KR20050099404A - Method for automatically storing broadcasting program in personal video recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

In a broadcast signal receiver such as a set-top box or digital television receiver equipped with a personal video recorder (PVR), a predetermined area of a storage area of a hard disk drive (HDD) provided in the physical video recorder is provided. Is set as the automatic program storage area, and the user receives a broadcast program having content information corresponding to the predetermined program information, and stores the program in the automatic program storage area, so that the user does not have to check and select the desired broadcast program. The present invention relates to a method for automatically saving a broadcast program using a video to store a corresponding broadcast program and to later watch a stored broadcast program according to a selection.

Description

Method for Automatically Storing Broadcasting Program in Personal Video Recorder}

According to the present invention, in a broadcast signal receiver such as a set-top box or a digital television receiver equipped with a personal video recorder (PVR) for storing video and audio signals of a broadcast program, content information corresponding to a user-preferred preferred program is obtained. The present invention relates to a method for automatically storing a broadcast program using a PI egg which receives a broadcast program and stores the broadcast program in the PI egg.

Recently, with the spread of digital broadcasting, various services differentiated from existing analog broadcasting, for example, video on demand (VOD) services are also spreading.

The VOD service first requests a viewer to watch a desired broadcast program from among programs broadcast by a broadcasting station, and allows the user to actively receive and watch the broadcast program according to the request. You have to collect information about and choose the broadcast program you want. Therefore, users who do not have knowledge of VOD services such as elderly people or children may feel uncomfortable. In addition, if a user's preferred broadcast program is broadcast, the user may not be able to watch the broadcast program if the user does not know or cannot watch the broadcast information related to the broadcast information associated with the broadcast program. Even if a person has sufficient knowledge of the VOD service, there is a problem that the VOD service may not be effective when there is no time for collecting information of a broadcast program that the user wants to watch due to business trip or travel.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the broadcast signal receiver can automatically receive and store the broadcast program corresponding to the information of the user's preferred program in advance to watch the broadcast program stored at the desired time of the user The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for automatically saving a broadcast program using a video.

The present invention having such an object includes a program classification table receiving step of receiving, by a broadcast signal receiver, a program classification table from a server through a communication module;

A preferred program information storage step of creating preferred program information from the program classification table received in the program classification table receiving step and storing the preferred program information in a broadcast signal receiver;

After the storing of the preferred program information, the broadcast signal receiver receives content information including a broadcast time and a broadcast channel of a broadcast program from a server through a communication module, and the content information and broadcast signal receiver of each received broadcast program. A content information extraction step of extracting content information including preferred program information by comparing / analyzing the preference program information stored in the control unit of the broadcast signal receiver; And

Preferably, the broadcast signal receiver receives the broadcast program of the content information extracted in the content information extraction step, and stores the broadcast program in the designated storage area.

The present invention also provides a program classification table receiving step of receiving, by a broadcast signal receiver, a program classification table from a server through a communication module;

A preferred program information transmitting step of creating preferred program information using the program classification table received in the program classification table receiving step and transmitting the preferred program information to a server through a communication module;

A content information receiving step of receiving, by the broadcast signal receiver, the content information including the preferred program information transmitted in the step of transmitting the preferred program information from a server through a communication module; And

It is preferable that the broadcast program storing step of receiving a broadcast program of the content information received in the content information receiving step, and storing in the designated storage area.

First, to aid in understanding the present invention, a program classification table (PCT) containing information such as a genre of broadcast programs transmitted by a broadcasting station and a person appearing in the broadcast program, and preferred program information created by the program classification table This will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

The program classification table includes information on the genre of a broadcast program transmitted by a broadcasting station and information on a person appearing in a broadcast program transmitted by the broadcasting station. As shown in FIG. 1, a movie, drama, sports, With categories such as games (here, only the categories of movies, dramas, sports, and games, but a new category can be defined to include all broadcast programs broadcasted by the station), and again by category In this case, the criteria for classifying each category are set by genre and person, but other criteria such as a show time of a broadcast program are applicable.

The program classification table is stored in the server, and the user downloads and stores the data using the communication module of the broadcast signal receiver. The program classification table may be newly updated when a broadcasting station produces a broadcast program having a new category and transmits the signal. In this case, the user downloads the program classification table again. Here, the user selects the type (genre, person) of the broadcast program he wants to watch from the downloaded program classification table or inputs it directly into the input box, and sets the priority of each item as the preferred program information.

In addition, the server provides channel information (eg channel 11-0) and content information (eg Lord of the Rings / Blockbuster / Ian McCellan / Director Peter Jackson / 21: 30 / 2004.02.20) about the broadcasting program broadcasted by the corresponding broadcasting station. 204 minutes) is transmitted to the broadcast signal receiver of each user. In this case, information including channel information and content information of each broadcast program is referred to as contents information. Here, the content information is a server receives channel information and content information of each program broadcast by the broadcasting station and transmits it to the communication module of all the broadcast signal receivers connected to the server. It is a blockbuster film that is broadcasted on channel 11-0 at 21:30 on February 20, and the title is Lord of the Rings, starring Ian McCellan, director Peter Jackson, and the running time is 204 minutes. The content information may be transmitted from the server to the broadcast signal receiver at predetermined intervals. For example, the server may transmit content information about all broadcast programs for one week of the broadcasting station, or the period of one day, one month, etc. may be arbitrarily determined.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

First, a configuration of a broadcast signal receiver to which a broadcast program automatic storage method using a personal video recorder (PVR) of the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown therein, the broadcast signal receiver to which the present invention is applied includes: first and second tuners / demodulators 200 and 201 for receiving and demodulating broadcast signals transmitted from broadcasting stations; A switching unit (202) for selectively switching a signal demodulated by the first or second tuner / demodulation unit (200, 201); A demultiplexer unit (203) for separating the signal switched by the switching unit (202) into a video signal, an audio signal, and additional information; An image processing unit 204 for processing the video signal separated by the demultiplexer unit 203 to be viewed; An OSD unit 205 for generating a predetermined OSD signal; A communication module 206 for connecting to a server and performing data communication; A control unit 207 for controlling reception and viewing of a broadcast signal and controlling storage of a broadcast program preferred by a user; A memory unit 208 for storing information such as an operation program of the control unit 207, additional information separated by the demultiplexer unit 203, and preference program information written by a user; A command input unit 209 for inputting a command according to a user's operation to the control unit 207 and a PB unit 210 for processing and storing a broadcast program signal under the control of the control unit 207. The HDD unit 210 is provided with a hard disk drive (HDD) 211, and the HDD 211 is set with an automatic program storage area 212 by the controller 207.

The broadcast signal receiver having such a configuration receives and demodulates and outputs a broadcast signal from the first and second tuners / demodulators 200 and 201, and outputs the broadcast signal from the first and second tuners / demodulators 200 and 201. The signal is applied to the demultiplexer unit 203 through the switching unit 202, and is divided into a video signal, an audio signal, and additional information. The separated video signal and the audio signal are processed and outputted to be viewed. In the case of storing the received broadcast program, a signal demodulated by the first or second tuner / demodulator 200 or 201 is applied to the PB 200 through the switching unit 202 so that the HDD is stored. Stored at 211.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a method for automatically storing a broadcast program using a TV of the present invention will be described. First, when a user subscribes to a predetermined broadcasting station, the broadcasting station provides the user with a predetermined ID and password. After that, the user connects to the server through the communication module of the broadcast signal receiver using the ID and password assigned to the user (S300).

After the step (S300), it is determined whether the preference program information is stored in the memory unit of the broadcast signal receiver (S301).

As a result of the determination in step S301, if preference program information is stored, it is determined whether to update the preference program information (S302). If not, it is determined whether a command to download a program classification table is input. (S303).

As a result of the determination (S303), when a download command is input or when it is determined to update in step S302, the program classification table is downloaded from the server through the communication module of the broadcast signal receiver (S304).

In the step S304, the user selects a predetermined item from the downloaded program classification table or creates preferred program information by directly inputting the method (S305). Here, as described above, the preferred program information is created by a method in which a user selects or directly inputs a program that the user wants to watch in the program classification table by genre or person, or directly, and the example of FIG. For example, the user selects the action / blockbuster of the movie and the soccer of the sport from the program classification table by genre, and directly enters 'Min Min-sik' as the male actor of the movie in the program classification table by the figures.

In addition, the user may determine the priority of a broadcast program that he / she wants to watch in the preferred program information. For example, if the action / blockbuster of a movie is selected from the genre items of the program classification table, and the soccer of sports is selected, the two types of broadcast programs are simultaneously received and stored. You will have to decide. At this time, if the user assigns the soccer items of the sport as priority, the soccer program is received and stored in the HDD regardless of whether the liquid / blockbuster movie is broadcast.

After the above step S305, it is determined whether a command for completing creation is input (S306).

When the determination result (S306) or the creation completion command is input, the created preference program information is stored in the memory unit (S307).

After the above step S307, it is determined whether a predetermined area is set as the broadcast program automatic storage area among the areas of the HDD provided in the AV unit (S308). Here, the broadcast program automatic storage area is an area where a user of a broadcast signal receiver cannot arbitrarily store predetermined information or delete information stored in the area, and is a read-only area of the user, and among the broadcast programs transmitted from a broadcasting station Is an area in which video and audio signals of a broadcast program having content information corresponding to predetermined preference program information are stored in the form of a transport stream. If there is not enough free space in the area, to save a new program, it is deleted sequentially from the most recently stored program).

If the determination result (S308), if the broadcast program automatic storage area is set, proceed to step S311 to determine whether the content information is received, while the determination result (S308), the broadcast program automatic storage area is not set If not, it is determined whether a command for setting a predetermined area as a broadcast program automatic storage area in the storage space of the HDD provided in the AV part is determined (S309).

When the determination result (S309) is input, the predetermined area is set as the broadcast program automatic storage area among the storage spaces of the HDD provided in the TV egg part (S310). Herein, a method of setting a predetermined area as an automatic program storage area in the storage space of the HDD has been described using a method in which a user directly sets a predetermined area of the HDD as an automatic program storage area. When the device is manufactured, the broadcast program automatic storage area may be set in advance.

After step S310 or as a result of the determination in step S308, it is determined whether content information of the broadcast program is received from the server (S311).

As a result of the determination (S311), when the content information is received, all the content information corresponding to the preferred program information is extracted and stored in the memory unit (S312). In the step S312, the control unit of the broadcast signal receiver compares each piece of content information received from the server with preference program information written by the user, and identifies each piece of content information having at least one item matching the preference program information created by the user. Then, it is determined whether the extracted information of the checked content information is stored in the memory unit. For example, as in the case described above, the content information of the predetermined broadcast program received is 11-0 channel information and the Lord of the Rings / Action / Blockbuster / Ian McCellan / Director Peter Jackson / 21:30 / 2004.02.20 / 204 Contents information, and if the user sets the action / blockbuster as the preferred program information, the received content information matches the preset program information and the action / blockbuster items previously set by the user. It is determined to correspond to the preferred program information written by the user and the contents are stored in the memory unit.

As a result of the determination (S311), if the content information is not received, it is determined whether the information extracted from the content information corresponding to the preferred program information is stored in the memory unit by comparing / analyzing the preferred program information and the content information (S313). .

If the result of the determination (S313) is stored or after storing the content information in the memory unit in operation S312, time information is sequentially read from the stored content information (S314).

The time information read in the step S314 determines whether the current time is the broadcast time of the corresponding broadcast program (S315). As described above, contents information having contents information of Lord of the Rings / Action / Blockbuster / Ian McCellan / Director Peter Jackson / 21: 30 / 2004.02.20 / 204 is given as an example. Since it is broadcasted at 21:30 on February 20, 2004, it is determined whether the broadcast time is 21:30 on February 20, 2004. Since the broadcast time has not been passed among the content information stored in the memory unit, it can be deleted automatically.

As a result of the determination (S315), in the case of the broadcast time of the corresponding broadcast program, it is determined whether another program is currently stored in the AV unit (S316).

As a result of the determination (S316), when not storing the other program, the current broadcast program is stored in the broadcast program automatic storage area of the HDD, and when the other program is being stored, the priority and the current priority of the program being stored. The priority of the broadcast program is determined (S317).

As a result of the determination in the step S317, it is determined whether the currently stored broadcast program has the priorities (S318).

As a result of the determination (S318), if the currently stored program has a priority, the ongoing storage operation is continued (S321), and if the currently stored program is not the priority, the currently stored storage operation is stopped ( S319).

After stopping the current storage operation in step S319, the current broadcast program is received and stored in the broadcast program automatic storage area (S320). Here, in the process of receiving and storing a predetermined broadcast program, when the broadcast program is received and demodulated by the first or second tuner / demodulator, the demodulated signal is transmitted through the switching unit under the control of the controller. It is applied to and stored in the broadcast program automatic storage area of the provided HDD. When the broadcast program is stored in the HDD, when a broadcast program having content information corresponding to the user's preset preference program information is received, the broadcast program is stored in the broadcast program automatic storage area. And storing a broadcast program signal that does not correspond to the user's preset preference program information in an area other than the automatic program storage area in the HDD.

In addition, even when the user is watching a predetermined broadcast program using the broadcast signal receiver, the broadcast program corresponding to predetermined preference program information may be received and stored. For example, if a user receives and watches a broadcast program broadcast on channel 7-0 by the first tuner / demodulator without using the visual function, the user advances on channel 11-0. If a program corresponding to the predetermined preference program information is broadcasted, the first tuner / demodulation unit continuously receives / demodulates a broadcast program of channel 7-0 that the user is currently watching, outputs it to the demultiplexer unit, and the second tuner / demodulator unit is a user. Receives / demodulates a broadcast program signal of channel 11-0, which is identified as a broadcast program to be watched, to the controller, and the controller processes the demodulated broadcast signal through a predetermined data processing process. The video is stored in the broadcast program automatic storage area of the HDD of the AL. If the broadcast program currently being viewed by the user is a broadcast program corresponding to the preferred program information, the current broadcast program signal is normally output so that the user can view it, and the broadcast signal is stored in the broadcast program automatic storage area.

In addition, even when the broadcast signal receiver is in the standby mode, the broadcast program corresponding to the user's predetermined preference program information may be received and stored. In this case, the first, second tuner / demodulator, the communication module, the control unit, the memory unit, and the PV unit of the broadcast signal receiver to which the present invention is applied while the user stores the preferred program information in the memory unit. When power is always maintained and the server transmits predetermined content information, it is possible to receive content information of a broadcast program transmitted from a corresponding broadcasting station from the server through a communication module under the control of a controller. .

In step S321 or in step S320, it is determined whether it is the end time of the stored broadcast program (S322). If it is not the end time, in step S315, it is determined whether it is the broadcast time of the corresponding broadcast program using the read time information. Proceed to

As a result of the determination (S322), in the case of the program end time, the storing operation is terminated (S323).

In this way, the user can store a broadcast program that he / she wants to watch.

Next, with reference to the accompanying Figure 4 will be described another embodiment of the broadcast program automatic storage method using a video of the present invention (here, the duplicate description is the same as the embodiment of FIG. 3 will be omitted)

As shown in FIG. 4, another embodiment of the present invention transmits preference program information written by a user to a server through a communication module under control of a controller. Then, the server receiving the preference program information of the user analyzes the preference program information and transmits only the content information of the type of broadcast program desired by each user to the communication module of the broadcast signal receiver of the user. Therefore, in the other embodiment shown in FIG. 4 compared to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the content information received by the user's broadcast signal receiver and the preferred program information stored in the memory unit are compared / analyzed with each other. The step is omitted.

In another embodiment of the present invention, first, in a state in which the broadcast signal receiver is connected to the server (S400), it is determined whether preferred program information of the corresponding broadcast signal receiver connected to the server is stored (S401). Here, the preferred program information of the corresponding broadcast signal receiver is created by the user using the program classification table and transmitted to the server together with the unique information of the broadcast signal receiver, which will be described later.

As a result of the determination (S401), it is determined whether the preferred program information is not stored or whether the stored preferred program information is updated (S402), and when it is updated, it is determined whether to download the program classification table from the server to the broadcast signal receiver ( S403) and download according to the selection (S404).

Preferred program information is created using the program classification table downloaded in the step S404 (S405), and then it is determined whether or not creation is completed (S406), and when the creation is completed, the preferred program information is sent to the server through the modem of the broadcast signal receiver. To transmit (S407). In step S407, the user transmits preferred program information written in the program classification table to the server. In this case, when the preferred program information is transmitted to the server, the server that has received the preferred program information checks the type of broadcast program desired by each user, and the broadcast signal receiver is used to log in only the content information of the corresponding broadcast program. Will be sent to the communication module. That is, the user does not transmit the content information of all the broadcast programs received from the broadcasting station to the broadcast signal receivers of all connected subscribers, and the user logs in the content information of the type of broadcast program desired by each user according to the user's preferred program information. The broadcast signal is used to transmit to the receiver. For example, if a user A selects only a blockbuster item of a movie from the program classification table and transmits the information to the server, the server sends an action / action to the broadcast signal receiver that the user A uses to connect to the server. Only the content information of the blockbuster movie program is transmitted.

In this way, if a user-created preference program is stored in the server, the administrator of the server may additionally obtain viewing information about what kind of program the users want to watch.

After the above step S407, the step of setting the automatic program storage area in the HDD is performed (S408, S409 and S410), and then it is determined whether the content information is received from the server (S411). In this case, the received content information is a server selecting and transmitting only content information of a broadcast program desired by the corresponding broadcast signal receiver.

As a result of the determination (S411), when the content information is received, the received content information is stored in the memory unit (S412). Here, unlike the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit compares / analyzes the content information of each received program with a preferred program stored in the memory unit, and provides each content information corresponding to the preferred program information. Extracting step was omitted. That is, the comparison / analysis step is omitted and stored in the memory unit.

On the other hand, when the determination result (S411), the content information is not received, it is determined whether the predetermined content information is stored in the broadcast signal receiver (S413).

Subsequent steps S414 to S423 are the same as steps S314 to S323 of FIG. 3, and thus repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, while shown and described limited to the specific preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention will be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit or field of the invention provided by the claims below It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that it can be used.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, by setting a predetermined area of the HDD of the video to the broadcast program automatic storage area, by receiving and storing the broadcast program signal according to the user's predetermined program information, The program can be stored without checking and selecting the desired broadcast program, and the user can watch it later according to the user's selection.

1 is a diagram illustrating a program classification table classifying broadcast programs according to predetermined criteria;

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast signal receiver to which the present invention is applied;

3 is a view showing an embodiment of a broadcast program automatic storage method using a PVR of the present invention;

4 is a view showing another embodiment of a method for automatically saving a broadcast program using a video of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

200: first tuner / demodulator 201: second tuner / demodulator

202: switching unit 203: demultiplexer

204: Image processing unit 205: OSD unit

206: communication module 207: control unit

208: memory unit 209: command input unit

210: PVR part 211: HDD

212: broadcast program automatic storage area

Claims (4)

A program classification table receiving step of the broadcast signal receiver receiving a program classification table from a server through a communication module; A preferred program information storage step of creating preferred program information from the program classification table received in the program classification table receiving step and storing the preferred program information in a broadcast signal receiver; After the storing of the preferred program information, the broadcast signal receiver receives content information including a broadcast time and a broadcast channel of a broadcast program from a server through a communication module, and the content information and broadcast signal receiver of each received broadcast program. A content information extraction step of extracting content information including preferred program information by comparing / analyzing the preference program information stored in the control unit of the broadcast signal receiver; And And a broadcast program storage step of receiving a broadcast program of the content information extracted in the content information extraction step and storing the broadcast program in a designated storage area, and automatically storing the broadcast program using a personal video recorder (PVR). A program classification table receiving step of the broadcast signal receiver receiving a program classification table from a server through a communication module; A preferred program information transmitting step of creating preferred program information using the program classification table received in the program classification table receiving step and transmitting the preferred program information to a server through a communication module; A content information receiving step of receiving, by the broadcast signal receiver, the content information including the preferred program information transmitted in the step of transmitting the preferred program information from a server through a communication module; And And a broadcast program storage step of receiving a broadcast program of the content information received in the content information receiving step and storing the broadcast program in a designated storage area. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein storing the broadcast program comprises: A time information extraction step of extracting time information from content information including preferred program information; A storage operation determination step of determining whether another broadcast program is being stored at a time corresponding to the time information extracted in the time information extraction step; A current broadcast program storage step of storing the current broadcast program in a designated storage area when it is determined that the storage job is not being stored in another broadcast program; A priority determination step of determining a priority of a current broadcast program and a stored broadcast program when a storage operation of another broadcast program is determined as a result of the storage operation determination step; And As a result of the judging in the priority determination step, if the priority of the stored broadcast program is advanced, the ongoing storage operation is continued. If the priority of the current broadcast program is advanced, the ongoing storage operation is stopped and the current broadcast program is designated. A broadcast program automatic storage method using a video, characterized in that the step of storing a broadcast program to store in the storage area. 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the designated storage area comprises: a designated storage area; A broadcast program automatic storage method using a PI egg, characterized in that the broadcast program automatic storage area set in the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) provided in the PI.