KR20100051255A - System and method for providing preferred contents channel service classified by user in iptv service - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A preferred channel service providing system in an IPTV service and a method thereof are provided to proceed registration or deletion of preferred channels and programs by inputting a preset preferred channel button in a quick flick menu screen or EPG(Electronic Program Guide) screen with a short key. CONSTITUTION: If a preferred channel key is inputted through a input unit(170) with quick flick menu screen displays including a plurality of channel icons, a set top box compares a channel about a focused channel icon and a registered channel within a preferred channel list. If the focused channel is a not registered channel, the set top box registers the focused channel in the preferred channel list. If the focused channel is a registered channel, the set top box deletes the focused channel in the preferred channel list.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PREFERRED CONTENTS CHANNEL SERVICE CLASSIFIED BY USER IN IPTV SERVICE}

The present invention relates to an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) service system, and more particularly, to a system and a method for allowing a user to easily register and manage favorite channels and programs so that they can easily watch preferred channels and programs.

Nowadays, with the spread of broadband media and the increase in communication speed, the Internet is emerging as a new medium for enabling One source Multi Service. That is, a number of over-the-air television and radio channels, as well as multimedia contents provided by various Internet providers, are provided as broadcast services through the Internet. Demand is also on the rise.

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

An IPTV service is an interactive television service provided by using a high-speed internet network, and refers to a TV (television receiver) connected to an IPTV service providing server through an internet network through a set-top box. Accordingly, the information service, the video content, and the broadcast content of the IPTV service providing server are provided to the TV via the set top box.

IPTV is a type of Digital Convergence in that it is a convergence of Internet and TV. The IPTV service type includes a VOD service that provides VOD (Video On Demand) content and broadcast contents provided by a broadcasting center. There are real-time broadcasting services provided in real time and value added service (VAS) services, which are additional services such as games, karaoke, weather, fortune telling, and my folder.

These IPTV services can be provided by the user selects the desired channel and program directly, if the number of channels is small, there is no problem, but in recent years, as hundreds to thousands of channels are added, users frequently watch their channels You have to take the hassle of changing channels to and from it.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method that enables users to more easily watch channels without searching for channels and programs that their users prefer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is derived from this need, and a technical task of providing a user to easily select and watch a preferred IPTV channel and a program provided by a user who receives an IPTV service.

In the system for registering and managing the preferred channel according to the present invention for achieving the above technical problem, an input device having a preference channel key for registering and managing the preferred channel, and a quick flick including a plurality of channel icons When the favorite channel key is input as a short key through the input device while displaying a menu screen, the channel for the currently focused channel icon is checked as a registered channel in the preferred channel list. And a set-top box for deleting the focused channel from the preferred channel list if the channel is already registered in the preferred channel list, wherein the set-top box includes a preferred channel for the registered content icon on the quick flick menu screen. Displaying an indicator on part of the icon It characterized in that it comprises.

As an example of the present invention, the set-top box displays a favorite channel viewing screen while circulating the preferred channels in the favorite channel list according to a short key input of the preferred channel key when the preferred channel key is input as a short key among a predetermined viewing screen display. It features.

As an example of the present invention, the set-top box, when the preference channel key is input by a long key, the menu moves to the favorite menu, the favorite menu is a menu included in a large menu item, characterized in that the menu for managing the favorite channels .

In one example of the present invention, if the favorite channel key is input as a short key through the input device during EPG screen display, the set top box checks whether a channel for the currently selected content is a channel registered in the favorite channel list, and is not registered. If the channel is registered, the selected channel is registered in the preferred channel list, and an indicator indicating a preference channel is displayed on a part of the channel information display area for the registered preferred channel. Deleting a focused channel from the preferred channel list and displaying an indicator indicating that the channel is a preferred channel in the channel information display area of the preferred channel among the channel information display areas displayed on the EPG screen; Characterized in that it comprises a.

In addition, the present invention provides a method for registering and managing a favorite channel, if a favorite channel key is input during the display of a quick flick menu screen including a plurality of channel icons, whether the preferred channel key input is input by a long key or a short key; Checking whether the channel for the currently focused channel icon is a registered channel in the preferred channel list when the check key is inputted; and if the channel is not registered as a result of the checking, the selected channel is added to the preferred channel list. Registering an indicator indicating a favorite channel on a part of the icon so as to be distinguished from a general channel icon in the registered channel icon on the menu screen; and if the channel is already registered in the preferred channel list as a result of the checking, Delete a focused channel from the preferred channel list, and The deleted channel icon on the menu screen may include displaying the same as a normal channel icon.

As an example of the present invention, if the favorite channel key is input as a long key, the method further includes moving to a favorite menu, wherein the favorite menu is a menu included in a large menu item. .

As an example of the present invention, if the preferred channel key of the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) screen is input as a short key, checking whether the currently focused channel is a channel registered in the preferred channel list, and if the selected channel is not registered, the selected channel is selected. Registering a channel in a favorite channel list, and displaying an indicator indicating a favorite channel in a part of the registered channel information area on the menu screen; and if the channel is already registered in the favorite channel list as a result of the checking, And deleting a focused channel from the preferred channel list.

According to the present invention described above, inputting a preset favorite channel button in a quick flick menu screen or an EPG screen with a shortcut key enables registration or deletion of a favorite channel and programs. In addition, a screen without a quick flick menu screen, for example, when the favorite channel button is input as a shortcut key on a viewing screen, a screen movement between a registered favorite channel and a program can be performed.

As a result, users who receive IPTV services can more easily select and watch their favorite IPTV channels and programs.

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 provide a more thorough 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.

First, before entering the description of the present invention will be described with respect to the terms described in the present invention.

The preference channel is a channel preferred by the user and includes both a real time broadcasting channel and a VOD content (ie program) channel. Accordingly, the preferred channel registration and management in the present invention will be described as including not only the real time broadcasting channel but also the registration and management of the VOD content channel.

Hereinafter, a method for enabling a user to separately register and manage a preferred channel using a preferred channel key in an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Next, a network configuration of an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of an IPTV system for registering and managing a preferred channel in an IPTV service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the IPTV system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of set-top boxes 100 are provided on a user side, and the plurality of set-top boxes 100 provide an IPTV service providing server 300 through a network 200. ) Is connected.

The plurality of set-top boxes 100 are connected to display devices 400 such as TVs or monitors provided in homes or offices, respectively, and visually display various data information provided from the IPTV service providing server 300. The operation may be performed through a user manipulation means including a remote controller and a keypad.

The network 200 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 the wired / wireless communication network enables the network. For example, the IPTV service providing server 300 may communicate with a plurality of servers through a local area network (LAN) or a TCP / IP connection.

The IPTV service providing server 300 is a server that stores and manages various data information to provide various services to each user. The IPTV service providing server 300 provides a real time broadcast providing server 305, a content providing server 310, and an EPG (Electronic Program Guide). The server 320 may include an authentication management server 330, a charging management server 340, and a preference channel management server 350. In addition, a database (not shown) for classifying and storing various data may be separately included.

In this case, a database (not shown) may be composed of an integrated EPG file DB 362, a member information DB 364, a content pay information DB 366, and a favorite channel information DB 368. It may be provided. For example, the integrated EPG file DB 362 to the EPG provision server 320, the member information DB 364 to the authentication management server 330, the content pay information DB 366 to the billing management server 340, The preference channel information DB 368 may be included in the preference channel management server 350.

The real-time broadcasting providing server 305 receives real-time broadcasting contents from a broadcasting center as a web site or database for providing real-time broadcasting contents and provides the real-time broadcasting contents through the network 200 according to the request of the set-top box 100. .

The content providing server 310 refers to a web site or a database for providing video on demand (VOD) content. In addition, the data of the VOD content is stored inside the content providing server 310, and in some cases, a plurality of content supply servers may be built below the content providing server 310 to store VOD content in each content supply server. have. According to this configuration, the content providing server 310 may collectively manage the list of content supply servers and the content stored therein.

The EPG providing server 320 is for providing program information, that is, EPG information of real-time broadcasting content and VOD content provided by the real-time broadcasting providing server 305 and the content providing server 310, and the integrated EPG file DB 362. It can be stored and managed in an integrated way.

The authentication management server 330 stores and manages the member information of the user who subscribes to the service in the member information DB 364 and authenticates whether the user is a registered user for the user accessing the IPTV service providing server 300. To perform. In this case, the authentication method may be performed through an ID given to each set top box 100 or a member ID given to a user when subscribing to a service. The member information DB 364 is member information of a user who has subscribed to the service and includes a member name, a member ID, a password, and personal identification information (eg, age, address, telephone number, etc.).

The billing management server 340 is a server that calculates and manages the cost of using a paid service for VOD content. To this end, the content paid information DB 366 stores related information about each paid service including a purchase amount of paid content, a support service expiration period, and the like.

The preferred channel management server 350 receives a list of preferred channels organized according to each user's preference from the set-top box 100, stores them in the preferred channel information DB 368, manages them for each user, and provides them from the set-top box 100. On request, a preferred channel list can be provided.

In this case, the preference channel list stored in the preference channel information DB 368 may include a preference channel name and a preference channel number for each user, and may be illustrated in FIG. 3.

In addition, the preference channel management server 350 analyzes viewers' viewing habits (habit) by using the user's favorite channel list stored in the preference channel information DB 368 to classify target audiences and to match the IPTVs according to characteristics for each target audience. Can provide services. For example, when providing advertisement content as an additional service, advertisement content related to a preferred channel may be provided for each target audience, thereby providing a more enhanced IPTV service.

2 is an internal configuration diagram of a set-top box 100 applied to an IPTV system for registering and managing a preferred channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Set-top box 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is the IPTV service providing server 300, the real-time broadcast providing server 305, the content providing server 310 and EPG server 320, the authentication management through the network 200 The server 330, the billing management server 340, and the preferred channel management server 350 and the like, and when the user requests a predetermined channel registration or deletion by the user to update the information of the preferred channel requested in the preferred channel list .

In addition, the preferred channel list may be stored only in the set-top box 100, the preferred channel list is transmitted to the preferred channel management server 350 at the time of power-off or at a preset time, and is transmitted to the server at the time of power-on or at a preset time. It may be managed to be provided with the stored preferred channel list. If only the set-top box 100 stores the preferred channel list and registers and manages the preferred channel list, the preferred channel management server 350 and the preferred channel information DB do not need to be configured in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

In addition, when the user selects to watch a favorite channel, the set-top box 100 receives content of a favorite channel that was last viewed using the favorite channel list from the real-time broadcasting server 305 or the content providing server. Play it back. In the present invention, the selection for viewing a favorite channel may be selected using a favorite channel key. In addition, when the favorite channel key is input while displaying the favorite channel, the content of the favorite channel next to the favorite channel currently being viewed in the favorite channel list is transmitted from the real-time broadcasting server 305 or the content providing server 310. Provided and played. That is, when a favorite channel key is input as a short key on a screen without a quick flick menu screen, the channel in the preferred channel list can be viewed while being traversed.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the quick flick menu screen is a screen that is displayed when the trackball is rolled down while watching real-time TV. to be.

Here, the network between the set-top box 100 and the IPTV service providing server 300 may be used for communication using an IP (Internet Protocol) network, but is not limited to using the old IP-based network.

The set-top box 100 for this purpose is a control unit 160 including a network interface 110, an input / output unit 120, a content management application 130, a preference channel management application 140, as shown in FIG. Storage 150.

In addition, the input device (for example, a remote control) according to the present invention includes a preferred channel key. At this time, the preferred channel key is a hot key for registering and managing a predetermined favorite channel and a program. When the preferred channel key is entered as a long key, the favorite channel key is moved to the favorite menu and the preferred channel key is displayed on the quick flick menu screen. When inputting, the selected channel program is registered and deleted, and in a screen without a quick flick menu screen, when a favorite channel key is input as a short key, a function is provided that allows users to loop and watch channels in the favorite channel list.

Here, the favorite menu is a menu included in a large menu item for managing favorite channels. Such a favorite channel key is a key such as “♥” and may be separately provided to the remote controller or may be provided to one of the existing keys. The function can also be given and used. In the embodiment of the present invention, although the preferred channel key is exemplified as the “♥” key, which is a heart key, the key may have a different shape.

The network interface 110 is in charge of a network interface to facilitate communication between the set-top box 100 and the IPTV service providing server 300. That is, it provides a network environment suitable for remotely transmitting and receiving data between the set-top box 100 and the IPTV service providing server 300.

The input / output unit 120 is responsible for input / output of various data related to real-time broadcast content and VOD content. In particular, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform input / output of various data related to the preferred channel.

The controller 160 performs overall control of the set-top box 100, and in particular, the present invention includes a preferred channel management application 140 to control the preferred channel management application 140 when control for registration and management of the preferred channel is required. It operates to perform preference channel registration and management control.

First, the content management application 130 is an application for managing real-time broadcast content and VOD content, and processes information about the real-time broadcast content and VOD content and an interface for implementing the information, and may request an order from a user. In this case, it is responsible for processing such as receiving and transmitting the IPTV service providing server 300.

The preferred channel management application 140 is an application program that registers and deletes a corresponding favorite channel in the preferred channel list when a preferred channel key is input from the quick flag menu screen from the input device 170.

The preference channel management application 140 updates the requested preference channel information in the preference channel list stored in the storage 150 when a predetermined preference channel registration or deletion request is made.

In addition, the preferred channel management application 140 checks the content of the favorite channel that was last viewed in the preferred channel list when the preferred channel key is input as a short key on a screen without a quick flick menu screen. The content is provided from the provision server 305 or the content provision server 310 and played back. In addition, when displaying a favorite channel and when there is a selection for viewing a favorite channel, the real-time broadcast providing server 305 or the content providing server 310 transmits the content of the favorite channel next to the favorite channel currently being viewed in the favorite channel list. Play from the file.

The storage 150 is a memory space for storing EPG information provided from the EPG provision server 320 and a preference channel list generated through the preference channel management application 140. In particular, the storage 150 according to the present invention stores time information for checking whether a preferred channel key is input as a long key. For example, if there is a favorite channel key input for 3 seconds or more, information that can be recognized as being input by a long key is stored.

Hereinafter, a method for registering a channel and a program preferred by the user in the IPTV system configured as described above, and easily selecting and viewing a preferred channel and program will be described.

According to the present invention, three embodiments will be described according to which screen is selected when a user selects to register and manage a favorite channel and program.

The first embodiment is a method for registering a favorite channel in a quick flick menu screen, the second embodiment is a method for managing a preferred channel in a screen without a quick flick menu screen, and the third embodiment is a preference in an EPG screen. This is a method for registering a channel.

First embodiment

First, a process for registering and managing a preferred channel in the quick flick menu screen according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering a favorite channel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the set-top box 100 is powered on in step 400, the set-top box 100 is connected to an IPTV server. In operation 402, a user authentication process for receiving an IPTV service is performed.

When the user authentication is completed, the set-top box 100 displays the initial screen in step 404. That is, an initial screen set by a user is displayed, and an EPG screen may be set as an initial screen. When no initial screen is set, a channel screen viewed during power off is generally displayed.

Thereafter, in step 406, the set-top box 100 checks whether there is a quick flick menu screen display request, and if there is a quick flick menu screen display request, the set-top box 100 displays the quick flick menu screen. In this case, the displayed screen may be illustrated as shown in FIG. 7A, and the request for displaying the quick flick menu screen may be requested by rolling the trackball down.

Thereafter, the user inputs a key for selecting a favorite channel icon and focuses the preferred channel icon to be registered.

Then, in step 410, if the favorite channel key is input as a short key while the user prefers a predetermined favorite channel icon in step 410, the set-top box 100 determines whether the currently focused channel is already registered as the preferred channel. Check it. If the focused channel is not a channel that has already been registered as the favorite channel, the process proceeds to step 416 and registers the channel to the favorite channel list, and displays the favorite channel identifier on the registered channel icon as shown in FIG. In this case, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the preference channel identifier is indicated as “♥”. Accordingly, “♥” is displayed on the registered channel icon “one”.

If the focused channel is already registered as the favorite channel as a result of the test, the controller proceeds to step 414 to delete the focused channel from the preferred channel list and removes the display of the preferred channel identifier from the corresponding channel icon. That is, as shown in (b) of FIG. 7, when the channel “one” and the channel “THREE” are registered as the preferred channel, the user prefers to unregister the channel “THREE”. If is input as a shortcut key, as shown in (c), “♥” mark is removed from the channel icon “THRER” and it is also deleted from the favorite channel list.

On the other hand, in step 414 and step 416 proceeds to step 416, the set-top box 100 checks whether there is a focus movement selection, if the focus is moved to step 410 continues to modify the preferred channel registration process, and further focus shift If there is no, the preferred channel registration is completed. At this time, in the embodiment of the present invention, if it is detected that there is no focus movement, the registration of the preferred channel is completed, but registration can be completed through a cancel key or a key input for registration completion. Do not display, but display the currently selected channel screen only.

On the other hand, in step 420, after checking whether the favorite channel key is input by the long key, if the favorite channel key is input by the long key, the controller proceeds to step 422 and moves to the favorite menu. In this case, when the preference channel key is input as a long key, it is recognized that the preference channel key is input as a long key when the preference channel key is input for a predetermined time or more. For example, if the preset time is set to 3 seconds, if there is a preferred channel key input for more than 3 seconds through the input device 170, the set-top box 100 recognizes as a long key input. In the flick menu screen, the favorite channel icon is displayed on the favorite channel icon to distinguish it from other general channels, so that the user can identify and manage the channel registered as the favorite channel at a glance.

Second embodiment

Next, a process for moving the screen between the registered preferred channels using the preferred channel key will now be described with reference to FIG. 5.

First, if the preferred channel key is input as a short key from the input device 170 in step 502 of displaying the viewing screen for a predetermined channel in step 500, the set-top box 100 proceeds to step 504. Displays the channel screen for the Nth channel in the channel list.

In this case, the criterion for determining whether the preference channel key is input as the short key is determined to be the short key when the key input is completed within a preset time. For example, when the preset time is 3 seconds, when the user presses and releases the key within 3 seconds, it is determined as a short key input. In addition, the N-th channel may be the last favorite channel watched among the favorite channels, or may be the first favorite channel registered in the favorite channel list. That is, when the preference channel key is input as the short key, which preference channel is displayed will be shown from the corresponding preference channel according to the preset information.

Thereafter, when the favorite channel key is input as the shortcut key again in step 506 while watching the favorite channel, the set-top box 100 searches for the next favorite channel next to the favorite channel currently displayed on the screen in the favorite channel list in step 508. In step 504, the content of the found preferred channel is received from the IPTV service providing server 300 to display a viewing screen.

On the other hand, if there is no more input of the preferred channel key in step 506, the set-top box 100 ends the screen movement between the preferred channels.

That is, when a favorite channel key is input as a short key in a general viewing screen without a quick flick menu screen, channels in the favorite channel list can be traversed.

Third embodiment

The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 as a method for registering and managing a preferred channel among channels and programs displayed on an EPG screen, that is, a program list screen.

Referring to FIG. 6, it is assumed that an EPG screen is being displayed according to a selection for displaying an EPG screen in step 600. At this time, the EPG screen is a screen including program information, such as a schedule table screen.

In operation 602, the set-top box 100 focuses a predetermined channel information display area of each channel information display area displayed on the EPG screen according to a user's key manipulation.

In step 604, it is checked whether the preferred channel key is input as a short key or a long key.

In step 604, if the favorite channel key is input as the long key, the flow proceeds to step 605 to the favorite menu.

If the favorite channel key is input as the short key in step 604, the controller proceeds to step 606 to determine whether the currently focused channel is registered as the preferred channel.

If it is determined in step 606 that the focused channel is not the channel registered as the favorite channel, the controller proceeds to step 610 and registers the preferred channel list. After that, the flow proceeds to step 612 to display the favorite channel indicator on a part of the channel information area for the registered channel on the EPG screen currently displayed on the screen. do.

However, if it is determined in step 606 that the channel for the focused channel information area is registered as the favorite channel, the process proceeds to step 608 to delete the channel for the focused channel information area from the preferred channel list. Thereafter, in step 612, the preference channel indicator displayed on the deleted favorite channel is removed from the EPG screen. In step 604, the preferred channel registration process is continued.

As described above, the present invention allows a user to register and delete a favorite channel and a program in a favorite channel list by inputting a favorite channel key as a short key in a Quick Flick menu screen. At this time, the favorite channel icon or the favorite channel information display area is displayed together with the preferred channel identifier so that the user can distinguish the preferred channel registered with other general channels at a glance.

In addition, by inputting a favorite channel key as a short key on a general viewing screen without a quick flick menu screen, it is possible to move the screen between the favorite channels and programs registered in the favorite channel list.

In addition, in any situation, if the user inputs the favorite channel key as a long key, the user may move to the favorite menu where only the preferred channels are managed.

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, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are provided so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

1 is a block diagram of an IPTV service system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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

3 is a diagram illustrating a preferred channel list according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering a favorite channel in a quick flick screen according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for registering and managing a preferred channel on a predetermined viewing screen;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of selecting and registering a channel to be a favorite channel among channels and programs displayed on an EPG screen and registering and managing the channel as a favorite channel;

7 is a diagram illustrating a preferred channel registration process using a preferred channel key according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

100: multiple set-top boxes 200: network

300: IPTV service providing server 305: real time broadcasting providing server

310: content providing server 320: EPG providing server 330: authentication management server 340: billing management server 350: preferred channel management server 362: integrated EPG file DB

 364: member information DB 366: content paid information DB

368: preferred channel information DB 110: network interface

120: input and output unit 130: VOD management application 140: preferred channel management application

150: storage 160: control unit

170: input device

Claims (7)

In the system for registering and managing the preferred channel, An input device having a preference channel key for registering and managing a preference channel; If the favorite channel key is input as a short key through the input device while displaying a quick flick menu screen including a plurality of channel icons, confirm that the channel for the currently focused channel icon is a channel registered in the favorite channel list and then unregistered channel. And a set top box for registering the focused channel in the preferred channel list, and if the channel is already registered in the preferred channel list, deleting the focused channel from the preferred channel list. The set-top box is a system for providing a preferred channel service, characterized in that to display a part of the icon indicator (indicator) indicating that the favorite channel on the registered content icon on the quick flick menu screen. The method of claim 1, wherein the set top box, And displaying a favorite channel viewing screen while circulating the preferred channels in the preferred channel list according to a short key input of the preferred channel key when the preferred channel key is input as the short key during the display of a predetermined viewing screen. The method of claim 1, wherein the set top box, When the favorite channel key is entered as a long key, it goes to the favorite menu. The favorite menu is a menu included in a large menu item, and the preferred channel service providing system, characterized in that a menu for managing preference channels. The method of claim 1, wherein the set top box, When the favorite channel key is input as a short key through the input device while displaying an EPG screen, it is checked whether the channel for the currently selected content is a channel registered in the favorite channel list. If the channel is not registered, the selected channel is registered in the favorite channel list. After the display, an indicator indicating a preference channel is displayed on a part of the channel information display area of the registered preference channel, and if the channel is already registered in the preference channel list, the focused channel is deleted from the preference channel list. And displaying an indicator indicating a favorite channel in the channel information display area of the preferred channel among the channel information display areas displayed on the EPG screen. system. In the method for registering and managing the preferred channel, Checking whether the favorite channel key input is input by a long key or a short key when a favorite channel key is input while displaying a quick flick menu screen including a plurality of channel icons; Checking whether the channel for the currently focused channel icon is a channel registered in the preferred channel list when the check key is input; If the channel is not registered as a result of the checking, the selected channel is registered in the preferred channel list, and the registered channel icon on the menu screen displays an indicator indicating a favorite channel on a part of the icon so as to be distinguished from the general channel icon. Process, And if the channel is already registered in the preferred channel list as a result of the checking, deleting the focused channel from the preferred channel list, and displaying the deleted channel icon on the menu screen as a normal channel icon. How to provide preferred channel service. The method of claim 5, If the favorite channel key is entered as a long key, the method further includes moving to the favorite menu. The favorite menu is a menu included in a large menu item, the method for providing a preferred channel service, characterized in that for managing preference channels. The method of claim 5, If the favorite channel key is entered as a short key in the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) screen, the process of checking whether the currently focused channel is a channel registered in the favorite channel list, Registering the selected channel to the preferred channel list if the channel is not registered as a result of the checking, and displaying an indicator indicating a favorite channel in a portion of the registered channel information area on the menu screen; And if the channel is already registered in the preferred channel list as a result of the checking, deleting the focused channel from the preferred channel list.

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