KR101316218B1 - Method for contacting a user using contents and display device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a user contact method using content and an image display device using the same, the method comprising: downloading content from an Internet server; Storing the downloaded content with information about a user associated with the content; And when the content is selected, performing contact with the user associated with the content by using the stored user information.

Description

Method for contacting a user using contents and display device about

The present invention relates to a method of performing contact with a specific user in an image display device.

With the development and commercialization of digital TV and wired / wireless network technology, which has better signal processing and storage capability than conventional analog TV, real-time broadcasting, contents on demand (COD) using the internet network connected to each household in addition to the existing radio media. Various types of content services such as games, news, and video communication can be provided to users.

An example of providing a content service using the Internet network may be an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV). The IPTV refers to transmitting various information services, moving picture contents, broadcasting, and the like to a user's television using a high-speed Internet network.

Recently, the concept of broadband TV, web TV, etc. has been proposed as a type of network TV which has been further developed in the IPTV. Unlike conventional IPTV, a broadband TV or a web TV has a plurality of content providers, and a user may individually access a plurality of content providers to receive various VODs, games, and the like provided by the content providers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a user contact method using a content that can easily communicate with a specific user and a video display device using the same.

In order to achieve the above object, a user contact method using the content according to an embodiment of the present invention, downloading the content from the Internet server; Storing the downloaded content with information about a user associated with the content; And when the content is selected, contacting the user associated with the content by using the stored user information.

In addition, the video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the network interface unit for downloading the content and information about the user associated with the content from the Internet server; A storage unit which stores contents and user information; And storing the downloaded content in the storage unit so as to correspond to the contact information of the user associated with the content by using the downloaded user information, and when the content is selected, by using the stored contact information associated with the content. It includes a control unit for performing contact with the user.

On the other hand, the user contact method using the content may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for execution on a computer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by storing the downloaded content in correspondence with the contact information of the user associated with the content, it is possible to easily perform a call with the user associated with the content using the content, and thus the image The display device can provide a user interface environment that can efficiently communicate with a specific user.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a content providing system.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of displaying a plurality of contents on a screen of an image display apparatus.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a user contact method using contents according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 to 6 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a method of contacting a user associated with a corresponding content by using contents displayed on a screen.
7 to 14 are diagrams illustrating still another embodiment of a method of performing contact with a user associated with a corresponding content by using contents displayed on a screen.

Hereinafter, a user contact method using content according to an embodiment of the present invention and an image display apparatus using the same will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14.

1 illustrates a configuration of a content providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a configuration of a network TV system for receiving content from a content provider using a network.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a network operator 10, at least one contents provider (CP) 20, and at least one network TV 30. They can be connected to each other by a network, for example the Internet.

The network operator 10 may provide the network TV 30 with the software necessary for the contents provided by the content provider 20 to operate normally on the network TV 30 or the software necessary for the network TV 30 to operate. have. In addition, the content provider 20 may also provide hardware information of the network TV 30 necessary for the content to be normally executed in the network TV 30.

The content provider 20 may generate various contents that can be provided on the network, configure the content in a format that can be played on the network TV 30, and provide contents according to a request of the network TV 30. The content according to the invention can be any multimedia content that can be serviced via a network.

For example, content provided by the content provider 20 may be provided to the network TV 30 by the content provider 20 directly through the Internet, or to the network TV 30 via the network operator 10. It may be.

The network TV 30 may receive content from the content provider 20 and play or execute the content. The network TV 30 may include any display device equipped with a network module, such as a TV, a broadcast receiving device such as a set-top box, a network phone, or the like. Although the present specification describes a broadcast receiving apparatus having a broadcast receiving function as an example, embodiments of the present invention may be applied to any display apparatus capable of network connection, and all of them may be included in the scope of the present invention.

More specifically, the content provider 20 may be a provider of making or distributing various contents to be provided to the network TV 30. The content provider 20 may include a TV station, a radio station, a VOD operator, an AOD operator, a game operator, a video phone service provider, a weather information provider, a photo related service provider, and the like.

The network TV 30 basically has a network interface capable of accessing the network, receives an IP address, receives and processes a data packet through the network, and stores or plays the data packet when the data packet is multimedia data such as video or audio. have.

The network TV 30 may operate to transmit the user's requirements in both directions while processing the multimedia data. In addition, the user input unit such as a remote controller or an operation button for controlling the network TV 30 is preferably provided with buttons for controlling the network TV, that is, buttons for selecting various menus.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the content providing system as shown in FIG. 1 may not include the network operator 10, in which case the network TV 30 uses the wired / wireless network as described above. The provider 20 may be directly connected to the server of the content provider 20, more specifically, to receive content.

On the other hand, the video display device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be composed of a network TV 30 shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, the configuration of the network TV 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 is illustrated.

The network TV 30 may have a function of receiving a broadcast signal in the form of an RF signal through a radio or a cable through the broadcast receiver 41 in addition to a function of receiving content through a network.

As shown in FIG. 2, the network TV 30 includes a broadcast receiver 41, a demultiplexer 42, a video signal processor 43, a display 44, a network interface 45, and an OSD generator. 46, a user interface 47, a storage interface 48, a storage 49, an external signal input 39, and a controller 50 may be included.

The broadcast receiver 41 includes an antenna for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from the outside, and a tuner for tuning a broadcast signal having a frequency band corresponding thereto according to a tuning control signal of the controller 50 to be described later, It may include a demodulator (demodulator) for outputting a broadcast signal of a specific channel in the form of a transport stream through a VSB (Vestigial Sideband) demodulation process and error correction process.

The video data separated by the demultiplexer 42 may be processed by the image signal processor 43 and displayed on the display 44. The image signal processor 43 may include an MPEG-2 decoder and a scaler that converts the video data to match the vertical frequency, resolution, aspect ratio, and the like of the output standard of the display 44.

The display unit 44 may display an image using various types of display panels such as digital light processing (DLP), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), and the like. In addition, the audio signal is processed by a voice signal processor (not shown) and output to the speaker, which may include an AC-3 decoder.

Meanwhile, the additional data included in the additional data separated through the demultiplexer 42 may be stored in the storage 49 through the storage interface 48 to be described later. The storage unit 49 may be implemented by an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).

The user interface unit 47 is a means for receiving a request command from a user. In general, the user interface unit 47 may include an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared signal input through a remote controller or a local key input unit provided at one side of the panel.

The network interface unit 45 may receive content or data from the content provider 20 or the network operator 10 through a network. For example, the server may be connected to a server of the content provider 20 through a wired or wireless network such as the Internet, and may receive content such as broadcasts, games, VODs, broadcast signals, and related information provided from the content provider server. .

The OSD generator 46 may generate a menu screen for receiving a user's determination signal in the form of an OSD. The external signal input unit 39 is an interface capable of receiving input from another playback device such as a DVD player, a game machine, and the like. The external signal input unit 39 connects another playback device to the external signal input unit 39 to display the multimedia stored in the playback device. It can be output as (44).

The controller 50 may perform overall operation control according to a command input from the user interface 47. The controller 50 may receive and execute an update file of software, that is, firmware, of the content provider 20 received from the network operator 10.

3 illustrates an embodiment of a method of displaying a plurality of contents on a screen of an image display apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 3, information 110 to 160 for each of a plurality of contents that can be played back may be displayed on the screen 100 of the image display apparatus. For example, the content information 110 to 160 may correspond to a corresponding content. It may be an icon representing a content or a thumbnail image that is a reduced image of a specific portion of an image of the corresponding content.

The plurality of contents may include various contents such as a real time broadcasting channel, contents on demand (COD), photographs, movies, music, games, news, video telephony, and the like.

Meanwhile, at least one content provider corresponding to the plurality of contents may exist, and in this case, the video display device accesses the content provider according to a user's request, and provides a real time broadcast, a COD, and a game provided by the content provider. You can receive various contents such as video, photo, weather information, news, and video phone service.

In addition, the image display device may display information on each of the plurality of contents on the screen 100. For example, the contents information may include not only the content image but also texts as described above.

For example, the displayed content information may be a character including information related to the content such as a name, an identification number, a content provider, and content of the corresponding content, or may be an image representing the corresponding content, and a user may read the plurality of contents. It may be configured to include data to identify and briefly grasp the content of each content.

In this case, the user moves the pointer 107 displayed on the screen 100 by using an input means such as a button provided in a remote control device (not shown) to display specific content (eg, “content 2 120”). The selected content may be played on the video display device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the video display device stores the content downloaded from the Internet server operated by the content provider with the information on the user associated with the content, and when the user selects the content for the content, the stored user information The user may be in contact with the user associated with the content.

Accordingly, when a user wishes to contact a specific user, the user may check the contact information of the user in a separate contact list stored in the video display device, and make a voice or video call, an e-mail and messenger service or a social network service. Instead of going through various processes of contacting the user, the contacted user may be contacted by selecting content displayed on the screen of the video display device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a user contact method using content will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a user contact method using contents according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The user contact method illustrated in FIG. 4 is illustrated in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It will be described in conjunction with the block diagram shown.

Referring to FIG. 4, even when the network interface unit 47 of the video display device downloads content from the Internet server (step S1), the controller 50 stores the downloaded content together with information about a user associated with the content. Stored in the unit 49 (step S2).

For example, the video display device may display a "menu screen" as an initial screen or a main screen when entering an operation mode that provides a menu for selecting and accessing one of a plurality of content providers (CP). The menu screen may include a plurality of icons representing a plurality of content providers.

When the user selects any one of the plurality of content providers displayed on the menu screen, the video display device connects to an Internet server corresponding to the selected content provider and displays a list of contents provided therefrom, and among the contents list. At least one content selected by a user may be downloaded from the Internet server.

Meanwhile, when the content is downloaded to the video display device, information about a user associated with the content, for example, a user who uploaded the content to the Internet server, together with the downloaded content, is stored in the storage unit 49 of the video display device. Can be stored as.

For this purpose, the data downloaded from the Internet server in step S1 distinguishes not only the content selected by the user, but also identification information (for example, user ID or name, etc.) about the user who uploaded the content to the Internet server. Information) to be provided to the video display device.

In this case, the controller 50 of the image display apparatus obtains contact information of a user associated with the content among the user information registered on the image display apparatus by using the user identification information downloaded together with the content, Contact information may be stored in the storage 49 to correspond to the downloaded content.

More specifically, the user may register and store a plurality of contact information (eg, a phone number, ID, or e-mail address) on the video display device as a "friend", and store specific content from the Internet server. When is downloaded, the contact information for the user associated with the downloaded content may be obtained by comparing the downloaded identification information with the previously registered identification information together with the content.

As another embodiment of the present invention, the data downloaded from the Internet server may include the content selected by the user and contact information of the user who uploaded the content to the Internet server, in which case the controller 50 The content and the user information downloaded therewith may be stored in the storage 49 to correspond to each other.

Thereafter, when the downloaded content is selected by the user (step S3), the controller 50 performs contact with the user associated with the selected content by using the stored user information (step S4).

Referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of contents downloaded from a specific content provider using the method described above are displayed on the screen 100 of the video display device, and any one of the contents displayed on the screen 100 is displayed to the user. If selected by the user, a pop-up window 121 including menu items for playing the selected content or performing contact with a user associated with the corresponding content may be displayed.

For example, when the user places the pointer displayed on the screen 100 on the icon 120 representing "content 2", the user contacts the user associated with "Play" and "content 2" for playing "content 2". For "Contact" is displayed, the user can select the "Contact" item to request contact with the user associated with "content 2".

In this case, the control unit 50 reads the user contact information stored with the "content 2" from the storage unit 49 at the time of downloading, and then uses a user (eg, the user) associated with the "content 2" by using the read contact information. For example, the user may perform contact with "User 1") uploading the "content 2" to the Internet server.

Contact with the user associated with the "content 2" may be different depending on the type of contact information stored in the storage unit 49, for example, a voice or video call, an e-mail transmission and reception, a connection to a messenger service or a social network service. Etc. may be used to communicate with the " User 1 ".

For example, when the mobile phone number " 010-1111-2222 " of " User 1 " uploaded the corresponding content to the Internet server together with " content 2 " When a contact with the user associated with the "content 2" is requested, a call connection with the "User 1" may be performed using the call window 170 displayed on the screen 100 as shown in FIG. have.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of a method of performing contact with a user associated with a corresponding content using the content displayed on the screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 14.

Referring to FIG. 7, a user may select a content provider providing content related to a photo on a menu screen of an image display device, download desired pictures from an internet server of the selected content provider, and download the downloaded pictures ( 210 to 240 may be displayed on the screen 100 of the image display device.

For example, the video display device may include a picture including photos uploaded by “User 1” registered as a “friend” on the video display device by accessing an Internet server providing the photo related content at the user's request. You can download photos from "album".

The downloaded pictures may be stored to correspond to each other in the storage unit 49 of the video display device together with the information about the “User 1”, more specifically, the contact information of the “User 1”.

Meanwhile, when the user selects "Photo 3" 230 which is one of the pictures 210 to 240 displayed on the screen 100 of the video display device, "User 1" uploading the "Photo 3" to the Internet server. A pop-up window 231 including a "call" item for contacting the phone and an "edit" item for editing the "picture 3" may be displayed on the screen 100.

For example, the pop-up window 231 including the "call" item and the "edit" item as described above may allow the user to position the pointer displayed on the screen 100 on the "photo 3" 230 for a predetermined time or more. May appear when

Referring to FIG. 8, when the user places the pointer displayed on the screen 100 on the “photo 3” 230 for a predetermined time or more, the “photo 3” may be enlarged and displayed on the screen 100.

In addition, the enlarged " photo 3 " 230 'includes information on identification information (eg, “User 1”) associated with the corresponding content and methods of contacting the “User 1” (231, 232 and 233 may be displayed together.

For example, the user may select the phone icon 231 displayed in the “photo 3” 230 ′ to make a phone call with the “user 1” who uploaded the “photo 3” and the e-mail icon 232. The user may select and send an e-mail to the “User 1,” and select a messenger service icon 233 to exchange a message with the “User 1”.

Meanwhile, as described above, the type or number of contact methods displayed together with the “photo 3” 230 ′ may be different depending on the contacts stored in the storage 49 together with the corresponding contents.

For example, when only the phone number and the e-mail address for the “User 1” together with the “photo 3” are stored in the storage unit 49 so as to correspond thereto, the enlarged displayed “photo 3” 230 ′ ), Only a phone icon 231 and an e-mail icon 232 may be displayed to indicate ways in which the user 1 may be contacted.

In addition, the user selects the telephone icon 231 among the contact method icons 231, 232, and 233 displayed in the enlarged “photo 3” 230 ′, and uploads the “photo 3” to the “User 1”. Request a phone call with "User 1". The phone call with "User 1" requests the phone number of "User 1" stored together in the storage unit 49 so as to correspond to the download of "picture 3". It can be performed using.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the user selects the phone icon 231, a plurality of options (eg, a voice call, a video call, and an internet call, etc.) may make a phone call with the “User 1”. Pop-up window 270 including) may be displayed on the screen 100.

For that purpose, a telephone number (e.g., "010-1111-2222") capable of making a voice / video call of "User 1" when downloading "Photo 3" and a user ID (e.g., for Internet telephony service) , "user1@skyape.com" may be stored in the storage unit 49 to correspond to the "picture 3".

Meanwhile, when the user selects a video call among the call options displayed in the pop-up window 270, as shown in FIG. 10, the controller 50 of the video display device may store the phone number stored in the storage 49. The video call window 280 may be displayed on the screen 100 by connecting a video call with the "User 1" using 010-1111-2222 ".

In addition, referring to FIG. 11, when the user selects the message service icon 233 on the screen, a messenger window 281 for exchanging a message with the “User 1” may be displayed on the screen 100. have.

For this purpose, the messenger service ID of the "User 1" (for example, "user1@talk.com") along with the "photo 3" is stored in the storage unit 49 when the "photo 3" is downloaded. It may be stored.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the user selects the email icon 232, a mail window 282 for sending an email to the “User 1” may be displayed on the screen 100.

For that purpose, the e-mail address of the "User 1" (for example, "user1@mail.com") is stored in the storage unit 49 so as to correspond with the "photo 3" when the "photo 3" is downloaded. It may be.

The user contact method using the contents according to the present invention described above may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium that is produced as a program for execution on a computer, and examples of the computer-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD. ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, as well as those implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet).

The computer readable recording medium may be distributed over a networked computer system so that computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner. And, functional programs, codes and code segments for implementing the above method can be easily inferred by programmers of the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

In the user contact method using the content in the video display device,
Downloading content from an internet server;
Storing the downloaded content with information about a user associated with the content; And
If any content is selected, contacting the user associated with the selected content by using the stored information. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact with the user associated with the content is
A method of contacting a user using content including at least one of a voice or video call, an e-mail transmission and reception, and a connection to a messenger service or a social network service. The method of claim 1, wherein the user associated with the content is
User contact method using the content that is the user who uploaded the content to the Internet server. The method of claim 1, wherein the downloading step
And contacting the user with content for downloading identification information of the user associated with the content together with the content. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing of the contact
Displaying a menu item for call connection when the content is selected; And
Connecting a call to a user associated with the content in response to the selection of the displayed menu item. A network interface unit for downloading contents and information on a user associated with the contents from an internet server;
A storage unit which stores the contents and the information; And
And a controller configured to store the downloaded content in the storage unit so as to correspond to the information, and to contact a user associated with the selected content by using the stored information when arbitrary content is selected. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the contact with the user associated with the content is
And at least one of a voice or video call, an e-mail transmission and reception, and a connection to a messenger service or a social network service. The method of claim 6, wherein the information is
And at least one of a user's telephone number, ID, and email address associated with the content.

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