WO2020262722A1

WO2020262722A1 - Display device

Info

Publication number: WO2020262722A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/007640
Authority: WO
Inventors: 오재원; 김정심; 공용택
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2019-06-25
Filing date: 2019-06-25
Publication date: 2020-12-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device which provides IP channels. The display device may comprise an IP-based channel reception module for accessing content URLs to broadcast contents.

Description

Display device

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device that provides an Internet Protocol (IP)-based channel.

In recent years, digital TV services using wired or wireless communication networks have become common. The digital TV service can provide a variety of services that could not be provided by conventional analog broadcasting services.

For example, in the case of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and smart TV services, which are one type of digital TV service, interactive features that enable users to actively select the type of viewing program and viewing time are provided. IPTV and smart TV services may provide various additional services, such as Internet search, home shopping, and online games, based on this interactive nature.

Although the display device can provide bidirectionality as described above, the display device currently configures a channel by receiving and playing a stream in which a plurality of contents are encoded as one. In this case, it is difficult for the display device to know the types of contents constituting the stream, the playback timing of each content, and the type and time of advertisements played between the contents, and thus, it is difficult to provide an additional service based on the have.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a first object to provide an IP channel through which contents are streamed by receiving a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of each of the contents.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a second object to provide a video on demand (VOD) service when displaying content streamed through an IP channel.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a third object to provide an AI (Artificial Intelligence) channel through which customized content is streamed according to a user.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a fourth object to provide an application linked with content when displaying content streamed through an IP channel.

The display device according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits a signal for requesting content corresponding to the switched IP channel to an external server when the user input interface unit receives a channel switching command and the channel switched according to the channel switching command is an IP channel. And, an IP-based channel receiving module that receives a content URL in response to a signal from an external server, a control unit that controls the IP-based channel receiving module to access the content URL, and a display unit that displays content played upon access to the content URL. Can include.

The IP-based channel receiving module may further receive broadcast time information from an external server, and the controller may adjust a playback time of the content based on the broadcast time information.

The controller may access the content URL to play the content and then control the display to display an advertisement before accessing another content URL.

The display device according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a storage unit for storing a user history, which is information about contents viewed by the user, and the controller obtains recommended content based on the user history when the IP channel corresponds to the AI channel, It is possible to control the IP-based channel reception module to transmit a signal for requesting recommended content to an external server.

The controller may control the display to further display a VOD thumbnail indicating the VOD if there is a video on demand (VOD) related to the currently playing content.

When receiving a command for selecting a VOD thumbnail, the control unit may play a VOD corresponding to the selected VOD thumbnail.

The controller may control the display to simultaneously display the content and the execution window of the application if there is an application related to the currently playing content.

When receiving the content URL, when further receiving application information, the controller may determine that an application related to the content exists.

The application information may include an application URL capable of downloading or executing an application.

The display unit may further display an application participating in the quiz program when displaying content for the quiz program.

The display unit may further display an application guiding an exercise state when displaying content for an exercise program.

The IP-based channel receiving module includes an external server interaction unit that communicates with an external server, a scheduler unit that calculates the broadcasting order of content, an AI generation unit that recommends content to be played based on user history, and receives from an external server according to the broadcasting order of the content. It may include a playback unit that accesses a content URL to play content, a VOD control unit that controls a VOD related to the content to be displayed on the display unit, and a launcher unit that runs an application related to the content.

The external server may be a content management server that stores content and broadcast time information registered by a service provider.

The content management server includes a content management unit that stores contents registered by a service provider, an advertisement management unit that stores advertisements played between contents, a channel management unit that sets a channel in which contents and advertisements are played, and a display device interaction that communicates with the display device. May contain wealth.

The control unit may differently control the content playback time point according to the IP channel entry time point.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since encoding is not required in a transmission server because a channel is formed by receiving and accessing a content URL, there is an advantage of reducing server management cost.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain information such as a type of content played on a current channel, a playback time, etc. In this case, a video on demand (VOD) related to the currently played content, advertisements among the contents There is an advantage in that the reproduction timing and the like can be obtained more accurately.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage of providing an AI channel in which only contents preferred by a user are played. In this case, there is an advantage of minimizing the inconvenience that the user has to search for content one by one.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by providing an application related to the currently played content, there is an advantage of minimizing the inconvenience of a user having to directly search for an application related to the content being viewed. In addition, there is an advantage of minimizing inconvenience of having to operate an application through a device separate from the display device while the user watches content through the display device.

1 is a diagram illustrating a display device providing an IP channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 shows an example of an actual configuration of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 shows an example of using a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a block diagram of an IP-based channel reception apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a block diagram of a content management server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a ladder diagram illustrating a method of operating a display device providing an IP channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a diagram illustrating a method of playing content in an IP channel by a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is an exemplary diagram of a method of configuring a channel of each IP channel by a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is an exemplary diagram of a method of displaying a thumbnail of a VOD related to a current content by a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is an exemplary diagram of a method for simultaneously displaying content and an application according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

13 is an exemplary diagram of a method for simultaneously displaying content and an application according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "unit" for the constituent elements used in the following description is given or used interchangeably in consideration of only the ease of writing the specification, and does not itself have a distinct meaning or role from each other.

The display apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an IP-based channel receiving module 300 for providing an Internet Protocol (IP) channel.

Here, the IP channel may mean a channel for broadcasting content through access to a content uniform resource locator (URL).

The content URL may mean an access address for receiving content stored in an external server.

The IP-based channel receiving module 300 may receive a content URL from an external server through communication with an external server. The external server may be a content management server that stores content registered by a service provider, a broadcast schedule, and the like. For example, the IP-based channel receiving module 300 may receive a content URL from the content management server 400.

The content management server 400 may store a content URL, a playback order, and a playback time for each content provider so that the display device 100 can provide an IP channel.

Hereinafter, the IP-based channel receiving module 300 will be described as receiving a content URL from the content management server 400, but this is merely an example for convenience of description. That is, according to an embodiment, the IP-based channel receiving module 300 may directly receive a content URL from a content provider (CP).

The display device 100 including the IP-based channel receiving module 300 may perform wired/wireless communication with the content management server 400 and may provide an IP channel through this.

Prior to describing a method for the display device 100 to provide an IP channel, a detailed configuration of the display device 100 will be described first.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display device 100 includes a broadcast receiving unit 130, an external device interface unit 135, a storage unit 140, a user input interface unit 150, a control unit 170, and a wireless communication unit 173. , A display unit 180, an audio output unit 185, and a power supply unit 190 may be included.

The broadcast reception unit 130 may include a tuner 131, a demodulation unit 132, and a network interface unit 133.

The tuner 131 may select a specific broadcast channel according to a channel selection command. The tuner 131 may receive a broadcast signal for a selected specific broadcast channel.

The demodulator 132 may divide the received broadcast signal into a video signal, an audio signal, and a data signal related to a broadcast program, and restore the separated video signal, audio signal, and data signal into a form capable of outputting.

The network interface unit 133 may provide an interface for connecting the display device 100 to a wired/wireless network including an Internet network. The network interface unit 133 may transmit or receive data with other users or other electronic devices through a connected network or another network linked to the connected network.

The network interface unit 133 may access a predetermined web page through a connected network or another network linked to the connected network. That is, by accessing a predetermined web page through a network, the server and data can be transmitted or received.

In addition, the network interface unit 133 may receive content or data provided by a content provider or a network operator. That is, the network interface unit 133 may receive content such as movies, advertisements, games, VODs, broadcast signals, and related information provided from a content provider or a network provider through a network.

In addition, the network interface unit 133 may receive update information and an update file of firmware provided by a network operator, and transmit data to the Internet or content provider or network operator.

The network interface unit 133 may select and receive a desired application from among applications open to the public through a network.

The external device interface unit 135 may receive an application or an application list in an adjacent external device and transmit it to the control unit 170 or the storage unit 140.

The external device interface unit 135 may provide a connection path between the display device 100 and the external device. The external device interface unit 135 may receive one or more of an image and audio output from an external device connected to the display device 100 by wire or wirelessly, and transmit it to the control unit 170. The external device interface unit 135 may include a plurality of external input terminals. The plurality of external input terminals may include an RGB terminal, one or more HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminals, and a component terminal.

An image signal of an external device input through the external device interface unit 135 may be output through the display unit 180. The audio signal of the external device input through the external device interface unit 135 may be output through the audio output unit 185.

The external device connectable to the external device interface unit 135 may be any one of a set-top box, a Blu-ray player, a DVD player, a game console, a sound bar, a smartphone, a PC, a USB memory, and a home theater, but this is only an example. .

In addition, some content data stored in the display apparatus 100 may be transmitted to another user registered in advance in the display apparatus 100 or a selected user or a selected electronic device among other electronic devices.

The storage unit 140 may store a program for processing and controlling each signal in the control unit 170 and may store signal-processed video, audio, or data signals.

In addition, the storage unit 140 may perform a function for temporary storage of a video, audio, or data signal input from the external device interface unit 135 or the network interface unit 133. You can also store information about the image.

The storage unit 140 may store an application or an application list input from the external device interface unit 135 or the network interface unit 133.

The display device 100 may reproduce and provide a content file (movie file, still image file, music file, document file, application file, etc.) stored in the storage unit 140 to a user.

The user input interface unit 150 may transmit a signal input by the user to the controller 170 or may transmit a signal from the controller 170 to the user. For example, the user input interface unit 150 may be configured according to various communication methods such as Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband (WB), ZigBee method, Radio Frequency (RF) communication method, or infrared (IR) communication method, Control signals such as power on/off, channel selection, and screen setting may be received and processed from the remote control device 200, or a control signal from the control unit 170 may be transmitted to the remote control device 200.

In addition, the user input interface unit 150 may transmit a control signal input from a local key (not shown) such as a power key, a channel key, a volume key, and a set value to the control unit 170.

The image signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to the display unit 180 and displayed as an image corresponding to the corresponding image signal. Also, the image signal processed by the controller 170 may be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit 135.

The audio signal processed by the controller 170 may be audio output to the audio output unit 185. In addition, the voice signal processed by the control unit 170 may be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit 135.

In addition, the controller 170 may control the overall operation of the display apparatus 100.

In addition, the control unit 170 may control the display device 100 by a user command or an internal program input through the user input interface unit 150, and access the network to display an application or application list desired by the user. It can be downloaded within (100).

The control unit 170 enables channel information selected by the user to be output through the display unit 180 or the audio output unit 185 together with the processed image or audio signal.

In addition, the control unit 170, in accordance with an external device image playback command received through the user input interface unit 150, from an external device input through the external device interface unit 135, for example, a camera or a camcorder, An image signal or an audio signal may be output through the display unit 180 or the audio output unit 185.

Meanwhile, the control unit 170 may control the display unit 180 to display an image, for example, a broadcast image input through the tuner 131 or an external input input through the external device interface unit 135 An image, an image input through the network interface unit, or an image stored in the storage unit 140 may be controlled to be displayed on the display unit 180. In this case, the image displayed on the display unit 180 may be a still image or a moving image, and may be a 2D image or a 3D image.

In addition, the control unit 170 may control content stored in the display device 100, received broadcast content, and external input content input from the outside to be played. The content includes a broadcast image, an external input image, an audio file, It may be in various forms such as a still image, a connected web screen, and a document file.

The wireless communication unit 173 may communicate with an external device through wired or wireless communication. The wireless communication unit 173 may perform short range communication with an external device. To this end, the wireless communication unit 173 includes Bluetooth™, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and NFC (Near Field Communication), Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) technologies may be used to support short-range communication. The wireless communication unit 173 may be configured between the display device 100 and a wireless communication system, between the display device 100 and another display device 100, or between the display device 100 and the display device 100 through wireless area networks. Wireless communication between networks in which the display device 100 or an external server is located may be supported. The local area wireless communication networks may be wireless personal area networks (Wireless Personal Area Networks).

Here, the other display device 100 is a wearable device capable of exchanging (or interlocking with) data with the display device 100 according to the present invention, for example, a smartwatch, smart glasses. (smart glass), HMD (head mounted display)), it can be a mobile terminal such as a smart phone. The wireless communication unit 173 may detect (or recognize) a wearable device capable of communicating around the display apparatus 100. Further, when the sensed wearable device is an authenticated device to communicate with the display apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the controller 170 transmits at least a portion of the data processed by the display apparatus 100 to the wireless communication unit ( 173) can be transmitted to the wearable device. Accordingly, a user of the wearable device may use data processed by the display apparatus 100 through the wearable device.

The display unit 180 converts an image signal, a data signal, an OSD signal processed by the control unit 170, or an image signal and a data signal received from the external device interface unit 135 into R, G, and B signals, respectively. Can generate signals.

Meanwhile, since the display device 100 illustrated in FIG. 2 is only an embodiment of the present invention. Some of the illustrated components may be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specifications of the display device 100 that is actually implemented.

That is, if necessary, two or more components may be combined into a single component, or one component may be subdivided into two or more components and configured. In addition, functions performed by each block are for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and specific operations or devices thereof do not limit the scope of the present invention.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, unlike FIG. 2, the display apparatus 100 does not include a tuner 131 and a demodulation unit 132, but a network interface unit 133 or an external device interface unit ( 135) can also be received and played.

For example, the display device 100 is divided into an image processing device such as a set-top box, such as for receiving broadcast signals or contents according to various network services, and a content reproducing device for reproducing content input from the image processing device. Can be implemented.

In this case, the operating method of the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention to be described below is not only the display device 100 as described with reference to FIG. 2, but also an image processing device or display unit such as the separated set-top box. 180) and the audio output unit 185 may be performed by any one of a content playback device.

Next, a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4.

3 is a block diagram of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an actual configuration example of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 3, the remote control device 200 includes a fingerprint recognition unit 210, a wireless communication unit 220, a user input unit 230, a sensor unit 240, an output unit 250, and a power supply unit 260. ), a storage unit 270, a control unit 280, and a voice acquisition unit 290.

Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless communication unit 220 transmits and receives a signal to and from any one of the display devices according to the exemplary embodiments described above.

The remote control device 200 includes an RF module 221 capable of transmitting and receiving signals with the display device 100 according to the RF communication standard, and capable of transmitting and receiving signals with the display device 100 according to the IR communication standard. An IR module 223 may be provided. In addition, the remote control device 200 may include a Bluetooth module 225 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the display device 100 according to the Bluetooth communication standard. In addition, the remote control device 200 includes an NFC module 227 capable of transmitting and receiving signals with the display device 100 according to the NFC (Near Field Communication) communication standard, and the display according to the WLAN (Wireless LAN) communication standard. A WLAN module 229 capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the device 100 may be provided.

In addition, the remote control device 200 transmits a signal containing information about the movement of the remote control device 200 to the display device 100 through the wireless communication unit 220.

On the other hand, the remote control device 200 may receive a signal transmitted from the display device 100 through the RF module 221, and power on/off the display device 100 through the IR module 223 as necessary. Commands for off, channel change, volume change, etc. can be transmitted.

The user input unit 230 may be composed of a keypad, a button, a touch pad, or a touch screen. A user may input a command related to the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 by manipulating the user input unit 230. When the user input unit 230 includes a hard key button, the user may input a command related to the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 through a push operation of the hard key button. This will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, the remote control device 200 may include a plurality of buttons. The plurality of buttons include a fingerprint recognition button 212, a power button 231, a home button 232, a live button 233, an external input button 234, a volume control button 235, a voice recognition button 236, A channel change button 237, a confirmation button 238, and a back button 239 may be included.

The fingerprint recognition button 212 may be a button for recognizing a user's fingerprint. As an example, the fingerprint recognition button 212 is capable of a push operation and may receive a push operation and a fingerprint recognition operation. The power button 231 may be a button for turning on/off power of the display apparatus 100. The home button 232 may be a button for moving to the home screen of the display device 100. The live button 233 may be a button for displaying a real-time broadcast program. The external input button 234 may be a button for receiving an external input connected to the display device 100. The volume control button 235 may be a button for adjusting the volume of the volume output by the display apparatus 100. The voice recognition button 236 may be a button for receiving a user's voice and recognizing the received voice. The channel change button 237 may be a button for receiving a broadcast signal of a specific broadcast channel. The confirmation button 238 may be a button for selecting a specific function, and the back button 239 may be a button for returning to a previous screen.

3 will be described again.

When the user input unit 230 includes a touch screen, the user may input a command related to the display device 100 to the remote control device 200 by touching a soft key on the touch screen. In addition, the user input unit 230 may include various types of input means that a user can manipulate, such as a scroll key or a jog key, and the present embodiment does not limit the scope of the present invention.

The sensor unit 240 may include a gyro sensor 241 or an acceleration sensor 243, and the gyro sensor 241 may sense information about the movement of the remote control device 200.

For example, the gyro sensor 241 may sense information on the operation of the remote control device 200 based on the x, y, and z axes, and the acceleration sensor 243 is the moving speed of the remote control device 200 Information about the back can be sensed. On the other hand, the remote control device 200 may further include a distance measuring sensor, so that the distance to the display unit 180 of the display device 100 may be sensed.

The output unit 250 may output an image or audio signal corresponding to an operation of the user input unit 230 or a signal transmitted from the display apparatus 100. Through the output unit 250, the user may recognize whether the user input unit 230 is operated or whether the display apparatus 100 is controlled.

For example, the output unit 250 includes an LED module 251 that lights up when the user input unit 230 is operated or a signal is transmitted and received with the display device 100 through the wireless communication unit 220, and a vibration module that generates vibration ( 253), a sound output module 255 for outputting sound, or a display module 257 for outputting an image may be provided.

In addition, the power supply unit 260 supplies power to the remote control device 200, and when the remote control device 200 has not moved for a predetermined period of time, the power supply is stopped, thereby reducing power waste. The power supply unit 260 may resume power supply when a predetermined key provided in the remote control device 200 is operated.

The storage unit 270 may store various types of programs, application data, and the like necessary for controlling or operating the remote control device 200. If the remote control device 200 wirelessly transmits and receives signals through the display device 100 and the RF module 221, the remote control device 200 and the display device 100 transmit and receive signals through a predetermined frequency band. .

The control unit 280 of the remote control device 200 stores information about a frequency band through which signals can be wirelessly transmitted and received with the display device 100 paired with the remote control device 200 in the storage unit 270 and is referred to. can do.

The controller 280 controls all matters related to the control of the remote control device 200. The controller 280 transmits a signal corresponding to the operation of a predetermined key by the user input unit 230 or a signal corresponding to the movement of the remote control device 200 sensed by the sensor unit 240 through the wireless communication unit 220. 100).

In addition, the voice acquisition unit 290 of the remote control device 200 may acquire voice.

The voice acquisition unit 290 may include at least one microphone 291, and may acquire a voice through the microphone 291.

Next, FIG. 5 will be described.

5A illustrates that a pointer 205 corresponding to the remote control device 200 is displayed on the display unit 180.

The user can move or rotate the remote control device 200 up and down, left and right. The pointer 205 displayed on the display unit 180 of the display device 100 corresponds to the movement of the remote control device 200. As shown in the drawing, since the corresponding pointer 205 is moved and displayed according to movement in the 3D space, the remote control device 200 may be referred to as a space remote controller.

5B illustrates that when the user moves the remote control device 200 to the left, the pointer 205 displayed on the display unit 180 of the display device 100 also moves to the left in response thereto.

Information on the movement of the remote control device 200 detected through a sensor of the remote control device 200 is transmitted to the display device 100. The display device 100 may calculate the coordinates of the pointer 205 from information about the movement of the remote control device 200. The display apparatus 100 may display the pointer 205 to correspond to the calculated coordinates.

5C illustrates a case in which a user moves the remote control device 200 away from the display unit 180 while pressing a specific button in the remote control device 200. Accordingly, the selection area in the display unit 180 corresponding to the pointer 205 may be zoomed in and displayed in an enlarged manner.

Conversely, when the user moves the remote control device 200 to be close to the display unit 180, a selection area in the display unit 180 corresponding to the pointer 205 may be zoomed out and displayed in a reduced size.

Meanwhile, when the remote control device 200 moves away from the display unit 180, the selection area may be zoomed out, and when the remote control device 200 approaches the display unit 180, the selection area may be zoomed in.

In addition, when a specific button in the remote control device 200 is pressed, recognition of vertical and horizontal movement may be excluded. That is, when the remote control device 200 moves away from or approaches the display unit 180, up, down, left, and right movements are not recognized, but only forward and backward movements may be recognized. In a state in which a specific button in the remote control device 200 is not pressed, only the pointer 205 is moved according to the up, down, left, and right movement of the remote control device 200.

Meanwhile, the moving speed or moving direction of the pointer 205 may correspond to the moving speed or moving direction of the remote control device 200.

Meanwhile, in this specification, a pointer refers to an object displayed on the display unit 180 in response to an operation of the remote control device 200. Accordingly, the pointer 205 can be used to make objects of various shapes other than the arrow shape shown in the drawing. For example, it may be a concept including a point, a cursor, a prompt, and a thick outline. In addition, the pointer 205 may be displayed in correspondence with any one of a horizontal axis and a vertical axis on the display unit 180, as well as a plurality of points such as a line and a surface. Do.

6 is a block diagram of an IP-based channel reception module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide an IP channel along with a terrestrial broadcast channel and a cable broadcast channel.

Specifically, the display apparatus 100 may provide an IP channel through the IP-based channel receiving module 300.

The IP-based channel receiving module 300 includes a channel list management unit 310, a playback unit 320, a VOD control unit 330, an application launcher unit 340, a scheduler unit 350, an AI generation unit 360, and an external server. It may include at least one of the interaction units 370. Meanwhile, each of the above-listed components is merely classified to describe the function of the IP-based channel receiving module 300. Accordingly, at least two of the components of the IP-based channel reception module 300 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be implemented as one component, or some components may be omitted.

The channel list management unit 310 may provide information on content broadcasted on each IP channel. Specifically, the channel list management unit 310 may construct a channel list based on information such as content and advertisements received from the content management server 400 and provide it to a viewer.

The viewer may register or delete an IP channel through the channel list management unit 310.

The playback unit 320 may play the content based on at least one of a content URL and broadcast time information received from the content management server 400. The playback unit 320 may output images and audio from the display unit 180 and the audio output unit 185, respectively, based on information generated by the scheduler unit 350 or the AI generation unit 360 to be described later. For example, the playback unit 320 may control the content to be played according to the playback timing of the content determined by the scheduler unit 250.

The VOD control unit 330 may provide VOD information related to a current IP channel or content broadcast on the current IP channel. In addition, the VOD control unit 330 may provide a function of reproducing the selected VOD upon receiving a user's selection command.

The application launcher 340 may execute and control the application by receiving and obtaining application information related to the current IP channel or content broadcasted on the current IP channel. The application launcher 340 may provide an interaction function with a user.

The scheduler unit 350 may configure a channel (which may include an advertisement) based on at least one of a content URL and broadcast time information received from the content management server 400. That is, the scheduler unit 350 may determine the reproduction timing of each of the contents and advertisements based on the broadcast time information.

The AI generator 360 may acquire at least one of a type of content to be broadcast, a content broadcast time, a type of advertisement, and a playback time of advertisement based on the user history. The AI generator 360 may recommend content to be played based on the user history.

The user history may include viewer behavior, viewing history, and system information (viewing rate, popularity, recommendation, etc.). The AI generator 360 may provide a user-customized channel based on a user history.

The external server interaction unit 370 may transmit and receive signals with the content management server 400. The external server interaction unit 370 may receive at least one of a content URL, channel information, a schedule, an advertisement, a VOD, and an application from the content management server 400.

Next, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a content management server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The content management server 400 may be a server that stores and operates content broadcasted on an IP channel.

The content management server 400 may transmit a URL and a song schedule of each content broadcast on an IP channel to the IP-based channel receiving module 300, and the display device 100 may transmit the IP-based channel receiving module 300. An IP channel may be provided based on a content URL and a broadcast schedule received from the content management server 400.

The content management server 400 may include at least one of a content management unit 410, an advertisement management unit 420, a channel management unit 430, and a display device interaction unit 440. Meanwhile, each of the above-listed constituent elements is merely classified to describe the function of the content management server 400. Accordingly, at least two of the components of the content management server 400 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be implemented as one component, or some components may be omitted.

The content management unit 410 may register, modify, or delete at least one content. A service provider may register, modify, or delete content to be broadcast on an IP channel through the content management unit 410.

The service provider may mean a service provider who intends to operate an IP channel through content. Service providers may include IP channel broadcasters, individuals, etc. that provide content to be broadcast on the IP channel.

The advertisement management unit 420 may store and manage advertisements played between contents. The advertisement management unit 420 may register, modify, or delete types of advertisements to be inserted between contents based on a user history or the like. The advertisement management unit 420 may calculate a type of advertisement to be broadcast among contents, a reproduction time of advertisement, and the like by calculating an expected profit rate.

The channel management unit 430 may calculate a broadcast schedule by selecting and determining an order of contents to be broadcast on each IP channel. The channel management unit 430 may set a channel in which contents and advertisements are played.

The display device interaction unit 440 may transmit and receive signals with the IP-based channel reception module 300. The display device interaction unit 440 may transmit at least one of a content URL, channel information, broadcast schedule, advertisement, VOD, and application to the IP-based channel receiving module 300.

Next, FIG. 8 is a ladder diagram illustrating a method of operating a display device providing an IP channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The display apparatus 100 includes an IP-based channel reception module 300, and the IP-based channel reception module 300 communicates with the content management server 400 to provide an IP channel.

First, the content management server 400 may register content (S11).

A service provider may register content in the content management server 400. That is, each service provider may register content to be broadcast on an IP channel allocated to it in the content management server 400.

The content management unit 410 of the content management server 400 may store contents registered through a service provider. The content management unit 410 may include a memory capable of storing at least one content.

The content management server 400 may configure a channel by arranging registered contents (S13).

The channel management unit 420 of the content management server 400 may configure a channel by arranging contents stored in the content management unit 410. The content management server 400 may configure a channel by calculating a broadcast schedule.

The channel management unit 420 may receive an order, time, etc. of contents broadcasted on each IP channel, and calculate and store a broadcast schedule. For example, the channel management unit 420 sets a broadcast order and broadcast time, such as a first content broadcast at 10:00 and a second content broadcast at 12:00, to set the broadcast schedule of channel 2-1. It is possible to calculate a broadcast schedule for channel 3-1 by setting a broadcast order and broadcast time, such as a third content broadcast at 10:00 and a fourth content broadcast at 11:00. However, the above-described example is only for convenience of description and is not limited thereto.

The control unit 170 may obtain whether to receive a channel switching command to an IP channel (S15).

The control unit 170 may receive a channel switching command from the remote control device 200 through the user input interface unit 150. For example, the channel switching command may be a command for selecting at least one of a channel up button, a channel down button, and a number button. Meanwhile, the channel switching command may be received through a button provided in the display apparatus 100.

The controller 170 may obtain information on a channel corresponding to the channel switching command. The controller 170 may acquire channel information based on a channel number corresponding to the channel switching command.

Specifically, the control unit 170 may determine whether a channel corresponding to the channel switching command is a terrestrial broadcast channel, a cable broadcast channel, or an IP channel.

For example, when the control unit 170 receives a command to switch to at least one of channel 5, channel 7, channel 9, channel 11, and channel 13, it is determined that the command to switch the channel to the terrestrial broadcasting channel has been received. And, upon receiving a command to switch to at least one of channels 1 to 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 to 200, the command to switch the channel to the cable broadcasting channel is received. It is determined that it is one, and when a command to switch to at least one of the channel 1-1, the channel 2-1, and the channel 3-1 is received, it may be determined that the command to switch the channel to the IP channel has been received. However, since the above-described channel number is merely an example for convenience of description, the present invention is not limited to the above channel number.

As described above, the control unit 170 may determine whether or not the command to switch the channel to the IP channel has been received, based on the channel number according to the command to change the channel.

The controller 170 may determine whether the switched channel is an AI channel according to the channel switching command (S17).

The controller 170 may determine whether the current channel corresponds to an AI channel.

The controller 170 may allocate a plurality of channel numbers as an IP channel, and may allocate at least one of the plurality of IP channels as an AI channel. For example, the control unit 170 may allocate each of the 1-1 channel, the 2-1 channel, and the 3-1 channel as an IP channel, and among them, in particular, the 3-1 channel may be allocated as an AI channel. .

Here, the AI channel may refer to a channel for customizing content, advertisements, etc. that a user prefers based on a user history.

If the switched channel does not correspond to the AI channel, the controller 170 may request the content corresponding to the switched channel (S19).

That is, if the switched channel is an IP channel that does not correspond to the AI channel, the controller 170 may transmit a signal for requesting content corresponding to the switched IP channel to the content management server 400.

In this case, the display device interaction unit 440 of the content management server 400 may receive a content request signal from the IP-based channel receiving module 300, and the display device interaction unit 440 may receive a channel according to the content request signal. At least one of a content URL and broadcast time information corresponding to a may be transmitted to the display apparatus 100. This will be described in detail in step S25.

Meanwhile, if the switched channel corresponds to the AI channel, the controller 170 may obtain recommended content based on the user history (S21) and request the acquired recommended content from the content management server 400 (S23).

The storage unit 170 may store a user history, which is information on contents viewed by the user. Alternatively, the user history may be stored in the content management server 400.

When the switched channel is an IP channel corresponding to the AI channel, the controller 170 controls the AI generator 360 to obtain recommended content based on the user history, and transmits a signal requesting the obtained recommended content to the content. The external server interaction unit 370 may be controlled to be transmitted to the management server 400.

When the converted channel is an AI channel, the controller 170 may recommend content preferred by the user based on the user history. In addition, when the switched channel is an AI channel, the controller 170 may recommend content that the user prefers at the current time based on the user history.

The display device interaction unit 440 of the content management server 400 receives a content request signal from the IP-based channel receiving module 300, and the display device interaction unit 440 receives the URL and time of the content corresponding to the content request signal. At least one of the information may be transmitted to the display device 100.

The IP-based channel reception module 300 may receive at least one of a content URL and broadcast time information from the content management server 400 (S25).

The external server interaction unit 370 of the IP-based channel receiving module 300 may receive a content URL and broadcast time information corresponding to an IP channel from the content management server 400.

The external server interaction unit 370 of the IP-based channel receiving module 300 may receive a content URL corresponding to the AI channel from the content management server 400. Alternatively, the external server interaction unit 370 of the IP-based channel receiving module 300 may receive the content URL and time information corresponding to the AI channel from the content management server 400.

The control unit 170 of the display device 100 may access the content URL and play the content from a time point corresponding to the current time (S27).

The control unit 170 may obtain a playback time of contents based on broadcast time information received from the content management server 400. The control unit 170 may control the scheduler unit 350 to determine playback timing of contents based on broadcast time information received from the content management server 400.

The control unit 170 may adjust the playback time of the content based on the broadcast time information. Even if the controller 170 enters the same IP channel, the content playback timing may be differently controlled according to the entry timing of the IP channel, and accordingly, the user may recognize the IP channel as a live streaming channel.

The controller 170 may access a URL of a content scheduled to be broadcast on a current IP channel at a current time, and reproduce the content accessed through the URL from a playback time scheduled to be played at a current time, and output to the display unit 180.

The external server shown in FIG. 9 may mean a content management server 400. The external server stores contents (first to nth content), and the IP-based channel receiving module 300 may receive each content URL for accessing each of the first to nth content from the external server.

The playback unit 320 may play content or advertisements according to the playback timing determined by the scheduler unit 350. For example, the scheduler unit 350 reproduces the first content at a time point when switching to a specific IP channel, and plays the second content after the type of the first content, ... , The playback timing is determined so that the n-th content is played, and the playback unit 320 may access each content URL according to the playback timing determined by the scheduler unit 350 to play the content.

In this case, since the transmission server for transmitting the content does not require a stream generator and a stream server for making contents into one stream, there is an advantage in that server management cost can be reduced.

Again, FIG. 8 will be described.

The control unit 170 may determine whether it is an advertisement time (S29).

The scheduler unit 350 may determine the advertisement timing based on the playback timing of the content.

As shown in FIG. 10, the scheduler unit 350 plays the first advertisement A1 between the end point of the first content C1 and the start point of the second content C2, and the second content C2 ), the second advertisement A2 is played between the end time of the third content C3 and the start time of the third content C3, and the third advertisement between the end time of the third content C3 and the start time of the fourth content C4 Any one IP channel may be configured such that (A3) is played and the fourth advertisement A4 is played between the end time of the fourth content C4 and the start time of the fifth content (not shown).

The control unit 170 may determine whether the current time corresponds to the time at which the advertisement is to be played, based on the content configured by the scheduler unit 350 and the advertisement playback schedule, and determines whether the advertisement time is at the time.

When the advertisement is at the time of the advertisement, the controller 170 displays the advertisement (S31), and at the time when the advertisement ends, the controller 170 accesses the next content URL to reproduce the content again.

That is, the controller 170 may access the content URL and play the content and then control the display 180 to display an advertisement before accessing another content URL.

Meanwhile, in this case, the control unit 170 may modify the type of advertisement played among contents. That is, the control unit 170 may change the order, location, etc. of advertisements based on user interaction, interest, and relevance, and there is an advantage in that it is possible to prevent the case that the content, which is the viewed video, is cut when the advertisement is changed.

If it is not the time of advertisement, the control unit 170 may obtain whether there is a VOD related to the current content (S33).

If there is a VOD related to the current content, the controller 170 may display a VOD thumbnail (S35).

The controller 170 may control the display 180 to further display a VOD thumbnail indicating the VOD when there is a video on demand (VOD) related to the currently playing content.

The control unit 170 determines whether or not to receive the VOD playback command (S37), displays the selected VOD when receiving the VOD playback command (S39), and accesses the content URL to correspond to the current time if the VOD playback command is not received. Content can be played continuously from this point in time.

When receiving a command for selecting a VOD thumbnail, the control unit 170 may determine that the VOD playback command has been received. When receiving a command for selecting a VOD thumbnail, the controller 170 may play a VOD corresponding to the selected VOD thumbnail. The control unit 170 may access a URL providing VOD in order to play the VOD.

In addition, when displaying the selected VOD in response to receiving the VOD playback command, the controller 170 may access the content URL and continue to play the content from a time point corresponding to the current time if the playback of the VOD is finished.

Next, FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram of a method for displaying a thumbnail of a VOD related to a current content by a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 11, the controller 170 may control the display unit 180 to display an image 2000, and in this case, the image 2000 accesses a content URL received from the content management server 400 It may be an image reproduced according to. That is, the image 2000 may be a live streaming image.

In this case, if there is a VOD related to the image 2000, the controller 170 may control the display 180 to display

VOD thumbnails

2001, 2003, and 2005 indicating the related VOD.

For example, the control unit 170 may include a thumbnail 2001 of another VOD in which a character in the image 2000 appears as a protagonist, a thumbnail of a VOD newly uploaded in relation to the image 2000 (2003), and an image 2000 The display unit 180 may be controlled to display the thumbnail 2005 of the recommended VOD related to the related VOD. However, the types of the VOD thumbnails described in FIG. 11 are only examples for convenience of description, and are not limited thereto.

When receiving a command for selecting any one of the

VOD thumbnails

2001, 2003, and 2005, the controller 170 receives a content URL corresponding to the selected VOD thumbnail from the content management server 400, and accesses the received content URL. The display unit 180 may be controlled to display content corresponding to the selected VOD thumbnail.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when there is a VOD related to content, the structure of the metadata registered in the channel management unit 420 of the content management server 400 may be as follows.

[order]

First content: 09:00 ~ 09:50

Second content: 10:00 ~ 10:50

Second content: 11:00 ~ 11:50

4th content: 12:00 ~ 12:50

[Special Content]

Second content (url: example.com/content2.mp4)

[New Content]

4th content (url: example.com/content4.mp4)

[Recommended content]

Third content (url: example.com/content3.mp4)

Again, FIG. 8 will be described.

If there is no VOD related to the current content, the controller 170 may determine whether an application related to the current content exists.

Meanwhile, the order of steps S33 and S41 may be changed.

The control unit 170 may obtain whether an application related to the current content exists (S41).

If there is no application related to the current content, the controller 170 may continue to play the content and return to step S15 to obtain whether to receive a channel switch command.

If there is an application related to the current content, the controller 170 may control the display 180 to display the content and the application together (S43).

When registering content, the service provider may register an application related to the content together. When an application related to content is registered, the content management server 400 may transmit application information together with the content URL when transmitting the content URL to the IP-based channel receiving module 300.

When receiving the content URL, the controller 170 may determine that an application related to the content exists when further application information is received. Alternatively, when accessing the content URL, the controller 170 may acquire whether an application related to the current content exists by acquiring whether or not the application information received along with the content URL exists.

The application information may include an application URL capable of performing at least one of downloading or executing an application. The controller 170 may control the display 180 to display the application by accessing the application URL.

For example, the application information may include a Java Script (HTML) file that is an execution file of the application, and an image, video, audio, etc. as resources.

That is, the controller 170 may control the display 180 to simultaneously display the content and the execution window of the application if there is an application related to the currently playing content.

The application launcher 340 may control the execution of an application according to user interaction or channel switching.

As shown in FIG. 12, the controller 170 may control the display unit 180 to display an image 3000, and in this case, the image 3000 accesses the content URL received from the content management server 400 It is an image that is played according to and may be an image in which application information related to a content URL is registered.

In this case, the controller 170 may control the display 180 to display the application image 3001 together with the image 3000.

For example, the image 3000 may be a quiz program, and the application image 3001 may be an execution window of an application that provides a function for a viewer to directly participate in the quiz program.

The display unit 180 may further display an application participating in the quiz program when displaying content on the quiz program.

In this way, by displaying the content and the application together, it is possible to minimize the technical problem that the user had to stop passively viewing the video.

As shown in FIG. 13, the controller 170 may control the display 180 to display an image 4000, in which case the image 4000 accesses the content URL received from the content management server 400 It is an image that is played according to and may be an image in which application information related to a content URL is registered.

In this case, the controller 170 may control the display 180 so that the application image 4001 is displayed together with the image 4000.

For example, the image 4000 may be an exercise-related program, and the application image 4001 may be an execution window of an application that provides a function of guiding the user's exercise state.

The display unit 180 may further display an application guiding an exercise state when displaying content for an exercise program.

In this way, by displaying the content and the application together, it is possible to minimize a problem in which a user is inconvenient to check his or her exercise state while watching a video. In addition, it is possible to minimize the inconvenience that a user must find or install an application arbitrarily.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 13, the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention automatically displays an execution window of an application related to an image when displaying an image, so that a user can directly display an application related to the image. There is an advantage of minimizing the inconvenience to be found.

The above description is only illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but to explain the technical idea, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A user input interface unit for receiving a channel switching command;

When the channel switched according to the channel switching command is an IP channel, an IP-based channel reception for transmitting a signal requesting content corresponding to the switched IP channel to an external server and receiving a content URL in response to the signal from the external server module;

A control unit for controlling the IP-based channel receiving module to access the content URL; And

A display device including a display unit for displaying content played back upon accessing the content URL.
The method of claim 1,

The IP-based channel receiving module

Further receiving broadcast time information from the external server,

The control unit

Adjusting the playback time of the content based on the broadcast time information

Display device.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit

After accessing the content URL to play the content, controlling the display unit to display an advertisement before accessing another content URL

Display device.
The method of claim 1,

Further comprising a storage unit for storing a user history that is the information of the content viewed by the user,

The control unit

If the IP channel corresponds to an AI channel, controlling the IP-based channel receiving module to obtain recommended content based on a user history and transmit a signal for requesting the recommended content to the external server.

Display device.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit

If there is a video on demand (VOD) related to the currently playing content, controlling the display to further display a VOD thumbnail representing the VOD

Display device.
The method of claim 5,

The control unit

Receiving the command to select the VOD thumbnail, to play the VOD corresponding to the selected VOD thumbnail

Display device.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit

If there is an application related to the currently playing content, controlling the display unit to simultaneously display the content and the execution window of the application

Display device.
The method of claim 7,

The control unit

If application information is further received upon receiving the content URL, determining that an application related to the content exists

Display device.
The method of claim 8,

The above application information is

Containing the application URL where the application can be downloaded or run

Display device.
The method of claim 7,

The display unit

When displaying content for the quiz program, further displaying the application participating in the quiz program

Display device.
The method of claim 7,

The display unit

When displaying content for an exercise program, it further displays an application that guides the exercise status.

Display device.
The method of claim 1,

The IP-based channel receiving module

An external server interaction unit communicating with the external server,

A scheduler unit for configuring a channel by determining the playback timing of content and advertisements,

AI generator that recommends content to be played based on user history,

A playback unit that plays the content according to the playback timing of the content and advertisement,

A VOD control unit that controls the VOD related to the content to be displayed on the display unit,

Including a launcher for executing an application related to the content

Display device.
The method of claim 1,

The external server

Content management server that stores content and broadcast time information registered by service providers

Display device.
The method of claim 13,

The content management server

A content management unit that stores contents registered by the service provider,

An advertisement management unit for storing advertisements played between the contents,

A channel management unit that sets a channel in which the content and the advertisements are played,

Including a display device interaction unit communicating with the IP-based channel receiving module

Display device.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit

Differently controlling the playback time of the content according to the entry time of the IP channel

Display device.