KR20090111231A - Method and system for providing broadcasting content viewing information in IPTV service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing broadcasting content viewing information in an IPTV service. The present invention displays information of previously watched programs (contents) and information of paid programs that are available for free as icons in a program list or other programs. Displayed differently from the color, and by displaying the information of the series program previously watched in a different color to the number of series displayed on the screen of the series program, the user can easily know the paid programs available for free provides a convenient function.

Description

Method of providing broadcasting contents viewing information in IPTV service and system therefor {METHOD OF SERVICE SEEING AND HEARING INFORMATION OF BROADCASTING CONTENTS IN IPTV SERVICE, AND SYSTEM THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service. In particular, the present invention relates to an IPTV service which makes it possible to distinguish a program (content) viewed by a user and to easily know information of a paid program that is freely available. The present invention relates to a broadcast content viewing information providing method and system therefor.

Recently, the standardization of digital broadcasting is progressing rapidly. Digital broadcasting has the advantage of being able to compress information data compared to analog broadcasting, and have high transmission speed and excellent sound quality and image quality. These digital broadcasts are being combined with communication technology, and their applicability is gradually expanding. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is located at the convergence of broadcasting and communication. The IPTV provides various advantages through the convergence of broadcasting technology and communication technology. For example, the IPTV provides a user with digitized content by using an internet network or the like as a broadcasting network. In addition, various tasks such as participation in forums, etc. can be performed through the same network.

The most attracting attention in the IPTV is a Video On Demand (VOD) service. Unlike the terrestrial channel or cable TV, which must be watched according to the program schedule, the VOD service can be watched at any time at any time, as well as the latest dramas or movies, as well as major terrestrial programs and popular cable TV channels, There is an advantage that you can see a variety of content, such as adult content, sports, and various educational / life information all in one place. In addition, the use is gradually increasing because you can watch movies that you want to watch at a low cost.

 Hereinafter, a VOD service system using an IPTV service according to the prior art will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional VOD service system includes an IPTV service system 1 including a broadcast information server 10 and a content server 20, and an IPTV service system 1 and a network 30. It is composed of a plurality of connected set-top box 40, the display device 50 connected to the set-top box 40 and the remote control 60.

The broadcast information server 10 includes a terrestrial broadcast information server 11, a satellite broadcast information server 12, and a cable broadcast information server 13. The terrestrial broadcast information is transmitted to the set top box 40 through the network 30. It provides a broadcasting channel service, satellite broadcasting channel service, cable broadcasting channel service.

The content server 20 includes a VOD content server 21 and a game content server 22, and provides VOD content and game content services to the set-top box 40 through the network 30.

The set top box 40 requests a broadcast channel service such as terrestrial wave, satellite, cable, or VOD content or game content service to the IPTV service system 1 through the network 30 to receive the corresponding service and receive the corresponding display device. Display at (50).

The conventional VOD service system having the above configuration operates as follows.

First, the set-top box 40 receives broadcast channel service information such as terrestrial wave, satellite, cable, and VOD content and game content information from the IPTV service system 1 and provides them to the user through the display device 50. do. The set top box 40 receives the VOD content to be viewed from the user and requests the IPTV service system 1 through the network 30 for the VOD content requested by the user. The IPTV service system 1 provides the VOD content requested by the set top box 40 through the network 30. The set top box 40 downloads the corresponding VOD content from the IPTV service system 1 to be displayed on the display device 50. In this case, the set-top box 40 uses the well-known streaming technology to download the VOD content from the IPTV service system 1 so that the VOD content is reproduced on the display device 50 even before the download is completed.

Next, a set-top box of Hana TV that provides IPTV service (hereinafter, also referred to as 'hana TV') will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is a usage guide diagram illustrating a method of viewing content of Hana TV. First, when the TV and the Hana TV are turned on and the external input of the TV remote control (hereinafter, referred to as a remote control) is pressed, the initial screen of the Hana TV appears. After checking the announcement on the initial screen, move to the desired content.

Next, a screen for checking the plot and the trailer of the corresponding content is displayed by selecting the desired content by using the arrow buttons of the remote controller or by directly inputting the channel number of the desired content and pressing the OK button.

Then, pressing the OK button or the play button of the remote control is played while loading the corresponding content. At this time, a video for introducing the main program appears while downloading the selected program. When a program is downloaded more than a portion (for example, 2% of the total content capacity), the program starts.

On the other hand, if the content that you want to watch is a series, use the left and right buttons of the remote control to move to select the OK button. The series is organized on the same channel.

3 is a screen for explaining a method of moving to a desired content.

For program selection, select direction buttons (◀ ▶ ▼ ▲) on the program list of the menu and press the "OK" button to see a plot (synopsis) and a brief introduction screen (see FIG. 4).

4 is a screen for checking the plot and trailer of the program (short program) when the desired content is selected.

If you press the "OK" button once again while viewing the plot on the screen of Figure 4, the download is available, and after a certain portion of the download is complete. Here, if the channel number of the desired program is directly input, the program can be selected more easily and quickly.

In Fig. 4,? Is a poster image (a separate prepared other image may appear). ② indicates the type of billing, which is divided into "free", "teaser", "purchase complete", and "paid (price is displayed if paid)". ③ introduces the program's direct input code (can be found in the program search menu) and the basic information of the work, such as the name, director, performer, and plot.

5 is a screen for checking the plot and trailer of the program (series program) when the desired content is selected.

In case of series program that has several pieces, the number of times is displayed at the top of the plot when selecting the program. You can move to the desired program by pressing the left / right direction button (◀ ▶) on the remote control. On the other hand, in the case of a series, a pop-up asking whether to play before the next play appears according to an option.

In Fig. 5,? Is indicated eight times at a time in the series navigation. ② indicates the type of billing, which is divided into "free", "teaser", "purchase complete", and "paid (if the price is paid)". ③, the program direct input code and the basic information of the series such as the name of the work / airing time / airing session is introduced.

On the other hand, if the program is not broadcasted in the broadcast schedule, it is displayed as "missing", a program that can taste a part of the paid program for free is displayed as "teaser", and a free service among the paid programs is displayed as "free". do.

6 to 8 are screens illustrating a method of checking purchase details when a euro program is purchased. The purchase history menu may check details of purchases when a paid program is purchased.

First, after entering the adult authentication number in the Hana TV service authentication pop-up window, as shown in Figure 6 and presses the OK button to proceed to the purchase details screen of FIG. Next, when the purchase history button is pressed on the purchase history screen of FIG. 7, the monthly total content purchased by the user may be checked. Subsequently, when the 'detail check' button is pressed on the purchase history screen of FIG. 7, detailed contents of the paid program purchase history may be checked (see FIG. 8). At this time, the paid program purchase details include a title name, division, price, purchase date, remaining period and the like as shown in the screen of FIG.

In the case of Hana TV that provides the IPTV service, when a paid program is purchased (downloaded), the program is provided for free for a predetermined period (for example, two days).

However, if one of the family members watching Hana TV downloaded the paid program, the other family members did not know that the paid program was downloaded to the set-top box. In addition, because there are so many programs that can be selected for broadcasting and individual preferences, it is difficult for other family members to watch paid programs that are free for two days.

In addition, in the conventional Hana TV service system, since the user cannot provide information on the paid program purchased (downloaded), the paid program purchased by the user may be purchased again. In particular, in the case of a series program that has multiple episodes, if you do not remember how many episodes you saw, there was a problem of purchasing a paid program watched again.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to display information of a previously watched program (content) as an icon in a program list or to distinguish the color of another program from a user. The present invention provides a method and system for providing broadcasting content viewing information in an IPTV service, which enables a user to easily know a paid program available for free.

In addition, the second object of the present invention is to display information of a series program (contents) previously watched in a different color in the number of series displayed on the screen of the series program, so that the user can distinguish the program viewed by the IPTV service. A method and system for providing broadcast content viewing information are provided.

In addition, a third object of the present invention is to display information of paid programs (contents) that are freely available as icons in the program list or to distinguish them from colors of other paid programs, thereby making it easier for users to pay for free programs. The present invention provides a method and system for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service.

In addition, the fourth object of the present invention is to view the broadcast content viewing information in the IPTV service to display a list of the pay programs available for free when the user wants to see a list of pay programs available for free through the input of the remote control, etc. The present invention provides a method and a system thereof.

Broadcast content viewing information providing method in the IPTV service according to the present invention for achieving the above object, (a) when the power is applied to the display device (TV) and the set-top box and the external input button of the remote control is initialized to the TV; Displaying a screen; (b) in the set-top box, selecting a content to be watched through a remote control or inputting a channel number, downloading the content from the IPTV service system, storing the content, and playing the content on the TV; And (c) storing, in the memory, content information viewed on the set-top box for a predetermined period of time of the TV and information of paid content available for free, and storing the viewed content information and information of paid content available for free. Displaying the icon on the list or displaying the icon differently from the color of other content.

The broadcasting content viewing information providing method is characterized in that when the content is a series, information of the previously viewed series content is displayed by distinguishing the number of series displayed on the screen of the series content by using a different color.

The broadcasting content viewing information providing method is characterized in that when the user wants to see a list of paid content available for free through the input of the remote control, a list of payable content available for free is displayed on the screen of the TV.

In addition, the broadcast content viewing information providing system in the IPTV service according to the present invention for achieving the above object, to provide a broadcast channel, VOD content and game content, including terrestrial, satellite, cable to a plurality of set-top boxes over a network IPTV service system; A display device (TV) for playing content (program) downloaded from the IPTV service system through a set-top box; And providing a list of contents on the screen of the TV to receive contents selected from the user, or receiving a channel number, downloading the corresponding contents from the IPTV service system, playing the contents on the TV, and watching the contents for a predetermined period of time. Storing the content information and the information of the free content available for free in a memory, and displaying the watched content information and the information of the free content available for free as icons in the content list or differently from the colors of other programs; Set-top box; characterized in that it comprises a.

The set-top box, when the content is a series, characterized in that the information of the previously viewed series content is displayed by distinguishing the number of series displayed on the screen of the series content in a different color.

The set-top box is characterized in that when the user wants to see a list of pay content available for free to display a list of pay content available for free on the screen of the TV.

The set top box includes an input signal receiving unit configured to receive various control signals from a remote controller; A network interface for providing a network-related based service for the set-top box to communicate over the network; A data receiver for receiving a broadcast signal, an electronic program guide (EPG), and content data transmitted from the IPTV service system through the network interface; A decoder which decodes the broadcast signal and the content data received through the data receiver to be displayed on the TV; Process and control various data including broadcast signals, EPGs, and content data received from the IPTV service system, and display the watched content information and information of paid contents that are freely available as icons in the content list; and / or A data processing and control unit which displays the color differently from other programs; And a memory configured to store data processed by the data processing and control unit, content information viewed on the TV, and information of paid content that can be used free of charge.

According to the method and system for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to the present invention, information of previously watched programs (contents) is displayed as icons in a program list or displayed differently from colors of other programs. There is a convenient function that makes it easy to know which paid programs are available for free.

In addition, by displaying the information of the series program (contents) previously watched in a different color on the number of series displayed on the screen of the series program, there is a convenient function for the user to easily know the paid programs available for free.

In addition, there is a convenient function that allows the user to easily know the paid programs available for free by displaying the information of paid programs (contents) that are freely available as icons in the program list or differently from the colors of other paid programs. .

In addition, when the user wants to see a list of paid programs available for free through the input of the remote control, the user can easily see the paid programs available for free by displaying a list of free programs available on the screen. There is a function.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

broadcast contents  City hall information providing system

9 is a block diagram of a system for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the system for providing broadcast content viewing information in the IPTV service includes an IPTV service system 100 including a broadcast information server 110 and a content server 120, and the IPTV service system 100. A plurality of set top boxes 140 connected through a network 130, a display device 150 connected to the set top boxes 140, and a remote controller 160 are configured.

First, the broadcast information server 110 includes a terrestrial broadcast server 111, a satellite broadcast server 112, and a cable broadcast server 113, and broadcasts the terrestrial broadcast to the set-top box 140 through the network 130. Provides channel services, satellite broadcast channel services, cable broadcast channel services, and the like.

The content server 120 includes a VOD content server 121 and a game content server 122, and provides VOD content and game content services to the set-top box 140 through the network 130.

The set top box 140 includes an input signal receiving unit 141, a network interface 142, a data receiving unit 143, a decoder 144, a data processing and control unit 145, and a memory 146. Providing a content list on the screen of the device 150 to receive content selected by the user or inputting a channel number through the remote controller 160 or the like to download the corresponding content from the IPTV service system 100 to the TV. Play it. In addition, the set-top box 140 stores content information viewed on the display device 150 for a predetermined period of time and information of paid contents that are available for free in a memory, and the viewed content information and paid contents that can be used for free. Information is displayed as an icon in the content list or displayed differently from the color of other programs.

The input signal receiving unit 141 of the set top box 140 functions to receive various control signals from the remote controller 160.

In addition, the network interface 142 provides a network-related based service so that the set-top box 140 can communicate through the network 130.

The data receiver 143 receives a broadcast signal, an electronic program guide (EPG), content data, and the like transmitted from the IPTV service system 100 through the network interface 142.

The decoder 144 functions to decode the broadcast signal and the content data received through the data receiver 143 to be displayed on the display apparatus 150.

The data processing and control unit 145 processes and controls various data including a broadcast signal, an EPG, and content data received from the IPTV service system 100, and the watched content information and information of paid contents that are freely available. To display the icon in the content list and / or to distinguish it from the color of another program.

In addition, when the content is a series, the data processing and control unit 145 controls information to be distinguished by displaying the information of the previously viewed series content in a different color on the number of series displayed on the screen of the series content, and the user free of charge. When the user wants to see a list of available pay contents, the list of pay contents available for free is controlled to be displayed on the screen of the display apparatus 150.

The memory 146 stores data processed by the data processing and control unit 145, content information viewed on the display device 150, and information on paid content that is freely available.

The display device 150 displays the broadcast channel and the content downloaded through the set top box 140.

The remote controller 160 is an integrated remote controller capable of controlling the set top box 140 and the display device 150.

The broadcast content viewing information providing system in the IPTV service of the present invention having the above configuration operates as follows.

First, when the power of the display device (TV) 150 and the set-top box 140 is turned on and the external input button of the remote controller is pressed, the initial screen of the set-top box 140 appears. After checking the announcement on the initial screen, move to the desired content.

Select the desired content by using the arrow buttons of the remote control or directly enter the channel number of the desired content and then press the OK button, a screen for checking the plot and trailer of the content appears.

Pressing the OK button or the play button of the remote control is played while loading the corresponding content. At this time, a video for introducing the main program appears while downloading the selected program. When a program is downloaded more than a portion (for example, 2% of the total content capacity), the program starts.

On the other hand, if the content that you want to watch is a series, use the left and right buttons of the remote control to move to select the OK button. The series is organized on the same channel.

In the Hana TV, when the paid content is downloaded, the corresponding content can be viewed for free for a certain period (for example, two days). Accordingly, the set-top box 140 stores the information of the freely available paid contents downloaded to the memory 146 to display the information of the freely available paid contents as icons in the contents list or other contents. It is displayed differently from the color (see FIG. 11). In this case, the information of the freely available pay content may be displayed as an icon in the content list and displayed differently from the color of other content.

In addition, the set-top box 140 stores the content information viewed on the TV 150 for a predetermined period of time (for example, for the last week) in the memory 146 and stores the viewed content information in the content list. Indicated by an icon or displayed differently from the color of other contents (see FIG. 11). For example, the color of the content information viewed in the last one week may be displayed differently from the color of the content information viewed in the last two weeks, and may be displayed differently from the content information not viewed. At this time, it is possible to display for each color in the state of the EPG.

As before, the watched content information may be displayed as an icon in the content list and displayed differently from the color of other content.

On the other hand, when the viewed content information is a series content, information of the previously viewed series content is displayed by distinguishing the number of series displayed on the screen of the series content by using a different color (see FIG. 12).

In addition, in the present invention, when a user wants to see a list of paid contents available for free through the input of the remote controller 160, a list of paid contents available for free is displayed on the screen of the TV 150.

Therefore, the user using the set-top box 140 has an advantage that it is convenient to use because the user can easily know the information of the previously viewed content and the information of the paid content available for free.

broadcast contents  How to provide viewership information

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

First, when power is applied to the display apparatus (TV) 150 and the set-top box 140 (step S10) and an external input button of the remote controller 160 is input (step S20), the TV 150 The initial screen of the set top box 140 is displayed (step S30).

Then, when the user selects the content that he / she wants to watch by using a remote controller or the like, or inputs a channel number (step S40), the corresponding content is downloaded from the set-top box 140 by viewing the contents (program) list of the initial screen. And store and reproduce (step S50).

Next, the set-top box 140 stores the content information watched on the TV 150 for a predetermined period of time (for example, the last week) and information of paid content that is available for free in the memory 146 ( Step S60), the watched content information and the information of the freely available paid content are displayed as icons in the content list or displayed differently from the color of other content (step S70).

In addition, in the method for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to the present invention, when the content is a series, information of previously watched series content is displayed by distinguishing the number of series displayed on the screen of the series content by using a different color. When the user wants to see a list of paid contents available for free through the input of the remote controller 160, the list of paid contents available for free is displayed on the screen of the TV 150.

Program list screen

11 is a program list screen for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the program list screen of FIG. 11, an icon labeled "viewing channel" indicates content information viewed on the TV 150 for a certain period of time (for example, the last week), and an icon labeled "free 2 days" The information on the freely available paid contents downloaded to the memory 146 of the set top box 140 is shown. Here, the phrase of the icon used is displayed as an example, and may be displayed using another phrase or a picture. In addition, the information of the freely available paid content may be displayed differently from the color of other content, or may be displayed together with the color and the icon.

Series program screen

12 is a series program screen for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the screen of FIG. 12, when the watched content information is a series content, the series content is displayed by distinguishing the number of series content previously watched by a different color from the series number displayed on the upper part of the plot of the series content. The next time you see, you can easily tell how many times you watched.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art, which should be regarded as included in the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. will be.

1 is a block diagram of an IPTV service system according to the prior art.

2 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the IPTV service using a set-top box of one TV as an example,

3 is a usage guide diagram for explaining a method of viewing content of Hana TV,

4 is a screen for explaining a method of moving to a desired content;

5 is a screen for checking the plot and trailer of the program (short program) when the desired content is selected,

6 is a screen for checking the plot and trailer of the program (series program) when the desired content is selected,

7 to 8 are screens illustrating a method of checking purchase details when a euro program is purchased.

9 is a block diagram of a system for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a program list screen for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a series program screen for providing broadcast content viewing information in an IPTV service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Description of Code for Major Parts of Drawing]

100: IPTV service system 110: broadcasting information server

111: terrestrial broadcast server 112: satellite broadcast server

113: cable broadcasting server 120: content server

121: VOD Content Server 122: Game Content Server

130: network 140: set-top box

141: input signal receiving unit 142: network interface

143: data receiving unit 144: decoder

145: data processing and control unit 146: memory

150: display device or TV 160: remote control

Claims (7)

In the broadcast content viewing information providing method in the IPTV service, (a) displaying an initial screen on the TV when power is applied to the display apparatus (TV) and the set-top box and an external input button of a remote controller is input; (b) in the set-top box, selecting a content to be watched through a remote control or inputting a channel number, downloading the content from the IPTV service system, storing the content, and playing the content on the TV; And (c) storing, in the memory, content information viewed on the set-top box for a predetermined period of time and information on paid content available for free in the memory; and displaying the viewed content information and information on paid content available for free on the content list. And displaying the icon or differently from the color of other content. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcasting content viewing information providing method comprises: When the content is a series, broadcasting content viewing information providing method for an IPTV service, characterized in that the information of the previously watched series content is displayed by distinguishing the number of series displayed on the screen of the series content in a different color. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcasting content viewing information providing method comprises: When the user wants to see a list of paid contents available for free through the input of the remote control, the broadcast content viewing information providing method in the IPTV service, characterized in that the display of the list of paid content available for free on the screen of the TV . In the broadcast content viewing information providing system in the IPTV service, An IPTV service system for providing broadcast channels, VOD contents, and game contents including terrestrial, satellite, and cables to a plurality of set-top boxes through a network; A display device (TV) for playing content (program) downloaded from the IPTV service system through a set-top box; And Providing a content list on the screen of the TV to receive the content that the user wants to watch or input a channel number to download the content from the IPTV service system to play on the TV, the content watched for a certain period on the TV Set-top that stores information and freely available paid contents in memory, and displays the viewed content information and freely available paid contents as icons in the contents list or distinguishes them from colors of other programs. Broadcast content viewing information providing system in the IPTV service, comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein the set top box is: When the content is a series, the broadcast content viewing information providing system for the IPTV service, characterized in that the information of the previously watched series content is displayed by distinguishing the number of series displayed on the screen of the series content in a different color. The method of claim 4, wherein the set top box is: When the user wants to view a list of pay content available for free, the broadcast content viewing information providing system for the IPTV service, characterized in that for displaying the list of pay content available for free on the screen of the TV. The method of claim 4, wherein the set top box is: An input signal receiver which receives various control signals from a remote controller; A network interface for providing a network-related based service for the set-top box to communicate over the network; A data receiver for receiving a broadcast signal, an electronic program guide (EPG), and content data transmitted from the IPTV service system through the network interface; A decoder which decodes the broadcast signal and the content data received through the data receiver to be displayed on the TV; Process and control various data including broadcast signals, EPGs, and content data received from the IPTV service system, and display the watched content information and information of paid contents that are freely available as icons in the content list; and / or A data processing and control unit which displays the color differently from other programs; And And a memory for storing data processed by the data processing and control unit, content information viewed on the TV, and information of paid content that can be used free of charge. IPTV service system.

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