KR20140077493A - Apparatus and methodforpersonal identification - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for identifying a user who is required to provide a personalized service on a TV in a TV or a set-top box (STB). The personal identification apparatus according to the present invention comprises a remote control section and a personal identification section. The remote control unit includes a general key and a special key. The remote control unit receives the user authentication request, the identifier, and the password from the user through the general key and the special key, and transmits the user authentication request, the identifier and the password to the personal identification unit. The personal identification unit provides a user authentication interface screen based on the user authentication request received from the remote control unit, determines whether or not the user is registered based on the received identifier and password, and provides a personalization service if the user is a registered user.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHODFORPERSONAL IDENTIFICATION [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a user identification technique, and more particularly, to a technique for distinguishing a user in a smart TV environment.

Traditional TV was a concept that family members used together to watch the same broadcast program. Therefore, two or more members use the TV without using the individual members because they receive the same broadcasting service using the TV. However, due to the development of broadcasting communication technology and the spread of smart devices, general terrestrial TV has evolved into cable TV, IPTV, and connected TV and smart TV concept.

Smart TV has an active two-way service form, unlike conventional passive TV. Also, different broadcasting services, contents, and user interfaces can be provided for each member. Unlike traditional TVs, which provide the same service to all, the characteristics of these smart TVs can provide customized services for individual members. Currently, a method of identifying a user is generally performed by performing a personal identification or authentication using a TV remote control, or a method of mounting a USIM to a TV in a hardware manner Has been used.

Citation 1 (Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2011-0064532) describes a technique for identifying a user by installing a user authentication function on a remote controller. However, in this case, since the user's unique information is stored in the remote controller, the remote controller must receive all the information necessary for personalizing the information on the TV.

Citation 2 (Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2010-0047525) discloses a method of attaching a USIM card to a TV terminal capable of connecting a USIM card and making a call through a remote controller. However, in this case, there is an inconvenience that the USIM should be changed every time the user changes, as the USIM should be mounted on the TV.

Citation 1 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0064532

Citation 2 Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2010-0047525

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for identifying and authenticating a user who is required to provide a personalized service on a TV in a TV or a set-top box (STB). When the identification and authentication of the user is performed on a TV or a set-top box, all the information necessary for personalizing and serving the TV exists in the TV or the set-top box, and the user transmits the information of the user through the input device Provide convenient input.

The personal identification apparatus according to the present invention comprises a remote control section and a personal identification section. The remote control unit includes a general key and a special key. The remote control unit receives the user authentication request, the identifier, and the password from the user through the general key and the special key, and transmits the user authentication request, the identifier and the password to the personal identification unit. The personal identification unit provides a user authentication interface screen based on the user authentication request received from the remote control unit, determines whether or not the user is registered based on the received identifier and password, and provides a personalization service if the user is a registered user.

The personal identification method according to an embodiment of the present invention first receives a user authentication request from a user. Upon receiving the authentication request from the user, the user authentication screen is provided to the user through the video recall apparatus based on the received user authentication request. Next, an identifier and a password are input from the user through the remote control unit and the user authentication screen. And confirms whether or not the user is registered based on the received identifier and password. Upon receiving the identifier and the password from the user, it compares the identifier and the password of each user stored in the stored personal profile information, and determines whether the user is a registered user. As a result of checking, if the user is a registered user, a personalization service is provided. If the identifier and the password are compared and checked, the basic service is provided if the user is not a registered user.

The personal identification apparatus and method according to the present invention allow a user to freely register the TV on a remote controller / smart device without any restriction on specific hardware unlike the conventional method. By providing personal information to the TV / STB, it is possible to provide a personalized service in the TV / STB.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an individual identification device according to the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for identifying a person according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a user registration method of a personal identification method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used in the present specification are terms selected in consideration of the functions and effects in the embodiments, and the meaning of the terms may vary depending on the intention of the user or the operator or industry custom. Therefore, the meaning of the term used in the following embodiments is based on the defined definition when specifically stated in this specification, and unless otherwise stated, it should be interpreted in a sense generally recognized by those skilled in the art.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an individual identification device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the personal identification apparatus according to the present invention includes a remote control unit 110 and a personal identification unit 130.

The remote control unit 110 may be located in a conventional remote controller for a TV or a set-top box, and may include an application program for controlling a TV or a set-top box in a smart phone or a smart pad.

The remote control unit 110 includes a normal key unit 111 and a special key unit 112.

The general key unit 111 includes numeric keys and character keys for inputting numbers and characters included in conventional conventional remote controllers. In the conventional remote controller for TV or STB, the number can be inputted at one time, but the method of inputting characters in addition to the number may be composed of two or more key combinations instead of one key input.

The special key unit 112 is composed of one or two or more special keys, identifies the user through one key or a combination of two or more keys, and authenticates the user. You can also enter special characters as key combinations for special keys. When an application for controlling a TV or a set-top box is used in a smartphone or a smart pad, these inputs can be simplified as compared to a conventional remote control for a TV and a set-top box. A special key or key combination among the special keys included in the special key unit 112 is used for requesting user identification / authentication.

The special key unit 112 starts by requesting the remote control unit 110 to perform a user identification and authentication procedure when receiving a special key requesting user identification and authentication from the user. Upon receipt of the special key requesting user identification and authentication through the special key unit 112, the remote control unit 110 transmits an authentication request signal to the personal identification unit 130.

The personal identification unit 130 receiving the authentication request signal from the remote control unit 110 provides the user with a screen necessary for user identification and authentication through the video playback apparatus 10. [ For example, the image reproducing apparatus 10 may present a guide screen so that a user can select from existing registered users or register a new user, and the user can select an existing registered user or register a new user . The user registration process may include a name and an identifier.

The user selects a user through the remote control unit 110, and the remote control unit 110 provides a screen for authenticating the user to the user. The remote control unit 110 receives an identifier and a password for authentication from the user to the remote control unit 110 and receives the identifier and the password from the user. The remote control unit 110 transmits the received identifier and the password to the personal identification unit 130. Identifier and password input can be input at once or separately. The transmission of the input identifier and password can be carried out at a time or separately.

Upon receipt of the identifier and the password from the remote control unit 110, the remote personal identification unit 130 confirms the registration of the user and provides a personalized service for the user. The personalization service may include a layout of a screen preferred by the user, a color and a user interface of the menu, and the like. In addition, the user can place favorite contents or related contents on the user interface screen.

The remote control unit 110 may have the same form as a general remote control, and may be implemented in a display screen of a TV and using a touch interface.

The personal identification unit 130 includes a broadcast signal processing unit 131, a communication signal processing unit 132, and a personal profile management unit 133.

The broadcast signal processing unit 131 processes a broadcast signal received from a broadcast communication network 20 including a broadcast provider or a content provider to provide a broadcast service to a viewer.

The communication signal processing unit 132 processes a communication signal received from the broadcasting communication network 20 to provide a communication service to the viewer. The communication signal processing unit 132 performs signal processing with the remote control unit 110.

The personal profile management unit 133 stores and manages individual profiles of the respective users. A personal profile is separated for one or more users. And the personal profile may include identifier / name information, password, personal directory, screen configuration information, favorites, and other personalization information. The identifier and the name indicate the name and the identifier of the user, and the identifier and the name can be used separately from each other, or the same name can serve as the identifier. The password is a password corresponding to the user's name and identifier and is used for securing the user in the process of authenticating the user. The identifier / name information and the password can be represented by letters, numbers, and special characters, and can be implemented by pattern input using a touch screen interface, selection and combination of specific icons, and the like.

The personal identification unit 130 may further include a microphone or a camera. The personal profile management unit 133 may store voice information or image information for each user as a personal profile, and may recognize a user by recognizing voice or image signals of a user received via a microphone or a camera.

The personal directory represents the directory in which the user's data is stored, and can indicate the form of a URL or the like. The screen configuration information includes screen-related setting information of the user such as the layout of the screen preferred by the user, the location and color of the menu, and the like. Favorite information includes the user's Internet favorites and contents that the user frequently looks for. The other personal setting information includes selection information on a method of receiving a welcome message for the user or storing information when using a TV or a set-top box.

The personal profile management unit 133 includes a management function for the profile of the stored individual, and stores the user's name / identifier and password as letters / numbers, special characters, a touch screen pattern or a specific icon, Profile management using a microphone, face recognition, a specific operation, and a specific speech.

The personal identification unit 130 may be manufactured integrally with the TV, positioned within the TV, integrated with the set-top box, or manufactured as a separate apparatus.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for identifying a person according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a personal identification method according to an embodiment of the present invention first receives a user authentication request from a user (201). The user inputs an authentication request using a special key or the like of the remote control unit. Upon receiving the authentication request from the user, the user authentication screen is provided to the user through the video recalling apparatus based on the received user authentication request (202). And provides the user with a screen necessary for user identification and authentication through the video reproducing apparatus. For example, the user can select among existing registered users or present a guide screen for registering a new user, and the user can select an existing registered user or register a new user. The user registration process may include a name and an identifier.

Next, an identifier and a password are input from the user through the remote control unit and the user authentication screen (203). And provides a screen for authenticating the user to the user. The user inputs an identifier and a password for authentication through a screen for authenticating the user. The identifier and the password for user authentication can be configured by a general character or a combination of numbers. It is possible to use a specific pattern through a touch screen interface, a method through voice recognition using a user's voice, Lt; / RTI > method.

Then, it is confirmed whether the user is registered based on the received identifier and password (204). Upon receiving the identifier and the password from the user, it compares the identifier and the password of each user stored in the stored personal profile information, and determines whether the user is a registered user.

If it is determined that the user is a registered user, the personalization service is provided (205). Confirms the registration of the user, and provides a personalized service for the user. The personalization service may include a layout of a screen preferred by the user, a color and a user interface of the menu, and the like. In addition, the user can place favorite contents or related contents on the user interface screen.

As a result of comparing the identifiers and the passwords, if a registered user is not found, the basic service is provided (206). The basic service is a service that is provided to all unregistered users and is a service set by default.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a user registration method of a personal identification method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3, a user registration method of a personal identification method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention first receives a user registration request from a user 301. A user who is not registered in the personal identification apparatus according to the present invention receives personalization Services can not be provided. Therefore, the process of registering with the personal identification device through user registration is necessary. The user first forwards the user registration request.

Next, a user registration screen is provided (302). Upon receiving the user registration request from the user, the user registration screen including a user interface for guiding the user to the registration process is provided through the video playback device.

Personal profile information is received (303). And receives the personal profile information necessary for registration from the user through the user registration screen. The personal profile information required for the registration is received first of the information necessary for identification including the identifier, the user name and the password. Screen configuration information, favorites, and other personalization information for providing a personalized service. Information on personal directories, screen configuration information, favorites, and other personal setting information for providing a personalized service can be received during the registration process, and further input can be received during the subsequent use without input during the registration process.

Next, the corresponding user is registered (304). Upon receiving the personal profile information necessary for registration from the user who wants to register, the user is registered. The user registered through the registration process can receive the personalization service through the identification process.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It is possible.

110:
111:
112:
130: Personal identification unit
131: Broadcast signal processor
132: Communication signal processor
133: Personal profile manager

Claims (1)

A remote control unit having a general key and a special key and receiving a user authentication request, an identifier and a password from a user through the general key and the special key; And
Providing a user authentication interface screen based on the user authentication request received from the remote control unit, determining whether the user is registered based on the received identifier and the password, and providing a personalization service if the user is a registered user Personal identification unit
Wherein the personal identification device comprises:

Images