KR20090057765A - Set top box for internet protocol television and method for changing chennel using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An IPTV(Internet Protocol TV) STB(Set-Top Box) and a channel changing method using the same are provided to promote a user to buy and use contents by removing need for terminating a present screen during channel change. A network interface unit(110) performs communication with an external outer server. An input signal receiver(120) receives and processes an input signal corresponding to user operation. A storage unit(150) stores a channel map including various channel list information. A processor(140) activates a display screen by extracting the channel list information from the storage unit when a channel input signal is received. The processor performs focusing by moving a position of a pointer in an activated channel list window when the channel moving input signal is received. The processor switches the selected channel when a channel selecting input signal is received.

Description

SET TOP BOX FOR INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION AND METHOD FOR CHANGING CHENNEL USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a set-top box for providing an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service, and more particularly, to easily select a channel desired by a user while watching content or performing other operations on a menu screen. The present invention relates to an IPTV set-top box and a channel changing method using the same.

Nowadays, with the spread of broadband media and the increase in communication speed, the Internet is emerging as a new medium for enabling One source Multi Service. That is, the multimedia contents provided by various internet operators as well as a large number of airwave televisions and radio channels are provided as a broadcasting service through the Internet. There is also an increasing trend.

A representative service that emerged from this background is an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service based on the Internet Protocol.

IPTV service is a two-way television service provided by using a high-speed Internet network, which is a connection between a TV (television receiver) and a content providing server through an IPTV set-top box connected to the Internet network. Accordingly, the user is provided with an information service, a video content, a broadcast content, and the like of a content providing server through an IPTV set-top box.

This IPTV is a type of digital convergence in that it is a convergence of the Internet and television, and users can interact with the TV beyond just channel, volume, and videotape manipulation. Thus, payment, banking, shopping, booking, gaming or karaoke functions can be performed.

In recent years, as the technology of IPTV has evolved and the services provided to users have been diversified, various user interface schemes for conveniently using the various services have been proposed.

In the user interface for changing the channel, conventionally, when the UP & DOWN key is manipulated to change the channel while watching, the currently playing content is terminated and the channel is directly switched to the corresponding channel.

According to this, when a user incorrectly manipulates a button differently from his or her intention, there is a problem in that the channel being watched is changed at the same time as the operation, causing a user to be dissatisfied.

In addition, when the channel to be changed is not the immediately preceding or next channel of the current channel, there is a disadvantage in that the channel is continuously moved or a channel number is directly selected until the desired channel is executed. Alternatively, there is a disadvantage in that the corresponding channel must be searched or found individually as a lower menu on the upper menu screen.

In addition, in the related art, in addition to playing a content, there is a function of not having a function of a channel button in another operation such as a home screen or downloading, and thus there is a disadvantage in that it cannot move to another channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the present invention provides an easy operation for changing a channel by displaying related group channel information in a state of maintaining the screen without being terminated when the channel is changed. It is a task.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a set-top box for an IPTV includes: a network interface for performing communication with an external server; An input signal receiver configured to receive and process an input signal according to a user's operation; Storage in which a channel map including various channel list information is stored; If a channel input signal is input through the input signal receiver during the operation, the channel list information stored in the storage is extracted and activated on a display screen. When the input signal for channel movement is input from the input signal receiver, the activated channel list window is activated. A processor for focusing by moving the position of the pointer and switching to a selected channel when an input signal of channel selection is input from the input signal receiver; And an output unit for outputting and displaying data output through the processor as an AV signal.

In this case, the channel list window may be overlaid and displayed on the current screen during the operation.

In addition, the display screen is characterized in that the background image mapped to the working screen is maintained as it is.

In addition, the channel map may be configured differently according to the type of the screen running on the standby screen.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the standby screen is a home menu screen, the channel map may include channel list information belonging to a next menu group except the home menu among menu groups classified by large categories.

According to another example of the present invention, when the display screen is a synopsis screen displaying detailed information of the content before playing the content, the channel map includes channel list information of a menu group to which the executed content belongs to the synopsis screen. can do.

According to another example of the present invention, when the display screen is a download screen, the channel map may include channel list information of a menu group to which the downloaded content belongs.

According to another example of the present invention, when the display screen is a screen for watching a specific content, the channel map may include channel list information of a menu group to which the content being viewed belongs.

Here, the channel list information may be a channel number or content name of content belonging to the menu group.

When the channel list information is a channel number of the content, the channel list information may be arranged in ascending or descending order of the channel number in the channel list window.

When the channel list information is a content name of the content, the channel list window may be arranged in alphabetical or alphabetical order of the content name.

On the other hand, the channel change method using the set-top box for IPTV according to the present invention for achieving the technical problem, (a) if there is a selection for the channel key during the operation, the type of the screen currently running and the content running on the screen Identifying a menu group to which the menu belongs; (b) extracting channel list information of a menu group to which the content belongs; (c) activating a channel list window for the extracted channel list information on the screen; (d) moving to and focusing on a corresponding channel if there is an UP or DOWN operation of a channel in the channel list window; And (e) changing to a corresponding channel if there is a selection input of the channel in the channel list window.

According to the present invention as described above, by providing a changeable channel list information on the current screen before changing the channel, it provides the ease of use to easily perform the channel movement.

In addition, since the channel list information is displayed on the current screen when the channel is changed, it is not necessary to stop the currently running screen in the middle, and it is convenient to show the contents list of the same category to facilitate the user's purchase and use of the content. It can be effective.

In addition, the channel button function can be used to perform other tasks such as a home screen or a download, in addition to playing a content, thereby eliminating user inconvenience.

Hereinafter, an IPTV set top box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the system using the set-top box for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a plurality of set-top box 100 on the user side, the plurality of set-top box 100 is external through the network 300 The VOD server 400, the broadcast server 500, the EPG server 600, and the like to interoperate with each other.

The plurality of set-top boxes 100 are connected to the display device 200 such as a TV or a monitor provided in a home or office, respectively, to visually display various data information provided from external servers 400, 500, and 600. The manipulation for this may be performed through a user manipulation means including a remote controller, a keypad, and the like.

The network 300 may be an IP-based network, but the present invention is not limited to using an IP-based network, and is not limited to a specific form as long as the network 300 enables a network. For example, the VOD server 400 and the EPG server 600 may perform wired communication through a local area network (LAN) or a TCP / IP connection.

The VOD server 400 refers to a web site or database for providing video on demand (VOD) content.

A VOD content DB (not shown) in which data of VOD content is stored may be provided inside the VOD server 400. In some cases, a plurality of content supply servers may be constructed below the VOD server 400 to provide respective contents. VOD content can be stored on the supply server. According to this configuration, the VOD server 400 may collectively manage the list of content supply servers and the content stored therein.

The broadcast server 500 is distinguished from VOD content and is a service provider that provides a real-time over-the-air broadcasting service.

The EPG server 600 is for providing program information of contents capable of VOD service, that is, electronic program guide (EPG) information. The EPG server 600 is integrated and stored in an EPG file DB (not shown). can do.

When the IPTV system configured as described above receives a request for a service from the set-top box 100, the IPTV system may store VOD content, broadcast content, and EPG information stored in the VOD server 400, the broadcast server 500, and the EPG server 600 in response thereto. By providing the set-top box 100, the display device 200 visually displays data information of the corresponding service.

At this time, the set-top box 100 provides the channel information belonging to the menu group running by the user on the current screen when changing the channel so that the user can select the desired channel to change the channel.

Set-top box 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention for this purpose is configured as follows.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a set-top box for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the set-top box according to the embodiment of the present invention basically performs an interface with an external server, an input signal receiver 120, a data processor 130, and a processor 140. ), The storage 150, and the output unit 160. Such a configuration is a component for processing and serving VOD content, and may further include a broadcast application 180 for processing an over-the-air broadcasting service.

Specifically, the network interface 110 is configured to communicate with a VOD server (400 in FIG. 1), a broadcast server (500 in FIG. 1), and an EPG server (600 in FIG. 1), which are external servers. Support network environment.

The input signal receiving unit 120 receives an input signal according to a user's manipulation, converts the input signal into an electrical signal, and transmits the converted signal to the processor 140. In this case, the user's manipulation may be performed through a user interface such as the remote controller illustrated.

The storage 150 stores software for executing a VOD application or a broadcast application, and stores a VOD content received from an external server, program information (EPG information) of the VOD content, and a channel map including various channel information. Memory space. The storage 160 may be a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory.

When the channel input signal is input through the input signal receiving unit 120, the processor 140 extracts a channel list stored in the storage 150 and activates it on the display screen, and an input signal for channel movement is input from the input signal receiving unit 120. When input, the position of the pointer moves in the channel list window and focuses, or when the input signal of the channel selection is input from the input signal receiving unit 120, it switches to the selected channel.

This series of processes may be performed while the processor 140 executes another application. For example, while viewing or downloading content, a channel list is extracted and activated according to a user's request input, and focusing or channel changing is performed.

The output unit 160 is a module for converting the data output from the processor 140 into an AV signal and outputting it to a screen, in order to visually show a user a series of processes performed by the processor 140.

The data processor 130 codes or encodes the VOD content and the EPG information input through the network interface 110 in a format that can be easily controlled by the processor 140.

The broadcast application 180 is connected with the processor 140.

The broadcast application 180 is performed to change the mode through the switching unit 170 to provide a real-time over-the-air broadcasting service unlike the VOD service.

That is, when there is a selection input for a broadcast channel from the user through the input signal receiver 120, the tuner 182 of the broadcast application 180 may be tuned and provided.

3 is a diagram illustrating a channel map form stored in storage.

As illustrated, the channel map and the background image information are configured differently according to the type of the screen executed on the display screen.

Referring to the example screen of FIG. 4, when the screen executed on the display screen is the home menu screen chmap1 according to the first embodiment, the background image 1-1 is maintained with the image mapped to the home screen. . In addition, the channel list window activated on the screen includes channel list information (1-3) belonging to the next menu group (1-2) except the home menu among the menu groups classified by the large categories.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the next menu of the home menu of Hana TV is the Korean movie menu group, police line, the strongest romance, the gangster wife 3 belonging to the Korean movie menu group, the secret attraction of the professor, elegant Channel list information such as the world is displayed in a sorted manner.

In this case, the channel list window is overlaid and displayed on the background image 1-1, and the background image 1-1 is applied while maintaining the image of the screen being executed before selecting the channel function. For example, the background image of the screen executed before the channel function is selected may be an advertisement image of newly registered content or a poster image of content with high popularity or recommendation number.

As shown in the figure, if the UP & DOWN key of the channel key is operated in the activated channel list window, the position of the point is moved in the channel list window to focus, and the channel select key (for example, ok). Key) (1-4) to switch to the channel.

Next, referring to the example screen of FIG. 5, in the second embodiment, when the screen executed on the display screen is the synopsis menu screen chmap2, the background image 2-1 is mapped to the synopsis screen. The image is maintained as it is, and the channel list window activated in the background image 2-1 includes channel list information 2-3 of the menu group to which the synopsis-executed content belongs.

Here, the synopsis menu screen is a screen displaying detailed information of the content (eg, content name, paid / free viewing information, episode, director, performer, brief plot information, etc.) before playing the content.

For example, assuming that a menu group to which content displayed on the synopsis menu screen belongs is a Disney channel, as shown in FIG. 5, the channel list window displays a plurality of channel list information grouped in the Disney channel menu group 2-5. (2-3) In other words, Donald's Penguin and others (Uri_), Donald's Penguin and others (English_), Donald's Penguin and others (English_), Mickey's Clubhouse (right _), Mickey's Clubhouse (Young_ ), Mickey's Clubhouse (English).

Here, the menu group of the content displayed on the synopsis menu screen may be a group of large menus classified by large categories, or may be a group of sub menus classified by genres in the large menu in detail. Alternatively, both may be provided in order of a large menu and submenus belonging to the large menu.

Reference numerals 2-4 are channel selection keys.

Next, in conjunction with the example screen of FIG. 6, in the third embodiment, when the screen executed on the display screen is the menu screen chmap3 that is downloading the content, the background image 3-1 is mapped to the download screen. The retained image is kept as it is, and the channel list window activated in the background image 3-1 includes channel list information 3-4 of the menu group to which the content being downloaded belongs.

Here, the menu screen being downloaded refers to a screen for downloading the corresponding content from an external server to play the content. Accordingly, the image mapped to the download screen may be provided with a poster of the content to be downloaded for promotion, a video of the content to be downloaded in a preview format, or the advertisement content is provided regardless of the content to be downloaded. It can be applied in various ways.

Reference numeral 3-4 denotes a channel selection key, and 3-6 denotes a page table of channel list information.

Next, in conjunction with the example screen of FIG. 7, as a fourth embodiment, when the screen executed on the display screen is the menu screen chmap2 that is watching content, the background image 4-1 is displayed as the screen being played. The channel list window which is maintained as it is and activated on the background image 4-1 includes channel list information 4-3 of the menu group to which the content being played belongs.

As described above, the menu group to which the contents belong to in the first to fourth embodiments may include at least one of a large menu group classified by a large category, or a sub menu classified by genre in the large menu.

For example, the Lord of the foreign currency ring is classified in a submenu of a foreign movie in a large menu classified into home, movie, drama, news, KBS, MBC, and SBS. Accordingly, in the above-described embodiment, if synopsis is executed, downloaded, or viewed, the content of the ring is the king of the ring, the menu group to which the content belongs is a movie menu group or a foreign movie menu group thereof. Can be. As a result, channel list information belonging to the movie menu group may be provided on the display screen, or channel list information belonging to the foreign movie menu group may be provided.

In this embodiment, the channel information may be a channel number or content name of the content.

In the case of the channel number of the content, the channel information may be sorted in descending order of number, but is not limited thereto.

In the case of the content name, the channel information may be sorted alphabetically or alphabetically, but is not limited thereto.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when changing a channel, the channel list information belonging to the menu where the user is located on any screen can be easily moved without stopping the running screen.

Hereinafter, a method of changing a channel using an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a channel change method using an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the set-top box determines whether there is an input for a channel key while an application that executes a specific function is executed, and if there is an input, the set-top box identifies a screen that is currently running and a menu group to which the content that is running is located (S100). , S200).

For example, the currently running screen may be a home menu screen, a synopsis screen, a screen being downloaded, or a screen being watched, and a menu group to which content is being executed may be classified into a large menu group or a large menu classified into large categories. It may be a group of one submenu.

Thereafter, the set-top box extracts channel list information of the menu group to which the content belongs through the channel map stored in the storage (S300).

Thereafter, the set-top box provides the extracted channel list information on the screen (S400).

That is, the channel list window is activated on the screen and the corresponding menu group and channel list information is displayed on the channel list window.

Thereafter, in the channel list window, it is determined whether there is an UP or DOWN key operation of the channel (S500).

As a result of the determination, if there is no UP or DOWN key operation, it returns to the previous S400 step and keeps activating the channel list window, and if there is an UP or DOWN key operation, the position of the point to the corresponding channel. Move to focus (S600).

Thereafter, it is determined whether there is a selection input of a channel in the channel list window (S700).

If there is no selection input of the channel, the process returns to the previous step S500 to monitor whether there is an operation of an UP or DOWN key of the channel in the channel list window.

If there is a selection input of the channel, it is changed to the selected channel and the corresponding content is played (S800, S900).

In this channel change method, the channel list information activated on the display screen is differently displayed according to the menu group to which the content belongs, and the display screen may be differently displayed according to the currently executing screen before selecting the channel change.

9 to 12 are diagrams illustrating a method of providing different channel list information according to the type of screen as described above.

First, referring to FIG. 9, if the currently running screen is the home menu screen (S210), the background image mapped to the home menu screen is maintained (S211), and the channel list information of the menu group is extracted except for the home menu. The image is displayed on the background image (S212, S213).

Extraction of channel list information may be possible through channel maps stored in storage in the set-top box.

For example, the background image mapped to the home menu screen may be an advertisement image of newly registered content or a poster image of content having high popularity or recommendation number.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, if the currently running screen is a synopsis screen in which detailed information is displayed before playing the content (S220), the background image mapped to the synopsis screen is kept as it is (S221), and an overlay method thereon. In operation S222 and S223, channel list information belonging to the menu group of the synopsis is extracted and displayed.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, if the currently running screen is a screen for downloading content (S230), the background image mapped to the screen being downloaded is kept as it is (S231), and the content being downloaded in the form of an overlay on the screen. The channel list information of the menu group to which the belongs is extracted and displayed (S232 and S233).

Next, referring to FIG. 12, if the currently running screen is a viewing screen (S240), the video being played is still maintained (S241), and in the form of an overlay on the screen, channel list information of the menu group to which the content being played belongs. Is extracted and displayed (S242, S243).

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that.

Therefore, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a set-top box for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a channel map according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an example screen illustrating a user interface in which a channel list window is activated on a home menu screen.

5 is an exemplary screen illustrating a user interface in which a channel list window is activated in a synopsis screen.

6 is an exemplary screen illustrating a user interface in which a channel list window is activated on a download screen.

7 is an exemplary screen illustrating a user interface in which a channel list window is activated on a screen being viewed.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a channel change during the operation by using the set-top box for IPTV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of changing a channel in a home menu screen of the method of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of changing a channel in a synopsis screen among the methods of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of changing a channel in a screen being downloaded from the method of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for describing a method of changing a channel in a screen being watched among the methods of FIG. 8.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: a plurality of set-top box 200: display device

300: network 400: VOD server

500: broadcast server 600: EPG server

110: network interface 120: input signal receiving unit

130: data processing unit 140: processor

150: storage 160: output unit

170: switching unit 180: broadcast application

182: tuner section

Claims (22)

A network interface for communicating with an external server; An input signal receiver configured to receive and process an input signal according to a user's operation; Storage in which a channel map including various channel list information is stored; If a channel input signal is input through the input signal receiver during the operation, the channel list information stored in the storage is extracted and activated on a display screen. When the input signal for channel movement is input from the input signal receiver, the activated channel list window is activated. A processor for focusing by moving the position of the pointer and switching to a selected channel when an input signal of channel selection is input from the input signal receiver; And An output unit for outputting and displaying data output through the processor as an AV signal Set top box including. The method of claim 1, The channel list window is overlaid on the current screen during the operation (overlay) is characterized in that the set-top box. The method of claim 1, The display screen is a set-top box, characterized in that the background image mapped to the work screen is maintained as it is. The method of claim 1, The channel map may be configured differently according to the type of the screen running on the standby screen. The method of claim 4, wherein If the standby screen is a home menu screen, The channel map may include channel list information belonging to the next menu group except the home menu among menu groups classified by large categories. The method of claim 4, wherein When the display screen is a synopsis screen that displays the detailed information of the content before playing the content, The channel map may include channel list information of a menu group to which content executed on the synopsis screen belongs. The method of claim 4, wherein If the display screen is a screen being downloaded, The channel map includes channel list information of a menu group to which the content being downloaded belongs. The method of claim 4, wherein If the display screen is a screen for watching a specific content, The channel map includes channel list information of a menu group to which the content being viewed belongs. The method of claim 5, wherein The channel list information is a set-top box, characterized in that the channel number or the content name of the content belonging to the menu group. The method of claim 5, wherein The menu group to which the content belongs is any one of a group of large menus classified by a large category, or a group of sub-menus belonging to the large menu. The method of claim 5, wherein The menu group to which the content belongs comprises a group of large menus classified into large categories, and a group of sub-menus belonging to the large menu. The method of claim 9, If the channel list information is a channel number of the content, Set-top box, characterized in that sorted in ascending order of the channel number in the channel list window. The method of claim 9, If the channel list information is the content name of the content, Set-top box, characterized in that arranged in alphabetical or alphabetical order of the content name in the channel list window. (a) if there is a selection for a channel key during the operation, identifying a type of a screen currently being executed and a menu group to which the content being executed is located on the screen; (b) extracting channel list information of a menu group to which the content belongs; (c) activating a channel list window for the extracted channel list information on the screen; (d) moving to and focusing on a corresponding channel if there is an UP or DOWN operation of a channel in the channel list window; And (e) changing to a corresponding channel if there is a selection input of the channel in the channel list window Channel change method using a set-top box for IPTV comprising a. The method of claim 14, In the step (c), the channel change method using the set-top box for IPTV, characterized in that for overlaying the channel list window on the screen. The method of claim 14, The screen is a channel change method using the set-top box for IPTV, characterized in that to maintain the background image mapped to the currently running screen. The method of claim 14, In the step (b), If the currently running screen is a home menu screen, The channel change method using the set-top box for IPTV, characterized in that for extracting the channel list information belonging to the next menu group except the home menu from the menu classified by the large category. The method of claim 14, In the step (b), When the currently running screen is a synopsis screen that displays detailed information of the content before playing the content, And a channel list information of a menu group to which the content executed on the synopsis screen belongs. The method of claim 14, In the step (b), If the currently running screen is a screen being downloaded, And a channel list information of a menu group to which the downloaded content belongs. The method of claim 14, In the step (b), If the currently running screen is a screen for watching a specific content, And a channel list information of a menu group to which the content to be watched belongs is extracted. The method of claim 17, wherein The channel list information is a channel number or content name of the content belonging to the menu group, the channel change method using the set-top box for IPTV. The method of claim 17, wherein The menu group to which the content belongs is a channel change method using a set-top box for IPTV including any one or more of a group of large menus classified by a large category, a group of sub-menus belonging to the large menu.

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