Patent Publication Number: US-2013254810-A1

Title: Video processing apparatus, video processing system including the same, and information providing method in video processing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/396,502 filed Mar. 3, 2009, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0067273, filed on Jul. 10, 2008 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a video processing apparatus, a video processing system including the same and an information providing method in the video processing apparatus in which broadcasting services are provided through a communication network. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Recently, Internet communication environments and broadcasting environments tend to be integrated each other. In this respect, a video processing apparatus such as an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is under the spotlight in current network environments. 
     This video processing apparatus provides a user with contents such as broadcasting programs, videos, audios, texts and data received from a service providing server through an IP-based network. Hereinafter, the contents providing will be referred to as ‘broadcasting services’. The contents are transmitted in a packet transmission method through high speed Internet such as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or FTTH (Fiber To The Home). Thus, services which have been conventionally provided in Internet communication environments can be provided for a user through a video processing apparatus. 
     However, conventional broadcasting services are too limited and inconvenient to meet various user demands since a service providing server unilaterally provides information for a user. Accordingly, broadcasting services capable of enhancing user convenience is required. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a video processing apparatus, a video processing system and an information providing method in the video processing apparatus which can conveniently meet various user demands. 
     Additional aspects of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can be achieved by providing an information providing method in a video processing apparatus, including: transmitting user information with respect to the video processing apparatus to a service providing server; transmitting viewing information of a user from the video processing apparatus to the service providing server; receiving recommendation information based on the user information and the viewing information from the service providing server, by the video processing apparatus; and outputting the received recommendation information by the video processing apparatus. 
     The viewing information may include a broadcast being viewed in the video processing apparatus. 
     The received recommendation information may include information on a recommended program corresponding to the broadcast being viewed. 
     The recommendation information may be transmitted after the broadcast is viewed for a predetermined time. 
     The user information may be transmitted from the video processing apparatus or a computer to the service providing server. 
     The user information may be transmitted when the user of the video processing apparatus is registered in the service providing server. 
     The user information may be transmitted when an application program of the video processing apparatus is downloaded from the service providing server to the video processing apparatus. 
     The outputting the recommendation information may include outputting the recommendation information in at least one format of PIP, browser windows, texts and audios or other means. 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can be also achieved by providing a video processing apparatus including: a communication part performing communication with a service providing server providing broadcasting services; a video processing part performing video processing with respect to the broadcasting services; an output part outputting information on the broadcasting services; and a controller controlling the communication part, the output part and the video processing part to transmit user information and viewing information with respect to the video processing apparatus to the service providing server, to receive recommendation information based on the user information and the viewing information from the service providing server, and to output the received recommendation information, respectively. 
     The viewing information may include information on a broadcast being viewed. 
     The received recommendation information may include information on a recommended program corresponding to the broadcast being viewed. 
     The recommendation information may be received after the broadcast is viewed for a predetermined time. 
     The user information may be transmitted when a user of the video processing apparatus is registered in the service providing server. 
     The user information may be transmitted when an application program of the video processing apparatus is downloaded from the service providing server to the video processing apparatus. 
     The output part may output the recommendation information in at least one format of PIP, browser windows, texts and audios. 
     The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention can be also achieved by providing a video processing system including: a computer; and a video processing apparatus, the computer transmitting user information with respect to the video processing apparatus inputted from a user to a service providing server providing broadcasting services, the video processing apparatus transmitting viewing information to the service providing server, receiving recommendation information based on the user information and the viewing information from the service providing server, and outputting the received recommendation information. 
     According to the present invention, broadcasting services capable of conveniently meeting various user demands can be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a service providing server and a video processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a service providing server and a video processing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates recommendation information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates recommendation information according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a process of providing information on a video processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a process of providing information on a video processing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a video processing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The exemplary embodiments are described below so as to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a service providing server and a video processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a service providing server  110  performs communication with a video processing apparatus  120  to provide broadcasting services for video processing apparatus  120  according to request of the video processing apparatus  120 . In this respect, the service providing server  110  may include an ISP (Internet Service Provider). 
     Contents contained in broadcasting services of the service providing server  110  may include broadcasting programs, video files, audio files, text files and software. 
     The video processing apparatus  120  can receive broadcasting services provided from the service providing server  110 . The video processing apparatus  120  processes a video signal received from the service providing server  110 , and displays a video based on the processed video signal. The video processing apparatus  120  may be embodied as a digital television, a set-top box, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a mobile terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or the like. In this respect, the video processing apparatus according to the present embodiment may include any apparatus which has an Internet function, that is, an interactive communication function and a video processing function. 
     Hereinafter, the service providing server  110  and the video processing apparatus  120  will be described in more detail. 
     The service providing server  111  may include a communication part  111 , a storage part  112 , and a controller  113 . 
     The communication part  111  performs communication with the video processing apparatus  120 , and receives user information and viewing information from the video processing apparatus  120 . 
     The user information refers to information about a user of the video processing apparatus  120 , and may include personal identification data, preferred broadcasting genres, preferred channels, preferred programs, preferred time zones, etc. More specifically, the user information may include a user ID, password, name, resident registration number, e-mail address, home address, home phone number, mobile phone number, favorite, occupation, birthday, single or married, etc. 
     The viewing information includes information about a broadcast which is being viewed by a user through the video processing apparatus  120 . More specifically, the viewing information may include a currently accessed channel, a selected program, access time, genre, etc. 
     The storage part  112  stores the user information transmitted from the video processing apparatus  120 . The storage part  112  may further store the viewing information transmitted from the video processing apparatus  120 . 
     The controller  113  controls the communication part  111  to transmit recommendation information based on the user information stored in the storage part  112  and the received viewing information to the video processing apparatus  120 . In this respect, the controller  113  may provide the recommendation information when receiving the viewing information from the video processing apparatus  120 . 
     The recommendation information may include information about recommended programs with respect to a broadcast being currently viewed by a user. 
     The video processing apparatus  120  may include a communication part  121 , a video processing part  122 , an output part  123  and a controller  124 . 
     The communication part  121  performs communication with the service providing server  110  providing broadcasting services under the control of the controller  124 , and transmits user information and viewing information with respect to the video processing apparatus  120  to the service providing server  110 . 
     The video processing part  122  performs video processing with respect to contents received from the service providing server  110 . The video processing includes at least one of decoding, scaling, image enhancement, brightness adjustment and contrast adjustment, etc. 
     The output part  123  outputs recommendation information received from the service providing server  110  under the control of the controller  124 . The recommendation information may be outputted in at least one format of PIP (picture in picture), browser windows, texts, audios and etc. The output pat  123  may include at least one of a display part (not shown) and an audio output part (not shown), corresponding to the output format. 
     The display part of the output part  123  may display a video processed by the video processing part  122 . 
     The output format of the recommendation information may be selected by a user. For example, if the user wants to simultaneously view a program corresponding to the recommendation information in a sub screen together with a currently viewing screen, the user may select the PIP format for output of the recommendation information. If the user wants to view only a title of the program corresponding to the recommendation information, the user may select the texts format. In this way, the user may be provided with the recommendation information in her/his desired format. 
     The controller  124  controls the communication part  121 , the video processing part  122  and the output part  123  to transmit user information and viewing information with respect to the video processing apparatus  120  to the service providing server  110 , to receive recommendation information based on the user information and the viewing information from the service providing server  110 , and to output the received recommendation information, respectively. 
     More specifically, the controller  124  may control to transmit the user information to the service providing server  110  when a user of the video processing apparatus  120  is registered in the service providing server  110 . Alternatively, the user information may be transmitted when an application program of the video processing apparatus  120  is downloaded. 
     Further, the controller  124  may control to transmit the viewing information during viewing a broadcast. Alternatively, the controller  124  may control to transmit the viewing information after a broadcast is on air viewed for a predetermined time. In this case, the video processing apparatus  120  receives the recommendation information after the broadcast is on air for the predetermined time. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a service providing server and a video processing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a service providing server  110  may receive user information and viewing information from a plurality of video processing apparatuses  120 ,  130  and  140 . The service providing server  110  obtains user group information by analyzing the user information received from the plurality of video processing apparatuses  120 ,  130  and  140 . 
     Then, if any one video processing apparatus (for example,  120 ) requests broadcasting services and transmits the viewing information, the service providing server  110  provides recommendation information based on the user group information and the viewing information to the video processing apparatus  120 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates recommendation information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  FIG. 3B  illustrates recommendation information according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The service providing server  110  receives viewing information from the video processing apparatus  120  and provides recommendation information with respect to the viewing information referring to stored user information. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , if the service providing server  110  receives user information and viewing information from the video processing apparatus  120 , the service providing server  110  provides recommendation information  310  to the video processing apparatus  120 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the recommendation information  310  may include information on a recommended program in the same genre as a currently viewing broadcast, a recommended program in a user preferred genre, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , if user information is received from the plurality of video processing apparatuses  120 ,  130  and  140 , the service providing server  110  may provide recommendation information  320  based on user group information obtained based on the received user information and viewing information. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the recommendation information  320  may include information on a channel highly preferred in the same user group, a program highly preferred in the same user group, etc. The user group may be based upon one or combination of age, gender, location, and other user information. The recommendation may be made based simply upon the group or the viewing information of the viewer herself or others; however recommendation may be made based upon the combination of the group and the viewing information such as a recommendation based upon the fact that a particular age group corresponding to the viewer&#39;s age is currently viewing a certain program. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a process of providing information with respect to a video processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The video processing apparatus  120  transmits user information to the service providing server  110  (S 401 ). The video processing apparatus  120  may transmit the user information to the service providing server  110  when a user is registered in the service providing server  110 , or when an application program of the video processing apparatus  120  is downloaded. The user information includes personal identification data, preferred broadcast genres, preferred channels, preferred programs, preferred time zones, etc. 
     The video processing apparatus  120  requests the service providing server  110  broadcasting services (S 402 ). Then, the service providing server  110  provides broadcasting services for the video processing apparatus  120  (S 403 ). 
     The video processing apparatus  120  transmits information on a broadcast being viewed by a user, that is, viewing information (S 404 ). The viewing information includes a currently accessed channel, a selected program, access time, etc. In this respect, the video processing apparatus  120  may transmit the viewing information during viewing a broadcast, or after a broadcast is on air for a predetermined time. 
     The service providing server  110  generates recommendation information based on the user information and the viewing information (S 405 ). Accordingly, a user can receive recommendation information reflecting her/his broadcast viewing preferences. 
     The recommendation information may be provided when the video processing apparatus  120  transmits the viewing information. That is, since the recommendation information is generated based on user&#39;s current viewing information, broadcast viewing preferences of a user can be suitably and exactly reflected. 
     The recommendation information may include information on a recommended program with respect to a broadcast being currently viewed by a user. 
     The service providing server  110  provides the generated recommendation information for the video processing apparatus  120  (S 406 ). The video processing apparatus  120  outputs and displays the recommendation information on a screen (S 407 ). In this respect, the recommendation information may be outputted in at least one format of PIP, browser windows, texts and audios. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a process of providing information on a video processing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     First, the service providing server  110  receives user information from the plurality of video processing apparatuses  120 ,  130  and  140  (S 501 ). The respective video processing apparatuses  120 ,  130  and  140  may transmit the user information when a user is registered in the service providing server  110  or when an application program of any one video processing apparatus (for example,  120 ) is downloaded. 
     The service providing server  110  generates user group information by analyzing the user information received from the plurality of video processing apparatuses  120 ,  130  and  140  (S 502 ). 
     One video processing apparatus  120  among the plurality of video processing apparatuses  120 ,  130  and  140  requests broadcasting services of the service providing server  110  (S 503 ). Then, the service providing server  110  provides broadcasting services for the video processing apparatus  120  (S 504 ). 
     The video processing apparatus  120  transmits information on a broadcast being viewed by a user, that is, viewing information to the service providing server  110  (S 505 ). The viewing information includes a currently accessed channel, a selected program, access time, etc. In this respect, the video processing apparatus  120  may transmit the viewing information during viewing a broadcast or after a broadcast is on air for a predetermined time. 
     The service providing server  110  generates recommendation information based on the user group information and the viewing information (S 506 ). The recommendation information may include information on channels and programs preferred by a group to which a user belongs, etc. As stated earlier, the recommendation may also be made based simply upon the group which the viewer belongs to (without consideration of what others in the same group is currently viewing) or the viewing information of the viewer herself or others (without consideration of group which the viewer belongs to); however, the recommendation may be made based upon the combination of the group and the viewing information of the others in the same group. Furthermore, the recommendation may be made based upon a different group than the group which the viewer belongs to or based upon also considering what others in the different group are viewing. 
     The service providing server  110  provides the generated recommendation information for the video processing apparatus  120  (S 507 ). The video processing apparatus  120  outputs and displays the recommendation information on a screen (S 508 ). The recommendation information may be outputted in at least one format of PIP, browser windows, texts and audios. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a video processing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the video processing system may include the above-described service providing server  110 , the above-described video processing apparatus  120 , and a computer  150 . 
     The service providing server  110  performs communication with the video processing apparatus  120  and the computer  150 . In this respect, the service providing server  110  receives user information from the computer  150 , and receives viewing information from the video processing apparatus  120 . Then, the service providing server  110  transmits recommendation information based on the user information and the viewing information to the video processing apparatus  120 . 
     The video processing apparatus  120  transmits the viewing information of the video processing apparatus  120  to the service providing server  110 , receives the recommendation information based on the user information and the viewing information from the service providing server  110 , and outputs received recommendation information. 
     The computer  150  may include a communication part  151  and a controller  152 . 
     The communication part  151  performs communication with the service providing server  110  under the control of the controller  152 , and transmits user information of the video processing apparatus  120  inputted by a user to the service providing server  110 . In this respect, the user can input the user information through user interface connected to the computer  150 . 
     The controller  152  controls the communication part  151  to transmit the inputted user information to the service providing server  110 . 
     Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.