Kim, Soo Woong (402-605 ShinDongA A.P.T, Sadang-dong Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-090, KR)
| 1. | A method of inputting characters using a return path server for an interactive television (TV), the method transmitting input character information to a return path server (40) through the return path when a user inputs the character information through a user interface (UI) constituting part of middleware of a set top box (31) by manipulating a remote control (34), wherein: the return path server (40) parses character information, which is finally input from the set top box (31), into words, separately recognizes them, classifies the separately recognized words based on first characters thereof, tallies a number of occurrences of each word, and takes and stores words having great numbers of occurrences as user favorite words of a corresponding first character for each user; the return path server (40) receives characters, which are input in real time through a User Interface (UI), from the settop box (31) through a return path in real time, searches for user favorite words corresponding to the input characters, transmits the found user favorite words to the set top box (31) through the return path in real time, and provides the user favorite words to the user through the user interface (UI) of the settop box (31) in real time; and the user visually checks the user favorite words provided in real time through the screen provided by the user interface and then selects any one of the user favorite words by manipulating the remote control (34). |
| 2. | The method according to claim 1, wherein the return path server (40) parses the character information, which is finally input from the set top box (31), into words, separately recognizes them, classifies the separately recognized words based on first character thereof, tallies the number of occurrences of each word regardless of users, and takes and stores words having great numbers of occurrences as menurecommended words of a corresponding first character; the return path server 40 receives characters, which are input in real time through the User Interface (UI), from the set top box (31) through the return path in real time, searches for user favorite words and menurecommended words corresponding to the input characters, transmits the found user favorite words and the menurecommended words to the set top box (31) through the return path in real time, and provides the user favorite words and the menurecommended words to a corresponding user through the user interface (UI) of the settop box (31) in real time; and the user visually checks the user favorite words and the menurecommended words provided in real time through the screen provided by the user interface (UI), selects any one of a user favorite word menu item and a menurecommended word menu item, and then selects any one of the user favorite words and the menurecommended words by manipulating the remote control (34). |
| 3. | The method according to claim 1, wherein the return path server (40) stores menurecommended words for first characters thereof regardless of users; the return path server (40) receives characters, which are input in real time through the User Interface (UI), from the settop box (31) through the return path in real time, searches for the user favorite words and the menurecommended words corresponding to the input characters, transmits the found user favorite words and the menurecommended words to the set top box (31) through the return path in real time, and provides the user favorite words and menurecommended words to a corresponding user through the user interface (UI) of the settop box (31) in real time; and the user visually checks the user favorite words and the menurecommended words provided in real time through the screen provided by the user interface (UI), selects any one of the user favorite words and the menu recommended words by manipulating the remote control (34). |
CHARACTER INPUT METHOD TO USE RETURN PATH SERVER OF INTERACTIVE TV
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a method of inputting characters using a return path server for an interactive television (TV) and, more particularly, to a method of inputting characters which enables a user to rapidly and conveniently input text-type return path information using a return path server for an interactive TV. Background Art
[2] As well known, a digital television receives broadcast signals into which audio information, video information and content data (various information, including information about broadcasting programs) are bit-streamed on a packet basis, selectively extracts them, decodes the extracted broadcast signals into video, audio and content data, appropriately edits them as required and outputs them through a display and a microphone.
[3] Recently, an interactive TV (also called an iTV) has been developed and is already commercialized. Unlike a conventional digital TV in which viewers passively watch broadcasts, such an interactive TV enables to the viewers to actively conduct bank account transactions, shop, make reservations, or participate in a game or a forum thereby the usage thereof is expanded.
[4] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an interactive TV broadcasting system.
[5] The interactive TV broadcasting system includes a provider system 10 for providing broadcasting content to a broadcast transmission service provider server 20, the broadcast transmission service provider server 20 for transmitting broadcast signals, including data broadcast content provided by the provider system 10, to the set- top box 31 of an interactive TV 30 in a wireless manner through terrestrial waves or satellite waves or in a wired manner through cables, the interactive TV 30 for receiving the broadcast signals from the broadcast transmission service provider server 20, outputting audio, video and broadcasting content to the outside through a display or a speaker, and transmitting return path information including information about orders or payments, or messages to a return path server 40, and the return path server 40 for transmitting the return path information, provided by the interactive TV, to the corresponding provider system 10.
[6] The interactive TV 30 includes the set- top box 31, a display 32, a speaker and a remote control 34. The interactive TV 30 is well-known and widely used, thus a de-
scription thereof is omitted.
[7] Meanwhile, in the case of the return path information, when a user inputs the return path information by manipulating the remote control 34, the set- top box 31 receives the return path information and transmits the return path information to the return path server 40. In the case of the initial interactive TV 30, the return path information is very simple, so that there is no difficulty in putting the return path information. However, recently, due to various types of services, the return path information has become complicated. Accordingly, research into solutions for easily and rapidly inputting the return path information is being conducted.
[8] Currently, a method of, transmitting input character information to a return path server through a return path when a user inputs the character information via a user interface constituting part of the middleware of a set-top box by manipulating a remote control, is employed. Even in this case, it is complicated and difficult to input the return path information composed of many characters, so that it is actually difficult for the user to rapidly and easily represent their intention in the text-type return path information.
Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
[9] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of inputting characters using a return path server for an interactive TV which enables a user to rapidly and easily input text-type return path information. Technical Solution
[10] In order to accomplish the above object(s), the present invention provides a method of inputting characters using a return path server for an interactive television (TV), the method transmitting input character information to a return path server (40) through the return path when a user inputs the character information through a user interface (UI) constituting part of middleware of a set- top box (31) by manipulating a remote control (34), wherein the return path server (40) parses character information, which is finally input from the set-top box (31), into words, separately recognizes them, classifies the separately recognized words based on first characters thereof, tallies a number of occurrences of each word, and takes and stores words having great numbers of occurrences as user favorite words of a corresponding first character for each user; the return path server (40) receives characters, which are input in real time through a User Interface (UI), from the set- top box (31) through a return path in real time, searches for user favorite words corresponding to the input characters, transmits the found user favorite words to the set- top box (31) through the return path in real time,
and provides the user favorite words to the user through the user interface (UI) of the set-top box (31) in real time; and the user visually checks the user favorite words provided in real time through the screen provided by the user interface and then selects any one of the user favorite words by manipulating the remote control (34).
Advantageous Effects
[11] According to the present invention described above, a method in which a return path server 40 determines the user favorite words of each user in consideration of the usage frequencies by each user based on text-type return path information received from a set- top box 31, and proposes favorite words for each user, corresponding to characters input through the user interface UI, in real time when the user inputs character information through the user interface constituting part of middleware of the set-top box 31 by manipulating the remote control 34, and the user selects any one of the proposed user favorite words by manipulating the remote control 34, is employed, so that character input work through manipulation of the remote control 34 is considerably decreased.
[12] Therefore, the user can more rapidly and conveniently input text- type return path information, so that there are advantages in that more various and complex bidirectional communication services can be realized and the convenience to the user is considerably improved. Brief Description of the Drawings
[13] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an interactive TV broadcasting system; and
[14] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of inputting characters according to the present invention.
[15] -Description of reference characters of principal elements-
[16] 10; provider system
[17] 20; broadcast transmission service provider server
[18] 30; interactive TV 31 ; set- top box
[19] 32; display 33; speaker
[20] 34; remote control 40; return path server
[21] UI ; user interface
Mode for the Invention
[22] The present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[23] According to a method of inputting characters according to the present invention, a return path server 40 parses text-type return path information, finally input from a set- top box 31, into words, separately recognizes them, classifies the separately recognized
words based on the first syllables thereof, determines the number of occurrences of each word, and takes and stores the words having great numbers of occurrences as the favorite words of a corresponding first syllable for each user.
[24] For example, if the final return path information is "alticastneun digital bangsong middlewareui gangjada" (Korean sentence), the information is first parsesed into "alticastneun", "digital", "bangsong", "middlewareui" and "gangjada" on a space basis. Then, "neun", "ui" and "da" are discarded in consideration of Korean grammar. Finally "alticast", "digital", "bangsong" and "middleware" are finally recognized as words. Thereafter, "alticast", "digital", "bangsong" and "middleware" are registered as user favorite words respectively for syllables "al", "di", "bang" and "mi", and are respectively tallied. Such user favorite words are separately stored for each user, so that the priority order of the user favorite words differs depending on the user.
[25] Furthermore, a return path server 40 receives characters, which are input in real time through a user interface UI, from a set- top box 31 through a return path in real time, searches for user favorite words corresponding to the input syllable, transmits the found user favorite words to the set-top box 31 through the return path in real time, and provides the user favorite words to the user through the user interface UI of the set-top box 31 in real time. In this case, the method of exchanging data information between the set- top box 31 and the return path server 40 is already well-known and implemented, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The user interface UI is a component of middleware installed in the microprocessor of the set-top box 31, and provides an input screen via a display. When a user inputs key values as guided by an input screen provided by the user interface UI, the user interface UI decodes the input key values so that the key values can be data-processed (for example, in order to be recognized as characters or numbers).
[26] In this state, the corresponding user visually checks the user favorite words provided in real time through the screen provided by the user interface and then takes a method of selecting a user favorite word by manipulating the remote control 34.
[27] The method of inputting characters according to the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 2 in detail below.
[28] A user inputs characters in the short message input window of the screen provided by the user interface by manipulating the remote control 34. In this case, if the input syllable is the syllable first input after a space, the user favorite words corresponding to it are displayed by the return path server 40 in real time. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, when a syllable first input after a space is "sa", the user favorite words "sarang(in English 'LOVE')", "sajin(in English 'PICTURE')" and "sabang(in English 'the four directions')", corresponding to the syllable "sa", are displayed in descending order of numbers of occurrences, that is, usage frequency. The number "1" is assigned
to the user favorite word "sarang", the number "2" is assigned to the user favorite word "sajin" and the number "3" is assigned to the user favorite word "sabang". In this state, when a user presses the numeral key "1" on the remote control 34, "sarang" is selected and input to the short message input window.
[29] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 2, menu-recommended words are displayed along with user favorite words, which are described below.
[30] The return path server 40 parses character information, finally input from the set- top box 31, into words, recognizes them, classifies them based on the first syllables thereof, determines the numbers of occurrences of respective words, and takes and stores words having great numbers of occurrences as the user favorite words of corresponding first syllables, regardless of the user. Such menu-recommended words are information collectively managed, rather than individually managed for each user, so that the menu-recommended words are provided to all users in the same priority order.
[31] Furthermore, the return path server 40 receives characters, which are input through the user interface UI in real time, from the set- top box 31 through the return path in real time, searches for menu-recommended words and user favorite words, which correspond to an input first syllable, transmits the found menu-recommended words and the found user favorite words to the set-top box 31 through the return path in real time. The set-top box provides the menu-recommended words and the user favorite words to a corresponding user through the user interface UI in real time.
[32] In this state, the corresponding user visually checks the menu-recommended words and the user favorite words, which are provided in real time, through the screen provided by the user interface UI and then selects any one of the menu-recommended words or any one of the user favorite words by manipulating the remote control 34. Numerals are entirely assigned to the menu-recommended words or the user favorite words and displayed as illustrated in FIG. 2, so that it is possible to select the menu- recommended words or the user favorite words merely by selecting, for example, numeral key 1, without individually selecting any one among them. However, when the number of the provided menu-recommended words or the provided user favorite words increases, it is preferred that a menu-recommended word menu item or a user favorite word menu item be selected first, and a menu-recommended word or a user favorite word to which a numeral corresponding to a numeral button is assigned by pressing the numeral button. For example, in this embodiment, the number 1 is assigned to the menu-recommended word of "sarang" of FIG. 2, the number 2 is assigned to the menu-recommended word of "saram(in English 'MAN')" and the number 3 is assigned to the menu-recommended word of "sajin". Although these numbers are identical to those of the user favorite words, the menu-recommended word menu item or the user favorite word menu item has been selected before selection
of any numbers, thus avoiding errors when inputting characters. A separate dedicated key may be added to the remote control 34 in order to select the menu-recommended word menu item or the user favorite word menu item, but the "0" key or any well- known special key may be used to select any one of them.
[33] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is modified and implemented in various manners within a range that does not depart from the accompanying claims.
[34] For example, the menu-recommended words are not necessarily proposed in consideration of the numbers of occurrences. It will be apparent that, if needed, a service provider determine the order of the menu-recommended words and then provide the words. In this case, the return path server 40 stores menu-recommended words for each first syllable at the service provider's discretion, regardless of the user.
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