KR20170079071A - A set-top box, a contents information management method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A set-top box connected to a cloud server through a network, the set-top box comprising: a communication unit for receiving first content information on a folder and a media file corresponding to the logged-in subscriber from the cloud server connected through login; And a channel assigning unit for assigning a channel number based on the first content information.

Description

A set-top box, a contents information management method,

The present invention relates to a set-top box and a content information management method thereof, and more particularly, to a set-top box in which a set-top box and a cloud server are interlocked and a channel number is assigned to a folder or media files provided in a cloud server, will be.

Cloud computing refers to the storage of software programs and data on a large computer server outside the personal computer or smart phone, and borrowing it from the Internet whenever needed.

Commonly used web mail (Internet mail) is the most basic model of cloud computing. It is possible to read mail by accessing the Internet, but various data such as received mail is stored in a web mail server, that is, a server of a company providing a web mail service, rather than being stored in a computer used by the user.

Users can receive their desired computing resources anytime and anywhere via the Internet using cloud computing. Computing resources are typically managed by a separate resource provider, such as a large data center, which may be hardware resources such as CPU power, memory, storage, or a development platform, application program, or the like. A service provided by a resource provider for use of computing capability using computing resources in an external device is called a cloud service.

These cloud services are very useful because they are available when they are accessible to the network. In particular, if you use cloud services, you do not have to purchase high-end computers or expensive software, but you only need internet access. Accordingly, with the development of wireless Internet, Wi-Fi and 3G network, various cloud services are being provided according to the spread of portable PCs such as smart phones and tablet PCs.

However, due to the use of various cloud services using external devices, it is difficult to store data redundantly, to confuse storage locations, and to manage.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method that can more efficiently use and manage various cloud services using a set-top box as a user manages data by dividing a folder including a media file.

Patent Registration No. 10-1489587 (Feb.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide more efficient content information to a user by allocating channel numbers to folders and media files provided from a cloud server.

A set-top box connected to a cloud server through a network, the set-top box comprising: a communication unit for receiving first content information on a folder and a media file corresponding to the logged-in subscriber from the cloud server connected through login; And a channel assigning unit for assigning a channel number based on the first content information.

The set-top box may reassign the channel number based on the updated first content information when the first content information updated from the cloud server is received through the communication unit.

The updated first content information may be received when at least one of a folder and a media file corresponding to the subscriber stored in the cloud server is changed.

The channel allocation unit may identify the hierarchical structure of the folder based on the first content information received from the cloud server and allocate a channel number for each folder according to the ascertained hierarchical structure.

And a display interlocking unit for receiving a folder or a media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server and automatically reproducing the selected folder or media file when any one of the allocated channel numbers is selected.

And a sharing unit for sharing the first content information with a specific set-top box, wherein when the sharing request for the first content information is accepted from the specific set-top box, the sharing unit indicates that the specific set- And transmit the predetermined message to the cloud server through the communication unit.

The specific set-top box can receive a folder and a file corresponding to the subscriber from the cloud server using the shared first content information.

When the second content information is received from the specific set-top box, the channel assigning unit may allocate a channel number corresponding to the second content information so that the channel assigning unit does not overlap the already allocated channel number.

When any one of the channel numbers allocated to the second content information is selected, the user can receive a folder or a media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server and automatically play it.

The channel allocator may scan the remaining available channel numbers except for the preset channel number and allocate a channel number corresponding to the first content information.

A method of managing content information of a set top box connected to a cloud server through a network, the method comprising: receiving first content information on a folder and a media file from a cloud server connected through a login; And allocating a channel number based on the first content information.

The step of receiving the first content information may further include reassigning the channel number based on the updated first content information when the updated first content information is received from the cloud server.

Wherein the allocating step includes a step of confirming a hierarchical structure of the folder based on the first content information received from the cloud server and allocating a channel number of each folder or a media file according to the ascertained hierarchical structure .

And receiving a folder or a media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server and automatically reproducing the selected folder number or media file if any one of the allocated channel numbers is selected.

Receiving second content information from a particular set-top box; Allocating a channel number corresponding to the second content information so as not to overlap with a channel number already allocated in correspondence with the second content information; And receiving the media corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server and automatically reproducing the media corresponding to the selected channel number if any one of the channel numbers allocated to the second content information is selected. ≪ / RTI >

And receiving a sharing request message for the second content information from the specific set-top box.

The step of receiving the sharing request message may further include transmitting to the cloud server a predetermined message indicating that the shared set is accepted by the particular set-top box.

A set-top box and its contents information management method according to the present invention allocates channel numbers to folders and media files received from a cloud server to eliminate the inconvenience of repeated media file searching and listening, So that it is possible to enjoy the media easily and conveniently.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a set-top box and its contents information management system according to the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating a content information management method according to the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assigning channel numbers according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of sharing content information according to the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of automatically reproducing a folder or a media file corresponding to an assigned channel number according to the present invention.
6 is a view showing an embodiment of a content information management system according to the present invention.
7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of channel guide information according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. It should be noted that the drawings denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same reference numerals whenever possible, in other drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. And certain features shown in the drawings are to be enlarged or reduced or simplified for ease of explanation, and the drawings and their components are not necessarily drawn to scale. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand these details.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a set-top box and its contents information management system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a content information management method according to the present invention, FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of sharing content information according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of automatically reproducing a folder or a media file corresponding to an assigned channel number according to the present invention, FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a content information management system according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of channel guidance information according to the present invention.

1, the content information management system 100 includes a set-top box 200, a communication network 300, a user terminal 400, a cloud server 500, a display device 600, a remote controller 700 ).

The set-top box 200 includes a communication unit 210, a channel assigning unit 220, a display interlocking unit 230, a sharing unit 240, and a storage unit 250.

The cloud server 500 includes a communication unit 510, an authentication unit 520, a generation unit 530, and an update unit 540.

The set-top box 200 is a home communication terminal for bidirectional multimedia communication. The set-top box 200 connects a display device 600 such as a TV to a network to provide a VOD, an interactive TV, Lt; / RTI >

The set-top box 200 identifies a user in a log-in manner in order to interoperate with the cloud server 500 through the communication unit 210 and receives the user's (or subscriber's) identified from the cloud server 500 The content information about the folder and the media file can be received.

Here, the content information indicates information of a folder and a media file held in the cloud server 500 corresponding to a corresponding subscriber. The content information includes a name of a folder, a number of folders, subfolder information according to a hierarchical structure of folders, The name of the media file, the type of the media file, the size information of the folder, the size information of the media file, and the like.

In the following description, for convenience of description, the content information is divided into first content information to first content information to identify a subscriber having access rights to the folder and the media file stored in the cloud server 500 .

The content information may be updated by the cloud server 500 and transmitted to the corresponding set-top box when at least one of folders and media files stored in the cloud server 500 is changed in accordance with a specific subscriber.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the updated content information will be referred to as new content information.

For example, the content information initially received for the first user may be the first content information, and then the updated content information corresponding to the user may be the new content information. A detailed description thereof will be later.

The set-top box 200 may store content information about folders and media files through the storage unit 250. [

Here, the media file may include various media types such as, for example, MP3 player songs, still image slides, DVD-jukebox movies, TV schedules, AV files, and the like.

The channel assigning unit 220 may assign a channel number corresponding to the content information received from the cloud server 500. [

In another embodiment, the channel assigning unit 220 may sequentially assign channel numbers based on a consonant order of a folder name or a file name of a media file. In another example, the channel allocator 220 may allocate channel numbers in ascending or descending order based on sizes of folders and media files.

Therefore, if there is a subfolder in the folder based on the hierarchical structure of the folder, the channel assigning unit 220 assigns a channel number (for example, Ch. 100, Ch. 200, etc.) of the upper folder including the subfolder You can assign it as a priority.

Subsequently, the channel assigning unit 220 may sequentially assign channel numbers (e.g., Ch. 101, Ch. 102, etc.) of the subfolder corresponding to the channel number of the upper folder. That is, the channel number can be assigned based on the tree structure of the folder.

That is, the channel allocation unit 220 can determine the channel number of the upper folder based on the existence of the lower folder and the number of lower folders. For example, when the number of the subfolders is less than 10, the upper folder may be 110, and 111 to 119 may be allocated to the lower folders of the upper folder.

In addition, the channel assigning unit 220 may assign a channel number to the media files included in the folder. That is, if the channel number of the folder (for example, Ch. 100, Ch. 200, etc.) is assigned first, the channel number of the media file (for example, Ch.

Therefore, the set-top box 200 according to the present invention can receive and reproduce information from the cloud server 500 in units of media files as well as folder units according to the channel number selected by the user. For example, when a plurality of media files and / or a plurality of subfolders are included in a specific folder, if a channel number allocated to the specific folder is selected, all the folders and / or media files in the specific folder are stored in the cloud Can be received from the server 500 and automatically reproduced.

More specifically, when 50 photo files are included in the European travel folder, if a channel number corresponding to the European travel folder is selected, 50 photo files can be automatically reproduced sequentially.

In another embodiment, the channel assigning unit 220 may assign a channel number to new content information related to a folder and a media file received from the cloud server 500.

Here, the new content information may be generated by the cloud server 500 and transmitted to the set-top box 200 when a folder and / or a media file corresponding to a specific subscriber stored in the cloud server 500 is changed have.

Accordingly, the channel assigning unit 220 may identify a folder and / or a media file to be deleted and / or added based on the new content information, newly add a channel number for the identified folder and / or media file, It may delete the pre-assigned channel number. For example, if an added folder or media file exists, the currently unused channel number can be selected and assigned to the added folder or media file.

In another example, if a deleted folder or a media file exists, the channel number previously allocated to the folder or the media file can be retrieved.

In particular, the channel assigning unit 220 assigns a channel number (for example, Ch. 300, Ch. 400, or the like) for the new content information so that the already allocated channel number Etc.) can be scanned.

Accordingly, the channel allocation unit 220 may allocate an available channel number for the new content information.

As shown in FIG. 6, the channel assigning unit 220 may assign a channel number to each folder and media file.

6, the channel assigning unit 220 assigns a unique channel number to each of the plurality of folders F. The user assigns a channel number to each of the plurality of folders F through a remote controller 700 that controls the set- It is possible to select the channel number assigned to any one of the plurality of folders F or the media file M. [

The display interlock 230 may receive a folder or a media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server 500 and automatically reproduce it when the selected channel number is selected. At this time, the reproduction information may be transmitted to the display device 600. [

In addition, when the selected channel is a general channel, the display interlocking unit 230 can transmit content corresponding to a general channel to the display device 600. Here, the general channel may include an over-the-air broadcast channel, a wired broadcast channel, a cable TV broadcast channel, and the like, but is not limited thereto and may be a channel that can be received from a broadcast server (not shown).

Preferably, the channel number and the general channel allocated based on the content information received from the cloud server 500 are classified to determine whether the set-top box 200 is connected to the cloud server 500.

As shown in FIG. 7, the display interlocking unit 230 may provide channel guidance information to the display device 600. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 7, the channel guide information indicates channel information (101, 102, 200, 300) and viewing information (KBS, EBS, can do.

The sharing unit 240 may share the first content information about the folder and the media file designated by the user with the specific set-top box, or may assign the assigned channel number (e.g., Ch. 200, Ch. 300, etc.) can be shared.

Here, the specific set-top box may receive the first content information. In this case, the channel number corresponding to the first content information may be allocated so as not to overlap with the already assigned channel number corresponding to the first content information.

In another embodiment, the sharing unit 240 may receive the second content information regarding the folder and the media file from the specific set-top box, or may receive the channel number assigned corresponding to the second content information. In this case, the channel allocation unit 220 may allocate channel numbers corresponding to the second content information so as not to overlap the channel numbers already allocated.

If there is a duplicated channel, the channel assigning unit 220 scans the available channel number, and based on the scan result, generates a new channel having a channel number corresponding to the second content information (e.g., Ch 400 , Ch. 500) can be allocated.

Accordingly, the sharing unit 240 can transmit and receive the first and second contents information with the specific set-top box, and more efficiently share the contents information about folders and media files with external users.

In order to share the first and second contents information with the specific set-top box, the set-top box 200 may select one of the set-top box 200 and / or the specific set- When the content information is received, the receiving unit transmits, to the cloud server 500, the first content information to the specific set-top box, for example, You can accept a sharing request that corresponds to the information.

Accordingly, when the sharing request for the first content information is accepted from the specific set-top box, the sharing unit 240 transmits a predetermined message indicating that the shared set is accepted by the particular set-top box through the communication unit 210 To the cloud server 500.

Here, the cloud server 500 may provide the first content information to the specific set-top box based on the predetermined message.

The communication network 300 is a local network for sharing and reproducing moving pictures, music files and still pictures stored in a PC, a mobile phone, a camera, etc., and the communication network 300 is an external network connected externally for accessing home- A mobile communication network, an Internet network, or a Wi-Fi network.

Accordingly, the communication network 300 may be connected to the set-top box 200, the cloud server 500, or the user terminal 400.

The user terminal 400 may be a terminal capable of performing a communication function using the communication network 300 such as a mobile communication network or an Internet network.

The user terminal 400 may be a general personal computer such as a desktop computer as well as a mobile device such as a smart phone, a tablet PC and the like. In addition, the user terminal 400 may be a terminal connected to a private IP, as well as a terminal accessing a home IP from a public IP.

Also, the user terminal 400 may include an OS that can be installed in a mobile computer such as an Android OS, an iOS, and a Windows Mobile OS.

The cloud server 500 receives the folder and the media file from the user terminal 400 through the communication unit 510 and transmits and receives the content information about the folder and the media file.

Accordingly, the cloud server 500 can access the set-top box 200 or the user terminal 400 through login authentication of the authentication unit 520 to transmit and receive content information about folders and media files of subscribers, It is possible to transmit and receive content information about folders and media files of the selected subscriber.

The generating unit 530 may store a folder and a media file received from the user terminal 400. That is, the generating unit 530 may store content information (name, type, size, time, thumbnail, etc.) regarding folders and media files.

Accordingly, the generating unit 530 may store a hierarchical structure of folders corresponding to content information on folders and media files, or may store content (e.g., movies, music, pictures, etc.) of media files.

The generating unit 530 may store new content information related to folders and media files received from the user terminal 400 and store the new content information separately.

When the new content information is received from the user terminal 400, the update unit 540 may transmit the new content information to the generation unit 530. [

The 'content information management method' according to the content information management system 100 will be described in detail.

2, the user terminal 400 may log into the cloud server 500 and store the folder and the media file designated by the user in the cloud server 500. In operation S200,

The set-top box 200 can interact with the cloud server 500 through a login authentication method and request content information about folders and media files (S210)

Upon receiving the request signal from the set-top box 200, the cloud server 500 may generate the first content information related to the folder and the media file stored in correspondence with the user (S220)

The cloud server 500 may transmit the first content information regarding the folder and the media file to the set-top box 200 (S230)

The set-top box 200 can allocate a channel number through the channel allocation unit 220 based on the first content information (S240)

The cloud server 500 may update the first content information by receiving the first content information regarding the folder and the media file updated from the user terminal 400 (S250)

Here, the cloud server 500 checks the first content information about the folder and the media file updated from the user terminal 400 (S260)

The cloud server 500 may transmit the first content information to the set-top box 200 when the updated first content information exists (S270)

As shown in FIG. 3, the channel assigning unit 220 may assign a channel number according to a hierarchical structure of a folder.

The set-top box 200 can check the hierarchical structure of folders based on the first content information (S241)

The channel assigning unit 220 confirms the presence of a media file included in the subfolder or the folder based on the first content information about the folder and the media file (S242)

The channel assigning unit 220 may assign a channel number of an upper folder to a higher priority when a media file is included in the lower folder or the folder.

The channel allocation unit 220 may allocate the channel number of the subfolder or the media file corresponding to the channel number of the upper folder (S244)

As shown in FIG. 4, the set-top box 200 stores a share request message including the device identifier and the second content information for identifying the specific set-top box from the specific set-top box by the sharing unit 240 (S400)

The set-top box 200 may transmit a shared acceptance message indicating that the set-top box 200 has been shared with the specific set-top box to the cloud server 500 (S410)

The set-top box 200 may transmit a sharing notification message including the device identifier indicating that contents of a subscriber corresponding to the specific set-top box are shared with the cloud server 500 (S420)

The set-top box 200 may assign a shared channel number corresponding to the second content information so as not to overlap with the pre-allocated channel number from the channel assigning unit 220 (S430)

When the set-top box 200 selects one of the assigned channel numbers, the set-top box 200 can receive a folder or a media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server 500 and automatically play it (S440)

5, the set-top box 200 receives a folder or a media file stored in the cloud server 500 according to a channel number selected by the remote controller 700, ).

Specifically, the set-top box 200 can receive a control signal corresponding to channel selection from the remote controller 700 (S500)

The set-top box 200 may determine that the selected channel is an assigned channel number corresponding to the content information received from the cloud server 500 (S510)

When the selected channel is a general channel, the set-top box 200 can transmit content received from the broadcasting center to the display device 600 (S520)

When the selected channel is a channel allocated corresponding to the content information about the folder and the media file, the set-top box 200 receives the folder or the media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server 500 and automatically reproduces (S530)

The set-top box 200 can output the folder or media file being reproduced to the display device 600 (S540)

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, . ≪ / RTI > Accordingly, such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be determined by the following claims.

100: Content information management system
200: set-top box 210: communication section
220: channel allocation unit 230: display interlocking unit
240: Sharing unit 250: Storage unit
300: communication network 400: user terminal
500: Cloud server 510:
520: Authentication unit 530:
540: Updating unit 600: Display device
700: remote controller

Claims (17)

A set-top box connected to a cloud server through a network,
A communication unit for receiving first content information on a folder and a media file corresponding to the logged-in subscriber from the cloud server connected through a login; And
A channel allocation unit for allocating a channel number based on the first content information;
Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > settop box. ≪ / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
The set-
Wherein the channel assignment unit reassigns the channel number based on the updated first content information when the first content information updated from the cloud server is received through the communication unit. The method according to claim 1,
The updated first content information may include:
And when at least one of a folder and a media file corresponding to the subscriber stored in the cloud server is changed, the set-top box is received. The method according to claim 1,
The channel assigning unit,
A folder hierarchical structure based on the first content information received from the cloud server, and a channel number for each folder according to the identified hierarchical structure. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a display interlocking unit for receiving a folder or media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server and automatically reproducing the selected folder number or media file when the selected channel number is selected. The method according to claim 1,
And a sharing unit for sharing the first content information with a specific set-top box,
Wherein the sharing unit transmits to the cloud server through the communication unit a predetermined message indicating that the shared settop box has been shared by the specific settop box when the sharing request for the first content information is accepted from the specific settop box. Set-top box. The method according to claim 6,
The specific set-
And receives a folder and a file corresponding to the subscriber from the cloud server using the shared first content information. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein when the second content information is received from the specific set-top box, the channel assignment unit allocates a channel number corresponding to the second content information so that the channel allocation unit does not overlap the already allocated channel number, . 9. The method of claim 8,
And receives a folder or media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server and automatically reproduces the selected folder if the channel number assigned to the second content information is selected. The method according to claim 1,
The channel assigning unit,
Wherein the channel number corresponding to the first content information is allocated by scanning the available channel numbers other than the preset channel number. A content information management method of a set top box connected to a cloud server through a network,
Receiving first content information on a folder and a media file from a connected cloud server through a login; And
Assigning a channel number based on the first content information;
The content information management method comprising the steps of: 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the step of receiving the first content information comprises:
Reallocating the channel number based on the updated first content information when the updated first content information is received from the cloud server;
The content information management method comprising the steps of: 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the assigning comprises:
Identifying a hierarchical structure of the folder based on the first content information received from the cloud server, and assigning a channel number of the folder or the media file according to the identified hierarchical structure;
The content information management method comprising the steps of: 12. The method of claim 11,
Receiving a folder or media file corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server and automatically reproducing the selected folder number or media file if any one of the allocated channel numbers is selected;
The content information management method comprising the steps of: Receiving second content information from a particular set-top box;
Allocating a channel number corresponding to the second content information so as not to overlap with a channel number already allocated in correspondence with the second content information; And
Receiving the media corresponding to the selected channel number from the cloud server and automatically reproducing the selected media number if any one of the channel numbers allocated to the second content information is selected;
The content information sharing method comprising: 16. The method of claim 15,
Receiving a sharing request message for the second content information from the specific set-top box;
The method of claim 1, further comprising: 17. The method of claim 16,
The receiving of the sharing request message comprises:
Transmitting to the cloud server a predetermined message indicating that the specific set-top box has been shared and accepted;
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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