the billing system 216 provided in the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210 performs the charging process in the following manner.

When charging is performed for each VOD content, charging is performed for the VOD content selected by the user. At this time, if the user does not watch the content at the corresponding time, the charging process is canceled.

If the user pays a fixed amount of time, a log of the corresponding content organization request is left. In addition, when the pre / post / intermediate advertisement is inserted or in the case of free content, billing processing is not performed.

Then, the EPG generation system 214 provided in the user-defined channel organization management unit 210 collects the entire user request information, such as 'user authentication information, channel organization date, content organization block ID, VOD content information', and the like. Collect information.

The transmission scheduling system 221 provided in the channel generation / transmission unit 220 receives the user-defined channel configuration information from the EPG generation system 214 and generates operation information. Here, the driving information includes 'transmission time, VOD content and advertisement information, alternative programming content'.

Accordingly, the EPG generation system 214 generates and manages EPG information for a user-defined channel for each user based on the driving information generated by the transmission scheduling system 221. At this time, the EPG generation system 214 corresponds to the one content organization block 217 of the user defined channel as 'user authentication information, billing information, program meta information (title, plot, etc.), multicast channel information'. Manage the configured EPG information.

At this time, the broadcaster device 200 collects all user-defined channel programming information, generates a live VOD channel required for each corresponding content organization block 217, and transmits it in a multicast manner (S603).

In other words, the transmission scheduling system 221 provided in the channel generation / transmission unit 220 receives the user-defined channel configuration information from the EPG generation system 214 to generate the operation information, and the content is organized for the user-defined channel. Request content from the content management system 226 only, encrypt the signal (e.g., scramble using DRM packaging or CAS) via the content protection system 225, and back-office based on user-defined channel programming. The data application generated by the system 213 prepares to deliver the content in time, and inserts an advertisement before, after, and in the middle of the VOD content disposed in the content organization block 217.

In this case, the advertisement is inserted into an advertisement provided by the operator, an advertisement associated with the VOD content, and a targeting advertisement according to a user's request.

Here, the advertisement provided by the operator follows a basic advertisement programming method in which the advertisement arranged by the operator is arranged in the content organization block 217 before, after, and in the middle.

 Advertisements associated with VOD content may be pre / post / when there are advertisements in the ad system 224 that map to meta information (eg, product information, place information, etc.) of the VOD content placed in the content organization block 217. It is inserted into a part of the basic advertising area arranged in the middle. Targeted ads based on user requests analyze user request information collected through data applications (e.g., queries in search applications) and before / after / when ads mapped with the corresponding meta information exist in the ad system 224 Insert at the earliest point of the middle default ad area.

The live transmission system 222 receives a VOD content, an advertisement, and a data application to create a multicast channel.

Then, in order for the broadcaster device unit 200 to access the live VOD channel generated by the multicast method in step S603 described above, the user is authenticated in the set-top box 120 and receives corresponding channel information. The channel is accessed (ie, moved) to watch VOD content (S604).

In other words, the live transmission system 222 provided in the channel generation / transmission unit 220 generates a multicast channel for each channel, where the entire user-organized VOD content is organized according to the corresponding time for each content organization block. Create a multicast channel. In this case, the number of multicast channels for each time band is shown in Table 1 below.

The broadcaster device unit 200 selects a prime time zone according to the distribution of viewer ratings, analyzes viewer favorite channel / content genre of the corresponding time zone, and provides an appropriate number of VOD contents so that a plurality of multicast channels are not generated. This leads to higher efficiency and satisfaction than existing RVOD, D & P, and NVOD, and the point of multicast group switching (i.e., when one channel is left and then joins to the next channel). ), An additional effect can be obtained through advertisement insertion at the point of time provided by VOD content shorter than the provided time band.

In addition, when the user performs channel switching (Zapping) to the user-defined channel through the user authentication module 124 of the set-top box 120, the user authentication to the user-defined channel configuration management unit 210 proceeds.

Thus, the EPG receiving module 122 provided in the set-top box 120 has user information authenticated and receives user-defined channel EPG information from the user-defined channel organization manager 210. At this time, the user-defined channel of the received EPG information includes multicast channel information and billing information for each content organization block.

And the billing module 123 provided in the set-top box 120 checks the billing information of the EPG received by the EPG receiving module 122 at the time when entering the corresponding content organization block 217, and in the case of paid content Charge it.

The live VOD receiving module 121 provided in the set-top box 120 joins the multicast group of the corresponding VOD content using the IGMP standard whenever a specific content configuration block is executed through the EPG information of the user defined channel. To receive the image.

In addition, when it is time to move from one content organization block to another content organization block, the set-top box 120 to leave (Leave) in the multicast group using the IGMP standard, billing module 123 and live VOD The above-described operation is performed again through the receiving module 121.

As such, the VOD service method according to an embodiment of the present invention groups a user who wants to view the same VOD content at a specific time period through user-defined channel organization, and creates a multicast channel for each content time period to create a VOD service. By providing improved network efficiency and usability of channel changes. That is, by inducing a plurality of users to watch a specific VOD at a concentrated time, it is possible to make full use of the characteristics of the multicast transmission scheme and obtain the highest efficiency.

In general, although a live channel is composed of one multicast channel, if a live VOD service method using a user-defined channel configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention is used, the live channel is a multicast channel different for each time zone by EPG information of the corresponding channel. Will be provided with channel services.

In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, in providing a live VOD service using a user-defined channel configuration, a multicast method is used for content transmission, and a channel ratio according to a user request improves a hit ratio for a user's request. The method of inducing the improvement of usability by channel switching has been described.

However, the embodiment of the present invention is not implemented only through the above-described apparatus and method, but may be implemented through a program for realizing a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and the like. Such implementations can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains based on the description of the above-described embodiments.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for user authentication in a VOD service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for user-defined channel configuration in a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for creating a user defined channel in a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for user defined channel operation in a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a VOD service method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user-defined channel configuration scenario in a VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of VOD channel organization for each user in a VOD service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (15)

In the VOD (Video on Demand) service method, Performing initial user authentication for user-defined channel formation through a user terminal device; Performing user-defined channel organization by placing VOD content in various time bands of a channel provided by an operator and user-configurable; Collecting the user-defined channel programming information and generating as many multicast channels as necessary for each time band and for each VOD content, and transmitting them in a multicast manner; And Receiving the information on the multicast channel and accessing the multicast channel to watch VOD content VOD service method comprising a. The method of claim 1, Performing the initial user authentication, Registering an ID, a password, and a set-top box unique key to be used by another terminal device for performing user-defined channel configuration in the set-top box in an authentication system; And Performing user authentication by transmitting an ID, a password, or a unique key of the set-top box to enter a user defined channel through the set-top box; VOD service method comprising a. The method of claim 2, The set top box unique key, VOD service method that selects among smart card identification number, set-top box management key, and media access control (MAC) address. The method of claim 2, The set top box unique key, A VOD service method used to map user-defined channel-organized information and the set-top box when the terminal device performing user-defined channel configuration is not the set-top box. The method of claim 1, Performing the user-defined channel configuration, Generating a content organization block for organizing a user-defined channel in consideration of individual display time of VOD content to be provided to a user, and generating a VOD content pool to be provided to the user; Performing user authentication for user-defined channel configuration through a user terminal device; And The step of organizing VOD contents provided by the operator at the time desired by the authenticated user among the contents organization block provided by the operator. VOD service method comprising a. The method of claim 5, Organizing the VOD content, If the VOD content showing time is shorter than the content organizing block, the VOD content is placed in the content organizing block suitable for the execution time of the content using the live VOD channel authoring tool, and the alternative time or the pre / post / middle for the remaining time VOD service method to organize advertising. The method of claim 5, Performing the user-defined channel configuration, When charging for each VOD content, performing charging for the VOD content selected by the user; If the user did not watch the content at the corresponding time, canceling the charging process; If the user pays a fixed amount of time, leaving a log of a corresponding content organization request; And If no pre / post / intermediate ads are inserted or for free content, do not charge VOD service method comprising more. The method of claim 1, Creating the multicast channel and transmitting the multicast channel, Collecting user request information such as user authentication information, channel organization date, content organization block ID, and VOD content information; Receiving the user-defined channel programming information and generating driving information such as transmission time, VOD content and advertisement information, and alternative programming content; Generating and managing EPG information on a user-defined channel for each user based on the driving information; Requesting and encrypting only the content organized for the user-defined channel; Preparing to send a content application in time according to the user-defined channel programming information; Inserting an advertisement before, after, or in the middle of VOD content arranged in the content organization block; And Generating the multicast channel by receiving VOD content, advertisements, and data applications; VOD service method comprising a. The method of claim 8, The EPG information, And a user authentication information, billing information, program meta information, and information of the multicast channel corresponding to one content organization block of a user defined channel. The method of claim 8, Inserting the advertisement, Arranging before / after / middle of an advertisement organized by a business operator in the content organization block; Organizing and inserting an advertisement mapped to meta information of the VOD content arranged in the content organization block in a part of a basic advertisement area arranged before, after, or in the middle of an advertisement system; And Analyzing the user request information collected through the data application and inserting at the earliest of the before / after / middle basic advertising area when the advertisement mapped to the meta information exists in the advertisement system. VOD service method comprising a. The method of claim 1, Watching the VOD content, Performing user authentication when performing channel switching to a user-defined channel through the set-top box; And Receiving EPG information of a user defined channel with authenticated user information VOD service method comprising a. The method of claim 11, Watching the VOD content, Checking billing information at the time of entry into the content organization block and performing actual charging in the case of paid content; And Whenever a specific content configuration block is executed through the EPG information of the user defined channel, joining a multicast group of VOD content using IGMP standard to receive an image. VOD service method including more. In a system for providing a video on demand (VOD) service to a user terminal device, A user-defined channel configuration management unit which stores VOD contents and collects information on channel organization in which the user organizes the VOD contents from the user terminal device; And A channel generation / sending unit for generating a live VOD channel for transmitting the VOD content and transmitting the multicast method based on the collected organization information. VOD service system comprising a. The method of claim 13, The user-defined channel configuration management unit, And a second authentication for the set-top box for driving the VOD content and a first authentication for the user terminal device to collect the channel programming information. The method of claim 14, The user-defined channel configuration management unit, If the VOD content provided to the user terminal device is a paid content, it is determined whether the user has watched the VOD content, and charging for viewing the VOD content is performed. If the VOD content provided to the user terminal device is free content, the charging is not performed. Does not have VOD service system.

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