KR100709790B1 - Set-top box user interface update system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for updating a set-top box user interface implemented in a user television. The set-top box user interface updating system according to the present invention includes a user television on which a user interface is displayed on a screen, a headend server system for providing requested skins and items based on request signals of skins and items, and the headend server. And a receiving terminal for updating a user interface based on skins and items transmitted from the system, wherein the receiving terminal receives a broadcast signal through a forward pass using a broadcasting network, transmits and receives data through a return path using a communication network, and broadcasts the broadcast. A signal is transmitted to the user television, and a purchase request signal of skins and items from a user is transmitted to the headend server system through the return path, and transmitted from the headend server system through the return path. Based on the skins and items It characterized in that the set-top box to update the user interface displayed on the user television.

Description

Set-top box user interface update system and method {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UPDATING USER INTERFACE OF SET TOP BOX}

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the principle of a set-top box user interface updating system implemented in a user television according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart showing a preferred embodiment of a set-top box user interface update method implemented in a user television according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a set-top box user interface update system implemented in a user television according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart showing a preferred embodiment of a set-top box user interface update method implemented in a user television according to the present invention.

5 is a block diagram showing another preferred embodiment of a set-top box user interface update system implemented in a user television according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a set top box user interface update system and method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a set top box user interface update system and method displayed on a user television by purchase and download of user interface skins and items.

Broadcasting is largely divided into digital broadcasting and analog broadcasting. Currently, digital broadcasting is commercially available, and it is believed that it will soon replace conventional analog broadcasting. Currently, the standardization of digital broadcasting is rapidly progressing, and various technical developments are progressing in the fields of transmission of digital signals through a broadcasting network, multiplexing of data, processing video and audio signals, and display of digital television. Digital broadcasting is capable of compressing information data compared to analog broadcasting, has a high transmission speed, and has excellent sound quality and image quality. In addition, unlike conventional analog broadcasting, digital broadcasting has an advantage of enabling efficient use of frequency by digital modulation. Thus, various information can be broadcast through hundreds of channels, and the viewer can access various information through the television.

First of all, digital broadcasting enables the implementation of interactive television (interactive television) by data broadcasting. Interactive television allows viewers to interact with the TV beyond just channel, volume, and videotape manipulation. Thus, it is possible to access video on demand via television and participate in payment, banking, shopping, booking, games or forums.

Data broadcasting is largely classified into linked data broadcasting and independent data broadcasting. In linked data broadcasting, audio / video signals and data signals are interrelated with each other. In standalone broadcasting, channels are independently configured by data signals. Since standalone data broadcasting is a data channel, its implementation is easy. However, its application is limited because data is provided independently of various audio / video signals. Stand-alone data broadcasting is mainly used for transmitting information such as traffic, weather, and securities. In contrast, the linked data broadcast has various applications because the audio / video signal and the data signal are interconnected. For example, while watching a drama, you can buy a blouse the actor is wearing.

Due to the commercialization of the two-way broadcast, a variety of information is transmitted through the television, and the time for the user to contact the television is gradually increasing. In response to this trend, the importance of the television user interface is increasing. Users are exposed to many user interfaces, including EPGs and various portals. A user may want to use a different user interface in addition to one user interface provided by an operator, and if possible, want to decorate his own skin to reveal his personality. While satisfying the needs of these users, broadcasters also need a business model that can profit.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a system and method for updating a user interface of a user television.

On the other hand, user television is installed in each home and used by the family together. Therefore, the user interface of the user television is used together by a plurality of users. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for updating a user interface of a user television that can satisfy these specificities.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user television on which a user interface is displayed on a screen, a head end server system for providing a requested skin and item based on a request signal of a skin and an item, and the head end server system. And a receiving terminal for updating the user interface based on the transmitted skin and the item, wherein the receiving terminal receives a broadcast signal through a forward pass using a broadcast network, transmits and receives data through a return path using a communication network, and transmits a broadcast signal. And transmits the user's television to the headend server system through the return path, and transmits a skin and item purchase request signal from the user to the headend server system through the return path. And tell the user based on the item. The set-top box user interface to update the system, characterized in that the set-top box for updating the user interface to be displayed on the non-provided.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set-top box is a control signal receiving unit of the user, a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory, a storage medium, a transmission and reception unit for transmitting and receiving data through a return path, and a control signal A control unit for generating, the skins and items updated by the administrator are implemented in a non-volatile memory under the control of the control unit to implement a user interface provided by default, and the skins and items updated by the non-manager are controlled. Under the control of the unit, a set top box user interface updating system is provided which implements an updated user interface by temporarily storing the data in a storage medium and temporarily writing the data in a volatile memory in response to a request signal from the non-administrator.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a skin and an item downloaded by the user from the headend server system are stored dependently on the user, and a skin requested in response to the skin and item request signal from the user; There is provided a set top box user interface update system further comprising an item storage server and a skin connected to a plurality of set top boxes for transferring items to the set top box.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a set-top box user interface update method, the method comprising the steps of (a) receiving a purchase request signal of a skin and an item from a user through the set-top box, (b) the Transmitting a purchase request signal from the set-top box to a headend server system providing the requested skin and item through a return path, (c) receiving and storing the skin and item from the headend server system; and (d) updating the user interface displayed on the user television based on the received skin and the item.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in performing the step (c), if the user is an administrator, the user interface provided by default is recorded by recording the received skins and items in the nonvolatile memory of the set-top box. And if the user is a non-administrator, stores the received skins and items in a storage device of the set-top box without recording them in a nonvolatile memory, and when the skins and items are requested by the non-administrator, A set top box user interface updating method is provided which implements an updated user interface by temporarily writing to a volatile memory.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the principle of a set-top box user interface updating system implemented in a user television according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the provider system 10 provides content to a broadcast server 20 managed by a broadcast provider, and the broadcast provider uses the broadcast system 30 to provide a broadcast network 40. The broadcast signal is transmitted through. The broadcast signal is processed by the set top box 50 and displayed on the user television 60.

At this time, in the case of the set-top box 50 having a return path, the user's data request signal can be transmitted to the head-end server system 70, and the data can be obtained from the head-end server system 70 through the return path. have. The set top box 50 also has a memory (not shown) for storing it. Therefore, the set top box 50 may perform data transmission and reception through a return path. The received data can be stored. Thus, in order to update the user interface, the user can purchase from the headend server system 70 that provides the skins and items, and update the user interface of the set top box 50 based on this. In other words, the user may implement a user interface that reveals his or her personality to optimize the viewing environment. The present invention receives a desired skin and items from the head-end server system 70 providing various skins and items through a return path using the communication network 80, and updates the user interface of the set top box.

In this specification, "skin" refers to I-frames, P-frames, * .jpg, * .png, *. A user interface package that consists of picture files with the format gif. For example, the wallpaper the application loads in is an I-frame, which is one of the skin packages. The term "item" refers to a picture file used for an application user interface. For example, the shape of the cursor when inputting a focus screen that appears while the application is running, a picture of a character floating in the background, or a short message service (SMS) is an item.

The user downloads the desired skin and item from the skin and item management headend server system 70 and updates the user interface to display the broadcast information transmitted through the broadcasting network 40. The headend server system 70 transmits the requested skin and item to the set top box 50 through a return pass in response to a user's skin and item purchase request signal, and charges through a payment system (not shown). Do this.

2 is a flowchart showing a preferred embodiment of a set-top box user interface update method implemented in a user television according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a purchase request signal of a skin and an item from a user is received at the set top box (S101). The set-top box transmits the received purchase request signal to the skin and item management headend server system through the return path (S102). Thereafter, the set-top box receives and stores the requested skin and item from the headend server system (S103), and updates the user interface based on the received skin and item (S104).

Meanwhile, the set-top box 50 and the user television 60 connected thereto are installed in each home and used by the family. Therefore, the user interface of the set top box 50 is used together by a plurality of users. According to the present invention, even if one set-top box 50 is jointly used by a plurality of users, each user can implement his or her own unique user interface. 3 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a set-top box user interface update system implemented in a user television according to the present invention. The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The set top box 50 transmits and receives data through a receiving unit 501 that receives an input signal from a user, a nonvolatile memory 502, a volatile memory 503, a storage medium 504, and a return path. Transmitting and receiving unit 505, and a control unit 506 for generating a control signal. The skin and item purchase request signal from the user is received by the receiving unit 501 of the set top box 50. In this case, when a plurality of users use one set-top box or when one user wants to implement two user interfaces, the user login window is activated and user identification information is received through the receiving unit 501. . Under the control of the control unit 506, the transmission and reception unit 505 transmits the purchase request signal and the user identification information to the headend server system 70 through a return path using the communication network 80. The head-end server system 70 checks the skin and items requested for purchase based on the purchase request signal, and performs charging through a payment system (not shown) based on user identification information. Thereafter, the head-end server system 70 transmits the skin and items requested for purchase through the communication network 80, and the skins and items are transmitted and received through the transmission and reception unit 505 of the set top box 50. Is received.

At this time, when the user is an administrator, skins and items received from the headend server system 70 are recorded in the nonvolatile memory 502 and update the previous skins and items. Thus, the updated skins and items implement a user interface that is provided as a default on user televisions.

On the other hand, when the user is a non-administrator, the skins and items are stored in the storage medium 504 without being recorded in the nonvolatile memory 502. Therefore, previous skins and items are recorded in the nonvolatile memory 502 as they are. In this case, after the set top box 50 is turned on, the initial screen displayed on the user television 60 is implemented by a user interface composed of previous skins and items recorded in the nonvolatile memory 502. After the user identification procedure, when the updated skin and item stored in the storage medium 504 is requested by the non-administrator, under the control of the control unit 506, the skin stored in the storage medium 504 and The item is temporarily recorded in the volatile memory 503 and the updated user interface is implemented in the user television 60.

4 is a flowchart showing a preferred embodiment of a set-top box user interface update method implemented in a user television according to the present invention. The set top box receives a purchase request signal and user identification information of a skin and an item from a user (S201). The set top box transmits the received purchase request signal and the user identification information to the skin and item management headend server system through the return path (S202). Thereafter, the set top box receives the requested skin and item from the headend server system (S203). At this time, the user is identified based on the user identification information (S204). In the identifying step, when the user is an administrator, the received skins and items update existing skins and items recorded in the nonvolatile memory (S205). This implements the user interface provided by default. When the user corresponding to the user identification information is the non-administrator information, the received skin and item are stored in the storage medium without being recorded in the nonvolatile memory (S206). Thereafter, when the skin and the item are requested by the non-administrator, after the user authentication procedure, the skin and the item are temporarily recorded in the volatile memory (S207), and the user is updated using the updated skin and the item. A user-specific interface is displayed on the user television (S208).

5 is a block diagram showing another preferred embodiment of a set-top box user interface update system implemented in a user television according to the present invention. The set top box user interface update system shown in FIG. 5 further includes a storage server 90. The storage server 90 stores the skins and items in a manner dependent on the downloaded skins and items. The delivery of skins and items to the storage server 90 may be performed directly from the headend server system 70 providing the skins and items via the set top box 50 or without the set top box 50. Can be. When the skin and the item request signal stored in the storage server 90 are received from the set top box 50 together with the user identification information, the storage server 90 performs user authentication based on the user identification information, and the requested skin and The item is transmitted to the set top box 50. At this time, the storage server 90 is connected to the plurality of set-top boxes 50, and stores the skins and items corresponding to the plurality of users. Therefore, the user can access the storage server 90 anytime and anywhere to implement a user interface displayed on the user's television based on the skin and items downloaded by the user. At this time, skins and items received from the storage server 90 are temporarily recorded in the volatile memory 503, thereby establishing a user interface displayed on the user television. 5 shows that the storage server 90 exists independently of the head-end server system 70, but is not excluded from being implemented as part of the head-end server system 90. Reference numerals not described in FIG. 5 are the same as previously described and thus are omitted.

The set-top box user interface updating system and method implemented in user television according to the present invention provide the following effects.

(1) By using a set-top box that processes broadcast signals, various types of skins and / or items can be received through a return pass, and the user interface can be updated according to personality, which increases user convenience. .

(2) Set-top boxes are used together by a plurality of users. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of a plurality of users using one set top box may implement their own unique user interface.

(3) According to the present invention, the apparatus further includes a skin and an item storage server connected to the plurality of set top boxes. This allows a user to access the storage server anytime, anywhere, and build a set-top box user interface based on his own skins and items.

Claims (7)

(a) in the set-top box, in response to a purchase request signal of a skin and an item from a user, transmitting the purchase request signal to a headend server system providing a skin and an item through a return pass; (b) receiving the requested skin and item from the headend server system in the set top box; (c) determining, at the set-top box, whether the user who requested the purchase is an administrator; (d) In the set-top box, if the user who made a purchase request is an administrator in the set-top box, the existing skin and items recorded in the nonvolatile memory are replaced, and the non-based based on the received skin and items is used. Updating the record of the volatile memory and implementing a user interface on the user television based on the updated skin and item, (e) In the set-top box, if the user who requested to purchase is a non-administrator as a result of the determination in step (c), the received skin and item are stored in the storage device of the set-top box, and the information on the received skin and item Recording the data into the volatile memory, and then implementing the user interface on the user television based on the received skin and the item. (f) in the set-top box, upon receiving a re-request of the user interface from the user, implement the user interface on the user television in response to this request, based on skins and items recorded in the non-volatile memory, as a default. Implementing the user interface, and (g) In the set-top box, if the user is a non-user, after the user identification procedure, after recording the skin and items of the user received in the step (e) in the volatile memory, the skin and the recorded in the volatile memory and A method for updating a set top box user interface, comprising: implementing a user interface based on an item. The method of claim 1, further comprising: delivering the skins and items received from the headend server system to a skins and item storage server and storing the skins and items in the step (b). How to update the box user interface. delete delete delete delete delete

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