KR20070056189A - Simple and efficient method of performing service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through broadcasting network and contents services delivered through internet - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for performing a simple and convenient switch between a plurality of services including a broadcasting channel service transmitted via a broadcasting network and a contents service transmitted via an internet is provided to perform a switch from a VOD(Video On Demand) service to a satellite broadcasting channel or from the satellite broadcasting channel to the VOD service in response to a simple input of a channel number. Serial numbers are assigned to a plurality of services including a broadcasting channel service and a contents service. A mapping table for maintaining the services and the serial numbers is recorded in a memory of a set-top box(S100,S200,S300). When a certain channel number is received through operation of an input device by a user(S400), a current service is switched to a service which has a serial number matched to the received channel number(S600).

Description

SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT METHOD OF PERFORMING SERVICE CHANGE BETWEEN MULTIPLE SERVICES INCLUDING BROADCAST CHANNEL SERVICES DELIVERED THROUGH BROADCASTING NETWORK AND CONTENTS SERVICES DELIVERED THROUGH INTERNET}

1 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet according to the present invention.

3 is a detailed embodiment of a mapping table used in a method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet according to the present invention. It is a table showing.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a more preferred embodiment of a method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a preferred embodiment of the user interface provided to the user when moving between services using the method according to the present invention, when the service to be moved is a content service.

The present invention relates to a method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a terrestrial broadcast channel service, a satellite broadcast channel service, a cable broadcast channel service, a video on demand (VOD) content service, and a game content service. will be.

The standardization of digital broadcasting is rapidly progressing, and various technical developments are progressing in the fields of transmission of digital signals through a broadcasting network, multiplexing of data, processing video and audio signals, and display of digital television. Digital broadcasting is capable of compressing information data compared to analog broadcasting, has a high transmission speed, and has excellent sound quality and image quality. In addition, unlike conventional analog broadcasting, digital broadcasting has an advantage of enabling efficient use of frequency by digital modulation. Thus, various information can be broadcasted through hundreds of channels, and the viewer can access various information through the television.

First of all, digital broadcasting enables the implementation of interactive television (interactive television) by data broadcasting. Interactive television allows viewers to interact with the TV beyond just channel, volume, and videotape manipulation. Therefore, payment, banking, shopping, booking, forum participation, etc. may be performed. The game content service and the video on demand service may also be used.

However, according to the related art, the service change between the broadcast channel service and the content service requires a plurality of button operations and a lot of time. Specifically, suppose that a user wants to move to a specific video-on-demand content while watching a specific satellite broadcasting channel. In this case, the viewer operates the input device such as a remote controller or a wireless keyboard, moves to the service main menu, selects the VOD content service menu, and finds the desired VOD content by searching in the VOD content service menu. Selected to access the desired VOD content. As another example, while watching a specific VOD content using an IP set-top box, in order to move to a specific satellite broadcasting channel, pressing an external input button provided on the input device, selecting a satellite broadcasting service, and selecting a plurality of satellite broadcastings Through the input of the channel number to watch among the channels, it moved from the VOD content service to the desired satellite broadcasting channel. However, this series of button inputs bother the user and require a lot of time.

Suppose a user watches satellite channel number "100" and wants to move to satellite channel number "101". The user simply enters the channel number " 101 " using the input device's input button or presses the " up " button among the channel up-down buttons. Unfortunately, different broadcast channel services (eg, between satellite and terrestrial broadcast channels), different content services (eg, between VOD content and game content services) and / or broadcast This type of service movement was not allowed between channel service and content service (for example, between VOD content service and satellite broadcasting channel service). The present inventors have questioned that this type of service change is not allowed, and if the service change is made in this way, the service utilization efficiency of the user can be significantly improved, and it is particularly useful for the elderly who are not familiar with key operation. It was conceived that it could be done.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet. More specifically, a method for performing a service change through simple input of a channel number between different broadcast channel services, between content services, or between a broadcast channel service and a content service is provided.

According to the present invention, a mapping table is recorded in a memory of the set-top box, and the mapping table includes a broadcast channel service and a content service. The broadcast channel service and the content service are each assigned serial numbers as their identification information. A user simply enters a desired channel number using an input device such as a remote controller or a wireless keyboard, and can easily move to a corresponding service.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, assigning serial numbers to a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service and a content service, and a mapping table for maintaining the services and the serial numbers assigned to the memory of the set-top box. Recording to the mobile terminal, and upon receiving a specific channel number to be moved by a user by operating the input device, referring to the mapping table in response thereto, moving to a service having a serial number matching the received channel number. A step is made. Here, the broadcast channel service includes at least one service selected from the group consisting of a terrestrial broadcast channel service, a satellite broadcast channel service, and a cable broadcast channel service, wherein the content service is a group consisting of VOD content and game content. It includes at least one service selected.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, A) at the mapping table management headend side, (a-1) assigns a serial number to a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service and a content service, Creating a mapping table defining the relationship of numbers, and (a-2) transferring the mapping table to a plurality of set-top boxes via a network; and b) in each set-top box, (b-1) Recording the received mapping table in a memory; (b-2) upon receiving a specific channel number to be moved through an input device operation by a user, referring to the mapping table in response thereto, Identifying a service having a matching serial number; and (b-3) moving to a service having a serial number matching the received channel number. It is provided a method of easily and efficiently performed between the plurality of services, including mobile content services delivered over the broadcast channel service and internet.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described the present invention in more detail. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram for implementing a method for easily and efficiently moving between a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet according to the present invention.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a serial number is assigned to a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service and a content service by the mapping table management headend 1, and the plurality of services and the serial numbers are assigned. A mapping table 10 defining a relationship is created (S100). Preferably, when assigning a serial number to each service, an identifier for identifying each service is assigned to the first number or the first two numbers. Specifically, as a serial number, "1xxx" for terrestrial broadcast channel service (where "1" indicates terrestrial broadcast channel service) and "2xxx" for satellite broadcast channel service (where "2" is satellite broadcast channel service). &Quot; 3xxx " (where " 3 " represents a cable broadcast channel service) for the cable broadcast channel service, " 4xxx " (where "4" represents a VOD content service) for the VOD content service, and game content. The service is assigned "5xxx" (where "5" represents game content service) as identification information for each service.

The broadcast information server 3 includes at least one of the terrestrial broadcast information server 301, the satellite broadcast information server 302, and the cable broadcast information server 303. By the broadcast information server 3, a broadcast channel service is provided. In the present specification, the term "broadcast channel service" refers to a service in which various programs or information are separated by channel unit and provided through various broadcasting networks (for example, terrestrial broadcasting network, satellite broadcasting network, and cable broadcasting network). The content server 4 comprises at least one of a VOD content server 401 and a game content server 402. The content service is provided by the content server 3. In the present specification, the "content service" refers to a service in which contents such as a VOD and a game are provided through an internet network. The terrestrial broadcast channel service, satellite broadcast channel service, cable broadcast channel service, VOD content service, and game content service are provided by the broadcast information server 3 and the content server 4. The mapping table management headend 1 obtains information on a plurality of services provided from these broadcast information server 3 and content server 4, and then assigns serial numbers to the respective services as identification information. do. The mapping table management headend 1 may exist independently or may be included in the broadcast information server 3 or the content server 4.

3 is a detailed implementation of the mapping table used in the method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including between a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet according to the present invention. An example is shown. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mapping table 10 has a corresponding service name 11 and a serial number 12 in one-to-one correspondence. The existing terrestrial broadcast channel number "11" is assigned "1011" in the present invention, the existing satellite broadcast channel number "124" is assigned "2124" in the present invention, and the existing cable broadcast channel number "135" In the present invention, "3135" is assigned. In addition, a serial number is also assigned to each content service as identification information. For example, the VOD content "friend" is assigned "4102" and the game content "StarCraft" is assigned "5008". Specifically, when the user watches the satellite broadcasting channel number "124" and wants to watch the VOD content "friend", the user inputs the serial number "4102" assigned to the "friend" using the input device 6. Go directly to the content. Similarly, when watching the VOD content "friend" and wishing to move to the existing satellite broadcasting channel number 124, if the user inputs the serial number "2124" assigned to the satellite broadcasting channel number "124", he / she moves to the corresponding satellite broadcasting channel service. do. Move to service main menu-> Select VOD content service menu-> Search VOD content-> Unlike the prior art method that goes through the procedure of selecting the corresponding VOD content, the method according to the present invention simply inputs the channel number. Only the movement from broadcast channel service to content service or from content service to broadcast channel service is achieved.

The mapping table 10 is transmitted to the plurality of set-top boxes 2 through the network 5 (where the network includes a broadcasting network and the Internet network) (S200). Although only one set top box is illustrated in FIG. 2, this is for simplicity. It is to be interpreted that the mapping table 10 is transmitted to a plurality of set top boxes 2 connected to the network 5. The set-top box 2 of each home includes a data receiver 201 for receiving data transmitted through the network 5, a tuning unit 202 for tuning desired data, and a data processing and control unit for data processing and control. 203, a memory 204 for recording data including the mapping table 10, and an input signal receiver 205 for receiving an input signal from a user. Occasionally, storage 206 may be provided to store desired data.

The set-top box 2 of each home stores the mapping table 10 transferred from the mapping table management headend 1 in the memory 204 (S300). The mapping table 10 is delivered in the form of a transport stream, and packet identification information ("PID") indicating that a mapping table exists in the corresponding transport stream is usually inserted into the head of the transport stream. It is delivered.

When the user wants to move from a specific service to another service, the user simply inputs the serial number assigned to the service using the input device 6 (S400). For example, suppose a user wants to watch a cable broadcasting channel number "135" while watching a terrestrial broadcasting channel number "11". In this case, the user may input “3135” using the input device 6. Therefore, the user simply inputs the channel number of the corresponding service by using the input device 6, even when moving between different broadcast channel services, between content services, or between broadcast channel services and content services. If so, the move to the service is performed.

Upon reception of a specific channel number through manipulation of the input device 6 by the user (S400), in response, the set-top box 2 refers to the mapping table 10 and matches the received channel number. Check the service having a serial number to be (S500). Specifically, the user's input signal is received by the input signal receiving unit 205 by reception, and is transmitted to the data processing and control unit 203. The data processing and control unit 203 of the set-top box 2 refers to the mapping table 10 stored in the memory 204, and has a service having a serial number matching an input signal (or channel number) from a user. Check.

After checking a service having a serial number matching the channel number input from the user, the set-top box 2 tunes to data belonging to the corresponding service and performs a service movement (S600). Specifically, the data processing and control unit 203 of the set-top box 2, after confirming the service having a serial number matching the input signal (or channel number) from the user, the control signal for changing to the service; The data is transmitted to the tuning unit 202, and the tuning unit 202 tunes data belonging to the corresponding service (S600). For example, suppose that a user inputs "3135" by operating the input device 6 while the user watches the terrestrial broadcast channel number "11". The user's input signal (= channel number to be moved) "3135" is received by the input signal receiving unit 205 of the set-top box 2 and transmitted to the data processing and control unit 203. The data processing and control unit 203 refers to the mapping table 10 stored in the memory 204 to identify a service having a serial number matching an input signal (or channel number) "3135" from a user. . In the mapping table of FIG. 2, the serial number "3135" is assigned to the cable broadcasting channel "315". Therefore, as a result of this checking, the data processing and control unit 203 will confirm that the user's input signal "3135" corresponds to the cable broadcasting channel "315". After performing such confirmation, the data processing and control unit 203 transmits a control signal moving to the cable broadcasting channel "315" to the tuning unit 202, and the tuning unit 202 connects the network 5. The cable broadcasting channel “315” is selectively tuned from various data transmitted through the data. Through this process, the user can input the channel number of the corresponding service by using the input device 6 even when moving between different broadcast channel services, between content services, or between broadcast channel services and content services. Simply enter, the move to the service is performed.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a more preferred embodiment of the method for easily and efficiently moving between a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet according to the present invention. In FIG. 4, the steps of S100 to S600 are the same as those of FIG. 1. Therefore, the description of these steps is omitted. According to a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further comprises the step of checking whether the service having a serial number matching the received channel number belongs to the content service or broadcast channel service (S700). Specifically, the user's input signal is received by the input signal receiving unit 205 by reception, and is transmitted to the data processing and control unit 203. The data processing and control unit 203 of the set-top box 2 has a serial number matching an input signal (or channel number) from a user with reference to the mapping table 10 stored in the memory 204. Check the service (S500). Thereafter, the data processing and control unit 203 determines whether the corresponding service is a broadcast channel service or a content service (S700). When the input signal (= channel number to be moved) from the user belongs to the broadcast channel service, the same procedure as that of the method disclosed in FIG. 1 is performed.

On the contrary, when the input signal (= channel number to be moved) from the user belongs to the content service, detailed information of the corresponding content is provided in advance on the user screen before moving directly to the corresponding content service (S800). Examples of the detailed information of the content are the title, show time, starring, director, preview and / or combination of two or more of the content. These content details may be delivered integrated with the mapping table 10 or separately. Prior to moving directly to the content service, providing detailed information about the content service in advance further enhances reliability of content selection. If necessary, detailed information of the contents may be provided together with detailed information of neighboring contents. 5 is a user interface showing a specific example displayed on the user screen after the serial number "4102" assigned to the content service "friend" is input from the user. In addition to the details of the content service " friend " (which is represented in highlighted form) 20 having the serial number " 4102 " The user moves to the desired content by using the channel up / down button, and then clicks the selection of the selection menu bar 30 or the confirmation button of the input device 6 (S900) to perform viewing of the corresponding content. Can be.

The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for the movement between services in an IP (Internet Protocol) set-top box. The IP set-top box needs to have content acquisition by IP connection and a broadcast channel reception function by a broadcast signal receiving module. The broadcast signal is sufficient if it is possible to receive one or more or all of the terrestrial, satellite and cable broadcast channels.

The method according to the present invention performs a simple and efficient movement between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet. In detail, service changes may be performed by simply inputting a channel number between different broadcast channel services, content services, or broadcast channel service and content service. According to the conventional method, while watching a specific VOD content service using an IP set-top box, in order to move to a satellite broadcasting channel, input of an external input button using an input means, selection of a satellite broadcasting service, and a plurality of satellite broadcastings The channel number of the channel to be viewed among the channels was moved to the desired satellite broadcasting channel from the VOD content service. However, according to the present invention, such a series of operations are unnecessary, and it is possible to move from a VOD content service to a specific satellite broadcast channel or from a satellite broadcast channel to a VOD content service simply by inputting a channel number. In addition, according to the related art, in order to move from a broadcast channel service to a specific content service, go to the service main menu-> select the VOD content service menu-> search for VOD content-> the corresponding VOD content selection It was performed through. However, the method according to the present invention can perform the movement from the broadcast channel service to the content service by simply inputting the channel number (or subsequent confirmation button input).

Claims (10)

A method of performing a movement between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet, wherein the method includes serial numbers of a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service and a content service. The step of assigning, recording the mapping table for maintaining the services and the serial number assigned to them in the memory of the set-top box, when receiving a specific channel number to move through the operation of the input device by the user, And in response to the mapping table, moving to a service having a serial number matching the received channel number. The broadcast channel service of claim 1, wherein the broadcast channel service includes at least one service selected from a group consisting of a terrestrial broadcast channel service, a satellite broadcast channel service, and a cable broadcast channel service, wherein the content service includes VOD content and game content. Method comprising a at least one service selected from the group consisting of. A) On the mapping table management headend side, (a-1) assigns a serial number to a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service and a content service, and creates a mapping table defining a relationship between the plurality of services and the serial number. (A-2) transmitting the mapping table to a plurality of set-top boxes through a network; B) In the set-top box of each home, (b-1) recording the received mapping table in the memory, (b-2) when receiving a specific channel number to be moved through the input device operation by the user, Referring to the mapping table in response, identifying a service having a serial number matching the received channel number, and (b-3) moving to a service having a serial number matching the received channel number. A method for easily and efficiently moving between a plurality of services including a broadcast channel service delivered through a broadcasting network and a content service delivered through the Internet. The broadcast channel service of claim 3, wherein the broadcast channel service includes at least one service selected from the group consisting of a terrestrial broadcast channel service, a satellite broadcast channel service, and a cable broadcast channel service, wherein the content service includes VOD content and game content. Method comprising a at least one service selected from the group consisting of. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein, between steps (b-2) and (b-3), whether a service having a serial number matching the received channel number belongs to a broadcast channel service or a content service Further comprising the step of: The method of claim 5, wherein if the service having a serial number matching the received channel number belongs to a broadcast channel service, the mobile station directly moves to the corresponding broadcast channel service. If the service having a serial number matching the received channel number belongs to a content service, before moving to the content service, detailed information of the corresponding content is provided in advance on a user screen. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the detailed information of the content is selected from the group consisting of title, show time, starring, director, preview, and a combination thereof. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the detailed information of the content is provided together with the detailed information of the content having a neighboring serial number. The broadcast channel service of claim 3, wherein the broadcast channel service includes at least one service selected from the group consisting of a terrestrial broadcast channel service, a satellite broadcast channel service, and a cable broadcast channel service, wherein the content service includes VOD content and game content. Method comprising a at least one service selected from the group consisting of. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein an identifier of the broadcast channel service and the content service is assigned to the first number or the first two numbers of the serial number.

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