KR20090120898A - Method for setting user interface in internet protocol television service and set-top box for materializing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for setting user interface configuration in IPTV service and a set-top box for implementing the same are provided to change the user interface which user prefers by enabling the user to change the user interface and graphic user interface. CONSTITUTION: The method for setting user interface configuration in IPTV service and the set-top box for implementing the same include an input signal receiver, storage part, controller, and an output unit. The signal receiver(13) receives the input signal according to the predetermined key input. The storage part stores the user interface configuration information. In the controller(14), the user interface configuration selection signal is received from the input signal receiver, the screen for selecting the attribute of one or more elements comprising the user interface is outputted. In the roller, the attribute of the elements of the user interface is respectively selected. When the input signal for the user interface configuration is received from the input signal receiver, the user interface reflecting the element of each attribute is set. The output unit(15) outputs the data outputted from the controller.

Description

TECHNICAL FOR SETTING USER INTERFACE IN INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION SERVICE AND SET-TOP BOX FOR MATERIALIZING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a television service (hereinafter referred to as an Internet Protocol Television Service (IPTV) service) using an internet protocol network. In particular, a user interface (UI) in an IPTV service can be set to suit user preferences. The present invention relates to a user interface setting method and a set top box (STB) for implementing the same.

Recently, with the spread of broadband media and the increase in communication speed, the Internet has emerged as a new medium for enabling One source Multi Service. As an example of such one multis services, a number of airwave television and radio channels, as well as multimedia contents provided by an internet service provider are provided as a broadcast service through the Internet. Along with the rapid increase in the Internet use population, the demand for internet broadcasting that provides OneS multi-service is on the rise.

A representative service that emerged from this background is IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) based on Internet Protocol.

The biggest feature of IPTV is that it provides interactive TV broadcasting service through high speed internet.

The IPTV connects a content providing server and a display device connected to the Internet through a set-top box, and displays an information content service, a video content providing service, and a broadcasting content providing service through a display device. By providing it to the user.

In addition, in addition to the above-mentioned broadcasting service, IPTV has an increasingly diverse function due to integration of Internet service, data broadcasting service, and personal video recorder (PVR) service.

As such, service functions are gradually diversified. The user interface in the IPTV that displays these services can only be displayed by the user interface set at the time of production, and users feel monotonous.

Accordingly, there is a demand for a method of changing a user interface or a graphic user interface (GUI) in IPTV to a user TV environment or a user's preference.

Therefore, the present invention is characterized by providing a user interface setting method for changing and setting the user interface in the IPTV service to suit the user's TV environment or the user's preferences and a set-top box for implementing the same.

The present invention also provides a user interface setting method for changing and setting a graphic user interface in an IPTV service according to a user's preference and a set-top box for implementing the same.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a set-top box for setting a user interface in an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television Service) service includes: an input signal receiver for receiving an input signal according to a predetermined key input, and user interface setting information; And a storage unit configured to store a screen and a screen for selecting attributes of at least one component constituting the user interface when the user interface setting selection signal is received from the input signal receiver. A control unit configured to change and set the current user interface into a user interface reflecting the properties of each of the selected elements when an input signal for setting a user interface is received from the input signal receiving unit after each property is selected; Ta And an output unit for converting the output data into data that can be displayed on the UI screen and outputting the converted data.

According to an example of the present disclosure, the control unit may further include: a user interface reflecting the attributes of each of the selected elements when a preview selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit after the attributes of each of the elements of the user interface are selected; And outputting to a preview screen.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one component is characterized in that it comprises at least one of the user interface mode, layout, color.

According to an example of the present invention, the attributes of the user interface mode may include an image mode and a text mode.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the property of the layout may include at least one of a bottom horizontal mode, a left vertical mode, a right vertical mode, and a top horizontal mode.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the color attribute is characterized in that it includes at least one color.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller may further include displaying the user interface preview screen as a full screen and displaying a message about whether the application is applied to a partial region of the screen as a pop-up. .

According to an example of the present disclosure, the controller may further include displaying the user interface preview screen in a pop-up form on a portion of the current screen.

According to an example of the present invention, the control unit, when the properties of each of the elements of the user interface is selected, if the initial selection selection signal for restoring the user interface to the initial state from the input signal receiving unit is received, the selected Control to restore to the user interface that is currently set, without reflecting the properties of the components.

In addition, the present invention provides a method for setting a user interface in an Internet Protocol Television Service (IPTV) service, the process of checking whether there is a request for setting a user interface, and if there is a request for setting a user interface, at least one of configuring the user interface. Displaying a screen for selecting properties of each of the elements of the user interface; and selecting properties of each of the elements of the user interface, and changing the current user interface to a user interface reflecting the selected properties. And changing the current user interface to a user interface reflecting the selected attributes when the request is made.

According to an example of the present invention, the properties of each of the elements of the user interface are selected, and if there is a user interface preview request, the method further includes displaying a user interface reflecting the selected properties on the preview screen. It is done.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one component is characterized in that it comprises at least one of the user interface mode, layout, color.

According to an example of the present invention, the property of the user interface mode is characterized in that the image mode and text mode.

According to an example of the present invention, the property of the layout is characterized in that it comprises at least one of the lower horizontal mode, the left vertical mode, the right vertical mode and the upper horizontal mode.

According to an example of the present invention, the attribute of the color may include at least one color attribute.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the preview screen displaying process may include selecting a property of each of the elements of the user interface, and when the user interface preview request is made, the entire user interface preview screen reflecting the selected properties may be used. full) is displayed on the screen, and a message indicating whether the application is applied to a part of the screen is characterized in that the process of pop-up.

According to an example of the present invention, the preview screen display process, the properties of each of the elements of the user interface is selected, and if a user interface preview request, the current screen to the user interface preview screen reflecting the selected properties According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if there is an initial selection for restoring the user interface to its initial state, the current setting is not reflected, and the selected property is not reflected. The method may further include restoring to an original user interface.

According to the present invention described above, the user interface and the graphical user interface can be changed directly by the user, there is an advantage that can be changed to the user's preferred user interface settings.

In addition, in case of excessive traffic or failure of the graphical user interface during the IPTV service, there is an advantage that the information can be displayed in text without automatically displaying an error-producing graphic on the screen by automatically calling the user interface in a text mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same components in the figures represent the same numerals wherever possible. Specific details are set forth in the following description, which is provided to aid a more general understanding of the present invention. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a method for changing and setting a user interface in an IPTV service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a network configuration of an IPTV service to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the IPTV service according to the present invention may be largely implemented through the set-top box 10, the network 20, and the server unit 30 on the user side.

The server unit 30 includes a content providing server 32, an EPG providing server 34, an authentication management server 36, a monitoring server 38, and the like.

Here, although the server unit 30 is illustrated to be configured independently for each function for convenience of description, the above functions may be integrated and provided in one or more servers, and provide various functions other than the illustrated servers as necessary. Additional servers may be included.

The content providing server 32 of the server unit 30 includes a database storing various video-on-demand (VOD) contents, and provides the user side through the network 20 at the request of the user.

In some cases, the content providing server 32 may establish a plurality of content supply servers below and store and manage data of content in each content supply server. According to this case, the content providing server 32 collectively manages the list of content supply servers and the content stored therein.

The EPG provision server 34 generates electronic programming guide (EPG) information on VOD contents provided by the content provision server 32 and provides the EPG information to the user terminal (eg, the set-top box 10).

The authentication management server 36 stores and manages basic information (eg, personal information, ID, password, contact information, etc.) for each member who subscribed to the IPTV service in a database, and authenticates whether the user is already registered when using the service. In charge. To this end, the authentication management server 36 may request or grant an ID for each user when the user subscribes to the IPTV service.

The monitoring server 38 monitors the system operation of the server unit 30 and monitors whether the user is using the service, what the user is watching, what the user has requested, and the like.

The network 20 may be an IP-based network, but the present invention is not limited to using an IP-based network, and is not limited to a specific form as long as it is a wired or wireless communication network that enables the network.

The plurality of set-top boxes 10 are connected to the server unit 30 via the network 20, request the content selected by the user to the content providing server 32, and displays the content downloaded according to the request (display screen ( Output via 40). In addition, the set-top box 10 receives the EPG information from the EPG providing server 34 and outputs it through the display screen 40 to guide the menu screen to the user.

In addition, the set-top box 10 provides a screen for selecting properties of each component of the user interface when there is a menu selection for setting a user interface from the user according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the components of the user interface may include a UI mode, a UI layout, and a UI color. Therefore, the screen for setting the user interface may be provided with a screen on which a UI mode selection item is displayed, a screen on which a layout selection item is displayed, and a screen on which a color selection item is displayed. In this case, the screen on which the layout selection item is displayed may display both the UI mode selection item and the selected UI mode, and the screen on which the color selection item is displayed is a combination of the UI mode selection item and the layout selection item and the UI mode and layout selected from each item. Can also be displayed.

In addition, through the screen for setting the user interface, the user may select properties of each component constituting the desired user interface and change the current user interface to a user interface reflecting the selected properties. .

Detailed description thereof will be described later.

The display screen 40 connected to the set top box 10 may be a television receiver or a monitor, and may include a personal mobile terminal. In the case of a personal mobile terminal, all data is transmitted and received through the mobile communication network.

Then, with reference to Figure 2 with respect to the specific internal configuration of the set-top box 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a view showing in detail the configuration of the set-top box 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, the set-top box 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a network interface unit 11, data receiving unit 12, input signal receiving unit 13, control unit 14, output unit 15, Storage 16.

The network interface unit 11 is connected to the server unit 30 of FIG. 2 through an IPTV-based network to perform data communication.

The data receiver 12 encodes and processes data received through the network interface unit 11.

The input signal receiving unit 13 receives a signal input by the user through an input means such as a remote controller and provides it to the control unit 14.

The storage 16 stores relevant control content for providing IPTV services, and stores data (eg, content data, EPG information) provided via the network interface 11. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when selecting a property of each element for user interface setting by the user, the user interface reflecting the selected properties is stored.

The output unit 15 converts and outputs the content data output through the control unit 14 into an audio / video (AV) signal for display on the display screen 40. In particular, the output unit 15 according to the present invention converts the screen into a video (Vedio) signal to display the screen for setting the user interface on the display screen 40 and outputs it.

The controller 14 controls the overall operation of the set-top box 10, and when a menu selection signal for setting a user interface is received from the user through the input signal receiver 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the storage 16 is stored. Read the screen for setting the user interface from the) to provide to the output unit (15).

In this case, the screen for setting the user interface is a screen for displaying the UI mode setting item, the layout setting item, and the color setting item. When the user interface setting menu is selected on the screen where predetermined data is displayed, the three items are displayed on the current screen. Can be displayed at the same time. Alternatively, the UI mode setting item among the above items is first displayed on the current screen, the layout setting item is displayed when one property of the UI mode setting item is selected, and when one property of the layout setting items is selected, You can also display color setting items.

In addition, the controller 14 selects a selection signal for selecting an attribute for a predetermined component from the input signal receiving unit 13 while a screen for setting the attribute for each component of the user interface is displayed. The attributes are stored in storage 16. Then, when the controller 14 detects that all the settings of the attributes of each of the user interface elements have been completed, the controller 14 is a user interface which is an input for previewing the user interface set from the input signal receiver 13. Check that the selection signal is received.

If the user interface selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit 13, the controller 14 reflects the attributes of each of the selected elements to the user interface and displays the attributes on the screen through the output unit 15.

Thereafter, when the input signal to be set as the user interface displayed on the screen is received from the input signal receiving unit 13, the controller 14 changes and sets the previously stored user interface to the user interface reflecting the selected attributes.

In addition, the controller 14 restores the current user interface to its initial state and sets the current user interface when there is a selection to be set as the initial state user interface on the setting screen for each property of the user interface elements. At this time, the restoration to the initial state means to restore to the user interface that is currently set without reflecting the attributes of each of the elements selected so far in the user interface.

In addition, the controller 14 checks whether a user interface selection signal, which is an input for previewing the user interface set from the input signal receiver 13, is received.

If the user interface selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit 13, the controller 14 reflects the attributes of each of the selected elements to the user interface and displays the result on the screen through the output unit 15.

As described above, the present invention allows the user interface and the graphic user interface to be changed and set according to user preferences.

In addition, in the present invention, the UI mode may be divided into a text mode and an image mode according to the characteristics of the TV user interface, and the layout and color selection may be performed by the graphic user interface.

Next, an example of implementing the user interface according to the UI mode, the layout, and the color selection, which are components constituting the user interface, will be described below.

First, let's look at the UI mode.

There are two UI modes, image mode and text mode. First, let's look at image mode.

The image mode is a mode for displaying a user interface as a menu combining images and text. Such an image mode may enhance an image later to provide an image as information rather than a simple image.

When the image mode is set as such, a menu, a list, and a synopsis may be implemented to suit the image mode. An example of the screen according to the image mode setting will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

First, when the image mode is set, the menu uses an image suitable for the characteristics of the channels, and the image menu is used so that the visual effects and the characteristics of the channel can be highlighted, and intuition and aesthetics can be emphasized.

In addition, the representative image of the selected large menu other than the image of each channel may be displayed on the left side of the screen. In addition, the EPG update can be changed from time to time, and can be changed flexibly as the menu changes.

When using such a menu image, it is possible to provide three images of each menu, that is, normal, over, and down. Here, the normal image refers to the menu image without the remote control focus, and the over image refers to the menu image with the remote control focus. In addition, the down image refers to a menu image in which the down image has a remote control focus and is selected and moved to a sub menu of the corresponding menu.

Next, when the image mode is set, an icon, which is a brief information of the content, may be displayed in the list. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, free / free, ratings, and content real-time information (hit / new / sale / update) may be displayed. In this way, the list is expressed as an image, which is intuitively expressed, and it is easy to transmit information by distinguishing the image and the content name. In addition, by displaying a thumbnail image, the user can quickly recognize the content when selecting the content.

Lastly, when set to the image mode, the synopsis may display brief information of the content and the series in the case of the series, and may indicate the number of views and the popularity rate. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the brief information on the content (time of presentation / sound effect / free / selection of time) increases the intuition of information and facilitates the use of space. In addition, detailed information about the content may be provided in terms of the number of views and popularity.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the synopsis photo image may be provided by the gallery in the case of the web or the homepage of the content. With this in mind, in the image mode, by providing other images provided in the existing content, it is possible to add a still preview function to the content in addition to synopsis' unique purpose of information delivery. In addition, it is possible to provide an opportunity to obtain performers and other information through the actual image alone.

Next, the text mode is a mode for using only minimal image information as a menu display and displaying information mainly on a text, and providing a light and simple user interface on a screen.

In addition to the visual effects of the icon or image, the text mode delivers information suited to the user's target audience who prefers simplicity and information transfer. In addition, the text method allows the user to recognize the usage more easily.

In addition, the present invention may be utilized as a user interface temporarily provided when a failure occurs such as a situation in which excessive traffic or a graphic user interface cannot be obtained, as well as user selection. In other words, when the user interface is set to the image mode and cannot provide an image as described above, the user interface can be automatically converted into the text mode.

In the text mode, when the image is changed from the existing image to the main menu, the large menu channel name / sub menu is displayed. New / heat, etc.) may be displayed.

In addition, the synopsis of the text mode may display a title / plot / free, free / viewing rating / viewing viewer rating (star rating) / sound effect, and an icon representing a channel and a menu may be omitted as a whole menu.

For example, to determine a product after checking the product image on the screen for shopping, when the text is changed, the product image is used as it is, and the remaining brief information may be expressed in text. In addition, the entire menu deletes icons utilizing the characteristics of the current menu and channels and displays only text. And, the pop-up image at the top can be used in common.

When the UI mode of the user interface is set to the text mode, a menu, a list, and a synopsis may be implemented appropriately for the text mode expression. An example of the screen of the user interface according to the text mode setting will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

First, the main screen of the text mode may be displayed as the partial text except for the home notification image of the main image as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, the menu may be provided as an image of a large menu title provided at the large menu selection to supplement textual freeness or simplicity.

However, objects of the nature such as notification or real-time pop-ups are commonly used as shown in FIG. 8. In other words, in the case of announcements or notifications that are updated to the EPG, the information is transmitted in a conventional manner.

As such, the text mode can easily convey the content exposure of the notification or notification by using the representative image of the content rather than the text. In addition, by reflecting the image that is used in the existing image as it is, simple efficiency and visual effects in the text-based is also expressed, so we want to expect an interactive effect.

Next, the text mode list may be expressed in text only in all parts except the content poster image. In other words, by simply presenting a method of providing a star icon as text, the popularity of the content can be expressed intuitively. The user interface to which the list of the text modes is applied may be illustrated in FIG. 9.

In addition, the channel number / genre / channel name / viewing grade / amount and the like are announced at the top of the list. In addition, the rating display, which was previously classified as an icon, is expressed in text, but the ratings are expressed in the color of the text. In addition, the simplicity of the text is expressed in different colors so that it can be easily recognized. For example, a 12 year old city hall may be displayed in blue, a 15 year old city hall in green, and a 19 year old city hall in red. In addition, by expressing free / free in text, information is more clearly exposed, thus helping the user to easily select free or free. The image provides only the content thumbnail image, which is intended to compensate for the monotony of the UI expressed only in text.

Lastly, the synopsis of the text mode expresses the top information with the content name and the short information only with the text. For example, running time, free, free, and ratings can be displayed. In addition, the thumbnail image of the content is represented as an image as before. Also, the star point is written in text. In addition, in the case of shopping, the detailed text expression is used in the same manner as synopsis, but due to the nature of the shopping content, only the image of the product can be represented as an image. The screen reflecting the synopsis of the text mode may be illustrated in FIG. 10.

Meanwhile, the entire menu in the text mode may be displayed by deleting the content characteristic icon represented by the image as shown in FIG. 11.

Second, let's look at the layout.

The layout can be changed according to the user's TV environment and preferences. In the case of a web environment, typical properties of a layout may include vertical, horizontal, and top of web portals.

First, the basic (horizontal) mode may be illustrated as shown in FIG. 12, and the large menu moves left and right and the sub menu moves up and down.

Next, the vertical (vertical) mode may be illustrated as shown in FIG. 13, where the large menu moves up and down, and the sub menu moves to the right side when the large menu is selected. In addition, the submenu structure may display a list (grid) in a vertical direction as shown in FIG. 14, display a content thumbnail image, and display basic information at the bottom of the thumbnail. Even if you simply expose the content name, you do not have to expose a lot of information due to the thumbnail image and the brief information. In addition, only one content poster upload may deliver content information to the user. In addition, the synopsis does not change with the menu layout variation and may be provided as the previous synopsis.

Lastly, the horizontal (up / horizontal) mode may be illustrated as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and the focus of the large menu moves left and right, and when the menu is selected, the sub menu may be moved up and down under the representative image. In addition, the list may be configured in the same manner as the existing form and main information. In addition, the menu moves left and right, the two dips move up and down, and the left and right shifts in the list using the right direction in the two dips menu. However, it is not possible to enter the large menu immediately. In addition, the synopsis does not change with the menu layout variation and may be provided as the previous synopsis.

Third, let's look at color.

The color of the user interface can be changed to a user's preferred color instead of using only the basic color. The colors offered are based on three colors suitable for the TV environment. However, the color proposed in the present invention may be set as the color of the user interface by selecting a color desired by the user from various colors such as black, white, blue, green, orange, and purple.

In addition, when using the image mode, it distinguishes the menu and the images used a lot for the transfer of a lot of information. Also, the color change does not change as a whole, but changes around the edge of the large menu, and the color of the list (grid) and the synopsis background color can be used as the color of the edge and the casting color.

In the present invention, the initial setting may be an image mode or a text mode as the UI mode, but preferably the image mode may be set as a default. In addition, at the time of initial setting, one of all colors may be set as the UI color, but preferably, blue color may be set as a default. The screen to which the default user interface is applied may be illustrated in FIG. 3. In this case, the layout of the user interface in FIG. 3 is an example in which a lower horizontal mode is set as a default. At this time, the lower horizontal mode is a horizontal mode.

Then, the process of changing and setting the user interface according to the user selection in the IPTV service in the set-top box 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

First, it is assumed that the controller 14 of the set-top box 10 according to the present invention stores and stores broadcast data for display on the screen according to the text mode and the image mode selection in the storage 16.

In step 200, the controller 14 maintains the standby state. At this time, the standby state is a state waiting for occurrence of a predetermined event.

In step 202, the controller 14 checks whether there is a user interface setting menu selection from the user. That is, in step 202, when the user interface setting menu selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit 13, the controller 14 detects the selection of the user interface setting menu.

If the user interface setting menu selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit 13 in step 202 and detects that there is a user interface setting menu selection, the controller 14 proceeds to step 204, otherwise proceeds to step 200 to wait. Maintain state.

In step 202 to step 204, the controller 14 displays a screen for setting the property of the user interface mode. In this case, the displayed screen may be illustrated in FIG. 18A.

In step 206, when the UI mode of the image mode or the text mode is selected, the controller 14 proceeds to step 208 and displays a screen for setting the layout property. That is, when the UI mode selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit 13 and one of the image modes or the text mode is detected, the controller 14 displays a screen for setting the property of the layout.

In step 206 to step 208, the control unit 14 displays a screen for setting the properties of the layout. In this case, the displayed screen may be illustrated in FIG. 18B. At this time, the properties of the layout may be the bottom side, the top portrait, the left and right, the right and vertical, the bottom side is horizontal, the top and the horizontal mode, the left and right and vertical Can be a mode.

In operation 210, when the property of the predetermined layout is selected, the controller 14 proceeds to operation 212 and displays a screen for color setting. That is, the controller 14 senses that the layout property is selected when the selection signal for the property of the predetermined layout is received from the input signal receiver 13, and displays a screen for color setting. In this case, the color setting screen may be illustrated as shown in FIG. 18C.

If a predetermined color is selected in step 214, the controller 14 proceeds to step 216 to check whether there is a selection for preview. If there is a preview selection, the controller 14 proceeds to step 218 and the controller 14 reflects the attributes of each of the selected elements to the user interface and displays the attributes on the screen.

Thereafter, in step 218 or 220 in step 216, when the input signal for storing the user interface is received from the input signal receiving unit 13, the controller 14 proceeds to step 222 to reflect the selected attributes of the current user interface. Change to the interface and set it.

In FIG. 17, the screen for setting the properties of the components of the user interface is displayed on a different screen according to each setting item, and after setting each setting item, the display is sequentially displayed to set the properties of all components. An embodiment is described.

In another embodiment, properties of all the elements may be set at once on one user interface setting screen. Such an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19.

Referring to FIG. 19, in step 300, the controller 14 maintains a standby state. At this time, the standby state is a state waiting for occurrence of a predetermined event.

In step 302, the controller 14 checks whether there is a user interface setting menu selection from the user. That is, in step 302, when the user interface setting menu selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit 13, the controller 14 detects that the user interface setting menu is selected.

If the user interface setting menu selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit 13 in step 302, the controller 14 detects that there is a user interface setting menu selection, and the controller 14 proceeds to step 304, otherwise proceeds to step 300. Maintain the standby state.

In step 302 to 304, the control unit 14 displays a screen for setting the properties of the user interface mode. In this case, the displayed screen may be illustrated in FIG. 20. In addition, in the screen example illustrated in FIG. 20, the UI setting menu selection may be selected using the screen setting icon in step 302.

In operation 304, the user may select an attribute of each element while viewing a screen for setting an attribute of the user interface mode.

In operation 306, the controller 14 checks whether there is a selection for preview. If there is a selection for previewing, the controller 14 proceeds to step 308 and the controller 14 reflects the selected attributes to the user interface and displays them on the screen. At this time, if the components of the user interface are selected as the default (blue) color property, the UI mode is selected as the image mode, the layout attribute is selected as the vertical mode as shown in Figure 20, the preview at this time The screen may be as shown in FIG. 21 or 22.

First, referring to the example of the preview screen illustrated in FIG. 21, in response to the preview selection, an area for setting a user interface on the current window screen is displayed in a color to indicate that it is deactivated. In addition, the UI screen reflecting the selected attributes may be displayed in the form of a popup 2 on a part of the current screen.

At this time, if there is an input to apply from the user, the preview screen displayed as the pop-up 2 is displayed as a full screen, and the user interface is set to reflect the currently selected attributes. In addition, if there is an input not to be applied, it is displayed in color to indicate that an area for setting a user interface is activated on the window screen, and as shown in FIG. 20, the user is restored to set an attribute for user interface configuration again. Function can be performed.

In another embodiment, as shown in the preview screen illustrated in FIG. 22, the current screen is changed to a preview user interface screen in which the selected attributes are reflected and asked whether the application is applied, such as a method of changing a theme in the current window according to the preview selection. Can be displayed as a pop-up (3). That is, the preview screen may be displayed as a full screen.

At this time, if there is an input to apply from the user, the currently displayed preview user interface screen is displayed as it is. In addition, if there is an input not to be applied, it is displayed in color to indicate that the area for user interface setting is activated on the window screen, and the user can perform the function of restoring again to set the property for user interface configuration. have.

In other words, you can check all the function changes set by the user as a preview, and when the preview is selected, the preview is provided on the full screen, and the user can check the changes made by the user. .

Thereafter, in step 310 or 310, if the input signal for storing the user interface is received from the input signal receiving unit 13, the controller 14 proceeds to step 312 to select the currently set user interface up to now. Change to the user interface that reflects the properties.

In step 310 to step 314, the controller 14 checks whether there is an initial setting selection for restoring the user interface to its original state.

If there is a selection to restore the original state to the initial state, the controller 14 proceeds to step 316 and restores and sets the user interface to the initial state. At this time, the restoration to the initial state means to restore to the user interface that is currently set without reflecting the attributes of the components selected so far in the user interface.

As described above, in the present invention, if there is a preview selection for the user interface reflecting the properties of each of the elements constituting the user interface set by the user, the preview screen may be displayed in a pop-up form in some areas of the current window. It can be displayed on the full screen. After that, the user checks the preview screen provided as described above and checks the set properties and sets the user interface.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that.

Therefore, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of an IPTV service to which the present invention is applied;

2 is an internal configuration diagram of a set-top box according to the present invention,

3 is a screen example of a user interface configured as a default according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating screens of a user interface when an attribute of a user interface mode is set to an image mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 and 11 illustrate screen examples of a user interface when an attribute of a user interface mode is set to a text mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

12 illustrates an example of a screen of a user interface when a layout is set to a horizontal mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

13 and 14 illustrate screen examples of a user interface when a layout is set to a vertical mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

15 and 16 illustrate screen examples of a user interface when a layout is set to a landscape mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

17 is a flowchart illustrating a process for changing and setting a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention;

18 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen for setting components of a user interface and attributes according to each component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

19 is a flowchart illustrating a process for changing and setting a user interface according to another embodiment of the present invention;

20 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a user interface setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a preview screen in which properties of each of the selected elements are reflected when setting a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10, 10-1 to 10-m: set top box 20: network

30: server unit 32: content providing server

34: EPG provision server 36: authentication management server

38: monitoring server 40, 40-1 to 40-m: display screen

11: network interface unit 12: data receiving unit

13: input signal receiver 14: controller

15: Output 16: Storage

Claims (18)

In the set-top box for setting the user interface in the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television Service) service, An input signal receiver which receives an input signal according to a predetermined key input; A storage unit for storing user interface setting information; When a user interface setting selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit, a screen for selecting attributes of at least one component constituting the user interface is output, and after inputting attributes of the components of the user interface, the input is performed. A control unit configured to change and set the current user interface into a user interface reflecting properties of each of the selected elements when an input signal for setting a user interface is received from a signal receiver; And an output unit configured to convert data output under the control of the controller into data that can be displayed on a user interface screen and output the converted data. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, Outputting a user interface reflecting the properties of each of the selected elements to the preview screen when the preview selection signal is received from the input signal receiving unit after the properties of each of the elements of the user interface are selected. Set-top box characterized by. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one component Set top box, characterized in that it comprises at least one of the user interface mode, layout, color. The set top box of claim 3, wherein the attributes of the user interface mode include an image mode and a text mode. The set top box of claim 3, wherein the property of the layout comprises at least one of a bottom horizontal mode, a left vertical mode, a right vertical mode, and a top horizontal mode. 4. The set top box of claim 3, wherein the color attribute comprises at least one color. The method of claim 2, wherein the control unit, And displaying the user interface preview screen as a full screen and displaying a pop-up message indicating whether the user interface is applied to a partial region of the screen. The method of claim 2, wherein the control unit, And displaying the user interface preview screen in a pop-up form on a portion of the current screen. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, After the properties of each of the elements of the user interface are selected, if an initial selection selection signal for restoring the user interface to the initial state is received from the input signal receiving unit, the current settings are not reflected without reflecting the properties of the selected elements. Set top box, characterized in that further comprising the control to restore to the original user interface. In the method of setting the user interface in the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television Service) service, Checking for the need to set up the user interface, Displaying a screen for selecting a property of each of at least one component constituting the user interface when a user interface setting request is requested; The attributes of each of the elements of the user interface are selected, and if there is a request to change the current user interface to a user interface reflecting the selected attributes, the current user interface is changed to a user interface reflecting the selected attributes. User interface setting method comprising the step of setting. The method of claim 10, And selecting attributes of each of the elements of the user interface, and displaying a preview screen of the UI reflecting the selected attributes when a user interface preview request is made. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one component And at least one of a user interface mode, a layout, and color. The method of claim 12, wherein the property of the user interface mode comprises an image mode and a text mode. The user interface setting method of claim 12, wherein the property of the layout comprises at least one of a bottom landscape mode, a left portrait mode, a right portrait mode, and a top landscape mode. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the attribute of color comprises at least one color attribute. The method of claim 11, wherein the preview screen displaying process comprises: If the properties of each of the elements of the user interface are selected, and if there is a user interface preview request, the user interface preview screen reflecting the selected properties is displayed as a full screen and is applied to a partial area of the screen. Method for setting a user interface, characterized in that the process of displaying a pop-up message. The method of claim 11, wherein the preview screen displaying process comprises: When the properties of each of the elements of the user interface are selected, and when a user interface preview request is requested, the user interface preview screen reflecting the selected properties is displayed in a pop-up form in a partial area of the current screen. How to set up user interface. The method of claim 10, And restoring the user interface to the currently set user interface without reflecting the selected attributes, if there is an initial selection for restoring the user interface to the initial state.

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