E-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting

The following description relates to an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting which combines a channel map for pay TV broadcasts provided over a broadcasting network with a channel map for product broadcasts provided over the Internet to thereby generate an integrated channel map. Using the integrated channel map, a user is able to easily connect to or change a product broadcast provided over the Internet with simple manipulation so as to perform an e-commerce transaction using content platform independent product broadcasting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2012-0146419, filed on Dec. 14, 2012, and 10-2013-0084995, filed on Jul. 18, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by references for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to a broadcasting technology, and, more particularly, to an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting.

2. Description of Related Art

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2010-0084811 (filed on Jul. 28, 2010), titled “IPTV SETTOP BOX, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TWO-WAY SERVICE WITH IPTV BROADCASTING,” introduces a broadcasting technology using a set top box.

In this reference, the number of normal broadcasting channels and a frequency bandwidth of each normal broadcasting channel are limited. In addition, although the number of broadcasting channels on the Internet is almost infinite, it is hard to connect to the Internet using a set top box provided by a pay TV operator.

In order to overcome the drawbacks, the inventor of the present invention started to study an e-commerce technology that has advantages of both pay TV and the Internet, so that a user may change “a product broadcast or other content (hereinafter, referred to as ‘product broadcast’) provided over the Internet or perform an e-commerce transaction by manipulating a remote controller, a touch screen or a keyboard using a set top box of a broadcasting operator or a mobile terminal.

SUMMARY

The following description is designed to provide an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting, the e-commerce system which generates an integrated channel map by combining a channel map of pay TV provided over a broadcasting network with a channel map of product broadcasts provided over the Internet and manage the generated integrated channel map, so that a user may easily connect to or change product broadcast provided over the Internet or perform an e-commerce transaction by manipulating a remote controller, a touch screen or a keyboard.

In one general aspect, an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcast is provided, and the e-commerce system includes a channel map manager configured to executes an integrated channel map management application to generate an integrated channel map that is a combination of a pay TV channel map of pay TV broadcasts provided over a broadcasting network and a product broadcasting channel map of product broadcasts provided over the Internet and to manage the integrated channel map; a channel map storage configured to store the integrated channel map; a channel manager configured to, in response to channel manipulation of a user, select a channel with reference to the integrated channel map stored in the channel map storage; and a broadcasting processor configured to, in response to the channel manager selecting a pay TV channel, play pay TV signals transmitted from the selected pay TV channel and, in response to the channel manager selecting a product broadcasting channel, play product broadcasting signals transmitted from the selected product broadcasting channel.

The channel manager may include a channel number recognizer configured to recognize a channel number in response to the channel manipulation of the user; a channel searcher configured to search the integrated channel map for a channel corresponding to the channel number recognized by the channel number recognizer; and a channel changer configured to cancel connection to a current channel and connect to the channel found by the channel searcher.

The e-commerce system may further include a channel information management server configured to generate the channel map of product broadcasts provided over the Internet, and to provide a user terminal with the generated channel map of product broadcasting and an integrated channel map management application.

The channel information management server may include a product broadcasting channel information collector configured to collect broadcasting channel information from a product broadcasting server providing product broadcasting over the Internet; a channel map generator configured to analyze the collected broadcasting channel information to thereby generate a product broadcasting channel map; an application storage configured to store an integrated channel map management application; and a channel map provider configured to provide the user terminal the product broadcasting channel map generated by the channel map generator and the integrated channel map management application stored in the application storage.

The channel map generator may generate the product broadcasting channel map by searching the collected product broadcasting channel information for a product broadcasting channel and mapping a URL of product broadcasting content, a channel connection menu, a product broadcasting program identification (ID) or a product IP ID to the found product broadcasting channel.

The channel map generator may generate a different product broadcasting channel map for each local area.

The e-commerce system may further include a channel manager configured to, in response to a request for assignment of a product broadcasting channel from the product broadcasting server, assign at least one pay TV channel, a predetermined scheduled time period of a predetermined pay TV channel, or a channel connection menu to the product broadcasting server as a product broadcasting channel; and a pay TV processor configured to provide the user terminal with broadcasting streams of channels other than the assigned product broadcasting channel.

The e-commerce system may further include a product broadcasting channel requestor configured to request that a pay TV server assign a product broadcasting channel and to become assigned with the at least one pay TV channel, the predetermined scheduled time period of a predetermined pay TV channel, or the channel connection menu to the product broadcasting server as a product broadcasting channel; and a product broadcasting processor configured to, if the user terminal selects the product broadcasting channel assigned by the pay TV server through the product broadcasting channel requestor, provide over the Internet product broadcasting content to be broadcasted on the selected product broadcasting channel to the user terminal.

If the at least one pay TV channel is selected by the user terminal as a product broadcasting channel, the product broadcasting processor may connect the user terminal directly to a URL of the product broadcasting content, the URL mapped to the pay TV channel.

If the predetermined scheduled time period of a predetermined pay TV channel is selected by the user terminal as a product broadcasting channel, the product broadcasting processor may provide product broadcasting content corresponding to a product broadcasting program identification (ID) or product ID mapped to the predetermined schedule time period of a predetermined pay TV channel by reading an URL of the product broadcasting content, the URL mapped to the product broadcasting program ID or product ID.

If the channel connection menu is selected by the user terminal as a product broadcasting channel, the product broadcasting processor may provide product broadcasting content mapped to the channel connection menu by reading a URL of the product broadcasting content, the URL mapped to the channel connection menu.

The user terminal may include an e-commerce transaction requestor configured to, in is response to an input from a remote controller, a touch screen or a keyboard while signals of the product broadcasting channel are being played, execute an e-commerce transaction request application regarding to the a product broadcasting on the product broadcasting channels.

The e-commerce system may further include an e-commerce server configured to processing an e-commerce transaction requested through the e-commerce transaction request application and divide profits between product broadcasting channels.

The e-commerce server periodically may collect a view history and product orders of each product broadcasting channel from the user terminal and analyze the collected view history and the collected product orders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating a network of an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting includes a plurality of user terminals100belonging to broadcast subscribers, a channel information management server200, a pay TV server300, a product broadcast server400and an e-commerce server500. Herein, product broadcasting refers to a broadcast that relates to a product for promotion, marketing, advertisement, sales and other purposes.

A user terminal100generates an integrated channel map by combining a channel map of pay TV broadcasts provided from the pay TV server300over a broadcast network (hereinafter, referred to a pay TV channel map) with a channel map of product broadcasts provided from the channel information management server200over the Internet (hereinafter, referred to as a product broadcasting channel map). With reference to the integrated channel map, the user terminal100receives pay TV content from the pay TV server300and product broadcasting content from the product broadcast server400.

Using the integrated channel map, the user terminal100easily connects to and changes a product broadcast provided from the product broadcast server400simply by manipulating a remote controller, a touch screen or a keyboard, as if changing a pay TV channel provided over a broadcast network. In this manner, content platform independent product broadcasting is possible.

The user terminal100may be a set top box for pay TV provider, an Over The Top (OTT) set top box or any devices that belong to user, such as, for example, a smart TV, a Personal Computer (PC), a smart phone and a mobile terminal which is able to connect the Internet and server as a set top box.

The channel information management server200generates a product broadcasting channel map for product broadcasts provided over the Internet, and provides the generated product broadcasting channel map and an integrated channel map management application to the user terminals100of broadcast subscribers.

When generating the product broadcasting channel map, the channel information management server200maps a URL of a product broadcasting content provided by a content platform operator, a channel connection menu, a product broadcasting program identification (ID) or a product ID to the product broadcasting channel map. In this case, if changing the URL of product broadcasting content, the channel connection menu, the product broadcasting program ID or the product ID, a user may easily navigate and enjoy the desired product broadcasting content simply by manipulating a channel, so that an e-commerce transaction is possible using content platform independent product broadcasting.

In response to a request for assignment of a product broadcasting channel from the product broadcast server400, the pay TV server300assigns one or more pay TV channels among the entire pay TV channels, a particular scheduled time period of a predetermined pay TV channel, or a channel connection menu as a product broadcasting channel, and provide broadcast streams of channels other than product broadcasting channels to the user terminal100. Concurrently, the pay TV server300provides a pay TV channel map to the user terminal100.

By requesting that the pay TV server300assigns a product broadcasting channel, the product broadcast server400is assigned with at least one pay TV channel, the particular schedule time period of a pay TV channel, or a channel connection menu as a product broadcasting channel. If the user terminal100selects an assigned product broadcasting channel, the product broadcast server400provides product broadcasting content, scheduled to be broadcasted, to the user terminal100through the selected product broadcasting channel over the Internet.

The e-commerce server500performs e-commerce transaction requested through an e-commerce request application that is executed by the user terminal100, and divides profits between product broadcasting channels.

In the above example, with an integrated channel map that is a combination of a channel map of pay TV broadcasts provided over a broadcast network and a channel map of product broadcasts provided over the Internet, a user may easily connect to and change a product broadcast provided over the Internet simply or perform e-commerce transaction by manipulating a remote controller, a touch screen or a keyboard. In this manner, the user may enjoy e-commerce using content platform independent broadcast.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal of an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcast according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 2, a user terminal100includes a channel map manager110, a channel map storage120, a channel manager130and a broadcasting processor140.

The channel map manager110executes an integrated channel map management application to generate an integrated channel map that is a combination of a pay TV channel map of pay TV broadcasts provided over a broadcasting network and a product broadcasting channel map of product broadcasts provided over the Internet, and to manage the integrated channel map.

The channel map manager110receives a pay TV channel map from the pay TV server300while receiving a product broadcasting channel map and an integrated channel map management application from the channel information management server200. Using the integrated channel map management application, the channel map manager110may generate an integrated channel map by combining the pay TV channel map with the product broadcasting channel map and manage the integrated channel map.

The channel map storage120stores the integrated channel map managed by the channel map manager110. The integrated channel map, which is generated by combining the pay TV channel map with the product broadcasting channel map and stored in the channel map manager110, may be different according to a local area.

For example, the integrated channel map may include channel numbers distinctive for each channel and broadcast-type information. In addition, the pay TV channel may be mapped with a broadcast frequency bands that a tuner receives, while the product broadcasting channel may be mapped with a URL of product broadcasting content provided by a content platform operator, a channel connection menu, an identification (ID) for each product broadcast program, and product IDs.

The URL of product broadcasting content may be a URL of a content server (not shown) managed by a content platform operator. The channel connection menu may be a distinctive identification code assigned to a particular menu able to be selected from user interface software of a user terminal, and the distinctive identification code may be further mapped with a URL of product broadcasting content. The ID for a product broadcast program may be ID used to identify each product broadcast program, and the ID may be further mapped with a URL of product broadcasting content. A product ID may be a distinctive ID of each product, and may be further mapped with a URL of product broadcasting content.

For example, broadcast-type information of ‘001’ may represent a pay TV channel on which a pay TV broadcast is provided to a broadcast subscriber, and broadcast type information of ‘002’ may represent a product broadcasting channel providing a product broadcast.

In response to channel manipulation of a user, the channel manager130selects a channel with reference to an integrated channel map stored in the channel map storage120. For example, the channel manager130may include a channel number recognizer131, a channel searcher132, and a channel changer133.

The channel number recognizer131recognizes a channel number according to channel manipulation of a user. The channel manipulation of a user may occur by the user's manipulation of a remote controller, a touch screen, or a keyboard.

For example, the channel number recognizer131may recognize a channel number from a remote signal. If a user manipulates a remote controller (not shown) to select a channel number, the remote controller may transmit a remote signal to the user terminal100and then the channel number recognizer131may recognize the channel number selected by the user from the remote signal.

The channel searcher132searches the integrated channel map for a channel corresponding to the channel number recognized by the channel number recognizer131. For example, the channel searcher132searches the integrated channel map for a channel corresponding to the channel number recognized by the channel number recognizer131to see whether the found channel is a pay TV channel or a product broadcasting channel based on broadcast type information of the found channel.

The channel changer133cancels connection to the current channel and connects the channel found by the channel searcher132. For example, if the channel found by the channel searcher132is a pay TV channel, the channel changer133may change to the selected channel by requesting that a tuner receives pay TV signals of a broadcast frequency band mapped to the pay TV channel.

As another example, if the channel found by the channel searcher132is a product broadcasting channel (such as at least one pay TV channel, a particular schedule time period of a particular pay TV channel, and a channel connection menu), the channel changer133may change to the selected product broadcasting channel by requesting that a middleware or a web browser of a user terminal connect to a URL of product broadcasting content provided by a content platform operator, a channel connection menu, a product program ID, a URL of product broadcasting content corresponding to a product ID, all of which are mapped to the product broadcasting channel.

The broadcasting processor140plays signals from a pay TV channel or a product broadcasting channel selected by the channel manager130. For example, the broadcasting processor140may include a pay TV processor141and a product broadcasting processor142.

The pay TV processor141plays signals transmitted from a pay TV channel selected by the channel manager130. For example, the pay TV processor141may include a tuner configured to select a broadcast frequency band, a DEMUX configured to demultiplex signals from a broadcast frequency band selected by the tuner, and a processor configured to process and play the signal demultiplexed by the DEMUX.

The product broadcasting processor142plays signals from a product broadcasting channel selected by the channel manager130. For example, the product broadcasting processor142may include a modem configured to receive signals from a product broadcasting channel, a decoder configured to decode the received signal, and a web browser configured to browse the decoded signal.

As such, using an integrated channel map that is a combination of a pay TV channel map of pay TV broadcasts provided over a broadcasting network and a product broadcasting channel map for product broadcasts provided over the Internet, a user may easily change a product broadcast by manipulating a remote controller, a touch screen or a key board. In this manner, a content platform independent broadcast is possible.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a channel information management server of an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The channel information management server200generates a product broadcasting channel map for product broadcasts provided over the Internet, and provides the generated product broadcasting channel map to user terminals100of broadcast subscribers along with an integrate channel map management application.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the channel information management server200includes a product broadcasting channel information collector210, a channel map generator220, an application storage230, and a channel map provider240.

The product broadcasting channel information collector210collects a product broadcasting channel information from a product broadcast server400. The product broadcasting channel information server400requests that the pay TV server300assign a product broadcasting channel from the pay TV server300, and become assigned with at least one pay TV channel, a particular schedule time period of a particular pay TV channel, or a channel connection menu as a product broadcasting channel. In this manner, the product broadcasting channel information collector210may collect information about a product broadcasting channel assigned by the product broadcast server400.

The channel map generator220generates a product broadcasting channel map by analyzing the product broadcasting channel information collected by the product broadcasting channel information collector210. In more detail, the channel map generator220may generate a product broadcasting channel map by searching the collected product broadcasting channel information for a product broadcasting channel and mapping a URL of product broadcasting content, a channel connection menu, a product broadcast program ID or a product ID to the found product broadcasting channel.

The channel map generator220may generate a different product broadcasting channel map for each local area. For example, while mapping a post code to a local area ID to thereby generate a local ID, the channel map generator220may concurrently map a different URL product broadcasting content, a channel connection menu, a product broadcasting program ID or a product ID to the same product broadcasting channel, thereby making product broadcasting adaptive to local broadcasting.

The application storage230stores an integrate channel map management application. The integrated channel map management application is software that is provided to user terminals100of broadcasting subscribers to generate an integrated channel map by combining a pay TV channel map with a product broadcasting channel map and to manage the integrated channel map. The integrated channel map management application may be coded by a developer in advance and then stored in the storage230. In more detail, the integrated channel map management application may be coded according to a type of a user terminal (that is, a model or an Operating System (OS) of the user terminal) and then stored in the application storage230.

The channel map provider240provides the user terminal100with the product broadcasting channel map generated by the channel map generator220and the integrated channel map management application stored in the application storage230.

For example, the channel map provider240may collect specification from the user terminal100, select an integrated channel map management application suitable for the collected specification of the user terminal100, and provide the selected integrated channel map management application to the user terminal along with a product broadcasting channel map generated by the channel map generator220.

In addition, if receiving a request for a channel connection menu of a product broadcasting channel from a middleware of the user terminal100, the channel map provider240may search for a URL of product broadcasting content corresponding to the requested channel connection menu with reference to a product broadcasting channel map mapped with the URL of product broadcasting content, and then may help the user terminal100to connect to the URL of product broadcasting content.

After receiving the product broadcasting channel map from the channel map provider240along with the integrated channel map management application, the user terminal100may execute the integrated map management application to generate an integrated channel map by combining the product broadcasting channel map received from the channel information management server200with the pay TV channel map from the pay TV server300. With reference to the integrated channel map, a user may change a product broadcast provided over the Internet by manipulating a remote controller, a touch screen or a keyboard.

Meanwhile, if the channel information management server200maps a URL of product broadcasting content, a channel connection menu, a product broadcast program ID or a product ID to a product broadcasting channel when generating a product broadcasting channel map, a user may change product broadcasting content with simple manipulation, and thus, content platform independent broadcasting may be possible.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a pay TV server of an e-commerce system using content platform independent broadcasts according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the pay TV server300includes a channel manager310and a pay TV processor320.

In response to a request for assignment of a product broadcasting channel from the product broadcast server400, the channel manager310assigns at least one pay TV channel from among the entire pay TV channels, a particular schedule time period of a particular pay TV channel, or a channel connection menu as a product broadcasting channel.

The pay TV processor320provides a user terminal of a broadcasting subscriber with broadcasting streams of channels other than product broadcasting channels that are assigned by the channel manager310. In this manner, the pay TV server300may broadcast pay TV channels other than an assigned product broadcasting channel.

FIG. 5is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a product broadcast server of an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the product broadcast server400includes a channel requestor410and a product broadcasting processor420.

The product broadcasting channel requestor410requests that the pay TV server300assign a product broadcasting channel, and become assigned with at least one pay TV channel from among the entire pay TV channels, a predetermined scheduled time period of a pay TV channel, or a channel connection menu as a product broadcasting channel.

If the user terminal100selects the product broadcasting channel that is assigned by the pay TV server300using the product broadcasting channel requestor410, the product broadcasting processor420provides product broadcasting content, which is scheduled to be broadcasted, to the user terminal100over the Internet.

For example, if at least one of pay TV channel is selected by the user terminal100as a product broadcasting channel, the product broadcasting processor420may connect the user terminal100directly to a URL of product broadcasting content, which is mapped to the pay TV channel. It is an example in which the user terminal is assigned with a pay TV channel as a product broadcasting channel, and the pay TV channel is mapped with a URL of product broadcasting content.

As another example, if a particular schedule time period of a particular pay TV channel is selected by the user terminal100as a product broadcasting channel, the product broadcasting processor420may provide the user terminal with product broadcasting content corresponding to a product broadcasting program ID or product ID mapped to the particular scheduled time period of a particular pay TV channel by reading a URL of the product broadcasting content, which is mapped to the product broadcasting program ID or product ID. It is an example in which a product broadcasting program ID or product ID mapped to a particular scheduled time period of a particular product broadcasting channel is assigned as a product broadcasting channel, and a URL of product broadcasting content is mapped to the product broadcasting program ID or product ID.

As yet another example, if a channel connection menu is selected by the user terminal100as a product broadcasting channel, the product broadcasting processor420may provide the user terminal with product broadcasting content by reading a URL of the product broadcasting content which is mapped to the channel connection menu. It is an example in which a channel connection menu is assigned as a product broadcasting channel, and a URL of product broadcasting content is mapped to the channel connection menu. Based on the above configuration, the product broadcast server400may broadcast a product broadcasting channel assigned by the pay TV server300.

In another embodiment, the user terminal100may further include an e-commerce transaction requestor150. If a predetermined key of a remote controller, a touch screen or a keyboard is input when signals from a product broadcasting channel are being played, the e-commerce transaction requestor150executes an e-commerce request application for a product that is currently broadcasted on the corresponding product broadcasting channel to make a transaction for the product.

For example, using an e-commerce request application, a seller may input a sales order and a buyer may input a purchase order, make payment with a credit card, account transfer or a mobile phone, and input name, address and/or phone number of a recipient. In this manner, an e-commerce transaction on a product currently broadcasted on a product broadcasting channel may be possible.

As another example, the e-commerce server500may perform e-commerce processing requested through the e-commerce request application, and divide profits between product broadcasting channels.

That is, the e-commerce server500manages all the transaction orders regarding to product broadcasting channels and divide profits between the product broadcasting channels to provide some of the divided profits to a content platform operator. At this point, the e-commerce server500may pay fees for product broadcasting operation by giving a product broadcast operator some of the divided profits. Meanwhile, the product broadcast operator may pay fees for assignment of a product broadcasting channel to a pay TV operator.

The e-commerce server500may periodically collect and analyze a view history or product orders of each product broadcasting channel from the user terminal100, so that the e-commerce server500may collect and analyze the collected historical data of each product broadcasting channel.

A method for providing a product broadcast of the above-described e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting will be provided with reference toFIG. 6.FIG. 6is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing a product broadcast of an e-commerce system using content platform independent product broadcasting according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In610, a product broadcast server requests that a pay TV server assign a product broadcasting channel.

In620, the pay TV server assigns at least one pay TV channel among the entire pay TV channels, a particular scheduled time period of a pay TV channel, or a channel connection menu as a product broadcasting channel.

In630, the pay TV server transmits information about the assigned product broadcasting channel to the product broadcast server.

In640, a channel information management server generates a product broadcasting channel map by collecting product broadcasting channel information and analyzing the collection of information about the product broadcasting channel. At this time, the channel information management server may generate a product broadcasting channel map by mapping a URL of product broadcasting content, a channel connection menu, a product broadcast program ID or a product ID to the product broadcasting channel.

In650, the channel information management server provides the product broadcasting channel map and an integrated channel map management application to the user terminal.

In660, the pay TV server provides a pay TV channel map to the user terminal.

In670, with receiving the pay TV channel map, the product broadcasting channel map and the integrated channel map management application, the user terminal executes the integrated channel map management application to generate an integrated channel map by combining the pay TV channel map and manage the integrate channel map with the product broadcasting channel map.

In response to a user's manipulation of a remote controller, a touch screen or a keyboard to change a channel, the user terminal selects a channel with reference to the integrated channel map. In this manner, a pay TV over a broadcasting network or a product broadcast over the Internet is possible.

The present invention combines a channel map of pay TV broadcasts provided over a broadcasting network and a channel map of product broadcasts provided over the Internet into an integrated channel map and manages the integrated channel map, so that a user may easily connect to and changes a product broadcast provided on the Internet or perform an e-commerce transaction by manipulating a remote control, a touch screen or a keyboard.