KR20100026658A - Digital broadcasting receiver and method for updating broadcasting content - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digital broadcast receiver and a broadcast contents update method are provided to supply broadcast contents update information using an internet protocol. CONSTITUTION: A broadcast contents update method comprises the following steps: a step of receiving an update message including contents update information; a step of extracting the update information from the received update message; a step of displaying the update information.

Description

Digital broadcasting receiver and method for updating broadcasting content}

The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver and a broadcast content update method, and more particularly, to a digital broadcast receiver and a broadcast content update method using an internet protocol.

Conventional broadcast receivers are serviced in such a manner that content produced by a broadcaster is transmitted through a radio wave transmission medium such as terrestrial, cable, or satellite broadcasting, and a user views the receiver through a receiver capable of receiving the respective delivery media. .

However, as digital-based digital broadcasting technology has been developed and commercialized in existing analog broadcasting, real-time broadcasting, contents on demand, games, and news using Internet networks connected to homes in addition to existing radio waves or wired cable media. It is now possible to provide a variety of content services to the user.

An example of providing a content service using the Internet network is IPTV (Internet Protocol TV). The IPTV transmits various information services, video contents, and broadcasts through an internet network and provides them to the receiver of the user. The Internet network may be implemented on various types of networks such as an optical cable network, a coaxial cable network, a fiber to the home (FTTH), a telephone network, and a wireless network based on an Internet Protocol (IP).

In the case of the service using the Internet network as described above, unlike general terrestrial broadcasting, the interactivity may be added, and the user may watch a content service that he / she wants to see at a convenient time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast receiver and a broadcast content update method capable of providing broadcast content update information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast receiver and a broadcast content updating method capable of providing broadcast content update information in real time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast receiver and a broadcast content updating method for reducing a network load in receiving broadcast content update information.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast receiver and a broadcast content update method for providing broadcast content update information when necessary.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the broadcast content updating method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving an update message including update information about the content; Extracting update information from the received update message; And displaying the update information. The update message may include any one of content ID information, instance metadata ID information, content version information, update type information, and update address information.

Preferably, the update message may be transmitted in a unicast manner.

Preferably, the broadcast content updating method may further include requesting an update message for the stored content. In the requesting step, an update message may be requested for each content ID included in the download content list based on the download content list including content ID information and content version information of the stored content.

Preferably, the update message may be transmitted in one of a broadcast method and a multicast method. The broadcasting content updating method may further include determining whether a content ID included in the update message is included in a download content list. In the displaying, the content ID is included in the download content list. If so, the update information can be displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of updating broadcast content according to the present invention, the method comprising: updating content and creating an update message for the updated content; And transmitting the update message. The update message may include any one of content ID information, instance metadata ID information, content version information, update type information, and update address information.

Preferably, the broadcasting content updating method may further include searching for a digital broadcasting receiver that has downloaded the contents. In the transmitting, the updating message may be transmitted to the searched digital broadcasting receiver in a unicast manner. have. Further, in the searching, the search may be performed based on a download receiver list including content ID information of the downloaded content, content version information, and receiver ID information of the digital broadcasting receiver which downloaded the content.

Preferably, in the transmitting step, the created update message may be transmitted by any one of a broadcast method and a multicast method.

Preferably, the broadcast content updating method may further include receiving a request for the update message from a digital broadcast receiver. In the transmitting step, the update message may be transmitted to the digital broadcast receiver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital broadcast receiver, including: a network interface unit configured to receive an update message including update information about content from a service provider; A service control manager which extracts update information from the received update message, determines whether to perform an update based on the extracted update information, and updates the content; And a user interface manager for displaying the update information. The update message may include any one of content ID information, instance metadata ID information, content version information, update type information, and update address information.

Preferably, the update message may be transmitted in a unicast manner.

Preferably, the digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention may further include a service information database unit for storing a download list including content ID information and content version information of the downloaded content.

Preferably, the update message may be transmitted in a broadcast or multicast manner.

Preferably, the service control manager may compare the content ID information and the content version information included in the update message with the content eye information and the content version information included in the download list to determine whether the content needs to be updated. .

Preferably, the service control manager may request the service provider for the update message for each content ID included in the download list.

According to the digital broadcast receiver and the broadcast content update method according to the present invention, update information on broadcast content can be provided to a user.

In addition, update information on broadcast content may be provided in real time or when necessary.

In particular, by continuously supporting the update of content already downloaded from the Content Download Service (CDS), it is possible to provide users with the latest broadcast content services, provide high-quality broadcast contents services, and pay for the update services continuously. It is effective in providing a way to generate profits for broadcasters.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention that can specifically realize the above object will be described. At this time, the configuration and operation of the present invention shown in the drawings and described by it will be described as at least one embodiment, by which the technical spirit of the present invention and its core configuration and operation is not limited.

The terms used in the present invention have been selected as general terms widely used as possible in consideration of the functions in the present invention, but may vary according to the intention or custom of a person skilled in the art or the emergence of a new technology. In addition, in certain cases, there is also a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, in which case the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the general contents of the present invention rather than the names of the simple terms.

An Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) system, which is an example of a system that can provide various contents using the Internet network, can be largely divided into a server, a network, and a receiver.

The servers of the IPTV are servers that perform various functions such as service discovery and selection server, streaming server, contents guide information server, customer information server, and payment information server. It can be configured as.

Among the servers, the streaming server transmits video data encoded in the stored Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) 2, MPEG4, etc. to the user through a network. As a protocol for the transmission, a Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP), a RTP Control Protocol (RTP), or the like may be used.

In case of using Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), video stream playback can be controlled to some extent through a function called network trick play such as pause, replay, and stop. . The protocols are one example and other real time transmission protocols may be used depending on the implementation.

The content guide information server is a server that provides information on the various contents provided. The content guide information is information corresponding to electronic program guide (EPG) information and includes various information about content. The content guide information server stores content guide information data, and provides the stored data to the receiver.

The information server related to service discovery and selection among the servers provides the receiver with access information and playback information for servers providing various content services such as broadcasting, contents on demand (COD), and games.

The network system consists of an internet based network and gateways. The Internet-based network may use various types of networks such as an optical cable network, a coaxial cable network, a fiber to the home (FTTH), a telephone network, a wireless network, and the like based on IP. In addition to general data transfer, the gateway may perform multicast group management and quality of service (QoS) management using protocols such as Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP).

A receiver of an IPTV is a receiver capable of receiving data transmitted through an internet network and providing the same to a user. The receiver includes an IPTV settop, a homenet gateway, an IPTV embedded TV, and the like.

In the case of a hybrid IPTV system, various types of contents of the Internet as well as various types of existing broadcasting contents may be provided. That is, the user can provide various broadcasting contents such as terrestrial broadcasting, cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, personal broadcasting, various internet video contents, data contents other than video, and the like. The contents may be provided in real time or may be provided on demand.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In terms of providing a content service, the IPTV system may be divided into a content provider (CP), a service provider (SP), a network provider (NP), and a user.

The content provider produces and provides various contents. As shown in FIG. 1, the content provider includes a terrestrial broadcaster, a cable SO, or a MSO, a satellite broadcaster, and an internet broadcaster. (Internet broadcaster) and the like.

The service provider provides a service package of contents provided by the content provider. For example, the service provider of FIG. 1 packages a first terrestrial broadcast, a second terrestrial broadcast, a cable MSO, satellite broadcast, various Internet broadcasts, and provides the same to a user.

The service provider provides a service to the user side using a unicast or multicast scheme. 2A and 2B are diagrams schematically showing multicast and unicast schemes, respectively. The unicast method is a method of transmitting data 1: 1 between one sender and one receiver. For example, in the unicast scheme, when a receiver requests data from a server, the server transmits data to the receiver according to the request. Multicasting is a method of transmitting data to a plurality of recipients of a specific group. For example, the server can send data to multiple pre-registered receivers at once. The Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) protocol may be used for the multicast registration.

The network provider provides a network for providing the service to the user. The user may build a home network end user (HNED) to receive the service.

Conditional access, content protection, or the like may be used as a means for protecting the content transmitted from the IPTV system. As one example for the above-mentioned restriction reception or content protection, a method such as a cable card or a downloadable conditional access system (DCAS) may be used.

3 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure for broadcasting a Content Download Service (CDS) of IPTV.

Referring to FIG. 3, the service provider delivers data contents for CDS to an IPTV receiver using a transport protocol. The delivered data content for CDS is stored in the storage of IPTV. The stored data contents for CDS can be executed at the request of the user or the like. The transport protocol may be a File Delivery over Unidi-rectional Transport (FLUTE) mounted on ALC / LCT over IP / UDP, and may include DVB-STP, DVB data / object carousel, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), HTTP ( hypertext transfer protocol), and the above-described protocol may be used as another example.

When FLUTE is used as the transport protocol, the presence or absence of a CDS service may be known to an IPTV receiver through service discovery and selection (SD & S), and the details of the content may include metadata in a TV Anytime format. Can be found through:

Data contents for CDS may include various types of contents such as A / V contents, data contents, and game contents. However, data contents for the CDS may be updated for various reasons on the service. For example, updates to content downloaded to an IPTV receiver may occur due to the provision of high-resolution content for A / V content, reinforcement of data content, bug patches for game content, and updates of subcontent. . When an update occurs, it is necessary to provide a more improved service by notifying the user of the update in real time and the contents of the update to provide the latest contents to the user. However, in the case of content that has already been downloaded, there is a problem that it is difficult to inform whether the update and the update content in real time. To this end, the present invention provides an IPTV receiver and a method for providing real-time and updated information on content that has already been downloaded.

4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a scheme for providing update information on broadcast content to an IPTV receiver.

Referring to FIG. 4, the service provider may transmit an update message including update information to the IPTV receiver in a unicast manner. That is, the service provider may provide update information in a push mode. In order to provide such an update message to each IPTV receiver, the service provider may manage a download receiver list for checking whether the IPTV receiver is updated and the contents of the update.

For example, the download receiver list may include a content ID, a content version, and a receiver ID. If the content is updated, the service provider may search for an IPTV receiver that has downloaded the updated content from the download receiver list, and transmit an update message to the retrieved IPTV receiver. That is, the service provider searches for the receiver ID of the receiver that has downloaded the corresponding content from the download receiver list based on the content ID of the updated content, and transmits an update message to the IPTV receiver having the found receiver ID.

The service provider may use the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to send an update message to each IPTV receiver in a unicast manner. The service provider may transmit the update message to the address of the IPTV receiver mapped to the receiver ID retrieved from the download receiver list using HTTP. HTTP is an example of a protocol for transmitting an update message, and a service provider may transmit an update message through protocols supporting unicast, such as Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP).

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing a preferred embodiment of a broadcast content download method.

Referring to FIG. 5, the IPTV receiver downloads broadcast content (S500). When the download is completed, the service provider records the content ID, content version, and receiver ID of the downloaded broadcast content (S510). The service provider updates the download receiver list based on the recorded content ID, the content version, and the receiver ID (S520). If there is no content ID and receiver ID recorded in the existing download receiver list, the recorded content ID, content version and receiver ID may be stored in the download receiver list. If there is a content ID and a receiver ID recorded in the existing download receiver list, the existing content version may be updated with the recorded content version.

6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a scheme for providing update information on broadcast content to an IPTV receiver.

Referring to FIG. 6, the service provider may transmit an update message including update information to the IPTV receiver in a broadcast or multicast manner. When an update occurs in a specific broadcast content, the service provider may transmit an update message to all IPTV receivers in a broadcast manner or to an IPTV receiver belonging to a specific group in a multicast manner. Here, the service provider may use a protocol that supports broadcast or multicast, such as SAP (Service Advertising Protocol) or mcast, to transmit the update message in a broadcast or multicast manner.

The IPTV receiver may receive an update message transmitted by a service provider and manage a download content list to determine whether to update existing downloaded content based on the received update message. The downloaded content list may include a content ID and a content version. That is, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to update by determining whether the content ID of the updated broadcast content included in the received update message is included in the download content list. If the content ID of the updated broadcast content included in the received update message is included in the download content list, the IPTV receiver determines that the broadcast content having the corresponding content ID is required to be updated. If the content ID of the updated broadcast content included in the received update message is not included in the download content list, the IPTV receiver determines that the update of the broadcast content having the corresponding content ID is not necessary.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a scheme for providing update information on broadcast content to an IPTV receiver.

Referring to FIG. 7, the IPTV receiver may request a service provider for an update message including update information. That is, the IPTV receiver may receive update information in a polling mode. In this case, the service provider may include an update information server for providing broadcast content update information. Here, the IPTV receiver may request an update message from the service provider using HTTP, GET / POST, and SOAP.

The IPTV receiver may request an update message from the service provider's update information server at a specific time. For example, the IPTV receiver may request an update message to the update information server of the service provider periodically for the stored broadcast content or when the user uses the broadcast content. In addition, the IPTV receiver may request an update message to the update information server of the service provider when On / Off or when the user requests an update confirmation. When the update information server receives a request from the IPTV receiver, the update information server may transmit an update message including the update information to the IPTV receiver.

The IPTV receiver may manage a download content list to determine whether to update existing downloaded content based on a request for an update message transmitted from a service provider and an update message received. The download content list may include a content ID and a content version. The IPTV receiver may query the corresponding content ID included in the downloaded content list and request update information on the corresponding content from the service provider. In addition, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to update the content version of the updated broadcast content included in the received update message with the corresponding content version included in the download content list. If the version is different or higher, the IPTV receiver may determine that the corresponding content needs to be updated.

The IPTV receiver may query the corresponding content ID and the content version included in the download content list and request the service provider for update information on the corresponding content. In this case, the service provider may determine whether to update by comparing the content version included in the update message associated with the corresponding content ID with the content version transmitted by the IPTV receiver at the time of querying. If the version is different or higher, the service provider sends an update message of the corresponding content to the IPTV receiver. Accordingly, the IPTV receiver does not need to determine whether to update the corresponding content separately.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing another preferred embodiment of the broadcast content download method.

Referring to FIG. 8, the IPTV receiver downloads broadcast content (S800). When the download is completed, the IPTV receiver records the content ID and the content version of the downloaded broadcast content (S810). The IPTV receiver updates the downloaded content list based on the content ID and the content version of the recorded broadcast content (S820). If there is no content ID of the broadcast content recorded in the existing download content list, the recorded content ID and the content version may be stored in the download content list. If there is a content ID recorded in the existing download content list, the existing content version may be updated with the recorded content version.

When the IPTV receiver determines that an update to the stored content is required by processing the received update message, the IPTV receiver may display the update information to the user. In addition, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to download the updated content or when to perform the download, directly or at the request of the user. Here, the IPTV receiver may download updated content when it is on / off, when the user requests it, or when the user is not in use. In addition, the IPTV receiver may download the entire broadcast content, download only the partially updated part again, or download the patch and update the content locally according to the update type included in the update message.

9 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the update message according to the present invention, Figure 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the update message of Figure 9 in an XML schema.

9 and 10, an update message includes a 'CRID' element, an 'IMI' element, a 'version' element, an 'UpdateType' element, an 'UpdateDescription' element, an 'UpdateHistory' element, and a 'Locator' element. It may include. Herein, the elements included in the above-described update message are just one example, and may further include necessary elements, and may exclude elements that are not needed.

The 'CRID' element is a content ID and has a unique value for each content. The 'IMI' element is an instance metadata ID representing each of the actual individual instances in which content is created and transmitted, with a unique value within the value of the same 'CRID' element. The 'version' element is a version number indicating the update history of the instance for each content, and has a unique value within the value of the same 'CRID' element and the value of the 'IMI' element.

 The 'UpdateType' element indicates how the content is updated when it is updated. For this purpose, the 'UpdateType' element may have one of 'NewInstance', 'UpdateOnly' and 'MinorPatch'. Here, 'NewInstance' represents a case where an instance for a corresponding content ID is added. For example, the case of providing the HD version of the content following the SD version for the same content. 'UpdateOnly' represents a case of simple content modification and 'MinorPatch' represents a case where a patch for content such as a game is provided. In addition to the above-described 'NewInstance', 'UpdateOnly', and 'MinorPatch', the 'UpdateType' element may optionally or additionally have other values as necessary, such as a value indicating whether the update is forced or not forced. Also, 'NewInstance', 'UpdateOnly' and 'MinorPatch' may be used in other terms as an example.

The 'UpdateDescription' element tells what the update is about. An update may include several update items. In this case, the 'UpdateDescription' element may include a plurality of 'UpdateItem' elements, and each 'UpdateItem' element informs about the update item.

The 'UpdateHistory' element indicates the history of past updates prior to the current update. Each previously performed update consists of an 'OldUpdateDescription' element. Here, the 'OldUpdateDescription' element may be configured in such a manner that a version number is attached to the corresponding 'UpdateDecription' element.

The 'Locator' element indicates the location to receive updated content or patch data. For example, the 'Locator' element may be configured as an "Acquisition link" to a "General URL" or a Session Description Protocol (SDP). Here, the "General URL" and the "Acquisition link" are examples, and the 'Locator' element is not limited thereto and may be configured with a value indicating a location of another form.

Additionally, the update message may further include an element that informs fee information, such as whether the update is paid and, in the case of the payment, the payment fee.

11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a preferred embodiment of the IPTV receiver according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the IPTV receiver 1100 may include a separate tuner to receive terrestrial broadcast, cable broadcast, satellite broadcast, and the like. However, in the present invention, for the convenience of description, the description will be made mainly on the part of processing the content transmitted using the Internet network.

The IPTV receiver 1100 may include a network interface 1102, a TCP / IP manager 1104, a service delivery manager 1106, a demultiplexer 1108, a data decoder 1110, a decoder 1112, a display 1116, An application manager 1118, a service information database unit 1122, a service discovery manager 1124, a service control manager 1126, a metadata manager 1128, and a content database unit 1130 are included.

The network interface unit 1102 receives the packets received from the network and transmits the packets to the network. That is, the network interface unit 1102 receives the content and the update message from the service provider through the network.

The TCP / IP manager 1104 is involved in packet forwarding from the source to the destination for the packet received by the IPTV receiver 1100 and the packet transmitted by the IPTV receiver 1100. The TCP / IP manager 1104 classifies the received packet to correspond to an appropriate protocol, and classifies the received packet into the service delivery manager 1106, the service discovery manager 1124, the service control manager 1126, and the metadata manager 1128. Output the printed packet. For example, when the TCP / IP manager 1104 receives the update message, the TCP / IP manager 1104 may output the received update message to the service control manager 1126. In addition, the TCP / IP manager 1104 may deliver a message requesting an update message output by the service control manager 1126 to the service provider.

The service delivery manager 1106 is responsible for controlling the received service data. For example, when controlling real-time streaming data, RTP / RTCP (Real-Time Transport Protocol / RTP Control Protocol) may be used. When transmitting the real time streaming data using the RTP, the service delivery manager 1106 parses the received data packet according to the RTP and transmits it to the demultiplexer 1108 or under the control of the service manager 1120. Therefore, the content is stored in the content database unit 1130. Then, the RTCP is used to feed back the network reception information to a server that provides a service.

The demultiplexer 1108 demultiplexes the received packet into audio, video, program specific information (PSI) data, and the like, and transmits the demultiplexer 1108 to the decoder 1112 and the data decoder 1110, respectively.

The data decoder 1110 decodes service information such as program specific information (PSI). That is, the data decoder 1110 receives and decodes a demultiplexed PSI section, a Program and Service Information Protocol (PSIP) section, a Service Information (DVB-SI) section, and the like from the demultiplexer 1108.

In addition, the data decoder 1110 decodes the received sections to create a database of service information, and stores the database of the service information in the service information database unit 1122.

The decoder 1112 decodes the video data and the audio data received at the demultiplexer 1108. To this end, the decoder 1112 includes an audio decoder 1113 and a video decoder 1114. The audio data decoded by the audio decoder 1113 is provided to the user through a speaker (not shown), and the video data decoded by the video decoder 1114 is provided to the user through the display 1116.

The application manager 1118 manages the overall state of the IPTV receiver 1100, provides a user interface, and manages other managers. To this end, the application manager 1118 includes a user interface manager 1119 and a service manager 1120.

The user interface manager 1119 provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for a user using an OSD (On Screen Display), etc., and receives a key input from a user to perform a receiver operation according to the input. For example, upon receiving a key input related to channel selection from a user, the key input signal is transmitted to the service manager 1120. In addition, when the user receives a key input related to the update request for the specific content or a key input related to the request for the update information for the specific content, the key input signal is transmitted to the service manager 1120.

The service manager 1120 controls a manager associated with a service such as a service delivery manager 1106, a service discovery manager 1124, a service control manager 1126, and a metadata manager 1128 and an IG-OITF client. The service manager 1120 controls the service control manager 1126 to perform the update upon receiving the key input signal for the update request or the key input signal for the update information request for a specific content from the user interface manager 1119. Control the service provider to request an update message for a specific content.

In addition, the service manager 1120 creates a channel map and selects a channel using the channel map according to a key input received from the user interface manager 1119. The service manager 1120 receives service information of a channel from the data decoder 1110 and sets the audio / video PID (packet identifier) of the selected channel to the demultiplexer 1108.

The service discovery manager 1124 provides information necessary to select a service provider providing a service. Upon receiving a signal for channel selection from the service manager 1120, the service discovery manager 1124 uses the information to find a service.

The service control manager 1126 is responsible for selecting and controlling a service. For example, if a user selects a live broadcasting service like the conventional broadcasting method, IGMP or RTSP is used. If a user selects a service such as VOD (Video On Demand), RTSP is used to select and control the service. Perform The RTSP protocol may provide a trick mode for real time streaming. In addition, the service control manager 1126 may initialize and manage a session through the IMC gateway using an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) or a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The protocols are one embodiment, and other protocols may be used according to implementations.

In addition, the service control manager 1126 requests the service provider to update a specific content message under the control of the service manager 1120. The service control manager 1126 receives and manages an update message from the TCP / IP manager, and determines whether to update the content stored in the content database unit 1130 based on the received update message. When the service control manager 1125 determines that the update is necessary, the user interface manager 1119 notifies the user of the update need for the specific content through the OSD. The service control manager 1125 performs an update based on the received update message under the control of the service manager 1120.

In this case, the service control manager 1126 may use the download content list described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 to determine whether to update the content. The download content list may be stored in the service information database 1122, and the service control manager 1126 may update the download content list when downloading the content as described above with reference to FIG. 8.

The metadata manager 1128 manages metadata associated with a service and stores the metadata in the service information database unit 1122.

The service information database 1122 stores service information decoded by the data decoder 1110, metadata managed by the metadata manager 1128, and information necessary to select a service provider provided by the service discovery manager 1124. . In addition, the service information database unit 1122 may store setup data for the system.

The service information database unit 1122 and the content database unit 1130 may be implemented using nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) or flash memory, respectively, and are divided into two logically separated areas on the same storage area. Can be implemented.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the process of performing a broadcast content update method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the service provider updates content (S1200). The service provider writes an update message (S1210). The service provider searches for an IPTV receiver that has downloaded the updated content in the download receiver list (S1220). Here, the download receiver list may be generated and managed on the service provider, and may include the receiver ID of the IPTV receiver that downloaded the corresponding content along with the content ID and the content version of the downloaded content.

The list of receiver IDs of the IPTV receivers retrieved from the list of download receivers providing services of the service provider is detected (S1230). The service provider transmits an update message written to each of the IPTV receivers included in the detected receiver ID list (S1240). Here, the service provider transmits an update message to each IPTV receiver in a unicast manner.

The IPTV receiver receives the update message transmitted by the service provider (S1250). The IPTV receiver extracts the update information from the received update message and displays the update information on the screen to inform the user of the update information (S1260). Here, the IPTV receiver may display a message for selecting whether to perform an update to the user.

The IPTV receiver determines whether the update is executed (S1270). Here, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to perform the update based on the update information. That is, when the update is forced on the update message, it may be determined that the update is executed regardless of the user's intention. Alternatively, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to run according to a user's request.

If it is determined that the update is to be executed, the IPTV receiver downloads the updated content or patch data from the service provider based on the update information included in the update message and updates the corresponding content (S1280). When the update is completed, the service provider updates the download receiver list (S1290). Here, the service provider searches for the corresponding item in the download receiver list based on the content ID of the updated content and the receiver ID of the IPTV receiver that performed the update, and modifies the content version of the item to the content version of the updated content. Can be updated.

13 is a flowchart illustrating another preferred embodiment of a process of performing a broadcast content update method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the service provider updates content (S1300). The service provider writes an update message (S1310). The service provider transmits the created update message to the IPTV receiver (S1320). Here, the service provider may transmit the broadcast to all the IPTV receivers, and may transmit to the IPTV receivers belonging to a specific group by the multitasking method.

The IPTV receiver receives the update message transmitted by the service provider (S1330). The IPTV receiver searches for the content ID included in the update message in the download content list (S1340). The download content list may include a content ID and a content version of the content generated and managed on the IPTV receiver and downloaded from the service provider.

The IPTV receiver checks whether a content ID of content included in the update message exists (S1350). If present, the IPTV receiver extracts update information from the received update message and displays it on the screen to inform the user of the update information (S1360). Here, the IPTV receiver may display a message for selecting whether to perform an update to the user.

In operation S1370, the IPTV receiver determines whether to execute the update. Here, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to perform the update based on the update information. That is, when the update is forced on the update message, it may be determined that the update is executed regardless of the user's intention. Alternatively, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to run according to a user's request.

If it is determined that the update is executed, the IPTV receiver downloads updated content or patch data from the service provider based on the update information included in the update message and updates the corresponding content (S1380). When the update is completed, the IPTV receiver updates the download content list in operation S1390. Here, the IPTV receiver may update the download content list by searching for the corresponding item in the download content list based on the content ID of the updated content, and modifying the content version of the item with the content version of the updated content.

14 is a flowchart illustrating still another preferred embodiment of the process of performing a broadcast content update method according to the present invention.

Referring to Figure 14, the service provider updates the content (S1400). The service provider writes an update message (S1410). The IPTV receiver requests the service provider to send an update message (S1420). Here, the IPTV receiver may request an update message by querying for an update of specific content included in the download content list, and request an update message by querying an update for each of the content included in the download content list. The download content list may include a content ID and a content version of the content generated and managed on the IPTV receiver and downloaded from the service provider. The IPTV receiver may make an update message transmission request periodically or on / off, and also when using content or requesting a user.

The service provider checks whether the content receiving the update message transmission request is updated (S1430). Here, the service provider may receive the content ID and the content version from the IPTV with the request to send the update message, and compare the content version received from the IPTV with the content version included in the update message of the content to check whether the content has been updated. Can be.

If the content is updated, the service provider transmits the created update message to the IPTV receiver (S1440). The IPTV receiver receives the update message transmitted by the service provider (S1450). The IPTV receiver extracts the update information from the received update message and displays it on the screen to inform the user of the update information (S1460). Here, the IPTV receiver may display a message for selecting whether to perform an update to the user.

The IPTV receiver determines whether to execute the update (S1470). Here, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to perform the update based on the update information. That is, when the update is forced on the update message, it may be determined that the update is executed regardless of the user's intention. Alternatively, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to run according to a user's request.

If it is determined that the update is to be executed, the IPTV receiver downloads updated content or patch data from the service provider based on the update information included in the update message and updates the corresponding content (S1480). When the update is completed, the IPTV receiver updates the download content list (S1490). Here, the IPTV receiver may update the download content list by searching for the corresponding item in the download content list based on the content ID of the updated content, and modifying the content version of the item with the content version of the updated content.

15 is a flowchart illustrating still another preferred embodiment of the process of performing a broadcast content update method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, the service provider updates content (S1500). The service provider writes an update message (S1510). The IPTV receiver requests the service provider to send an update message (S1520). Here, the IPTV receiver may request an update message by querying for an update of specific content included in the download content list, and request an update message by querying an update for each of the content included in the download content list. The download content list may include a content ID and a content version of the content generated and managed on the IPTV receiver and downloaded from the service provider. The IPTV receiver may make an update message transmission request periodically or on / off, and also when using content or requesting a user.

The service provider transmits the created update message to the IPTV receiver (S1530). The IPTV receiver receives the update message transmitted by the service provider (S1540). The IPTV receiver checks whether the content receiving the update message transmission request is updated (S1550). Here, the IPTV receiver may check whether the content is updated by comparing the content version included in the received update message with the content version of the corresponding content included in the download content list.

When the content is updated, the IPTV receiver extracts the update information from the received update message and displays it on the screen to inform the user of the update information (S1560). Here, the IPTV receiver may display a message for selecting whether to perform an update to the user.

The IPTV receiver determines whether to execute the update (S1570). Here, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to perform the update based on the update information. That is, when the update is forced on the update message, it may be determined that the update is executed regardless of the user's intention. Alternatively, the IPTV receiver may determine whether to run according to a user's request.

If it is determined that the update is executed, the IPTV receiver downloads updated content or patch data from the service provider based on the update information included in the update message and updates the corresponding content (S1580). When the update is completed, the IPTV receiver updates the download content list in operation S1590. Here, the IPTV receiver may update the download content list by searching for the corresponding item in the download content list based on the content ID of the updated content, and modifying the content version of the item with the content version of the updated content.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as can be seen in the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2A and 2B schematically illustrate multicast and unicast schemes, respectively;

3 illustrates a hierarchical structure for broadcasting a Content Download Service (CDS) of IPTV;

4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a scheme for providing update information on broadcast content to an IPTV receiver;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing a preferred embodiment of a broadcast content download method;

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a scheme for providing update information on broadcast content to an IPTV receiver. FIG.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a scheme for providing update information on broadcast content to an IPTV receiver. FIG.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing another preferred embodiment of a broadcast content download method;

9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a preferred embodiment of an update message according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the update message of FIG. 9 in an XML schema; FIG.

11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a preferred embodiment of an IPTV receiver according to the present invention;

12 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of a process of performing a broadcast content update method according to the present invention;

13 is a flowchart illustrating another preferred embodiment of a process of performing a broadcast content update method according to the present invention;

14 is a flowchart illustrating still another preferred embodiment of the process of performing a broadcast content update method according to the present invention;

15 is a flowchart illustrating still another preferred embodiment of the process of performing a broadcast content update method according to the present invention.

Claims (20)

Receiving an update message including update information about the content; Extracting update information from the received update message; And And displaying the update information. The method of claim 1, The update message includes any one of content ID information, instance metadata ID information, content version information, update type information, and update address information. The method of claim 1, And wherein said update message is transmitted in a unicast manner. The method of claim 1, And requesting an update message for the stored content. The method of claim 4, wherein In the requesting step, And requesting an update message for each content ID included in the download content list based on the download content list including content ID information and content version information of the stored content. The method of claim 1, The update message is a broadcast content update method, characterized in that transmitted by any one of a broadcast method and a multicast method. The method of claim 6, Determining whether the content ID included in the update message is included in the download content list. In the displaying step, And displaying the update information when the content ID is included in the download content list. A network interface unit configured to receive an update message including update information about content from a service provider; A service control manager which extracts update information from the received update message, determines whether to perform an update based on the extracted update information, and updates the content; And And a user interface manager configured to display the update information. The method of claim 8, The update message includes any one of content ID information, instance metadata ID information, content version information, update type information, and update address information. The method of claim 8, And said update message is transmitted in a unicast manner. The method of claim 8, And a service information database unit for storing a download list including content ID information and content version information of downloaded content. The method of claim 11, And said update message is transmitted in a broadcast or multicast manner. The method of claim 12, The service control manager, And comparing the content ID information and the content version information included in the update message with the content eye information and the content version information included in the download list to determine whether the content needs to be updated. The method of claim 11, The service control manager, And requesting the service provider for the update message for each content ID included in the download list. Updating content and creating an update message for the updated content; And Transmitting the update message. The method of claim 15, The update message includes any one of content ID information, instance metadata ID information, content version information, update type information, and update address information. The method of claim 15, Searching for the digital broadcasting receiver which has downloaded the contents; In the transmitting step, And transmitting the update message to the searched digital broadcast receiver in a unicast manner. 18. The method of claim 17. In the step of searching, And searching based on a download receiver list including content ID information of the downloaded content, content version information, and receiver ID information of the digital broadcast receiver which has downloaded the content. The method of claim 15, In the transmitting step, And transmitting the created update message by any one of a broadcast method and a multicast method. The method of claim 15, Receiving a request for the update message from a digital broadcast receiver; In the transmission step, And transmitting the update message to the digital broadcast receiver.

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