KR101239099B1 - Multi vod channel providing system in digital cable broadcast and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a multi-VOD channel in a digital cable broadcasting that provides a plurality of VOD-related contents simultaneously in a VOD service providing channel so that a user can conveniently search for various VOD contents and receive a VOD service. More specifically, by designating an arbitrary channel as a multi-VOD channel and simultaneously providing a plurality of VOD-related contents in the corresponding channel, a channel can be saved compared to a method of providing one VOD service in one channel. It effectively manages the channels of cable broadcasting systems and provides multiple VOD-related contents simultaneously provided in multiple VOD channels on the same screen so that users can conveniently search for information on multiple VOD-related contents without complicated operations. Increase accessibility

Description

System and method for providing multi video channel in digital cable broadcasting {MULTI VOD CHANNEL PROVIDING SYSTEM IN DIGITAL CABLE BROADCAST AND METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a multi VOD channel in digital cable broadcasting, and in particular, a plurality of VOD related contents are simultaneously provided in a VOD service providing channel so that a user can conveniently search for various VOD contents and simply provide a VOD service. A multi-VOD channel providing system and method for digital cable broadcasting.

Digital broadcasting is a digital broadcasting receiver such as a digital television receiver (DTV) that can transmit information such as computer data or computer software in addition to video and audio information. The contents can be transmitted, various application services for new information, entertainment, and advertisements can be provided, and the desired information can be selectively obtained from an information source.

The digital broadcasting is conducted based on the European Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standard and the ATV (Advanced TV) standard of the US FCC. It complies with the ATSC standard that the United States decided as the next generation TV method, replacing the NTSC standard that symbolizes the existing analog TV.

Meanwhile, digital broadcasting can be classified into digital terrestrial broadcasting, digital satellite broadcasting, and digital cable broadcasting according to transmission media.

"Digital broadcast data" used in digital cable broadcasting among these digital broadcasts compresses the amount of information of each channel efficiently and efficiently based on the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) coding standard, and is based on the digital modulation method for each transmission medium. Therefore, it supports unidirectional downstream by multiplexing programs corresponding to multiple channels with high efficiency. In order to efficiently and multiplex and transmit programs corresponding to "broadcast channels", video and audio compression technology has been adopted as a moving picture expert group (MPEG-2) worldwide.

1 is a block diagram of a general digital cable broadcasting, in which a headend system 100 of a broadcasting station transmits a digital broadcasting signal, and a digital television or set-top box 200 connected through a cable network receives the digital broadcasting signal to a viewer. Provide video and audio.

In the digital cable broadcasting, video and audio streams are compressed and broadcast as digital information, and system information and program information are compressed and broadcast in accordance with the Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) standard. At this time, the information related to the broadcast program is decoded from data other than the video and audio information, and the program related information is displayed on the screen and informed to the user through the Electronic Program Guide (EPG).

In general, the number of radio frequency (RF) channels in digital cable broadcasting is tens of times higher than that of analog cable broadcasting, and there are about 100 channels in the case of digital cable broadcasting in the United States. In addition, digital cable broadcasting provides dozens or hundreds of channels to provide viewers with a wide variety of genres. Therefore, each family selects and watches a desired program from among various broadcast programs.

On the other hand, in the existing digital cable broadcasting to access the VOD service was only accessible through the application that provides the VOD content. However, the user who is familiar with the general operation method of the AV channel has a problem that the VOD service method is not easy to access due to the complexity of the user interface, and a channel VOD method has been devised as a way to solve this problem.

Channel VOD refers to a service that has a virtual channel form in the same manner as a general AV channel, and facilitates user access familiar with the general channel by providing a promotion and payment for a specific VOD in the channel. The user can move in the same channel ring as the general channel and access information about the VOD content provided by the channel VOD.

However, a general channel VOD provides a user with access to only one particular VOD content in that channel. That is, the corresponding channel provides a user interface for purchasing and purchasing information on one VOD. In order to simultaneously provide various VOD contents, a large number of channels are needed. This may cause inconvenience to users who want to purchase VOD.

An object of an embodiment of the present invention for improving the above-mentioned problem is to designate a channel as a multi-VOD channel to provide a plurality of VOD-related content in the channel at the same time as compared to the method of providing one VOD service in one channel To provide a system and method for providing a multi VOD channel in a digital cable broadcasting to save the cost.

Another object of the embodiment of the present invention for improving the above-mentioned problem is to provide a plurality of VOD-related contents provided simultaneously in a multi-VOD channel on the same screen so that the information can be conveniently retrieved without complicated operation on a plurality of VOD-related contents To provide a system and method for providing a multi-VOD channel in one digital cable broadcasting.

The multi-VOD channel providing system in digital cable broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a channel providing system in digital cable broadcasting including a head-end system and a set-top box, the head-end system is one or more VOD information management unit for managing VOD-related information for VOD, a channel type setting unit for setting a channel type distinct from the general channel for the VOD providing channel to provide one or more VOD, and manages the VOD provision schedule of the VOD providing channel A channel information management unit classifies the VOD-related information according to a preset criterion according to a VOD providing schedule serviced by the VOD providing channel, but matches the VOD-related information of one or more VODs with respect to one VOD providing schedule. The VOD-related data corresponding to the VOD providing schedule may include VOD-related data and the VOD. According to the VOD information management unit for storing and managing the VOD information, including the identification information of the related data, the channel information transmission unit for transmitting the channel type and the VOD provision schedule to the set-top box and the VOD provision schedule It includes a multi-VOD channel server having a channel VOD information transmitter for transmitting the divided VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information to the set-top box.

The multi-VOD channel server may further include a VOD information receiving unit for receiving VOD related information on at least one VOD from an external server.

The VOD-related information is information including one or more of a VOD-related image, VOD interworking information, price, viewing age, icon information, title, promotional phrase, sort order, and transmission period.

The channel VOD information transmitter transmits the divided VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information to the set-top box through an in-band channel in the form of an object carousel (OBJECT CARROUSEL).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-VOD channel providing system in a digital cable broadcasting system including a headend system and a set-top box, and the set-top box includes the head. A channel information receiver for receiving channel type information of a channel providing one or more VODs separated from a general channel from an end system and a VOD provision schedule of the channel, and one VOD provision schedule of the VOD provision schedule from the headend system. A channel VOD information receiver for receiving VOD-related information about one or more VODs, and classifying the VOD-related information into VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information, and classifying the VOD-related additional information for each corresponding VOD according to preset criteria. An information analysis unit classifying into detailed information, the VOD related data, and the A user interface reference unit that stores display criteria such as screen arrangement, sort order, and content control method for detailed information, and a user interface setting unit that sets detailed information about the VOD or VOD related data in the user interface according to the display criteria. And an EPG application including a user interface display unit for displaying the set user interface on the channel according to the VOD providing schedule.

A multi-VOD channel providing system in a digital cable broadcasting according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object manages VOD related information for one or more VOD, for a VOD providing channel to provide one or more VOD Set a channel type that is distinguished from a general channel, and classify the VOD related information on a predetermined basis according to a VOD providing schedule serviced by the VOD providing channel, and VOD related information about one or more VODs for one VOD providing schedule. And store and manage the VOD related information corresponding to the VOD providing schedule by dividing the VOD related information into VOD related information including VOD related data and identification information of the VOD related data, and storing the channel type, the VOD providing schedule, and Headend system and phase for transmitting the divided VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information according to VOD provision schedule Receives channel type information of a channel providing one or more VODs distinguished from general channels, VOD providing schedules of the channel, and VOD related information on one or more VODs of one of the VOD providing schedules from a headend system. And classify the VOD-related information into VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information, classify the VOD-related information into respective detailed information about the corresponding VOD according to a preset criterion, And a set-top box for setting detailed information on the user interface and displaying the detailed information on the channel according to the VOD schedule.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a multi-VOD channel in a digital cable broadcast, the method of providing a channel in a digital cable broadcast including a headend system and a set-top box. Managing VOD related information for more than one VOD, setting a channel type distinct from a general channel for a VOD providing channel for providing one or more VODs, and the headend system in the VOD providing channel Classifying the VOD-related information according to a preset criterion according to a service VOD providing schedule, and matching the VOD-related information for one or more VODs with respect to one VOD providing schedule, wherein the headend system corresponds to the VOD providing schedule VOD related information includes VOD related data and identification information of the VOD related data Storing and managing the VOD-related additional information into the set-top box by the headend system according to the channel type, the VOD providing schedule, and the VOD providing schedule. Transmitting, at least one channel type information of a channel providing one or more VODs, which are distinguished from a general channel, from the headend system, the VOD provision schedule of the channel, and the VOD provision schedule of the VOD provision schedule. Receiving VOD-related information about a VOD, the set-top box dividing the VOD-related information into VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information, and classifying the VOD-related information into detailed information about the corresponding VOD according to a predetermined criterion; The set-top box user-informs detailed information about the VOD according to a display criterion preset for the detailed information. Setting on the interface and displaying according to the VOD schedule.

The system and method for providing a multi-VOD channel in a digital cable broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention designates an arbitrary channel as a multi-VOD channel and simultaneously provides a plurality of VOD-related contents in one channel, thereby providing one VOD service in one channel. Compared to the method of providing the channel, the channel can be saved, thereby effectively managing the channel of the digital cable broadcasting system.

The system and method for providing a multi-VOD channel in a digital cable broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a plurality of VOD-related contents simultaneously provided in a multi-VOD channel on the same screen, without any complicated operation on a plurality of VOD-related contents. The information can be retrieved, thereby increasing the accessibility of the VOD service.

1 is a block diagram of a general digital cable broadcasting.
2 is an overall configuration diagram of a multi-VOD channel providing system in digital cable broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram of a multi-VOD channel server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exemplary diagram of a channel type information standard according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary diagram of VOD related information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram of an EPG application according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exemplary diagram of a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-VOD channel providing method in digital cable broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

2 is an overall configuration diagram of a multi-VOD channel providing system for digital cable broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The multi-VOD channel providing system for digital cable broadcasting is a multi-VOD channel providing system for digital cable broadcasting, including a head-end system 100 for transmitting digital cable broadcasting and a set-top box 200 for receiving digital cable broadcasting. Located in the head-end system 100 to manage the VOD related information for one or more VOD, and sets the channel type to be distinguished from the normal channel for the VOD providing channel to provide one or more VOD, the service in the VOD providing channel The VOD-related information is classified according to a VOD providing schedule, and is located in the multi-VOD channel server 110 and the set-top box 200 that correspond to and transmit VOD-related information about one or more VODs with respect to one VOD providing schedule. For one VOD provision schedule of the VOD provision schedule, the VOD provision schedule of the channel from the multi-VOD channel server 110 An EPG application 250 that receives VOD related information about one or more VODs, classifies each of the detailed information about the corresponding VOD according to a preset criterion, and displays the detailed information on the channel according to a preset display criterion for the detail information. It includes.

The multi-VOD channel server 110 may receive the VOD-related information from a VOD information providing server 10 (eg, a portal server) that exists externally.

The VOD information providing server 10 registers and stores the VOD-related information and transmits the VOD-related information to the multi-VOD channel server 110. As an example of the VOD-related information managed, an image corresponding to a plurality of VOD contents (poster ) Name, VOD linkage information, price, age rating, additional icon information, title, promotional phrase, sort order, transmission period.

In addition, the VOD information providing server 10 may be configured to automatically transmit the VOD-related information to the multi-VOD channel server 110 by a series of scheduled schedules.

Meanwhile, the EPG application 250 provides a viewer with a user interface based on the display criteria through the video display device 300 connected to the set top box 200.

Looking at the layer of the set-top box 200, it can be divided into a hardware layer 210, operating system layer 220, middleware layer 230, application layer 240, the EPG application 250 is the application layer ( 240).

In addition, the EPG application 250 may transmit the user interface to the navigator 260 or the VOD application 270 located in the application layer 240.

In addition, the multi-VOD channel server 110 preferably exists separately from other servers in the head-end system 100.

More detailed configuration and operation of the multi-VOD channel server 110 and the EPG application 250 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 4.

3 is a configuration diagram of a multi VOD channel server 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the multi VOD channel server 110 is located in a headend system.

The multi-VOD channel server 110 is a VOD information management unit 112 for managing VOD related information for one or more VOD, channel type for setting a channel type distinct from the normal channel for the VOD providing channel to provide one or more VOD A setting unit 113, a channel information management unit 114 for managing a VOD providing schedule of the VOD providing channel, classifies the VOD related information on a predetermined basis according to a VOD providing schedule serviced by the VOD providing channel, A channel VOD information reference unit 115 that maps VOD-related information of one or more VODs to a VOD-providing schedule, VOD-related data corresponding to the VOD-providing schedule, and VOD-related data and identification information of the VOD-related data. Channel VOD information management unit 116 to store and manage the information by dividing it into related additional information, and channel information for transmitting the channel type and the VOD provision schedule to the set-top box. Sending (117), and a VOD-related data and said separated VOD channel information transmission unit 118 that transmits the association information to the VOD set top box in response to the VOD service schedule.

The VOD related information provided by the multi-VOD channel server 110 is received by the EPG application of the set-top box 200 and shown on the screen according to a user selection.

In this case, the VOD-related information may include at least one of a VOD-related image, VOD linkage information, price, viewing age, icon information, title, promotional phrase, sort order, and transmission period.

In addition, the multi-VOD channel server 110 may further include a VOD information receiver 111 that receives VOD related information about one or more VODs from an external server 10.

In addition, the channel VOD information transmitter 118 preferably transmits the divided VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information to the set-top box 200 through an in-band channel in the form of an object carousel (OBJECT CARROUSEL). .

The multi-VOD channel server 110 has an advantage that can provide a plurality of VOD content to the user in one channel, compared to the general channel VOD provides one VOD content in one channel. In addition, the service provider may provide various types of VOD content by using a method of providing a plurality of VOD contents to the user.

For example, the same series of VOD content (Harry Potter Phoenix Knight, Harry Potter Half-Blood Prince, etc.) can be conveniently provided to the user through one channel VOD, and the user can access a large number of VOD information in the user interface provided in one channel. It is accessible by.

As such, the multi-VOD channel providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention designates a random channel as a multi-VOD channel and simultaneously provides a plurality of VOD-related contents in a corresponding channel to provide one VOD service in one channel. Compared with the channel savings, the channel of the digital cable broadcasting system can be effectively managed.

Meanwhile, a channel type set by the multi VOD channel server 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The multi VOD channel server defines a channel type of a corresponding channel for a channel providing a plurality of VOD contents. For example, in order to provide a plurality of VOD contents as shown in FIG. 4, the channel type is set 42 to the "NVOD guide channel" 41 and transmitted to the PSIP / SI.

By setting such a channel type, only the channel type 42 can be distinguished from the general AV channel. Thus, the service provider may organize a channel that provides a plurality of VOD content between regular channels.

5 is an exemplary diagram of VOD related information according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of VOD related information provided by the multi-VOD channel server.

The multi-VOD channel server preferably transmits VOD related information about a plurality of VODs per channel through an object carousel (OC). The contents of the object carousel may include VOD-related data (eg, a poster image) and VOD-related additional information (eg, identification information or version information of VOD-related data) for providing a plurality of VOD contents. Included information). The VOD-related additional information 52 preferably has version information on the VOD-related data. When this version is changed, the EPG application updates the VOD-related data 51 cached. In addition, the VOD-related additional information 52 may further include detailed information on the VOD content to be provided, and the detailed information may include, for example, a corresponding image name, AssetID, price, age information, and additional icon. Information, titles, and promotional text.

6 is a block diagram of an EPG application 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the EPG application 250 is located in a set top box.

The EPG application 250 includes a channel information receiver 251 for receiving channel type information of a channel providing one or more VODs and a schedule for providing VODs of the channels from the headend system, and the headend system from the headend system. Channel VOD information receiving unit 252 for receiving VOD-related information on one or more VODs for one VOD provision schedule of the VOD provision schedule, and divides the VOD-related information into VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information, and preset criteria According to the information analysis unit 253 for classifying the VOD-related additional information into the respective detailed information about the VOD, display criteria such as screen layout, sort order, content control method for the VOD-related data and the detailed information The stored user interface reference unit 256 stores detailed information about the VOD or VOD related data according to the display criteria. User Interface The user interface setting portion 254 and in accordance with the set user interface in the VOD service schedule set on a user interface display 255 to be displayed on the channel.

The EPG application 250 may further include an application communication unit 257 for transmitting the related information of the set user interface to the navigator 260 or the VOD application 270.

In addition, the EPG application 250 controls a plurality of VOD related information to be outputted, sorted, circulated, or linked to the corresponding VOD according to the display criteria when the channel providing the multi VOD is executed.

For example, one or more pieces of VOD-related information stored in the memory may be displayed as images and text in a predetermined sequence.

Alternatively, a plurality of VOD-related information (for example, images and texts) displayed in a sequence may be changed through remote key input, and one of the plurality of VOD content-related images and texts may be changed. If it is selected through the remote control key input, it can be directly connected to the purchase of the corresponding VOD content and control to interwork with the corresponding VOD.

As such, the EPG application 250 can provide a plurality of VOD-related contents simultaneously provided in multiple VOD channels on the same screen, and thus can conveniently search for information on a plurality of VOD-related contents without complicated operations. The accessibility of can be greatly increased.

In addition, the EPG application 250 receives the VOD-related information for the multi-VOD providing channel and stores the VOD-related information in the memory of the set-top box. In this case, it can be stored semi-permanently.

In addition, the EPG application 250 listens to the VOD-related information to be transmitted, and when an event occurs, it is preferable to check the version of the data and to delete all old data and store new data when the version is changed.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a user interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a screen provided by the EPG application to a user in a corresponding multi VOD channel.

As shown, the EPG application simultaneously provides information 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 about a plurality of VODs in one channel, thereby allowing a user to conveniently display various VOD contents 71, in one channel. 72,73,74,75).

The convenience of this approach leads more users to use the VOD service on the channel, which provides a convenient and effective VOD service for the user, and the service provider saves the channel used to display the VOD contents, respectively. To manage them more effectively.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a multi VOD channel in digital cable broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The multi-VOD providing method is a channel providing method in a digital cable broadcasting including a head-end system and a set-top box, the head-end system managing the VOD-related information for one or more VOD (S810), the head-end system is one Setting a channel type distinguished from a general channel for a VOD providing channel to provide more than one VOD (S820), and the VOD related information on a predetermined basis according to a VOD providing schedule serviced by the headend system in the VOD providing channel; To classify, but VOD-related information for one or more VOD corresponding to one VOD provision schedule (S830), the headend system VOD-related data corresponding to the VOD provision schedule VOD-related data and the VOD-related Storing and managing the VOD-related additional information including the identification information of the data (S840); Transmitting, by the system, the set VOD-related data and the VOD-related additional information according to the channel type, the VOD provision schedule, the VOD provision schedule (S850), and the set-top box transmits a general channel from the headend system. Receiving the channel type information of the channel providing one or more VOD and the VOD provision schedule of the channel, VOD-related information for one or more VOD for one VOD provision schedule of the channel (S860), The set-top box divides the VOD-related information into VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information, and classifies the VOD-related information into detailed information about the corresponding VOD according to a predetermined criterion (S870) and the set-top box includes the detailed information. The detailed information about the VOD is set in a user interface according to a preset display criterion and displayed according to the VOD provision schedule. System S880 is included.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

100: head-end system 110: multi-VOD channel server
111: VOD information receiving unit 112: VOD information management unit
113: channel type setting unit 114: channel information management unit
115: channel VOD information reference unit 116: channel VOD information management unit
117: channel information transmitter 118: channel VOD information transmitter
200: set top box 250: EPG application
251: channel information receiving unit 252: channel VOD information receiving unit
253: information analysis unit 254: user interface setting unit
255: user interface display unit 256: user interface reference unit
257: application communication unit 260: navigator
270: VOD application 300: TV

Claims (7)

In digital cable broadcasting, including headend systems and set-top boxes,
The headend system
VOD information management unit for managing VOD-related information for one or more VOD,
Channel type setting unit for setting a channel type distinct from the general channel for the VOD providing channel to provide one or more VOD,
A channel information management unit managing a VOD providing schedule of the VOD providing channel;
A channel VOD information reference unit for classifying the VOD related information according to a preset criterion according to a VOD providing schedule serviced by the VOD providing channel, and corresponding VOD related information for one or more VODs with respect to one VOD providing schedule;
A channel VOD information management unit that stores and manages VOD related information corresponding to the VOD providing schedule into VOD related data and additional VOD related information including identification information of the VOD related data;
A channel information transmitter for transmitting the channel type and the VOD schedule to the set top box;
And a multi-VOD channel server having a channel VOD information transmitter for transmitting the divided VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information to the set-top box according to the VOD provision schedule.
The method of claim 1, wherein the multi-VOD channel server
And a VOD information receiver configured to receive VOD-related information on one or more VODs from an external server.
The method of claim 1, wherein the VOD related information
A system for providing multiple VOD channels in digital cable broadcasting, wherein the information includes at least one of a VOD related image, VOD interworking information, price, viewing age, icon information, title, promotional phrase, sort order, and transmission period.
The method of claim 1, wherein the channel VOD information transmission unit
The divided VOD-related data and the VOD-related additional information are transmitted to the set-top box through an in-band channel in the form of an object carousel (OBJECT CARROUSEL).
In digital cable broadcasting, including headend systems and set-top boxes,
The set-
A channel information receiver configured to receive channel type information of a channel providing at least one VOD distinguished from a general channel and a VOD provision schedule of the channel from the headend system;
Channel VOD information receiving unit for receiving the VOD-related information for one or more VOD with respect to one of the VOD providing schedule from the headend system,
Interpret the VOD-related information into VOD-related data including VOD-related data and identification information of the VOD-related data, and classify the VOD-related additional information into detailed information about the corresponding VOD according to a predetermined criterion. part,
A user interface reference unit storing display criteria such as a screen layout, a sort order, and a content control method for the VOD-related data and the detailed information;
A user interface setting unit configured to set detailed information about the VOD or VOD related data in a user interface according to the display criteria;
And a EPG application having a user interface display unit for displaying the set user interface on the channel according to the VOD providing schedule.
In digital cable broadcasting,
Manage VOD related information about one or more VOD, set channel type that is distinguished from general channel for VOD providing channel to provide one or more VOD, and set based on preset criteria according to VOD provision schedule serviced by the VOD providing channel. Classify the VOD-related information, and associate VOD-related information for one or more VODs with respect to one VOD-providing schedule, and convert VOD-related information corresponding to the VOD-providing schedule into VOD-related data and identification information of the VOD-related data. A headend system for storing and managing the divided VOD-related additional information, and transmitting the divided VOD-related data and VOD-related additional information according to the channel type, the VOD providing schedule, and the VOD providing schedule; and
Channel type information of a channel providing one or more VODs distinguished from a general channel from the headend system, and VOD related information of one or more VODs for one VOD provision schedule of the VOD provision schedule and the VOD provision schedule of the channel. Receiving the VOD-related information into VOD-related additional information including VOD-related data and identification information of the VOD-related data, and classifying the VOD-related information into detailed information about the corresponding VOD according to a preset criterion. And a set-top box configured to display detailed information on the VOD in the user interface according to a preset display criterion and to display the VOD on the channel according to the VOD schedule.
In the channel providing method in a digital cable broadcasting including a head-end system and a set-top box,
a) the headend system managing VOD related information for one or more VODs;
b) setting, by the headend system, a channel type distinct from a normal channel for a VOD providing channel to provide one or more VODs;
c) classifying the VOD-related information on a predetermined basis according to a VOD providing schedule serviced by the VOD providing channel, and matching the VOD-related information of one or more VODs with respect to one VOD providing schedule; ;
d) storing and managing the VOD-related information corresponding to the VOD providing schedule by dividing the VOD-related information into VOD-related additional information including VOD-related data and identification information of the VOD-related data;
e) transmitting, by the headend system, the divided VOD related data and VOD related additional information according to the channel type, the VOD providing schedule, and the VOD providing schedule to the set top box;
f) channel set information of a channel that provides one or more VODs from the headend system that are separated from normal channels, VOD provision schedule of the channel, and VOD provision schedule of one of the VOD provision schedules. Receiving VOD related information about the VOD;
g) the set-top box dividing the VOD-related information into VOD-related additional information including VOD-related data and identification information of the VOD-related data, and classifying the VOD-related information into respective detailed information about the corresponding VOD according to a preset criterion; And
h) setting, by the set-top box, detailed information about the VOD in a user interface according to a preset display criterion for the detail information and displaying the detailed information according to the VOD provision schedule; How to Provide.

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