KR20080040118A - Contents receiving method and apparatus using tv portal service - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for receiving contents according to a TV portal service are provided to allow a user to select desired contents provided in the form of an OSD(On Screen Display) and download it directly from a contents providing server through a simple user authentication process to purchase the same. A user input unit(110) requests displaying of a contents list for selection of contents provided in a broadcast program. When the list is requested to be displayed, a communication unit(120) requests transmission of data required for displaying the contents list from an information providing device, and receives the data from the information providing device. A list generating unit(152) generates the contents list by processing the received data by a GUI(Graphic User Interface). A controller(190) processes the generated contents list so as to be displayed on a display device. A DMS(Digital Media Server)(195) parses the data extracted from a transport stream of the broadcast program and stores it.

Description

Contents receiving method and apparatus using TV portal service}

1 is a communication system to which an apparatus for receiving content by a TV portal service according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

2 is a block diagram showing a content receiving apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a music selection list applied to a content list displayed on a display unit of FIG. 2;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a content receiving method by the TV portal service of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: external storage 100: content receiving device

110: user input unit 120: communication unit

150: signal processing unit 152: list generation unit

175: middleware unit 180: storage unit

190: control unit 195: digital media server

200: information providing device 300: content providing server

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for receiving content by a TV portal service, and more particularly, a TV portal service for displaying content information inserted into a program currently being viewed using a TV portal service and purchasing desired content. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for receiving content.

Generally, when a viewer listens to a favorite content while watching TV, for example, music, the viewer searches for a title and a singer through a search box such as the Internet to find out the title and singer of the music, and further provides music. There is a case of purchasing favorite music from a vendor. In the case of purchasing music as described above, it is inconvenient for the viewer to go through a complicated procedure.

That is, the viewer checks the title and singer of the music listened to on the Internet through the Internet, searches for a company that sells the music, and then pays a fee to purchase the music by a complicated procedure of finally downloading the music. This provides a troublesome procedure and inconvenience to the viewers to purchase content such as music, and wastes a lot of time.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention, the procedure required to identify and purchase information related to the content, for example, music embedded in the broadcast program currently being watched The present invention provides a method and apparatus for receiving content by a TV portal service which can be shortened to improve user convenience.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for receiving content by a TV portal service, when a display of a content list for selecting content provided by a broadcast program is requested, data necessary for displaying the content list is required. Requesting the information providing device to transmit the information to the device; Receiving the data from the information providing device; Generating the content list by processing the received data by a graphical user interface (GUI); And displaying the generated list.

Preferably, in the requesting step, when the display of the content list is requested, it is determined whether the data required for the display of the content list is pre-stored, and when it is determined that the data is pre-stored, GUI processing of the pre-stored data is performed. The content list is generated, and if it is determined that the data has not been stored previously, the information providing device is requested to transmit the data.

Specifically, after the displaying step, at least one of the contents displayed in the content list is selected; Transmitting a purchase intention of the at least one selected content to a content providing server; Requesting transmission of user authentication information necessary for charging from the content providing server; And when the user authentication is completed by transmitting the user authentication information to the content providing server, receiving and storing the selected content from the content providing server.

More preferably, after the at least one content is selected, requesting the content providing server to transmit additional information including a fee for using the selected at least one content; Receiving the additional information from the content providing server; And generating and displaying the content list in which the received additional information is displayed.

The DRM (Digital Rights Management) service for copyright protection of the content is applied to the content provided from the content providing server.

The displayed content list includes at least one of a song name, a singer, a player and a genre of music inserted into the broadcast program, an artist and a work name of a background screen.

On the other hand, the content receiving apparatus by the TV portal service according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user input unit for requesting the display of the content list for selecting the content provided by the broadcast program; A communication unit for requesting an information providing device to transmit data necessary for displaying the content list when the display of the list is requested, and receiving the data from the information providing device; A list generation unit configured to generate the content list by processing the received data in a graphical user interface (GUI); And a controller configured to process the generated content list to be displayed on the display device.

And a digital media server for parsing and previously storing the data extracted from the transport stream of the broadcast program. When the display of the content list is requested, the controller uses the data previously stored in the digital media server. The list generating unit is controlled to generate the content list.

The controller may transmit a purchase intention for the at least one selected content to a content providing server when at least one of the music titles displayed in the content list is selected by the user input unit, and is required for charging from the content providing server. When the transmission of the user authentication information is requested, the communication unit controls the communication unit to transmit the stored user authentication information to the content providing server.

And storing the received content when the user authentication is completed and the selected content is received from the content providing server.

The communication unit, when the at least one content is selected, requests the content providing server to transmit additional information including a fee for using the selected at least one content, and receives the additional information from the content providing server. The controller controls the list generator to generate a content list in which the received additional information is displayed.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system to which an apparatus for receiving content by a TV portal service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention generally includes a content receiving apparatus 100, an information providing apparatus 200, and a content providing server 300.

The content receiving apparatus 100 is a device that provides a TV portal service, and may include, for example, a digital TV or a digital set top box. The TV portal is a service that requests and provides the information that viewers want through the TV. The main key is that the user can receive various digital contents, for example, background music, wallpaper, video, etc. when the viewer wants.

In the present invention, the content receiving apparatus 100 provides a content list as shown in FIG. 3 displaying a list of contents included in a broadcast program currently being watched, and the content providing server 300 displays the selected content through the content list. Guide your viewers to sell through.

The information providing device 200 is a device for transmitting a digital transport stream (TS) corresponding to a broadcast program to the content receiving apparatus 100, and an image source source such as a terrestrial broadcasting station or a cable broadcasting station corresponds to this. When data required for displaying a content list is requested from the content receiving apparatus 100, that is, data transmission such as a salesperson, a title, a creator, or the like of a content included in a broadcasting program currently being viewed, the information providing device 200 transmits a transport stream (TS). Including the data requested in the) and transmits to the content receiving apparatus 100. For example, when the content is music, the information providing device 200 transmits data such as a song name, a singer, a performer, and the like of the music.

When the content providing server 300 receives a purchase intention of at least one content from the content receiving apparatus 100, the content providing server 300 transmits the selected sound content to the content receiving apparatus 100 after undergoing a user authentication process. In this case, when the selected content is music content, the content providing server 300 applies a DRM (Digital Rights Management) service for copyright protection of the content and transmits the content.

Thus, the viewer simply checks, selects, and purchases the desired content through the content list displayed on the content receiving device 100, and the content providing server 300 simply downloads the content through a device such as the Internet, a LAN, or a cable. The content can be sold. Here, the content receiving device 100 may store the purchased content in the external storage 10 through an interface such as a universal serial bus.

Charging for the purchased content may be made by mutual agreement between the information providing device 200 and the content providing server 300 as an example. That is, when the user pays the subscription fee for listening to terrestrial broadcasting, if the cost of the purchased content is also provided to the information providing device 200, the information providing device 200 acquires the cost corresponding to the list data transmission service. Other fees are provided to the content providing server 300.

As a result, the user pays the information providing apparatus 200 with the fees associated with the broadcasting viewing fee and the list data transmission service, and can omit the cumbersome process of separately paying the contents with the content providing server 300.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention for purchasing music content with reference to the content receiving apparatus by the TV portal service according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail.

1 and 2, the content receiving apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a user input unit 110, a light receiving unit 115, a communication unit 120, a demultiplexer (DeMUX) 130, a decoder 140, The signal processor 150, the display unit 160, the ROM 170, the middleware unit 175, the storage unit 180, the controller 190, and a digital media server (DMS) 195 are provided.

First, a block related to the present invention is shown in the content receiving apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, and an illustration of a block determined to blur the gist of the present invention and a description thereof will be omitted.

The user input unit 110 is a user interface for requesting a function supported by the content receiving apparatus 100 and includes a plurality of buttons, numeric keys, direction keys, function keys, shortcut keys, and the like. The user input unit 110 may be implemented as a remote controller for outputting an infrared signal or provided directly to the main body of the content receiving apparatus 100.

In particular, the user input unit 110 requests display of a music selection list for music selection provided by a broadcasting program currently being viewed. The music selection list is an example of a content list. The user input unit 110 may have a separate function key (not shown) for requesting the display of the music selection list. When the selection list is displayed on the display unit 160, the user can easily grasp various information such as the title of the music provided by the broadcasting program being viewed. In addition, the user input unit 110 may select a music to be purchased from a selection list displayed on the display unit 160 or request additional information of music (for example, a fee required for downloading and a total capacity of music).

The light receiver 115 receives a signal emitted from the user input unit 110 such as a remote controller and outputs the signal to the controller 190.

The communication unit 120 has first to third communication units 121, 122, and 123 to communicate with an external device.

The first communication unit 121 performs bidirectional communication with the information providing device 200. That is, the first communication unit 121 receives the transport stream of the currently tuned channel from the information providing device 200 and outputs it to the DeMUX 130. In addition, the first communication unit 121 requests the information providing device 200 to transmit the list data necessary for displaying the music selection list under the control of the control unit 190, and includes the list data provided from the information providing device 200. It receives the transport stream to provide to the DeMUX (130).

The second communication unit 122 transmits the purchase intention of the music selected to the content providing server 300, authentication information necessary for user authentication processing, and the like, and receives the content of the music selected from the content providing server 300 to store the storage unit. Output to 180.

The third communication unit 123 is an interface for communicating with the external storage 10. The third communication unit 123 transmits music contents stored in the storage unit 180 to the external storage 10 to be stored in the external storage 10. The external storage 10 may be any device that has a storage function, such as an MP3 player supporting Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication, a personal video recorder (PVR) having a hard disk drive, or a digital video disk (DVD) recorder. In this case, the third communication unit 123 includes a USB terminal, an audio / video terminal for connecting with a PVR or a DVD recorder.

The DeMUX 130 separates the transport stream received through the first communication unit 121 into audio / video data for playing a broadcast program and outputs the audio stream to the decoder 140. In addition, when the transport stream including list data downloaded by the request of the controller 190 is input from the first communication unit 121, the DeMUX 130 outputs the input transport stream to the decoder 140.

The decoder 140 decodes audio / video data or list data input from the DeMUX 130 and outputs the decoded audio / video data to the signal processor 150.

The signal processor 150 outputs the decoded audio / video data as a displayable signal and an audible signal through signal processing such as scaling. The processed audio / video data is output to the display unit 160 having a speaker function.

The list generating unit 152 parses the list data received through the first communication unit 121 and processes the graphical user interface (GUI) to generate the music selection list 30 as shown in FIG. 3. For example, the list generating unit 152 generates a selection list as an OSD (On Screen Display Window).

The music selection list displays a check window (?) 31 for selecting the title (song name), field (genre), singer / composer, and intention of purchase of all the music inserted into the currently broadcast program. When the user selects the check window by operating the user input unit 110, √ is displayed on the check window to indicate that the user is willing to purchase music. Then, when the user operates the user input unit 110 to select the 'additional information' button 32, the content providing server 300 is requested to transmit the additional information of the checked music, and the 'purchase' button 33 ), The purchase of the checked music is requested to the content providing server 300, and if the 'cancel' button 34 is selected, the checked music purchase is canceled.

The display unit 160 outputs the signal-processed audio data input from the signal processor 150 to the outside so as to be audible, and displays the video data or the music selection list generated by the list generator 152. The display unit 160 may be any display device such as a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), or the like.

The ROM 170 stores various control programs necessary for implementing the functions of the content receiving apparatus 100 and user authentication information necessary for purchasing music contents. User authentication information is also stored in the content providing server 300. Accordingly, if the content providing server 300 stores user authentication information transmitted from the content receiving apparatus 100 and information corresponding to the ID of the content receiving apparatus 100 in the content providing server 300, the user authentication is successful. Judging from the

The middleware unit 175 stores and executes middleware necessary for the content receiving apparatus 100 to provide a TV portal function. For example, the middleware unit 175 generates the above-described command and information using XML (eXtensible Markup Language). Middleware for the TV portal connects the operating system with the application (software) that provides the TV portal service. Therefore, when the middleware is not installed, the content receiving apparatus 100 may not provide a service related to the TV portal. Such middleware is installed on a logical middleware platform.

In more detail, when the middleware unit 175 is requested to display the selection list from the user input unit 110, the middleware unit 175 generates a first command requesting the transmission of the list data necessary for generating the selection list. The generated first command is transmitted to the information providing device 200 through the first communication unit 121.

In addition, when the middleware unit 175 is requested to display additional information about at least one piece of music selected from the music selection list displayed on the display unit 160, the middleware unit 175 generates a second command for requesting transmission of the additional information of the selected music.

In addition, when the purchase intention of the at least one selected music is confirmed by the user input unit 110, the middleware unit 175 generates a third command for informing the purchase intention of the selected music, information necessary for user authentication, and the like. The generated second and third commands and user authentication information are transmitted to the content providing server 300 through the second communication unit 122.

The storage unit 180 stores music contents purchased from the content providing server 300 through the second communication unit 122, that is, downloaded from the content providing server 300. At this time, the controller 190 processes the stored music content to be stored in a file format having a file name.

The controller 190 controls the overall operation of the content receiving apparatus 100 by a signal applied from the user input unit 110 by a user's key input or selection and a control program stored in the ROM 170.

In particular, the controller 190 controls the middleware unit 175 to generate the first command when the display of the selection list is requested from the user input unit 110 while the current broadcast program is being broadcast through the display unit 160. The first command is transmitted to the information providing device 200 and the first communication unit 121 is controlled to receive the list data necessary for displaying the music list from the information providing device 200. The controller 190 controls the list generator 152 and the display 160 to generate and display a music selection list as shown in FIG. 3 by GUI processing the received list data.

In addition, the controller 190 controls the middleware unit 175 when the display of the additional information is requested from the user input unit 110 after at least one piece of music selected from the selection list displayed on the display unit 160 is selected to provide a second command word. The second command unit 122 controls the second communication unit 122 to transmit the generated second command word to the content providing server 300 and to receive additional information of the selected music from the content providing server 300. In addition, the controller 190 controls the list generator 152 and the display unit 160 to display the received additional information on the music selection list by GUI processing.

In addition, the controller 190 controls the middleware unit 175 to generate a third command when a purchase intention of at least one piece of music selected from the selection list displayed on the display unit 160 is input from the user input unit 110. The generated third command is transmitted to the content providing server 300, and the second communication unit 122 is controlled to transmit the user authentication information when a request for transmission of information required for user authentication is requested from the content providing server 300.

In addition, the controller 190 controls the second communication unit 122 to receive the music content when the user authentication is completed and the intention to start downloading the music content from the content providing server 300, and receives the received music The storage unit 180 is controlled to store content.

According to the present invention described above, when the content receiving apparatus 100 is initially turned on and tunes into one channel, the information providing apparatus 200 receives only the content stream of the broadcast program currently provided among the tuned channels. To). That is, the information provider 200 does not include the information related to the music included in the currently viewable broadcast program in the transport stream. When the request for transmission of list data necessary for displaying the music selection list related to music is requested from the content receiving apparatus 100, the information providing apparatus 200 transmits the list data to the content receiving apparatus 100.

Alternatively, the information providing device 200 may be designed to include list data once or periodically in the initial transport stream when transmitting the transport stream of the program currently being broadcast. That is, the information providing device 200 may include the list data in the transport stream and transmit the new broadcast program when it starts.

In this case, DeMUX 130 separates the list data from the transport stream and outputs it to DMS 195. The DMS 195 parses and stores the separated list data. Thereafter, when the display of the music selection list is requested from the user input unit 110, the controller 190 determines whether the list data is pre-stored in the DMS 195. As a result of the determination, if previously stored, the controller 190 controls the list generator 152 to generate a music selection list by GUI processing the list data stored in the DMS 195. On the other hand, if it is not already stored as a result of the determination, the controller 190 controls the middleware unit 175 to generate a first command requesting the transmission of the list data, and transmits the generated first command word to the information providing device 200. The first communication unit 121 is controlled to transmit.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a content receiving method by the TV portal service of FIGS. 1 and 2.

1 to 4, while a broadcast program of a channel tuned through the first communication unit 121 is being reproduced (S400), the music selection list related to music included in the broadcast program from the user input unit 110 is displayed. If the display is requested (S410), the controller 190 checks whether the list data necessary for displaying the music list on the DMS 195 is stored in advance (S420).

If it is determined in step S420 that the list data is not pre-stored in the DMS 195, the controller 190 controls the first communication unit 121 to request the information providing apparatus 200 to transmit the list data (S430). ). That is, the controller 190 controls the middleware unit 175 to generate a first command for requesting the transmission of the list data, and transmits the generated first command to the information providing device 200 by the first communication unit 121. ).

The information providing device 200 parses the received first command word, grasps content requested by the content receiving device 100, and transmits list data related to music included in the current broadcast program to the content receiving device 100. .

Therefore, when list data is received from the information providing device 200 (S440), the controller 190 generates the list selection unit 152 and the display unit 160 to generate and display a selection list using the received list data. Control (S450).

After the selection list is displayed on the display unit 160, when the intention to purchase at least one music is expressed from the user input unit 110, the controller 190 transmits a purchase intention to the content providing server 300 (S460). . That is, after the selection list as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 160, the user manipulates the user input unit 110 to open the check window 31 corresponding to at least one piece of music, for example, 'Kiss the rain'. After checking, if the 'buy' button 33 is selected, the controller 190 controls the middleware unit 175 to generate a third command. In addition, the controller 190 controls the second communication unit 122 to transmit the generated third command word to the content providing server 300.

Accordingly, the content providing server 300 receiving the third command requests the content receiving apparatus 100 to transmit information necessary for selling music content, that is, user authentication information necessary for charging. Therefore, when the second communication unit 122 receives data requesting transmission of user authentication information necessary for charging (S470), the controller 190 may determine the user authentication information and the content receiving apparatus 100 stored in the ROM 170. The second communication unit 122 is controlled to transmit the ID to the content providing server 300 (S480).

After the user authentication is completed in step S480, if the purchase cancellation of the music content is requested (S490), the purchase of the music content is canceled (S500). In operation S490, the cancellation of purchase of the music content occurs in a situation in which the user operates the user input unit 110 on the selection list to select the purchase cancel button 34 or the power of the content receiving apparatus 100 is forcibly terminated. .

On the other hand, if the purchase is not canceled after the user authentication is completed, the content providing server 300 provides the music content to the content receiving apparatus 100 (S510). That is, the content receiving device 100 downloads music content from the content providing server 300 and stores the music content in the storage unit 180.

Meanwhile, the content receiving apparatus 100 described with reference to FIG. 2 is an example of a digital TV including the display unit 160. The content receiving apparatus 100 is not limited thereto, and may be applied to all electronic devices capable of providing a TV portal function, such as a set top box.

In addition, the content receiving apparatus 100 described with reference to FIG. 2 has been described using music contents as an example, but is not limited thereto. For example, when the content information that can be provided in the broadcast program currently being viewed includes a background screen, the information providing device 200 also transmits information related to the background screen. Information related to this is also displayed. As a result, the user can easily purchase a preferred wallpaper.

As described above, according to the method and apparatus for receiving content by the TV portal service according to the present invention, a user can easily and simply use the TV portal service to provide content information inserted into a program currently being viewed in OSD format. Allows you to obtain information. In particular, the user can select and purchase desired content without cumbersome procedures by selecting a shortcut key provided separately in a user interface such as a remote controller.

In addition, when the content to be purchased is selected from the content information provided in the OSD format, it is possible to download the content directly from the content providing server through a simple user authentication process, without going through the Internet or a separate purchase path.

In addition, by providing a function of storing the downloaded content in the external storage, the user can utilize a variety of content once purchased.

In addition, the content receiving device downloads the content directly through the TV portal, thereby providing an effect of increasing sales by expanding distribution channels to the content providing server, for example, a record company, and the content receiving device OSD processing the music selection list. It can generate extra income by acting as an intermediary to provide services.

At this time, the content providing server may apply a copyright protection service by adding a DRM function to the content.

While the above has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, it is usually in the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims (12)

If a display of a content list for selecting content provided by a broadcast program is requested, requesting an information providing device to transmit data necessary for displaying the content list; Receiving the data from the information providing device; Generating the content list by processing the received data by a graphical user interface (GUI); And Displaying the generated list; Content receiving method by the TV portal service, characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 1, The requesting step, When the display of the content list is requested, it is determined whether the data required for the display of the content list is pre-stored, and when it is determined that the data is pre-stored, the pre-stored data is generated by GUI processing the pre-stored data to generate the content list. If not determined, the content receiving method by the TV portal service, characterized in that requesting the information providing device to transmit the data. The method according to claim 1 or 2, After the displaying step, Selecting at least one of the contents displayed in the contents list; Transmitting a purchase intention of the at least one selected content to a content providing server; Requesting transmission of user authentication information necessary for charging from the content providing server; And And transmitting the user authentication information to the content providing server and receiving and storing the selected content from the content providing server when the user authentication is completed. The method of claim 3, wherein After the at least one content is selected, Requesting the content providing server to transmit additional information including a fee for using the selected at least one content; Receiving the additional information from the content providing server; And And generating and displaying the content list in which the received additional information is displayed. The method of claim 3, wherein And a digital rights management (DRM) service for copyright protection of the contents to the contents provided from the contents providing server. The method of claim 1, The displayed content list includes at least one of a song name, a singer, a player and a genre of music inserted into the broadcast program, an artist and a work name of a background screen. A user input unit for requesting to display a content list for selecting content provided by a broadcast program; A communication unit for requesting an information providing device to transmit data necessary for displaying the content list when the display of the list is requested, and receiving the data from the information providing device; A list generation unit configured to generate the content list by processing the received data in a graphical user interface (GUI); And And a controller for processing the generated content list to be displayed on a display device. The method of claim 7, wherein And a digital media server configured to parse and store the data extracted from the transport stream of the broadcast program. When the display of the content list is requested, the control unit controls the list generating unit to generate the content list using the data previously stored in the digital media server. The method according to claim 7 or 8, The control unit, When at least one of the music names displayed in the content list is selected by the user input unit, the purchase intention for the at least one selected content is transmitted to a content providing server, and the user authentication information necessary for charging is charged from the content providing server. And requesting transmission, controlling the communication unit to transmit the stored user authentication information to the content providing server. The method of claim 9, And a storage unit for storing the received content when the user authentication is completed and the selected content is received from the content providing server. The method of claim 9, And a digital rights management (DRM) service for copyright protection of the contents, to the contents provided from the contents providing server. The method of claim 9, The control unit, When the at least one content is selected, requesting the content providing server to transmit additional information including a fee for using the selected at least one content, and controlling the communication unit to receive the additional information from the content providing server, And controlling the list generation unit to generate a content list in which the received additional information is displayed.

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