KR101137802B1 - Set-top box and method for controlling picture in pictures on internet protocol television - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A PIP(Picture In Pictures) controllable IPTV set top box and a control method thereof are provided to display and control a different kind of applications at the same time by offering a PIP function through the set top box on an image display screen of IPTV. CONSTITUTION: A PIP manager(100) performs a mutual switch of a first application and a second application which are displayed on a main screen and a sub screen, respectively. The PIP manager controls the switch of the main screen and the sub screen. The PIP manager performs PIP function which controls the size and location of the sub screen. A virtualization unit(220) virtualizes the first and the second application controlled by the PIP manager into one application. The virtualization unit displays all of the first and the second applications on an image display device of the IPTV.

Description

Set-top box and method for controlling picture in pictures on internet protocol television}

The present invention relates to a set-top box for an IPTV (Internet Protocol TV), and more particularly, to an IPTV set-top box capable of controlling a picture in picture (PIP) function and a control method thereof.

In general, IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a broadcasting 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 Internet and TV, 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 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.

On the other hand, game-related programs are developed and supplied according to the increase of game users and technology development.In the past, a game containing a game program is inserted into a game machine or a computer to play a game or an online game using a computer communication network. Since the method of providing a game is based on a user terminal such as a PC, a laptop, a mobile communication terminal, and the like, there are limitations on screen size, image quality, and sound quality.

Therefore, recently, a method of playing a game through a TV screen using an IPTV set-top box has been provided. In the method of playing a game using a set-top box, the video and sound of the game are output through a digital TV, and thus the screen size, image quality, and sound quality are greatly improved.

Social Network Games or Social Games, which have recently become very popular with the expansion of Social Networks, are not intended for heavy users of complex online games. It has a very easy interface that can be operated by all age groups and cute characters, so it is suitable as a set-top box game, and many social network games are being developed as set-top box games.

However, while playing games using the set-top box, the inconvenience of not being able to watch TV broadcasts occurs. In particular, due to the characteristics of games for set-top boxes, it is not necessary to continue to focus and participate, but rather to observe a little, that is, most of the games are automatically progressed, and the user can check in the middle or participate in a short time when the game is urgent. More time is needed to do other things or watch TV.

Therefore, in a game using a set-top box, it is desirable to develop a technology for displaying and controlling all heterogeneous applications on a video display screen of an IPTV so that a game and a TV broadcast can be simultaneously viewed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an IPTV set-top box and a control method thereof, which can control PIP to display and control all kinds of applications by providing a PIP function on an image display screen of an IPTV using a set-top box. .

In addition, another object of the present invention is to display a broadcast video and a game video on the main screen and a sub-screen at the same time when displaying the TV broadcast video on the video display screen of the IPTV, and the broadcast video displayed on the main screen and the sub-screen The present invention provides a set-top box for an IPTV and a control method thereof, which can control a PIP to convert a game image and to individually select one screen and to control a selected screen.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast video and a game video to the PIP so that consumers can play the game more easily when watching IPTV, and to individually select any one screen and control the selected screen of the PIP An object of the present invention is to provide an IPTV set-top box and a control method thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box and a control method thereof include a first application displayed on a main screen of a video display device of an IPTV and a video display device. Regarding the second application displayed on the sub screen driven at an arbitrary position on the main screen, mutual switching between the first application and the second application displayed on the main and sub screens, control switching between the main and sub screens, and In order to control the size and position of the sub screen, the first application and the second application are controlled in a picture in picture (PIP) manner when the main and sub screens are displayed.

In this case, in the PIP controllable IPTV set-top box and the control method thereof, the first application and the second application may be any one of a game program and a broadcast program.

In addition, the PIP control IPTV set-top box and the control method according to the present invention, by implementing a PIP manager and a virtualization unit on the middleware (Middleware) of the IPTV set-top box, to control the position and size of the sub-screen, Controls video, audio, and input interface of the first and second applications displayed on the main and sub screens.

In this case, in the PIP controllable IPTV set-top box and the control method thereof, the PIP manager is implemented on an application support manager (ASM) among the modules constituting the middleware of the IPTV set-top box. Preferably, the application control unit for selecting an application to be applied to the main and sub-screens of the PIP, the interface control unit for determining which interface of the application selected from the application control unit, adjust the position and size of the sub-screen And a video controller configured to determine which of the applications selected by the application controller is activated.

In addition, in the PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box according to the present invention and a control method thereof, the virtualization unit virtualizes two applications controlled by the PIP task manager into one application so that two applications may be applied to the video display device of the IPTV. A display unit for displaying all the two applications virtualized as one application in the virtualization unit on the video display device, a speaker for outputting a voice controlled by the PIP task manager, and the PIP task manager. And an input / output device including an input interface for receiving an interface controlled by the controller, and a hardware driver for interworking the applications with the input / output device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a PIP-controllable set-top box for IPTV and a control method for converting and controlling first and second applications, which may be game programs and broadcast programs, to a video display device of an IPTV in a PIP manner, respectively. Receiving the first application data generated corresponding to the first application executed in the first means of the set-top box, and storing the first application data in the storage unit corresponding to the identifier of the user of the set-top box Storing the data, authenticating the identifier of the user after receiving the access signal of the control command input device, and authenticating the first application data corresponding to the identifier of the user from the control command input device after authenticating the identifier of the user. Receiving a transmission request signal, and transmitting the first application data to an image display apparatus; The first application execution process that comprises the steps; Receiving second application data from the second means of the set top box, temporarily storing the second application data in the storage unit, and transmitting a request signal for transmitting the second application data from the control command input device. Executing a second application, the method comprising: receiving a message; and transmitting the second application data to the image display device; Allocating a main screen and a sub screen to the first application and the second application screen, respectively; Receiving a screen change request signal from the control command input device; And switching the main screen and the sub screen allocated to the first application and the second application, respectively.

In this case, when the set top box selects any one of the main screen and the sub screen from the control command input device, the set top box controls the selected screen according to the request signal from the control command input device. It characterized in that to perform.

In the PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box according to the present invention and a control method thereof, the game screen is displayed on a sub-screen of the video display device, and the IPTV broadcast is watched through the main screen while the game screen is displayed at a suitable position on the main screen. When there is an urgent or need to check, you can switch the screen to play the game on the main screen and watch the IPTV broadcast without interruption through the sub screen.

PIP control IPTV set-top box and control method according to the present invention, since there is no PIP function on the middleware of the IPTV in the past, by implementing the PIP function in the game engine mounted on the set-top box by the user by processing the PIP function in software Respond promptly and economically to PIP feature requests. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a plurality of tuners separately according to the type of data as in the conventional broadcast receiving apparatuses.

As described above, the present invention provides a game engine and a set-top box that enables viewers to easily switch and control broadcast applications and game applications when watching IPTV, so that the user can watch the selected broadcast content such as a movie or drama and simultaneously play game content. It is effective to participate in the game while watching the game.

Accordingly, although the TV monitor is used as a display device for a game image, the present invention borrows only the TV monitor when the TV is not used for broadcasting. It has the effect of fusing game, broadcasting or TV which was a completely different area from one's previous form.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of controlling the broadcast application and the game application in the IPTV independently of the various IPTV platforms PIP function.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing a cultural environment that can be enjoyed by the whole family by bringing the game to the living room by sharing the broadcast and the game on a TV with good access.

In addition, the present invention by implementing the PIP function in the set-top box for IPTV by software, it is not necessary to have a plurality of tuners separately according to the type of data as in the conventional broadcast receivers, relatively inexpensive and compact set-top box Providing this feature has the advantage of being able to respond promptly and economically to user's PIP function request.

1 is an internal block diagram of an IPTV set-top box according to the prior art,
2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the set-top box for IPTV of FIG.
3 is an internal block diagram of a PIP controllable IPTV set top box according to the present invention;
4 is a view for explaining a PIP control method of an IPTV set-top box according to the present invention;
5 is a view showing an example of a screen configuration displayed on the image display apparatus by the PIP controllable IPTV set-top box and a control method thereof according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same components in the figures represent the same numerals wherever possible. Specific details are set forth in the following description, which is provided to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. In the following description of the present invention, detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

1 is an internal block diagram of an IPTV set top box according to the prior art, and FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an internal configuration of an IPTV set top box of FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 1. Is composed of a variety of elements, but in the detailed description of the present invention omitted a detailed configuration determined to unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. Indicated. Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of an IPTV set-top box may be classified into an OS 10 and an IPTV middleware 20, and the middleware 20 may again be an application support manager 21. ASM), ACAP-J (23, Advanced Common Application Protocol-Java), browser engine (25), and application layer (27).

The OS 10 is an operating system for controlling the overall operation of the set-top box for IPTV, and any operating system of various types of operating systems may be used. The IPTV middleware 20 is driven on the OS 10 base. The IPTV middleware 20 performs the stored data or real-time data streaming service provided to the IPTV through the set top box. Since the components of the set-top box for IPTV are already known, detailed descriptions of the components are omitted.

3 is an internal block diagram of a PIP control IPTV set-top box according to the present invention, Figure 4 is a view for explaining a PIP control method of the IPTV set-top box according to the present invention, Figure 5 according to the present invention Fig. 1 shows an example of a screen configuration displayed on an image display apparatus by a PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box and its control method.

Hereinafter, a set-top box for IPTV control and an IPTV control method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. First, referring to FIG. 3, the PIP controlable IPTV set-top box according to the present invention further includes a PIP manager 100 in the application support manager 210 on the middleware 200 to control the PIP function. It further includes a virtualization unit 220 for virtualizing the application screen as one.

As shown in FIG. 3, the PIP manager 100 includes an application controller 110, an interface controller 130, an image controller 150, and a voice controller 170. The application control unit 110 selects an application to be applied to the main and sub screens of the PIP, and the interface control unit 130 determines which of the applications selected by the application control unit to activate the interface, the image control unit ( 150 and the voice controller 170 adjust the position and size of the sub screen, respectively, and determine which of the applications selected by the application controller activates the voice.

Accordingly, the PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box and the control method thereof according to the present invention are displayed on the main screen D1 of the video display device of the IPTV according to a user's command as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The first application AP1 and the second application AP2 displayed on the sub screen D2 driven at an arbitrary position on the main screen D1 of the image display apparatus are controlled. Particularly, the PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box and the control method thereof according to the present invention switch the mutual screen between the first application AP1 and the second application AP2 displayed on the main D1 and the sub-screen D2. And the first application AP1 and the second application in order to enable control switching of the main D1 and the sub screen D2 before and after the screen change and control of the size and position of the sub screen D2. In the virtualization unit 220 implemented with the PIP manager on the middleware of the set-top box for IPTV when controlling the PIP (Picture In Pictures) for displaying AP2 on the main D1 and the sub-screen D2. The first application AP1 and the second application AP2 are virtualized and processed into one application. When the first application AP1 and the second application AP2 are displayed on the video display device by the virtualization unit 220, the PIP manager 100 controls the position and size of the sub-screen D2. The video, audio, and input interface of the first application AP1 and the second application AP2 displayed on the main D1 and the sub screen D2 are respectively controlled.

In the PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box and the control method thereof according to the present invention, the first application (AP1) and the second application (AP2) is any one of a game program and a broadcast program, PIP control according to the present invention The set-top box for IPTV and its control method can be displayed on the sub screen D2 of the video display device so that the game screen is displayed at a proper position on the main screen D1 and watched the IPTV broadcast through the main screen D1. When the game is urgent or needs to be checked, the user can switch the screen to play the game on the main screen D1 and watch the IPTV broadcast without interruption through the sub screen D2.

Referring to FIG. 4, the virtualization unit 220 virtualizes two applications AP1 and AP2 controlled by the PIP task manager 11 into one application, so that both applications are displayed on the video display device of the IPTV. The display unit 31, an input / output device such as a display unit 31, a speaker 33, an input interface 35, and the like are driven in cooperation with two applications through the control of the hardware drive 30. The display unit 31 displays two applications AP1 and AP2 virtualized as one application in the virtualization unit 220 on the image display device, and the speaker 33 is the PIP task manager 11. Outputs a voice controlled by the < RTI ID = 0.0 >), < / RTI > and the input interface 35 receives the interface controlled by the speaker 33 and the PIP task manager 11.

3 to 5 will be described in detail the PIP control method of the set-top box for IPTV according to the present invention by applying an embodiment. The first application AP1 and the second application AP2 are assumed to be game programs and broadcast programs, respectively. First, a process of executing the first application AP1 corresponds to a game program executed in a game engine of a set-top box. Receives the generated game data, and stores the game data in a storage unit (not shown) corresponding to the identifier of the user of the set-top box, and authenticates the identifier of the user when there is a connection signal of a control command input device such as a remote controller. . If there is a signal for requesting transmission of game data corresponding to the identifier of the user from the remote controller after authenticating the identifier of the user, the game is displayed on the main screen D1 by transmitting the game data to the monitor.

Next, referring to the execution process of the second application AP2, the broadcast data is received through the ACAP-J 23 of the set-top box, the received broadcast data is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and then the broadcast data is transmitted from the remote controller. If a request signal is received and transmitted to the video display device, a broadcast is displayed on the sub-screen D2 as shown in FIG. In this case, the game, which is the first application AP1, and the broadcast, which is the second application AP2, are virtualized and displayed as one application by the virtualization unit 220.

Accordingly, when the first application AP1 and the second application AP2 are allocated to the main screen D1 and the sub screen D2, and then receive a screen change request signal from the remote controller, the game and the broadcast are transmitted to the game and the broadcast. The main screen D1 and the sub screen D2 assigned to each other can be switched, and if any one selection is made for each screen, the control corresponding to the request signal input from the remote control is selected for the selected screen. 30).

As described above, the PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box and the control method thereof according to the present invention implement a PIP function that has been implemented in hardware but has not been implemented in the middleware of the IPTV in the game engine mounted on the set-top box. This allows the PIP functionality to be handled in software to respond promptly and economically to user requests for PIP functionality. That is, the present invention provides a set-top box for an IPTV capable of controlling a PIP and a control method thereof to provide a PIP function on an image display screen of an IPTV using a set-top box to display and control all heterogeneous applications.

In addition, the present invention, when displaying the TV broadcast video on the video display screen of the IPTV, simultaneously display the broadcast video and game video on the main screen and sub-screen, respectively, and the broadcast video and game video displayed on the main screen and the sub-screen It is possible to provide a set-top box for an IPTV and a control method thereof, in which a PIP can be controlled so as to be switched and to individually select one screen and control the selected screen.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the described embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (10)

A first application displayed on the main screen of the video display device of the IPTV and a second application displayed on a sub screen driven at an arbitrary position on the main screen of the video display device by a user's command to the video display device of the IPTV. In the set-top box for outputting IPTV,
On the application support manager on the middleware of the set top box,
An application controller for selecting an application to be applied to the main screen and the sub screen, an interface controller for determining which of the applications selected by the application controller is activated, and an image for adjusting the position and size of the sub screen And a voice controller configured to determine which of the applications selected by the controller and the application controller to activate the voice, wherein the first and second applications are displayed on the main screen and the sub screen, respectively. A PIP manager for performing control switching of screens and sub-screens and controlling picture size and position of the sub-screens; And
And a virtualization unit configured to virtualize the first and second applications controlled by the PIP manager into one application so that both the first and second applications can be displayed on the video display device of the IPTV. Set-top box for PIP control IPTV, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, wherein the first application and the second application,
PIP-controllable IPTV set-top box comprising a broadcast program and a game program.
A first application displayed on the main screen of the video display device of the IPTV and a second application displayed on a sub screen driven at an arbitrary position on the main screen of the video display device by a user's command to the video display device of the IPTV. In the control method of the output IPTV set top box,
On the application support manager on the middleware of the set-top box, an application control unit for selecting an application to be applied to the main screen and the sub screen, an interface control unit for determining which of the applications selected from the application control unit to activate the interface; And a video controller configured to adjust the position and size of the sub screen, and a voice controller configured to determine which application of the applications selected by the application controller is activated. A PIP manager for performing a PIP (Picture In Pictures) function for controlling the switching between an application and a second application, controlling the control of the main screen and the sub screen, and controlling the size and position of the sub screen; And a virtualization unit configured to virtualize the first and second applications controlled by the P manager into one application so that both the first and second applications can be displayed on the video display device of the IPTV.
The PIP manager receives the first application data generated corresponding to the first application executed in the first means of the set top box, authenticates the identifier of the user when there is a connection signal from the control command input device, and identifies the user. Matching the first application data to a main screen of the video display device of the IPTV when there is a signal for requesting transmission of the first application data corresponding to the identifier of the user from the control command input device after authentication;
The PIP manager receives the second application data through the second means of the set-top box, and if there is a transmission request signal of the second application data from the control command input device to match the sub-screen of the video display device of the IPTV. process;
The virtualization unit virtualizing the main screen and the sub screen where the first application and the second application are matched into one application, and displaying the same on a video display device of the IPTV; And
When the screen change request signal is received from the control command input device, the main screen and the sub screen allocated to the first application and the second application are switched, and if there is any one selection for each screen, the selected screen is selected. And controlling at least one of a size, a position of an image, an audio, and a sub screen in response to a request signal input from the control command input device. The method of claim 3, wherein the PIP manager,
When there is a first key input through a control command input device, the first application displayed on the main screen area and the second application displayed on the sub screen area are interchanged and displayed on the main screen area and the sub screen. PIP control method of the set-top box for IPTV.
The method of claim 4, wherein the PIP manager,
When there is a second key input through the control command input device, the focusing set in one of the first application displayed on the main screen area and the second application displayed on the sub screen is transferred to the other application. PIP control method of the set-top box for IPTV, characterized in that it is changed.
The method of claim 5, wherein if the focusing of the application is changed,
Method of controlling the PIP of the set-top box for the IPTV, characterized in that the control authority for the screen and sound of the application is also changed.
The method of claim 6, wherein the PIP manager,
If there is a third key input through the control command input device, the display position of the second application displayed on the sub screen is moved to a specific position of the main screen area; .
The method of claim 7, wherein the first application and the second application,
PIP control method of the set-top box for IPTV, characterized in that each one of a broadcast program and a game program. delete delete

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