KR101609146B1 - Server and method for guiding condition of set top box - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a set-top box state information server and method, comprising: a communication unit for receiving state information of a set-top box connected to a network and transmitting the state information to a user terminal paired with the set-top box; An information storage unit for storing status information of the settop box, and a control unit for controlling the communication unit and the information storage unit. According to the present invention, a real-time status of a set-top box is displayed on a user terminal interfaced with a set-top box providing an IPTV service so that the user can intuitively confirm and feed back the corresponding set-top box. Since the state is displayed at a glance, the user can not accurately recognize the state of the set-top box, thereby making it possible to prevent a malfunction or an error from occurring.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a set-top box status information server and method,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a set-top box state information server and a method of guiding information, and more particularly, to a guide server provided with a set-top box in a user terminal interlocked with a set-

Smart TV service is a new type of digital cable TV (CATV) service. It provides high-quality, multi-channel and highly interactive services as well as HD quality and CD-quality high quality. Real-time video (RVOD: Real A hybrid service capable of providing a variety of interactive services such as video on demand, data broadcasting, T-commerce, T-government through TV, and broadband broadband Internet.

This service is based on digital cable TV technology, smart TV service that enables RF broadcasting service, IP-based interactive service and internet service through a handset (set-top box) equipped with Android OS. Related to the smart TV, various patents are disclosed, including Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2009-0059082.

On the other hand, as smartphones are spreading deeply into people's lives, paging with smart phones has become an essential feature in home devices. For example, technologies such as manipulating the power of a gas burner from a smartphone outside the house, or operating the temperature setting of a refrigerator with a smartphone are coming to the reality. Therefore, interworking between such devices and smartphones is not an exception to IPTV. If you need to operate the power by going out with the smart TV turned on, your child will not be able to watch adult broadcast content, if you send a message to IPTV with your smartphone, or if you use your smartphone as a remote control The need for interworking with IPTV and smartphones will not be overstated.

On the other hand, the authentication process of the subscriber is essential for the interworking between smart TV and smart phone. The authentication procedure requires only minimal information, so that it is not too complicated and the identity must be confirmed correctly.

In addition, as smart TVs and smart phones are linked, the real-time status of smart TVs should be clearly displayed on smart phones. This is to prevent the possibility that a user may not be able to recognize the state of IPTV correctly or that an error may occur.

The present invention is intended to satisfy these needs and the present invention has been invented to provide additional technical elements that can not be readily invented by those of ordinary skill in the art, .

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a set-top box status guide server and a guidance method that can display a real-time status of a set-top box in a display unit of a user terminal by interlocking a set- The purpose.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a set-top box status guide server and a guidance method which are clearly displayed so that a user can not accurately recognize the status of a set-top box and thereby prevent a malfunction or an error.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple and accurate authentication procedure method for user protection as a bidirectional data service subscriber in interlocking a set top box and a user terminal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide various methods for guiding and controlling the state of a set-top box using a user terminal interlocked with a set-top box.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

The set top box state information server according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit for receiving status information of a set top box connected to a network and transmitting the status information to a user terminal paired with the set top box, An information storage unit for storing status information of the settop box received, and a controller for controlling the communication unit and the information storage unit.

The state information of the set-top box may include on / off state information of the set-top box power supply, registration state information of the set-top box, paging state information of the set-top box and the user terminal, network connection state information of the user terminal, And information on a program viewed through the box.

The state information of the set-top box may be transmitted to the user terminal together with the icon display command designated by the set-top box state information.

The icon display command may be transmitted to the user terminal together with the highlight display command when the status information of the settop box to be transmitted is activated.

In addition, the icon display command may be transmitted together with help for icons designated by the settop box status information.

In addition, the icon display command specifies a plurality of icons according to status information of a set-top box to be transmitted to the user terminal, and transmits the icons together with the icon display command, The connection line between the icons can be transmitted reflecting the interlocking state of the settop box and the user terminal.

In addition, the set-top box state information server can provide a cloud service.

Also, the user terminal coupled to the set-top box can operate as a remote controller.

In addition, the user terminal linked to the set-top box can restrict the viewing of the program currently being watched.

Also, the user terminal coupled to the set-top box can transmit a text message, and the transmitted text message can be displayed on a screen connected to the set-top box.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set-top box status guiding method including: transmitting a set-top box status information to a set-top box status guiding server; The STB server may transmit status information of the STB to the user terminal and displaying status information of the STB transmitted by the user terminal.

The state information of the set-top box may include on / off state information of the set-top box power supply, registration state information of the set-top box, paging state information of the set-top box and the user terminal, network connection state information of the user terminal, And information on a program viewed through the box.

In addition, the step of the STB server transmitting the STB status information to the user terminal may be transmitted to the user terminal together with the icon display command designated by the STB status information.

The icon display command may be transmitted to the user terminal together with the highlight display command when the status information of the settop box to be transmitted is activated.

In addition, the icon display command may be transmitted together with help for icons designated by the settop box status information.

In addition, the icon display command specifies a plurality of icons according to status information of a set-top box to be transmitted to the user terminal, and transmits the icons together with the icon display command, The connection line between the icons can be transmitted reflecting the interlocking state of the settop box and the user terminal.

Also, the step of connecting the settop box-connected user terminal to the set-top box status guide server comprises the steps of (a) selecting an application installation menu, (b) receiving user information, (c) (E) receiving, by the settop box, an authentication number transmitted to the user terminal; and (f) when the user terminal receives the authentication number from the settop box, And accessing the box status information server.

The method may further include, after step (c), transmitting a message including an application installation URL to a user terminal.

In addition, the user terminal linked with the set-top box can restrict the viewing of the program currently being watched.

Also, the user terminal coupled to the set-top box can transmit a text message, and the transmitted text message can be displayed on a screen connected to the set-top box.

According to the present invention, a real-time status of a set-top box is displayed on a user terminal interlocked with a set-top box providing a Smart TV service, so that a user can intuitively confirm and feed-back the corresponding set-top box.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the state of the set-top box is clearly displayed on the user terminal, there is an effect that a possibility that the user can not correctly recognize the state of the set-top box or cause a malfunction or an error can be prevented in advance.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to protect a user as a bidirectional data service subscriber through a simple and accurate authentication procedure in interlocking a set-top box and a user terminal.

Also, there is an effect that the set-top box can be easily guided and controlled in various ways through a user terminal interlocked with the set-top box.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and various effects can be included within the range that is obvious to a person skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a view illustrating an entire configuration of a set-top box state information server and a set-top box and a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating an interlocking procedure between a set-top box and a user terminal and a user authentication procedure in a set-top box state information server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating state information of a set-top box displayed on a user terminal according to the set-top box state information server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state information icon of a set-top box displayed on a user terminal according to a set-top box state information server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram showing a display unit when a user touches a status information icon displayed on a user terminal.
6 is a view showing a function of restricting viewing of a user terminal interlocked with a set-top box.
7 and 8 are views showing a display unit of a user terminal when a user terminal linked to a set-top box is used as a remote controller.
9 is a flowchart showing a set-top box guiding method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed or interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the description including the embodiments of the present specification has various applications. Accordingly, any embodiment described in the Detailed Description of the Invention is illustrative for a better understanding of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to embodiments.

The functional blocks shown in the drawings and described below are merely examples of possible implementations. In other implementations, other functional blocks may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the following detailed description. Also, although one or more functional blocks of the present invention are represented as discrete blocks, one or more of the functional blocks of the present invention may be a combination of various hardware and software configurations that perform the same function.

Furthermore, the expression "including an element" is merely referred to as an "open" expression, and the element should not be understood as excluding the additional elements.

Further, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but it should be understood that other elements may be present in between do.

Smart TV service is a digital general cable broadcasting service. It is a new media that can provide high quality, multi-channel as well as highly interactive services. Smart TV service is provided through a set top box. Therefore, the set-top box mentioned below is used as a representative term for a device device providing a smart TV service. The user terminal is a mobile communication terminal possessed by a user, and includes a smart phone, a PDP, a PMP, a PDA, and a tablet PC having a display unit (a screen unit).

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a set-top box state information server 200 and a set-top box 100 and a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The set-top box 100 is a broadcast receiving terminal connected to a TV. Specifically, since it is necessary to provide a Smart TV service, it is indispensable to receive a broadcast signal through a cable line such as a coaxial cable. On the other hand, in recent years, a plurality of mobile communication providers provide Smart TV services, so that the set-top box 100 is an equipment device installed to provide a smart TV service universally regardless of a Smart TV service provided by a specific provider It can be anything, regardless of its name. The set-top box 100 is connected to the network and transmits information on its current state to the set-top box state information server 200 in real time. Here, the network connection may use cable lines such as Wifi for wireless communication or for receiving broadcast signals.

The communication unit 210 of the set top box state information server 200 receives status information from the set top box 100 and stores the status information in the information storage unit 220 and transmits the stored status information to the user terminal 300. The set top box state information server 200 further includes a controller 230. The controller 230 controls the transmission of the set top box state information through the communication unit 210 and the storage of state information to the information storage unit 220 . For example, the control unit 230 may instruct the set-top box 100 to transmit the status information received from the set-top box 100 to the user terminal 300. The status information transmitted from the set- And store it in the storage unit 220. The set-top box state information server 200 may be any virtual space that receives the state information of the set-top box regardless of its name. The set-top box state information server 200 may perform only the function of receiving the state information of the set-top box, It is also possible to perform the functions simultaneously. For example, the set-top box status guide server may be a server that can manage status information of a set-top box as well as information on a user of the set-top box 100 that transmits status information. Similarly, the set-top box state information server 200 may also function as a cloud server for storing data of a user. Since the set-top box 100 and the set-top box state information server 200 are interconnected to provide a smart TV service to the user, a data storage space is necessarily required. In this case, since it is difficult to store all data in the memory of the set-top box 100, data can be stored using the set-top box state information server 200 as a cloud server.

The user terminal 300 is a mobile communication terminal possessed by a user of the set-top box 100. Specifically, the terminal is paired with the set-top box 100 through a predetermined procedure. The terminal is connected to the set-top box status information server 200 and receives the status information of the set-top box and displays the status information on the display unit 310. Since the user terminal 300 receives the status information of the set-top box and displays the received status information, the user terminal 300 confirms and performs a proper operation (Feed-Back) A predetermined user authentication procedure is required. Here, the user is a person who holds the user terminal 300 and intends to link the set-top box 100 and his / her user terminal 300, and is not limited to the subscriber of the smart TV service through the set-top box 100. Hereinafter, an interlocking process between the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300 and a user authentication procedure will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an interlocking procedure between a set-top box 100 and a user terminal 300 and a user authentication procedure in the set-top box state information server 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The set-top box 100 and the user terminals are all operated on the basis of an application because they are all smart device devices. However, regardless of the name, the user terminal 300 It is sufficient to select a menu for performing an operation for interlocking with the display unit.

After the application installation menu is selected, the user information such as the number of the user terminal 300 is input (S220). Since the process is still before the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300 are interlocked, Such as the remote controller of the box 100, via the operating means. Further, the number of the input user terminal 300 is only an example of the user information, and it is possible to input other user information or input additional user information as needed.

When the user information is input, it is determined whether or not the application is installed in the user terminal 300. [ (S230) Whether or not the installation is established may be determined from the set-top box status information server 200 or a server (for example, an application store operated by a company providing an OS embedded in the user terminal) (300) determines whether there is a history of downloading the application. If it is determined that the application is installed, the application 300 transmits a predetermined password to the user terminal 300 without transmitting the application installation URL (S240). However, if it is determined that the application is not installed, The URL is transmitted in the form of a message or the like (S270), and the user accesses the URL through the user terminal 300 to install the application (S280).

Then, the user who has received the predetermined password selects the application registration menu in the set-top box 100 (S250), inputs the received password (S260), finally connects the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300 . In addition, the user who receives the application installation URL and installs the application in the user terminal 300 also selects the application registration menu in the set-top box 100 (S290). However, in this case, since the predetermined password is not received, the authentication number is newly transmitted to the user terminal 300 (S300), and when the received authentication number is inputted (S310), the settop box 100 and the user terminal 300) can be interlocked. On the other hand, the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300, which are interlocked with each other, continue to be interlocked without any additional authentication procedure, and can cancel interworking through a separate menu.

The interworking of the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300 is not limited to a 1: 1 interworking but also interworking of 1: N (N: user terminal). For example, the parent user terminal 300 and the child user terminal can be linked to one set-top box 100. In the case of simultaneous interworking, it is possible to grant a certain right to one user terminal 300 and give priority to the control of the set-top box 100. In addition, a unique nickname may be set in the set-top box 100 for each user terminal 300 to be linked. For example, a parent user terminal may be set as a nickname A and a child user terminal may be set as a nickname B in one set-top box 100. When a plurality of set-top boxes 100 exist in the home, one user terminal 300 can interwork with all of the plurality of set-top boxes 100. (N: 1, N is a set-top box) Unlike the case described above, the nickname of the set-top box 100 is set in the user terminal 300. For example, if the set-top box in the living room is set to the nickname A and the set-top box in the room is set to the nickname B, the user terminal 300 can simply select the nickname A, It can be linked to a set-top box.

The user terminal 300 and the settop box 100 may be connected to each other in a case where the user terminal 300 and the settop box 100 are connected to each other. You can set individual nicknames for each. When the nickname is set in the user terminal 300, the nickname of the user terminal 300 linked to the specific location of the screen is displayed when the user terminal 300 is linked with the set- The user can immediately check which user terminal 300 is linked to the set-top box 100. The user terminal 300 can be used as a remote controller after registering a favorite channel for each user in the user terminal 300 and interlocking with the set-top box 100, which will be described later in detail.

The above embodiment is only one embodiment of interlocking and user authentication of the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300, but is not limited thereto. It is possible to perform the interlocking operation between the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300 by using the mechanical characteristics such as Bluetooth, instead of linking through the application, . When the set-top box state information server 200 also functions as a cloud server, the user terminal 300 linked with the set-top box 100 can access the application server May be interlocked with the set-top box state information server 200 without any additional authentication procedure. In this case, the user terminal 300 and the set-top box state information server 200 may directly transmit data without going through the set-top box 100.

3 is a diagram illustrating state information of a set-top box displayed on the user terminal 300 according to the set-top box state information server 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Upon completion of the interlocking process and the authentication procedure between the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300 according to FIG. 2, the user terminal 300 accesses the set-top box state information server 200, The state information transmitted to the box state information server 200 can be received and displayed. Specifically, it may be displayed on the display unit 310 of the user terminal 300 by executing the application used in the interlocking process and the authentication procedure, or may be installed by displaying a separate program.

First, state information transmitted from the set-top box 100 to the set-top box state information server 200 will be described. The state information of the set-top box 100, which the set-top box 100 transmits to the set-top box state information server 200, includes on / off state information of the power, registration state information of the set- The connection state information of the user terminal 300, the network connection state information of the user terminal 300, and the information on the program currently being viewed through the set-top box 100, It is desirable to transmit both information as well as information related to the other set top box 100. The registration status information of the set-top box 100 is transmitted to the set-top box 100 through the application in cooperation with the user terminal 300. The on- ) Is registered. The interworking status information of the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300 is information on whether the interworking is performed according to the interlocking procedure and the authentication procedure of FIG. 2, and the network connection status information of the user terminal 300 is And information on whether the user terminal 300 is connected to a network such as the Internet or Wifi. The information on the program currently being watched includes information such as the program name, the broadcast time, the performer, etc. currently being watched, and is information transmitted for the later-described viewing restriction.

The user terminal 300 receives the status information of the set-top box 100 and displays the status information on the display unit 310. Specifically, the user terminal 300 receives the set-top box status information from the set- The icon display command may be received and the icon 320 may be used to display status information of the set-top box. 3, one of the status information of the set-top box 100, 'set top registration', 'set top power', 'network connection', and 'now on TV' is displayed on the display unit 310 of the user terminal 300 The icon 320 is displayed. Here, the icon 320 may be of any shape, but it is preferable to use an intuitive icon 320 that best represents the state information to be displayed. The location of the icon 320 may be variously set as needed, but it may be located at the top of the display unit 310 because it is state information for the device.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a state information icon 320 of the set-top box 100 displayed on the user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, the state information of the set-top box is displayed as an icon 320 on the display unit 310 of the user terminal 300 due to the icon display command. However, it is possible to check what state information is represented by merely the presence of the icon 320, but there is a problem that it is difficult to confirm the current state information. Therefore, in this case, when the state information of the set-top box 100 is activated, the icon 320 for displaying the state information is highlighted to enhance the intuitiveness. Specifically, a highlight display command for the state information of the set-top box activated together with the icon display command is transmitted from the set-top box state information server 200 to the user terminal 300. For example, referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the 'Set Top Registration' icon 320 and the 'Set Top Power' icon 320 are highlighted and illuminated. This means that the set-top box 100 is registered in the application, and it can be intuitively indicated that the power of the set-top box 100 is currently turned on. In addition, since the 'network connection' icon 320 is not highlighted, it is known that the current user terminal 300 is not connected to a network such as the Internet, Wifi, etc., and 'Now on TV' It can be seen that the program is not being watched through the settop box 100 at present. Through the highlighting of the activated state information, the user can accurately recognize the state of the set-top box 100 and can not correctly recognize the state of the set-top box 100, It can be prevented in advance. In addition, when the disabled icon 320 is activated, when the activated icon 320 is inactivated, the icon 320 may be blinked a predetermined number of times or a command to change the highlighted color may be transmitted together, Will be able to recognize the state change.

Referring to FIG. 4, a connection line between the 'Set Top Registration' icon 320 and the 'Set Top Power' icon 320 and the 'Network Connection' icon 320 is displayed. This is a connection line indicating the interlocking state of the set-top box 100 and the user terminal 300. The set-top box 100 is registered in the current application and the set-top box 100 is powered on. Therefore, the 'Set Top Box' icon 320 and the 'Set Top Power' Since the connection line is highlighted and the current user terminal 300 is not connected to the network, it is confirmed that the connection line between the 'set top power' icon 320 and the 'network connection' icon 320 is not highlighted have. Here, since the connecting line indicates the interlocked state, a plurality of arranged icons 320 should be displayed in a constant arrangement. That is, the icons 320 indicating state information related to the interlocked state should be arranged adjacent to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a 'Set Top Power' icon 320 may be disposed at the center and a 'Set Top Register' icon 320 and a 'Network Connect' icon 320 may be disposed on both sides. The arrangement of the icons 320 as shown in FIG. 4 is merely an embodiment to arrange according to the interlocking state, and various state information can be displayed in an appropriate arrangement as needed. The arrangement and connection lines of the icons 320 specify the arrangement of the icons together with the icon display command by the set-top box state information server 200, and the connection between the set-top box 100 and the user terminal And reflecting the interlocking state of the mobile terminal 300.

5 is a view showing the display unit 310 when the user touches the status information icon 320 displayed on the user terminal 300. As shown in FIG.

Here, since the user terminal 300 needs to recognize a user's touch, a device such as a smart phone having a touch screen will be used. The set-top box status information server 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention displays state information of the set-top box 100 as an intuitive icon 320 and simultaneously displays activated state information. 320), the related help may be provided in a pop-up form. For example, when the user touches the highlighted 'Set Top Registration' icon 320 as shown in FIG. 5, a help such as 'the set top box is registered in the application' in a pop-up form may be provided. In addition, when the highlighted 'Now on TV' icon 320 is touched, information on the program currently being watched can be provided through the set-top box 100. Meanwhile, the provision of the related help is not limited to the highlighted icon 320, and related help may be provided even if the 'network connection' and the 'on on TV' icon 320 not highlighted are touched. Due to the provision of such related help, the user will be able to understand the status information provided by the icon 320 in greater detail. Such pop-up help may be provided by transmitting the help for the icon when the set top box state information server 200 transmits the set top box state information to the user terminal 300. Meanwhile, the help may not necessarily be provided in a pop-up form, and a predetermined space for displaying the help may be provided in a part of the display unit 310 so that the user can provide related help when the icon 320 is touched There will be.

Hereinafter, the control of the set-top box 100 through the user terminal 300 interlocked with the set-top box 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

The user terminal 300 interlocked with the set-top box 100 may function as a kind of remote controller that can guide the set-top box 100 remotely through an application. Specifically, the viewing restriction and the text message of the program being viewed through the set-top box 100 can be transmitted. Referring to FIG. 6, there is an item 'Restrict viewing' on the lower part of the display unit 310 of the user terminal 300. When the user touches the item, the viewing of the program being watched is restricted and a password input request message is generated. If a preset password is input, the program can be continuously watched. If a password can not be input for a predetermined time, the user can be restricted to viewing a specific image. Here, the predetermined time can be set freely, but it is preferably set to about 30 seconds.

It is also possible to transmit text messages. For example, if the child is viewing the program at the home using the set-top box 100, the parent can use the user terminal 300 linked to the set- Now on TV 'icon (320), then' Go to your room and do your homework? ' Or the like can be transmitted and displayed on the screen. The position at which the text message is displayed is not particularly limited, but is preferably displayed at the lower end of the screen so as not to interfere with program viewing.

7 is a diagram illustrating a display unit 310 of the user terminal 300 when the user terminal 300 coupled to the set-top box 100 is used as a remote controller.

The user terminal 300 linked to the set-top box 100 can control the set-top box 100 by operating not only the above-described parental control and text message transmission but also a remote control through an application. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, an actual remote controller shape is displayed on the display unit 310 (real remote controller mode), and the corresponding button is touched to perform the same operation as the actual remote controller. It is also possible to display one-handed mode such as left-handed mode and right-handed mode for convenience of use. In FIG. 8, it can be seen that three icons of volume, channel, and VOD are displayed in the right-hand mode. There is no restriction on the types of icons displayed in the one-hand mode, and various settings can be made by the user. In addition, various modes can be set, such as a character input mode for inputting a text message and a game mode for executing a game. Here, the display of the shape of the remote controller on the display unit 310 is an example only, and the user terminal 300 may perform the role of the remote controller irrespectively.

When a nickname is set for each user terminal 300 described with reference to FIG. 2 separately from the remote control mode in which the shape of the remote controller is displayed on the display unit 310 described above, the user can add a personal preference channel You can also use the remote control function after setting and saving the preference program. For example, if a user terminal called nickname A interacts with the set-top box 100 and touches a registered preferred channel, the currently-viewed channel can be operated to change to the corresponding preferred channel through the set-top box 100. Also, the nickname A of the user terminal is displayed at a specific position on the screen in the changed preferred channel, so that the user can immediately check the user terminal currently interlocked with. If a nickname of a plurality of set-top boxes is set in one user terminal 300, if the nickname of the corresponding set-top box is selected in the user terminal 300, If the user touched a favorite channel registered in the set-top box 300, it can operate to change from the channel currently being viewed through the set-top box to the corresponding favorite channel, and the display of the nickname is also the same. In the above-described case, the user terminal 300 can perform the role of the remote controller even if the remote controller shape is not displayed on the display unit 310. [

The set-top box state information server 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes substantially the same features as the set-top box state information server 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, A set-top box state guiding method. Hereinafter, a description will be made with reference to FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing a set-top box guiding method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, the set-top box 100 is connected to the network and transmits its status information to the set-top box status guiding server 200 (S510). Here, the status information is transmitted from the set-top box status guiding server 200 Information.

The user terminal 300 having undergone the predetermined interlocking process and the user authentication process accesses the set-top box status information server 200 in operation S520. The set-top box status information server 200 transmits status information of the set- (S530). Here, the predetermined interlocking procedure and the user authentication procedure are the same as those of the set-top box state information server 200 described above.

The user terminal 300 displays the status information of the settop box 100 on the display unit 310 in operation S540. The status information of the settop box 100 displayed on the display unit 310, the display of the icon 320, The highlight display is also the same as that of the set-top box state information server 200.

Although not described in detail in order to prevent duplicate description, the icon display command, the highlight display command, the help transmission for the icon, the arrangement of icons, and the connection line between the icons are described in detail in connection with the set- Can be applied to the set-top box state guiding method.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

100: Set-top box
200: Set-top box status guide server
210: communication unit 220: information storage unit 230:
300: user terminal
310:
320: Icon

Claims (20)

A communication unit for receiving status information of a set top box connected to a network and transmitting the status information to a user terminal paired with the set top box;
An information storage unit for storing status information of the set-top box transmitted from the set-top box; And
A control unit for controlling the communication unit and the information storage unit;
The set-top box status guide server includes:
The state information of the set-
The settop box status information is transmitted to the user terminal together with the icon display command designated by the settop box status information.
The method according to claim 1,
The state information of the set-
Top box power on / off status information, set-top box registration status information, set-top box and user terminal paging status information, network connection status information of the user terminal, information on programs currently viewed through the set- The settop box state information server < RTI ID = 0.0 >
delete The method according to claim 1,
The icon display command includes:
When the status information of the set-top box to be transmitted is activated, the status information is transmitted to the user terminal together with the highlight display command.
The method according to claim 1,
The icon display command includes:
The set-top box status information is transmitted together with help for icons designated by the set-top box status information.
The method according to claim 1,
The icon display command includes:
According to the state information of the set-top box to be transmitted to the user terminal,
An icon display command and an array of icons received as an icon display command are specified and transmitted together,
And a connection line between the icons receiving the icon display command is reflected by reflecting the interlocking state of the settop box and the user terminal.
The method according to claim 1,
The set-top box state information server comprises:
A set-top box state information server
The method according to claim 1,
And a user terminal coupled to the set-top box operates as a remote controller.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the set-top box state information server is capable of imposing a viewing restriction on a program currently being watched by the user terminal interlocked with the set-
The method according to claim 1,
The user terminal coupled to the set-top box can transmit a text message,
The settop box state information server is characterized in that the transmitted text message is displayed on a screen connected to a set-
Transmitting the status information to the set-top box status information server;
A user terminal paired with the set-top box connects to a set-top box status guide server;
Transmitting the state information of the set-top box to the user terminal; And
Displaying status information of the settop box received by the user terminal;
The method comprising the steps of:
The STB server transmits status information of the STB to the user terminal,
Wherein the settop box status information is transmitted to the user terminal together with the icon display command designated by the settop box status information
12. The method of claim 11,
The state information of the set-
Top box power on / off status information, set-top box registration status information, set-top box and user terminal paging status information, network connection status information of the user terminal, information on programs currently viewed through the set- A set-top box status guiding method
delete 12. The method of claim 11,
The icon display command includes:
And when the status information of the set-top box to be transmitted is activated, the status information is transmitted to the user terminal together with the highlight display command
12. The method of claim 11,
The icon display command includes:
And the help for the icon designated by the settop box status information is transmitted together.
12. The method of claim 11,
The icon display command includes:
According to the state information of the set-top box to be transmitted to the user terminal,
An icon display command and an array of icons received as an icon display command are specified and transmitted together,
And a connection line between the icons receiving the icon display command is reflected by reflecting the interlocking state of the settop box and the user terminal
12. The method of claim 11,
The step of the user terminal paired with the set-top box accessing the set-
(a) an application installation menu is selected;
(b) receiving user information;
(c) checking whether an application is installed in the user terminal;
(d) the user terminal receiving the authentication number;
(e) receiving an authentication number transmitted from the settop box to the user terminal; And
(f) connecting the user terminal to the set-top box status guide server;
A set-top box state guidance method
18. The method of claim 17,
After the step (c)
Transmitting a message including an application installation URL to a user terminal;
The method of claim 1, further comprising:
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the settop box state guidance method is characterized in that the user terminal interlocked with the set-
12. The method of claim 11,
The user terminal coupled to the set-top box can transmit a text message,
And the text message is displayed on a screen connected to the set-top box.

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