KR100988943B1 - Set-top-box for providing sub contents for IPTV and Method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a set-top box for providing sub-content for IPTV and a method thereof, and more particularly, to provide sub-content for IPTV that can simultaneously display sub-content that can be inserted into a background when displaying main content for IPTV. It relates to a set-top box and a method for providing the same. In the set-top box for providing sub-content for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a set-top box for providing an IPTV broadcasting service for subscribers, the main content, the sub-content and the sub-content that can be inserted into the background are received via the Internet. A storage unit for storing background content for adding to a background of the; A processor for controlling to display the sub content together with the main content when the sub content display request is received from the user; And an additional screen processor configured to add the background content to the sub content according to a control signal of the processor, and to synthesize the sub content to which the background content is added and the main content on the screen. Characterized in that it comprises a.

IPTV, Set Top Box, Fitness, Advertising

Description

Set-top box for providing sub contents for IPTV and method thereof

The present invention relates to a set-top box for providing sub-content for IPTV and a method thereof, and more particularly, to provide sub-content for IPTV that can simultaneously display sub-content that can be inserted into a background when displaying main content for IPTV. It relates to a set-top box and a method for providing the same.

In general, IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a television service that can provide a two-way television service to subscribers using a high-speed Internet network. Such IPTVs provide interactive television services such as information services, video contents, and broadcasting using high-speed Internet.

Currently, IPTV is a type of digital convergence in that it is a convergence of the Internet and television, and it is different from existing Internet TV in that it uses a television receiver instead of a monitor and a remote controller instead of a mouse.

Therefore, IPTV is possible only if the television receiver, the set-top box (set-top box) and the Internet line are connected. In other words, you can use a power supply just like turning on a television with a set-top box or dedicated modem attached to the television. Therefore, even a user unfamiliar with a computer can use the remote control to provide various contents and additional services provided by the Internet, such as watching movies, home shopping, home banking, online games, and MP3s.

Meanwhile, as interest in healthcare and diet increases, demand for fitness increases. As a result, the fitness industry is growing rapidly. In addition, content through the media is increasingly consumed in the fitness industry.

Recently, however, women consider fitness to be a constant exercise in their lives and have a desire to do fitness with relatively little time and money. In this way, users want to practice fitness while doing other things in their lives, especially by watching IPTV. A lot of information and content related to this are also consumed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a set-top box and a method for providing a sub-content for IPTV that can provide a sub-content that can be inserted into the background with the main content so that consumers can easily watch the sub-content when watching the IPTV. .

In addition, another object of the present invention is to be able to indirectly service by inserting the background content in the background of the sub-content serviced through the screen of the IPTV.

The set-top box for providing sub-content for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a set-top box for providing an IPTV broadcasting service for subscribers, the main content, the background insertion received via the Internet A storage unit for storing the available sub content and the background content for adding to the background of the sub content; A processor for controlling to display the sub content together with the main content when the sub content display request is received from the user; And an additional screen processor configured to add the background content to the sub content according to a control signal of the processor, and to synthesize the sub content to which the background content is added and the main content on the screen. Characterized in that it comprises a.

In addition, the sub content of the storage unit is preferably a fitness video.

In addition, the background content of the storage unit is preferably advertisement information.

In addition, the processor preferably controls to display the sub content as a silent image.

In addition, the processor preferably controls to synthesize and display the sub content having the background added to a part of the screen displaying the main content.

In addition, the sub content of the storage unit is preferably generated by a chroma technique.

Also, the processor may provide a detailed view or a shortcut service as the sub content displayed on the screen is selected.

On the other hand, the method for providing sub-content for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for providing an IPTV broadcasting service for subscribers, the main content, sub-content that can be inserted into the background, received by the processor via the Internet and Reading background content from a storage to add to the background of the sub content; If the processor receives a sub content display request from the user, controlling the sub content to be displayed together with the main content; And adding, by the additional screen processor, the background content to the sub content according to a control signal of the processor, and combining the sub content to which the background content is added and the main content to display on the screen. Characterized in that it comprises a.

In addition, the sub content is preferably a fitness video.

In addition, the background content is preferably advertisement information.

The controlling may include controlling the processor to display the sub content as a silent image.

In the controlling, the processor may control to display a sub-content having a background added to a part of a screen displaying the main content.

In addition, the sub content is preferably generated by a chroma technique.

In the controlling step, it is preferable to provide a detailed view or a shortcut service as the sub content displayed on the screen is selected.

According to the present invention, by providing a sub-content that can be inserted into the background along with the main content so that consumers can easily watch the sub-content when watching IPTV, the consumer can watch the main content selected by the consumer such as a movie or a drama at the same time as the sub-content. There is an effect that can be consumed.

In addition, another object of the present invention by inserting the background content in the background of the sub-content serviced through the screen of the IPTV indirectly, there is an effect that can be exposed indirectly with the sub-content additional services.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating an IPTV system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a set-top box for providing IP contents for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an IPTV system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied receives a broadcast server 10 that provides IPTV broadcast information through the Internet and an IPTV broadcast information from the broadcast server 10 to display the IPTV broadcast information. It is configured to include a set-top box 100 to be displayed on the screen.

The broadcast server 10 broadcasts broadcast information including contents such as movies, music, dramas, etc. for IPTV broadcasting to the set-top box of the subscriber through the Internet. Enable viewing The broadcast server stores the main content DB (2) for the IPTV broadcasting service, the sub content DB (3) for storing the sub-content that can be inserted into the sub content among the IPTV subscribers, and the background content added to the background of the sub content. The background content DB 4 is included.

Here, the broadcast server 10 enables IPTV broadcast viewing by selectively transmitting the corresponding broadcast information when the broadcast server 10 is authenticated through a subscriber authentication procedure with a set-top box (STB) of a subscriber connected through the Internet. .

The set-top box 100 is connected to the broadcast server 10 through the Internet, converts the broadcast information received from the broadcast server 10, and selectively displays it on the screen of the display means 200. . That is, the set-top box 100 can be displayed on the screen of the display means 200 in response to the broadcast information from the broadcast server 10 to enable the subscriber to watch the IPTV broadcast. At this time, the set-top box 100 stores the received broadcast information or processes in real time. The set top box 100 is provided to display on the screen of the display means 200 in response to the broadcast information selected through the remote controller 190.

Here, the set-top box 100 stores in real time the main content, the sub content that can be inserted into the background, and the background content to be added to the background of the sub content among the broadcast information from the broadcast server 10. When the set top box 100 receives a request for displaying the sub content from the user, the set-top box 100 adds the background content to the sub content, synthesizes the sub content to which the background content is added, and displays the main content on the screen of the display means 200. Done.

In this case, the sub content is content such as fitness, securities, and other information for an additional service to be provided together with the main content provided to the sub content subscriber among IPTV subscribers. Such sub-contents are contents that are designed to allow background insertion, for example, chromatographic contents. The sub content includes text, an image, and the like provided together with the main content.

Here, the fitness content is a sub-content customized to follow the fitness required for diet and healthcare. The fitness content may be configured to individually select yoga, stretching, strength exercise, self-appointment massage, etc. according to the condition or preference of the customer.

Therefore, by providing the fitness content separately from the main content so that consumers can easily fitness when watching the IPTV, there is an effect that the consumer can use the fitness while watching the IPTV.

In addition, by not only customizing the content implemented in IPTV, but also by supporting the movement, which is a consumer's behavior when watching IPTV, it is possible to increase the consumption and efficiency of IPTV by doubling the efficiency and enjoyment of watching IPTV. have.

Also, the set top box 100 may selectively add background content to a background of the sub content so that the set top box 100 is displayed together on the screen. Here, the background content is content including advertisement, shopping, and other information for adding to the background of the sub content.

Here, the display means 200 adopts a conventional CRT, LCD, PDP television or monitor. In addition, the remote controller 190 may be any method as long as it can select an IPTV broadcast in a wireless manner. That is, the remote controller 190 may select the broadcast information of the set-top box 100 by transmitting the corresponding button information according to the user's button input.

In addition, the set-top box 100 through the subscriber information (for example, subscriber information, IP address assigned to each subscriber, MAC address of the set-top box 100, etc.) in order to receive broadcast information from the broadcast server 10. The subscriber authentication process is performed. Since the subscriber authentication process between the set-top box 100 and the broadcast server 10 can be understood by those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to Figure 2 in more detail the set-top box for providing sub-content for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention, the set-top box for providing a sub content according to an embodiment of the present invention is received via the Internet, the main Storage unit 150 for storing the content, the sub-content that can be inserted into the background, and the background content for adding to the background of the sub-contents, and when receiving a request to display the sub-contents from the user, controls to display the sub-contents along with the main content In accordance with the control signal of the processor 130 and the processor 130, the background content is added to the sub content according to the control signal of the processor, and the sub content to which the background content is added is synthesized and displayed on the screen. It is configured to include a screen processor 160.

The storage unit 150 stores broadcast information for viewing IPTV broadcasts received through the Internet. The broadcast information includes main content, sub content, background content, and the like. In addition, the IPTV subscriber information is pre-received or stored in order to receive the above-mentioned broadcast information to watch the IPTV.

In addition, the storage unit 150 may include a main content DB 20 for an IPTV broadcasting service, a sub content DB 30 storing background insertable sub content provided to a sub content subscriber among IPTV subscribers, and a background of the sub content. It is configured to include a background content DB (40) for storing the added background content.

Here, the main content stored in the main content DB 20 is content such as a movie, music, drama, etc. for general IPTV broadcasting.

In addition, the sub content stored in the sub content DB 30 is content such as fitness, securities, and other information for an additional service to be provided together with the main content provided to the sub content subscriber among the IPTV subscribers. These sub-contents are contents that are designed to allow background insertion, for example, chromatographic contents. The sub content may include text, images, etc., which are provided together with the main content according to a user's subscription and function activation separately from the main content.

Here, the fitness content is a sub-content customized according to the sub-content subscribers to follow the fitness required for diet and healthcare. The fitness content may be configured to individually select yoga, stretching, strength exercise, self-appointment massage, etc. according to the condition or preference of the customer.

In addition, the background content DB 40 is content including advertisement, shopping, and other information for adding to the background of the sub content.

Here, the advertisement content may be configured to selectively insert a text, logo, image, etc. for the advertisement in the background of the sub content.

The processor 130 selectively loads the broadcast information stored in the storage unit 150 and displays it on the screen of the display means 200 shown in FIG. 1. For example, when the processor 130 is authenticated as an IPTV subscriber, the processor 130 controls to load the main content and display it on the screen.

In addition, when receiving the sub content display request from the user, the processor 130 controls to display the sub content together with the main content. Thus, when controlling to display the main content on the screen, the processor 130 controls to display the sub content along with the main content on the screen. For example, the processor 130 may control the fitness content, which is a sub-content, to be displayed on the screen together with the main content, so that the fitness may be used while watching an IPTV broadcast. Through this, the consumer can watch the fitness content customized to be consumed as the sub content while watching the main content selected by the consumer such as a movie or a drama.

In addition, when controlling the display of the sub content together with the main content on the screen, the processor 130 may selectively add the background content stored in the storage unit 150 to the background of the sub content to be displayed together on the screen. have. That is, the processor 130 controls to add the background content to the sub content provided with the main content and output the same on the screen of the display means 200 shown in FIG. 1. For example, the processor 130 may indirectly expose the advertisement by controlling to display the advertisement content on the screen by inserting the advertisement content in the background of the fitness content. In other words, when the advertisement information is added to the fitness content, the processor 130 may be inserted in the background to indirectly expose the advertisement. Thus, when the main content is displayed on the screen of the display means described above, the fitness content having the advertisement background is displayed together.

In addition, in the case of the screen constituting the fitness content, it is easy to separate the background from the main screen including the movement of the person, such that the background insertion is easy. Therefore, when the fitness content is adopted as the sub content, it is easy to produce the sub content having a transparent background or a background composed of chroma techniques.

In addition, the processor 130 may control to synthesize and display the sub content having the background added to a part of the screen displaying the main content.

In addition, the processor 130 may be selectively changed according to the situation when the advertising content is added to the fitness content. This can be easily inserted and changed in the sub content by producing a chroma background that can change the background when the sub content is produced. Since such a coromant background technique can be easily understood by those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the processor 130 may provide a detailed view or a shortcut service when the sub content is selected when the sub content is displayed on the screen of the display means 200 shown in FIG. 1.

The additional screen processor 160 synthesizes the sub content on the main content according to the control signal of the processor 130 and displays the synthesized sub content on the screen. That is, the additional screen processor 160 may display the sub content or the background content loaded from the storage 150 by combining the main content with the main content under the control of the processor 130.

In addition, the additional screen processing unit 160 synthesizes and displays the sub content having the background added to a part of the screen displaying the main content. This display method is different from simply displaying another screen on one screen. When the fitness content as the sub content is displayed, the advertisement content as the background content is inserted into the background of the fitness content, thereby indirectly displaying the advertisement.

Hereinafter, a method of displaying contents of an IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the method for providing sub-content for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as a set-top box for providing the sub-content for IPTV described above as an example. In this case, the same reference numerals as those of FIGS. 1 and 2 assume the same function.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing sub-content for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, first, the processor 130 reads main content for providing an IPTV broadcast service from the storage 150 (S100). At this time, the processor 130 receives the main content for providing the IPTV broadcasting service according to the button operation of the remote controller 190 by the subscriber. Then, the processor 130 reads the corresponding main content from the storage 150 when it is authenticated through the IPTV subscriber authentication process. Here, the main content is content such as a movie, music, drama, etc. for watching the above-described general IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) broadcasting.

Next, the processor 130 searches for the sub content in the storage 150 (S110). When the processor 130 determines that the sub content needs to be provided, the processor 130 reads the sub content from the storage unit 150 (S130). Here, the sub content is content such as fitness, securities, and other information for an additional service to be provided together with the main content provided to the sub content subscriber among the above-described IPTV subscribers. These sub-contents are contents that are designed to allow background insertion, for example, chromatographic contents. The sub content may include text, images, etc., which are provided together with the main content according to a user's subscription and function activation separately from the main content.

In particular, the fitness content is a sub-content customized according to the sub-content subscribers to follow the fitness required for diet and healthcare. The fitness content may be configured to individually select yoga, stretching, strength exercise, self-appointment massage, etc. according to the condition or preference of the customer.

Subsequently, the processor 130 determines whether the background content is stored in the storage 150 (S150). Thus, if the background content exists in the storage unit 150, the processor 130 reads the background content (S160). Here, the background content is content including advertisements, shopping, other information, etc. for adding to the background of the sub content as described above.

Finally, the processor 130 controls to display the screen by adding the sub content and the background content to the main content read from the storage 150 (S140). Then, the additional screen processor 160 synthesizes the sub content and the background content on the main content according to the control signal of the processor 130 (S160). The additional screen processing unit 160 outputs the synthesized screen information in real time to be displayed on the screen of the display means (S170).

In this case, when the processor 130 is displayed on the screen of the display means 200, it is preferable to display the fitness content as the sub content together with the text or the silent image on the main content. For example, when the sub-content is displayed on the screen, the processor 130 displays motion information such as consumption calories as a text and provides a silent video so as not to disturb the viewing of the main content of the user.

If there is no background content in the storage unit 150 in step S150, the processor 130 controls the display to add the sub content to the main content read from the storage unit 150 to be displayed on the screen (S140). Then, the additional screen processor 160 synthesizes the sub content on the main content according to the control signal of the processor 130 (S160). The additional screen processing unit 160 outputs the synthesized screen information in real time to be displayed on the screen of the display means (S170).

In addition, if the sub content is not found in step S120, the processor 130 determines that the sub content is not provided. Then, the processor 130 controls to display only the main content on the screen (S140). Then, the additional screen processor 160 outputs the screen information generated by converting the main content according to the control signal of the processor 130 and displays it on the screen of the display (S180).

Accordingly, the present invention displays the sub content together with the main content on the screen so that the sub content can be used together while watching the IPTV broadcast. Through this, the consumer can watch the main content selected by the consumer, such as a movie or drama, and at the same time, watch the fitness content customized to be consumed as the sub content.

In addition, the present invention can indirectly expose additional information by controlling to display the background content on the screen by inserting the background content in the background of the sub content. For example, when the advertisement information is added to the fitness content, the processor 130 may be inserted in the background to indirectly expose the advertisement. Thus, when the main content is displayed on the screen of the display means, the fitness content having the advertisement background is displayed together.

In addition, the present invention can be selectively changed according to the situation when the advertising content is added to the fitness content. This can be easily inserted and changed in the sub content by producing a chroma background that can change the background when the sub content is produced.

In addition, the present invention can provide a detailed view or a shortcut service when selecting the sub content when displaying the sub content on the screen of the display means 200. For example, when the output advertisement information is selected, the detailed view is displayed or the corresponding website is provided to provide additional services. For example, if you choose a pizza ad, you will be able to order pizza.

In addition, the present invention synthesizes and displays a sub-content having a background added to a part of a screen displaying the main content. In this case, the sub content is displayed smaller than the screen size of the main content so that the sub content can be viewed together while not disturbing the viewing of the main content by the consumer.

4 is an exemplary view illustrating a screen configuration of main content and sub content according to the present invention. 5A to 5C are exemplary views illustrating a method of displaying sub content together with main content according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an exemplary view illustrating an example of inserting background content into sub content according to the present invention. 7A to 7C are exemplary views illustrating a sub content providing screen according to the present invention.

According to the above-described method, the sub content for IPTV is displayed on the screen. In detail, the main content screen 400 and the sub content screen 401 are separately produced and stored as shown in FIG. 5A. do. In this case, the background content screen 404 is inserted into the background of the sub content screen 401. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the main content screen 400 and the sub content screen 401 are merged or configured in a multi-layer format. Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sub content screen 401 including the main content 400 and the background content screen 404 is displayed together on the screen of the display means 200. Here, the sub content screen 401 displayed on the screen is displayed on one side of the screen so that the main content screen 400 is relatively less invasive. Of course, it may be possible to adjust the transparency according to the situation.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the fitness content is produced as the sub content provided in the present invention, the content is produced using a chroma photographing technique. First, the content content 411 is inserted into the chroma background 401 such as a blue screen. The sub content 412 is produced, and the advertisement content 413 and 414 is inserted into the background of the sub content 412 to finally generate the sub content 415 and 416 having the background of the advertisement content 413 and 414. Done. In this way, the background in which the advertisement can be flexibly placed in each sub content can be replaced, thereby saving additional production time. In addition, an advertisement is inserted in the background of the sub content to expose the advertisement indirectly.

Thus, when the present invention is displayed on the screen of the display means 200, such sub-contents are displayed together as a silent image on the main content. Meanwhile, the sub content displays the image together with additional information on the corresponding image in a text format.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the IPTV subscriber may select in advance a sub content function activation 420 such as fitness content on the IPTV menu. For example, in the [Settings] category of the IPTV menu, you can select a healthcare program, that is, Solbi's Diet Yoga. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the IPTV subscriber operates the remote controller 190 to turn on the power of the set-top box 100, the main content 400 (eg, the infinite conductive VOD) is displayed through the screen of the display means 200. , Or real-time broadcast). Here, the IPTV subscriber can view the customized sub content 401 selected by the subscriber while watching the main content 400. As described above, the sub content 401 is displayed as the silent video 403 together with the text information 402. The advertisement content 404 is displayed together in the background of the sub content 401.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 7C, when the sub content and the advertisement content screen 404 are displayed on the screen, the detail view screen 405 is added when the user selects a predetermined button 191 disposed on the remote controller 190 by operating. Will be displayed as. In this case, the detailed view screen 405 displays detailed information on the corresponding advertisement, for example, a product type, a price, and the like, to provide a convenience to the subscriber. At this time, to provide a shortcut service. At this time, the subscriber additionally provides a shortcut service for accessing the corresponding website according to the button selection of the remote controller 190.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and may be applied within the scope of the technical idea.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an IPTV system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a set-top box for providing sub-content for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing sub-content for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen configuration of main content and sub content according to the present invention.

5A to 5C are exemplary views illustrating a method of displaying sub content together with main content according to the present invention.

6 illustrates an example of inserting background content into sub content according to the present invention;

7A to 7C are exemplary views illustrating a sub content providing screen according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: broadcast server 20: main content DB

30: sub content DB 40: background content DB

100: set-top box 130: processor

140: remote control receiver 150: storage unit

160: additional screen processing unit 190: a remote control

200: display means

Claims (14)

In the set-top box providing an IPTV broadcasting service for subscribers, A storage unit for storing the main content, the sub-content into which the background can be inserted, and the background content to be added to the background of the sub-content received via the Internet; A processor configured to display the sub content together with the main content when the sub content display request is received from a user; And An additional screen processing unit configured to add the background content to the sub content according to a control signal of the processor, and to synthesize the sub content to which the background content has been added and the main content on the screen; Set-top box providing a sub-content for the IPTV, characterized in that it comprises a. The method according to claim 1, The sub-content of the storage unit is a set-top box for providing a sub-content for IPTV, characterized in that the fitness video. The method according to claim 1, The background content of the storage unit is a set-top box for providing sub-content for IPTV, characterized in that the advertisement information. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The processor comprising: Set-top box for providing a sub-content for IPTV, characterized in that the control to display the sub-content as a silent image. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The processor comprising: And a sub-content for the IPTV, wherein the sub-content having a background added to a part of a screen displaying the main content is synthesized and displayed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The sub-content of the storage unit is set-top box for providing a sub-content for IPTV, characterized in that generated by the chroma technique. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The processor comprising: Set-top box for providing a sub-content for IPTV, characterized in that to provide a detailed view or a shortcut service according to the selection of the sub-content displayed on the screen. In the method for providing an IPTV broadcasting service for subscribers, Reading, by the processor, the main content, a sub-insertable sub-content, and a background content for adding to the background of the sub-content received from the storage unit via the Internet; Controlling the processor to display the sub content together with the main content when the processor receives a request for displaying the sub content from the user; And Adding, by an additional screen processing unit, the background content to the sub content according to a control signal of the processor, and displaying the main content on the screen by combining the sub content to which the background content is added; Method for providing a sub-content for IPTV comprising a. The method according to claim 8, And the sub content is a fitness video. The method according to claim 8, The background content is a method for providing sub-content for IPTV, characterized in that the advertisement information. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, The controlling step, And processing the processor to display the sub content as a silent image. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, The controlling step, And controlling the processor to synthesize and display the sub content having a background added to a part of a screen displaying the main content. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, And the sub content is generated by a chroma technique. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, The controlling step, A method for providing sub content for IPTV, characterized in that to provide a detailed view or a shortcut service according to selecting the sub content displayed on the screen.

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