KR20110024897A - Method and device for selecting advertisement based on user preferred menu - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for selecting an advertisement based on a preference menu for each user are provided. The apparatus for selecting an advertisement based on a preference menu for each user may include a user preference menu providing unit which stores information on a preference menu configured by the user for each user ID, and an advertisement corresponding to the information on the preference menu from advertisement meta information. And an advertisement mapping unit for mapping and storing the searched advertisement with information about the preferred menu, wherein the information on the preferred menu is selected for at least one of a program, a channel, and a category selected by the user. Contains an identifier.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHOOSING ADVERTISMENT BASED ON USER ’S PREFERRED MENU}

The present invention relates to an IPTV, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for selecting an advertisement based on a preference menu for each user in the IPTV.

IPTV service is a service that provides multimedia service on IP network. A lot of contents and various services are provided. Unlike the existing real-time over-the-air broadcasting service, IPTV service has a big advantage of being able to watch desired content at a desired time. One.

However, with the recent diversification of broadcast content, the types of IPTV channels and programs have increased exponentially, and the programs that have been previously watched and the corresponding channels are memorized in advance, changing the channel whenever you want to watch a favorite program. Finding is very difficult for the user.

Therefore, the IPTV service provider should make a lot of efforts to easily find and consume the content desired by the viewer from among the numerous contents.

Accordingly, in Korean Patent No. 785,298 (a user menu creation system and method thereof), only content information desired by a user is stored using a hierarchical data structure, and a user menu is created based on the stored content information. The present invention discloses a technology for providing the user with the present invention. However, this provides a one-sided content advertisement provided by a service provider regardless of who is actually viewing the content, thereby preventing a user from encountering unwanted or unnecessary information. have.

In particular, when children watch, there may be a problem that an advertisement of an adult movie is provided or the like, but a preference menu is generated for each user, but a method of providing an advertisement related to content preferred by each user is required.

In order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating a user menu according to a user's content preference for each user.

The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for selecting and providing a user-specific advertisement associated with a user's preferred content.

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, an apparatus for selecting an advertisement based on a preference menu for each user according to an aspect of the present invention, a user preference menu providing unit for storing information about the preference menu configured by the user for each user ID, advertisement Meta information management unit for searching for the advertisement corresponding to the information on the preference menu from the meta information and an advertisement mapping unit for mapping and storing the searched advertisement with the information on the preference menu, wherein the information on the preference menu is the user An identifier for at least one of the program, channel, and category selected by.

In order to achieve the above object, a method of selecting an advertisement based on a user-specific preference menu according to an aspect of the present invention includes (a) providing at least one of a program, a channel, and a category to a user logged in using a user ID. (B) storing preference menu information corresponding to at least one of the selected program, channel and category for each user ID, (c) mapping an advertisement corresponding to the preference menu information, and to the user ID. Responsive to the login by retrieving an advertisement mapped to the preferred menu information and providing 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 selecting an advertisement based on a preference menu for each user of the present invention described above, a user menu according to a content preference of each viewer can be generated.

In addition, by selecting and providing a user-specific customized advertisement related to the user's preferred content, it is possible to block advertisements that the user does not want or unnecessary advertisements to the user.

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.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an IPTV broadcasting system.

The 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, a monitoring system 2050, Media Management Core (MOC) 2060, Subscriber Management System 2070, Data Broadcasting System 2080, Electronic Program Guide (EPG) System 2090 and Return Pass Server System 2100. do.

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 this 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 / A) for broadcasting video and audio signals (VIDeo, Audio) received from the baseband system 2010 for each broadcasting channel (eg, 100 channels). V Encoder) to compress SDI (Serial Digital Interface) video signal to H.264, audio signal to MPEG-2 AAC to generate MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream), compressed broadcast video and audio After multiplexing the data broadcasting data and EPG information (PSIP / PSI / SI information) generated by the data encoder and PSI / SI generator together with the MPEG-2 TS signal In the case of using the reception restriction technique, the multiplexed MPEG-2 TS signal 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 recommendation content.

The reception restriction system 2030 performs encryption on 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 that manages various business process information (program organization information, location information, contract information, product information, etc.) for operating a broadcasting business. The media management system 2060 integrates and manages the information flow through organic coupling with each system in 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 in terms of acquisition, management of media and content metadata, EPG information acquisition / management of 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 (PSI) for managing data encoding, a PSI / SI generator (PSI) for generating program specific information / service information (SI). / SI Generator), Data Server / Data Encoder for encoding data broadcasting data into broadcast video and audio signals, and Multiplexer Manager for managing multiplexing functions of data into the broadcast video and audio signals Manager) and a 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, a usage history / billing interworking process of bidirectional data, and personalization. The bidirectional data for the authentication process and the program recommendation service may be received and the response data corresponding thereto may be transmitted 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), HBR (Hybr ID Fiber Coaxial Ca), and FTTC (Fiber To). The Curb) and the fiber to the home (FTTH) structure may be configured as one of the topologies.

The user terminal 4000 is an apparatus for using an Internet broadcasting service, and generally includes an IPTV, a set top box (STB), and a remote controller. The IPTV outputs the broadcast content received from the headend system 2000 and transmits the 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 supports various multi codecs such as 9 and may include four layers of an application layer including 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.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for selecting and providing an advertisement based on a preference menu for each user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The system for selecting and providing an advertisement based on a preference menu for each user according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal 110 and a headend server 120.

The user terminal 110 includes an IPTV, a set top box (STB), and a remote controller. Hereinafter, the user terminal 110 is referred to as a “set top box”.

The set-top box 110 receives a user ID from the user, transmits the input user ID to the headend server 120, and receives a user preference menu corresponding to the user ID from the headend server 120, or user preference. You will be provided with an ad mapped with the menu.

Here, the user preference menu includes at least one of information on a program, a channel, and a category (eg, drama, culture, documentary, entertainment, etc.) that the user prefers, and the user provides an interface provided by the set top box 110. You can register the program you are currently watching or the channel you are currently watching as your favorite menu.

Herein, the information about the program or the channel may be a predetermined code corresponding to the program or the channel.

For reference, when a specific program, a specific channel, or a specific category is registered as a user preference menu, the set-top box 110 may select the preference of the corresponding program, channel, or category based on the user's personal information (eg, social security number). Menu registration can be restricted.

To this end, the set-top box 110 provides an interface for registering, changing, and deleting a user ID, and an interface for registering a specific program, channel, or category that the user prefers as a user preference menu.

The registration, change, and deletion of the user ID will be described later with reference to FIG. 6, and the user preference menu registration of a specific program or channel will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9A.

In addition, when any program, channel or category of the user preference menu is selected, the set top box 110 transmits information on the selected program, channel or category to the headend server 120, and the headend server 120. The advertisement content (hereinafter referred to as an advertisement) mapped to the selected program, channel or category is received from the display, and displayed on the screen.

On the other hand, the head-end server 120 receives information on the registration, change and deletion of the user ID from the set-top box 110, the program, channel or category selection information for configuring the user preference menu, user ID, user ID Preferred menu information and meta information about the advertisement are input (stored), modified (updated) or deleted (hereinafter referred to as 'management').

Here, the meta information about the advertisement includes advertisement classification information indicating whether the corresponding advertisement is a movie advertisement or a product advertisement, and menu related information indicating which program, channel, or category the advertisement is related to.

The headend server 120 maps and manages various advertisements related to a program, a channel, or a category by using the meta information. In addition to the meta information, the headend server 120 maps and manages an advertisement related to a program, a channel, or a category. It may be.

If there are a plurality of advertisements mapped to the corresponding program, channel or category, the headend server 120 may manage the advertisements as a list and provide the advertisements to the set-top box 110.

In addition, the head-end server 120 receives the selection information for any one (program, channel or category) of the user preference menu from the set-top box 110, retrieves the advertisement list corresponding to the received selection information, the searched The set top box 110 provides advertisements in the order of advertisement list.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a set-top box 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The set top box 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an interface providing unit 111, a user preference menu managing unit 112, a user information managing unit 113, a content receiving unit 114, and a content reproducing unit 115. .

The interface provider 111 provides an interface for registering, changing, and deleting a user ID, and provides an interface for registering a program currently being viewed or a channel currently being viewed as a user preference menu.

In addition, the interface providing unit 111 provides an interface for registering a specific program, a specific channel, or a specific category as a user's favorite menu only by operating the menu without watching a program.

The user preference menu manager 112 manages user preference menu information corresponding to the user ID for each user ID.

The user preference menu management unit 112 may register a program, channel or category that the user prefers as a user preference menu through the interface provided by the interface providing unit 111. By mapping to, stored in the storage in the set-top box 110 separately from the EPG, and transmits it to the head-end server 120.

The user preference menu information may be a predetermined code indicating a program or a channel registered as the user preference menu, and the user preference menu information stored in the storage in the set-top box 110 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10A. do.

Meanwhile, the user information manager 113 manages at least one of user's personal information such as a social security number, a user ID assigned to each user, a password, user history information, and basic ID setting information.

The user history information may include at least one of a registration / deletion history for a user ID, a password change history, and a basic ID setting / release history.

In addition, the basic ID setting information is information for automatically displaying the user preference menu for the user ID set as the default ID when the power of the set-top box 110 on the screen, the user information management unit 113 is the basic ID setting information Based on, when the set-top box 110 is powered on, the user ID set as the default ID is transmitted to the headend server 120.

Meanwhile, the content receiving unit 114 previously receives an advertisement list mapped to a program, a channel, or a category constituting a user preference menu from the headend server 120. Thereafter, when any one of the user preference menus is selected, the content player 115 plays an advertisement mapped to the program, channel, or category selected by the user among the advertisements received in advance.

In addition, when any one of the user preference menus is selected, the content receiving unit 114 receives an advertisement list mapped to a program, a channel, or a category selected by the user from the headend server 120, and the content playing unit 115 receives the content list. Play it.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the head-end server 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The headend server 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a user preference menu providing unit 121, an advertisement meta information management unit 122, an advertisement mapping unit 123, an advertisement search unit 124, and an advertisement transmission unit ( 125 and a user manager 126.

The user preference menu providing unit 121 manages user preference menu information corresponding to the user ID of each set top box 110 for each user ID.

The user preference menu may include at least one of information on a program, a channel, and a category of interest to the user, and the user preference menu information may be a predetermined code for each program, channel, or category.

The user preference menu information managed by the user preference menu providing unit 121 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10B.

Meanwhile, the advertisement meta information manager 122 manages meta information about the advertisement.

Here, meta information about an advertisement indicates ad classification information that categorizes the advertisement by its respective fields (e.g., food ads, apparel ads, car ads, etc.) and indicates which program, channel, or category the ad is associated with. Menu-related information and the like.

The advertisement meta information manager 122 searches for information on a program, a channel or a category registered as a user preference menu, and an advertisement related thereto using the meta information.

In addition to the above meta information, the meta information manager 122 may search for information on a program, a channel, or a category registered as a user preference menu and an advertisement related thereto, using similarity of keywords through keyword search.

Meanwhile, the advertisement mapping unit 123 maps and stores information about an advertisement searched by the advertisement meta information management unit 122 and user preference menu.

For example, a car racing movie registered as a user preference menu, a program related to a car racing event, or a car specialty channel may be mapped to an advertisement such as an auto sales advertisement, an auto mechanic advertisement, an auto insurance advertisement, or a tire advertisement. The mapping unit 123 may manage various advertisements mapped to each program or channel as a list.

A data structure of meta information mapped and stored by the advertisement mapping unit 123 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C.

Meanwhile, when the user ID is received from the set-top box 110, the advertisement search unit 124 searches for the user preference menu information corresponding to the ID in the user preference menu providing unit 121 and configures a user preference menu. The advertisement list related to the channel or category is searched from the advertisement mapping unit 123.

In addition, when the advertisement search unit 124 receives the selection information on any one of the user preference menus from the set-top box 110, the advertisement search unit 124 searches the advertisement mapping unit 123 for the selected program, channel, or category mapped advertisement list.

Meanwhile, the advertisement transmitting unit 125 provides the set list box 110 with the advertisement list searched by the advertisement searching unit 124.

On the other hand, the user manager 126 receives and manages the user's personal information, information on the registration, change and deletion of the user ID from each set-top box 110.

That is, the headend server 120 searches for a user preference menu corresponding to the user ID based on the user ID, and sets the advertisement list mapped to each program, channel, or category constituting the searched user preference menu. Can be sent in advance. In addition, when the user selects any one program, channel or category of the user preference menu in the set-top box 110, the headend server 120 searches for an advertisement list mapped to the selected program, channel or category, and retrieves the searched advertisement. The list may be sent to the set top box 110.

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.

5 illustrates a user preference menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, a user menu button 520 for inquiring, selecting, and changing a user preference menu is added around a basic menu (EPG: Electronic Program Guide) 510 provided by the IPTV service providing system.

Upon receiving a selection of the user menu button 520 from the user, the set top box 110 displays a user preference menu 530 corresponding to the user ID on the screen.

The display method may be displayed on the periphery (down or up) of the basic menu 510 or only the user preference menu 530 may be displayed.

6 is a diagram illustrating an interface for registering, changing, and deleting a user ID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the interface illustrated in FIG. 6, the user menu button 520 illustrated in FIG. 5 is configured to change ID and toggle, and a user ID is not currently input.

That is, when the user menu button 520 is clicked once more, the interface 600 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

In FIG. 6, if a confirmation button 610 is selected by a user after a user ID is input, the set-top box 110 displays a user preference menu corresponding to the input user ID on the screen.

In addition, after the user ID is input, if the add button 620 is selected, the set-top box 110 may further generate a new ID.

In addition, after the user ID is input, if the delete button 630 is selected, the set-top box 110 deletes the input user ID.

In addition, if the setting change button 640 is selected after the user ID is input, the set-top box 110 sets the setting items for the input user ID, for example, setting and changing the password number, setting and canceling the default ID. The interface shown in FIG. 6 is switched to an interface capable of changing.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adding a user ID in the set top box 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For convenience of description, the description will be made with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and the user ID has not been entered yet.

First, the set top box 110 receives selection information of the user menu button 520 from the user (S701).

After step S701, the set top box 110 displays the interface 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 (S702).

After the step S702, the set-top box 110 receives selection information for any one of the numbers 0 to 9 of the remote controller as the user ID to be added (S703).

For reference, a case in which a number between 0 and 9 is used as a user ID has been described for convenience of description, but a user ID may include various characters or special characters in addition to the above numbers according to the policy of each IPTV service provider. .

After the step S703, the set-top box 110 receives the selection information for the additional button 620 of the interface 600 shown in Figure 6 from the user (S704).

After step S704, the set-top box 110 checks whether or not a password is set (S705), and receives a password from the user (S706).

After the step S706, the set-top box 110 receives the basic ID setting information for the user ID input in step S704 (S707).

For your reference, if you use IPTV service alone or designate a specific user as the main user, the default ID can be set as the default ID. There is no need to enter.

After the step S707, the set-top box 110 stores the user ID, password and basic ID set in the storage of the set-top box 110 (S708).

For reference, the set-top box 110 may transmit the information stored in the step S708 to the headend server 120, so that the headend server 120 also manages the information.

8 is a diagram illustrating an interface for registering a user preference menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For reference, in order to register a user preference menu, when a user presses a specific button (for example, a hotkey, etc.) of the remote controller, the set-top box 110 displays a preference menu add button 810 as shown in FIG. 8 on the screen. I can display it.

As shown in FIG. 8, a favorite menu add button 810 for registering a preference menu is displayed on a program currently being viewed.

When the add favorite menu button 810 is selected, buttons 811 and 812 for selecting whether to register the program being watched as the favorite menu or to register the channel being watched as the favorite menu are displayed again. May select one of the two buttons to register the currently watching program or the currently watching channel as a user preference menu.

For reference, the user preference menu can be registered only when the user ID is input. If the user ID is not input, the user presses a specific button (for example, a hotkey, etc.) on the remote control to register the preference menu. When pressed, the set-top box 110 may display a message for inputting a user ID on the screen and request input of a user ID.

In addition, when the add favorite menu button 810 is displayed on the screen in response to the pressing of a specific button (for example, a hot key, etc.) of the remote controller regardless of whether a user ID is input, the set top box 110 may add a favorite menu add button. The moment 810 is selected, it may be determined whether to input the user ID and request the input of the user ID.

Thereafter, when the add favorite menu button 810 is selected by the user, the set top box 110 registers the selected program or channel as a user favorite menu, and the code designated in advance to the corresponding program or channel is stored in the storage of the set top box 110. Save it.

In addition, the set-top box 110 transmits user preference menu information (that is, a code designated in advance to a corresponding program or channel) registered as a preference menu to the headend server 120, and for each user ID in the headend server 120. Allows you to manage user preference menu information.

9A illustrates an interface for registering a user preference menu according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When the user selects the user menu button 520 shown in FIG. 5, the set-top box 110 checks whether a user ID is input, and if the user ID is not input, requests the input of the user ID. You can display a message on the screen.

If the user ID is input, the user may register the user preference menu using the basic menu provided by the IPTV service providing system through the process illustrated in FIG. 9.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the user selects the VOD 911 among the basic menus 910 of the menu level 1, the set-top box 110 selects the menu level 2 920, which is a submenu of the VOD 911. ) Is displayed on the screen.

Thereafter, when the user selects the MBC channel 921 among the menu level 2 920, the set-top box 110 displays the category 930 of the menu level 3, which is a submenu of the MBC channel 921, on the screen.

Again, when the user selects the drama 931 from the category 930 of the menu level 3, the set-top box 110 displays a list 940 of the menu level 4, which is the title of the serviceable drama among the MBC dramas, on the screen. The user can register a desired program as a user preference menu by selecting one of the displayed list 940 (Seondeok Queen) 941.

In this case, pop-up menus 931a and 941a for registering a category or a program at a corresponding level as a preference menu at menu level 3 and menu level 4 may be displayed.

9B shows an embodiment of codes and names of programs, channels, and categories at each menu level and each menu level.

The menu code for menu name VOD is 10002, which indicates that it is located in the second menu from level 1.

In addition, the menu code of the menu name MBC is 22001, which means that the menu is located at level 2 (2), the position of the upper menu VOD (2) (second of level 1), and the first (1) at menu level 2. Indicates.

In addition, the menu code of the menu name drama is 310001, which indicates that the menu is located at the level 3 (3), the position (1) of the MBC as the upper menu (first of level 2), and the first in menu level 3.

In addition, the menu code of Queen Seondeok, the menu name, is 410003, which indicates that the menu is located at level 4 (4), the position of the high-level drama (1) (first in level 3), and the third in menu level 4. .

As described above, codes of programs, channels, and categories at each menu level and each menu level can be designated.

10A and 10B illustrate user preference menu information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A illustrates user preference menu information stored in the set-top box 110. The user preference menu corresponding to the ID and the ID 1001 of the user 1 and 2 using the set-top box 110 is shown. The code 1002 of the (specific program, channel or category), menu name 1003, and order 1004 when displayed on the screen are shown.

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating user preference menu information stored in the headend server 120.

The ID 1004 of the subscriber, that is, the ID of the set-top box 110 and the ID 1005 of the user who uses the set-top box 110, the code 1006 and the menu name 1008 of each user's preferred menu, Is shown.

It can be seen from FIG. 10B that there is at least one user using one set-top box 110 and that there is a preferred menu for each user.

11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a data structure of meta information managed by the advertisement mapping unit 123 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in FIG. 11A, each advertisement is classified 1101 by field, and an ID 1102 is assigned to each advertisement.

In addition, in FIG. 11B, a keyword 1103 associated with each advertisement and a code 1104 of a specific program, channel, or category associated with each keyword are displayed, and a keyword 1106 corresponding to each advertisement ID 1105 is also displayed. It is.

As illustrated in FIG. 11C, the advertisement mapping unit 123 maps and manages codes 1108 of a program, a channel, or a category related to each advertisement 1107 based on data shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. .

12 is a flowchart illustrating an advertisement providing process based on a user preference menu in the headend server 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the headend server 120 checks the user ID of the advertisement request information received from the set-top box 110 (S1201).

After step S1201, the headend server 120 retrieves user preference menu information corresponding to the received user ID (S1202).

After step S1202, the headend server 120 retrieves a list of advertisements mapped with information (code) about a program, a channel, or a category constituting a user preference menu (S1203).

After step S1203, the headend server 120 provides the searched advertisement list to the set-top box 110 (S1204).

Thereafter, the set-top box 110 pre-downloads a list of advertisements mapped to information about programs, channels, or categories constituting the user preference menu, and when a specific program, channel, or category is selected in the user preference menu, the selected program, channel Or play an advertisement list mapped to a category.

For reference, after the step S1201, if the received advertisement request information also includes selection information for a particular program, channel or category among the user preference menu, the headend server 120 is a list of advertisements mapped to the program, channel or category Search and provide a list of the searched advertisements in turn to the set-top box 110.

As described above, the present invention can configure a user's favorite menu by selecting a program, a channel or a category of interest for each user, and based on the configured user preference menu, a program or channel of interest to the user. Alternatively, only advertisements related to the category may be selected and provided to the user.

Therefore, as in the prior art, by simply selecting and providing an advertisement based on the user's personal information (age, gender, or region) or the content that the user wants to view, it is possible to solve the disadvantage that unnecessary advertisement is provided to the user.

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 type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may 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 block diagram showing the configuration of an IPTV broadcasting system.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for selecting and providing an advertisement based on a preference menu for each user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a headend server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 illustrates a user preference menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating an interface for registering, changing, and deleting a user ID according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adding a user ID in a set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram illustrating an interface for registering a user preference menu according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9A illustrates an interface for registering a user preference menu according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9B is a diagram showing an embodiment of codes and names of respective menu levels, programs, channels, and categories at each menu level.

10A and 10B illustrate user preference menu information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating a data structure of meta information managed by an advertisement mapping unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an advertisement providing process based on a user preference menu in a headend server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

121: user preference menu provider

122: advertising meta information management unit

123: advertising mapping unit

124: advertising search unit

125: advertisement transmission unit

126: user management unit

Claims (7)

In the device for selecting an advertisement in accordance with the preference menu information selected by the user, User preference menu providing unit for storing information on the preference menu configured by the user for each user ID, An advertisement meta information manager for searching for an advertisement corresponding to the information on the preferred menu from the advertisement meta information; Ad mapping unit for storing the searched advertisement by mapping with the information on the preferred menu Wherein, wherein the information on the preference menu comprises an identifier for at least one of the program, channel and category selected by the user, Advertisement selection device based on the user-specific preference menu. The method of claim 1, When an advertisement request including the user ID is received from the set-top box, the user preference menu providing unit searches for information on the preference menu corresponding to the user ID, and maps the information to the searched preference menu. An advertisement search unit for searching for an advertisement from the advertisement mapping unit The apparatus for selecting ads based on the user-specific preferred menu further comprising. The method of claim 1, The advertisement meta information management unit searches for an advertisement corresponding to the information on the preferred menu by using at least one of advertisement classification information classifying the advertisement for each field and keyword similarity information through keyword search. Ad selector based. The method of claim 1, The information on the preference menu is implemented in the form of a preference menu code coded for each layer of the EPG menu, and the advertisement mapping unit maps and stores the identifier of the advertisement and the preference menu code. Ad selector. The method of claim 2, When the set-top box is logged in by the user ID, the set-top box transmits the user ID to receive an advertisement related to a preference menu corresponding to the user ID, and plays the received advertisement while the login of the user ID is maintained. , Ad selection device based on user-specific preference menu. In the method of selecting an advertisement according to the preference menu information selected by the user, (a) providing a user logged in using a user ID with at least one of a program, channel and category, (b) storing preference menu information corresponding to at least one of the selected program, channel, and category for each user ID; and (c) mapping an advertisement corresponding to the preferred menu information. Including, the advertisement selection method based on the user-specific preference menu. The method of claim 6, (d) searching for an advertisement mapped to the preferred menu information in response to a login by the user ID and providing the advertisement to the set top box; Further comprising, the advertisement selection method based on the user-specific preferred menu.

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