Description

SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT METHOD OF PERFORMING

SERVICE CHANGE BETWEEN MULTIPLE SERVICES

INCLUDING BROADCAST CHANNEL SERVICES DELIVERED

THROUGH BROADCASTING NETWORK AND CONTENTS

SERVICES DELIVERED THROUGH INTERNET Technical Field

[1] The present invention generally relates to a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through a broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet. More particularly, the present invention relates to a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including a ground- wave broadcast channel service, a satellite broadcast channel service, a cable broadcast channel service, a video on demand (VOD) content service and a game content service. Background Art

[2] Standardization of digital broadcasting is rapidly established. Various technical developments are evolving in a number of areas, e.g., digital signal transmission through a broadcasting network, data multiplexing, video and audio signal processing, digital television display and the like. Compared to analog broadcasting, the digital broadcasting can compress informational data for processing. Further, the digital broadcasting has a high transmission rate and provides superior quality of audio and video, compared to analog broadcasting. Moreover, unlike conventional analog broadcasting, the digital broadcasting is advantageous since it can efficiently utilize frequency due to digital modulation. Therefore, it can broadcast a variety of information through hundreds of channels, which users can access through televisions.

[3] Among others, the digital broadcasting can implement an interactive television by data broadcasting. Using the interactive television, the users can interact with the television, in addition to controlling the channel, volume and video tapes. Thus, the users can perform various operations such as payment, banking, shopping, reservation, games, forum discussion and the like. Moreover, the users can use game content service, VOD content service or the like.

[4] However, conventionally, a plurality of buttons must be pressed and it takes a long time when a service change is performed between the broadcast channel service and content service. For example, it is merely assumed that the user wishes to watch a

specified VOD content while watching a specified satellite broadcast channel. In such a case, by operating an input device such as a remote control and a wireless keyboard, the user moves to a main menu of services and selects a VOD content service from the main menu. Then, the user selects a desired VOD content in a menu of the VOD content service after retrieval to access the desired VOD content. Further, if the user wishes to move to a specified satellite broadcast channel while watching a specified VOD content by using an IP set-top box, the user presses an external input button provided in the input device and selects a satellite broadcast service. Then, the user enters a desired channel number among a plurality of satellite broadcast channels. As described above, the user must perform a complicated button operation and a prolonged time is typically incurred such that the user moves from a VOD content service to a desired satellite broadcast channel.

[5] It is further assumed that the user wishes to move to a satellite broadcast channel number "101" while watching a satellite broadcast channel number "100". The user needs to only enter the channel number "101" through the input buttons in the input device or press an "up" button among channel up and down buttons. However, such a manner of service change is not valid between the broadcast channel services (e.g., between the satellite broadcast channel service and the ground- wave broadcast channel service), between the content services (e.g., between the VOD content service and the game content service) and/or between the broadcast channel service and the content service (e.g., between the satellite broadcast channel service and the VOD content service). The present invention has been conceived to increase the efficiency in using the services, particularly for aged people who are not skillful at operating the keys, by applying such a manner of service change. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through a broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet. More particularly, the present invention provides a method of performing a service change between the broadcast channel services, between the content services or between the broadcast channel service and the content service by simply entering a channel number. Technical Solution

[7] According to the present invention, a mapping table is recorded in a memory of a set-top box. The mapping table includes broadcast channel services and content services. Further, serial numbers for discrimination are assigned to the broadcast

channel services and the content services. The user can move to a desired service by simply inputting its channel number through an input device such as a remote control and a wireless keyboard.

[8] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method including: assigning serial numbers to multiple services including broadcast channel services and content services; recording a mapping table for maintaining and managing serial numbers assigned to multiple services in a memory of a set-top box; and when a specified channel number is received from an input device by a user, referring to the mapping table for a serial number corresponding to the received channel number and moving to a service having the serial number. The broadcast channel services includes at least one of a ground- wave broadcast channel service, a satellite broadcast channel service and a cable broadcast channel service. Further, the content services include at least one of a VOD content service and a game content service.

[9] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through a broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet. Such a method comprises the following steps: A) at a mapping table management head-end, (a-1) assigning serial numbers to multiple services including broadcast channel services and content services and creating a mapping table showing a relation between the multiple services and the serial numbers; (a-2) providing the mapping table to each of plural set- top boxes through a network; B) at each home set-top box, (b-1) recording the provided mapping table in a memory; (b-2) when a specified channel number is received from an input device by a user, searching a service having a serial number corresponding to the received channel number from the mapping table; and (b-3) moving to a service having a serial number corresponding to the received channel number.

Advantageous Effects

[10] According to the present invention, there is provided a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through a broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet. Specifically, the service change can be performed between the broadcast channel services, between the content services, or between the broadcast channel service and the content service by simply inputting a channel number. According to the conventional method, when the user wishes to move to a specified satellite broadcast channel while watching a specified VOD content by using an IP set- top box, the user presses an external input button provided in the input device and selects a satellite broadcast service. Then, the user enters a desired channel number

among a plurality of satellite broadcast channels. However, according to the present invention, such an operation is not necessary and the user can move from a VOD content service to a specified satellite broadcast channel or from a satellite broadcast channel to a VOD content service by simply entering a channel number. Further, according to a conventional method, the user can move from a broadcast channel service to a specified VOD content service by: moving to a main menu of services; selecting a VOD content service from the main menu; searching a desired VOD content from a menu of the VOD content service; and selecting the desired VOD content. However, according to the present invention, it is possible to move from a broadcast channel service to a content service by simply entering the channel number (or entering the channel number and then pressing an OK button). Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through a broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[12] Figure 2 is a block diagram for embodying the simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through the broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[13] Figure 3 shows an example of a mapping table used in the simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through the broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[14] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through a broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[15] Figure 5 shows an example of a user interface, which is provided to the user when the user wishes to move to a content service in the service change by using the method of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[16] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through a broadcasting network and content services

delivered through the internet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram for embodying the simple and efficient method of performing a service change between broadcast channel services delivered through the broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[17] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a mapping table management head-end 1 assigns serial numbers to multiple services including broadcast channel services and content services, and creates a mapping table 10 showing the relation between the multiple services and the serial numbers (step SlOO). Preferably, when the serial numbers are assigned to the respective services, a discriminator for discriminating the services is given to the first one or two numerals of each serial number. Specifically, for discrimination: a serial number "lxxx" ("1" stands for the ground- wave broadcast channel service) is given to the ground-wave broadcast channel service; a serial number "2xxx" ("2" stands for the satellite broadcast channel service) is given to the satellite broadcast channel service; a serial number "3xxx" ("3" stands for the cable broadcast channel service) is given to the cable broadcast channel service; a serial number "4xxx" ("4" stands for the VOD content service) is given to the VOD content service; and a serial number "5xxx" ("5" stands for the game content service) is given to the game content service.

[18] A broadcast information server 3 includes at least one of a ground- wave broadcast information server 301, a satellite broadcast information server 302 and a cable broadcast information server 303. The broadcast information server 3 provides the broadcast channel service. Herein, the "broadcast channel service" designates a service, which provides a variety of programs or information divided into channel units through various networks (e.g., ground-wave broadcast network, satellite broadcast network and cable broadcast network). A content server 4 includes at least one of a VOD content server 401 and a game content server 402. The content server 4 provides content service. Herein, the "content service" designates a service, which provides contents such as VOD and games through the internet. The ground- wave broadcast channel service, the satellite broadcast channel service, the cable broadcast channel service, the VOD content service and the game content service are provided by the broadcast information server 3 and the content server 4. The mapping table management head-end 1 acquires information regarding multiple services provided from the broadcast information server 3 and the content server 4, and assigns the serial numbers for discrimination to the respective services. The mapping table management head-end 1 may be configured independently or may be included in the broadcast information server 3 or the content server 4.

[19] Figure 3 shows an example of a mapping table used in the simple and efficient

method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through the broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the mapping table 10 shows the serial numbers 12 corresponding to the service names 11, respectively. According to the present invention, the serial number " 1011" is given to the ground- wave broadcast service instead of a previous channel number " 11". The serial number "2124" is given to the satellite broadcast service instead of a previous channel number "124". The serial number "3135" is given to the cable broadcast service instead of a previous channel number "135". Further, the serial numbers for discrimination are assigned to the respective VOD contents. For example, the serial numbers "4102" and "5008" are given to a VOD content "Friends" and a game content "StarCraft". Specifically, in case that the user wishes to watch the VOD content "Friends" while watching the satellite broadcast channel number "124", the user can move to the VOD content immediately by inputting the serial number "4102" through the input device 6. In the same way, in case that the user wishes to watch the satellite broadcast service having the previous channel number " 124" while watching the VOD content "Friends", the user can move to the satellite broadcast service immediately by inputting the serial number "2124" through the input device 6. The conventional method is generally as follows: moving to a main menu of services; selecting a VOD content service from the main menu; searching a desired VOD content from a menu of the VOD content service; and selecting the desired VOD content. However, unlike the conventional method, in the method of the present invention, it is possible to move from the broadcast channel service to the content service or from the content service to the broadcast channel service by simply entering the channel number.

[20] The mapping table 10 is provided to a set- top box 2 through the network 5 (herein, the network includes a broadcasting network and the internet network) (step S200). For simplicity, although only one set- top box is shown in Figure 2, the mapping table 10 is provided to each of plural set- top boxes coupled to the network 5. The set- top box 2 at each home includes: a data receiving unit 201 for receiving data transmitted through the network 5; a tuning unit 202 for tuning desired data; a data processing and controlling unit 203 for processing and controlling data; a memory 204 for recording data including the mapping table 10; and an input signal receiving unit 205 for receiving an input signal from the user. Further, the set-top box 2 may include a storage 206 for storing the desired data.

[21] The set- top box 2 at each home stores the mapping table 10 provided from the mapping table management head-end 1 in the memory 204 (step S300). The mapping table 10 is generally transmitted in the form of transport stream, while the packet iden-

tification information "PID" is inserted into a head of the transport stream.

[22] When the user wishes to move from a specified service to another service, the user simply inputs the serial number assigned to the service through the input device 6 (step S400). For example, it is assumed that the user wishes to watch a cable broadcast channel number " 135" while watching a ground- wave broadcast channel number "11". In such a case, the user only needs to input the serial number "3135". Therefore, the user can move to a desired service by simply inputting the serial number of the service through the input device 6 in any case, for example, service change between the broadcast channel services, between the content services or between the broadcast channel service and the content service.

[23] When the specified channel number is received from the input device 6 by the user

(step S400), the set-top box 2, in response, searches a service having a serial number corresponding to the received channel number from the mapping table 10 (step S500). Specifically, the user's input signal is received to the input signal receiving unit 205 and then transmitted to the data processing and controlling unit 203. The data processing and controlling unit 203 of the set-top box 2 searches a service having a serial number corresponding to the user's input signal (or channel number) from the mapping table 10 stored in the memory 204.

[24] After searching the service having the serial number corresponding to the channel number inputted by the user, the set-top box 2 performs moving to the service by tuning data regarding the service (step S600). Specifically, after the data processing and controlling unit 203 of the set-top box 2 searches a service having a serial number corresponding to the user's input signal (or channel number), the data processing and controlling unit 203 transmits a control signal for changing the services to the tuning unit 202. Then, the tuning unit 202 tunes the data regarding the service (step S600). For example, it is assumed that the user inputs the serial number "3135" through the input device 6 while watching a ground- wave broadcast channel number " 11". The user's input signal (i.e., a desired channel number) "3135" is received to the input signal receiving unit 205 of the set-top box 2 and then transmitted to the data processing and controlling unit 203. The data processing and controlling unit 203 searches a service having the serial number corresponding to the user's input signal (or channel number) "3135" from the mapping table 10 stored in the memory 204. In the mapping table shown in Figure 2, the serial number "3135" is assigned to a cable broadcast channel "315". Thus, the data processing and controlling unit 203 can confirm that the user's input signal "3135" matches the cable broadcast channel "135". Thereafter, the data processing and controlling unit 203 transmits the control signal for moving to the cable broadcast channel "315" to the tuning unit 202, and the tuning unit 202 selectively tunes the data regarding the cable broadcast channel "315" among a

variety of data transmitted through the network 5. As described above, the user can move to a desired service by simply inputting the serial number of the service through the input device 6 in any case, for example, service change between the broadcast channel services, between the content services or between the broadcast channel service and the content service.

[25] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a simple and efficient method of performing a service change between multiple services including broadcast channel services delivered through a broadcasting network and content services delivered through the internet in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Since the steps SlOO to S600 in Figure 4 are identical to those steps shown in Figure 1, the descriptions of the steps SlOO to S600 are omitted herein. The method in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a step of checking whether a service having a serial number corresponding to the received channel number is related to the content service or the broadcast channel service (step S700). Specifically, the user's input signal is received to the input signal receiving unit 205 and then transmitted to the data processing and controlling unit 203. The data processing and controlling unit 203 of the set-top box 2 searches a service having a serial number corresponding to the user's input signal (or channel number) from the mapping table 10 stored in the memory 204 (step S500). Then, the data processing and controlling unit 203 checks whether the service is related to the content service or the broadcast channel service (step S700). When the user's input signal (i.e., a desired channel number) is related to the broadcast channel service, the steps identical to those of the method shown in Figure 1 are performed.

[26] In contrast, when the user's input signal (i.e., a desired channel number) is related to the content service, detailed information of the content is displayed on the user's screen (step S800) before directly moving to the content service. For example, detailed information of the content includes title, running time, cast, director and sampling and/or a combination of at least two thereof. The detailed information of the content may be transmitted independently or along with the mapping table 10. The user can select the content with reliability by providing the detailed information of the content before directly moving to the content service. If necessary, the detailed information of the content can be provided together with the detailed information of neighboring contents. Figure 5 shows an example of a user interface, which is displayed on the user's screen, after the user inputs the serial number "4102" assigned to the content service "Friends". There are provided the detailed information of the content service "Friends" having the serial number "4102" (displayed while being highlighted) 20 together with the detailed information of content service having neighboring serial numbers. After moving to a desired content by using a channel up/down button, the user selects a selection menu

bar 30 or clicks an OK button (step S900) to watch the content.

[27] Specially, the method of the present invention can be applied to conduct a service change between Internet Protocol (IP) set- top boxes. It is sufficient that the IP set- top box can acquire the contents by IP connection and receive the broadcast channels via a broadcast signal reception module. It is sufficient that the broadcast signal is for receiving at least one of the ground- wave, satellite and cable broadcast channels.