KR20060082343A - An apparatus and method for providing user interface - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, when different devices are used in an integrated connection, the present invention provides an integrated user interface as well as setting a UI for each user designated by a top-level user, and provides a user-specific UI. An apparatus for providing an interface and a method for providing the same, the method for providing a user interface for each user according to the present invention comprises: a first step of inputting user identification information; A second step of judging the legitimacy of the user through the recognition information; And a third step of providing a user interface for the user, which is previously stored by the top user, when the legitimacy of the user is determined. It can be provided, so it is easy and easy to learn the UI for each user. From this, it is possible to effectively utilize the functions provided for the user, and to prohibit the use of limited functions according to the user. It is a very useful invention that can increase the user's satisfaction and create a variety of value-added to use the home appliances more conveniently through the UI set for them.

STB, DTV, User Interface, ID, Password

Description

Apparatus and method for providing user interface for each user {An apparatus and method for providing user interface}             

1 illustrates a configuration related to providing a UI in a home appliance to which a user interface providing apparatus for each user according to the present invention is applied,

2 illustrates a flow of an embodiment of a method for setting a user interface for each user for providing a user interface for each user according to the present invention.

3 illustrates an example of all items of an integrated user interface provided according to the present invention.

4 illustrates an example of user-specific recognition information and UI information stored according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a method for providing a user interface for each user according to the present invention.

※ Explanation of code for main part of drawing

10: key input unit 20: memory

30: control unit 40: UI generation unit

50: display unit

The present invention provides an integrated user interface when different devices are used in an integrated connection, and allows a top user to directly set or reset a UI for each user through the integrated user interface. Or it relates to a user-specific user interface providing apparatus and method for providing a reset user-specific UI.

In recent years, as the processing speed of home appliances increases and their capabilities increase, a large number of home appliances (for example, set-top boxes (STBs) and digital televisions (DTVs)) provide information required by a user on a screen. .

Such information is provided to the user through a user interface (hereinafter referred to as a UI) that transmits and processes a user's input to the system. Accordingly, each home appliance is provided with a module for processing the UI.

Meanwhile, as digital broadcasting is becoming more common, digital broadcasting receivers, such as set-top boxes (STBs) for receiving them, are also becoming more common. In such digital broadcasting receivers, digital broadcasting signals of MPEG transport streams are received. After reconstructing and signal processing the original video and audio signals, the video and audio signals are transmitted and output to a digital television (DTV), so that a user can watch a desired broadcast program.

In addition, the STB searches and reads and stores various information such as EPG (Electric Program Guide) information included in service information (SI) of digital broadcasting, stores the information in the system, and stores the information in the system. The various information is provided on the display unit of the DTV (eg, OSD).

Accordingly, the user having the STB can search for and confirm a desired broadcast channel or broadcast program from various pieces of information displayed on the display of the DTV through the UI, or visually identify desired information. .

As such, when the home appliance (STB, DTV) generates information such as a user's input or an event (Event), the UI is provided accordingly. In the related art, each home appliance has been provided with a basic UI set regardless of the user. .

Meanwhile, the use of an integrated remote controller that can drive different home appliances with one remote controller is increasing. In the case of such an integrated remote controller, an integrated remote controller is used to select a desired home appliance and then provide the selected home appliance. Only basic UI was provided.

Therefore, in the related art, the user has to spend a lot of time and effort to acquire a UI suitable for each home appliance every time the home appliance is used.

In addition, as the functions provided through each home appliance increases, the UI is gradually becoming more diverse and complex. Nevertheless, in the related art, various and complicated UIs are provided unconditionally regardless of the user, thereby acquiring functions for the complex UI. A growing number of users (especially seniors) are reluctant to try new features.

Accordingly, in the related art, various functions that may be provided through each home appliance are not effectively utilized, and thus, it is difficult to create value added using the UI.

In addition, most of the limited functions provided through the UI (e.g., a rating control function, etc.) are mostly managed by a password. In the related art, the limited functions are provided through one basic UI regardless of a user, thereby providing the basic functions. Since any user of the UI can know that there are such functions, there is a problem that it is difficult to prohibit the use of the limited functions when the password is leaked.

Accordingly, the present invention has been created to solve the above problems, and provides a unified user interface when different devices are connected and used, as well as the top user through the unified user interface, for each user, By manually setting or resetting the UI for the user's condition, the user can be prevented from using the restricted functions.

In addition, by allowing each user to be provided with a UI that is customized to them through their ID and password, the user can simply obtain a UI that is suitable for them, and from this, they can efficiently utilize the functions provided for themselves. ,                         

In addition, by providing a more convenient use of home appliances through a UI set for each user himself, to provide a user interface providing device and a method for providing a user interface to increase the user's satisfaction and create a variety of added value, The purpose is.

Device for providing a user interface according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the input means for inputting user information, such as recognition information; Storage means for cooperatively storing the user-specific user interface set through the integrated user interface together with the user-specific recognition information; Display means for outputting and displaying the integrated user interface and the set user interface; And providing means for reading the UI of the user from the storage means and providing the output through the display means to the user whose legitimacy has been determined through user recognition information.

In addition, a method for providing a user interface for each user according to the present invention includes a first step of setting a top user; Providing a unified user interface at the request of the top user; And a third step of setting and providing a user interface suitable for each user's condition through the integrated user interface.

A first step of inputting user identification information; A second step of judging the legitimacy of the user through the recognition information; And a third step of providing a user interface for the user, which is pre-stored by the highest-level user, when the legitimacy of the user is determined.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a user interface providing apparatus and a method for providing a user according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration related to providing a UI in a home appliance (for example, a digital broadcast receiver (STB)) to which a user interface providing apparatus for each user according to the present invention is applied, and a key input unit 10 for user input. ; A memory 20 for storing IDs and passwords set for each user and UI information; A UI generator 40 generating a user-specific UI screen based on the information stored in the memory 20; A display unit 50 for outputting and displaying user-specific UI screens and various display information provided by the STB; And a control unit 30 for implementing the method of providing a user interface according to the present invention according to the control of each component and through the above configuration.

The STB configured as described above is typically connected to a digital television (DTV) to receive a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a broadcast satellite through a satellite antenna, and transmits the received broadcast signal to the signal-connected DTV to a user. It allows the user to watch the broadcast signal of the desired channel through the DTV.

Meanwhile, in the above configuration, the key input unit 10 may be an integrated remote controller capable of driving the STB and the DTV in an integrated manner. The memory 20 may include a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) and the display unit 50. OSD can be configured.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for setting a user interface for each user for providing a user interface for each user according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the user of FIG. 2 in parallel with the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 according to the present invention. The interface setting method will be described in detail.

First, the STB and the DTV are installed at home and connected to the signal, and the first user (the highest user, for example, the father) of the STB is input to the memory 20 of the STB through the key input unit 10. The set identification information (for example, use level, use ID, and password) are stored.

In such a state, when an integrated UI editing menu is selected and requested through the key input unit 10 (S10), the controller 30 requests an ID and a password for providing the selected menu (S11). Accordingly, when the ID and password are input, the controller 30 determines whether the user is the top user from the input ID and password (S12). The selected integrated UI editing menu screen is output through the display unit 50 (S21).

The top user may further designate other users other than the user through the integrated UI editing menu provided through the output, and the user recognition information (for example, use) of each of the designated other users through the key input unit 10. Level, use ID, password, etc.), and the user-specific UI can be set, including the user. The UI setting for each user will be described in detail below. .

The user-specific password may allow each user to directly set his or her own password, and all user identification information set in this manner is checked and managed by the top-level user, and for other users except the top-level user, Information cannot be checked and managed.

In the integrated UI edit menu, the top user is provided with the integrated UI screen of FIG. 3 through the display unit 50, and the entire items of the integrated UI are edited mode (①) as illustrated in FIG. , Movie mode (②), parental level control mode (③), education mode (④), service mode (⑤), game mode (⑥), two-way communication mode (⑦), reservation mode (⑧), TV control mode ( ⑨), STB control mode (⑩) items, each of which provides a variety of functions, for example, the education mode provides a subtitle for education, the service mode is a repair function, TV control mode Provides screen brightness and other functions.

In addition to the above items, more various items may be added to the integrated UI. For example, a preference channel registration mode may be added, and in this case, broadcast program guide information (EPG) received and provided by the digital broadcast receiver may be added. The user can search and check all broadcasting channels and designate the desired broadcasting channel as the preferred channel from this. In this state, the user can confirm only the preferred channel designated by himself through one screen. In addition, the desired channel can be selected more easily through the designated preferred channel.

Meanwhile, the top user can select UI items for each of the designated users, that is, the user and each of the designated other users, through the entire items of the integrated UI. For example, ① to 에 for the user (top user). Items are ① to ④ for User A (for example, mother (level-1)), and ⑦ to ⑩ items for User B (for example, son 1 (level-2)). , ②, ④, ⑥ to ⑧ items, user C (for example, grandfather (level-3)), ②, ③, ⑧, ⑨ items, and user D (for example, son 2 (level-) 4) By selecting the items ①, ②, ④, ⑨ respectively, it is possible to set the UI for itself and each user (S23).

The UI information for each user constituted by the selected item is stored in the memory 20 in association with the corresponding user recognition information (S24), and the storage form thereof is as illustrated in FIG. 4.

On the other hand, when the user selects the UI item for each user, the top user considers the use level set according to the conditions (for example, age, identity, etc.) of each user, for example, level-1 By providing the parental level adjustment mode (③) for mothers, the mother can watch the channel of the desired channel regardless of the grade for adult mothers. Make sure

In addition, by selecting ②, ③, ⑧, and ⑨ items for the user C (for example, grandfather (level-3)), the elderly can perform complicated functions such as edit mode (①) and two-way communication mode (⑦). Except for the provided items, the UI consists of items that provide simple functions such as movie mode (②) and parental level control mode (③). Simply enable the desired features.

The entire item of the unified UI and the unified UI edit menu are provided only to the top user or a user designated by the top user (for example, a mother). For this purpose, ID and password input are essential, and ID and password input are required. For the top-level user who has been justified through the integrated UI edit menu, the user and other user's UI set as described above can be checked and freely reset, that is, the UI item can be added and deleted. With respect to the designated user who has been proved by input, the user can check the UI of the user and the lower users, as well as reset the UI of the user and the lower users. The controller 30 updates the reset UI information in the memory 20 in association with the corresponding user recognition information. God saves.

In the above, even the designated user does not allow checking and resetting of the UI set for the upper-level administrator (for example, the top-level user).

In addition, even if the entire item of the integrated UI and the user is not provided with the integrated UI edit menu, the functions provided in each item can be freely edited and selectively provided within the UI item set by the top user. For example, if the user B selected with the game mode (⑥) can select the preferred game through the game mode, and can enjoy various games, and the movie mode (②) and the parental level control mode (③) With respect to the selected user C, the user can freely watch a movie of a desired grade through a viewing grade adjusting function. When the user UI information is changed from this, the controller 30 updates and stores corresponding user UI information of the memory 20. do.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow of a preferred embodiment of a method for providing a user interface for each user according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the method for providing a user interface of FIG. 5 will be described in detail with the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 according to the present invention. do.

First, when the UI for each user including the top user is set and stored as described above, when the UI is requested through the key input unit 10 (S30), the controller 30 requests the In order to provide an UI, an ID and a password are requested (S31). Accordingly, when the ID and password are input, the controller 30 determines the legitimacy of the user from the inputted ID and password (S32). This is done by checking whether the input ID and password are already stored in the memory 20.

When it is determined as a legitimate user through the confirmation (S40), the controller 30 reads UI information stored in association with the input ID and password from the memory 20 (S41), and reads the read information from the UI. It provides to the generation unit 40.

Accordingly, the UI generator 40 generates a UI screen from the read information and outputs the generated UI screen through the display unit 50 (S42), thereby providing the user with the output. Each item can be checked through the UI screen, and the desired functions can be selectively provided through each item.

As described above, in the present invention, 'Customized Menu' may be implemented by setting and providing a UI for each user.

In addition, in the present invention, although the entire item of the integrated UI illustrated in FIG. 3 may be provided and output on one screen, alternatively, the entire item of the integrated UI may be divided and provided for each home appliance to be output to a different screen. For example, in case of STB and DTV, when the user requests the integrated UI, the user first outputs the integrated UI screen of the STB (or DTV), and the user selects the corresponding button (eg, ▶) of the key input unit 10. At the time of input, the UI screen of the next home appliance DTV (or STB) may be output.

As mentioned above, preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art can improve other various embodiments within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention disclosed in the appended claims below. Changes, substitutions or additions will be possible.

Apparatus and method for providing a user interface according to the present invention, which is configured as described above, provides a unified user interface when different devices are connected and used together, and allows a top user through the unified user interface. By manually setting or resetting the UI according to the user's condition for each user, the user can disable the restricted functions.

In addition, the user can be provided with a user-specific UI through their ID and password for each user is simple and easy to learn UI, and from this it is possible to efficiently utilize the features provided for them,

In addition, it is a very useful invention that can increase the user's satisfaction and create a variety of value-added because the user can use the home appliance more conveniently through the UI set for each user.

Claims (11)

In the method of providing a user interface of a home appliance, Setting a top user; Providing a unified user interface at the request of the top user; And And a third step of setting and providing a user interface suitable for each user's condition through the integrated user interface. The method of claim 1, The first step is a method for providing a user interface for each user, wherein the ID and password of the highest-level user are input and set. The method of claim 2, The providing of the integrated user interface screen of the second step is provided to the user interface for each user, characterized in that the user is proved to be the top user through the input set ID and password. The method of claim 1, The user condition, the user interface providing method for each user, characterized in that including the conditions of the user, such as age. The method of claim 4, wherein The third step may further include storing the UI set for each user in association with recognition information of the corresponding user. The method of claim 5, The identification information is a user-specific user interface providing method characterized in that the user-specific ID and password set by the top user. The method of claim 1, The integrated user interface, user interface providing method characterized in that it comprises any one or more of the editing mode, movie mode, parental level control mode, education mode, game mode, interactive communication mode, reservation mode. The method of claim 1, The set user interface for each user, characterized in that the reset by the user specified by the top user or the top user user interface providing method. In the method of providing a user interface of a home appliance, A first step of inputting user identification information; A second step of judging the legitimacy of the user through the recognition information; And And if the legitimacy of the user is determined, a third step of providing a user interface for the user, which has been previously stored by the highest-level user. The method of claim 9, And the user interface is editable by the user within the range permitted by the top user. In the home appliance providing a user interface, Input means for inputting user information such as recognition information; Storage means for cooperatively storing the user-specific user interface set through the integrated user interface together with the user-specific recognition information; Display means for outputting and displaying the integrated user interface and the set user interface; And Providing means for reading the UI of the user from the storage means and providing the output through the display means for a user whose legitimacy has been determined through user identification information. Device.

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