KR20060023891A - Apparatus for receiving digital brodacast - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver, and relates to a technique related to a digital broadcast receiver such as a set top box for a digital TV.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a digital broadcast receiver includes a broadcast signal receiver for receiving a broadcast signal; A broadcast signal processor which decodes the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal receiver and processes and outputs the broadcast signal as broadcast screen data; A data transceiver for transmitting and receiving data; A memory for storing sponsor channel data including sponsor channel information of at least one channel received through the data transceiver; A control unit which controls the overall device and processes and outputs sponsored channel data read and sponsored channel information screen data stored in the sponsored channel information database according to a sponsored channel information request; And a screen display processing unit configured to perform screen configuration processing on the monitor by screen editing the broadcast screen data output from the broadcast signal processing unit and the sponsor channel information screen data output from the control unit.

Digital broadcast receivers, set-top boxes, sponsor channels.

Description

Apparatus for receiving digital brodacast

1 is a schematic diagram of a network including a broadcast system and a digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exemplary monitor screen displaying sponsor channel information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram of a remote control having a favorite channel button according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exemplary view illustrating a channel screen displayed by switching to a favorite channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an exemplary monitor screen displaying channel information according to a category method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an exemplary monitor screen displaying sponsor channel information together with multi-screen index information according to another embodiment of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver, and relates to a technique related to a digital broadcast receiver such as a set top box for a digital TV.

Recently, as digital broadcasting is accelerated, high-definition / high-quality broadcasting through satellite / terrestrial / cable is being provided. Compared with conventional analog broadcasting, digital broadcasting provides not only high definition and high sound quality but also information or additional services for each broadcasting program.

One of the great features of digital broadcasting is that it supports multiple channels. Digital broadcasting can transmit multiplexing multiple programs on one physical channel. That is, in analog broadcasting, only one program can be transmitted on one physical channel, but digital broadcasting can transmit about 5 to 6 programs in the same bandwidth. Digital broadcasting can guarantee this many program channels because it adopts MPEG-2 technology, which compresses and restores video and audio with high density.

This technology has enabled multi-channel digital broadcasting (several to hundreds of channels), which leads to more channel selection for viewers and more complex program selection. In fact, viewers can check the programs currently being broadcast on each channel when selecting channels, and then, in order to check the programs being broadcast on each channel, psychologically and sequentially searching for desired channels, the channel up button (▲) or channel down button The method of searching channels by selecting consecutively () is widely used.

On the other hand, program providers (PP), especially home shopping program providers, occupy intermediate channels between highly recognized program channels (KBS, SBS, MBC, etc.) in order to effectively advertise their channels. The situation is providing. However, due to channel number restrictions (combination with specific numbering bands (eg, 220)) for home shopping program channels that will be implemented soon, home shopping program providers need to take measures in anticipation of reducing the frequency of their channel exposure. .

In addition, when a viewer registers and uses a favorite channel according to his or her taste, when the viewer operates a channel up / down button of a remote controller, the channel moves only to a channel registered as a favorite channel. In this case, too, PPs will not be able to promote their channels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and aims to allow program providers (PPs) to efficiently expose their own channel information to viewers. The SO (System Operator) that provides a broadcast service aims to create a unique profit model, instead of simply serving broadcast programs provided from the PPs.

In addition, it provides a channel information for each priority according to the viewer's program preferences, and further aims to provide channel information for each priority in different time zones in accordance with the program preferences for each time zone.                         

It also aims to ensure that viewers are not inconvenienced by viewing their own channel information of program providers displayed on the monitor.

It also aims to enable viewers to get current program information from their channel information from program providers.

It also aims to enable viewers to efficiently switch channels through their channel information from program providers.

In addition, it aims to enable viewers to grasp the specific information of the current broadcast program about the program providers' own channel information.

It also aims to allow viewers to register their favorite channels, that is, favorite channels, so that program providers can effectively expose their channels on the monitor even when the channel moves.

In addition, even when the viewer searches for channel information organized by the same or similar program category, the purpose of the program provider to effectively expose their channel on the monitor.

It also aims to enable program providers to efficiently expose their channels on monitors, even when viewers request multi-screen channel index information.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a digital broadcast receiver according to an aspect of the present invention obtains information about its own channel sponsored by each PP (hereinafter, referred to as a 'sponsor channel') from a broadcast system and sponsors a channel along with a broadcast channel image. Display information on the monitor.

According to this aspect of the present invention, PPs, especially home shopping PPs, have an effect of compensating for the expected decrease in channel exposure frequency due to grouping in a digital broadcasting scheme, and further receiving broadcast programs from the PPs for each broadcast. SO (System Operator), a broadcasting system that provides broadcasting services to receiving subscribers, has a unique profit model because it provides viewers with channel information service of specific PPs, instead of simply providing broadcast programs provided from PPs. .

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the digital broadcast reception apparatus displays each sponsor channel information on a screen according to the priority of each sponsor channel.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the PPs can secure their own channels to promote more effective channel promotion.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the digital broadcast reception apparatus displays sponsor channel information for only a predetermined time.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the viewers are not harmed by watching the broadcast.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a digital broadcast receiving apparatus provides a channel switching function through sponsor channel information.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the viewer can easily switch to the desired sponsor channel, and furthermore, the SO side creates its own revenue model by providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for channel switching on its own. .

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the digital broadcast reception device provides EPG information on a program currently being broadcast in addition to the designated sponsor channel information.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the viewer can easily grasp the contents of the current broadcast program in the sponsored channel.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, when the digital broadcast reception device displays at least one channel or more sponsor channel information on a monitor, the digital broadcast reception device provides a snapshot of an image currently being broadcast on each sponsor channel.

According to this aspect of the present invention, PPs can effectively promote their own channels, and viewers can effectively grasp the current broadcast contents.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the digital broadcast reception apparatus adds a sponsor channel to a preferred channel registered by a user and sets a favorite channel by performing channel change ranking setting.

According to this aspect of the present invention, even when the viewer changes the preferred channel using the remote controller, the sponsored channel is exposed together, so that the PPs can effectively promote their own channels.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the digital broadcast reception device also provides sponsor channel information when a viewer requests a multi-screen index information.

According to this aspect of the present invention, when the viewers want to obtain the channel information that is currently being broadcast through the multi-screen index information, the sponsor channel information is obtained together, so that PPs can additionally obtain a promotion effect on their own channel. .

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the digital broadcast reception apparatus prioritizes a sponsor channel when displaying multi-channel information belonging to a corresponding category when providing channel information for each category.

In this aspect of the present invention, even when the viewer searches for a desired channel by program category, the PPs can effectively promote their own channel, that is, the sponsored channel.

The foregoing and further aspects of the present invention will become more apparent through the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to easily understand and reproduce the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of a network including a broadcast system 100 and a digital broadcast receiver 200 according to the present invention. The broadcast system 100 receives a broadcast program from a program provider (PP) (not shown) to process a broadcasting service. That is, the broadcast system 100 receives broadcasts provided from the PPs and transmits them to the digital broadcast receiver 200 for digital TV in real time, or stores the received broadcast program and transmits the broadcast program according to the broadcast scheduling.

The transmission scheme is compressed through MPEG compression, preferably MPEG-2 scheme, and the digital broadcasting compression and transmission technique itself is a well-known technique, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The broadcast system 100 may also provide electronic program guide (EPG) information that provides broadcast program information to the digital TV through data broadcasting.

The broadcast system 100 additionally provides sponsor channel data necessary for the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 200 to be described later according to the present invention. The sponsored channel data includes at least one channel sponsored channel information, each sponsored channel information according to the request for efficient promotion of its own channel to the System Operator (SO) that the corresponding specific PPs are broadcast system 100 side. The sponsored channel information may preferably include logo graphic information of the corresponding channel. The broadcast system 100 generates and processes sponsor channel data including corresponding sponsor channel information in response to a request of specific PPs and provides the processed broadcast channel data to the digital broadcast receiver 200.

Since digital broadcasting is capable of bidirectional communication due to its characteristics, the broadcasting system 100 receives subscriber information and sponsor channel information selected by the subscriber according to an aspect of the present invention. The preference channel tendency of the subscriber is analyzed, and the priority grade of each sponsor channel included in the sponsor channel data is processed accordingly. That is, the broadcast system 100 adds priority information to each digital broadcast receiver 200 in addition to the sponsor channel information included in the sponsored channel data.

Communication between the broadcast system 100 and the digital broadcast reception device 200 is performed through a method for processing current broadcast transmission and reception such as satellite, airwaves, and optical cables. The broadcast system 100 and the digital broadcast reception device 200 are It will have a hardware and / or software configuration that is appropriate for its communication method. For broadcast communication such as satellites, airwaves, and optical cables, hardware and / or software itself implemented in the broadcast system 100 and the digital broadcast receiver 200 are well known technical configurations, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The digital broadcast reception device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. First, the broadcast signal receiving unit 210 includes at least one or more tuners, and processes the tuning to the corresponding broadcast channel according to the control signal of the control unit 250. The broadcast signal receiving unit 210 preferably outputs the tuned broadcast signal by processing VSB, QPSK, and QAM decoding according to a transmission method.

As described above, the broadcast signal receiver 210 has a hardware and / or software configuration to fit the corresponding broadcast communication such as satellite, airwaves, and optical cable. Since the technology itself for receiving and processing broadcast signals is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The broadcast signal processor 220 preferably includes an MPEG decoder, and decodes the MPEG compressed broadcast signal received through the broadcast signal receiver 210 into a video signal and an audio signal. The audio signal is decoded and output through the speaker. In the present specification, since the video signal is handled, the broadcast signal is limited to only the video signal for convenience of description. The broadcast signal processor 220 processes and outputs the decoded broadcast signal into broadcast screen data suitable for screen display. Since the technology itself for processing the decoding of the broadcast signal and processing the broadcast screen data suitable for screen display is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The data transceiver 230 is responsible for data transmission and reception with the broadcast system 200. The data transceiver 230 receives sponsor channel data transmitted from the broadcast system 200. Preferably, the data transceiver 230 receives sponsor channel data through a return channel or a back channel. The uplink channel is a channel connected to a broadcasting station from a receiver and is an essential element for providing two-way communication service, which is a feature of digital broadcasting. Since the uplink itself is a known technical configuration, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The memory 240 basically stores control program data allowing the controller 250 to control the overall apparatus to be described later, and preferably, sponsor channel information for storing sponsor channel data received through the data transceiver 230. Database 245.

The controller 250 may be preferably implemented as a microprocessor, and controls the entire apparatus based on the control program data stored in the memory 240. The controller 250 reads sponsored channel data stored in the sponsored channel information database 245 according to a sponsored channel information request according to an aspect to be described later. The controller 250 processes the read sponsored channel data into sponsored channel information screen data according to the screen display. That is, the controller 250 processes the sponsored channel data into graphic data, preferably OSD (On Screen Display) data, and outputs the same to the screen display processor 260 which will be described later.

The screen display processor 260 receives broadcast screen data output from the broadcast signal processor 220 and sponsor channel information screen data output from the controller 260. The screen display processing unit 260 edits the screen data of the received 2 data on the monitor screen. Since the technology itself for screen composition editing of broadcast screens and graphic data is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

3 is an exemplary diagram of screen configuration editing processing performed by the screen editing processing unit 260 and displayed on a monitor screen. As illustrated, a broadcast screen tuned to a specific broadcast channel is currently displayed on the monitor screen, and a plurality of sponsor channel information are displayed on the broadcast screen by being overlaid on the broadcast screen. The sponsored channel information may include a channel logo graphic image as shown, but is not limited thereto. The sponsored channel information may be another form of information that may effectively inform the company's channel.

According to this aspect of the present invention, PPs, especially home shopping PPs, have an effect of compensating for the expected decrease in channel exposure frequency due to grouping in a digital broadcasting scheme, and further receiving broadcast programs from the PPs for each broadcast. SO (System Operator), a broadcasting system that provides broadcasting services to receiving subscribers, can not only provide broadcasting programs provided from PPs, but also provide viewers with channel information services of specific PPs, thereby creating a unique revenue model. Will be.

In one aspect, the data transmitting / receiving unit 230 receives sponsor channel data in an aspect of the present invention, which is an event occurrence set during a power-on, periodic, or request from the remote controller of the digital broadcasting receiver 200. If it is. For example, when the data transmission / reception unit 230 is configured to periodically receive sponsor channel data from the broadcasting system 100 at the time of manufacture or by a user's operation, the controller 250 periodically transmits and receives a data channel using an uplink channel. The sponsored channel data is requested to the broadcast system 100 through 280. In response to the request, the sponsor channel data receiver 230 receives sponsor channel data transmitted from the broadcast system 100.

In addition, the sponsor channel information request is a case where an event set during power-on of the digital broadcast reception device 200, a request from a remote controller, a broadcast channel switch, or an EPG request occurs according to an aspect. For example, when a viewer requests an EPG by operating a remote controller, the controller 250 reads EPG information periodically transmitted and stored from the broadcasting system 100 and displays the processed EPG information on the monitor through the screen display processor 260. At the same time, the stored sponsor channel data is read and displayed on the monitor through the screen display processor 260.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the sponsor channel data includes sponsor channel-specific priority information according to each sponsor channel information included. As described above, the screen editing processor 260 assigns screen position to sponsor channel information according to priority information of each sponsor channel when editing the screen configuration. Referring to FIG. 3, the highest priority of the sponsor channel is Hyundai Home Shopping Channel, followed by LG Home Shopping and CJ Home Shopping. That is, it can be seen that each sponsor channel is assigned a screen position according to its priority.

According to this aspect of the present invention, PPs can secure their own channels and promote more effective channel promotion. The priority of PPs is, for example, the amount of money paid to the sponsored channel service to the SO, viewers. It may be set according to the degree of sponsor channel selection.

According to an aspect, the priority of each sponsor channel may have a different order by time zone. That is, the broadcasting system 100 analyzes the trends of viewers' preference channels by time zone such as the morning time zone, the afternoon time zone, and the evening time zone, and reflects them in the priority of the sponsored channel. The data transmission / reception unit 230 receives sponsor channel data including different priority information for each time zone, and the sponsor channel having different priorities for each time zone by the aforementioned controller 250 and the screen display processor 260. The information is displayed and processed on the monitor screen.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the viewer can obtain appropriate sponsor channel information for each time zone, and PPs can effectively promote their own channel.

According to an aspect, the sponsor channel screen data is set to disappear after being displayed on the monitor screen only for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds). Since the technology itself is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. According to this aspect, viewers are not harmed by viewing the sponsored channel information displayed on the monitor screen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller 250 highlights the sponsor channel information having the highest priority as shown in FIG. 3 among the priority of each sponsor channel displayed on the monitor. The screen editing processing unit 260 configures the screen according to the highlight designation processing command of the control unit 250 and outputs the result on the monitor.

Subsequently, the controller 250 controls the screen editing processing unit 260 according to the selection of any one sponsor channel information through the manipulation of the viewer's remote control button, and the screen editing processing unit 260 performs a highlight display process on the selected sponsor channel information. do. Subsequently, when the viewer receives a sponsor channel broadcast reception command for the selected sponsor channel information through the remote controller, the controller 250 tunes and controls the tuner of the broadcast signal receiver 210 so that the sponsor channel is received. When the sponsor channel is received and displayed on the screen, the controller 250 preferably processes the sponsor channel information screen data displayed on the monitor not to be displayed.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the viewer can facilitate channel switching to the sponsor channel through sponsor channel information among numerous channels, and furthermore, the SO side, which is the broadcasting system 100, enables the viewer to easily switch channels on its own. By providing a GUI to create a unique revenue model.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the control unit 250 provides program text information currently being broadcast by using EPG to sponsor channel information or all sponsor channel information to be highlighted, and the screen editing processing unit 260 controls the control unit 250. Edit screen configuration by adding program text information provided by. The broadcast program information providing method itself using the EPG information is a well-known technology, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the viewer can easily grasp the contents of the current broadcast program in the sponsored channel.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, when the control unit 250 receives a sponsor channel broadcast according to one of the sponsor channel information selection and the channel broadcast reception command by the viewer's remote control operation, the number of times of sponsor channel broadcast reception is accumulated and stored. do. The controller 250 periodically transmits the accumulated data of the number of broadcast receptions for each sponsor channel to the broadcast system 100 through the data transmitter 280 together with the subscriber information of the digital broadcast receiver 200. The data transmitter 280 preferably transmits the subscriber information and the cumulative data of the number of times selected for each sponsor channel to the broadcast system 100 through the aforementioned uplink channel.

The broadcasting system 100 analyzes the preference propensity of each sponsor channel for each subscriber (viewer) through cumulative data of the number of selections for each sponsor channel transmitted from the digital broadcasting reception apparatus 200, and divides them by time zone according to a preferred example. Analyze The broadcast system 100 allocates priority of sponsor channels according to analyzed subscriber channel preferences, and allocates them by time zone according to a preferred example. When the broadcast system 100 provides sponsor channel information to each subscriber's digital broadcast receiving device 200, the broadcast system 100 provides priority information reflecting each subscriber channel preference.

On the other hand, the broadcast system 100 may use the cumulative data of the number of times of sponsor channel selection of subscribers as one element of cost estimation for sponsor channel information service to PPs providing sponsor channel broadcasts.

According to this aspect of the present invention, viewers can first grasp their preferred channel information, and PPs can promote their own channels more efficiently.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the control unit 250 tunes and controls the tuner of the broadcast signal receiving unit 260 to provide a broadcast image of the current broadcast for each sponsor channel when requesting sponsor channel information, thereby broadcasting signals of each sponsor channel. To receive sequentially.

The screen editing processor 260 sequentially matches the snapshot image of each sponsor channel received by the broadcast signal receiver 210 and decoded by the broadcast signal processor 220 with the sponsor channel information displayed on the monitor screen. Edit the configuration and process the output on the monitor screen.

According to this aspect of the present invention, PPs can more effectively promote their own channels, and viewers can easily grasp the contents of the current broadcast.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the control unit 250 receives the sponsored channel broadcast in order of priority or vice versa according to a sponsor channel change up / down command from the remote controller received through the remote controller receiver 270. The tuner 210 controls the tuning.

First, the viewer manipulates the sponsor channel change up button (▲) or channel down button (▼) of the remote control. For this purpose, the remote controller may be provided with a dedicated channel up / down button in addition to the entire channel up / down button, or one channel change up / down button may be used as a sponsor channel change up / down button depending on the setting.

According to an embodiment, when the current broadcast channel is not a sponsor channel, the controller 250 may receive a broadcast signal receiver 210 according to an initial operation of a remote controller sponsor channel change up / down button of a viewer received through the remote controller receiver 270. Tuner controls to receive the highest priority sponsor channel broadcast. Subsequently, the tuner of the broadcast signal receiving unit 210 is tuned to receive the sponsor channel broadcast in the order of the priority of the sponsor channel or vice versa according to the operation of the sponsor channel change up button (▲) or down button (▼) of the viewer.

According to another embodiment, when the current reception broadcast channel is a sponsor channel, the controller 250 is a current reception broadcast channel according to an initial operation of a remote control sponsor channel change up / down button of a viewer received through the remote control receiver 270. The tuner of the broadcast signal receiving unit 210 is tuned to receive the sponsor channel broadcast of the lower or upper rank of the sponsor channel.

According to this aspect of the invention the viewer can easily manipulate channel changes for the sponsored channel among a number of channels.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the control unit 250 organizes the favorite channel and the sponsored channel which the user wants to register the channel with the favorite channel according to the viewer's remote control and sets the ranking. According to an embodiment, the controller 250 may prioritize the channel selected first for the channel ranking of the preferred channel or set the priority according to the channel number, or randomly determine the ranking. Preferably, over-the-air broadcasts such as KBS, SBS, and MBC may be automatically registered in a favorite channel without registering a favorite channel according to the remote control operation of the viewer.

The controller 250 configures a favorite channel by organizing a favorite channel and a sponsor channel together. According to an embodiment, the sponsor channel is ranked according to its priority, and then the preferred channels are ranked according to the priority. Assign. According to another embodiment, the controller 250 may set the favorite channel by arranging sponsor channels alternately with the preferred channel according to the priority.

4 is a configuration diagram of a remote controller having a favorite channel button according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the remote controller further includes a favorite channel button for up / down favorite channel change up / down separately from the whole channel change up / down button to provide convenience of channel selection. The viewer may register a favorite channel that he / she desires through a remote control using a 'favorite channel registration button', and the registered favorite channel may be deleted using the 'delete favorite channel button'.

5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a channel screen displayed by switching to a favorite channel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the case where the viewer is to up / down the 'favorite channel button' of the remote controller as shown in FIG. 4, the viewer may sponsor the channel between the KBS broadcast and the MBC broadcast. This insert indicates that the sponsor channel is exposed to the viewer every time the channel is switched.

According to this aspect of the present invention, even when the viewer changes the preferred channel using the remote controller, the sponsored channel is exposed together, so that the PPs can effectively promote their own channels.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the control unit 250 periodically transmits channel information on the above-described preferred channel or favorite channel together with subscriber information of the digital broadcast reception device 200, preferably using an uplink channel. And transmits to the broadcast system 200 through. The broadcast system 100 analyzes the preference channel tendency of each subscriber and assigns the priority of sponsor channels to provide the sponsor channel information to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 200, and the priority information of the sponsor channels reflecting the preference channel tendency of the subscriber is reflected. Will be provided together.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, if a viewer first requests each channel information for each category by operating a remote controller, the controller 250 provides the upper channel category information to the screen editing processor 260 as shown in FIG. 6. The screen editing processor 260 edits the screen configuration according to the received upper channel category information and displays the screen on the monitor. As shown, the upper channel category is divided into education, home shopping, games, music, news, sports, cooking category as an example.

When the viewer selects the home shopping category through the remote control operation, the controller 250 provides the subchannel category information included in the home shopping category to the screen editing processor 260, but preferentially selects the sponsored channels included in the subchannel category information. Control the screen to be ranked according to the priority. Accordingly, the screen editing processing unit 260 edits the screen configuration and displays the sponsored channels on the monitor so as to prioritize screens according to their priorities. As shown, Hyundai Home Shopping-CJ Home Shopping-LG Home Shopping are screened according to sponsor channel priorities.

According to this aspect of the present invention, even when the viewer searches for a desired channel by program category, the PPs can effectively promote their own channel, that is, the sponsored channel.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the control unit 250 is currently broadcasting using the EPG for sponsor channel information or all sponsor channel information selected for at least one sponsor channel information belonging to a subcategory as shown in FIG. 6. Provides information about the program text being run. In the case where it is desired to provide program text information that is currently being broadcast using the EPG only for sponsor channel information selected according to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 250 may perform sponsor channel information displayed on a monitor screen according to an example. Highlighting processing may be performed on any one of the sponsored channel information.

The viewer can select the desired sponsor channel information by controlling the highlight position by operating the remote controller, and the control unit 250 provides the program text information that is currently being broadcast using the EPG only for the selected sponsor channel information. As described above, the screen editing processor 260 adds the program text information provided by the controller 250 to edit the screen configuration.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the PPs can effectively promote their own channel, that is, the sponsor channel.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the control unit 250 first highlights the sponsor channel information of the highest priority belonging to a lower category. The control unit 250 tunes and controls the tuner of the broadcast signal receiving unit 210 to receive channel broadcasting for the highlighted highest priority sponsor channel information (indicated by 'modern home shopping' in FIG. 6). The screen editing processor 260 further reflects the broadcast signal received from the tuned broadcast signal receiving unit 210 and the broadcast signal processing unit 220 that has been decoded by the broadcast signal processing unit 220. Process screen configuration editing.

Subsequently, the controller 250 tunes and controls the tuner of the broadcast signal receiver 210 to receive the channel broadcast for the sponsored channel information that is highlighted according to the remote control operation of the viewer, and the screen editing processor 260 reflects the screen. Process configuration editing. Preferably, when the viewer designates one of the sponsored channel information through the remote control operation and commands the broadcast reception, the controller 250 deletes the category information providing screen and receives the channel broadcast for the selected sponsored channel information as shown in FIG. 6. Tuning control to display on the screen.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the viewer can easily grasp the channel information through the broadcast video according to the selected channel information, and the PPs can effectively promote their own channel, that is, the sponsor channel.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, when a viewer requests multi-screen index information by operating a remote controller, the control unit 250 commands screen division processing and broadcasts to sequentially receive broadcast signals of a plurality of channels corresponding to the number of screen divisions. The tuning of the signal receiver 210 is controlled. For example, the split screen is 12 screens and the corresponding broadcast channels are set to CH 3, CH 5, CH 6, CH 9, CH 10, CH 12, CH 13, CH 14, CH 17, CH 20, CH 25, and CH 26. In this case, the controller 250 commands a 12-screen division process and performs tuning control in the above-described channel order to receive a broadcast signal for obtaining a snapshot image.

When the multi-screen index information request is received from the remote controller, the controller 250 processes the sponsored channel data stored in the sponsored channel information database 245 as the read and sponsored channel information screen data in addition to the above-described process, and processes the screen editing processor 260. )

The screen editing processing unit 260 performs screen division processing according to the screen division processing command of the control unit 250. In addition, a snapshot image received sequentially by the broadcast signal receiver 210 and decoded by the broadcast signal processor 220 may be sequentially inserted into each split screen to provide multi-screen index information. In addition, the screen editing processor 260 edits the sponsor channel information screen data received from the controller 250 together with the multi-screen index information and outputs the screen configuration on the monitor screen. FIG. 7 illustrates multi-screen index information and sponsor channel information displayed on a monitor screen according to this aspect. Meanwhile, an aspect in which a snapshot image is added to the aforementioned sponsor channel information may also be confirmed through FIG. 7.

According to this aspect of the present invention, when a viewer wants to obtain channel information that is currently being broadcast through multi-screen index information, the channel information providing system provides sponsored channel information together. Additionally you get

As described above, according to the present invention, PPs, particularly home shopping PPs, have an effect of compensating for an expected decrease in channel exposure frequency due to grouping in a digital broadcasting scheme, and further, receiving broadcast programs from the PPs and broadcasting each broadcast. The system operator (SO), a broadcasting system 100 that provides a broadcast service to receiving subscribers, provides not only a broadcast program provided from PPs but also provides a channel information service of specific PPs to a viewer, thereby providing a unique revenue model. It can be created.

In addition, PPs can promote their own channels by securing the priority of their own channels. The priority of PPs can be set according to, for example, sponsor channel service costs and viewers' sponsor channel selection.

In addition, viewers can obtain appropriate sponsor channel information for each time slot, and PPs can effectively promote their own channels.

In addition, the viewer does not suffer from watching the broadcast due to the sponsored channel information displayed on the monitor screen.                     

In addition, the viewer can easily switch the channel to the sponsored channel through the sponsored channel information among the numerous channels, and furthermore, the SO side, which is the broadcasting system 100, provides a GUI for allowing the viewer to easily switch the channel. You can create your own revenue model.

In addition, the EPG information enables viewers to easily grasp the contents of the current broadcast program in the sponsor channel.

In addition, the set-top box provides viewers with preference information on their own sponsorship channels, allowing viewers to preferentially receive their favorite channel information, and PPs can promote their own channels more efficiently.

In addition, even if the viewer changes the channel by setting their favorite channel, since the sponsor channel is exposed to the channel, PPs can effectively promote their own channel.

Also, even if the viewer searches for a desired channel by program category, the PPs can effectively promote their own channel, that is, the sponsored channel.

In addition, when the viewer wants to obtain channel information currently broadcasted through the multi-screen index information, the sponsor channel information is provided together, so that PPs can effectively promote their own channels.

On the other hand, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, which are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

A broadcast signal receiver for receiving a broadcast signal; A broadcast signal processor which decodes the broadcast signal received by the broadcast signal receiver and processes and outputs the broadcast signal as broadcast screen data; A data transceiver for transmitting and receiving data; A memory for storing sponsor channel data including sponsor channel information of at least one channel received through the data transceiver; A control unit which controls the overall device and processes and outputs sponsored channel data read and sponsored channel information screen data stored in the sponsored channel information database according to a sponsored channel information request; A screen display processing unit configured to screen-edit and edit the broadcast screen data output from the broadcast signal processor and the sponsor channel information screen data output from the controller; Digital broadcast receiving device comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the data reception of the sponsored channel of the data receiver is an event occurrence set during a power-on, periodic, request from a remote controller of the digital TV, The sponsored channel information request is a digital broadcast receiver, characterized in that the event occurs that is set during the power-on (ON) of the digital TV, requests from the remote control, broadcast channel switching, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) request. The method of claim 1, wherein the sponsored channel data includes priority information about at least one sponsored channel. The screen display processing unit: And screen composition editing the sponsor channel information screen data according to the priority information for each sponsor channel provided from the controller. The digital broadcasting receiver as claimed in claim 3, wherein the priority information for each sponsor channel is different for each time zone. The digital broadcasting receiver as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sponsored channel information screen data displayed on the monitor is displayed only for a predetermined time. The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit: And controlling the tuning of the broadcast signal receiver to receive the corresponding sponsor channel broadcast according to one of the sponsor channel information selection and the broadcast reception command included in the sponsor channel information screen data displayed on the monitor from the remote controller. Digital broadcast receiving apparatus. The method of claim 6, wherein the control unit: The program text information currently being broadcast is provided using EPG for the sponsored channel information or all sponsored channel information selected as the highlight. The screen editing processing section: And editing the screen configuration by adding the program text information provided from the controller. The method of claim 6, wherein the control unit: According to one of the sponsor channel information selection and the broadcast reception command from the remote control accumulate and store the number of broadcast receptions for the corresponding sponsor channel, and digital broadcast reception, which is periodically transmitted to the broadcast system along with the subscriber information Device. The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit: Controlling the tuning of the broadcast signal receiver to provide a snapshot image for at least one sponsored channel included in the sponsored channel data according to the sponsored channel information request, The screen editing processing section: And a snapshot image of at least one channel, which is broadcast screen data received through the tuned broadcast signal receiver and decoded and output by the broadcast signal processor, is matched with corresponding sponsor channel information to edit the screen configuration. Digital broadcast receiving device. The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit: And controlling tuning of the broadcast signal receiver to receive sponsor channel broadcasts in order of priority or vice versa according to a sponsor channel change up / down command from a remote controller. The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit: At least two channels of the channel selected according to the user preference channel registration command from the remote control and sponsor channels according to at least one channel of the sponsored channel information included in the sponsored channel data to organize the favorite channel ranking, the priority of the sponsored channel Ranks are reflected by ranking information. And tuning the broadcast signal receiver to receive a favorite channel broadcast in the order of priority or the reverse order of the favorite channel change up / down command from the remote controller. The method of claim 11, wherein the control unit: And transmitting information on the favorite channel or the favorite channel on the at least two channels or the favorite channel to the broadcasting system periodically with subscriber information. The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit: Outputting a plurality of upper category information according to a broadcast channel category information request from a remote controller, and outputting corresponding lower category information according to a category selection command of any one of the upper categories from the remote controller; The screen editing processing section: The screen configuration of the category information output from the control unit, the sub-category information including at least one channel of the sponsored channel information having the priority when the screen configuration editing, the screen configuration editing according to the priority of the digital Broadcast receiving device. The method of claim 13, wherein the control unit: Provides program text information currently being broadcast by using EPG for sponsor channel information or all sponsor channel information highlighted for at least one sponsor channel information belonging to the sub-category, The screen editing processing section: And configuring a screen by editing program text information provided from the controller. The method of claim 14, wherein the control unit: Tune the broadcast signal receiver to receive channel broadcast for the highlighted sponsored channel information, The screen editing processing section: And editing the screen configuration by adding the broadcast screen data received through the tuned broadcast signal receiver and decoded and output by the broadcast signal processor. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises: In response to a request for multi-screen index information from a remote controller, a screen division processing command and tuning of the broadcast signal receiver are controlled to sequentially receive broadcast signals of a plurality of channels corresponding to the number of split screens. The screen editing processing section: Screen division processing according to the screen division processing instruction of the control unit, snapshot processing of the broadcast screen data output from the broadcast signal processing unit at a corresponding position of the split screen, and screen composition editing of the received sponsor channel information screen data And output processing on the monitor.

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