U.S. patent application number 10/733579 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for broadcast program information search system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kim, Kyung-Ah.
Application Number | 20040123319 10/733579 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32588785 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040123319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Kyung-Ah |
June 24, 2004 |
Broadcast program information search system and method
Abstract
A content program information search system and method is
described. The system comprises a digital signal receiver for
detecting and displaying a content signal and/or detailed content
information for one or more search terms from a digital signal
transmitted from a transmitter; and a server having a database for
storing search terms inputted from external devices, the inputted
search terms being stored by order of priority based for example on
search frequency, such that the server extracts and transmits to
the transmitter search terms from the first database, and the
digital signal receiver displays according to the order of priority
at least one search term transmitted from the transmitter. The
viewer thus has search terms of high search frequency to enable the
viewer to rapidly and easily search for information on a desired
content program.
Inventors: |
Kim, Kyung-Ah; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
32588785 |
Appl. No.: |
10/733579 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/53 ;
348/E5.105; 348/E7.063; 725/37; 725/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/42212 20130101;
H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 21/232 20130101; H04N 7/165 20130101;
H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/4828 20130101; H04N 21/84
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/053 ;
725/039; 725/037 |
International
Class: |
G06F 013/00; H04N
005/445; G06F 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 13, 2002 |
KR |
2002-79619 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A content program information search system comprising: a server
logically connected to a first database configured to store a
plurality of search terms inputted from external devices; and a
digital signal receiver configured to detect and to display for a
selected search term of the plurality of search terms at least one
of a content signal and detailed content information from a digital
signal transmitted from a transmitter, wherein said server is
configured to extract from the first database based on an order of
priority based on search frequency and to transmit to the
transmitter at least one transmission search term of the plurality
of search terms, and said digital signal receiver is configured to
display in the order of priority the at least one transmission
search term transmitted from the transmitter.
2. The content program information search system as claimed in
claim 1, further comprising an internet service provider configured
to provide a path to transmit the selected search term of the
plurality of search terms from an external device of the external
devices to the first database, the external device being at least
one digital signal receiver connected to said internet service
provider.
3. The content program information search system as claimed in
claim 1, wherein said digital signal receiver includes: a detector
configured to detect the at least one transmission search term of
the plurality of search terms from the digital signal; a list
generator configured to generate a search term list by arrangement
of the detected transmission search term based on the order of
priority; a controller configured to control display of the
generated search term list if a user request for a search is
inputted, and, if the selected search term is selected from the
displayed search term list, to control the display of the detailed
content information for the selected search term; a graphic engine
configured to provide in a displayable form the search term list
and the detailed content information for the selected search term
according to control of said controller; a display unit configured
to display at least one of the search term list and the detailed
content information provided by said graphic engine; and a
communication interface configured to transmit the selected search
term to the first database.
4. The content program information search system as claimed in
claim 3, wherein said server further comprises a second database
configured to store content program guide information including the
detailed content information, the server configured to transmit to
the transmitter the broadcast program guide information and the at
least one transmission search term of the plurality of search terms
according to the order of priority.
5. The content program information search system as claimed in
claim 4, wherein said detector is configured to detect the content
program guide information from the digital signal, and said digital
signal receiver further includes: a proper noun extractor
configured to extract at least one proper noun from the detected
content program guide information; and a proper noun storage
configured to store the extracted proper noun, and, if the user
request for the search in at least one of a noun search mode based
on a proper noun, a text search mode based on text input, and a
category search mode based on a category is received, the
controller controls searching for a desired content program from
the content program guide information according to the search mode
requested.
6. The content program information search system as claimed in
claim 5, wherein said digital signal receiver further includes: an
information storage configured to store the detected content
program guide information; and a search term storage configured to
store the at least one transmission search term according to the
order of priority.
7. The content program information search system as claimed in
claim 1, further comprising an internet service provider providing
a path for transmitting the selected search terms of the plurality
of search terms transmitted from the external devices to the first
database, wherein at least one external device of the external
devices is a terminal configured to input and to output data and is
configured to be connected to said internet service provider.
8. A content program information search system, comprising: a
server logically connected with a database configured to store a
plurality of search terms transmitted from a digital signal
receiver, said server configured to extract at least one
transmission search term of the plurality of search terms according
to an order of priority based on search frequency from the database
and to transmit the at least one transmission search term; the at
least one digital signal receiver configured to detect and to
display from a digital signal transmitted from the transmitter
detailed content information for a selected search term of the
plurality of search terms, and to transmit the at least one
selected search term to an internet service provider; and the
internet service provider configured to transmit to the database
the selected search term transmitted from the at least one digital
signal receiver, and to provide a path for transmitting to the at
least one digital signal receiver the at least one transmission
search term, wherein the at least one digital signal receiver is
configured to display in a set arrangement pattern the at least one
transmission search term in the order of priority transmitted from
the server.
9. The content program information search system as claimed in
claim 8, wherein the digital signal receiver includes: a
communication interface configured to receive the at least one
transmission transmitted from the server, and to transmit the
selected search term to the database; a list generator configured
to generate a search term list by arranging the at least one
transmission search term received by said communication interface
in the arrangement pattern based on the order of priority; a
controller configured to control the generated search term list to
be displayed, if a user request for a search for content programs
is received, and, if the selected search term is selected from the
displayed search term list, to control display of the detailed
content information for the selected search term; a graphic engine
configured to provide the search term list and the detailed content
information for the selected search term in a displayable form
according to control of the controller; and a display unit
configured to display at least one of the search term list and the
detailed content information provided by the graphic engine.
10. The content program information search system as claimed in
claim 8, wherein the digital signal receiver is an
internet-accessible web television receiver.
11. An information search method for a system including a digital
signal receiver connected through an internet network to a server
for providing content program guide information, said method
comprising: detecting for a selected search term detailed content
information from a digital signal transmitted from a transmitter to
the digital signal receiver, and transmitting the selected search
term to the server through the internet network; storing the
selected search term in a database logically connected to the
server; and extracting at least one transmission search term
according to an order of priority based on search frequency from
the database and transmitting to the transmitter the at least one
transmission search term and the content program guide information,
the selected search term being a search term one of inputted and
selected through a search mode view set in the digital signal
receiver to search for the content program guide information.
12. The information search method as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the detecting the detailed content information for the selected
search term includes: detecting the at least one transmission
search term from the digital signal; generating a search term list
by arranging the detected transmission search term in an
arrangement pattern based on the order of priority; displaying, if
a search for a content program is requested, the generated search
term list based on the search frequency and providing a search
mode; displaying, if the selected search term is selected from the
displayed search term list, the detailed content information for
the selected search term; and transmitting the selected search term
to the server via the internet network.
13. The information search method as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising at least one terminal communicatably connected to the
internet network and capable of inputting and outputting data, the
selected search term searched from the terminal being transmitted
to and stored in the server.
14. The information search method as claimed in claim 11, wherein
the search mode is at least one of a search mode based on search
frequency, a search mode based on a proper noun extracted from the
content program guide information, a search mode based on an input
text, and a search mode based on a program content category.
15. A content program information search system comprising: a first
database configured to store a plurality of search terms, a search
term of the plurality of search terms being forwarded to said first
database after a search is performed based on the forwarded search
term; and a server configured to extract based on an order of
priority a transmission search term of the plurality of search
terms from said first database, and to transmit the transmission
search term via at least one of a wireless transmitter and a
network transmission device to a digital signal receiver, wherein
the search is for at least one of a content program signal and a
detailed content information detected by the digital signal
receiver.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the order of priority is based
on a search frequency for the forwarded search term.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the search includes a list mode
in which a list of transmission search terms is displayed by the
digital signal receiver according to the order of priority, and a
selection mode, in which the forwarded search term of the list of
search terms is selected.
18. The system of claim 15, further comprising a second database
logically connected to said server and configured to store the
detailed content information, wherein said server extracts the
detailed content information from said second data base and
transmits the detailed content information to the digital signal
receiver.
19. A content program information receiving search system
comprising: a controller configured to generate a list of search
terms according to an order of priority based on at least one
transmission search term received, to provide a selected search
term from the list of search terms to a digital signal receiver,
and to forward to a server the selected search term; and said
digital signal receiver configured to detect and to display for the
selected search term at least one of a content signal and detailed
content information from a digital signal transmitted from a
transmitter, the at least one transmission search term being one of
received in the digital signal and received from the server via a
digital network.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the order of priority is based
on a search frequency of the selected search term.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein said controller transmits the
selected search term to the server via the digital network.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
No. 2002-79619, filed Dec. 13, 2002, in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a broadcast program
information search system and a method thereof, and more
particularly, to a broadcast program information search system and
a method displaying search terms (or keywords) of high search
frequency out of detailed information on receiving broadcast
programs so that a user can easily search for broadcast programs he
or she wants.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A digital broadcast system generally provides multiple
channels, that is, lots of broadcast programs compared to an analog
broadcast system. The electronic program guide (EPG) is a service
that has been proposed to allow a user to select easily broadcast
programs that the user wishes from such multiple channels.
[0006] The EPG service is a service providing detailed information
on broadcast programs through unoccupied frequency bands or
channels transmitting certain broadcast signals. The EPG service
provides EPG information such as a broadcast program schedule on
the screen of a digital TV receiver, and, if a broadcast program
title is chosen, enables a user to have diverse detailed
information such as a channel number for a broadcast program,
broadcast times, a synopsis, and so on.
[0007] Such EPG information is stored in a digital TV receiver, and
the digital TV receiver provides a convenient function enabling a
user to search for detailed information on broadcast programs by
using the stored EPG information. The currently proposed modes
include a search mode by text input and a search mode by category
selection.
[0008] FIGS. 1A to 1C are exemplary views shown to explain a
conventional method for searching for information on broadcast
programs.
[0009] The search mode by text input is a mode that displays a
keyboard view as shown in FIG. 1A on a display device such as a
digital TV receiver by using a remote controller or a wireless
keyboard capable of communicating with the digital TV receiver,
allows search terms to be typed in, has a search key control,
searches for information on a broadcast program corresponding to
the typed-in search terms out of stored EPG information, and
displays a search result window as shown in FIG. 1C.
[0010] In addition, the search mode by category selection is a mode
that classifies and displays broadcast programs on a display device
by category as shown in FIG. 1B, has a certain category (for
example, sports) and any one of its submenu (for example, soccer,
golf, baseball, and so on) chosen in order, and allows searching
for a broadcast program corresponding to the selected submenu item,
and displays a search result window as shown in FIG. 1C.
[0011] However, the conventional search method as shown in FIG. 1A
requires much time for a user who is not familiar with the use of
keyboard or when a user types in search terms by using a remote
controller. Further, it has a problem in that a user types in
certain search terms and repeats a search process for the typed-in
search terms when the user does not know or does not decide search
terms for a broadcast program he or she wants to watch.
[0012] Further, the conventional search method as shown in FIG. 1B
has a problem in that, if a user does not know or does not decide
in advance a category for a broadcast program he or she wishes to
watch, it has the user select a certain category and repeat a
process for searching the submenu of the selected category until a
desired broadcast program is searched for.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a broadcast program information search system and method
providing a viewer with search terms of high search frequency to
enable the viewer to rapidly and easily search for information on a
broadcast program he or she wishes.
[0014] In order to achieve the foregoing and other aims of the
invention, a broadcast or other content program information search
system according to the present invention comprises a server
logically connected to a first database configured to store a
plurality of search terms inputted from external devices; and a
digital signal receiver configured to detect and to display for a
selected search term of the plurality of search terms at least one
of a content signal and detailed content information from a digital
signal transmitted from a transmitter, wherein said server is
configured to extract from the first database based on an order of
priority based on search frequency and to transmit to the
transmitter at least one transmission search term of the plurality
of search terms, and said digital signal receiver is configured to
display in the order of priority the at least one transmission
search term transmitted from the transmitter.
[0015] More particularly, the content program information search
system may further comprise an internet service provider configured
to provide a path to transmit the selected search term of the
plurality of search terms from an external device of the external
devices to the first database, the external device being at least
one digital signal receiver connected to said internet service
provider.
[0016] Further, in the content program information search system
the digital signal receiver may include: a detector configured to
detect the at least one transmission search term of the plurality
of search terms from the digital signal; a list generator
configured to generate a search term list by arrangement of the
detected transmission search term based on the order of priority; a
controller configured to control display of the generated search
term list if a user request for a search is inputted, and, if the
selected search term is selected from the displayed search term
list, to control the display of the detailed content information
for the selected search term; a graphic engine configured to
provide in a displayable form the search term list and the detailed
content information for the selected search term according to
control of said controller; a display unit configured to display at
least one of the search term list and the detailed content
information provided by said graphic engine; and a communication
interface configured to transmit the selected search term to the
first database.
[0017] Also, the content program information search system further
comprises a second database configured to store content program
guide information including the detailed content information, the
server configured to transmit to the transmitter the broadcast
program guide information and the at least one transmission search
term of the plurality of search terms according to the order of
priority.
[0018] Further, the content program information search system is
configured to detect the content program guide information from the
digital signal, and said digital signal receiver further includes:
a proper noun extractor configured to extract at least one proper
noun from the detected content program guide information; and a
proper noun storage configured to store the extracted proper noun,
and, if the user request for the search in at least one of a noun
search mode based on a proper noun, a text search mode based on
text input, and a category search mode based on a category is
received, the controller controls searching for a desired content
program from the content program guide information according to the
search mode requested.
[0019] Further, in the content program information search system
said digital signal receiver may further include: an information
storage configured to store the detected content program guide
information; and a search term storage configured to store the at
least one transmission search term according to the order of
priority.
[0020] Further, the content program information search system
further may comprise an internet service provider providing a path
for transmitting the selected search terms of the plurality of
search terms transmitted from the external devices to the first
database, wherein at least one external device of the external
devices is a terminal configured to input and to output data and is
configured to be connected to said internet service provider.
[0021] Also provided is a content program information search system
comprising a server logically connected with a database configured
to store a plurality of search terms transmitted from a digital
signal receiver, said server configured to extract at least one
transmission search term of the plurality of search terms according
to an order of priority based on search frequency from the database
and to transmit the at least one transmission search term; the at
least one digital signal receiver configured to detect and to
display from a digital signal transmitted from the transmitter
detailed content information for a selected search term of the
plurality of search terms, and to transmit the at least one
selected search term to an internet service provider; and the
internet service provider configured to transmit to the database
the selected search term transmitted from the at least one digital
signal receiver, and to provide a path for transmitting to the at
least one digital signal receiver the at least one transmission
search term, wherein the at least one digital signal receiver is
configured to display in a set arrangement pattern the at least one
transmission search term in the order of priority transmitted from
the server.
[0022] Further, in the content program information search system
the digital signal receiver may include: a communication interface
configured to receive the at least one transmission transmitted
from the server, and to transmit the selected search term to the
database; a list generator configured to generate a search term
list by arranging the at least one transmission search term
received by said communication interface in the arrangement pattern
based on the order of priority; a controller configured to control
the generated search term list to be displayed, if a user request
for a search for content programs is received, and, if the selected
search term is selected from the displayed search term list, to
control display of the detailed content information for the
selected search term; a graphic engine configured to provide the
search term list and the detailed content information for the
selected search term in a displayable form according to control of
the controller; and a display unit configured to display at least
one of the search term list and the detailed content information
provided by the graphic engine.
[0023] Further, in the content program information search system
the digital signal receiver may be an internet-accessible web
television receiver.
[0024] An information search method is also disclosed for a system
including a digital signal receiver connected through an internet
network to a server for providing content program guide
information, said method comprising: detecting for a selected
search term detailed content information from a digital signal
transmitted from a transmitter to the digital signal receiver, and
transmitting the selected search term to the server through the
internet network; storing the selected search term in a database
logically connected to the server; and extracting at least one
transmission search term according to an order of priority based on
search frequency from the database and transmitting to the
transmitter the at least one transmission search term and the
content program guide information, the selected search term being a
search term one of inputted and selected through a search mode view
set in the digital signal receiver to search for the content
program guide information.
[0025] In the information search method the detecting the detailed
content information for the selected search term may include:
detecting the at least one transmission search term from the
digital signal; generating a search term list by arranging the
detected transmission search term in an arrangement pattern based
on the order of priority; displaying, if a search for a content
program is requested, the generated search term list based on the
search frequency and providing a search mode; displaying, if the
selected search term is selected from the displayed search term
list, the detailed content information for the selected search
term; and transmitting the selected search term to the server via
the internet network.
[0026] The information search method as claimed may further
comprise: at least one terminal communicatably connected to the
internet network and capable of inputting and outputting data, the
selected search term searched from the terminal being transmitted
to and stored in the server.
[0027] Further, in the information search method, the search mode
may be at least one of a search mode based on search frequency, a
search mode based on a proper noun extracted from the content
program guide information, a search mode based on an input text,
and a search mode based on a program content category.
[0028] Also disclosed is a content program information search
system comprising: a first database configured to store a plurality
of search terms, a search term of the plurality of search terms
being forwarded to said first database after a search is performed
based on the forwarded search term; and a server configured to
extract based on an order of priority a transmission search term of
the plurality of search terms from said first database, and to
transmit the transmission search term via at least one of a
wireless transmitter and a network transmission device to a digital
signal receiver, wherein the search is for at least one of a
content program signal and a detailed content information detected
by the digital signal receiver.
[0029] Further, in this system the order of priority may be based
on a search frequency for the forwarded search term.
[0030] Further, in this system the search includes a list mode in
which a list of transmission search terms is displayed by the
digital signal receiver according to the order of priority, and a
selection mode, in which the forwarded search term of the list of
search terms is selected.
[0031] Further, this system may further comprise a second database
logically connected to said server and configured to store the
detailed content information, wherein said server extracts the
detailed content information from said second data base and
transmits the detailed content information to the digital signal
receiver.
[0032] Also disclosed is a content program information receiving
search system comprising: a controller configured to generate a
list of search terms according to an order of priority based on at
least one transmission search term received, to provide a selected
search term from the list of search terms to a digital signal
receiver, and to forward to a server the selected search term; and
said digital signal receiver configured to detect and to display
for the selected search term at least one of a content signal and
detailed content information from a digital signal transmitted from
a transmitter, the at least one transmission search term being one
of received in the digital signal and received from the server via
a digital network.
[0033] Further, in this system the order of priority may be based
on a search frequency of the selected search term.
[0034] Further, in this system the controller may transmits the
selected search term to the server via the digital network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The invention will be described in detail with reference to
the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements, and wherein:
[0036] FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C are exemplary views shown to explain a
conventional method for searching for information on broadcast
programs;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a view for schematically showing a broadcast
program information search system according to a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for showing a digital signal
receiver of FIG. 2 according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are views for showing search mode views
according to FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 4C is a view for showing a search result view for a
search term selected in a certain search mode;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a view for schematically showing a broadcast
program information search system according to a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a view for schematically showing a broadcast
program information search system according to a third preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0043] FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining an information search
method for a broadcast program information search system shown in
FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a view for schematically showing a broadcast
program information search system according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] In FIG. 2, a digital signal receiver 200 is connected to a
server 300 by an internet service provider 400, and receives a
digital signal from a transmitter 100.
[0047] The transmitter 100 transmits a digital signal through
ground wave broadcasts, cable broadcasts, satellite broadcasts, and
so on. A digital signal includes a digital broadcast signal and
broadcast program guide information on the digital broadcast
signal.
[0048] In case a digital broadcast signal is a ground wave
broadcast signal, the broadcast program guide information may be
transmitted in the same frequency as the digital broadcast signal.
In case the digital broadcast signal is a cable broadcast signal or
a satellite broadcast signal, the broadcast program guide
information may be transmitted in a different frequency from the
digital broadcast signal. Other types of broadcast systems, such as
webcasting, content delivery to multiple users over a network, and
other systems for which the present invention is suitable are also
contemplated and are well within the spirit of the present
invention.
[0049] Further, if the digital signal receiver 200 is a ground wave
signal receiver, the broadcast program guide information
corresponds to EPG information. Hereinafter, an illustrative
example of the present invention will be described using a digital
broadcast signal of the ground wave broadcast.
[0050] The digital signal receiver 200 processes a signal such as
infrared received from an external input device (not shown), which
is a set-top box or a digital television receiver displaying on a
display unit (not shown) a digital broadcast signal for a channel
tuned through a tuner (not shown) from plural digital signals
transmitted from the transmitter 100 and/or broadcast program guide
information related to the tuned channel.
[0051] The broadcast program guide information consists of detailed
broadcast information for digital broadcast signals, that is, for
individual broadcast programs, such as EPG information for example.
Further, the external input device (not shown) may be a remote
controller transmitting wireless signals such as infrared signals
as well as other input devices such as wire and/or wireless
keyboards.
[0052] A server 300 has a first database (hereinafter, referred to
as "DB") 310, a second DB 320, and a server controller 330.
[0053] The first DB 310 stores search terms that are externally
typed in, and, at that time, the search terms are stored by order
of priority based on search frequency. A search term is inputted
and/or selected through a certain EPG search view provided on an
external device in order that a user can conveniently use EPG
services.
[0054] Further, the external devices for typing in or selecting
search terms may be plural digital signal receiver 200, terminals
such as computers capable of inputting and outputting data,
cellular phones, PCS, and so on, for example. Descriptions of a
search term input method from such external devices and
transmissions to the first DB 310 will be made in detail with
reference to FIG. 3 which will be explained below.
[0055] The second DB 320 stores broadcast program guide
information, that is, EPG information, inclusive of diverse and
detailed broadcast information. The EPG information is stored by
channel, but, preferably, detailed information on plural broadcast
programs organized for each channel is stored.
[0056] The server controller 330 controls storing in the first DB
310 by order of priority search terms inputted from an external
device according to search frequency, and controls overall
operations of the server 300. That is, the server controller 330
stores in the first DB 310 in the form of a look-up table search
terms inputted from plural external devices and search frequencies
of the search terms, and, preferably, stores them with reference to
the search frequency. That is, it is preferable to store search
terms in order from the highest to the lowest in search
frequency.
[0057] Further, the server controller 330 extracts at least one of
the search terms according to the order of priority out of plural
search terms stored in the first DB 310 and transmits the search
terms to the transmitter 100 by a certain period. The search term
transmitted is the one with the highest order of priority if only
one search term is transmitted, and if more than one is
transmitted, then the search term with the next highest order of
priority is transmitted until the search term with a pre-determined
order of priority is reached. According to this, the transmitter
100 transmits to the digital signal receiver 200 at least one
search term according to the order of priority, including a
broadcast signal and EPG information.
[0058] The internet service provider (hereinafter, referred to as
"ISP") 400 provides a path for sending to the first DB 310 search
terms transmitted from an external device.
[0059] In order to do so, the plural external devices and the
server 300 are provided with a communication interface (not shown)
which enables communications through Local Area Network (LAN) lines
450 or in the wireless manner.
[0060] A data transmission method through the ISP 400 is a
transmission method using the internet network or base stations,
which can be easily understood by those skilled in the art so that
additional descriptions of the method will be omitted.
[0061] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the digital signal
receiver of FIG. 2 according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the digital signal receiver
200 has an antenna 205, a broadcast signal receiver 210, a detector
215, a broadcast signal processor 220, a search term storage 225, a
list generator 230, a guide information storage 235, an extractor
240, a proper noun storage 245, a graphic engine 250, a command
generator 255, a main storage 260, a controller 265, and a
communication interface 270.
[0063] The broadcast signal receiver 210 selects a digital signal
on a channel pre-set by a user from plural digital signals received
through the antenna 205. The selected digital signal includes at
least one search term with the order of priority in addition to a
digital broadcast signal and EPG information related to the
selected channel. At least one search term in the order of priority
is data transmitted to the antenna 205 through the server 300 and
the transmitter 100.
[0064] The detector 215 detects from the selected digital signal
the EPG information and at least one search term, and outputs a
signal, EPG information and at least one search term in the order
of priority.
[0065] The EPG information is regulated to use and transmit a
specific region of an image signal packet of a digital broadcast
signal, so that the EPG information can be obtained by detecting
and decoding information of the specific region. Further, at least
one search term is carried in the specific region of the image
signal packet for transmission in the same manner as the EPG
information.
[0066] An audio signal of the outputted digital broadcast signal is
inputted to an audio signal processor 221, an image signal to an
image signal processor 223, the EPG information to a guide
information storage 235, and at least one search term according to
the order of priority to the search term storage 225. It is also
possible that the audio and image signals of a broadcast signal are
separated by the broadcast signal receiver 210 and inputted to the
detector 215.
[0067] The broadcast signal processor 220 has the audio signal
processor 221, a speaker 222, the image signal processor 223, and a
display unit 224.
[0068] The audio signal processor 221 is similar to an audio signal
processing circuit provided in existing digital signal receivers
(not shown). In other words, the audio signal processor 221 decodes
a received audio signal and then generates audio data in the analog
form. The generated audio data is externally outputted through the
speaker 222.
[0069] The image signal processor 223 decodes a received image
signal and encodes the decoded image signal for example in the RGB
manner, to thereby generate image data displayable. The generated
image data is displayed through the display unit 224.
[0070] The display unit 224 displays image data generated from the
image signal processor 223 and/or image data for each search mode
generated by the graphic engine 250. The display unit 224 of the
digital signal receiver 200 may be for example a Plasma Display
Panel (PDP), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a rear or front
projection device, a CRT device or some other type of display
capable of conveying visual information.
[0071] Further, the image signal processor 223 superimposes on an
image signal to be currently displayed predetermined view
information such as a search mode view transmitted from the graphic
engine 250 to be later described, and transmits the superimposed
view information to the display unit 224. At this time, the image
signal processor 223 can superimpose the predetermined view
information to take up the full screen of the display unit 224 or
partially take up the screen.
[0072] The search term storage 225 stores at least one search term
according to the order of priority and inputted from the detector
215. At least one search term according to the order of priority
and stored in the search term storage 225 is high in search
frequency, so that a user can easily search for the EPG
information.
[0073] The list generator 230 arranges according to a set
arrangement pattern at least one search term according to the order
of priority and stored in the search term storage 225, and
generates a search term list. A set arrangement pattern may be a
descending order or an ascending order, for example, but it is
preferable to arrange search terms in descending order. The
generated search list is outputted to the graphic engine 250.
[0074] The guide information storage 235 stores the EPG information
detected from the detector 215. The stored EPG information, if
certain search terms are inputted and/or selected in plural search
modes established, provides detailed information on broadcast
programs related to the inputted and/or selected search terms by
controls of the controller 265 to be later described.
[0075] The plural search modes established are provided from a kind
of application program, that is, software, which is developed in
order for a user to search easily for the EPG information. Such
search modes include an existing search mode based on text input as
shown in FIG. 1A, a search mode based on category as shown in FIG.
1B, a search mode based on search terms high in search frequency as
shown in FIG. 4A to be later described, a search mode based on
proper noun as shown in FIG. 4B to be later described, and so
on.
[0076] The extractor 240 detects search terms from EPG information
stored in the guide information storage 235 according to a set
reference. If a reference is set to detect proper nouns as search
terms from the EPG information, the extractor 240 detects all the
proper nouns as search terms from the EPG information. The proper
nouns to be extracted can be program titles, heroes or heroines'
names, and so on, for example.
[0077] The proper noun storage 245 stores search terms such as
proper nouns extracted by the extractor 240. If a view display
request signal is applied for a search mode based on the stored
proper nouns, the proper noun storage 245 outputs the stored proper
nouns to the graphic engine 250 by the controls of the controller
265.
[0078] The graphic engine 250 generates image data in order to
implement on the display unit 224 a search term list generated from
the list generator 230, the EPG information stored in the guide
information storage 235, and plural proper nouns stored in the
proper noun storage 245, and outputs the generated image data to
the image signal processor 223.
[0079] By way of a more detailed description of the foregoing, if a
view display request signal is applied in a search mode based on
search terms high in the order of priority selected from several
search modes, the graphic engine 250 inputs a search term list
generated by the control of the controller 265 and generates image
data displayable. The generated image data is implemented into a
search mode view shown in FIG. 4A on the display unit 224.
[0080] Likewise, if a view display request signal is applied for a
search mode based on proper nouns, a search mode based on text
inputs, or a search mode based on categories, the graphic engine
250 inputs respective data and generates image data for the
respective data, and the generated image data is implemented into
search mode views shown in FIG. 4B, FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1B,
respectively, on the display unit 224.
[0081] The command generator 255 is a user interface enabling a
user to select a function the digital signal receiver 200 supports
or to generate a function execution command to the controller 265.
To do this, the command generator 255 is provided for example on a
main body of the digital signal receiver 200 with function keys
(not shown) including plural numerical keys, direction keys, Enter
key, and so on.
[0082] In the present invention, the command generator 255 may have
a selection key 255a or a button (not shown) for applying to the
controller 265 a view display request signal for a predetermined
search mode. Further, if a view display request signal for a
certain search mode is transmitted from an external input device
(not shown) such as a remote controller, it is preferable that a
light-receiving device (not shown) receiving a user manipulation
signal is provided on the main body.
[0083] The main storage 260 stores a control program for
controlling and managing overall operations of the digital signal
receiver 200.
[0084] The controller 265 controls the overall operations of the
digital signal receiver 200 according to a signal applied from the
command generator 255 based on a user's key input and/or selection
and a control program stored in the main storage 260.
[0085] The operations of the controller 265 related to the present
invention will be described in detail as follows. If a view display
request signal for a certain search mode is applied to the
controller 265, the controller 265 controls the graphic engine 250
and the image signal processor 223 to provide an initial search
view as shown in FIG. 4A.
[0086] Further, if the initial search view as shown in FIG. 4A is
provided, a user can select a certain search mode by using
direction keys (not shown) provided by the command generator 255,
and then input and/or select search terms. If certain search terms
are inputted and/or selected, the controller 265 controls the guide
information storage 235 to provide to the graphic engine 250
detailed broadcast information corresponding to the selected search
terms.
[0087] Further, the graphic engine 250 generates image data for the
provided detailed broadcast information, and transmits it to the
image signal processor 223 under the control of the controller 265.
Accordingly, a submenu for the selected search terms or detailed
broadcast information is displayed on a view shown in FIG. 4C.
[0088] Further, the controller 265 controls the communication
interface 270, which will be described below, to transmit the
search terms selected in a certain search mode to the server
300.
[0089] The communication interface 270 in a preferred embodiment
may include digital transfer means such as a universal serial bus
(USB). The digital signal receiver 200 is connected to the server
300 by the communication interface 270, LAN lines 450, and ISP 400.
Accordingly, the search terms inputted and/or selected in a certain
search mode provided by the digital signal receiver 200 are
transmitted to the server 300.
[0090] The search terms transmitted to the server 300 are stored in
the first DB 310 according to search frequency by the control of
the server controller 330, and periodically transmitted to the
transmitter 100, so that the digital signal receiver 200 receives
plural updated search terms high in search frequency.
[0091] FIG. 5 is a view for schematically showing a broadcast
program information search system according to a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0092] In FIG. 5, the digital signal receiver 520 receives a
digital broadcast signal, EPG information, and at least one search
term according to the order of priority from a transmitter 510.
[0093] The server 530 has first and second DB 532 and 534 storing
at least one search term and EPG information, respectively, and a
server controller 536. The server 530 is communicatably connected
to an external network 550 through an ISP 540. The search terms may
be stored in the first database according to the order of priority
and/or may be stored in the first database according to some other
order or scheme and extracted from the first database by the server
according to the order of priority determined by the server. More
specifically, the external network 550 and the server 530 may each
be provided with a communication interface (not shown), and are
communicatably connected by LAN lines 540a or in a wireless manner.
The ISP 540 of FIG. 5 has substantially the same function for
purposes of this discussion as the ISP 400 of FIG. 3, so detailed
description of the ISP 540 will be omitted.
[0094] The external network 550 includes terminals such as
computers shown in FIG. 5 or networks of computers, cellular
phones, PCS, and so on, capable of inputting and outputting data. A
user may input certain search terms in order to search for EPG
information of predetermined broadcast programs by connecting to
the internet through a computer, for example. The search terms
inputted by the user are transmitted to the server 530 through the
ISP 540 and stored in the first DB 532. The search terms are stored
by priority based for example on search frequency by the control of
the server controller 536.
[0095] Further, at least one search term of the plural transmitted
search terms is periodically transmitted to the transmitter 510
according to the order of priority by the control of the server
controller 536, and sent to the digital signal receiver 520
again.
[0096] The operations and functions of the digital signal receiver
520 are similar to those of the digital signal receiver 200 shown
in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Accordingly, detailed description of the
digital signal receiver 520 of FIG. 5 will be omitted. However, the
digital signal receiver 520 of FIG. 5 is not connected to the ISP
540, so it is different from the digital signal receiver 200 shown
in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in that the selected search terms are not
transmitted to the server 530 even though certain search terms are
inputted and/or selected in a certain search mode.
[0097] FIG. 6 is a view for schematically showing a broadcast
program information search system according to a third preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0098] In FIG. 6, a digital signal receiver 620 receives a digital
broadcast signal and EPG information from the transmitter 610, and
receives at least one search term according to the order of
priority from the server 630 through the ISP 640.
[0099] The operations and functions of the digital signal receiver
620 of FIG. 6 are nearly similar to the operations and functions of
the digital signal receiver 200 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, so detailed
description will be omitted. However, the digital signal receiver
620 of FIG. 6 is communicatably connected to a server 630 by LAN
lines 640a and the ISP 640. Further, the digital signal receiver
620 of FIG. 6 is set to carry out a function of an
internet-accessible web TV, which is a known technology so that
detailed description will be omitted.
[0100] The digital signal receiver 620 of FIG. 6 provides a certain
search mode as in the digital signal receiver 200 of FIG. 3, and
search terms inputted through an input window in the provided
search mode or the search terms selected in categories are
transmitted to the server 630 by a communication interface (not
shown) of the digital signal receiver 620.
[0101] Further, the server 630 and the ISP 640 shown in FIG. 6
carry out functions nearly similar to the server 300 and the ISP
400 shown in FIG. 2, so detailed descriptions will be omitted.
[0102] Search terms transmitted from the digital signal receiver
620 through the ISP 640 are stored in the first DB 632 of the
server 630. The search terms stored in the first DB 632 are stored
by order of priority based on search frequency by the control of
the server controller 636. The search terms stored by such a order
of priority are periodically transmitted to the digital signal
receiver 620 through the ISP 640 and the LAN lines 640a by the
control of the server controller 636.
[0103] In the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the digital
signal receiver 620 can carry out the functions of a web TV, so
that it can directly receive EPG information through the ISP 640
from the server 630 managing the EPG information rather than from
the transmitter 610. The EPG information is stored in the second DB
634 of the server 630.
[0104] FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining an information search
method for a broadcast program information search system shown in
FIG. 2.
[0105] Steps S705 to S765 and S785 to S790 in FIG. 7 are executed
in the digital signal receiver 200 by the control of the controller
265 provided in the digital signal receiver 200, steps S770 and
S775 are executed in the server 300 communicatably connected to the
digital signal receiver 200, and a step S780 is executed in the
transmitter 100 transmitting a digital signal.
[0106] With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the flow chart shown in
FIG. 7 is described as follows.
[0107] A control unit 265 of the digital signal receiver 200
controls a broadcast signal receiver such as a tuner 210 to receive
a digital signal on a pre-set channel from digital signals received
through the antenna 205 (S705). The tuned digital signal includes a
digital broadcast or content signal, EPG information, and at least
one search term according to the order of priority.
[0108] If the step S705 is executed, the controller 265 detects EPG
information and at least one search term according to the order of
priority from the tuned digital signal (S710). The method detecting
the EPG information and search terms are the same as described for
the detector 215 of FIG. 3.
[0109] The detected EPG information and at least one search term
according to the order of priority are stored in the guide
information storage 235 and the search term storage 225,
respectively (S715).
[0110] Further, the controller 265 controls the extractor 240 to
extract and store in the proper noun storage 245 only proper nouns
from the EPG information stored in the guide information storage
235 (S720).
[0111] If the selection key 255a of the command generator 255 is
selected and a search mode view display request signal is applied
(S725), the controller 256 controls the graphic engine 250 to
display a search mode view shown in FIG. 4A. The search mode view
of FIG. 4A is a search view with default values given during a
process manufacturing the digital signal receiver 200.
[0112] If a search mode based on search frequency is selected in
the search mode view of FIG. 4A (S730), the controller 265 controls
a list generator 230 to generate a search term list. Further, the
controller 265 controls the graphic engine 250 to produce image
data for generating the search view shown in FIG. 4A. The generated
image data is displayed on the display unit 224 to be superimposed
on an original image in the image signal processor 223 or as it is
(S735).
[0113] If a certain search term of "EPISODE 1" for example is
selected from the search mode displayed in FIG. 4A (S740), the
controller 265 searches for detailed broadcast information based on
the search term, that is, "EPISODE 1", selected from the EPG
information stored in the guide information storage 235.
[0114] The search method can be implemented to search for all the
detailed information on broadcast programs including the selected
search terms from the EPG information. The searched detailed
broadcast information is transmitted to the graphic engine 250,
generated into image data, and displayed in a search result view
shown in FIG. 4C via the image signal processor 223 (S745).
[0115] If a certain broadcast program a user wishes to watch is
selected on the view of FIG. 4C (S750), the controller 223 runs a
routine for providing the selected broadcast program (S755).
However, if a certain broadcast program is not selected in the step
S750, the controller 265 returns to the step S725.
[0116] Further, the controller 256 transmits the search term
selected in the step S740 to the server 300 through the
communication interface 270 (S760). The server controller 300 of
the server 300 stores in the first DB 310 the selected search term
transmitted through the LAN lines 450 and the ISP 400 from the
digital signal receiver 200 (S765). It is preferable to store
search terms by order of priority based on search frequency in the
step S765.
[0117] Further, the server 300 is provided with the second DB 320
for storing EPG information. Accordingly, the server 300
periodically transmits to the transmitter 100 the EPG information
and at least one search term according to the order of priority
(S770).
[0118] The transmitter 100 transmits to the digital signal receiver
200 the EPG information and at least one search term according to
the order of priority, which are transmitted from the server 300,
in addition to a digital broadcast signal (S775).
[0119] In the meantime, if the step S720 is carried out and a view
display request signal for a search mode is not applied from the
command generator 255 (S725), the controller 265 launches a routine
to display broadcast programs that a tuned broadcast signal
provides when the digital signal receiver 200 is powered on
(S780).
[0120] Further, if the step S725 is executed and any of search
modes other than the search mode based on search frequency is
selected on the search mode view of FIG. 4A (S730), the controller
265 controls the graphic engine 250 to display a view for a
selected search mode (S785).
[0121] The search modes other than the search mode based on search
frequency as shown in FIG. 4A include the search mode by text input
as shown in FIG. 1A, the search mode based on categories as shown
in FIG. 1B, the search mode based on proper nouns as shown in FIG.
4B, and so on, as aforementioned.
[0122] If the step S785 is executed, a certain search mode is
selected, and certain search terms are typed in or selected by a
user from the command generator 255 (S790), the controller carries
out the step S745. For example, if the search mode based on text
input is selected in the step S785, a user types in a search term
of "Golf" as shown in FIG. 1A by using the command generator 255.
Accordingly, the controller 265 controls the guide information
storage 235, graphic engine 250, and the image signal processor 223
to display the search result view as shown in FIG. 1C.
[0123] At step S765, the server 300 may receive and process search
terms which are searched in the terminal 500 capable of inputting
and outputting data in addition to the digital signal receiver 200.
That is, search terms received from the terminal 500 are stored in
the first DB 310 and added to previously stored search terms having
a certain search frequency.
[0124] The broadcast program information search system and method
according to the present invention can store in separate databases
search terms selected by a user to search for EPG information as
well as store a search frequency as to selected search terms. The
search terms stored by search frequency are transmitted to a
digital signal receiver and displayed on a search view convenient
to the user, and the user can more easily search for EPG
information by confirming favorite search terms which are
frequently typed in. Further, favorite search terms stored in
separate databases are updated based on search frequency, and the
favorite search terms are periodically transmitted to the digital
signal receiver so that the user can search for EPG information
through the updated search view.
[0125] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to a certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *