KR20070030054A - The configuration and operating method of set-top box for electronic service guide(esg) and esg service process - Google Patents

Abstract

A set-top box for ESG(Electronic Service Guide), an operating method therefor, and an ESG providing method using the same are provided to more effectively guide all goods/services associated with a data broadcasting service by acquiring association information in real time whenever it is needed by using a return channel considered in data broadcasting. A programming information parsing unit(21) generates a message of an XML(eXtensible Markup Language) format according to a programming information service request of a user, and transmits the generated message to an HTTP(HyperText Transfer Protocol) server(32). The programming information parsing unit(21) parses programming information and an interactive service list XML stream received from the HTTP server(32). A programming information connecting unit(22) connects a message transmitting unit(23) and a message receiving unit(24) with the HTTP server(32). The message transmitting unit(23) transmits a request item of a data broadcasting middleware as a request message of an XML type to the HTTP server(32). The message receiving unit(24) receives the programming information and the interactive service list as a response message of the XML type from the HTTP server(32). A picture processing unit(25) displays the programming information and the interactive service list received through the message receiving unit(24).

Description

Set-top box for electronic service guide and its operation method and method for providing electronic service guide using the same {The Configuration and operating method of Set-top box for Electronic Service Guide (ESG) and ESG service process}

1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an ESG providing method using a set-top box for an ESG according to the present invention;

2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box for an ESG according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: configuration editor 20: set-top box (STB)

30: Web server 40: DB configuration

The present invention relates to a set-top box for an electronic service guide (ESG), an operation method thereof, a method for providing an electronic service guide using the same, and a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for realizing the method. More specifically, using a return channel considered in data broadcasting to obtain and process the relevant information in real time whenever necessary, the set-top box for the ESG and its operation method, the ESG providing method using the same and realizing the method The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program.

As analog broadcasting service has evolved into digital environment, various new services using digital technology are being developed. Most of these new services are derived from the concept of data broadcasting service.

Among the data broadcasting services, the most basic service is an electronic program guide (EPG) service that digitizes and provides program information of a broadcast program.

Whereas existing TV programming information service has been delivered through other media such as newspapers and magazines, EPG service is a method of embedding programming information in a set-top box (STB) and then providing it on a TV screen. You will be able to browse and select channels.

However, in order to develop and service various data broadcasting services, a new information delivery method capable of delivering not only TV program information but also information on various data broadcasting services in general to users is required. This service, called ESG, can be thought of as an extension of EPG service, but is not acceptable in current EPG service system.

The basic EPG service provides a guide for organizing information on a broadcast program. In general, the service structure is built in a receiver, and according to a predetermined protocol, the program receives periodical information at the same time as receiving a broadcast in a push form. In this way, it is difficult to provide an extended service for effectively delivering data broadcasting services, which are already actively developed, to users. In addition, since EPG information must be periodically processed by the STB regardless of the subscriber's selection, there is a problem that may cause inefficient STB resource waste.

On the other hand, the ESG service not only displays the program guide information for digital broadcast viewers like EPG, but also provides the GUI (Graphic) on the TV to display the functions of the guide and the VOD (Video on Demand) information for the entire data broadcasting service. User Interface). In other words, the existing EPG is centered on programming information guides for broadcast programs, but ESG is centered on not only the programming information of broadcast programs but also the concept and composition of the overall service. In addition, the EPG information has a problem in that it is necessary to periodically process even the information that is not needed as it is periodically transmitted in the middle of the broadcast regardless of the needs of the subscriber.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and by using the return channel considered in data broadcasting to obtain relevant information in real time whenever necessary, guides for all products / services related to data broadcasting services more effectively It is an object of the present invention to provide a set-top box for an ESG, an operation method thereof, a method for providing the ESG using the same, and a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing the method.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

The apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the set-top box (STB) for the electronic service guide (ESG), generates and organizes a message in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format according to the user's request information Organization information parsing means for parsing the organization information and the interactive service list XML stream transmitted to the information storage server (Http Server) and received from the organization information storage server; Organization information connection means for connecting the organization information storage server and message transmission / reception means; Message transmitting means for transmitting a request for data broadcasting middleware to the organization information storage server as a request message in an XML format; Message receiving means for receiving, from the organizational information storage server, the organizational information and the interactive service list as an XML response message; And screen processing means for displaying the organization information and the interactive service list received through the message receiving means.

In addition, the method of the present invention, in the operation method of the set-top box (STB) for the electronic service guide (ESG), in accordance with the user's information service request, the connection step of connecting to the organization information storage server via the return channel; A configuration information parsing step of parsing the organization information and the interactive service list received from the organization information storage server; And a screen display step of analyzing and processing the parsed organization information and the bidirectional service list on the screen.

On the other hand, the method of the present invention, in the electronic service guide providing method using the operation method of the set-top box for the electronic service guide, pre-store the organization information of the data broadcast and the interactive service list in the organization database (DB) through the organization editor Organizing information storage step; A request message forwarding step of delivering a request message of an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format to an organization information storage server (Http Server) through a return channel; If the information requested through the organization information storage server (Http Server) is linked to the organization DB, and transmits it to the DB interface unit, and requests to obtain the organization information to access the organization DB to obtain the organization information acquisition step; According to a result of the request for acquiring the knitting information, if the request is successful, transmitting the knitting information and the interactive service list to the knitting information storage server; And a screen display step of analyzing and processing the delivered organization information and the bidirectional service list to display on the screen.

On the other hand, the present invention, a set-top box for an electronic service guide (ESG) having a processor, the connection function for connecting to the organization information storage server through a return channel, in response to a user request information program information; A configuration information parsing function for parsing the organization information and the interactive service list received from the organization information storage server; And a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a screen display function of analyzing and processing the parsed organization information and the bidirectional service list on a screen.

In addition, the present invention provides an electronic service guide (ESG) providing system having a processor, the organization information storage function for pre-store the organization information of the data broadcast and the interactive service list in the organization database (DB) through the organization editor; A request message delivery function for delivering an Extensible Markup Language (XML) request message to an organization information storage server (Http Server) through a return channel according to a user's organization information service request; If the information requested through the organization information storage server (Http Server) is linked to the organization DB, and transmits it to the DB interface unit, the organization information acquisition request function for requesting to obtain the organization information by accessing the organization DB; According to the result of the request for obtaining the knitting information, a knitting information transferring function for delivering the knitting information and the interactive service list obtained to the knitting information storage server when the request is successful; And a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a screen display function of analyzing and processing the transmitted organization information and the bidirectional service list and displaying them on a screen.

As analog broadcasting service has evolved into digital environment, various new broadcasting services using digital technology are being developed, and one of them is EPG service.

That is, in the traditional analog environment, one of the most basic broadcast services is an EPG service that guides broadcast programs by date and channel. Such a program guide service was generally delivered through a media different from a broadcast media such as newspapers and magazines, but in recent years, as the development of data broadcasting services has been actively developed, an electronic program guide service called EPG has become a commercial service. Hold. The EPG service displays a broadcast program schedule on a TV screen through a separate data area, which not only shows viewers unilateral broadcast program programming information but also provides a function for the viewer to search and select such program information. . Currently, various service models have been developed for this purpose, and commercial services are being provided in various places at home and abroad. The main researches related to the EPG service to date are mostly related to the user interface how to express this information well to the users. As the attempt to converge convergence accelerates in earnest, more diverse services pursued by data broadcasting will be developed, in addition to basic programming information. In addition, new services will be developed according to various network characteristics. Electronic service guide (ESG) is emerging as a new concept to reflect this technological development trend. This is not just providing information on programming of TV broadcast programs, but also providing guides for all products / services provided by broadcasters. In the present invention, a service providing method for effectively providing such an ESG service using a communication environment will be presented.

Therefore, as the existing EPG has performed the most basic functions of the data broadcasting service, the ESG service will perform the most basic functions of the data broadcasting service in the future, and the standard information based on Extensible Markup Language (XML) based on the return channel is used. This ESG service, which exchanges and processes it as an Xlet-based application program, can provide various services such as content compatibility by media or home appliance information delivery in home networking.

In order to provide real-time ESG services that provide not only simple programming of TV programs but also guide functions of the entire data broadcasting service using IP-based communication environment, DB server system having ESG information and ESG information There is a need for a communication method capable of connecting to a server and a processing module on the terminal that acquires and analyzes this information and sprinkles it on a TV. When users turn on the STB or want to use various data broadcasting service guides such as TV programs, VODs, and TV portals in the middle of the service, the STB's ESG application uses the return channel of the STB via the ESB web through the internal ESG processing module. Connect to the server and get the necessary ESG information. At this time, ESG information managed and delivered in DB is defined in XML standard format to ensure extensibility. This XML-based ESG information is parsed by the processing module inside the STB and delivered to the Xlet-based ESG application to be displayed on the TV screen. At this time, by managing and delivering ESG information based on XML, STB application can utilize these basic information in various ways. Also, in the future, STB function is expanded to provide various home appliance status information when performing gateway function for home networking. Convergence enables effective information control and management. In addition, such ESG information can have a positive effect in terms of sharing and recycling with other service providers.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereby those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. There will be. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an ESG providing method using a set-top box for an ESG according to the present invention.

In On-Air broadcasting such as satellite or terrestrial broadcasting, both TV broadcasting and data broadcasting have a push type service characteristic. That is, the broadcast information is unilaterally transmitted regardless of the subscribers' request. EPG information is also delivered to the subscriber in this manner.

Meanwhile, in order to implement a bidirectional service, a return channel for transmitting a user's requirement to a broadcast server system needs to be established, and this return channel is used in various ways. In other words, the return channel can be used not only as a path for delivering the user's direct requirements to the server but also for the implementation of a full service that handles the direct and indirect requirements of various users.

As shown in FIG. 1, when a user needs guide information for using a data broadcasting service, the set-top box 20 accesses the organization DB 40 of the organization web server 30 through a return channel. Get the information you need, analyze and process it and show it to the user through the browser.

In the case of acquiring the programming information at the request of the viewer or the user in parallel with various information related to the broadcasting service, such a service has a full service flow, which represents the information transmission and reception flow in this case. Through this process, the receiver analyzes the imported information and displays the desired organization information on the ESG browser.

Referring to the operation of the ESG providing method using the set-top box for ESG according to the present invention having the configuration as described above in detail as follows.

① Basically, the program information of broadcasting and the various service information of data broadcasting are stored in advance in the program DB 40 through the program editor 10, and sometimes such information is updated in real time. Therefore, the program DB 40 stores and manages these program information (EPG program information), data broadcast service program information (ESG program information), and interactive service program information.

② If the user wants to look at this information, the ESG application program of the set-top box 20 operates. That is, such an application program transmits these requirements to the data broadcasting middleware of the set-top box 20, and the data broadcasting middleware delivers these requirements to the organization web server 30 as a request message in the form of XML. Use the IP network set as turn channel.

(3) If the content of the request received through HTTP is linked to the organization DB 40, the organization is transferred to the DB interface unit 31.

④ The DB interface unit 31 accesses the knitting DB 40 and requests acquisition of the knitting information.

⑤ If the request is successful, the DB interface unit 31 obtains the knitting information as a result.

(6) The DB interface unit 31 transfers it back to the organization information storage server (HTTP server) 32.

⑦ In the set-top box 20, the organization information of the XML format received from the organization information storage server 32 is analyzed and processed and displayed on the TV browser.

2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box for an ESG according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the settax box (STB) for an ESG according to the present invention generates a message in an XML format according to a user's request for the formation information service, and generates a configuration information storage server through the return channel in real time (Http). Server (32), and the organization information (XML message) parsing unit 21 for parsing the organization information and the interactive service list XML stream received from the organization information storage server 32 and the EPG application. In order to meet the request, the program information storage server 32 and the program information transmitting and receiving unit 22 and 24 are connected to the program information storage server 32, and the program information storage server 32 is provided in the form of XML broadcast requirements. A message transmitter 23 for transmitting as a request message of the message, a message receiver 24 for receiving the organization information and a bidirectional service list from the organization information storage server 32 as a response message in XML format, and a message reception. And a screen processing unit 25 for displaying the organization information and the interactive service list received through the unit 24.

The reason for sending / receiving request / response message in XML format is to enable various extensibility. In other words, by basically sending only the data that is absolutely necessary as a standardized standard and expressing it on the screen, various methods can be applied. Thus, even if the UI (User Interface) is changed in the future, data information need not be modified. This is because it can be used and extended in the standard data format for interworking with other operator's organization information or other CP / PP / DP DB or controlling home appliances.

Referring to the operation of the set-tack box (STB) for the ESG according to the present invention having the configuration as described above in detail as follows.

First, when a user wants to know the organization information, the XML message (organization information) is parsed when the requested content is generated and transmitted to the set-top box 20 based on the XML. Subsequently, the parsed result data is transferred to the Xlet-based screen processor 25 and displayed on the TV screen of the user.

That is, the set-top box 20 stores and manages information necessary for the organization information storage server 32, and requests the organization information storage server 32 from time to time by using a return channel connectable whenever an information request is made from a user. It is to get the latest service information in real time. At this time, the request for information and the obtained result information form follow an XML expression scheme and provide a scalable service by processing such information in an Xlet (data broadcasting application) based application program in the set-top box 20.

As described above, the set-top box can express and deliver various information desired by the operator without restriction of the organization standard through the XML type information delivery, and manage the overall product and service for various data broadcasting services such as TV portal. And control is possible. In addition, the concept is not limited to digital broadcasting services on TV, but can be used to express and transmit information related to all digital devices in the home for home networking in the future.

As described above, the method of the present invention may be implemented as a program and stored in a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) in a computer-readable form. Since this process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art will not be described in more detail.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

As described above, the present invention provides a guide for all products / services provided by the broadcaster, and thus may be regarded as a killer service that can show information such as various additional services.

In addition, the present invention deviates from the existing built-in native EPG concept, so that the broadcaster can freely change the contents and GUI of the ESG without any limitations in the programming standard, thereby providing a flexible service. It is possible to expand to various data broadcasting services.

In addition, the present invention can not only efficiently transfer and control information in home networking in the home by applying the ESG concept to all the device information presentation methods in the home, but also in the room. There is an effect that can facilitate content compatibility.

Claims (10)

In the set-top box (STB) for the electronic service guide (ESG), In response to a user's request for organization information service, an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format message is generated and transmitted to the organization information storage server (Http Server), and the organization information and interactive service list XML stream received from the organization information storage server is transmitted. Organization information parsing means for parsing; Organization information connection means for connecting the organization information storage server and message transmission / reception means; Message transmitting means for transmitting a request for data broadcasting middleware to the organization information storage server as a request message in an XML format; Message receiving means for receiving, from the organizational information storage server, the organizational information and the interactive service list as an XML response message; And Screen processing means for displaying the organization information and the interactive service list received through the message receiving means Set top box for an electronic service guide including. The method of claim 1, The set top box, The set-top box for the electronic service guide, characterized in that for storing and managing the information required by the organization information storage server to bring up the latest various service information in real time using a return channel connectable whenever an information request occurs. In the operating method of the set-top box (STB) for the electronic service guide (ESG), An access step of accessing the organization information storage server through a return channel in response to a user information service request; A configuration information parsing step of parsing the organization information and the interactive service list received from the organization information storage server; And A screen display step of analyzing and processing the parsed organization information and the interactive service list on a screen; Operation method of the set-top box for an electronic service guide comprising a. The method of claim 3, wherein In the screen display step, Method of operating the set-top box for an electronic service guide, characterized in that the delivery of the parsed organization information and the interactive service list to the Xlet-based ESG module (screen processing unit) to display on the user's TV screen. In the electronic service guide providing method using the operation method of the set-top box for the electronic service guide, A program information storage step of pre-store program information and interactive service list of data broadcasting in a program database through a program editor; A request message forwarding step of delivering a request message of an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format to an organization information storage server (Http Server) through a return channel; If the information requested through the organization information storage server (Http Server) is linked to the organization DB, and transmits it to the DB interface unit, and requests to obtain the organization information to access the organization DB to obtain the organization information acquisition step; According to a result of the request for acquiring the knitting information, if the request is successful, transmitting the knitting information and the interactive service list to the knitting information storage server; And A screen display step of analyzing and processing the delivered organization information and the interactive service list to display on the screen Electronic service guide providing method using the operation method of the set-top box for an electronic service guide comprising a. The method of claim 5, The organization database (DB), A method for providing an electronic service guide using an operation method of a set-top box for an electronic service guide, characterized by storing and managing broadcast program organization information (EPG organization information), data broadcast service organization information (ESG), and interactive service organization information. The method according to claim 5 or 6, The request message delivery step, By using the set-top box to store and manage the information necessary for the organization information storage server, the electronic service guide for getting the latest various service information in real time using a return channel connectable whenever an information request occurs Electronic service guide providing method using the operation method of the set-top box. The method of claim 7, wherein In the screen display step, Method of providing an electronic service guide using the operation method of the set-top box for the electronic service guide, characterized in that the delivery of the parsed organization information and the interactive service list to the Xlet-based ESG module (screen processing unit) to show on the user's TV screen . In a set-top box for an electronic service guide (ESG) with a processor, An access function for accessing the organization information storage server through a return channel in response to a user information service request; A configuration information parsing function for parsing the organization information and the interactive service list received from the organization information storage server; And Screen display function for analyzing and processing the parsed organization information and interactive service list and displaying on the screen A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing this. In an electronic service guide (ESG) providing system having a processor, A program information storage function for pre-store program information and interactive service list of data broadcasting in a program database through a program editor; A request message delivery function for delivering an Extensible Markup Language (XML) request message to an organization information storage server (Http Server) through a return channel according to a user's organization information service request; If the information requested through the organization information storage server (Http Server) is linked to the organization DB, and transmits it to the DB interface unit, the organization information acquisition request function for requesting to obtain the organization information by accessing the organization DB; According to the result of the request for obtaining the knitting information, a knitting information transferring function for delivering the knitting information and the interactive service list obtained to the knitting information storage server when the request is successful; And Screen display function for analyzing and processing the delivered organization information and interactive service list to display on the screen A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing this.

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