KR100971704B1 - Method for operating set-top box integration apparutus - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of operating a set-top box integrator is disclosed. According to the method, when a user inputs reservation recording information necessary for setting a reservation recording to a first set-top box through a remote controller, a set-top box integrator connected to the first set-top box through a home network is connected to the first set-top box. Receiving the output reservation recording information, and the reservation recording request including the reservation recording information by including the reservation recording information in a reservation recording request signal that can be recognized by the second set-top box. And transmitting a signal to the second set-top box connected to the set-top box integrator and the home network, wherein the second set-top box corresponds to the reserved recording information included in the received reservation recording request signal. The operation of the second set-top box is set so that the broadcast program can be recorded.

Description

Method for operating set-top box integration apparutus}

The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system, and more particularly, to a method of setting another set-top box by controlling any one set-top box when at least two set-top boxes exist.

Digital broadcasting (DB) is a system that compresses and transmits broadcast signals such as video and audio information in the form of digital signals in a broadcasting station.

Conventional analog broadcasting carries only one image on one radio wave and transmits it in the form of an analog signal. The analog signal has a low signal strength due to a distance between a transmitter (for example, a broadcasting station) and a receiver or sensitive to the influence of external noise. There is a lot of information loss. However, in digital broadcasting, there is almost no information loss by compressing a plurality of video, audio, and broadcasting information in one radio wave and transmitting it as a digital signal. Accordingly, the digital broadcast is excellent in resilience of the broadcast signal and can transmit a lot of information at once, thereby enabling high quality, multi-channel, and various additional data services.

The digital broadcasting system receives a broadcast signal using the digital broadcast receiver (eg, a set-top box), restores the broadcast signal to a video and audio signal, and reproduces the broadcast signal on a display device.

The set-top box (hereinafter referred to as 'STB') is a control device capable of receiving broadcasts and implementing various additional functions, and is a terminal required for using next-generation bidirectional multimedia communication. The STB receives a broadcast signal (digital video signal or an analog signal) transmitted from a broadcasting station through a transmission medium such as over-the-air (terrestrial wave), cable, satellite, or high-speed network, and decodes the broadcast signal to display a display device (for example, , TV, or monitor) into a signal that can be recognized.

As such, broadcast systems of various transmission methods (eg, airwaves, cables, satellite broadcasting, etc.) exist, and as interest in image media increases, one home or company may have STBs for each transmission method.

Alternatively, even if the same broadcast transmission method (eg, airwave, cable, satellite broadcasting, etc.) is supported, a user using multiple STBs may appear due to different functions of STBs by manufacturers.

As such, when there are at least two STBs, each STB is generally installed in a physical location far away. For example, one STB may be installed in a living room, and the other STB may be installed in a bedroom. In this case, the user may control only the STB installed in the living room in the living room and watch only a broadcast program through the STB installed in the living room.

When the user wants to control the STB installed in the bedroom, the user can control to perform the desired function only by going to the bedroom or at least a position capable of controlling the STB installed in the bedroom.

However, the user may have a desire to watch a broadcast program through the STB installed in the bedroom in the living room, or to set the reservation recording information of the STB installed in the bedroom in the living room. This demand is further increased when the models of STBs installed in the living room are not compatible because they are different, or when different broadcast programs are received due to different broadcast transmission methods.

Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a method for controlling (eg, reservation recording, etc.) another set-top box using any one set-top box.

In addition, another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a method for watching a broadcast output from another set-top box using any one set-top box.

The operation method of the set-top box integrated device for achieving the technical problem is that when the user inputs the reservation recording information necessary for setting the reservation recording to the first set-top box through a remote controller, through the first set-top box and the home network Connected set-top box integrator receiving the reservation recording information output from the first set-top box, and the set-top box integrator includes the reservation recording information in a reservation recording request signal that can be recognized by a second set-top box; And transmitting the reservation recording request signal including the reservation recording information to the second set top box connected through the set-top box integrator and the home network, wherein the second set-top box receives the reservation. In order to record a broadcast program corresponding to the reserved recording information included in the recording request signal, Sets.

The operating method of the set-top box integrator includes the step of receiving, by the set-top box integrator, broadcast program list information corresponding to the second set-top box from the second set-top box, and receiving the broadcast program from the set-top box integrator. And transmitting the list information to the first set top box, wherein the first set top box transmits the reservation recording information to the set top box integrator based on the transmitted program list information.

The broadcast program information may be electronic program guide (EPG) information.

The first set top box and the second set top box may be different types, or the first set top box and the second set top box may have different broadcast transmission methods.

The operation method of the set-top box integrated device to achieve the technical problem is that when the user inputs the reservation recording information necessary for setting the reservation recording to the first set-top box through a remote controller, through the first set-top box and the Internet network Connected set-top box integrator receiving the reservation recording information output from the first set-top box, and the set-top box integrator includes the reservation recording information in a reservation recording request signal that can be recognized by a second set-top box; And transmitting the reservation recording request signal including the reservation recording information to the second set top box connected through the set-top box integrator and the Internet network, wherein the second set-top box receives the reservation. The operation of the second set-top box is performed so that a broadcast program corresponding to the reservation recording information included in the recording request signal can be recorded. Set it.

The set top box integrator may be built in the first set top box or the second set top box.

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The operating method of the set-top box integrator may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium recording a program.

The operation method of the set-top box integrator according to the present invention has the effect of controlling another set-top box at a position capable of controlling one set-top box when two or more set-top boxes exist.

In addition, since the broadcast output from another set-top box can be viewed through the set-top box installed at the current location, the user's convenience is increased. This convenience is further increased when the broadcasting programs provided by the set-top box are different due to different broadcasting transmission methods supported by the set-top box or for various other reasons.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

In addition, in the present specification, when one component 'transmits' data to another component, the component may directly transmit the data to the other component, or through at least one other component. Means that the data may be transmitted to the other component.

On the contrary, when one component 'directly transmits' data to another component, it means that the data is transmitted from the component to the other component without passing through the other component.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a set-top box integrated system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system via a home network. Set-top box integrated system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a set-top box integrated device 100, the first set-top box 200, and the second set-top box 300. The apparatus may further include an input device 210 for controlling the first set top box 200.

The set-top box integrator 100 performs the operations described herein as a device necessary to implement the technical idea of the present invention. That is, an operation required for controlling the second set top box 300 may be performed through the first set top box 200. In addition, it may serve to transmit the image output from the second set-top box 300 to the first set-top box 200 through a wired / wireless network.

The set top box integrator 100 may be connected to the first set top box 200 and the second set top box 300 through a wired / wireless network. The wired / wireless network may be the Internet or a home network.

The home network may refer to a local area network (LAN) of a house installed in a home. Accordingly, the set-top box integrator 100 may be a separate device installed in a home network as a node and manufactured to embody the technical spirit of the present invention.

The home network is well known, and since the home network standard is well known in the home network forum (http://www.homenetwork.or.kr/), the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the set-top box integrator 100 may be connected to the first set-top box 200 and the second set-top box 300 through an internet network, and the internet network may be used as a meaning excluding a home network. have.

2 shows a schematic configuration of a set-top box integrated system according to another embodiment of the present invention. 2, the set-top box integrating apparatus 100 is connected to the first set-top box 200 and the second set-top box 300 through the Internet, or the first set-top box 200 and the The second set top box 300 is connected to each other through a home network, and the home gateway (not shown) connected to the set top box integrator 100 is connected to the first set top box 200 and the second set top box 300. It can be connected through. In this case, the set-top box integrated device 100 may be implemented as a kind of web server. The user may register in advance the type and other information of the set-top box used by the user in the web site / page provided by the set-top box integrated device (eg, web server, 100), the set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention Before using the integrated device providing method, a separate user authentication procedure (eg, a login or a certificate) may be performed.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the first set top box 200 and the second set top box 300 may be set top boxes of the same type or compatible set top boxes. However, in the present specification, a set-top box of different models or a set-top box having different functions even though they are compatible will be described as an example. Alternatively, the first set top box 200 and the second set top box 300 may be set top boxes having different broadcast transmission methods. For example, the first set top box 200 may be a ground wave set top box, and the second set top box 300 may be a cable set top box. Of course, the opposite can also be true. In other words, the first set-top box 200 and the second set-top box 300 may be a set-top box having a different method of the set-top box, such as terrestrial waves, cables, satellites.

Accordingly, broadcast programs received by each set-top box and broadcast program information (eg, EPG) for the broadcast programs may be different from each other.

The set-top box integrator 100 may control the second set-top box 300 by using the first set-top box 200. For example, the second set top box 300 is a cable set top box, the first set top box 200 is a terrestrial set top box, the second set top box 300 is installed in the bedroom, The first set-top box 200 looks at a method of setting a reservation recording according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, when installed in a living room.

The set-top box integrator 100 receives reservation recording information from the first set-top box 200. The reservation recording information may include at least one of a title of a broadcast program, a time, or an identifier of a broadcast program, and may mean information required for setting a reservation recording. That is, the user may input the reservation recording information through the input device (eg, the remote controller) 210 in order to reserve recording any one of the cable broadcasts to be viewed in the bedroom in the living room. Then, the first set-top box 200 may transmit the reservation recording information to the set-top box integrated device 100. Of course, at this time, the first set-top box 200 enters into a separate mode for setting a reservation recording in the second set-top box 300 or a separate interface (eg, to the input device 210). , Buttons, etc.) to perform the above functions.

Then, the set-top box integrator 100 transmits a reservation recording request signal corresponding to the received reservation recording information to the second set-top box 300. That is, the set-top box integrator 100 receives the reservation recording information, and transmits the reservation recording information to a predetermined signal (that is, the reservation recording request signal) that can be recognized by the second set-top box 300. Can be transmitted. In addition, the reservation recording request signal may be a request signal for the second set-top box 300 to perform a setting corresponding to the reservation recording information.

Then, the second set-top box 300 may set the reservation recording information in response to the received reservation recording request signal. Setting the reservation recording information may mean a series of operations for recording a broadcast program corresponding to the reservation recording information. For example, the reservation recording information may be added to the reservation recording list stored in the second set-top box 300.

As a result, the user may set a reservation recording of the second set-top box 300 installed in the bedroom in the living room. In a similar manner, various controls other than scheduled recording are more possible.

On the other hand, the set-top box integrated device 100 is a list information of the broadcast program to be broadcast in the second set-top box 300, so that the user can conveniently set the reservation recording to the second set-top box 300 Can be provided. The list information of the broadcast program only needs to be information including a title, time, and other information of at least one broadcast program received from the second set-top box 300. That is, it will be said that it is included in the list information of the broadcast program without any distinction as long as it includes information on the broadcast program to be received in the second set-top box 300, which may help the user to set up the reservation recording.

In particular, the list information of the broadcast program may be EPG information corresponding to the second set-top box 300. Of course, the set-top box integrator 100 may receive the EPG information itself received from the broadcasting station by the second set-top box 300 and transmit it to the first set-top box 200 as it is, but in a predetermined format. You can change this to send.

The set-top box integrator 100 may receive EPG information corresponding to the second set-top box 300 from the second set-top box 300, but may separately collect EPG information from the Internet. As described above, in the case of collecting separate EPG information, EPG information that can be extracted from a data stream output from a broadcasting station is often inaccurate. EPG information corresponding to the two set-top box 300 may be collected.

The EPG information corresponding to the first set top box 200 and the EPG information corresponding to the second set top box 300 may be different from each other. For example, when the first set top box 200 is a terrestrial set top box, and the second set top box 300 is a cable set top box, EPG information corresponding to each set top box of the EPG may be different. Accordingly, the user may input reservation recording information through the input device 210 based on the broadcast program list information (eg, EPG) provided from the set-top box integrator 100.

The method of providing a set-top box integrator as described above is provided by the set-top box even if the first set-top box 200 and the second set-top box 300 are not compatible because they are different models or compatible. Since there is a difference in functions, there is an effect that can be convenient to the user when using two or more set-top boxes. Of course, at this time, the set-top box integrated device 100 may recognize both the first set-top box 200 and the second set-top box 300 to support a data format or interface that can be used in each set-top box. Do.

In addition, as described above, when the first set-top box 200 and the second set-top box 300 support different broadcast transmission methods, a broadcast program received through the first set-top box 200 and Since the broadcast programs received through the second set-top box 300 are different from each other, the method for providing a set-top box integrator according to an embodiment of the present invention may be used more effectively. For example, a user may want to watch both terrestrial broadcast and cable broadcast. Therefore, when the terrestrial set-top box and the cable set-top box are both provided, the user can conveniently control the other set-top box with any one set-top box through the method of providing a set-top box integrator according to an embodiment of the present invention. (E.g., reserved recording setting).

According to an embodiment, the set top box integrator 100 may be embedded in at least one of the first set top box 200 or the second set top box 300. That is, the set-top box integrated device 100 as described above may be implemented as a separate device and connected to a home network or an internet network, but the first set-top box 200 or the like in the form of a module having the same function. It may be embedded in at least one of the second set-top box 300. The set-top box integrator 100, which is built in the form of a module, is provided separately from the hardware for performing the above-described functions or share the hardware provided in the first set-top box 200 or the second set-top box 300 The module may mean a combination of such hardware and software for driving the same.

The technical idea of the present invention can watch a broadcast program received by another set-top box through any one set-top box as well as control of another set-top box by any one set-top box.

To this end, the set-top box integrator 100 may receive a broadcast program request signal from the first set-top box 200. That is, the broadcast program request signal may be a signal for requesting a broadcast program of a predetermined channel received by the second set top box 300. The broadcast program request signal may be input through the input device 210. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the set top box integrator 100 further transmits broadcast program list information (eg, EPG information) corresponding to the second set top box to the first set top box 200. The user may of course input the broadcast request signal based on the transmitted program list information.

Then, the set-top box integrator 100 may receive broadcast program data corresponding to the received broadcast program request signal from the second set-top box 300. The broadcast program data is used to include both video and audio information corresponding to the actual broadcast program. That is, the broadcast program data may refer to video, audio data, and other necessary data directly required for a user to watch the broadcast program, and the set-top box integrator 100 receives information on the received broadcast program. The first set top box 200 may be transmitted. Then, the first set-top box 200 may decode the broadcast program data and display it on the display device.

For example, a user may watch a program received by a cable set-top box installed in a bedroom in a living room. In particular, the technical idea of the present invention can be very usefully used when it is not possible to watch cable broadcasting in the living room.

The method for providing a set-top box integrator according to an embodiment of the present invention may be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, hard disk, floppy disk, optical data storage device, and the like, as well as carrier wave (eg, transmission over the Internet). It also includes implementations in form. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. And functional programs, codes and code segments for implementing the present invention can be easily inferred by programmers in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to better understand the drawings cited in the detailed description of the invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a set-top box integrated system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic configuration of a set-top box integrated system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

When a user inputs reservation recording information necessary for setting a reservation recording to a first set-top box through a remote controller, the set-top box integrator connected to the first set-top box through a home network is outputted from the first set-top box. Receiving reservation recording information; And The set-top box integrating device includes the reservation recording information in the reservation recording request signal that can be recognized by the second set-top box, and transmits the reservation recording request signal including the reservation recording information to the set-top box integrating device and the home network. Transmitting to the second set-top box connected through And the second set-top box sets an operation of the second set-top box to record a broadcast program corresponding to the reserved recording information included in the reserved recording request signal. The method of claim 1, Receiving, by the set-top box integrator, broadcast program list information corresponding to the second set-top box from the second set-top box; And And transmitting, by the set-top box integrator, the received program list information to the first set-top box. And the first set-top box transmits the reservation recording information to the set-top box integrator based on the transmitted program list information. The method of claim 2, wherein the broadcast program list information is EPG (Electronic program guide) information. delete delete When a user inputs reservation recording information necessary for setting a reservation recording to a first set-top box through a remote controller, the set-top box integrator connected to the first set-top box and the Internet is output from the first set-top box. Receiving reservation recording information; And The set-top box integrating apparatus includes the reservation recording information in the reservation recording request signal that can be recognized by the second set-top box, and transmits the reservation recording request signal including the reservation recording information to the set-top box integrating apparatus and the Internet network. Transmitting to the second set-top box connected through And the second set-top box sets an operation of the second set-top box to record a broadcast program corresponding to the reserved recording information included in the reserved recording request signal. The method of claim 1, wherein the set top box integrator is embedded in the first set top box or the second set top box. delete delete A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the method of claim 1, 2, 3, 6, or 7.

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