WO2008101376A1

WO2008101376A1 - A system and method for realizing user interface customization of iptv terminal device

Info

Publication number: WO2008101376A1
Application number: PCT/CN2007/003692
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jie Hu; Kun Ding
Original assignee: Zte Corporation
Priority date: 2007-02-16
Filing date: 2007-12-19
Publication date: 2008-08-28
Also published as: CN101247493B; CN101247493A

Abstract

A method for realizing user interface customization of IPTV terminal device, includes the following steps: an EPG template and a SKIN package mating to it are loaded on an EPG server (103), and are distributed to a user group which uses the EPG template; the user of the user group logs on the EPG server (103) and selects a needed SKIN package to be ordered, and a user manage server(101) records the SKIN package which is ordered by the user; when the user logs on the EPG server (103) again, the EPG server (103) inquires service information of the user to the user manage server (101), and generates the user EPG page by using the EPG template corresponding to the user group which the user belongs to and the SKIN package which is ordered by the user. A system for realizing user interface customization of IPTV terminal device is provided. The invention overcomes the problem present in the existing IPTV service that the user interfaces of terminals are monotonic, and can provide a customized interface for the user.

Description

Personalized realization system and method for user interface of network television terminal equipment

The present invention relates to the field of network television services, and in particular, to a personalized implementation system and method for a UI (user interface) of a network television (IPTV) terminal device.

Background technique

SKIN (Skin) is a technology that can easily change various external features of the user interface without modification. Software that supports SKIN can significantly change the appearance of the user interface by loading SKIN packets, replacing fonts, icons, pictures, cursor shapes, effect sounds, etc., giving the user a different sensory experience.

Early famous applications SKIN technology software includes WINAMP media player, Netscape web browser and so on. Microsoft also supports SKIN in Windows, which is called THEME (themes), and some even use it to make a big difference in the Windows interface, which looks very much like Apple's Mac OS interface.

IPTV services are managed multimedia services that carry video, audio, and data over IP networks, providing QoS/QoE, security, interactivity, and reliability in the form of video, text, or graphics. The IPTV service is used to provide users with a multimedia content transmission service with QoS guarantee and security guarantee mechanism, and the content is played or displayed on the terminal at the end user. The IPTV service provides streaming services to users. It is mainly used to transmit audio and video media streams (of course, it can also carry text, data, voice, etc.). The transmission method is point-to-multipoint. The purpose of the application is to provide a complete set of IPTV systems. Many users provide IPTV services. The IPTV service can provide users with retrieval and interaction capabilities. The interaction expression is that the user can subjectively control the audio and video programs provided by the IPTV service. The bearer network of IPTV is an IP network, and the IFTV service network has content caching, distribution and storage functions. Terminals that present IPTV services to users include terminal devices such as televisions, set-top boxes (STBs), PCs, PDAs, or mobile phones.

According to the application situation of the existing IPTV, the IPTV service participants include: a content provider, a service operator, a network operator, and an end user, wherein the service flow is from the content provider to the downstream. The end user sent.

The content provider is responsible for the production of the content and provides the content produced to the business operator. in

In the IPTV service industry chain, content providers are the source of production for the entire industry chain. The content providers here refer to various organizations or organizations that provide content for business operators, which also operate content to some extent, but do not directly face end users.

Business operators are responsible for the integration (management) and operation of content, and integrate various content on their own IPTV platforms, using the network operator's network to provide users with content and applications.

The network operator is mainly responsible for using its own network to deliver the content provided by the IPTV service operator to the end user and obtain revenue. The network includes an underlying network and an access network.

The end user accesses the network through STB+TV, PC, mobile phone or other terminal system (device) to obtain IPTV service. The main process for end users to use IPTV services is a cycle of finding content, ordering content, and playing content.

The content provider provides media content and related media meta information to the service operator; the service operator publishes the media content to the media server, and organizes the media meta information to be published on the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) server; the end user utilizes the network operator The provided network obtains program information on the EPG server and obtains streaming service on the media server.

The main interface for end user operations is the graphical interface, which the user operates interactively. First, the end user browses the content classification information in the EPG electronic program list, or finds the content of interest through the keyword; then, the end user and the business system confirm the order relationship; finally, the end user selects to play the content, and the user terminal device connects to the media. The device plays. During playback, the graphical interface can display additional information, such as: progress of content playback, system notification information, system status prompts; users can also control the playback process text, such as: pause, terminate, continue, volume control, You can also fast forward and rewind in a specific business. In summary, the interface of the end user is mainly the interface of the EPG client and the media player.

At present, the typical mode of an IPTV service system EPG is that the service operator customizes different EPG templates for each user group (actually, a set of WEB web pages), and the content meta information is loaded onto the EPG template to form web pages of each user group. It is loaded into the EPG WEB server, and the user terminal accesses the EPG mode of the user group on the EPG server by using a dedicated browser using the HTTP protocol. The EPG web page formed by the edition.

The browser software and media player are stored in the firmware of the user terminal, and the necessary software updates can be obtained through the function of the terminal upgrade. Since the software of the user terminal is solidified, even if the EPG page is changed on the server side, the terminal interfaces of all user terminals in each user group are still completely identical. Since each user's preferences are different, the user experience that the user wants to get is different. The current IPTV service cannot meet the different needs of different users for the terminal interface style.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a personalized implementation system and method for a user interface of a network television terminal device, which overcomes the problem of a single terminal user interface existing in the existing IPTV service, and provides a personalized interface for the user.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a personalized implementation system for a user interface of a network television terminal device, including a user management server, a content management server, an electronic program guide EPG server, a media server, and a terminal device, and the user management server, The content management server and the user terminal respectively have a connection interface with the EPG server and the media server,

The user management server is configured to save service information of the user, including account information of the user, user group information, subscription content information, and SKIN information of the user;

The content management server is configured to manage media content information, including processing the media content to form program information, and processing the SKIN packet to form a SKIN package information that the user can order;

The EPG server is configured to release a section to the terminal user, and save the EPG template and the corresponding SKIN package; when the user uses the network television service, select an EPG template and a SKIN package to be used according to the service information of the user;

The media server is configured to provide a media content service to the terminal device, and provide the user management server with access information of the user to the content in real time or in non-real time;

The terminal device serves as an interface for the user to interact with the EPG for the user to operate.

Further, the SKIN packet includes resource data and configuration information, where the resource data includes a picture, a font, and audio data, and the configuration information includes an application occasion and a display method of the resource data; The user's SKIN information includes the SKIN identifier currently used by the user, the list of SKIN identifiers that have been purchased, and the validity period and billing information.

Further, the content management server processes the SKIN packet to form the SKIN packet information that the user can subscribe to. The content management server adds the charging information to the non-matching default SKIN packet to form a SKIN packet that the user can subscribe to. information.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention further provides a personalized implementation method for a user interface of a network television terminal device, including the following steps:

(a) loading the EPG template and its associated SKIN package onto the EPG server and publishing it to the user group using the EPG template;

(b) the user in the user group logs in to the EPG server, selects the required SKIN package, and the user management server records the SKIN package subscribed by the user;

(c) when the user re-logs in to the EPG server, the EPG server queries the user management server for the service information of the user, and generates an EPG page of the user by using the EPG template corresponding to the user group to which the user belongs and the SKIN package subscribed by the user. .

Further, the SKIN packet includes resource data and configuration information, where the resource data includes a picture, a font, and sound data, and the configuration information includes an application occasion and a display method of the resource data.

Further, in the step (a), the loading the EPG template loads the EPG template and its associated default SKIN package onto the EPG server, and the EPG template and its associated default SKIN package and the corresponding user are loaded. The group is bound and saved on the User Management Server.

Further, in the step (a), the loading the SKIN package matched with the EPG template includes the following steps:

(al) loading one or more SKIN packets passed the test onto the EPG server;

(a2) binding the one or more SKIN packets and their corresponding EPG templates and saving them;

(a3) The content management server configures the one or more SKIN packets with the charging information to form the SKIN package information that the user can order, and distributes the same to the user group using the EPG template through the EPG server. Further, in the step (b), the user logging in to the EPG server to order the SKIN package further includes the following steps: (bl) after the user logs in to the EPG server through the terminal device, the EPG server queries the user management server for the SKIN information of the user, and displays the SKIN package information that the user can order;

(b2) The user selects the SKIN to be used, and sends a subscription request message to the EPG server through the terminal device, where the message carries the identifier of the SKIN packet selected by the user;

(b3) The EPG server sends a subscription request message to the user management server, and the user management server records the SKIN packet subscribed by the user.

Further, in the step (c), the EPG server determines the EPG template corresponding to the user group to which the user belongs and the SKIN package subscribed by the user, and then reports the information or user management according to the user terminal device. The user equipment information saved in the server determines whether the terminal device needs to download the SKIN packet, and if necessary, the EPG server notifies the terminal device to download the SKIN packet.

Further, the service information of the user includes the user's account information, the user group information, the subscription content information, and the user's SKIN information; the user's SKIN information includes the SKIN identifier currently used by the user, the list of SKIN identifiers that have been purchased, and Its expiration date and billing information.

Compared with the prior art, the IPTV user interface SKIN method and system according to the present invention can provide a personalized EPG interface, thereby improving the look and feel effect of the user group using the IPTV service, saving the service operator to make various similar EPG templates. The work, introducing a new profit point for the IPTV business, the method provided by the invention has considerable commercial value and can more effectively promote the development of the IPTV service.

Drawing fan

1 is a schematic diagram of main modules and interface relationships of an IPTV service system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a typical IPTV user EPG interface;

3 is a flowchart of binding an EPG template and a default SKIN to a user according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a non-default SKIN packet according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of ordering and managing a non-default SKIN package according to an embodiment of the present invention; 6 is a flow chart of a non-default SKIN packet application according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific embodiments.

The present invention creates a plurality of personalized SKIN packages for a particular EPG template by a service operator, and mainly includes files for replacing external features such as pictures, icons, fonts, cursor shapes, and effect sounds in the template. The service provider publishes the SKIN package to the EPG server 103 through the content management server 102 for purchase by the user. The information of the SKIN package purchased by the user is stored in the user management server 101, and the user can be managed by the EPG server 103. When the user uses the IPTV service, the EPG server 103 selects the EPG template and the corresponding SKIN package according to the user information provided by the user management server 101, and loads the content of the SKIN package into the EPG template to form a user-specific EPG page.

The IPTV service system of the embodiment of the present invention is provided by a service provider, and includes various modules as shown in FIG. 1, as follows:

The user management server 101 is configured to save service information of the user, including account information of the user, user group information, subscription content information, and SKIN information of the user;

The content management server 102 is configured to manage media content information, including adding information such as billing, description, and the like to the program information, and adding information such as billing and description to the SKIN package to form SKIN package information that the user can order;

User management servers and content management servers can also be integrated on the same server.

The EPG server 103 is configured to: release a program to the terminal user, and guide the user to find the content; and store one or more sets of EPG templates and corresponding SKIN packets thereon; when the user uses the IPTV service, select and use the specific one according to the service information of the user. EPG template and SKIN package, and EPG interaction request in response to the user;

The media server 104 is configured to provide a media content service to the terminal device, and provide the user management server 101 with the user's access information to the content, such as the user identifier, the content identifier, the service start time, the end time, whether it is successful, or the like, in real time or in non-real time; The terminal device 105 serves as an interface for the user to interact with the EPG for the user to operate and play the multimedia content.

The user management server 101 and the content management server 102 are management layer service modules; the EPG server 103 and the media server 104 are service layer service modules, and generally provide a large-capacity proximity service by a plurality of distributed devices, and only one indication is shown in FIG. 1; User terminal 105 is a user layer device.

The user management server 101 and the EPG server 103 have user authentication and program ordering interfaces: When the user logs in to the EPG server 103, the EPG server 103 sends a user authentication request to the user management server 101 to obtain the user's business information, such as: accounting information. User group information, order content information, user's SKIN information, etc.; when the user orders a program on the EPG, the EPG server 103 transmits a program order request to the user management server 101.

The user management server 101 and the media server 104 have a service charging interface: when the user starts and ends the content service, the media server 104 reports the service start and the service end request to the user management server 101.

The content management server 102 and the EPG server 103 have a program distribution interface: the content provider transmits the program information to the EPG server 103.

Content management server 102 and media server 104 have a content delivery interface through which content providers publish content to media server 104.

The user terminal 105 and the EPG server 103 have an EPG interaction interface: the user terminal 105 performs user login authentication through the EPG server 103, and the user terminal 105 performs program browsing, program ordering, and obtaining a URL for accessing the program through the EPG server 103 (including the address of the media server 104 and The content ID of the program).

The user terminal 105 and the media server 104 have a media service interface. After the user terminal 105 obtains the URL, the media player is activated to access the media server 104 through the interface to obtain a media service corresponding to the content of the program.

The EPG interface of the user terminal 105 is formed by the EPG server 103 selecting the EPG template according to the user group in the user information provided by the user management server 101, and loading the program information. EPG A template is a set of interfaces based on functions, mainly to help users get program information, order viewing, and other ancillary business interaction functions.

A typical EPG function interface diagram is shown in Figure 2:

The background image of the page 200 is a fixed frame of the entire page;

Icon 201 , static or dynamic picture;

The page classification title 202, together with the icon 201, represents the main function of the page;

Preview picture/video 203, cursor 205 points to the preview picture and video of the program;

The program name list 204, the program list displayed to the user, after the user selects a program name, it will switch to the order or play page;

Button 206, the program name list is up, down, program search, exit page, etc.; program introduction 207, cursor 205 points to a brief introduction of the program;

The scrolling information prompt 208 prompts the user for the brief operation help of the page in a scrolling manner, or displays the information that the IPTV service system pushes to the user.

The binding process between the EPG template and the default SKIN and the user in the embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 3. In the initial stage, the service provider creates an EPG template and its associated default SKIN package for each user group, including the following steps. :

Step 310: Create an EPG template and a default SKIN package associated with the EPG template, and load the EPG template and its supporting default SKIN package onto the EPG server 103.

The SKIN packet includes resource data and configuration information, and the resource data includes data such as a picture, a font, and a sound. The configuration information includes an application and a display method of the resource data, and the configuration information may be, but not limited to, using a JSP. CSS, XML, XSLT, Li and other formats;

EPG templates produced by content providers or service operators or third parties should conform to certain rules in order to be able to apply different SKINs. Since different user groups target different objects, such as industry users, collective users, and individual users, the EPG templates for different user groups (the basic framework of the program guide, such as columns, programs, etc.) are also different.

Step 320: Bind the EPG template and its associated default SKIN package to the corresponding user group. It is saved on the user management server 101.

The default SKIN package is created with the EPG template and is bound to the user group, which becomes the default interface style for the user group.

If the business system has only one user group, there is only one EPG template and the SKIN package that are actually bound.

The service provider or content provider or other third party can refer to the default SKIN package of the EPG template and related technical specifications to develop a new SKIN package of the EPG template. After the service operator tests and adds the charging information, it can be released to the user, such as As shown in Figure 4, the following steps are included:

Step 410: Load one or more SKIN packets passed by the test onto the EPG server 103. Step 420: Bind the new non-matching default one or more SKIN packets to the corresponding EPG template, and save the user in the user. Management server 101;

Step 430: The content management server 102 configures the non-matching default SKIN packet with the information of the charging, description, and the like to form the SKIN package information that the user can subscribe to, and distributes the information to the user group that uses the EPG template through the EPG server 103. . Purchase it. In this technical solution, the system should also have corresponding power flow for querying, modifying, and deleting the SKIN, which is not described in detail in this paper.

The IPTV service SKIN package order management process is as shown in FIG. 5, and includes the following steps: Step 510, the user logs in to the EPG server 103 through the terminal device 105;

Step 520, the EPG server 103 queries the user management server 101 for the user's SKIN information, and displays the user's current SKIN, the SKIN that has been purchased, the SKIN that the user can order, and the SKIN effect preview and billing information.

The user's SKIN information includes the SKIN identifier currently used by the user, and has been purchased. SKIN identification list and its validity period, billing information, and so on.

Step 530: The user selects the SKIN to be used by the terminal device 105, and sends a subscription request message, where the message carries the identifier of the user selected SKIN packet, and sends the identifier to the EPG server. After the user logs in to the EPG server 103, the EPG server 103 provides the user with the EPG server 103. A SKIN management function page, if the user chooses to exit the SKIN management function page, the SKIN management process is terminated.

Step 540: After receiving the subscription request message, the EPG server queries the user management server to determine whether the user has subscribed to the SKIN package, and if yes, returns the ordered reminder, otherwise, performs the next step;

In step 550, the EPG server 103 returns the SKIN information subscribed by the user to the user management server 101. The SKIN information subscribed by the user carries the user identifier in addition to the SKIN ID, and the user management server 101 records the SKIN package subscribed by the user. ;

The EPG server 103 allows the user to confirm the ordered SKIN before making the order record, ensuring that the user does not misuse. The information of the user purchasing the SKIN package is stored in the user order information of the user management server 101.

For the billed SKIN package, the user management server needs to charge or refund the user account according to the situation of the user using the last SKIN, and at the same time, the bill is recorded.

After the user purchases, they can use the SKIN package they purchased after the next login.

Users can also cancel the order SKIN. The service operator can also help the user manage the SKIN through the user management server 101. Because the process is similar, this article will not elaborate.

IPTV service SKIN package application process description, as shown in Figure 6:

Step 610, the user logs in to the EPG server 103 through the terminal device 105;

Step 620, the EPG server 103 queries the user management server 101 for the user service information. Step 630, the EPG server 103 determines the EPG template according to the user group in which the user is located, and determines the SKIN package according to the user's SKIN information, and saves the template information and the user. Selected SKIN package information; Step 640, the EPG server 103 determines whether the SKIN packet needs to be downloaded by the terminal device 105 according to the reporting information of the user equipment or the user equipment information stored in the user management server. If yes, go to step 650, otherwise go to step 660;

When the terminal device has the ability to save SKIN packets using non-volatile memory (NVM), it only needs to be downloaded once, but most terminal devices must be re-downloaded after each boot.

Step 650, the EPG server 103 notifies the terminal device 105 to download the corresponding SKIN packet, and saves it in the memory of the terminal device 105;

In step 660, the EPG server 103 generates an operation page (EPG) of the user using the EPG template and the SKIN package.

The user can use the SKIN resource in the memory to display the EPG, and perform operations on the EPG page, such as searching for programs, browsing information, ordering programs, self-management, etc., to send an interactive service request to the EPG server until the user exits the EPG or times out.

In the technical solution, the terminal device should also replace the related appearance resources of the media player, and the media player needs to modify the SKIN of the corresponding mode. Because the process is similar, this article will not elaborate.

In the above technical solution, the system can have multiple flexible charging modes, and different charging methods are adopted according to different types of SKIN packets, and the use of the SKIN package also has different expiration dates, such as: the length of time for the post-paid user to use Fees, prepaid users can refund some fees after deducting fees first, and there are also free and one-time subscription for permanent use, or SKIN with advertising can even return the fee or the number of points that can be used to order the program to the user, etc., not as a copy of this Limitations of the invention.

There are a variety of other embodiments of the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made thereto in accordance with the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Industrial applicability

The invention provides a personalized realization system and a user interface of a network television terminal device user interface The method can provide a personalized EPG interface, thereby improving the perception effect of the user group using the IPTV service, saving the service operator to produce various similar EPG templates, and introducing a new profit point of the IPTV service, which can more effectively promote the IPTV service. development of.

Claims

Claim

A personalization implementation system for a user interface of a network television terminal device, comprising a user management server, a content management server, an electronic program guide EPG server, a media server, and a terminal device, wherein the user management server, the content management server, and the user terminal respectively a connection interface with the EPG server and the media server, wherein

The EPG server is configured to release a program to the terminal user, and save the EPG template and the corresponding SKIN package; when the user uses the network television service, select the used BPG template and the SKIN package according to the service information of the user;

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the SKIN packet includes resource data and configuration information, the resource data includes a picture, a font, and sound data, and the configuration information includes an application occasion and a display of the resource data. The user's SKIN information includes a SKIN identifier currently used by the user, a list of SKIN identifiers that have been purchased, and an expiration date and billing information.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the content management server processes the SKIN packet to form the SKIN packet information that the user can order, and the content management server adds the default SKIN packet to the non-matching After the charging information is formed, the SKIN package information that the user can order is formed.

4. A personalized implementation method for a user interface of a network television terminal device, comprising the following steps:

(a) loading the EPG template and its associated SKIN package to the EPG server and publishing it to the user group using the EPG template; (b) the user in the user group logs in to the EPG server, selects a required SKIN package, and the user management server records the SKIN package subscribed by the user;

The method according to claim 4, wherein the SKIN packet includes resource data and configuration information, the resource data includes a picture, a font, and sound data, and the configuration information includes an application occasion and a display of the resource data. method.

The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step (a), the loading the EPG template loads the EPG template and its associated default SKIN packet onto the EPG server, and the EPG is loaded The template and its associated default SKIN package are bound to the corresponding user group and saved on the user management server.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step (a), loading the SKIN package matched with the EPG template comprises the following steps:

(al) loading one or more SKIN packets passed the test onto the EPG server;

(a3) The content management server configures the one or more SKIN packets with the billing information to form the SKIN package information that the user can order, and distributes it to the user group using the EPG template through the EPG server.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step (b), the user logging in to the EPG server to order the SKIN package further comprises the following steps:

(M) after the user logs in to the EPG server through the terminal device, the EPG server queries the user management server for the SKIN information of the user, and displays the SKIN package information that the user can subscribe to;

(b3) The EPG server sends a subscription request message to the user management server, and the user management server records the SKIN package subscribed by the user.

The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step (c), the EPG server determines the EPG template corresponding to the user group to which the user belongs and the SKIN package subscribed by the user, and then according to the The reporting information of the user terminal device or the user information stored in the user management server determines whether the terminal device needs to download the SKIN packet. If necessary, the EPG server notifies the terminal device to download the SKIN packet.

The method according to claim 4, wherein the service information of the user includes account information of the user, user group information, subscription content information, and user's SKIN information; the user's SKIN information includes the user's current The used SKIN identifier, the list of purchased SKIN identifiers, and their expiration date and billing information.