KR101187425B1 - Method and apparatus for recognizing preferred programs - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for recognizing a preferred program is provided. The apparatus for recognizing a preferred program includes a master program extracting unit for extracting an identifier of a master program representing a specific program belonging to a different program having the same program attribute from an event information table received from an event information table providing server, and the master program. And a preference program information generation unit for generating preference program information including an identifier of and an EPG information generation unit for generating EPG information including an identifier of the master program based on the generated preference program information.

Event information table, preferred program, identifier

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOGNIZING PREFERRED PROGRAMS}

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for recognizing a preference program, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for recognizing a preference program composed of a plurality of series.

Currently, the number of domestic subscribers who watch paid digital broadcasting through cable, satellite and IPTV has exceeded 5 million, and even households that do not subscribe to digital broadcasting can watch high-definition digital terrestrial channels through digital TV.

Except for picture quality, digital broadcasting is most distinguished from analog broadcasting by providing an electronic program guide (hereinafter referred to as EPG). EPG displays a program schedule of a broadcast program on the receiver screen, and a viewer who uses the program can select a desired program or search for a desired program by criteria such as time, title, channel, and genre. Say service.

The biggest advantage of EPG is that it is possible to easily access various channels and program information through data transmission and reception that is possible only in the digital manner. Therefore, almost all digital broadcasting media basically provide EPG for the convenience of viewers, and various types of EPG such as grid or mosaic EPG are devised and serviced.

In addition, since the standard for data transmission and reception for EPG is defined around Europe and North America, EPG data is transmitted and received according to the standard set by each medium in Korea.

These standards are in the form of transmitting data structured in a table format to MPEG2 TS. Recently, XML provides various services to users by utilizing not only program information but also multimedia contents of programs / images, slides, videos, and audio. Standardization is also in progress for the Advanced EPG.

There are three types of standards currently used for data transmission required for EPG in digital broadcasting services. In Europe, satellite, cable, and terrestrial waves use “DVB-SI”. In the US, “PSIP” is used for terrestrial waves and “OPENCABLE SI” is used for cables.

As described above, although the specifications are different for each country, the information contained for the EPG is almost the same, and the domestic satellite, DMB, and IPTV use the DVB-SI standard.

The standard for transmitting program information in the DVB-SI standard is defined as an event information table (hereinafter referred to as EIT).

The EIT is generated on an event basis. The EIT includes information such as a title, a genre, and a rating of a corresponding program as each descriptor.

Here, the event refers to a program that is broadcasted at a predetermined date and time of a specific channel in broadcast schedule information.

For reference, the EPG data transmission standard of the standard other than DVB-SI also provides a program information on an event basis.

Although EIT's event seems to mean a program, it is not easy to identify the same program with program information by event because the event and the program are not mapped 1: 1 with each other according to the characteristics of the program.

Moreover, the current broadcast program has a large portion of regular programs, and most of the programs popular with viewers are programs in which a program is broadcast dozens of times over weeks or months, such as a drama or entertainment program.

1 is a diagram illustrating broadcast schedule information of a conventional regular programming program.

As shown in FIG. 1, a broadcast program usually has a plurality of events in a broadcast schedule information of a predetermined period, and there are many cases in which a broadcast channel is additionally organized in addition to the broadcast channel.

Therefore, even if the same program is transmitted to the viewer by program information of different events in the EPG transmission data according to the broadcast date and time, the EPG information receiving side has difficulty in identifying the same preferred program among the events of the broadcast schedule information.

In order to solve the above problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an identifier for a program representing individual programs belonging to different events while having the same program attributes.

It also provides a script specification that defines the program identifier for the event in the EIT.

In addition, the digital broadcasting reception apparatus provides a middleware interface standard for managing preference program information and recognizing a preferred program to provide an EPG.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects not mentioned can be clearly understood from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus for recognizing a preferred program according to an aspect of the present invention is a master representing a specific program belonging to a different event having the same program attribute, from the event information table received from the event information table providing server A master program extracting unit for extracting an identifier of a program, a preference program information generating unit for generating preference program information including an identifier of the master program, and the EPG including the identifier of the master program based on the generated preferred program information. EPG information generating unit for generating information.

In order to achieve the above object, a device for recognizing a preferred program according to another aspect of the present invention, in the event information table, the preferred program search unit for searching for the preferred program belonging to a different event having the same program attribute, the retrieved preference A master program mapping unit for mapping a master program ID and a master program title to a program, and a transmission unit for transmitting an event information table including the master program ID and the master program title to the set-top box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It is provided to fully inform the owner of the scope of the invention.

According to one of the problem solving means of the method and apparatus for recognizing a preferred program of the present invention described above, the EPG information receiving apparatus can identify a specific preferred program.

In addition, since a specific preference program can be identified, a customized EPG configured with the specific preference program can be provided.

In addition, a target advertisement based on preferred program information may be provided by linking a specific preferred program with an additional service for the corresponding program.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

For reference, in the entire specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, it is not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another element in between. Also includes.

Also, when an element is referred to as "comprising ", it means that it can include other elements as well, without departing from the other elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a general IPTV broadcasting service system.

2, an IPTV broadcasting system includes a broadcaster 1000, a headend system 2000, a network network 3000, and a user terminal 4000.

In addition, the headend system 2000 includes a baseband system 2010, a compression multiplexing system 2020, a conditional access system (CAS) 2030, a back office system 2040, and a monitoring system 2050. , A media operation core (MOC) 2060, a subscriber management system 2070, a data broadcasting system 2080, an electronic program guide (EPG) system 2090, and a return pass server system 2100. .

The broadcaster 1000 serves to produce, edit, and change broadcast content to provide to the headend system 2000. The broadcaster 1000 may include a program provider (PP), a terrestrial wave, or a content provider (CP). In addition, the broadcast content provided by the broadcaster 1000 may include existing broadcast content and rich content on the Internet.

The headend system 2000 receives and manages broadcast content from the broadcaster 1000 and distributes content to the user terminal 4000 to provide broadcast / recording / playback services. The received broadcast content may include related additional information and an EPG for such additional information.

The head-end system 2000 includes EPG information (PSIP / PSI /) including a subscriber concentrator, a broadcast video and audio signal, data broadcasting data, and a program recommendation service menu through a router supporting a multicast routing protocol. SI information) can be transmitted to IP set-top boxes of multiple subscribers by multicasting.

The baseband system 2010 receives an MPEG2 broadcast signal from an external program provider (PP) or an analog broadcast signal from terrestrial waves, converts the received source broadcast signal into a SDI (Serial Digital Interface) signal, and converts a frame ( Frames), and distributes video and audio signals from multiple broadcast channels (e.g. 100 channels) via a routine switcher, subtitle generator (CG) and automatic program controller (APC). At least one of an advertisement, a logo, or a subtitle is inserted into the broadcast video and audio signal (signal editing and processing) and transmitted to the compression multiplexing system 2020.

The SDI (Serial Digital Interface) signal is, for example, a digital signal standard having a transmission rate of 270 Mbps, and a composite digital video and four channels of digital audio signals may be mixed.

The baseband system 2010 is basically a tuner for receiving analog broadcast signals through a receiving device (eg, a DS-3 station, a Yagi antenna, and an IRD) for receiving broadcast signals such as a program provider (PP) and terrestrial waves, respectively. (Tuner)), a frame synchronizer for converting and correcting a source signal received from a receiving device into an SDI signal, synchronizing frames, and A connecting / centralizing all broadcast signal channels for operation management. A signal splitter such as a / V router, and a subtitle generator for inserting an advertisement, a logo, and a subtitle into the SDI signal to edit and process the signal.

The compression multiplexing system 2020 uses an A / V encoder (A / V Encoder) for broadcasting video and audio signals (Video, Audio) received from the baseband system 2010 for each broadcasting channel (eg, 100 channels). ) To compress SDI (Serial Digital Interface) video signal to H.264, and to compress the audio signal to MPEG-2 AAC to generate MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream), and to compress compressed broadcast video and audio -2 after multiplexing data broadcasting data and EPG information (PSIP / PSI / SI information) generated by a data encoder and a PSI / SI generator together with the TS signal When the received MPEG-2 TS signal is used in the reception restriction technique, the TS-2 may be inputted to a scrambler, encrypted, and finally IP packetized to transmit an IP packetized TS (Transport Stream) broadcast signal.

Also, optionally, the reception restriction system 2030 may be used to prevent illegal viewing and illegal copying of program recommended content.

The reception restriction system 2030 performs encryption of the real-time channel and pre-encryption of the VOD content, and controls viewing authority so that only the authenticated user can use the channel and the content. In order to prevent illegal copying of IPTV contents, a digital rights management (DRM) scheme may be used instead of the reception restriction system 2030.

The back office system 2040 is a provisioning system and provides a billing processing function for the use of the IPTV program service for each subscriber.

The monitoring system 2050 is a control system. The monitoring system 2050 may monitor a transmission failure of an A / V broadcast signal for IPTV broadcasting, a reception failure by monitoring a downlink of an IPTV headend system, and confirm subtitles.

The media management system 2060 is a system for managing various business process information (program organization information, location information, contract information, product information, etc.) for operating a broadcasting business. The media management system 2060 integrally manages the information flow through the organic combination with each system at the center of the broadcasting center.

The media management system 2060 manages broadcast program organization information, content and media management information, contract information of a program provider (PP) and a content provider (CP), and product information, and manages each system in the center of a broadcasting center. Through organic integration, it can act as a coordinator to manage and manage the flow of information.

In addition, the media management system 2060 includes contract management, media and content metadata management, EPG information acquisition / management as broadcast schedule information, and real time broadcasting and VOD in terms of operation. It provides channel formation management, agent management, interworking with each subsystem, VOD catalog creation management, and various product management.In terms of analysis, marketing analysis reporting, delivery such as settlement of CP / CA, subscriber viewing propensity, etc. In terms of broadcasting transmission monitoring, video server transmission management and VOD subscriber authentication, transmission result recording / management for settlement with CP / CA, and data synchronization with each subsystem connected.

The subscriber management system 2070 provides membership registration and termination and member information management for IPTV services.

The data broadcasting system 2080 authors, verifies, organizes, and transmits the data broadcasting data.

The data broadcasting system 2080 includes a data agent manager for managing data encoding, a PSI / SI generator for generating program specific information / service information (SI). (PSI / SI Generator), Data Server / Data Encoder for encoding data broadcasting data into broadcast video and audio signals, Multiplexer Manager for managing the multiplexing function of data on the broadcast video and audio signals (Multiplexer Manager), and the scheduler user interface (Scheduler UI).

In addition, the data broadcasting system 2080 may use the A / V encoder to provide the A / V data provided from the A / V server according to the terrestrial Application Configuration Access Protocol (ACAP) data broadcasting standard. Compresses the broadcast video and audio signals by using a data server / data encoder and PSI / SI (Program Specific Information / Service Information), and compresses the compressed video and audio signals from an application by the authoring tool. ) Is multiplexed by a multiplexer together with data broadcasting data and EPG information (PSIP / SI information) generated by the generator to encode and transmit broadcast program data and related information from collection and storage of data broadcasting programs. .

The EPG system 2090 includes an EPG server and provides an electronic program guide (EPG) service to the user terminal 4000.

The return path server system 2100 processes bidirectional data by a data provider (DP), provides on-line bill transfer from the user terminal 4000, usage history / billing interworking processing of bidirectional data, and personalization authentication. Receive bidirectional data for processing and program recommendation services, and transmit corresponding response data to the user terminal 4000 in unicasting.

The network 3000 receives the broadcast content from the headend system 2000 and delivers the received broadcast content to the user terminal 4000. The network network 3000 includes a backbone network and an access network, and the access network includes Ethernet, xDSL (ADSL, VDSL), Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Ca (HFC), and Fiber To The Curb), and may be configured in any one topology of a fiber to the home (FTTH) structure.

The user terminal 4000 is an apparatus for using an Internet broadcasting service, and generally includes an IPTV terminal, a set top box (STB), and a remote controller. The IPTV terminal outputs the broadcast content received from the headend system 2000 and transmits a user response signal received through the remote controller to the headend system 2000 through the return channel of the set top box.

The user terminal may use any one of a TV with an IP STB or an IP set-top box (IP STB), a computer, a notebook, or a personal portable terminal connected to the user's TV.

The IP set-top box includes a hardware layer composed of STB hardware such as a CPU, a media processor, flash RAM, and an Ethernet module, a system software layer including a system driver such as a device driver and an operating system, a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Middleware layer with Conditional Access System (CAS) module and Digital Rights Management (DRM) interface module, streaming protocol (RTP, RTSP), MPEG2, MPEG4, MPEG7, H.264, WMV- It may include four layers of an application layer that supports various multi codecs such as 9 and includes an electronic program guide (EPG) for selecting an IPTV service channel. In this case, the subscriber's IP set-top box may be assigned an IPv4 address or an IPv6 address.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for recognizing a preferred program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The system for recognizing a preferred program according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an event information table providing server 310 and a user terminal 320.

In describing each component, the event information table providing server (hereinafter, referred to as an ETI providing server) 310 searches for a specific program having the same program attribute and belonging to different events in the event information table.

Here, the same program attribute includes at least one of a program title, a broadcast channel, a performer, a genre, and a viewing age, and the EIT providing server 310 extracts a keyword from a title of a program having the same program attribute, and extracts the extracted keyword. Search for programs that contain

In this case, when the title of the program includes a round or a subtitle as the keyword extraction method, the EIT providing server 310 may remove all of them and extract only the pure program name as a keyword.

For example, in the EIT, 'I want to know (736 times)? Guilty or not guilty Marriage adultery ”, 'Want to Know It (737)? Will 2012 be the end of the earth? '' Want to know that (738)? Remember everything? Program schedule information, such as “The Amazing Truth of Memory.”

The programs exist as different events in the EIT, and the EIT providing server 310 compares the program attribute information such as the program title, broadcast channel, performer, genre, and viewing age of each event to each other. Make sure that the existing program is a program that you want to know.

Thereafter, the EIT providing server 310 compares the searched program 'I want to know' with the 'program information'.

Here, the "program information" is information stored separately from the EIT and includes at least one of a program ID, a program title, a broadcast channel, a performer, a genre, and a viewing age.

The program information is similar to the program attribute existing in the EIT. However, the EIT is schedule information indicating which program is broadcasted for each broadcast date and time, whereas the program information is not based on the broadcast schedule, but rather the program information. it means.

For example, a program called 'I want to know' exists as a different event for each turn in EIT, but a unique ID is assigned to a program called 'I want to know' in the program information. Includes information about pure program titles, broadcast channels, performers, genres, and viewing ages.

The EIT providing server 310 searches whether the program 'title that I want to know' found in the EIT exists in the program information, and if the search result matches the program title and broadcasting channel, performer, genre, and viewing age, The program ID and program title included in the program information may be used as a master program ID and a master program title described later.

Subsequently, the EIT providing server 310 may recognize a master program ID (hereinafter referred to as a MPID) and a master program title (Master Program Title) for a specific program (which it wants to know) searched through the above process. A descriptor (hereinafter referred to as MP_descriptor) including an MPTitle is mapped.

As mentioned in the problems of the prior art, in the EIT, even if the same program, subtitles or episodes are included in program titles according to the broadcast schedule, and thus belong to different events.

Therefore, in order to identify a corresponding program in the EIT, a representative program that can identify programs belonging to different events while having the same program attributes (for example, program title, broadcast channel, performer, genre, and viewing age) is required. In the present invention, this is defined as a 'master program'.

The EIT providing server 310 uses a descriptor called MP_descriptor to map the information about the master program to the EIT.

As described above, the MP_descriptor includes an MPID and an MPTitle, where the MPID is a unique identifier assigned to each master program, and the MPTitle is data about a master program title.

For reference, the MPID may be assigned by a program producer or a broadcaster and should not be duplicated with other master programs of all channels.

In addition, MPTitle should be a representative title of a program that does not change according to a broadcast schedule. If the title of the program included in the EIT in the DVB-SI standard can be changed according to the broadcast schedule (subtitle or sequence is changed), the MPTitle is preferably set not to change according to the broadcast schedule.

For example, if the program title included in a specific event of the EIT is “I want to know, 715 times, I want to go to school,” the MPTitle of the MP_descriptor that maps to the EIT is set to “I want to know,” with no exceptions and subtitles. Can be.

Therefore, even if a specific program belongs to different events in the EIT, the corresponding program can be identified using the MPID and the MPTitle included in the MP_descriptor.

For reference, the EIT providing server 310 may map one master program and a plurality of events in the EIT (ie, 1: N mapping) using the MPID, and the EIT for the individual event mapped to the master program is master. Includes MP_descriptor as a program identifier.

In addition, the EIT providing server 310 transmits the EIT information to which the MP_descriptor is mapped to the user terminal 320.

Meanwhile, the user terminal 320 includes an IPTV terminal, a set-top box, and a remote controller as described with reference to the user terminal 4000 among the components of the system shown in FIG. 1, hereinafter, the user terminal 320 is referred to as a set-top box. Called 320 (320).

The set top box 320 receives the EIT information from the EIT providing server 310.

At this time, the EIT received from the EIT providing server 310 includes the MP_descriptor for the master program representing the programs belonging to different events with the same program attributes.

In addition, when the set-top box 320 receives a preference program registration request for a specific program from a user (remote control), the set top box 320 generates preference program registration information including a preference program registration date and time preference program preference.

Here, the favorite program registration date and time can be selected as a favorite program by pressing a specific button (hot key) on the remote control while the user is watching a specific program or by selecting a specific program using the remote control direction key while the user is using the grid or EPG. The registered date and time.

In addition, the preference program preference is given priority to a plurality of preferred programs when there are a plurality of preferred programs selected by the user, and the date when the corresponding program is registered as the preferred program and the number of times that the selected program is selected as the preferred program. At least one of may be reflected.

In the following, 'preferred program preference' will be referred to as 'preferred program sequence number'.

Next, the set-top box 320 will be described. The set-top box 320 generates a preference program registration information for a specific program, interprets the MP_descriptor included in the EIT of the specific program (hereinafter referred to as a preference program), and then masters it. Extract the identifiers for the program, that is, MPID and MPTitle.

Thereafter, the set-top box 320 generates Preferred Program Information (hereinafter referred to as PPI) including the extracted MPID and MPTitle, the preferred program registration date and time, and the preferred program sequence number.

In addition, the set-top box 320 may further generate a PPI based on the EIT, further including at least one of the present broadcast channel number, the additional programming channel number, the performer name, the genre, and the viewable age of the preferred program.

Here, the PPI is a middleware interface standard for managing the information on the preferred program in the digital broadcasting receiver and providing the EPG by recognizing the preferred program based on the DVB-MHP standard.

For reference, the middle-weather standard of digital broadcasting receiver uses 'DVB-MHP' for Europe, 'ACAP' for US terrestrial wave and 'OCAP' for cable according to three EPG data transmission standards of digital broadcasting. .

<Table 1> Composition of PPI Function

division Function configuration Preferred Program Information Management Add favorite program Preferred Program Lookup Change program of preference Delete favorite program Application of Preferred Program Information Preferred Program Broadcasting Schedule Preferred Program Broadcasting Service

As shown in Table 1, the PPI function can be classified into two types, namely, preference program information management and application of preferred program information. Specific functions for this will be described later.

The set top box 320 generates a PPI for the preferred program using the above functions, and generates an EPG including an identifier for the master program based on the generated PPI.

In this case, the set-top box 320 may generate an EPG composed of only specific preference programs by using an identifier for the master program, and may also map additional service information related to the specific preference program to associate with the corresponding program when broadcasting a specific preference program. Additional services may also be provided.

In addition, the set-top box 320 may provide various services by identifying a specific preference program using the PPI included in the EPG.

For example, since the preference program can be identified through an identifier for the master program included in the PPI, an EPG composed of only a specific preference program can be provided.

In addition, when a specific button (hotkey) on the remote control is selected for watching a favorite program, the TV (system) is turned on, or the program being watched is terminated, the sequence number is best referred to by referring to the preferred program sequence number included in the PPI. It is also possible to automatically change the channel to the channel where the high preference program is broadcasted.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an EIT providing server 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The EIT providing server 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a preferred program searching unit 311, a master program mapping unit 312, and a transmitting unit 313.

Referring to each component, the preferred program search unit 311 searches for a specific program having the same program attribute and belonging to different events in the EIT.

Here, the same program attribute includes at least one of a program title, a broadcast channel, a performer, a genre, and a viewing age, and the EIT providing server 310 extracts a keyword from a title of a program having the same program attribute, and extracts the extracted keyword. Search for programs that contain

In this case, if the title of the program includes a round or a subtitle as a keyword extraction method, the preferred program search unit 311 may remove all of them and extract only the pure program name as a keyword.

In addition, the preference program search unit 311 compares the found program with "program information."

Detailed description of the 'program information' has been described above and will be omitted.

The preferred program search unit 311 searches whether the program (title) found in the EIT exists in the program information. If the program title and the broadcasting channel, performer, genre, and viewing age match each other, the program information is included in the program information. The program ID and the program title are transmitted to the master program mapping unit 312.

Meanwhile, the master program mapping unit 312 maps the MP_descriptor including the MPID and the MPTitle to the searched specific program.

At this time, the master program mapping unit 312 may use the program ID and program title received from the preferred program search unit 311 as the MPID and the MPTitle.

In addition, the master program mapping unit 312 may map one master program and a plurality of events in the EIT (ie, 1: N mapping) using the MPID, and the EIT for the individual event mapped to the master program is mastered. Contains MP_descriptor as a program identifier.

Since the MPID, the MPTitle, and the MP_descriptor have been described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the transmitter 313 transmits the EIT information to which the MP_descriptor is mapped to the set top box 320.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a set-top box 320 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The set-top box 320 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a receiver 321, a preference program registerer 322, a master program extractor 323, a preference program information generator 324, and an EPG information generator 325. It includes.

When describing each component, the receiver 321 receives the EIT information from the EIT providing server 310. At this time, the received EIT includes the MP_descriptor for the master program representing the program having the same program attribute and belonging to different events.

On the other hand, when the preference program registration unit 322 receives a preference program registration request for a specific program from the user (remote control), it generates the preference program registration information including the preferred program registration date and time and the preference program sequence number.

Here, the favorite program registration date and time can be selected as a favorite program by pressing a specific button (hot key) on the remote control while the user is watching a specific program or by selecting a specific program using the remote control direction key while the user is using the grid or EPG. The registered date and time.

In addition, the preferred program sequence number is given priority to a plurality of preferred programs when there are a plurality of preferred programs selected by a user, and at least of the date and time when the corresponding program is registered as a preferred program and the number of times the corresponding program is selected as a preferred program. One can be reflected.

On the other hand, the master program extractor 323 analyzes the MP_descriptor from the EIT and extracts the MPID and the MPTitle.

Since the description of the MP_descriptor, the MPID, and the MPTitle has been described above, it will be omitted.

On the other hand, the preference program information generation unit 324 generates a PPI including the MPID and MPTitle extracted from the master program extraction unit 323, the preference program sequence number and registration date and time of the preference program registration information.

In addition, the preference program information generation unit 324 may generate the PPI by further including at least one of the present broadcasting channel number, the additional programming channel number, the performer name, the genre, and the viewable age of the preferred program based on the EIT.

The configuration of the PPI function is as described in Table 1, and specific functions for this will be described later.

The EPG information generator 325 generates EPG information based on the PPI generated by the preferred program information generator 324. In this case, the EPG information generator 325 may generate EPG information configured only with a specific preferred program based on the PPI.

For reference, the components illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention mean software components or hardware components such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and have a predetermined role. Perform them.

However, 'components' are not meant to be limited to software or hardware, and each component may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium or may be configured to reproduce one or more processors.

Thus, as an example, a component may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and processes, functions, properties, procedures, and subs. Routines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

Components and the functionality provided within those components may be combined into a smaller number of components or further separated into additional components.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of including a master program identifier in the EIT in the EIT providing server 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The EIT providing server 310 searches for a specific program that has the same program attribute and belongs to different events in the EIT (S601).

At this time, the EIT providing server 310 extracts a keyword from a title of a program having the same program attribute and searches for programs including the extracted keyword.

In this case, the preferred program search unit 311 may compare the searched program with "program information" and use the program ID and program title of the program information as MPID and MPTitle.

After step S601, the EIT providing server 310 maps the MP_descriptor including the MPID and the MPTitle to the EIT of the searched specific program (S602).

Here, the master program is a representative program that can identify programs belonging to different events while having the same program attributes (for example, program title, broadcast channel, performer, genre, and viewing age), and MPID is a master program. A unique identifier given to each star, and MPTitle is data about a master program title.

After the step S602, the EIT providing server 310 transmits the EIT information to which the MP_descriptor is mapped to the set top box 320 (S603).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating EPG information based on PPI information in the set-top box 320 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The set top box 320 receives the EIT information from the EIT providing server 310 (S701).

At this time, the received EIT includes the MP_descriptor for the master program representing the program having the same program attribute and belonging to different events.

After step S701, the set-top box 320 receives a preference program registration request for a specific program from a user (remote control), and generates preference program registration information including a preferred program registration date and time and a preference program sequence number (S702).

After the step S702, the set-top box 320 interprets the MP_descriptor included in the EIT of the specific program (hereinafter referred to as a preferred program) to extract an identifier for the master program, that is, MPID and MPTitle (S703).

After step S703, the set-top box 320 generates a PPI including the extracted MPID and MPTitle, the preferred program registration date and time, and the preferred program sequence number (S704).

In this case, the set-top box 320 may further generate a PPI based on the EIT by further including at least one of the present broadcast channel number, the additional programming channel number, the performer name, the genre, and the viewable age of the preferred program.

After step S704, the set top box 320 generates EPG information based on the generated PPI (S705).

Hereinafter, a detailed definition of the PPI function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As mentioned in <Table 1> for a while, PPI functions can be classified into two types, namely, preference program information management and application of preferred program information. Specific functions are as follows.

1. Preferred Program Information Management

(1) Add Preferred Program

int addPreferredProgram (string MPID)

-Add a specific program as a favorite.

int addPreferredProgram (SIEvent event)

Add a favorite program from a specific event.

(2) Preferred Program Inquiry

PPIInstance getPreferredProgram (int SeqNum)

Obtain a preferred program information entity of a particular order.

PPIInstance [] getPreferredProgram ()

Obtain a list of preferred program information entities for all preferred programs;

(3) change preference program

void changePreferredProgram (int SeqNum1, int SeqNum2)

-Switch between the order of preference programs with SeqNum1 and the order with SeqNum2.

(4) Delete favorite program

void deletePreferredProgram (int SeqNum)

-Delete preferred program information of specific sequence.

void deletePreferredProgram ()

-Delete all preference program information.

2. Application of Preferred Program Information

(1) Preferred Program Broadcasting Schedule

SIEvent [] getPreferredProgramSchedule (int SeqNum)

Obtain a list of event information on which a particular program of a particular sequence is to be broadcast.

SIEvent [] getPreferredProgramSchedule ()

Obtain a list of broadcast event information for all preferred programs.

(2) Preferred Program Broadcasting Service

SIService getPreferredProgramService (int SeqNum)

-Obtain information on the service on which the preferred program for the specific sequence is being broadcast.

SIService getPreferredProgramService ()

Obtain service information on which a favorite program having the highest sequence number is being broadcast.

For reference, SIEvent and SIService are interfaces defined in the org.dvb.si package in the DVB-MHP specification. PPIInstance is a newly defined class for the PPI interface specification. It is an information object about a preferred program. It may include.

<Table 2> PPIInstance Field Configuration

division Field configuration Data source Primary field Preferred Program Sequence Broadcast receiving device (set-top box) MPID Program Information MPTitle Program Information Preferred Program Registration Date Broadcast receiving device (set-top box) Option field Broadcast channel
(Main broadcast, additional organization) EIT or Program Information Performer EIT or Program Information genre EIT or Program Information Viewable age EIT or Program Information

As shown in <Table 2>, PPIInstance field is basically divided into required basic field and optional required field.

Among the fields of the PPIInstance, a field whose data source is a broadcast receiving device (set-top box) is a preferred program sequence number and a preferred program registration date and time, and data values of these fields are fields generated and managed by the set-top box 320.

Data for option fields such as broadcast channel, performer, genre, and viewable age of the preferred program may be obtained from the EIT.

The basic field of PPIInstance may be specifically defined as follows.

-int SeqNum: Preferred Program Sequence (0-N)

-string MPID: master program ID

-stirng MPTitle: Master program title (representative title of program that does not change according to the broadcast schedule)

-Date RegDate: Date of Preferred Program Registration

In addition, the option field of PPIInstance may be specifically defined as follows.

-int MajorChNum: the main broadcast channel number of the favorite program

-int [] MinorChNum: List of additional channel numbers of favorite programs

string [] Actor: List of performer names for the favorite program

string Genre: The genre of the preferred program.

-int Rating: Viewable age of your favorite shows

Among the fields of PPIInstance class defined above, SeqNum, MPID, MPTitle, and RegDate fields are mandatory fields for managing preference program information and providing EPG based on preference program. The remaining fields are viewer preference analysis or additional analysis. This field is optional for application service implementation.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be.

It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

For example, each component described as a single entity may be distributed and implemented, and components described as being distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the above description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

1 is a diagram illustrating broadcast schedule information of a conventional regular programming program.

2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a general IPTV broadcasting service system.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for recognizing a preferred program according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an EIT providing server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of including a master program identifier in an EIT in an EIT providing server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating EPG information based on PPI information in a set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

321: receiver

322: Preferred Program Registry

323: master program extracting unit

324: Preferred program information generation unit

325: EPG information generation unit

Claims (10)

In the device for recognizing a preference program consisting of a number of rounds, A master program extracting unit for extracting a title and an identifier of a master program representing a specific program belonging to different events having the same program attribute from a master program descriptor mapped to an event information table received from an event information table providing server; A preference program information generation unit generating preference program information including a title and an identifier of the extracted master program; An EPG information generation unit for generating EPG information including a title and an identifier of a master program based on the generated preferred program information; The preferred program information includes a basic field and an option field, The basic field includes a title and an identifier of the extracted master program, And the option field includes information extracted from the received event information table. The method of claim 1, When the preference program registration request for the specific program is received, the preference program registration unit generating preference program registration information including a preference program registration date and time and preference program preferences. Further comprising, the preferred program recognition device. The method of claim 1, And the identifier of the master program includes an ID of the master program and a title of the master program. The method of claim 2, The preference program information generating unit generates the preference program information including the preference program registration date and time and preference program preferences. The method of claim 4, wherein And the preference program information generating unit further generates the preference program information including at least one of a main broadcasting channel number, an additional programming channel number, a performer name, a genre, and a viewable age of the master program. 6. The method of claim 5, The preference program information generating unit generates the preference program information by changing the order of the preference program in the order of the most recent preference program registration date and time. The method of claim 1, The EPG information generating unit generates EPG information consisting of a specific preferred program by using the identifier for the master program. In the device for recognizing a plurality of preference programs consisting of a plurality of rounds, In the event information table for defining each of a plurality of programs as a separate event, a preference program search unit for searching for the plurality of preferred programs belonging to different events having the same program attribute of the plurality of programs, Generating a master program descriptor including a master program ID and a master program title for the found plurality of preferred programs, A master program mapping unit for mapping the generated master program descriptor with the event information table; A transmission unit configured to transmit the mapped master program descriptor and the mapped event information table to a set top box, The preference program searching unit extracts the master program ID and the master program title corresponding to the searched plurality of preferred programs based on the program information including predetermined information about each of the plurality of master programs, and extracts the extracted master program. Transmits an ID and a master program title to the master program mapping unit; The program information is information stored separately from the event information table, The preferred program searching unit extracts a predetermined keyword from program attributes of any one of the plurality of programs, And the plurality of preferred programs includes the extracted keyword as part of a program attribute of each of the plurality of preferred programs. 9. The method of claim 8, The preferred program searching unit extracts a keyword from a title of a specific program, and searches for a program including the keyword as the preferred program. 9. The method of claim 8, The master program mapping unit maps the master program ID and title and a favorite program belonging to the different events to 1: N.

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