KR20070081389A - Epg providing apparatus and method for providing vod services using epg information - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for providing VOD(Video On Demand) service by using EPG(Electronic Program Guide) information are provided to store EPG information of a past broadcasting program to provide the stored EPG information, and transmit unrecorded broadcasting programs through VOD service. An apparatus for providing VOD service by using EPG information includes a storage unit(24), a controller(22), and a communication unit(26). The storage unit stores broadcasting contents and EPG information. The controller receives a user input signal for selecting broadcasting contents, reads EPG information corresponding to the selected broadcasting contents from the storage unit, and generates a URL(Uniform Resource Locator) by using the read EPG information. The communication unit receives a VOD service corresponding to the selected broadcasting contents from a VOD server by using the generated URL.

Description

EPP providing apparatus and method for providing a video service using EP information {EPG providing apparatus and method for providing VOD services using EPG information}

1 is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a table illustrating components of a URL configured to receive a VOD service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a VOD service using EPG information, and more particularly, to store and provide EPG information of a broadcast previously broadcast, and to provide unrecorded broadcast content as a VOD service. An apparatus and method are provided.

The role of EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) is increasing in an environment where broadcast services are provided through multiple channels through various media such as terrestrial, satellite, and cable. A user typically receives EPG information by operating a multimedia recording device such as a personal video recorder (PVR) that provides an EPG using a device such as a remote controller. Accordingly, the user can select the broadcast content displayed in the EPG to watch or record the broadcast content that is currently provided or to be provided in the future.

However, EPG information includes only information that is currently being broadcast or will be broadcast in the future. Therefore, in order to confirm the broadcast content information broadcasted in the past or to view the broadcast content broadcasted in the past, it is inconvenient to check or view the broadcast content information through another path. For example, a user cannot continue to use a multimedia recording device that is being used to check broadcast content information broadcasted in the past and use broadcast content broadcasted in the past. There are inconveniences such as accessing a web site that provides broadcast content and purchasing and downloading broadcast content.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the above problems, in order to store and provide the EPG information of the broadcast previously broadcast, and to provide the unrecorded broadcast content as a VOD service, by using the EPG information An apparatus and method for providing an EPG that provides a VOD service is provided.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the EPG providing apparatus for providing a VOD service using the EPG information according to an aspect of the present invention, the storage unit for storing the broadcast content and EPG information; A control unit for receiving a user input signal for selecting broadcast content, reading EPG information about the selected broadcast content from a storage unit, and generating a URL using the read EPG information; And a communication unit receiving a VOD service related to broadcast content selected from a VOD server providing a VOD service using the generated URL.

Preferably, the control unit generates a URL by using a server address of the pre-stored VOD server and a port number of the VOD server, a broadcast channel number provided with the selected broadcast content included in the EPG information, and broadcast start time information of the selected broadcast content. It includes a URL generator.

Preferably, when the VOD server requires member authentication, the URL generator generates a URL by further using a user ID and password necessary for member authentication.

Preferably, the broadcast signal processing unit for processing the received broadcast signal and generates broadcast content and EPG information; And a decoder for decoding and outputting broadcast content, wherein the controller controls the decoder to store the generated broadcast content and the EPG information in a storage unit and to decode and provide the broadcast content.

Preferably, the communication unit receives a VOD service for the selected broadcast content from a VOD server in a streaming manner.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an EPG screen configuration unit which processes the stored EPG information in a form for displaying on the screen, wherein the EPG screen configuration unit configures a screen for displaying EPG information on past, present and future broadcast content. do.

Preferably, the EPG screen configuration unit configures the screen to include information on whether past broadcast content is recorded and stored in the storage unit.

Preferably, the EPG screen configuration unit configures the screen to include information indicating that past broadcast content may be provided as a VOD service.

Preferably, the EPG screen configuration unit configures the screen such that the future broadcast content includes information indicating whether reserved recording is set.

Preferably, the control unit determines whether the broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored in the storage unit, and if not stored in the storage unit to provide the VOD service for the broadcast content to read the EPG information By using this method, a URL is generated, and when the broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored in the storage unit, the broadcast content stored in the storage unit is read and reproduced.

In order to solve the above technical problem, a method of providing a VOD service using the EPG information according to another aspect of the present invention, receiving a user input signal for selecting broadcast content; Generating a URL using EPG information about the selected broadcast content; And receiving a VOD service regarding broadcast content selected from a VOD server providing a VOD service using the generated URL.

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

1 is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a broadcasting station 10, an EPG providing apparatus 20, and a VOD server 30.

The broadcast station 10 transmits the EPG information and the broadcast content to the EPG providing apparatus 20 through a broadcast signal. The EPG information may include a title of a broadcast content, a broadcast channel, a broadcast time, a category of a broadcast program, a number of broadcasts, a name of a leading actor, and brief information of a broadcast content. Although the EPG providing apparatus 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown to receive EPG information from the broadcasting station 10, the EPG information may be provided from a provider or a device that provides other EPG services in addition to the broadcasting station 10.

The EPG providing apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured as a device having a PVR, a PC, and other broadcast reception and recording functions. The EPG providing apparatus 20 may receive and store EPG information of all broadcast channels at a specific time designated by the user or when the user makes an EPG information update command. The EPG providing apparatus 20 processes a broadcast signal and stores EPG information and broadcast content included in the broadcast signal in the storage space 24. The control unit 22 is installed with a content management application, manages the information on the EPG information and broadcast content stored in the storage unit 24, and generates a URL using the EPG information. The communication unit 26 accesses the VOD server 30 using the generated URL and receives the VOD service. The communication unit 26 may receive broadcast content by streaming.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention. An apparatus for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a broadcast signal processor 210, a decoder 220, a controller 230, a storage 240, and an EPG screen configuration unit ( 250 and a communication unit 260.

The broadcast signal processor 210 processes the received broadcast signal to generate broadcast content and EPG information. The broadcast signal processor 210 may include a tuner (not shown) for outputting a transport stream by tuning and demodulating a broadcast signal input through a specific channel selected by a user, and a multiplexed transport stream output through the tuner. And a demultiplexer (not shown) which demultiplexes into broadcast content including a stream and EPG information. The decoder 220 receives and decodes the video / audio transport stream separated by the demultiplexer and outputs a video / audio signal. The broadcast signal processor 210 may change its configuration according to the type of broadcast signal to be processed.

The controller 230 stores the broadcast content and the EPG information generated by the broadcast signal processor 210 in the storage 240. The storage unit 240 may store the broadcast content and the EPG information in separate storage spaces, for example, the broadcast content storage unit 241 and the EPG information storage unit 243 as shown in FIG. 2. When the user input signal for requesting the reserved recording is received, the controller 230 stores the reserved recording setting information including the reserved recording channel information and the reserved recording time information based on the user input signal in the storage unit 240, and reserve recording. When the time comes, the broadcast signal processor 210 may be controlled to tune the reserved recording channel to store the received broadcast program in the storage 240 to perform reserved recording.

In addition, when a user input signal for requesting EPG information transmitted from a user input device such as a remote controller is received, the controller 230 reads EPG information stored in the storage unit 240 and uses the read EPG information. The EPG screen configuration unit 250 may be controlled to configure an EPG screen for providing to the user. Then, the EPG screen configuration unit 250 processes the stored EPG information in a form for displaying on the screen.

The EPG screen configuration unit 250 may display EPG information on past, present, and future broadcast content under the control of the controller 230. In an apparatus for providing normal EPG information, EPG information provided by an EPG provider such as a broadcast station in the past is not stored but deleted. However, the EPG providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention stores the EPG information provided in the past in the storage unit 240. Thus, when a user requests EPG information, it may provide EPG information for past broadcast content as well as EPG information for current and future broadcast content.

Thus, the user can operate the remote controller on the EPG screen so that EPG information for past, present and future broadcast content is provided, and in particular can select broadcast content that has been broadcast in the past. The control unit 230 provides the EPG screen configuration unit 250 with information on the broadcast content stored in the broadcast content storage unit 241, so that the EPG screen configuration unit 250 provides EPG information on past broadcast content. When displaying, the screen may be configured to include information on whether past broadcast contents are recorded and stored in the storage unit 240. In addition, when displaying the EPG information on the past broadcast content, the EPG screen configuration unit 250 may configure the screen to include information indicating that the past broadcast content may be provided as a VOD service.

In addition, when displaying the EPG information on the current broadcast content, the EPG screen configuration unit 250 may configure a screen including information indicating that the current broadcast content is being recorded. When the EPG screen configuration unit 250 displays EPG information for future broadcast content, the controller 230 provides the reservation recording setting information set by the user input signal to the EPG screen configuration unit 250 so that it can be broadcasted in the future. The screen can be configured to indicate whether content is scheduled recording.

If the user selects broadcast content that has been broadcast in the past on the EPG screen, the controller 230 performs an operation for providing the broadcast content selected by the user. The controller 230 may determine whether broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored in the storage 240, and provide broadcast content based on whether the selected broadcast content is stored. When the broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored in the storage 240, the controller 230 reads the broadcast content stored in the storage 240 so that the decoder 220 decodes the read broadcast content. Broadcast content can be played back. If the selected broadcast content is not stored in the storage unit 240, the controller 230 may perform an operation for providing a VOD service for the broadcast content using EPG information. Of course, even when the broadcast content selected by the user is stored in the storage unit 240, when new content is added to the VOD service and provided, the VOD service may be provided in response to a user input signal requesting the VOD service. have.

The controller 230 generates a URL using the EPG information stored in the storage 240 to perform an operation for providing a VOD service for broadcast content using the EPG information. The controller 230 may include a URL generator 235 to generate a URL using the stored EPG information. The URL generated by the URL generator 235 is transferred to the communicator 260, and the communicator 260 may access a VOD server that provides a VOD service using the transmitted URL.

The URL generator 235 uses the server address of the pre-stored VOD server and the port number of the VOD server, the broadcast channel number provided with the selected broadcast content included in the EPG information, and the broadcast start time information of the selected broadcast content. Can be generated. When the VOD server requires member authentication, the URL generator 235 may generate a URL by further using a user ID and a password required for member authentication. Information about the user ID and password can be properly encrypted as needed.

Then, the communication unit 260 may deliver the VOD service providing request for the selected broadcast content to the VOD server using the URL information, and receive the VOD service for the selected broadcast content from the VOD server to provide the VOD service to the user. have. The communication unit 260 may receive a VOD service for the requested broadcast content in a streaming manner. The communication unit 260 may communicate with a VOD server providing a VOD service for free using a communication protocol such as HTTP or Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP), and when communicating with a VOD server providing a VOD service for a fee. You can communicate using http or other security protocols.

3 is a table illustrating components of a URL configured to receive a VOD service according to an embodiment of the present invention. URL according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured as follows.

http (s): // business_server_address: business_server_port_number / vod_service.asp.major = Channel major number & minor = Channel minor number & starttime = Program start time (& userid = User ID & password = Password )

As shown in the table of Figure 3, the operator server address means the server address (IP or DNS name possible) of the VOD provider, the operator server port number means the server port number of the VOD provider. The operator server address or the operator server port number may be input by the user or may be stored in advance. The channel major number refers to the major number of the channel on which the content was broadcast, the channel minor number refers to the minor number of the channel on which the content was broadcast, and the program start time refers to the broadcast start time when the content was broadcast. The channel major number, channel minor number, and program start time can be obtained from the EPG information. The user ID and password are information that is set when you need to charge the VOD service or when you register in advance on a VOD server that requires member authentication.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the controller 230 receives a user input signal for selecting broadcast content (S410), the controller 230 generates a URL using EPG information about the selected broadcast content (S420).

The URL generated by the controller 230 is transmitted to the communication unit 260, and the communication unit 260 accesses a VOD server providing a VOD service using the transmitted URL, and receives a VOD service related to broadcast content from the VOD server. It is provided (S430). The communication unit 260 may be provided by streaming a VOD service for the requested broadcast content to a VOD server and starting streaming. Then, the controller 230 may decode the broadcast content streamed through the VOD service to the decoder 220 and provide the same to the user.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The broadcast signal processor 210 processes the received broadcast signal to generate broadcast content and EPG information (S 510). The controller 220 stores the broadcast content and the EPG information generated by the broadcast signal processor 210 in the storage 240 (S520). When a user input signal for requesting provision of EPG information is received (S530), the controller 230 reads EPG information stored in the storage 240 and transmits the EPG information to the EPG screen configuration 250.

The EPG screen configuration unit 250 configures and provides a screen for displaying EPG information on past, present, and future broadcast content using the EPG information (S540).

When a user input signal for selecting broadcast content broadcasted in the past is received (S550), the controller 230 searches the storage 240 to determine whether broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored (S560). ). If the selected broadcast content is not stored, the controller 230 generates a URL using the EPG information and transmits the URL to the communication unit 260 (S570).

The communication unit 260 requests the VOD service for the selected broadcast content to the VOD server using the generated URL and receives the VOD service for the selected broadcast content from the VOD server (S580). Then, the controller 230 may control the decoder 220 to decode broadcast content received through the VOD service and provide the decoded broadcast content to the user. Meanwhile, when the broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored in the storage unit 240, the controller 230 may reproduce the broadcast content by reading and decoding the broadcast content stored in the storage unit 240. (S 590).

6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, a screen for providing a VOD service using EPG information according to an embodiment of the present invention has EPG information on past, present, and future broadcast contents with a channel axis and a time axis. can do. When displaying EPG information on past broadcast content, it may be displayed whether past broadcast content is recorded. In addition, when displaying EPG information on past broadcast content, information indicating that past broadcast content may be provided as a VOD service, and the URL of the VOD may be displayed as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, when displaying the EPG information on the current broadcast content, it may be displayed including the information that the broadcast currently being recorded. When displaying EPG information for future broadcast content, future broadcast content may indicate whether a reserved recording is set.

The VOD service providing method according to the present invention may be implemented as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. Codes and code segments implementing the above program can be easily deduced by computer programmers in the art. Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, and the like, and may also include those implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet). do. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The above description is only one embodiment of the present invention, and those skilled in the art may implement the present invention in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described examples, but should be construed to include various embodiments within the scope equivalent to those described in the claims.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to store and provide EPG information of a broadcast previously broadcast, and to provide an unrecorded broadcast program as a VOD service.

In addition, according to the present invention, EPG information and VOD services are quickly provided to the user since the EPG providing screen is constructed using the stored EPG information and a URL necessary for receiving the VOD service from the VOD server is generated. can do.

In addition, according to the present invention, the past, present and future EPG information is provided on a single screen, the user can easily manage the broadcast content.

Claims (21)

In the EPG providing apparatus for providing a VOD service using the EPG information, A storage unit for storing broadcast content and EPG information; A control unit which receives a user input signal for selecting broadcast content, reads EPG information about the selected broadcast content from the storage, and generates a URL using the read EPG information; And And a communication unit receiving a VOD service related to the selected broadcast content from a VOD server that provides a VOD service using the generated URL. The method of claim 1, The controller may store a URL by using a pre-stored server address of the VOD server and a port number of the VOD server, a broadcast channel number provided with the selected broadcast content included in the EPG information, and broadcast start time information of the selected broadcast content. EPG providing apparatus comprising a URL generating unit for generating. The method of claim 2, And the URL generator generates a URL by further using a user ID and a password required for the member authentication when the VOD server requests member authentication. The method of claim 1, A broadcast signal processor for processing a received broadcast signal and generating broadcast content and EPG information; And And a decoder for decoding and outputting the broadcast content. And the controller controls the decoder to store the generated broadcast content and the EPG information in the storage unit and to decode and provide the broadcast content. The method of claim 1, The communication unit EPG providing apparatus, characterized in that for receiving the VOD service for the selected broadcast content from the VOD server in a streaming manner. The method of claim 1, Further comprising an EPG screen configuration unit for processing in the form for displaying the stored EPG information on the screen, The EPG screen configuration unit, EPG providing apparatus, characterized in that for configuring a screen for displaying the EPG information for the past, present and future broadcast content. The method of claim 6, And the EPG screen configuration unit configures a screen to include information on whether the past broadcast content is recorded and stored in the storage unit. The method of claim 6, The EPG screen configuration unit configures a screen to include information indicating that the past broadcast content can be provided as a VOD service. The method of claim 6, And the EPG screen configuration unit configures a screen such that the future broadcast content includes information indicating whether a reserved recording is set. The method of claim 1, The controller determines whether the broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored in the storage unit, and if not stored in the storage unit, uses the read EPG information to provide a VOD service for the broadcast content. Generating a URL, and when the broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored in the storage unit, reading and playing the broadcast content stored in the storage unit. In the method for providing a VOD service using EPG information, Receiving a user input signal for selecting broadcast content; Generating a URL using EPG information about the selected broadcast content; And And receiving a VOD service related to the selected broadcast content from a VOD server that provides a VOD service using the generated URL. The method of claim 11, Generating URL information by using the EPG information, Generating a URL using a pre-stored server address of the VOD server and a port number of the VOD server, a broadcast channel number provided with the selected broadcast content included in the EPG information, and broadcast start time information of the selected broadcast content; VOD service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 12, Generating URL information by using the EPG information, If the VOD server requires member authentication, generating a URL using a user ID and a password required for the member authentication. The method of claim 11, Generating broadcast content and EPG information by processing the received broadcast signal; And Storing the generated broadcast content and the EPG information; And And decoding and providing the broadcast content. The method of claim 11, Receiving a VOD service for the selected broadcast content, The VOD service providing method comprising the step of receiving the VOD service for the selected broadcast content from the VOD server in a streaming manner. The method of claim 11, And constructing a screen for displaying EPG information on past, present, and future broadcast content. The method of claim 16, And displaying the EPG information on the past broadcast content, and configuring the screen to include information on whether the past broadcast content is recorded and stored. The method of claim 16, When displaying the EPG information on the past broadcast content, the VOD service providing method further comprises the step of configuring the screen to include information indicating that the past broadcast content can be provided as a VOD service . The method of claim 16, When displaying the EPG information for the future broadcast content, configuring the screen so that the future broadcast content includes information indicating whether reservation recording is set or not. . The method of claim 11, Determining whether the broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored; When the selected broadcast content is not stored, a URL is generated using the EPG information about the selected broadcast content to provide a VOD service for the broadcast content using the EPG information. If the broadcast content selected by the user input signal is stored, the VOD service providing method comprising the step of reading and playing the stored broadcast content. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing the method of providing a VOD service according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

Images