KR100597590B1 - Home gateway system to provide the set-top boxs with PVR service, and PVR service method using it - Google Patents

Abstract

1. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a home gateway system for providing a storage sharing function to a plurality of set-top boxes, and a storage sharing service method using the same.

2. The technical problem to be solved by the invention

The present invention includes a PVR device in a home gateway system that matches an external access network with an internal home network, and thus, a plurality of set-top boxes perform only a PVR client function without having an independent PVR device, thereby providing a PVR of a home gateway connected to a home network. PVR devices can be shared through a server function, and a home gateway system providing a PVR sharing function for storing and reproducing broadcast stream data and a PVR sharing service method using the same are provided.

3. Summary of the Solution of the Invention

The present invention provides a home gateway system for accommodating a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes in a home network environment, comprising: access network matching means for matching an access network; A home network matching means for matching with the set top box through a home network; Broadcast stream extracting means for extracting an IP broadcast stream from an IP broadcast packet input through the access network under the control of a storage / playback control means; The storage / playback control for performing broadcast packet processing and flow control functions between the access network and the home network, storing and controlling the IP broadcast stream according to a request of the set-top box, and controlling playback of the stored IP broadcast stream. Way; And shared storage means spaced apart from the set-top box on the same home network, which is storing the IP broadcast stream under the control of the storage / playback control means, wherein the home gateway system comprises: an IP received from an external access network. With respect to the broadcast stream data, the IP broadcast stream data that each IP broadcast set-top box wants to store is not transmitted to each IP broadcast set-top box through a wired or wireless home network, and the sharing is performed through the storage / playback control means (PVR server function). The IP broadcast set-top box does not have a separate storage medium (hard disk) for storing IP broadcast stream data, and the shared storage of the home gateway system connected to a home network is stored in a storage means (storage medium). The storage / playback control via a PVR client function capable of storing IP broadcast stream data in the means. Stage to also characterized in that to request an IP broadcast stream data store for storing the IP broadcast stream data (PVR server function).

4. Important uses of the invention

The present invention is used in home network systems and the like.

Personal Video Storage (PVR), IP Broadcasting, Terrestrial Broadcasting, Set Top Box, Home Gateway

Description

Home gateway system to provide the storage sharing function to a plurality of set-top boxes and a storage sharing service method using the same {Home gateway system to provide the set-top boxs with PVR service, and PVR service method using it}             

1 is a diagram illustrating a home network configuration in which a home gateway system according to the present invention is linked;

2 is a detailed configuration example of the set-top box of FIG.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the IP broadcast content storage process of the PVR sharing service method according to the present invention.

4A is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing terrestrial broadcast content in a PVR sharing service method according to the present invention;

4B is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a process of storing IP broadcast content in a PVR sharing service method according to the present invention;

5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating one embodiment of a broadcast content reproduction process in a PVR sharing service method according to the present invention;

* Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

10: home gateway system 20: set-top box

101: control device 102: access network matching device

103: communication broadcasting separation device 104: home network matching device

105: PVR server 106: storage device (PVR)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of home network technology, and in particular, a single personal video storage device (PVR device) is shared by a plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) broadcast set-top boxes through wired or wireless home networks to provide various types of broadcasting The present invention relates to a home gateway system that provides a PVR sharing function capable of storing and playing back content, and to a PVR sharing service method using the same.

Strictly, in the present invention, having a PVR device in a home gateway system means implementing a hard disk (HDD) and a PVR server function as a storage medium, and removing the PVR device from the set-top box. Means performing only a PVR client function and excluding a hard disk (HDD) which is a storage medium.

An IP broadcast service may be defined as transmitting IP broadcast stream data in real time through an IP network based on a streaming technology. However, in order to receive IP broadcasting in a home network environment, a home gateway system that performs matching and traffic control functions between an external access network and an internal home network, and an IP broadcasting set-top box and a TV for receiving and viewing IP stream data on a TV are provided. need. In addition, to store IP broadcast stream data, a PVR device which is a broadcast storage device or an IP broadcast set-top box including a PVR function is required.

However, in the related art, a method for storing broadcast contents received from a set-top box by storing the broadcast contents received from the set-top box by integrating the set-top box and the PVR device by separately placing a PVR device in a terrestrial, satellite, cable, and Internet (IP) broadcast set-top box. PVR service was provided. In such an environment in which a broadcast set-top box and a PVR device are integrated, a PVR of a set-top box is used when a plurality of set-top boxes are simultaneously used in a home network using a home gateway system in a community. Devices must be duplicated.

That is, conventionally, a home network receives a broadcast through a broadcast set-top box having a PVR function connected to one home gateway system, and stores broadcast stream data in a PVR device of the broadcast set-top box. However, in recent years, since many TVs are owned by one home, in order to watch broadcasts on each TV, a broadcast set-top box is required for each TV set, and each broadcast set-top box must include a PVR function. Economic problems arise. In addition, since each broadcast set-top box must have a PVR function, a broadcast stream must be delivered to the broadcast set-top box through the home network, thereby increasing the internal traffic load of the home network. This problem has a greater impact when a 20Mbs HDTV broadcast service is provided through the FTTH.

In summary, the conventional broadcast set-top box includes a separate PVR device for storing and playing received broadcast stream data. Therefore, in the case of accommodating a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes in a home network, it is economical to have a separate PVR device for each broadcast set-top box in a home network, and a broadcast stream received by the home gateway system from an external access network. Since data must be stored after being transmitted to each broadcast set-top box through a wired or wireless home network, there is a problem of increasing the internal traffic load of the home network.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and includes a PVR device in a home gateway system that matches an external access network with an internal home network, so that a plurality of set-top boxes do not have independent PVR devices. Home gateway system and PVR sharing using the PVR sharing function to share and record PVR devices through the PVR server function of the home gateway connected to the home network, thereby storing and playing broadcast stream data. The purpose is to provide a service method.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a home gateway system for accommodating a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes in a home network environment, comprising: access network matching means for matching an access network; A home network matching means for matching with the set top box through a home network; Broadcast stream extracting means for extracting an IP broadcast stream from an IP broadcast packet input through the access network under the control of a storage / playback control means; The storage / playback control for performing broadcast packet processing and flow control functions between the access network and the home network, storing and controlling the IP broadcast stream according to a request of the set-top box, and controlling playback of the stored IP broadcast stream. Way; And shared storage means spaced apart from the set-top box on the same home network, which is storing the IP broadcast stream under the control of the storage / playback control means, wherein the home gateway system comprises: an IP received from an external access network. With respect to the broadcast stream data, the IP broadcast stream data that each IP broadcast set-top box wants to store is not transmitted to each IP broadcast set-top box through a wired or wireless home network, and the sharing is performed through the storage / playback control means (PVR server function). The IP broadcast set-top box does not have a separate storage medium (hard disk) for storing IP broadcast stream data, and the shared storage of the home gateway system connected to a home network is stored in a storage means (storage medium). The storage / playback control via a PVR client function capable of storing IP broadcast stream data in the means. Only by requesting the IP broadcast stream data stored to (PVR server function) it is characterized in that for storing the IP broadcast stream data.

The present invention provides a home gateway system for accommodating a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes in a home network environment, the home gateway system comprising: access network matching means for matching an access network; A home network matching means for matching with the set top box through a home network; Under the control of the storage / playback control means, the IP broadcast stream is extracted from the IP broadcast packet input through the access network, and the terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast is broadcast from the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast packets input through the home network. Broadcast stream extracting means for extracting a stream; Performs broadcast packet processing and flow control functions between the access network and the home network, and stores and controls the IP broadcast stream and the terrestrial or satellite or cable broadcast stream according to a request of the set-top box, and stores the stored IP broadcast. Storage / playback control means for controlling playback of streams and terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast streams; And shared storage means spaced apart from the set-top box on the same home network storing the IP broadcast stream and the terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream under the control of the storage / playback control means. The gateway system stores and plays the IP broadcast stream data received from the external access network without transmitting IP broadcast stream data that each IP broadcast set-top box wants to store to each IP broadcast set-top box through a wired or wireless home network. Stored in the shared storage means (storage medium) through a control means (PVR server function), each of the IP broadcast set-top box does not have a separate storage medium (hard disk) for storing IP broadcast stream data, the home The IP broadcast stream data can be stored in the shared storage means of the home gateway system connected to the network. It is characterized by storing the IP broadcast stream data by requesting the storage / playback control means (PVR server function) to store the IP broadcast stream data through the PVR client function.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage device (PVR) sharing service method applied to a home gateway system in a home network environment, and according to a request for storing an Internet protocol (IP) broadcast stream from a set-top box PVR client, Checking, by the gateway PVR server, the IP multicast group address; Adding, by the home gateway PVR server, an entry to the PVR management database for the IP multicast group address requested to be stored; And when the IP broadcast stream having the corresponding IP multicast group address is received at the home gateway system through an external access network, the home gateway PVR server refers to the PVR management database to store the IP broadcast stream data requested for storage in a storage medium. In addition, the home gateway system, for the IP broadcast stream data received from an external access network, delivers IP broadcast stream data that each IP broadcast set-top box wants to store through each wired / wireless network to each IP broadcast set-top box. Instead of storing the data on the storage medium through the home gateway PVR server, the IP broadcast set-top box does not have a separate storage medium (hard disk) for storing IP broadcast stream data, and is connected to the home network. IP broadcast to the storage medium of the home gateway system The PVR server to the home gateway through the set-top box client PVR that can store data request, the IP broadcast stream data stored characterized in that it stores the IP broadcast stream data.

The present invention also provides a terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream transmitted by the home gateway PVR server from the set-top box via a home network according to a request for storing a terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream from a set-top box PVR client. And storing the data in the storage medium.

In addition, according to the present invention, the home gateway PVR server transmits a terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream or an IP broadcast stream stored in the storage medium through the home network according to a request for playing a broadcast stream from the set-top box PVR client. And transmitting to play from the box.

The present invention relates to a PVR device of a home gateway system (exactly, a storage medium) that matches an external access network in a home network composed of a home gateway system and a plurality of set-top boxes (terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting and IP broadcasting set-top boxes). A plurality of set-top boxes share a hard disk and a PVR server (server function) through a wired or wireless home network to store and reproduce IP broadcast stream data / terrestrial wave, satellite, and cable broadcast stream data.

In particular, the present invention includes a PVR device including a PVR server function and a storage medium such as a hard disk in a home gateway system that matches an external access network with an internal home network, thereby providing a plurality of set-top boxes (especially, IP broadcast set-top boxes). Stores the broadcast stream data in the PVR device and plays the stored broadcast stream data through the PVR server function of the home gateway system connected to the home network using only the PVR client function without having an independent PVR device. I would like to.

To this end, in the present invention, in a home network environment composed of a plurality of set-top boxes (terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting and IP broadcasting set-top boxes), IP broadcast stream data may be independently transmitted from a plurality of set-top boxes (especially, IP broadcasting set-top boxes). When storing, the PVR device (strictly, storage is stored in a home gateway system that matches the external access network with the internal home network without passing IP broadcast stream data coming from the external access network to the IP broadcasting set-top box connected to the internal home network. By providing a PVR server function in a home gateway system for a plurality of set-top boxes (IP broadcast set-top boxes) having a hard disk and a PVR server function as media, and having a PVR client function, In a home network, a single PVR device may simultaneously provide PVR functions to a plurality of IP broadcast set-top boxes. Accordingly, by allowing a plurality of IP broadcast set-top boxes to share a PVR device including a storage medium and a PVR server function of a home gateway system through a PVR client function, the PVR device is removed from each IP broadcast set-top box. By reducing the function of the set-top box, and by having an independent PVR device in the home gateway system, it reduces the load of broadcasting traffic generated in the home network when the IP broadcasting stream is stored in the IP broadcasting set-top box, thereby improving the bandwidth utilization efficiency of the home network. It can increase.

According to the present invention, a hard disk and a PVR server function are used in a home gateway system that uses a PVR client function that removes a hard disk as a storage medium from a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes, and matches an external access network. By having a PVR device with a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes to share the PVR device of the home gateway system through the home network, by reducing the function of the broadcast set-top box can be reduced in price and easy to manage, the external access network By storing IP broadcast stream data directly in the home gateway system that is connected to the network, it can reduce the IP broadcasting traffic load of the internal home network and improve the efficiency of using the home network. It is possible to improve the profits of IP broadcasters.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a home network configuration in which a home gateway system according to the present invention is linked.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of set-top boxes (terrestrial wave, satellite, cable broadcasting and IP broadcasting set-top boxes) 20 are provided to the PVR device (strictly, a storage medium) of the home gateway system 10. ) And a home network structure for providing a sharing function for a PVR server (105), a home gateway that matches an external access network, an external access network with an internal wired / wireless home network, and performs communication broadcast traffic processing and control functions. System 10, a storage device (HDD) 106 capable of storing terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcast and IP broadcast stream data in the home gateway system 10, and various information in the home network connect and interoperate IP broadcasting that transmits video signal to TV by receiving wired / wireless home network, terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting stream and IP broadcasting stream data. It is composed of a set-top box (20).

The home network system connects and accommodates several set-top boxes (terrestrial, satellite, cable and IP broadcast set-top boxes) 20 having a function of receiving terrestrial, satellite, cable and IP broadcasts in a home network. A home gateway system 10 having a function of receiving IPTV traffic from an access network and extracting an IPTV broadcast stream is a PVR device (strictly, a hard disk 106 and a PVR server 105). ) To provide the terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting PVR service and IPTV broadcasting PVR service.

That is, the home network system does not provide a PVR service while repeatedly having a PVR device for each set-top box 20 as in the related art, and uses a home gateway system 10 to set up multiple set-top boxes (terrestrial waves) into a home network. , Satellite, cable broadcasting and IP broadcasting set-top box) 20 to connect the PVR device (strictly, the hard disk 106 and the PVR server 105) of the home gateway system 10. By centrally operating the PVR service for terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting and PVR service for IP broadcasting, the PVR device (strictly, the hard disk as a storage medium) of each set-top box 20 is removed, and the PVR client function Remove the IP broadcast traffic through the access network of the home gateway system 10, and the same PVR device (strictly, a storage medium) The hard disk 106 and the PVR server 105 may be implemented.

To this end, the home network system, interlocking a number of set-top boxes (terrestrial, satellite, cable and IP broadcast set-top box) 20 through the home network around the home gateway system 10, terrestrial, satellite, Set-top boxes (terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasts, and so on) to be transferred to the PVR device (strictly, storage device (HDD) 106) of the home gateway system 10 remote from the set-top box 20. IP broadcasting set-top box) 20 and the home gateway system 10 require functions (PVR client function, PVR server function), and the home gateway system 10 has a function of separating IPTV broadcasting contents. have. At this time, the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting content storing process (see FIG. 4A below) and the IP broadcasting content storing process (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4B below) are separately performed and stored in the storage device (HDD) 106. The process of reproducing terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting contents or IP broadcasting contents (see FIGS. 5 and 6 below) is performed in the same manner.

As such, the home network system is a home gateway system 10 that accommodates a plurality of set-top boxes (terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting and IP broadcasting set-top boxes) 20, each set-top box (terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting and IP broadcast set-top box) 20 to provide terrestrial, satellite, cable PVR service and IPTV broadcast PVR service. At this time, the home gateway system 10 that can receive an IP broadcast in accordance with the access network extracts a TS (Transport Stream) of the IP broadcast and transmits it to the storage device (HDD) 106 for storage, terrestrial wave, satellite, The set-top box 20 having a function of directly receiving cable broadcasting extracts terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting contents received from a moving picture expert group (MPEG) decoder through terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting tuners, and then sets-top box 20. It is transmitted to the home gateway system 10 through the home network matching device of the home gateway system 10 and stored in the storage device (HDD) 106 of the home gateway system 10, and if the user wants to play the stored content, the home gateway system 10 Importing the contents from the storage device (HDD) 106 to the set-top box 20 and playing them on a TV screen, while providing PVR services for IP broadcasting (Internet Protocol TV), terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting. It provides a central focus.

Next, the characteristics of each component of the home network will be described.

The access network performs a function of delivering IP broadcast stream data transmitted from an IP broadcast server to subscriber homes.

The home gateway system 10 having a PVR device including a storage device (HDD) 106 and a PVR server 105 function in a home network is provided for a plurality of set-top boxes 20 having no PVR device. It provides terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting and IP broadcasting PVR services through the PVR client function.

The home gateway system 10 is capable of separating and processing an access network matching device 102 that matches various access networks, a home network matching device 104 that matches various wired and wireless home networks, and a communication broadcast stream input from the access network. PVR server 105 for performing the storage and playback function of the terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcast stream and IP broadcast stream data according to the request of the communication broadcast separation device 103, the set-top box 20 to perform, Control device 101 which performs control and protocol processing functions.

Specifically, the home gateway system 10 accommodating a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes in a home network environment may include an access network matching device 102 for matching various access networks (for example, FTTH / xDSL / CATV). And IP in an IP broadcast packet input through an access network under the control of the home network matching device 104 and the control device 101 for matching various wired and wireless home networks (e.g., IEEE1394, Ethernet, WLAN). A communication broadcast separation device 103 for extracting a broadcast stream and extracting a terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast stream from terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast packets input through a home network; and processing a broadcast packet between an access network and a home network; Performs a flow control function, according to the set-top box 20, the IP broadcast stream and the terrestrial wave, satellite, cable broadcast stream storage control, stored IP broadcast IP broadcast stream under control of control device 101 and control device 101 (i.e., PVR server 105) having a function of PVR server 105 for controlling trim and terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast streams. And a storage device (HDD) 106 spaced apart from the set-top box 20 on the same home network, which stores terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast streams.

Here, the communication broadcasting separating apparatus 103 filters out traffic not used in the home gateway system 10 from the traffic flowing from the access network (traffic filtering function), and exchanges between the control apparatus 101 and the set-top box 20. Perform the function.

Wired and wireless home networks interconnect home appliances by wire or wireless through various communication networking technologies (IEEE1394, Ethernet, WLAN), and provide information exchange.

The set-top box 20 converts the IP broadcast stream data received through the wired / wireless home network into a video signal and transmits the video signal to a TV. The set-top box 20 of the home gateway system 10 It includes a PVR client (client) that performs a function for requesting the storage and playback of the IP broadcast stream data to the PVR server 105.

In the access network, IP broadcast traffic inputted to the access network matching device 102 of the home gateway system 10 is transmitted to the communication broadcast separating device 103 by filtering the traffic at the communication broadcasting separating device 103. Through the function, the traffic not used in the home gateway system 10 is discarded, and the traffic used is set-top box (via the home network matching device 104 through the control device 101 or the switching function according to the type of traffic). 20), each of the traffic decoded in the set-top box 20 is delivered to the TV and displayed on the screen as an image.

If the user wants to store the contents of the IP broadcast, the home gateway system 10 selects a packet having the corresponding IP broadcast program from the IP broadcast traffic input through the access network matching device 102, and then controls the device 101. The PVR server 105 of the control device 101 extracts a broadcast TS from the received packet and stores the broadcast TS in the storage device 106.

Meanwhile, terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting are inputted through the terrestrial, satellite, and cable receiving antennas of the set-top box 20, decoded, and then transmitted to a TV and displayed on the screen.

Such various types of broadcasting (IP, terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting) are accompanied by a PVR service in which a user stores broadcast contents in a PVR device and then, if necessary, plays back the contents. Accordingly, the home gateway system 10 may simultaneously provide terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting PVR services and IP broadcasting PVR services. The process of storing terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast contents will be described with reference to FIG. 4A and the process of storing IP broadcast contents with reference to FIG. 4B.

Looking at the configuration of the set-top box 20 in more detail with reference to Figure 2, the set-top box 20 selects a channel desired by the user from the terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting input through the terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting input device The terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast tuners 201, the home network matching device 202 for matching various wired and wireless home networks (e.g., IEEE1394, Ethernet, WLAN), and the home network matching device 202. The TS is separated into the broadcast TS from the IP packet, and the broadcast TS is the decoder 205, and the TS separator 203 for separating other packets into the control device 204, and the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast tuners 201. A decoding device 205 for decoding the broadcast TS received from the TS separation device 203, and performs communication data and broadcast stream data processing and flow control functions, and performs terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting and IP broadcast stream It consists of a control unit 204 including a PVR client (client) (206) for controlling the storage or playback of the emitter.

The controller 204 may instruct the decoder 205 to transmit the broadcast TS received from the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast tuner 201 to the TS separator 203. At this time, the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting TS transmitted by the decoding device 205 to the TS separation device 203 is IP packetized by the TS separation device 203 to establish a wired / wireless home network through the home network matching device 202. It is delivered to the home gateway system 10 through.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing IP broadcast contents in a PVR sharing service method according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the PVR client 206 of the set-top box (IP broadcast set-top box) 20 wants the user to store the IP broadcast. A process of storing stream data in the storage device (HDD) 106 of the home gateway system 10 is shown. Here, each set-top box (IP broadcast set-top box) 20 is used for IP broadcast stream data transmitted from an IP broadcast server of the external Internet to IP broadcast stream data received by the home gateway system 10 in the home through an external access network. ) Shows a procedure of storing IP broadcast stream data to be stored.

First, when a user needs to store IP broadcast stream data for an IP broadcast channel that is being broadcasted or scheduled to broadcast using EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information, the PVR client 206 of the IP broadcast set-top box 20 may be configured as a user. IP broadcast stream data storage request message for the IP broadcasting channel to be stored by referring to EPG information (including information such as IP multicast group address, start time, end time, program additional information, access authority, etc.) It generates and delivers to the PVR server 105 of the home gateway system 10 via a wired or wireless home network (301).

When a storage request message is received from the PVR client 206 of each set-top box 20 (302), the PVR server 105 of the home gateway system 10 has an IP multicast group address for the IP broadcast requesting storage. In operation 303, it is checked whether the multicast group address table for broadcasting is registered.

As a result of the check, if the IP multicast group address is not registered in the multicast group address table, the PVR server 105 registers the corresponding IP multicast group address in the multicast group address table, so that the IP broadcast set-top box 20 It is possible to receive the requested IP broadcast channel (304).

In operation 305, a corresponding entry is added to the PVR management database for managing IP broadcast stream data storage for the IP multicast group address requested to be stored. Subsequently, when the IP broadcast stream data having the corresponding IP multicast group address is received by the home gateway system 10 from the external access network, the PVR server 105 refers to the PVR management database to request the IP broadcast stream data to be stored. Is stored in storage (HDD) 106 (306).

As a result of the check, if the IP multicast group address is registered in the multicast group address table, the PVR server 105 enters a corresponding entry into the PVR management database for IP broadcast stream data storage management for the IP multicast group address requested to be stored. Add (305). Subsequently, when the IP broadcast stream data having the corresponding IP multicast group address is received by the home gateway system 10 from the external access network, the PVR server 105 refers to the PVR management database to request the IP broadcast stream data to be stored. Is stored in storage (HDD) 106 (306).

As described above, when each IP broadcast set-top box 20 in the home network wants to store IP broadcast stream data, it is received by the home gateway system 10 from an external access network and broadcasted through the internal wired / wireless home network. IP broadcast stream data is delivered to the set-top box 20 and stored independently, or IP broadcast stream data received by each IP broadcast set-top box 20 is transferred back to a shared storage device using a network file system (NFS). Rather than transmitting and storing, the home gateway system 10 matching the external access network extracts and stores the IP broadcast stream data requested by each IP broadcast set-top box 20, thereby storing the IP broadcast stream data requested for storage. It does not flow traffic into the wired or wireless home network, thereby reducing the load on the home network and improving network utilization efficiency. It can increase.

4A is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting content in a PVR sharing service method according to the present invention, wherein a set-top box (terrestrial wave, satellite, cable broadcasting set-top box) 20 receives a terrestrial wave and a satellite; The process of extracting the contents of the cable broadcast and transmitting the same to the storage device (HDD) 106 of the home gateway system 10 is shown.

First, if a terrestrial, satellite, or cable broadcast content storage command is generated from the control device (strictly PVR client 206) 204 of the set-top box 20 by a user's command, the command is decoded by the decoder 205. The decoder 205 receives the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting TS from the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting tuner 201 (302), and transmits the TS to the TS separating apparatus (203) (302). ).

Thereafter, the TS separating apparatus 203 IP-packs the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting TS received from the decoding apparatus 205 and transmits the packet to the premises network matching apparatus 202 of the set-top box 20 (404). The home network matching device 202 of the box 20 transmits an IP packet having terrestrial, satellite, and cable TS to the home network matching device 104 of the home gateway system 10 through the wired / wireless home network (405).

Next, the home network matching device 104 of the home gateway system 10 transmits the corresponding IP packet to the control device (strictly, the PVR server 105) 101 of the home gateway system through the communication broadcast separating device 103. (406, 407).

Finally, the PVR server 105 of the home gateway system 10 extracts the broadcast TS from the received IP packet and stores the broadcast TS in the storage device (HDD) 106 (408).

4B is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process of storing IP broadcast content in a PVR sharing service method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content of IP broadcast received by the home gateway system 10 is extracted to a storage device (HDD) 106. Shows the process of sending and saving.

First, when an IP broadcast content storage command is generated in the control device (strictly PVR client 206) 204 of the set-top box 20 by a user's command, the command is transmitted to the TS separation device 203. (411).

Thereafter, the TS separator 203 transmits the received IP broadcast content storage command to the home network matching device 202 of the set-top box 20 (412), and the home network matching device 202 of the set-top box 20. In step 414, the IP broadcast content storage command is transmitted to the home network matching device 104 of the home gateway system 10 through the wired / wireless home network. On the other hand, the home network matching device 104 of the home gateway sends the corresponding IP broadcast content storage command to the control device (strictly, the PVR server 105) 101 of the home gateway system via the communication broadcasting separating device 103. The PVR server 105 of the home gateway system 10 transmits the control information of the lookup table to the communication broadcast separating apparatus 103 so that the communication broadcasting separating apparatus 103 extracts and transmits the corresponding IP broadcasting TS. To write (416).

Next, the communication broadcasting separating apparatus 103 finds the corresponding IP broadcasting traffic among the traffic received from the access network matching apparatus 102 through the traffic filtering function 417 and controls the control apparatus ((strictly, the PVR server 105). In step 418, the PVR server 105 of the control device 101 extracts the TS from the received IP broadcast traffic and stores the TS in the storage device (HDD) 106.

Now, in the set-top box (terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting set-top box and IP broadcasting set-top box) 20, the broadcast stream stored in the storage device (HDD) 106 of the home gateway system 10 (terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting stream) And the procedure of reproducing IP broadcast stream) data. Hereinafter, the process of reproducing the IP broadcast stream will be described with reference to FIG. 5, and the process of reproducing terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcast stream, and IP broadcast stream will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a broadcast content playback process of the PVR sharing service method according to the present invention, wherein the PVR client 206 of the IP broadcast set-top box 20 performs home gateway access to IP broadcast stream data that the user wants to play. A process for extracting IP broadcast stream data from the storage device (HDD) 106 through the PVR server 105 of the system 10 and transmitting the extracted IP broadcast stream data to the IP broadcast set-top box 20 is shown.

First, when it is necessary to play back IP broadcast stream data for an IP broadcast channel stored by the user, the PVR client 206 of the IP broadcast set-top box 20 uses the EPG information according to the user's requirements to play the IP. A PVR server of the home gateway system 10 is generated by generating an IP broadcast stream data reproduction request message (including information on an IP multicast group address, start time, end time, program additional information, access authority, etc.) for a broadcast channel. It transmits to the 105 through the wired or wireless home network (501).

Then, when the PVR server 105 of the home gateway system 10 receives a playback request message from the PVR client 206 of each IP broadcast set-top box 20 (502), the PVR server (10) of the home gateway system 10 105 checks whether the IP multicast group address for the IP broadcast channel requesting reproduction is registered in the PVR management database for IP broadcast stream data storage management (503).

As a result of the check, if the IP multicast group address is not registered in the PVR management database, the reproduction request is terminated.

As a result of the check, if the IP multicast group address is registered in the PVR management database, the PVR server 105 of the home gateway system 10 requests the IP multicast requested by the PVR client 206 of each IP broadcasting set-top box 20 to play. After extracting the IP broadcast stream data for the cast group address from the storage device (HDD) 106, the IP broadcast stream data for viewing the IP broadcast is transmitted to the corresponding IP broadcast set-top box 20 through the wired / wireless home network (504). ).

6 shows an IP broadcast TS received by the home gateway system 10 and stored in the storage device (HDD) 106 and terrestrial waves, satellites, received by the set-top box 20 and stored in the storage device (HDD) 106. Shows the process of extracting cable broadcasting TS.

First, the control device (strictly PVR client 206) 204 of the set-top box 20 plays back broadcast content stored in the storage device (HDD) 106 of the home gateway system 10 at the request of the user. Program information to the control device (strictly PVR server 105) 101 of the home gateway system 10, the TS separation device 203, the home network matching device 202 of the set-top box 20, home It requests to the control device (strictly PVR server 105) 101 of the home gateway system 10 via the home network matching device 104 of the gateway system 10 and the communication broadcast separating device 103 (601). 605).

Then, the control device (strictly PVR server 105) of the home gateway system 10 (101) is the communication broadcast separation device 103, home network matching device 104 of the home gateway system 10, set-top box The program information is transmitted in response to the control device (strictly PVR client 206) 204 of the set-top box 20 through the home network matching device 202 and the TS separation device 203 of 20. (606-610).

Subsequently, the PVR client 206 of the set-top box 10 includes the TS separation device 203, the home network matching device 202 of the set-top box 20, and the home gateway system 10 to reproduce the content requested by the user. The home network matching device 104 and the PTV server 105 of the home gateway system 10 through the communication broadcast separation device 103 requests the content playback (611 ~ 615).

Next, the PVR server 105 of the home gateway system 10 reads the contents (terrestrial wave, satellite, cable broadcasting content, and IP broadcasting content) stored in the storage device (HDD) 106 (616, 617), and packetizes the IP packet. Then, it transmits to the TS separation device 203 through the communication broadcasting separation device 103, the home network matching device 104 of the home gateway system 10, and the home network matching device 202 of the set-top box 20 ( 618-621). Then, the TS separator 203 extracts the TS from the received IP packet and sends it to the decoder 205 (622).

Finally, the decoding device 205 sends the decoded video data to the TV (623) to display the video information on the screen.

The method of the present invention as described above may be implemented as a program and stored in a computer-readable recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.).

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be clear to those of ordinary knowledge.

As described above, the present invention can reduce the function of the IP broadcast set-top box by sharing the PVR device of the home gateway system through the wired / wireless home network without the plurality of IP broadcast set-top boxes having a unique PVR device. This has the effect of miniaturizing the set-top box device, reducing the price and ease of maintenance.

In addition, according to the present invention, when each IP broadcast set-top box in a home network wants to store IP broadcast stream data, the IP gateway stream data extracted from each IP broadcast set-top box is stored in a home gateway system that matches an external access network. By managing the traffic, traffic for the stored IP broadcast stream does not flow into the home network, thereby reducing the load on the home network and increasing network efficiency.                     

As a result, the present invention enables to provide a PVR service for IP broadcasting input through an access network matching device of a home gateway system, and at the same time, a PVR service for terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting received through several set-top boxes. It is possible to provide a PVR service by integrating IP broadcasting, terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcasting, and by centrally operating the PVR device can lower the price of the unit set-top box.

Claims (12)

In a home gateway system that accommodates a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes in a home network environment, Access network matching means for matching an access network; A home network matching means for matching with the set top box through a home network; Broadcast stream extracting means for extracting an IP broadcast stream from an IP broadcast packet input through the access network under the control of a storage / playback control means; The storage / playback control for performing broadcast packet processing and flow control functions between the access network and the home network, storing and controlling the IP broadcast stream according to a request of the set-top box, and controlling playback of the stored IP broadcast stream. Way; And Under the control of the storage / playback control means, including the shared storage means spaced apart from the set-top box on the same home network, storing the IP broadcast stream, The home gateway system does not transmit IP broadcast stream data that each IP broadcast set-top box desires to store to IP broadcast stream data received from an external access network to each IP broadcast set-top box through a wired or wireless home network. / To the shared storage means (storage medium) through the playback control means (PVR server function), Each of the IP broadcast set-top boxes does not have a separate storage medium (hard disk) for storing IP broadcast stream data, and can store IP broadcast stream data in the shared storage means of the home gateway system connected to a home network. A home gateway providing a storage sharing function to a plurality of set-top boxes by requesting the storage / playback control means (PVR server function) to store IP broadcast stream data through a PVR client function. system. In a home gateway system that accommodates a plurality of broadcast set-top boxes in a home network environment, Access network matching means for matching an access network; A home network matching means for matching with the set top box through a home network; Under the control of the storage / playback control means, the IP broadcast stream is extracted from the IP broadcast packet input through the access network, and the terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast is broadcast from the terrestrial, satellite, and cable broadcast packets input through the home network. Broadcast stream extracting means for extracting a stream; Performs broadcast packet processing and flow control functions between the access network and the home network, and stores and controls the IP broadcast stream and the terrestrial or satellite or cable broadcast stream according to a request of the set-top box, and stores the stored IP broadcast. Storage / playback control means for controlling playback of streams and terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast streams; And Under the control of the storage / playback control means, including the shared storage means spaced apart from the set-top box on the same home network for storing the IP broadcast stream and the terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream, The home gateway system does not transmit IP broadcast stream data that each IP broadcast set-top box desires to store to IP broadcast stream data received from an external access network to each IP broadcast set-top box through a wired or wireless home network. / To the shared storage means (storage medium) through the playback control means (PVR server function), Each of the IP broadcast set-top boxes does not have a separate storage medium (hard disk) for storing IP broadcast stream data, and can store IP broadcast stream data in the shared storage means of the home gateway system connected to a home network. A home gateway providing a storage sharing function to a plurality of set-top boxes by requesting the storage / playback control means (PVR server function) to store IP broadcast stream data through a PVR client function. system. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Each of the plurality of set-top boxes, The storage means of the home gateway system is shared through the same wired and wireless home network, and the terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream and the IP broadcast stream are stored through a storage device (PVR) client function at a location separated from the shared storage means. And a home gateway system that provides a storage sharing function to a plurality of set-top boxes, characterized in that playback can be controlled. The method of claim 3, wherein Each of the plurality of set-top boxes, A terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast tuner for selecting a channel desired by a user from terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcasting input through a terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcasting input device; Home network matching unit for matching various wired and wireless home networks; A TS separating unit for separating the broadcasting TS from the IP packet inputted from the home network matching unit, and separating the broadcasting TS into a decoding unit and separating other packets into a control unit; The decoder for decoding the terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast tuner and the broadcast TS received from the TS separator; The PVR client may perform communication data and broadcast stream data processing and flow control functions, and may include a PVR client configured to control storage or reproduction of terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast and IP broadcast stream data in the set-top box. It includes a control unit, The controller may instruct the decoder to transmit the broadcast TS received from the terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast tuner to the TS separator, wherein the terrestrial (or satellite) transmitted to the TS separator by the decoder. Or cable) broadcast TS is IP packetized by the TS separating unit and delivered to the home gateway system through the wired / wireless home network through the home network matching unit. Receive various types of broadcasting (including terrestrial, satellite, cable, and Internet (IP) broadcasting) signals by wire or wirelessly, and watch them on TV, and receive the received broadcasting stream through the home network in a home network environment through the home gateway system. A home gateway providing a storage device sharing function to a plurality of set-top boxes, characterized in that to provide a PVR client function that can be stored in the shared storage means shared by a plurality of set-top boxes, or reproduced from the shared storage means. system. The method of claim 3, wherein Each of the plurality of set-top boxes, When terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcasting contents extracted from terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcasting are stored in a shared storage means of the home gateway system through a home network, IEEE 1394, Ethernet, and wireless LAN ( WLAN), When playing the terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream or IP broadcast stream stored in the shared storage means of the home gateway system, characterized in that one of the IEEE 1394, Ethernet (Ethernet), WLAN (WLAN) as a communication path A home gateway system that provides storage sharing to multiple set-top boxes. delete delete A storage device (PVR) sharing service method applied to a home gateway system in a home network environment, Verifying, by the home gateway PVR server, an IP multicast group address according to an internet protocol (IP) broadcast stream storage request from the set-top box PVR client; Adding, by the home gateway PVR server, an entry to the PVR management database for the IP multicast group address requested to be stored; And When an IP broadcast stream having a corresponding IP multicast group address is received at a home gateway system through an external access network, the home gateway PVR server stores the IP broadcast stream data requested for storage in a storage medium by referring to a PVR management database. Including steps, The home gateway system does not transmit IP broadcast stream data, which each IP broadcast set-top box wants to store, to each IP broadcast set-top box through a wired or wireless network with respect to IP broadcast stream data received from an external access network. Store in the storage medium through a PVR server Each of the IP broadcast set-top boxes does not have a separate storage medium (hard disk) for storing IP broadcast stream data, and the IP broadcast stream data may be stored in the storage medium of the home gateway system connected to a home network. And storing IP broadcast stream data by requesting the home gateway PVR server to store IP broadcast stream data through a set-top box PVR client. The method of claim 8, According to a request for storing a terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream from a set-top box PVR client, the home gateway PVR server transmits a terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream transmitted from the set-top box to the storage medium through a home network. Step to save Storage sharing service method further comprising. The method according to claim 8 or 9, In response to a request for playing a broadcast stream from the set-top box PVR client, the home gateway PVR server transmits a terrestrial (or satellite or cable) broadcast stream or IP broadcast stream stored in the storage medium to the set-top box through a home network for playback. Broadcast content playback step Storage sharing service method further comprising. The method of claim 10, The broadcast content reproduction step, Checking, by the home gateway PVR server, an IP multicast group address for an IP broadcast channel requested for playback in accordance with a request for playing an Internet protocol (IP) broadcast stream from a set-top box PVR client; And If the IP multicast group address requested for playback is registered in the PVR management database, the IP gateway stream data requested for playback by the home gateway PVR server is extracted from the storage medium and the network is transmitted through the home network. Steps to Transfer to Set-Top Box Storage sharing service method comprising a. delete

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