KR20120080326A - Apparatus and method for audience measurement in multimedia streaming system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to perform a viewer survey in a multimedia streaming system, the operation of the terminal, the process of receiving a transport stream containing the content, and obtaining the viewer survey execution information from at least one signaling table included in the transport stream And performing a viewer survey according to the viewer survey execution information.

Description

Apparatus and method for investigating viewers in multimedia streaming system {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUDIENCE MEASUREMENT IN MULTIMEDIA STREAMING SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a multimedia streaming system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for audience measurement (AM) in a multimedia streaming system.

Recently, a multimedia service system considers a service that can provide appropriate multimedia contents or provide appropriate advertisements based on user consumption patterns. To this end, a technique for analyzing a user's consumption pattern is audience measurement.

Recently, with the development of digital communication technology, it is possible to directly investigate the consumption patterns of users through online. In general, when performing a viewer survey online, the user and the system establish a separate connection in addition to the connection established for the multimedia service, and the user transmits information on the consumption pattern of the user through the separate connection. That is, there are problems such as signaling overhead and communication resource consumption for establishing a separate connection for the viewer survey. In addition, in performing a viewer survey, there are problems such as protection of data including measurement results and reliability of a measurement object.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for protecting measurement data during viewer survey in a multimedia streaming system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for providing information about a viewer survey using a connection established for multimedia data transmission in a multimedia streaming system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a method of operating a terminal in a multimedia streaming system, the process of receiving a transport stream including the content, and at least one signaling table included in the transport stream viewers And obtaining the survey execution information and performing the viewer survey according to the viewer survey execution information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a method of operating a server in a multimedia streaming system comprises the steps of: generating at least one signaling table including viewer survey execution information; And generating a transport stream including the transport stream and transmitting the transport stream.

According to a third aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a terminal device in a multimedia streaming system, the communication unit for receiving a transport stream containing the content, and at least one signaling table included in the transport stream to perform the viewer survey And a control unit for acquiring information and performing a viewer survey according to the viewer survey execution information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, in a multimedia streaming system, the server apparatus generates at least one signaling table including viewer survey execution information, and includes a transport stream including the at least one signaling table. And a communication unit for transmitting the transport stream.

By providing specific indication information for performing a viewer survey through a transport stream delivering content in a multimedia streaming system, it is possible to prevent waste of resources and signaling time due to a separate connection setup.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic structure of a transport stream in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2A to 2C are diagrams showing examples of configuration of viewer survey execution information in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a diagram illustrating a signal exchange for performing a viewer survey in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of a terminal in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a server commanding viewer survey in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
6 is a block diagram of a terminal in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a block diagram of a server instructing viewer survey in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the present invention describes a technique for protecting measurement data when a viewer surveys in a multimedia streaming system and preventing resource waste due to a separate connection setting. For convenience of description below, the present invention uses the terms and names defined in the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) -2 standard. However, the present invention is not limited to the above terms and names, and the present invention can be equally applied to multimedia streaming systems conforming to other standards.

In a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, a transport stream delivered to a receiver includes video, audio, control information, user information, and the like. That is, the transmitter generates a transport stream by multiplexing the video, audio, control information, user information, and the like, and transmits the transport stream to at least one receiver. In this case, the link between the transmitting end and the receiving end includes a wireless radio frequency link, a satellite digital broadcasting link, a cable television network, a standard terrestrial communication link, a microwave link, and a packet network link such as an IP protocol. can do.

For example, the transport stream may be configured as shown in FIG. 1. 1 illustrates a schematic structure of a transport stream in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the transport stream includes at least one video packet 110, at least one audio packet 120, and at least one signaling table 130. The video packet 110 includes a compressed video stream and the audio packet 120 includes a compressed audio stream. The signaling table 130 provides information indicating which program the video packet 110 and the audio packet 120 correspond to. The signaling table 130 may be referred to as Program Specific Information (PSI), MPEG PSI, Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP), Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) PSI / SI (System Information), and the like. Can be. For example, the signaling table 130 may include a program association table (PAT) for providing identification information of packets including another signaling table, program related information, for example, packets including audio and video of a specific program. It may include a Progam Map Table (PMT) for providing identification information, a Network Information Table (NIT) for providing network-related information such as a transmission frequency, and a Conditional Access Table (CAT) for providing information for accessing a program.

In particular, the transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention may provide information for instructing a viewer survey to be performed using the signaling table included in the transport stream. In other words, the transmitting end provides specific receiving information about execution of the viewer survey using the signaling table to the receiving end obtaining the system / service / program information through the signaling table. For example, specific instruction information for the execution of the viewer survey may be provided only to a terminal of a user who has agreed to the viewer survey. In the following description, for convenience of description, the present invention refers to the detailed information on the execution of the audience survey by the audience execution execution information (AM Executation informaton).

The viewer survey execution information may be delivered in addition to another signaling table or as a newly defined table. Furthermore, when delivered as the newly defined table, it may consist of one table or a plurality of tables. When the viewer survey execution information is delivered as at least one newly defined table, the table may be referred to as an Audience Mearsurement Executation Table (AMET). For convenience of description below, the present invention refers to the 'newly defined table for the viewer survey execution information' as 'AMET'. For example, the viewer survey execution information may include items as shown in Table 1 below.

field Length Explanation Business identifier variable Identifier of the operator or server that directs the viewer survey. Audience Survey Target
Service and Content List variable List of service and content identifiers used in the signaling table. A list of service contents from one service may be included. Viewer survey
Measurement item variable Items to which viewer research is applicable. It may be decided depending on the intention and necessity of the operator.
(E.g. when, who, where, what, how long, how many, etc.) Viewer Survey
How to report results variable The address of the server to receive viewer survey results.
Information that can determine when to send viewer survey results.
How to save viewer research

Referring to <Table 1>, the viewer survey execution information includes 1) information on a provider requesting the viewer survey, such as an operator identifier, a server identifier, 2) information on the target service and content to which the viewer survey is to be applied, and 3) Information on the measurement items to be investigated by the viewer, and 4) how to report the results after the viewer survey. For example, the service corresponds to a broadcast channel, and the content corresponds to a broadcast program. The four items may be delivered as part of a table defined for another purpose or through at least one newly defined table (eg, AMET). For example, if all four items are not transmitted according to the same period, a plurality of newly defined tables may be used.

Among the viewer survey execution information shown in Table 1, the "viewer survey target service and content list" may be configured as shown in Table 2 below.

Upper field value Subfield value
Viewer Survey Licensed Services

Service identifier Viewers Investigated Content Content identifier Viewers Unlicensed Content Content identifier Viewer Survey Disallowed Service Service identifier

Referring to <Table 2>, the 'viewer's survey target service and content list' includes information that distinguishes a viewer's allowed service and a disallowed service, and among the contents included in the viewer allowed service. Includes information that distinguishes between allowed and disallowed content. That is, the 'viewer allowed service' refers to a list of services on which the viewer survey can be performed, and the 'viewer not allowed to search the viewer' refers to a list of services on which the viewer search should not be performed. For example, when a viewer survey is performed, a service in which personal information related to the user's privacy (eg, religious / political disposition) may be exposed may be classified as a service in which the viewer survey should not be performed. Even if the viewer survey can be performed, the specific content may not allow the viewer survey, so the 'viewer allowed content' field and the 'viewer not allowed content' field are provided.

Of the audience survey execution information shown in Table 1, 'Measurement item of the audience survey' may be configured as shown in Table 3 below.

field Explanation Who Identification information of the owner or the terminal of the terminal performing the viewer survey Where Place where viewer research was done What Viewer Surveyed Services or Content When When to start watching the service or content for the viewer survey How long Viewer's watch time of service or content How many Number or frequency of viewers surveyed services or content

Of the audience survey execution information shown in Table 1, the 'viewer survey result reporting method' may be configured as shown in Table 4 below.

field Explanation Report content reporter Identification information of the terminal or the user reporting the viewer survey result Report item Reported of metrics Report method Report immediately after completion Report to viewer research server immediately after viewer investigation ends Report after a certain time after completion Algorithm 1: Determination of reporting point randomly using terminal identification information
Algorithm 2: Determination of reporting time according to general random algorithm Save to terminal Save to terminal until report request Report destination Viewer Survey Server Address Address of server to receive measurement reports

2A to 2C illustrate an example of configuration of viewer survey execution information in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a transport stream when the viewer survey execution information is composed of one table, FIG. 2B shows a transport stream when the viewer survey execution information is composed of two tables, and FIG. 2C shows three viewer survey execution information. The transport stream in the case of a table is shown. 2A to 2C, items 1 to 4 are items that may be included in viewer survey execution information shown in Table 1 above. Item 1 is a business operator identifier, item 2 is a list of service and content for the audience survey, item 3 is a viewer survey measurement item, and item 4 is a viewer survey result reporting method.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the AMET 211 includes both items 1 to 4. The AMET 211 is multiplexed with a video packet, an audio packet, etc. and included in a transport stream, and the transport stream including the AMET 211 is delivered to a user terminal.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the first AMT 221 includes item 1 and item 2, and the second AAME 222 includes item 3 and item 4. The first AMET 221 and the second AMET 222 include respective identifiers. The identifier is included to enable the user terminal to easily determine what information is included in the table. For example, an identifier of the first AAME 221 may be defined as '10011', and an identifier of the second AAMET 222 may be defined as '11100'. The first AME 221 and the second AME 222 are multiplexed together with a video packet, an audio packet, and the like, and are included in a transport stream. The transport stream including the first AME 221 and the second AMET 222 is a user terminal. Is passed to. In this case, the AMETs 221 and 222 may be periodically transmitted at different time intervals, or may be transmitted as needed without a certain period, and some may be periodically transmitted as needed without a period. When transmitted as needed without a period, the AMET may be sent as a command to perform a viewer survey, or when the information changes.

Referring to FIG. 2C, a first AMT 231 includes an item 1 and an item 2, a second AAME 232 includes an item 3, and a third AAME 233 includes an item 4. The first AMET 231, the second AMET 232, and the third AMET 233 include respective identifiers. The identifier is included to enable the user terminal to easily determine what information is included in the table. For example, the identifier of the first AMET 231 may be defined as '00011', the identifier of the second AMET 232 as '00100', and the identifier of the third AMET 233 as '01000'. The first AAME 231, the second AAME 232, and the third AAME 233 are multiplexed together with a video packet, an audio packet, and the like to be included in a transport stream, and the first AAME 231, the second AAME 232, The transport stream including the third AAME 233 is delivered to the user terminal. In this case, the AMETs 231, 232, and 233 may be periodically transmitted at different time intervals, or may be transmitted as needed without a certain period, or some may be periodically transmitted as needed without a period. When transmitted as needed without a period, the AMET may be sent as a command to perform a viewer survey, or when the information changes.

The present invention has been described with respect to specific examples of the viewer survey execution information through the above 2a to 2c. However, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the viewer survey execution information may be configured according to a structure other than the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, that is, different numbers of AMETs or other types of item distribution. Can be.

3 illustrates a signal exchange for performing a viewer survey in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the system 320 refers to at least one entity other than the terminal 310 in the multimedia streaming system. An object providing AMET and an object providing information necessary to perform viewer survey. It includes.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step 301, the system 320 transmits AMET to the terminal 310. In other words, the system 320 provides viewer survey execution information, that is, specific instruction information on the execution of the viewer survey. The AMET is a signaling table defined for conveying the viewer survey execution information. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the viewer survey execution information may be delivered as part of another signaling table. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the AMET may be delivered divided into a plurality of tables including different items. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the AMET may be divided into a first AAME and a second AAME. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the AMET may be divided into a first AMET, a second AMET, and a third AMET.

In step 303, the terminal 310 receiving the AMET acquires the viewer survey execution information by interpreting the AMET. For example, the viewer survey execution information may include at least one of the items shown in the <Table 1>. That is, the terminal obtains at least one piece of information such as operator identification information, viewer survey target list information, viewer survey measurement item, and viewer survey result reporting method through the AMET.

In step 305, the terminal 310 that obtains the viewer survey execution information performs a viewer survey. Specifically, the terminal 310, while viewing the service and content indicated by the 'viewer survey target list' information obtained through the AMET, information of the item indicated by the 'viewer survey measurement item' information Collect it.

In step 307, the terminal 310 transmits a report of a viewer survey result to the system 320. Specifically, the terminal 310 determines whether a reporting time has arrived according to a criterion indicated by the 'viewer investigation result reporting method' information obtained through the AMET. For example, a reporting time point defined by the 'viewer survey result reporting method' information is a specific time point which is determined randomly after completion of the viewer study, and a time point when a report request is received from the system 320. It can be either. When the report time arrives, the terminal 310 generates a report message including information corresponding to the report item indicated by the 'viewer survey result report method', and by the 'viewer survey result report method' Send the report message to the indicated destination.

In the signal exchange procedure shown in FIG. 3, the system 320 includes a first server providing AMET and a second server receiving a viewer survey result report. The first server may be referred to as a 'streaming server' because it transmits the transport stream including the AMET, and the second server may be referred to as a 'viewer survey server' because it receives a viewer survey result report. Here, the first server and the second server, that is, the streaming server and the viewer survey server may be one object or different separate objects. When the first server and the second server are separate objects, step 301 is performed between the first server and the terminal 310, and step 307 is performed between the second server and the terminal 310. Can be. In addition, when the first server and the second server are separate objects, the first server may not hold the viewer survey execution information. In this case, signaling in which the first server receives the viewer survey execution information from the second server may be performed.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a terminal in a multimedia streaming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the terminal acquires viewer survey execution information through a signaling table in step 401. In other words, the terminal obtains the viewer survey execution information, that is, specific indication information about the execution of the viewer survey, through the signaling table included in the transport stream including the content. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the viewer survey execution information may be received through at least one signaling table defined for delivering the viewer survey execution information. For example, the viewer survey execution information may be received in the same manner as in FIG. 2A, 2B, or 2C. When the viewer survey execution information is received by being divided into a plurality of signaling tables, the signals are periodically received at different time intervals, received as needed without a certain period, and some are periodically received as needed without periods. Can be. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the viewer survey execution information may be received as part of another signaling table. For example, the viewer survey execution information may include at least one of the items shown in the <Table 1>. In other words, the terminal acquires at least one of an operator identifier, a viewer survey target list, a viewer survey measurement item, and a viewer survey result reporting method.

After obtaining the viewer survey execution information, the terminal proceeds to step 403 to determine whether the viewer survey target service and content are viewed. That is, the terminal determines whether the service and the content indicated by the 'viewer survey target list' information included in the viewer survey execution information are viewed. In other words, the terminal determines whether the service and the content indicated by the 'viewer survey object list' information and the service and the content currently being viewed by the user match.

When the viewer survey target service and content are viewed, the terminal proceeds to step 405 to collect information corresponding to the measurement item. That is, the terminal collects the information of the measurement item indicated by the 'viewer survey measurement item' information included in the viewer survey execution information. For example, the measurement item may include at least one of identification information of a user or a terminal, a place for performing a viewer survey, information on a viewer survey, a viewing start time, a viewing time, a viewing frequency, or a frequency.

In step 407, the terminal determines whether the viewer survey is completed. The condition of whether the viewer survey is completed may be variously defined according to a specific embodiment. For example, the viewer survey may be performed for a predetermined time from the time when the viewer survey command is received. In this case, the terminal determines whether the viewer survey is completed based on whether the predetermined time has elapsed. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the termination of broadcasting of specific content may be defined as an end condition of a viewer survey. In this case, the terminal determines whether the survey of the viewer is completed through the termination of the broadcasting of the specific content. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the viewer survey may be performed until a separate end command occurs. In this case, the terminal determines whether the viewer survey is completed according to whether a termination command is received from the system. If the viewer survey is not completed, the terminal returns to step 403.

On the other hand, when the viewer survey is completed, the terminal proceeds to step 409 and determines whether the reporting time point of the viewer survey results has arrived. That is, the terminal determines whether a reporting time has arrived according to a criterion indicated by 'viewer survey result reporting method' information included in the viewer survey execution information. For example, the reporting time point defined by the 'viewing audience report result' information is one of a specific time point which is randomly determined after completion of the viewer survey, when a report request is received from the system. Can be.

When the reporting time point of the viewer survey result arrives, the terminal proceeds to step 411 to generate a viewer survey report message including information corresponding to the report item. That is, the terminal generates a report message including information corresponding to the report item indicated by the 'viewer survey result reporting method' information included in the viewer survey execution information. The report item includes some or all of the measurement items. The report message may include reporter information, for example, identification information of the terminal or the user.

After generating the report message, the terminal proceeds to step 413 and transmits the report message to the report destination, that is, the viewer survey server. That is, the terminal transmits the report message to a destination indicated by 'viewer survey result report method' information included in the viewer survey execution information.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a server commanding viewer survey in a multimedia streaming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the server transmits viewer survey execution information through a signaling table in step 501. In other words, the server generates at least one signaling table including the viewer survey execution information, that is, specific indication information about the execution of the viewer survey. The server then multiplexes the signaling table to include in the transport stream and transmits the transport stream. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the viewer survey execution information may be transmitted through at least one signaling table defined to convey the viewer survey execution information. For example, the viewer survey execution information may be transmitted in the same manner as in FIG. 2A, 2B, or 2C. When the viewer survey execution information is divided into a plurality of signaling tables and transmitted, they are periodically transmitted at different time intervals, or transmitted as needed without a certain period, and some are periodically transmitted as needed without a period. Can be. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the viewer survey execution information may be transmitted as part of another signaling table. For example, the viewer survey execution information may include at least one of the items shown in the <Table 1>. In other words, the terminal transmits at least one of a business operator identifier, a viewer survey target list, a viewer survey measurement item, and a viewer survey result reporting method.

In step 503, the server determines whether a report of a viewer survey result is received. In other words, the server determines whether a viewer survey report message is received. The report message includes information corresponding to a report item indicated by 'viewer survey result reporting method' information included in the viewer survey execution information. The report item includes some or all of the measurement items indicated by the 'viewer survey measurement item' information included in the viewer survey execution information. The report message may include reporter information, for example, identification information of the terminal or the user.

When the report of the viewer survey result is received, the server proceeds to step 505 and stores the viewer survey result. Thereafter, the viewer survey result may be utilized according to the intention of the operator or system operator who manages the viewer survey.

In the operation procedure illustrated in FIG. 5, the server includes a first server providing viewer survey execution information and a second server receiving a viewer survey result report. The first server may be referred to as a 'streaming server' because it transmits a transport stream including the viewer survey execution information, and the second server may be referred to as a 'viewer survey server' because it receives a viewer survey result report. have. Here, the first server and the second server, that is, the streaming server and the viewer survey server may be one object or different separate objects. When the first server and the second server are separate objects, step 501 may be performed by the first server, and steps 503 and 505 may be performed by the second server. In addition, when the first server and the second server are separate objects, the first server may not hold the viewer survey execution information. In this case, signaling in which the first server receives the viewer survey execution information from the second server may be performed.

6 is a block diagram of a terminal in a multimedia streaming system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal includes a communication unit 610, a storage unit 620, a display unit 630, and a control unit 640.

The communication unit 610 restores the received data from the signal received through the channel, converts the transmission data into a signal, and transmits it through the channel. The received data includes a transport stream containing audio / video content and control information. In particular, the control information includes a signaling table. The signaling table may be defined in various forms according to each purpose. For example, at least one table may be defined for the purpose of conveying viewer survey execution information, that is, specific indication information about the execution of the viewer survey. The channel may be a wired channel or a wireless channel. In the case of a wireless channel, the communication unit 610 converts a radio frequency (RF) band signal received through an antenna into a baseband signal, processes a physical layer according to a standard of a communication system, and modulates a bit string through demodulation. Restore

The storage unit 620 stores a basic program for operation of the terminal, configuration information necessary for communication, a program and configuration information for a user interface, and the like. The storage unit 620 provides the stored data under the control of the controller 640. The display unit 630 displays status information generated during operation of the terminal and numbers, letters, and images according to execution of an application program. For example, the display unit 630 displays image content. That is, the display unit 630 displays the image data provided from the control unit 640 on a visual screen. For example, the display unit 630 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or the like. Although not shown, the terminal may further include a speaker for outputting audio and a speaker terminal for connecting an external speaker device.

The controller 640 controls the overall functions of the terminal. For example, the controller 640 generates image data from the streaming data received through the communication unit 610, and provides the image data to the display unit 630. In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 640 controls functions for performing a viewer survey. For example, the controller 640 operates to perform the procedure illustrated in FIG. 4 to operate like the terminal illustrated in FIG. 3. Specifically, it is as follows.

The operation of the controller 640 to perform the viewer survey is as follows. The controller 640 obtains viewer survey participation information through a signaling table included in a transport stream received through the communication unit 610, and stores the viewer survey participation information in the storage unit 620. Here, the viewer survey participation information may be received through at least one signaling table defined for delivering the viewer survey participation information, or as part of another signaling table. For example, the viewer survey execution information may be received in the same manner as in FIG. 2A, 2B, or 2C. For example, the viewer survey participation information may include at least one of the fields shown in Table 1.

After that, when the viewer survey target service and content are watched, the controller 640 proceeds to step 405 and collects information on the measurement item indicated by the 'viewer survey measurement item' information included in the viewer survey execution information. . When the viewer survey is completed, the controller 640 determines whether a report time has arrived according to a criterion indicated by the information of a method for reporting viewer survey results included in the viewer survey execution information. When the reporting time point of the viewer survey result arrives, the controller 640 generates a report message including information corresponding to the report item indicated by the information of the method for reporting the viewer survey result included in the viewer survey execution information. do. In addition, the controller 640 transmits the report message to the destination indicated by the 'viewer survey result report method' information included in the viewer survey execution information through the communication unit 510.

7 is a block diagram of a server instructing viewer survey in a multimedia streaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the streaming server includes a communication unit 710, a storage unit 720, and a control unit 730. The viewer survey server includes a communication unit 760, a storage unit 770, and a control unit 780.

The communication unit 710 of the streaming server provides an interface for communicating with other objects in the network. The storage unit 720 of the streaming server stores a basic program for operating the streaming server, and in particular, stores contents to be provided to terminals.

The controller 730 of the streaming server controls the overall functions of the streaming server. For example, the controller 730 transmits content to the terminals through the communication unit 710. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 730 performs a function related to viewer survey, in particular, a function for providing viewer survey participation information. For example, the controller 730 operates to perform some or all of the operations of the system of FIG. 3 or some or all of the procedure shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, it is as follows.

The operation of the controller 730 to perform a function related to the viewer survey is as follows. The control unit 730 generates at least one signaling table including the viewer survey execution information, that is, specific instruction information for the execution of the viewer survey, and includes the signaling table in a transport stream by multiplexing the signaling table, and the communication unit ( 810 transmits the transport stream. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the viewer survey execution information may be transmitted through at least one signaling table defined to convey the viewer survey execution information. For example, the viewer survey execution information may be transmitted in the same manner as in FIG. 2A, 2B, or 2C. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the viewer survey execution information may be transmitted as part of another signaling table. For example, the viewer survey execution information may include at least one of the items shown in the <Table 1>.

The communication unit 760 of the viewer survey server provides an interface for communicating with other objects in the network. The storage unit 770 of the viewer survey server stores a basic program for operating the viewer survey server. In particular, the storage unit 770 stores the viewer survey results reported from the terminals.

The controller 780 of the viewer survey server controls the overall functions of the viewer survey server. In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 780 controls a function for providing information necessary to perform a viewer survey. For example, the controller 780 may operate to perform some operations of the system of FIG. 3 or a part of the procedure shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, it is as follows.

When a report of a viewer survey result is received from the terminal through the communication unit 760, the controller 780 stores the viewer survey result in the storage unit 770. That is, when the viewer survey report message is received from the terminal, the controller 780 extracts information corresponding to the report item of the viewer survey from the report message, and stores the extracted information in the storage unit 770. The report message may include reporter information, for example, identification information of the terminal or the user. Thereafter, the viewer survey result may be utilized according to the intention of the operator or system operator who manages the viewer survey.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the streaming server and the viewer survey server are shown as separate objects. However, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the viewer survey participation server may be included in the streaming server. In this case, the operation of the controller 760 of the viewer survey participation server may be performed by the controller 730 of the streaming server.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is capable of various modifications within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

Claims (36)

In the operating method of the terminal in a multimedia streaming system,
Receiving a transport stream including content,
Obtaining viewer survey execution information from at least one signaling table included in the transport stream;
And performing a viewer survey according to the viewer survey execution information.
The method of claim 1,
The at least one signaling table indicates identification information of a service provider for requesting a viewer survey, information on a service and content to which the viewer survey is to be applied, information on a measurement item for which the viewer survey is to be performed, and a method of reporting a result after the viewer survey. At least one of the information.
The method of claim 2,
The at least one signaling table includes an identifier for indicating an information item included in each table.
The method of claim 2,
The at least one signaling table may include a first table including identification information on a service provider requesting a viewer survey, information on a target service and content to which the viewer survey will be applied, information on measurement items for which the viewer survey will be performed, and after the viewer survey. And a second table containing information indicating a result reporting method.
The method of claim 2,
The at least one signaling table may include a first table including identification information of a service provider requesting a viewer survey, a target service to which the viewer survey will be applied, and information on content, and information about measurement items for which the viewer survey will be performed. And a third table including two tables and information indicating a result reporting method after the viewer survey.
The method of claim 2,
The process of performing the viewer survey,
And collecting information on the measurement item indicated by the viewer survey execution information when the viewer survey target service and the content indicated by the viewer survey execution information are viewed.
The method of claim 6,
The measurement item may include at least one of identification information of a user or a terminal, a viewer survey performing place, viewer survey target information, a viewing start time, a viewing time, a viewing frequency, or a frequency.
The method of claim 2,
And when the viewer survey is completed, determining whether a report time of a viewer survey result has arrived according to a criterion indicated by the viewer survey execution information.
The method of claim 8,
And a reporting time point defined by the viewer survey execution information is one of a specific time point which is randomly determined after the viewer survey completion and a time point when a report request is received from the system.
The method of claim 8,
And when the report time arrives, transmitting information corresponding to a report item indicated by the viewer survey execution information to a server.
The method of claim 10,
And information corresponding to the report item is transmitted to a destination indicated by the viewer survey execution information.
In the method of operating the server in a multimedia streaming system,
Generating at least one signaling table including viewer survey execution information;
Generating a transport stream including the at least one signaling table;
Transmitting the transport stream.
The method of claim 12,
The at least one signaling table indicates identification information of a service provider for requesting a viewer survey, information on a service and content to which the viewer survey is to be applied, information on a measurement item for which the viewer survey is to be performed, and a method of reporting a result after the viewer survey. At least one of the information.
The method of claim 13,
The at least one signaling table includes an identifier for indicating an information item included in each table.
The method of claim 13,
The at least one signaling table may include a first table including identification information on a service provider requesting a viewer survey, information on a target service and content to which the viewer survey will be applied, information on measurement items for which the viewer survey will be performed, and after the viewer survey. And a second table containing information indicating a result reporting method.
The method of claim 13,
The at least one signaling table may include a first table including identification information of a service provider requesting a viewer survey, a target service to which the viewer survey will be applied, and information on content, and information about measurement items for which the viewer survey will be performed. And a third table including two tables and information indicating a result reporting method after the viewer survey.
The method of claim 13,
The measurement item may include at least one of identification information of a user or a terminal, a viewer survey performing place, viewer survey target information, a viewing start time, a viewing time, a viewing frequency, or a frequency.
The method of claim 13,
The information indicating a result reporting method after the viewer survey includes information defining a reporting time point of the viewer survey result.
And a reporting time point defined by the viewer survey execution information is one of a specific time point which is randomly determined after the viewer survey completion and a time point when a report request is received from the system.
In the terminal device in a multimedia streaming system,
A communication unit for receiving a transport stream including content;
And a controller configured to obtain viewer survey execution information from at least one signaling table included in the transport stream, and perform viewer survey according to the viewer survey execution information.
20. The method of claim 19,
The at least one signaling table indicates identification information of a service provider for requesting a viewer survey, information on a service and content to which the viewer survey is to be applied, information on a measurement item for which the viewer survey is to be performed, and a method of reporting a result after the viewer survey. And at least one of the information.
21. The method of claim 20,
The at least one signaling table includes an identifier for indicating an information item included in each table.
21. The method of claim 20,
The at least one signaling table may include a first table including identification information on a service provider requesting a viewer survey, information on a target service and content to which the viewer survey will be applied, information on measurement items for which the viewer survey will be performed, and after the viewer survey. And a second table containing information indicating a result reporting method.
21. The method of claim 20,
The at least one signaling table may include a first table including identification information of a service provider requesting a viewer survey, a target service to which the viewer survey will be applied, and information on content, and information about measurement items for which the viewer survey will be performed. And a third table including two tables and information indicating a result reporting method after the viewer survey.
21. The method of claim 20,
And the controller collects information on a measurement item indicated by the viewer survey execution information when the viewer survey target service and the content indicated by the viewer survey execution information are viewed.
25. The method of claim 24,
The measurement item may include at least one of identification information of a user or a terminal, a viewer survey performing place, a viewer survey target information, a viewing start time, a viewing time, a viewing frequency, or a frequency.
21. The method of claim 20,
The control unit, if the viewer survey is completed, characterized in that it determines whether the reporting time of the viewer survey results has arrived according to the criteria indicated by the viewer survey execution information.
The method of claim 26,
And a reporting time point defined by the viewer survey execution information is one of a specific time point which is randomly determined after the viewer survey completion and a time point when a report request is received from the system.
The method of claim 26,
And the controller controls to transmit information corresponding to a report item indicated by the viewer survey execution information to a server when the report time point arrives.
29. The method of claim 28,
And information corresponding to the report item is transmitted to a destination indicated by the viewer survey execution information.
A server device in a multimedia streaming system,
A controller for generating at least one signaling table including viewer survey execution information, and generating a transport stream including the at least one signaling table;
And a communication unit for transmitting the transport stream.
31. The method of claim 30,
The at least one signaling table indicates identification information of a service provider for requesting a viewer survey, information on a service and content to which the viewer survey is to be applied, information on a measurement item for which the viewer survey is to be performed, and a method of reporting a result after the viewer survey. And at least one of the information.
32. The method of claim 31,
The at least one signaling table includes an identifier for indicating an information item included in each table.
32. The method of claim 31,
The at least one signaling table may include a first table including identification information on a service provider requesting a viewer survey, information on a target service and content to which the viewer survey will be applied, information on measurement items for which the viewer survey will be performed, and after the viewer survey. And a second table containing information indicating a result reporting method.
32. The method of claim 31,
The at least one signaling table may include a first table including identification information of a service provider requesting a viewer survey, a target service to which the viewer survey will be applied, and information on content, and information about measurement items for which the viewer survey will be performed. And a third table including two tables and information indicating a result reporting method after the viewer survey.
32. The method of claim 31,
The measurement item may include at least one of identification information of a user or a terminal, a viewer survey performing place, a viewer survey target information, a viewing start time, a viewing time, a viewing frequency, or a frequency.
32. The method of claim 31,
The information indicating a result reporting method after the viewer survey includes information defining a reporting time point of the viewer survey result.
And a reporting time point defined by the viewer survey execution information is one of a specific time point which is randomly determined after the viewer survey completion and a time point when a report request is received from the system.

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