KR20120047364A - System and method of virtual channel for viewing of broadcasting programs and vod contents - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A virtual channel service providing system and a method thereof are provided to supply a broadcasting program or VOD content to a user through a predetermined virtual channel. CONSTITUTION: A virtual channel information management unit(240) generates virtual channel information which is received from a user terminal. A broadcasting channel information managing unit(230) generates broadcasting channel information. The broadcasting channel information includes identification information of a broadcasting program and a channel number for user input. A content providing unit(260) provides the broadcasting program or VOD(Video On Demand) content to the user terminal.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VIRTUAL CHANNEL FOR VIEWING OF BROADCASTING PROGRAMS AND VOD CONTENTS}

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a virtual channel service, and more particularly, to a system and method for providing content such as one or more broadcast programs or video on demand (VOD) through a virtual channel. will be.

Recently, with the spread of the Internet and the development of digital broadcasting technology, the use of IPTV services that provide contents such as broadcast programs or video on demand (VOD) through the high-speed Internet network is increasing.

IPTV service is a service that provides information services, video contents, and broadcast programs to IPTV broadcast receiving terminals, for example, PCs, set-top boxes, etc. using high-speed Internet. Of course, you can receive various contents and additional services provided through the Internet, such as watching movies, home shopping, home banking, online games, and MP3s.

In particular, the user may be provided with a real-time broadcasting service provided by a broadcasting company and a VOD service for providing a desired content at a desired time through an IPTV service.

Currently provided IPTV service provides a broadcast service through a number of broadcast channels, but due to the characteristics of IPTV, the channel zapping time, that is, after inputting the channel number using a remote controller, the actual channel is switched and the broadcast is output. There is a problem that the time required is large.

In addition to the IPTV broadcasting service, in order to find a user's favorite program through various broadcasting services currently provided, a plurality of channels should be changed by using a control device such as a remote controller.

Therefore, as the number of channels increases, a user needs to remember a number of various channels or change channels one by one to search for a desired program in order to find a desired program.

In addition, in the conventional IPTV service, the user selects the VOD content in order to receive the VOD content, and it takes several seconds until the VOD content is transmitted to the user terminal and output from the IPTV broadcasting system.

In particular, in the case of streaming VOD content, the content is output after storing the content in a user terminal such as a settop box (STB) for 2-3 seconds in order to prevent the content dropping. There was a problem that the delay time is 5-7 seconds or more.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for providing broadcast programs aired on a plurality of broadcast channels in real time through one virtual channel, and automatically providing preset VOD content through a virtual channel at a specific time when needed. To provide.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, a first aspect of the present invention is a virtual channel information management unit for generating virtual channel information for the user terminal based on one or more virtual channel setting information received from the user terminal, broadcast A broadcast channel information management unit for generating broadcast channel information including identification information of a program and a channel number for user input matching the identification information of the broadcast program, and a broadcast program or video on demand (VOD) content to the user terminal. And a content providing unit for providing the information, wherein the virtual channel setting information includes virtual channel number information, time information, and identification information of a broadcast program or VOD content, and the user terminal is based on the virtual channel information and the broadcast channel information. Hourly through the virtual channel May provide that the virtual channel service providing system for outputting a pre-set program or VOD content provided from the content provider group.

In addition, a second aspect of the present invention provides a virtual channel configuration information management unit for generating virtual channel configuration information including virtual channel number information, time information, and identification information of a broadcast program or VOD content, and broadcast channel information received from a content providing system. And a virtual channel mapping unit for mapping a virtual channel with a preset broadcast program or video on demand (VOD) content based on the virtual channel information, and a broadcast program or VOD content mapped to the virtual channel through the virtual channel. And outputting a virtual channel content output unit, wherein the virtual channel information is generated based on one or more virtual channel setting information generated by the virtual channel information management unit. .

In addition, a third aspect of the present invention provides a method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving one or more virtual channel setting information including virtual channel number information, time information, and identification information of a broadcast program or VOD content from a user terminal; Generating virtual channel information matched to the user terminal based on channel setting information; and (c) transmitting the generated virtual channel information to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal includes the virtual channel information and The content providing system outputs a preset broadcast program or VOD content provided from the content providing system for each time zone through a virtual channel set in the virtual channel information based on the broadcast channel information received from the content providing system. It can provide a method for providing.

In addition, the fourth aspect of the present invention is (a) receiving a channel selection signal including channel number information, (b) when the channel number included in the channel selection signal is a virtual channel number, received from the content providing system Acquiring time information of receiving the channel selection signal and type information matching the virtual channel number based on the virtual channel information; and (c) if the matched type information is channel information, from the content providing system. Outputting a broadcast program matching the channel information among the received broadcast programs; and (d) if the matched type information is identification information of video on demand (VOD) content, a VOD matching the identification information. And outputting content, wherein the virtual channel information is transmitted through virtual channel number information, time information, and the virtual channel. Which comprises the content information provided in the user terminal may provide a method of providing a virtual channel service.

According to the above-described problem solving means of the present invention, the broadcast program or VOD content provided through one or more channels can be provided to the user at a predetermined time through a virtual channel set by the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for providing a virtual channel service according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an IPTV broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a flow of a method for creating a virtual channel and providing a service through the virtual channel in the method for providing a virtual channel service according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a broadcast program and video on demand (VOD) content through a virtual channel by a user terminal in a method for providing a virtual channel service according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a view showing data generated in an IPTV broadcasting system and provided to a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 illustrates virtual channel information generated by an IPTV broadcasting system and provided to a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8 illustrates broadcast channel information for a user terminal generated based on broadcast channel information and virtual channel information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another element in between. . In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, which means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

In an embodiment of the present invention described below, the virtual channel refers to a channel providing a broadcast program or a video on demand (VOD) provided through a specific channel according to a time set by a user, and a broadcast program. Means content provided by the service provider in real time regardless of the user's request.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for providing a virtual channel service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The broadcaster 100 generates broadcast content and provides the generated broadcast content to the IPTV broadcast system 200. The broadcaster 100 may include a program provider (PP), a terrestrial or cable broadcast program provider, and a content provider (CP). The broadcast content provided by the broadcaster 100 may include various content on the Internet as well as conventional broadcast content.

The IPTV broadcasting system 200 receives the virtual channel setting information from the user terminal 300 and based on the received virtual channel setting information, the virtual channel information for each of the one or more user terminals or the virtual channel for each user of the user terminal. Generate information.

The IPTV broadcasting system 200 provides the generated virtual channel information to the user terminal 300 in a multicasting manner using an Entitlement Management Message (EMM) or a unicasting scheme.

The EMM includes virtual channel information that is information of a broadcast program or VOD content mapped to a virtual channel according to a time set by a user among broadcast programs or VOD content provided by the IPTV broadcasting system 200, and such EMM May be generated based on the virtual channel setting information set by the user.

The IPTV broadcasting system 200 receives broadcast content from the broadcaster 100 and transmits the received broadcast content to the user terminal 300 to provide an IPTV service. The broadcast content is not only broadcast programs and VOD content but also on the Internet. It can include a variety of content. In addition, the broadcast content may include additional information about the content and an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) for the additional information.

The IPTV broadcasting system 200 multi-casts EPG information including broadcast video and audio signals as well as program recommendation service menus through a subscriber aggregation device, a subscriber switch, and the like through a router supporting a multicast routing protocol. It may be transmitted to the user terminal 300 of.

The network to which the IPTV broadcasting system 200 and the plurality of user terminals 300 are connected includes a backbone network and an access network, and the access network includes Ethernet, xDSL (ADSL, VDSL), and HFC. (Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Cable), Fiber To The Curb (FTTC), Fiber To The Home (FTTH), and the like.

The user terminal 300 transmits the virtual channel setting information generated based on the user's input to the IPTV broadcasting system 200, and receives and stores the virtual channel information from the IPTV broadcasting system 200. The virtual channel information received from the IPTV broadcasting system 200 may be generated based on one or more virtual channel setting information transmitted by the user terminal 300 to the IPTV broadcasting system 200.

In particular, in the case of overlapping information among information included in one or more pieces of virtual channel setting information, virtual channel information may be generated based on information included in the latest virtual channel setting information.

The user terminal 300 is capable of accessing the Internet, such as a settop box (STB), a TV with a settop box, a digital TV, and can play VOD content, such as a TV, a desktop, a laptop, a smartphone. Devices, such as PDAs, real-time broadcasting services, and VOD contents.

The user terminal 300 receives the virtual channel information generated based on the virtual channel setting information generated by the user terminal 300 from the IPTV broadcasting system 200 through the EMM in a multicasting method or directly in a unicast method. Receive.

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the terminal generating the virtual channel configuration information and the terminal receiving the broadcast program or the VOD content have been described as the same, but are not limited thereto. The terminal and the broadcast program generating the virtual channel configuration information are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the terminal receiving the VOD content may be different.

For example, the user may generate virtual channel setting information using a notebook and transmit the information to the IPTV broadcasting system, and output and view a broadcast program corresponding to the virtual channel using the set-top box (STB).

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an IPTV broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

IPTV broadcasting system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is the broadcast content receiving unit 210, encoder 220, broadcast channel information management unit 230, virtual channel information management unit 240, EMM (Entitlement Management Message) generation Unit 250, video on demand provider 260, multiplexer 270, data transceiver 280, virtual channel information database 291 and video on demand (VOD) Database 292.

The broadcast content receiver 210 receives broadcast content including a broadcast program or VOD content from a broadcaster (not shown).

The encoder 220 performs encoding on the broadcast content received through the broadcast content receiver 210 to increase network transmission efficiency.

The broadcast channel information management unit 230 includes information obtained by matching the program number of a preset IPTV channel with a digital broadcast stream received from a broadcaster (not shown) through the multiplexer 270 and encoded by the encoder 220. The broadcast channel information is generated, and the generated broadcast channel information is transmitted to the multiplexer 270.

For example, a unique program number of a broadcast program provided by MBC (Cultural Broadcasting) is '11' and a channel number provided by an IPTV service, that is, a channel selected by the user to watch a broadcast program provided by MBC. If the number is '110', the broadcast channel information management unit 230 matches the digital broadcast stream encoded with the broadcast program provided by the MBC to the channel number of the IPTV and the channel number '110' input by the user.

The matching of the program number of the digital broadcast stream and the IPTV channel by the broadcast channel information management unit 230 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

The virtual channel information manager 240 receives the virtual channel configuration information generated by the user from the user terminal through the data transceiver 280 and based on the received virtual channel configuration information and the previously generated virtual channel information. The virtual channel information matching the user who created the channel setting information is generated.

As described above, the virtual channel information includes information on a broadcast program or VOD content to be provided through a specific virtual channel at a specific time.

The virtual channel information manager 240 may transmit the generated virtual channel information to a terminal (not shown) of the user who generated the virtual channel configuration information through an IP packet in a unicast manner. In addition, the virtual channel information manager 240 may transmit the virtual channel information generated by the EMM generator 250 to the user terminal in a multicasting manner.

The EMM generator 250 generates an Entitlement Management Message (EMM) including one or more virtual channel information. The EMM includes an entitlement management message used for subscriber authentication and may be generated based on broadcast channel right information of subscriber information. The EMM generator 250 receives one or more virtual channel information from the virtual channel information manager 240 and generates an EMM based on the received one or more virtual channel information.

The EMM generated by the EMM generating unit 250 is transmitted to the multiplexer 270 and multiplexed with a compressed stream in which video data, audio data, etc. are transmitted to the user terminal 300, and the user terminal (not shown) is a stream. Virtual channel information may be obtained from the received EMM.

The VOD provider 260 receives a VOD content provision request from a user terminal (not shown) through the data transceiver 280, retrieves the requested VOD content from the VOD database 292, and provides the requested VOD content to the user terminal.

When the provision of the VOD content is set in the virtual channel information, the user terminal receives a channel switching signal from the user to the virtual channel number at the time when the provision of the VOD content is set, and in response, the VOD content is transmitted to the VOD provider 260. You can request the offer.

The multiplexer 270 combines the encoded digital broadcast stream received from the encoder 220, the broadcast channel information received from the broadcast channel information management unit 230, and the EMM received from the EMM generator 250 to transmit and receive a data transmission / reception unit ( 280).

The data transmission / reception unit 280 receives the virtual channel configuration information or the VOD request signal from the user terminal and transmits it to the virtual channel information management unit 240 or the VOD providing unit 260, respectively, and receives the digital received from the multiplexer 270. Data including the broadcast stream, the broadcast channel information, and the EMM is transmitted to the user terminal.

In addition, when the virtual channel information is transmitted from the user terminal through the IP packet in a unicast manner, the data transmission / reception unit 280 receives a request for providing the virtual channel information from the user terminal and corresponds to the received request. The channel information may be received from the virtual channel information manager 240 and transmitted to the user terminal.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a virtual channel setting information managing unit 310, a virtual channel information receiving unit 320, a virtual channel mapping unit 330, and a virtual channel content output unit 340. .

The virtual channel configuration information management unit 310 is configured to provide a specific virtual channel number, specific time information, and a broadcast program provided by an IPTV broadcasting system to be provided through a specific virtual channel at a specific time based on the virtual channel configuration signal received from the user. Create virtual channel configuration information including channel number or video on demand (VOD) content information.

A user may use a user interface (UI) provided separately or a remote controller provided for control of a terminal such as a set-top box (STB) to provide a signal for setting a virtual channel. 300).

The virtual channel setting information may include time-phase broadcast program information to be output from the virtual channel so that the viewer may change one or more broadcast programs regularly broadcasted at various times in various channels through a single virtual channel. For example, the channel number may include information associated with the virtual channel number.

In addition, the virtual channel setting information may include information associated with the time-phase VOD content information and the virtual channel number to be output from the virtual channel so that the viewer can watch the VOD content rather than the real-time broadcast program through the virtual channel for each time zone. .

The virtual channel setting information manager 310 may generate virtual channel setting information for the virtual channel according to the type and performance of the user terminal 300 or the setting of the user.

For example, virtual channel setting information may be generated for a desktop to be provided in one virtual channel for all viewable content, and for a mobile communication terminal in a separate virtual channel for each broadcast program or VOD content. Virtual channel configuration information may be generated to be provided.

The virtual channel setting information generated by the virtual channel setting information managing unit 310 is transmitted to the IPTV broadcasting system (not shown) through the data transmitting and receiving unit 350.

The virtual channel information receiver 320 receives the virtual channel information and the broadcast channel information generated based on the virtual channel setting information set by the user from the IPTV broadcasting system.

The virtual channel setting information may be generated several times by the user and transmitted to the IPTV broadcasting system, and the IPTV broadcasting system manages the received virtual channel setting information for each user, thereby receiving the virtual channel setting information received from the terminal of one user. Create virtual channel information for one user by using. Therefore, the information included in the virtual channel information may be updated according to the virtual channel setting information.

The virtual channel information receiver 320 may receive virtual channel information through an EMM (Entitlement Management Message) transmitted through a multicasting method, or may directly receive virtual channel information from an IPTV broadcasting system (not shown) through a unicasting method. .

The virtual channel mapping unit 330 uses the virtual channel information and the broadcast channel information received by the virtual channel information receiver 320 to display a broadcast program or VOD content set to be provided through the virtual channel when a user requests a specific virtual channel. A virtual channel is mapped with a broadcast program or VOD content so that it can be provided at a corresponding time.

For example, when a broadcast program of channel 110, which is provided with an MBC broadcast program, is set for a virtual channel '100' from 10 pm to 11 pm on Monday, the virtual channel mapping unit 330 may perform a Monday 10 pm The virtual channel and the broadcast program may be mapped so that the broadcast program of the channel '110' is also provided in the virtual channel '100' from the hour to 11 o'clock.

The virtual channel mapping unit 330 may generate virtual channel mapping information such as an IPTV channel mapping table including information on which virtual channels and broadcast programs are mapped.

The virtual channel content output unit 340 transmits and outputs a broadcast program mapped to a specific virtual channel selected by the user to a display device such as a TV. The virtual channel content output unit 340 is a virtual channel mapping unit for a specific virtual channel selected by a user among broadcast programs or VOD contents included in MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream) packets received from an IPTV broadcasting system (not shown). The broadcast program or VOD content mapped by may be transmitted to a display device such as a TV and output.

4 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a flow of a method for creating a virtual channel and providing a service through the virtual channel in the method for providing a virtual channel service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step S110, the IPTV broadcasting system 200 transmits broadcast channel information to the set-top box 300, which is a user terminal. The broadcast channel information includes a channel number of an IPTV service that matches a unique program number of a broadcast program provided by a broadcaster, that is, information of a channel number input by a user through a remote controller, for example, a BU (Bouquet Association Table). .

In step S120, the set-top box 300 receives a virtual channel setting request signal from a user. As described above, the user may generate a virtual channel setting request signal using a separately provided user interface (UI) or a control device such as a remote controller and transmit the generated virtual channel request signal to the set-top box 300. The virtual channel setup request signal may include a virtual channel number, an actual channel number provided with a broadcast program, information on a time provided to the broadcast program, and the like.

In step S130, the set-top box 300 generates virtual channel setting information based on the virtual channel setting request signal received in step S120, and in step S140, the set-top box 300 performs step S130. The virtual channel setting information generated at) is transmitted to the IPTV broadcasting system 200.

In step S150, the IPTV broadcasting system 200 generates virtual channel information for the set top box 300 using the virtual channel setting information received from the set top box 300. The IPTV broadcasting system 200 may receive one or more virtual channel setting information from the set top box 300, and generate one virtual channel information for the set top box 300 using the received one or more virtual channel setting information. can do.

In addition, the IPTV broadcasting system 200 may receive one or more virtual channel setting information from one or more user terminals. In this case, the IPTV broadcasting system 200 generates virtual channel information for each user terminal.

In operation S160, the IPTV broadcasting system 200 transmits the virtual channel information generated in operation S150 to the set top box 300. As described above, the IPTV broadcasting system 200 directly transmits virtual channel information to the set-top box 300 in a unicast manner, generates an EMM (Entitlement Management Message) including the virtual channel information, and generates the generated EMM. Virtual channel information may be transmitted by transmitting to the set-top box 300 in a multicasting manner.

In operation S170, the set-top box 300 receives a request for playing a broadcast program or VOD content through a virtual channel from a user. That is, the set top box 300 receives the number information of the virtual channel to be switched from the user through a control device such as a remote control.

In step S180, the set-top box 300 obtains broadcast program information or VOD content information mapped to the virtual channel number received in step S170 using the virtual channel information received in step S160.

That is, the set-top box 300 obtains the information of the broadcast program or the VOD content set to be provided through the virtual channel number received in step S170 in a time corresponding to the time when the playback request through the virtual channel is received from the user. .

When the content set to be provided through the virtual channel in the corresponding time zone is a broadcast program, the set-top box 300 may also obtain information on an actual channel provided with the corresponding broadcast program.

In step S190, the set-top box 300 outputs a broadcast program or VOD content matching the broadcast program information or VOD content information obtained in step S180 through a display device such as a TV.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a broadcast program and video on demand (VOD) content through a virtual channel in a virtual channel service providing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In step S210, the user terminal, for example, the set-top box receives a virtual channel selection signal from the user, that is, a broadcast program or a VOD content providing request through the virtual channel.

In step S220, the user terminal acquires virtual channel number information from the virtual channel selection signal received in step S210, and the obtained virtual channel number and time information when the virtual channel selection signal is received in step S210. Matched broadcast program information or VOD content information is obtained from the virtual channel information received from the IPTV broadcasting system.

In step S230, the user terminal determines the type of content provided through the virtual channel. That is, the user terminal determines whether the content matching the virtual channel number selected by the virtual channel selection signal received in step S210 and the time information on which the virtual channel selection signal is received is a broadcast program or VOD content.

In step S240, when it is determined that the content matching the virtual channel number and time information selected by the user in step S230 is a broadcast program, the user terminal displays a broadcast program matching the selected virtual channel on a TV or the like. Output through the device.

That is, the user terminal acquires the actual channel information provided with the broadcast program matching the virtual channel number selected by the user and the time information when the virtual channel selection signal is received by using the virtual channel information received from the IPTV broadcasting system. A broadcast program matching the actual channel information obtained from the broadcast programs received from the broadcast system is output through a display device.

For example, when the broadcast program matching the virtual channel number '100' selected by the user and the time information is a broadcast program provided in the IPTV channel number '110', the user terminal receives the broadcast stream from the IPTV broadcasting system. The broadcast stream output through the channel number '110' may also be output through the virtual channel '100'.

In step S250, if it is determined that the content matching the virtual channel number and time information selected by the user in step S230 is the VOD content, the user terminal displays the VOD content matching the selected virtual channel, such as a TV. Output through the device.

Therefore, in this case, the user may be provided with the preset VOD content without going through the process of selecting and playing the VOD content separately by simply selecting the virtual channel.

6 is a diagram illustrating data generated in an IPTV broadcasting system and provided to a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the multiplexer 270 is a broadcast received from a broadcaster (not shown) from the encoder 220 and the content received from the broadcast channel information management unit 230 and the content such as encoded broadcast program or VOD content The channel information 400 is combined to generate data for transmission.

The broadcast channel information 400 includes the unique program number 410 of the digital broadcast stream and the channel number 420 of the IPTV matching the digital broadcast stream as described above.

That is, the transmission data generated by the multiplexer 270 may include MPEG-2 information including PID (Packet ID) information of a program map table (PMT) corresponding to the unique program number 410 of the broadcast channel information 400. A transport stream (TS) packet, wherein the user terminal includes a program map table (PMT) corresponding to a unique program number 410 that matches a channel number of an IPTV input from a user among transmission data received from the IPTV broadcasting system. MPEG-2 transport stream (TS) packets containing PID (Packet ID) information can be selected and reproduced.

For example, the multiplexer 270 receives broadcast content provided by the broadcaster, 'Cultural Broadcasting (MBC)' from the encoder 220, and MPEG-2 TS (transport stream) packet for the received broadcast content. Create

The MPEG-2 TS includes a header and a payload, the packet header includes a PID (Packet ID) for distinguishing packets, and the payload includes information necessary for the IPTV broadcasting system 200.

Among the MPEG-2 TSs generated by the multiplexer 270, TS packets having a PID of '0' are referred to as program association tables (PATs), and these PATs are generated through a demultiplexer for TS packets having a certain packet ID. It includes information on whether to include and transmit the content of one or more broadcast programs provided by the broadcaster, for example, the broadcaster of MBC, KBS, SBS.

According to the PAT information 440 shown in FIG. 6, the content of the MBC broadcast program is transmitted in a TS packet having a PID of 50. The content of the KBS broadcast program is a TS packet having a PID of 60. Are included in TS packets with PID of 70 and transmitted.

The packet corresponding to the PMT-PID included in the PAT information 440 includes packet information containing contents of MBC, KBS, and SBS broadcast programs, and the virtual channel content reproducing unit of the user terminal 300 uses this information. It selects and plays the broadcasting contents corresponding to the broadcasting channel input to the remote controller.

A user terminal (not shown) may select and provide a digital broadcast stream corresponding to the channel number input by the user through a remote control device such as a remote controller based on the broadcast channel information.

FIG. 7 illustrates virtual channel information generated by an IPTV broadcasting system and provided to a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The virtual channel information 500 according to the present invention includes virtual channel number information 510, date information 520, start time information 530, end time information 540, content type information 550, and additional information 560. ), Virtual channel registrant information 570.

The virtual channel number information 510 includes information about a channel number set as a virtual channel by a user. The virtual channel number information 510 may be set by varying the number system for each IPTV broadcaster or user. The user may select a virtual channel number registered in the virtual channel number information 510 and receive content through the virtual channel.

The date information 520 includes information on a date for which the content is to be provided through the virtual channel. The date information 520 may include a regular date, for example, date information on a specific day of the week or information on a specific date.

That is, when a broadcast program provided on a specific day of the week such as a weekend drama or a daily drama is provided through a virtual channel, the date information 520 may include information on the corresponding day of the week, and the VOD content may be If provided, the date information 520 may include information about a specific date.

The start time information 530 and the end time information 540 include information of the time when the provision of the content such as the broadcast program or the VOD content is provided through the virtual channel and the time when the time ends. It can be specified in units such as minutes.

The content type information 550 includes information about the type of content provided to the user through the virtual channel. That is, the content type information 550 includes information on whether the content provided through the virtual channel is a broadcast program or VOD content.

In addition, when the content provided through the virtual channel is a broadcast program, the content type information 550 may include channel number information of the IPTV of the corresponding broadcast program. For example, when the MBC broadcast content is set to be provided by the user through the virtual channel number '100' and the channel number of the IPTV matching the MBC broadcast content is '110', the virtual channel number information 510 is provided. May include information of '100' and the content type information 550 may include information of '110'.

The additional information 560 includes additional information about content set in a virtual channel, and this additional information may be set by a user or an IPTV service provider.

The virtual channel registrant information 570 includes information about a user who has set up virtual channel information, and may include a name or nickname of the user. Therefore, when a family jointly uses an IPTV service and sets a virtual channel for each family member, the virtual channel registrant information 570 may be used to distinguish the family.

The virtual channel information 500 may be generated based on one or more virtual channel setting information received from the same user terminal (not shown). As described above, the virtual channel information 500 may be transmitted to the user terminal in a multicast method or a unicast method using an EMM. Can be sent.

8 is a diagram illustrating broadcast channel information for a user terminal generated based on broadcast channel information and virtual channel information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the user terminal (not shown) maps the virtual channel requested by the user to the broadcast program or the VOD content by using the virtual channel information 500, and thus the broadcast program or the VOD of the preset broadcast channel through the virtual channel. Ensure that content is provided

That is, the user terminal may use the broadcast channel information 400 and the virtual channel information 500 received from the IPTV broadcasting system (not shown) to map the virtual channel requested by the user to a broadcast program and provide the same to the user. have.

For example, if the user terminal receives the virtual channel number '100' from the user at 22 o'clock on Monday, the user terminal may include the current date and time, date information 520 of the virtual channel information 500, and start time information ( 530 and the end time information 540 are compared to obtain matching information 501.

The user terminal transmits the information corresponding to the channel number '110' corresponding to the content type information 550 of the information 501 obtained from the virtual channel information 500, and the channel number 420 for the IPTV of the broadcast channel information 400. Information 401 including the channel number '110' is obtained from the broadcast channel information 400.

The user terminal generates virtual channel mapping information 600 including information 601 including '110' of the virtual channel information 500 in the information 401 obtained from the broadcast channel information 400.

Therefore, the user inputs the virtual channel number '110' as well as the existing channel number '100' during the time between 22:00 to 23:05 on Monday, so that MBC broadcasting content corresponding to the unique program number '11' can be obtained. You can watch.

When 23: 5 elapses on Monday and there is no separate virtual channel setting, the user terminal provides a broadcast program using broadcast channel information 500 instead of virtual channel mapping information 600.

Therefore, the user can receive MBC broadcast content only after inputting the channel number '100' from 23:05 on Monday until the virtual channel is set.

In addition, when the user inputs a virtual channel in the time zone in which the content type information 500 is registered as the VOD content, the user terminal may receive the registered VOD content from the IPTV broadcasting system (not shown) and provide the same to the user. .

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the user may register the virtual channel setting information generated through the user terminal or the virtual channel information registered for the user terminal in the IPTV broadcasting system with another user registered with the user, for example, a friend. Crab can be transmitted via SNS service.

As such, a user may share a virtual channel service with a user who has a similar taste to the user through sharing of virtual channel setting information or virtual channel information set by the user.

One embodiment of the present invention may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. In addition, computer readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, or other transmission mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

While the methods and systems of the present invention have been described in connection with specific embodiments, some or all of those elements or operations may be implemented using a computer system having a general purpose hardware architecture.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the above description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

100: broadcaster 200: IPTV broadcasting system
300: user terminal 400: broadcast channel information
500: virtual channel information

Claims (14)

In the system for providing a virtual channel service,
A virtual channel information manager configured to generate virtual channel information for the user terminal based on one or more virtual channel setting information received from a user terminal;
A broadcast channel information manager for generating broadcast channel information including identification information of a broadcast program and a channel number for user input matching the identification information of the broadcast program;
Content providing unit for providing a broadcast program or video on demand (VOD) content to the user terminal
Including,
The virtual channel setting information includes virtual channel number information, time information, and identification information of a broadcast program or VOD content.
The user terminal outputs a preset broadcast program or VOD content provided from the content provider for each time zone through the virtual channel based on the virtual channel information and the broadcast channel information.
The method of claim 1,
EMM generation unit for generating an Entitlement Management Message (EMM) including one or more virtual channel information generated by the virtual channel information management unit
Further comprising:
The user terminal receives the EMM in a multicast manner, and obtains the virtual channel information generated based on the at least one virtual channel configuration information from the received EMM.
The method of claim 1,
The virtual channel information is transmitted to the user terminal in a unicast manner virtual channel service providing system.
In the user terminal providing a virtual channel service,
A virtual channel setting information manager for generating virtual channel setting information including virtual channel number information, time information, and identification information of a broadcast program or VOD content;
A virtual channel mapping unit for mapping a virtual channel with a preset broadcast program or video on demand (VOD) content based on broadcast channel information and virtual channel information received from a content providing system;
Virtual channel content output unit for outputting a broadcast program or VOD content mapped to the virtual channel through the virtual channel
Including,
The virtual channel information is generated based on one or more virtual channel setting information generated by the virtual channel information management unit.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The virtual channel content output unit outputs a broadcast program or VOD content mapped to the virtual channel among broadcast programs or VOD contents included in an MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream) packet received from the content providing system.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The broadcast channel information includes unique number information of at least one broadcast program and channel number information for user input, and the virtual channel information includes virtual channel number information, time information, and content information provided through the virtual channel. User terminal.
The method of claim 4, wherein
And the generated virtual channel information is shared with one or more preset users when the generated virtual channel setting information is transmitted to the content providing system.
In the content providing system to provide a virtual channel service,
(a) receiving one or more virtual channel setting information including virtual channel number information, time information, and identification information of a broadcast program or VOD content from a user terminal;
(b) generating virtual channel information matching the user terminal based on the virtual channel setting information;
(c) transmitting the generated virtual channel information to the user terminal
Including,
The user terminal outputs a preset broadcast program or VOD content provided from the content providing system for each time period through a virtual channel set in the virtual channel information based on the broadcast channel information received from the virtual channel information and the content providing system. The virtual channel service providing method.
The method of claim 8,
The step (c)
(c1) generating an Entitlement Management Message (EMM) including the generated virtual channel information; and
(c2) transmitting the generated EMM to the user terminal in a multicast manner.
The virtual channel service providing method comprising a.
The method of claim 8,
The step (c)
(c3) transmitting the generated virtual channel information to the user terminal in a u-cast method.
The virtual channel service providing method comprising a.
The method of claim 8,
The step (c)
(c4) transmitting the generated virtual channel information to one or more preset terminals including the user terminal.
The virtual channel service providing method further comprising.
A method for providing a virtual channel service by a user terminal,
(a) receiving a channel selection signal including channel number information,
(b) when the channel number included in the channel selection signal is a virtual channel number, time information of receiving the channel selection signal based on the virtual channel information received from a content providing system, and type information matching the virtual channel number; Obtaining a,
(c) if the matched type information is channel information, outputting a broadcast program matching the channel information among broadcast programs received from the content providing system;
(d) if the matched type information is identification information of video on demand (VOD) content, outputting VOD content matching the identification information;
Including,
The virtual channel information includes virtual channel number information, time information, and content information provided through the virtual channel.
The method of claim 12,
The virtual channel information is included in the Entitlement Management Message (EMM) received in a multicast manner from the content providing system.
The method of claim 12,
The virtual channel information is received from the content providing system in a unicast manner.

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