WO2008108563A1

WO2008108563A1 - Method and system for redistributing information

Info

Publication number: WO2008108563A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001206
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Gyu Chung; Sung Hyun Cho; Koo Yong Pak; Il Gon Park; Soo Jung Kim; Man Soo Jeong
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2007-03-02
Filing date: 2008-03-03
Publication date: 2008-09-12

Abstract

Disclosed are information redistribution method and system. According to the information redistribution method, a specific request message is received from a device. Contents guide information for redistribution to the device is generated in response to the request message. The generated contents guide information is transmitted to the device. A transmission request of contents is received from the device. It is determined whether the contents have already been stored. If, as a result of the determination, the contents have not been stored, a service provider is requested to transmit the contents. The contents are received from the service provider. The contents are transmitted to the device. Accordingly, contents guide information can be redistributed to a device and services based on the contents guide information can be provided.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDISTRIBUTING INFORMATION

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a method and system for redistributing information, and more particularly, to information redistribution technologies of Internet protocol television (IPTV) service, in which contents guide information for IPTV service is redistributed to devices and IPTV contents can be redistributed based on the same. Background Art

[2] In general, IPTV service may refer to services for providing video, audio, and data through TV by employing an IP communication network. IPTV service allows even users who are not accustomed to computers to watch broadcasting programs, view contents such as pictures, and employ a variety of services such as Internet search, home shopping, and online game through TV. In particular, IPTV service can accept the needs of users through bidirectionality and selectively provide services required by the users. Hence, a user can actively select the type, viewing time, etc. of an audience program.

[3] In order to receive this IPTV service, a user side must be equipped with a TV receiver and an IPTV settop box. Here, the IPTV settop box can have software, which supports bidirectional services, installed therein. The IPTV settop box can perform the functions of, for example, requesting a service provider to transmit broadcasting contents, converting a broadcasting signal received from the service provider into a standard TV signal, transmitting the converted signal to a TV receiver, and so on, while transmitting or receiving information to or from the service provider by accessing an IP network.

[4] However, in this IPTV service, broadcasting can be watched only through a TV receiver connected to an IPTV settop box. The use of this service is accompanied by a space limitation from the standpoint of a user. Due to this problem, attempts have recently been made to expand the service area by associating the IPTV settop box with various devices. For example, an IPTV settop box is associated with athome devices through a home network, and contents stored in the IPTV settop box are redistributed to the device.

[5] One of the most keys in constructing this redistribution system is to maintain bidirectionality of IPTV service even when redistributing contents. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for the development of pertinent technologies. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for redistributing information, which can redistribute contents guide information to devices by employing an IPTV settop box and perform contents redistribution based on the contents guide information. Technical Solution

[7] To achieve the above object, an information redistribution method according to an aspect of the present invention may include the steps of receiving a specific request message from a device, generating contents guide information for redistribution to the device in response to the request message, and transmitting the generated contents guide information to the device.

[8] The specific request message may include filtering information set by the device.

Here, the step of generating the contents guide information may include the step of performing filtering according to the filtering information.

[9] The information redistribution method may further include the steps of receiving a transmission request of contents from the device, determining whether the contents have already been stored, if, as a result of the determination, the contents have not been stored, requesting a service provider to transmit the contents, receiving the contents from the service provider, and transmitting the contents to the device. The information redistribution method may further include the step of, if, as a result of the determination, the contents have already been stored, transmitting the stored contents to the device.

[10] The step of generating the contents guide information may include the step of generating the contents guide information on the basis of information provided from a service provider. Here, the information provided from the service provider may include any one of an electronic program guide (EPG), an electronic contents guide (ECG), and a video on demand (VoD) contents guide.

[11] On the other hand, to achieve the above object, an information redistribution system according to another aspect of the present invention may include a NonIPTV device, and an IPTV device for generating contents guide information for redistribution to the NonIPTV device in response to a request from the NonIPTV device, and transmitting the generated contents guide information the NonIPTV device.

[12] The NonIPTV device may receive the contents guide information from the IPTV device, and request contents, which are selected on the basis of the contents guide information, from any one of the IPTV device and a service provider.

[13] The IPTV device may determine whether contents are stored in the IPTV device when a request to transmit the contents is received from the NonIPTV device, and if, as a result of the determination, the contents are stored in the IPTV device, transmit the contents to the NonIPTV device, and if, as a result of the determination, the contents are not stored in the IPTV device, request the contents from the service provider. [14] The NonIPTV device may set filtering information according to a user's input and transmit the set filtering information to the IPTV device. In this case, the IPTV device may generate custommade contents guide information suitable for a user's preference by employing the filtering information when generating the contents guide information. The contents guide information may include preview contents of the contents.

Advantageous Effects

[15] As described above, according to the present invention, contents guide information can be redistributed to NonIPTV devices by employing an IPTV settop box. Accordingly, a user can select and watch desired program contents by employing the NonIPTV device. Further, filtering information can be set according to a user's input and custommade contents guide information preferred by a user can be provided based on the set filtering information. Accordingly, a user can be provided with service with a high degree of satisfaction. Brief Description of the Drawings

[16] FIG. 1 is an exemplary view illustrating the concept of an information redistribution system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a module construction of the information redistribution system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[18] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operational scenario of the information redistribution system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[19] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operational scenario of the information redistribution system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[20] <Description of reference numerals of principal elements in the drawings>

[21] 10: IPTV settop box

[22] 20, 20a, 20b: NonIPTV device

[23] 100: service provider

Mode for the Invention

[24] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in order for those skilled in the art to be able to implement the invention. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, specific technical terminologies are used for clarity of the contents. However, It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific terminologies and each specific terminology includes all technical synonyms operating in a similar way in order to accomplish a similar object.

[25] FIG. 1 is an exemplary view illustrating the concept of an information redistribution system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[26] As shown in FIG. 1, an IPTV settop box 10 can operate in conjunction with an

IPTV service provider 100 through an IP network. The IPTV settop box 10 can request contents guide information from the IPTV service provider 100, receive the contents guide information from the IPTV service provider 100, and store and manage received contents guide information.

[27] The contents guide information can be an electronic program guide (EPG) that provides a program schedule, etc., of program contents, which are now being broadcasted or will be broadcasted, an electronic contents guide (ECG) that provides list information of service contents, a video on demand (VoD) contents guide that provides a list and schedule of VoD contents or the like. The contents guide information can include information, such as a list, a service period, the contents of contents, a fee, etc. of contents (for example, broadcasting programs, information contents, VoD contents, etc.).

[28] The IPTV settop box 10 provides the contents guide information to a TV receiver 5.

A user can select desired contents using a remote controller, etc., while watching contents guide information displayed on the TV receiver 5. If contents are selected, the IPTV settop box 10 requests corresponding contents from the IPTV service provider 100, converts contents, which are received from the IPTV service provider 100, into signals that can be accepted by the TV receiver 5, and provides converted signals to the TV receiver 5. Hence, the user can watch corresponding contents by employing the TV receiver 5.

[29] Meanwhile, a local network environment 3, such as a home network environment, can be configured at home. In the local network environment 3, a number of devices can be interconnected through a local network. The plurality of devices included in the local network environment 3 may constitute a domain. A domain may refer to a set of devices, which are certified by a specific administration entity. The administration entity may refer to the IPTV service provider 100, or a domain manager (not shown) that is operated in a contents protection system (for example, DRM, CAS, etc.), which is aligned with the IPTV service provider 100. Authorized devices included in this domain can share contents.

[30] The local network environment 3 can include NonIPTV devices 20 which can gain access to the IPTV settop box 10. The NonIPTV devices 20 can refer to devices not equipped with the IPTV service function. The NonIPTV devices 20 can include various kinds of devices such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), and a video remote controller (a remote controller equipped with a video display function).

[31] The NonIPTV device 20 can perform certification by requesting the certification from a domain manager, obtain a usage right through a predetermined procedure, and use contents, which are transmitted from the IPTV service provider 100 to an IPTV device (for example, the IPTV settop box 10) and then redistributed from the IPTV settop box 10.

[32] However, when a device that is mainly used by a user is the NonIPTV device 20, the user would want to select desired contents using the NonIPTV device 20. To this end, the NonIPTV device 20 and the IPTV settop box 10 must be able to share contents guide information. In the present invention, the contents guide information can be distributed from the IPTV device 10 to the NonIPTV device 20 through a predetermined procedure. The NonIPTV device 20 can request selected contents from the IPTV device 10 or the IPTV service provider 100 on the basis of the contents guide information and receive the requested contents.

[33] Here, the contents guide information that the NonIPTV device 20 can request redistribution from the IPTV device 10 can be redistribution electronic program guide (rEPG), redistribution electronic contents guide (rECG), redistribution VoD service guide or the like.

[34] In the following description, it is assumed that the contents guide information is rEPG. rEPG is for allowing an information redistribution system to transfer information, such as a schedule, a list, etc. of broadcasting program contents, to the NonIPTV device 20 using the IPTV settop box 10, that is, an IPTV device. rEPG may refer to EPG that is provided (that is, redistributed) from the IPTV settop box 10 to a NonIPTV device in response to a request from the NonIPTV device 20. Meanwhile, rECG, redistribution VoD contents guide, etc. may refer to ECG, VoD, etc., in which contents are redistributed from an IPTV device to an NonIPTV device based on the same concept of rEPG.

[35] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a module construction of the information redistribution system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This drawing shows a system in which the IPTV settop box 10 can provide rEPG to the NonIPTV device 20 in response to a request from the NonIPTV device 20 and redistribute contents.

[36] As shown in FIG. 2, the NonIPTV device 20 can include a rEPG control module 24, a rEPG analysis module 26, and a contents selection/management module 22.

[37] The rEPG control module 24 of the NonIPTV device 20 can perform a function of generally controlling operations related to rEPG of the NonIPTV device 20. For example, the rEPG control module 24 of the NonIPTV device 20 can control an operating flow of the rEPG analysis module 26 and the contents selection/management module 22.

[38] The rEPG control module 24 of the NonIPTV device 20 can also request transmission of rEPG from the IPTV settop box 10. Further, the rEPG control module 24 can set filtering information, which is received from a user, and transmit set filtering information to the IPTV settop box 10. The filtering information can include items such as a broadcasting period (or time) of contents, a channel number, a contents type, whether contents are paid/free, and capability of a device. This filtering information can be transmitted when transmission of rEPG is requested or can be transmitted separately.

[39] The rEPG analysis module 26 functions to analyze and process information of rEPG. For example, the rEPG analysis module 26 can analyze and process rEPG received from the IPTV settop box 10 and transmit the result to the contents selection/ management module 22.

[40] The contents selection/management module 22 functions to provide information, such as a schedule, a list, and the contents of contents included in rEPG, to a user and manage the information. If selected contents are received from a user, the contents selection/management module 22 can request corresponding contents from the IPTV settop box 10 or the IPTV service provider 100.

[41] Meanwhile, the IPTV settop box 10 can be equipped with a rEPG control module

14, a rEPG generating module 12, and a service control module 16.

[42] The rEPG control module 14 of the IPTV settop box 10 can perform a function of generally controlling operations related to rEPG of the IPTV settop box 10. For example, the rEPG control module 14 of the IPTV settop box 10 can request the rEPG generating module 12 to generate rEPG when there is a transmission request of the rEPG from the NonIPTV device 20, and transmit the rEPG generated by the rEPG generating module 12 to the NonIPTV device 20. Further, when the rEPG control module 14 requests the rEPG generating module 12 to generate rEPG, it can provide filtering information, which is received from the NonIPTV device 20.

[43] Further, the rEPG control module 14 of the IPTV settop box 10 determines whether corresponding contents have been stored in the IPTV settop box 10 when there is a request of contents, which are selected based on information of rEPG, from the NonIPTV device 20. If, as a result of the determination, corresponding contents are stored in the IPTV settop box 10, the rEPG control module 14 can transmit the contents to the NonIPTV device 20. However, if, as a result of the determination, corresponding contents are not stored in the IPTV settop box 10, the rEPG control module 14 can instruct the service control module 16 to request the contents from the IPTV service provider 100.

[44] The rEPG generating module 12 functions to generate rEPG in response to a request from the rEPG control module 14 of the IPTV settop box 10. Here, the rEPG generating module 12 can generate rEPG by employing previously stored EPG. When generating rEPG, the rEPG generating module 12 can generate custommade rEPG suitable for a user's preference by employing filtering information provided from the rEPG control module 14 of the IPTV settop box 10. For example, the rEPG generating module 12 can generate rEPG from which information of contents, which does not comply with conditions, are removed and which includes only guide information of contents, which comply with the conditions, by employing filtering information set by a user.

[45] The service control module 16 can function to control operations pertinent to an

IPTV service of the IPTV settop box 10. For example, the service control module 16 can instruct the IPTV service provider 100 to transmit corresponding contents when there is a transmission request command of contents from the rEPG control module 14 of the IPTV settop box 10, and transmit received contents to the rEPG control module 14 of the IPTV settop box 10. Here, the rEPG control module 14 can store corresponding contents in the IPTV settop box 10 and transmit the contents to the NonIPTV device 20.

[46] The construction of the information redistribution system has been described above.

An operational scenario of the information redistribution system is described below.

[47] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operational scenario of the information redistribution system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This drawing illustrates an operational scenario when a NonIPTV device is not equipped with a communication function with an IPTV service provider.

[48] As shown in FIG. 3, a NonIPTV device 20a can transmit a rEPG request message, which requests to transmit rEPG, to the IPTV settop box 10 in order to receive guide information of contents provided by an IPTV service (step: Sl). The rEPG request message may include filtering information set by a user.

[49] The IPTV settop box 10 generates rEPG in response to the request from the

NonIPTV device 20a (step: S2). Here, the IPTV settop box 10 can generate rEPG by employing EPG, which is received from the IPTV service provider 100 and then stored and managed.

[50] When generating the rEPG, the IPTV settop box may generate custommade rEPG on which the user's preference has been reflected by performing filtering employing the filtering information provided from the NonIPTV device 20a. For example, in the filtering information, when an item "a broadcasting period of contents" is from Jan. 20 to 22 on 2007", an item "a channel number" is "10", an item "contents type" is "sports", and an item "paid/free" is "free", the rEPG generating module can generate rEPG by limiting the number of free contents, which are related to sports, to 10 as a program, which is broadcasted from Jan. 20 to 22 on 2007, of guide information of program contents included in EPG.

[51] Meanwhile, the generated rEPG may also include preview contents of the contents.

The preview contents can be multimedia, images, sound source, etc., through which the contents of corresponding program contents can be known approximately. For example, the preview contents can include a preview of a broadcasting program, a movie, etc. The preview contents can be transmitted from the IPTV service provider 100 to the IPTV settop box 10. The IPTV settop box 10 stores the preview contents and then has them included in rEPG when generating the rEPG.

[52] After the rEPG is generated, the IPTV settop box 10 transmits the generated rEPG to the NonIPTV device 20a (step: S3). The NonIPTV device 20a can receive the rEPG from the IPTV settop box 10, provide it to a user, and store and manage the rEPG.

[53] The user can select desired contents while watching the rEPG provided from the

NonIPTV device 20a. Here, when preview contents are included in the rEPG, the NonIPTV device 20a can generate corresponding preview contents, and the user may make reference to the contents, which are known through the preview, when selecting contents.

[54] After contents are selected by the user, the NonIPTV device 20a transmits contents transmission request information, requesting the transmission of the contents, to the IPTV settop box 10 (step: S4). The IPTV settop box 10 that has received the contents transmission request information views the contents transmission request information and then requests the IPTV service provider 100 to transmit corresponding contents thereto (step: S5).

[55] The IPTV service provider 100 that has received this request transmits the contents to the IPTV settop box 10 (step: S6). The IPTV settop box 10 stores the contents received from the IPTV service provider 100 (step: S7) and transmits the contents to the NonIPTV device 20a (step: S8). The NonIPTV device 20a can store and play the received contents. Thus, the user can view desired contents using the NonIPTV device 20a.

[56] Meanwhile, in the case where contents requested by the NonIPTV device 20a have already been stored in the IPTV settop box 10, the IPTV settop box 10 that has received contents transmission request information may transmit the contents, which are stored therein, to the NonIPTV device 20a without the need to request the IPTV service provider 100 to transmit the contents thereto. In this case, the steps S5 to S7 may not be performed.

[57] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operational scenario of the information redistribution system according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. This drawing illustrates an operational scenario when a NonIPTV device is equipped with a communication function with an IPTV service provider.

[58] Referring to FIG. 4, a NonIPTV device 20b can transmit a rEPG request message, which requests to transmit rEPG, to the IPTV settop box 10 in order to receive guide information of contents provided by an IPTV service (step: SI l). When requesting transmission of the rEPG, the NonIPTV device 20b may transmit filtering information, which is set by a user, to the IPTV settop box 10.

[59] The IPTV settop box 10 generates rEPG in response to the request from the

NonIPTV device 20b (step: S 12). Here, the IPTV settop box 10 can generate the rEPG on the basis of the contents of EPG, which is provided from the IPTV service provider 100 and then stored and managed. When generating the rEPG, the IPTV settop box 10 may generate custommade rEPG on which a user's preference has been reflected by employing filtering information transmitted when the rEPG is requested. Preview contents of the contents may also be included in the rEPG.

[60] After the rEPG is generated, the IPTV settop box 10 transmits the generated rEPG to the NonIPTV device 20b (step: S 13). The NonIPTV device 20b can receive the rEPG from the IPTV settop box 10, provide it to the user, and store and manage the rEPG. The user can select desired contents while watching the rEPG provided from the NonIPTV device 20b. Here, when preview contents are included in the rEPG, the NonIPTV device 20b can generate corresponding preview contents, and the user may make reference to the contents, which are known through the preview, when selecting contents.

[61] If the contents are selected by the user, the NonIPTV device 20b can request the

IPTV service provider 100 to transmit the selected contents thereto by employing the communication function (step: S 14). In response thereto, the IPTV service provider 100 transmits the requested contents to the IPTV settop box 10 (step: S 15).

[62] The IPTV settop box 10 stores the contents received from the IPTV service provider 100 (step: S 16) and transmits the contents to the NonIPTV device 20b (step: S 17). The NonIPTV device 20b can store and play the received contents. Thus, the user can view desired contents using the NonIPTV device 20b.

[63] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

[1] An information redistribution method, comprising the steps of: receiving a specific request message from a device; generating contents guide information for redistribution to the device in response to the request message; and transmitting the generated contents guide information to the device.

[2] The information redistribution method of claim 1, wherein: the specific request message includes filtering information set by the device, and the step of generating the contents guide information includes the step of performing filtering according to the filtering information.

[3] The information redistribution method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving a transmission request of contents from the device; determining whether the contents have already been stored; if, as a result of the determination, the contents have not been stored, requesting a service provider to transmit the contents; receiving the contents from the service provider; and transmitting the contents to the device.

[4] The information redistribution method of claim 3, further comprising the step of, if, as a result of the determination, the contents have already been stored, transmitting the stored contents to the device.

[5] The information redistribution method of claim 1, wherein: the step of generating the contents guide information comprises the step of generating the contents guide information on the basis of information provided from a service provider, and the information provided from the service provider includes any one of an electronic program guide (EPG), an electronic contents guide (ECG), and a video on demand (VoD) contents guide.

[6] An information redistribution system, comprising: a NonIPTV device; and an IPTV device for generating contents guide information for redistribution to the NonIPTV device in response to a request from the NonIPTV device, and transmitting the generated contents guide information the NonIPTV device.

[7] The information redistribution system of claim 6, wherein the NonIPTV device receives the contents guide information from the IPTV device, and requests contents, which are selected on the basis of the contents guide information, from any one of the IPTV device and a service provider.

[8] The information redistribution system of claim 6, wherein the IPTV device determines whether contents are stored in the IPTV device when a request to transmit the contents is received from the NonIPTV device, and if, as a result of the determination, the contents are stored in the IPTV device, transmits the contents to the NonIPTV device, and if, as a result of the determination, the contents are not stored in the IPTV device, requests the contents from the service provider.

[9] The information redistribution system of claim 6, wherein the NonIPTV device sets filtering information according to a user's input and transmits the set filtering information to the IPTV device.

[10] The information redistribution system of claim 9, wherein the IPTV device generates custommade contents guide information suitable for a user's preference by employing the filtering information when generating the contents guide information.

[11] The information redistribution system of claim 6, wherein the contents guide information includes preview contents of the contents.