KR100601795B1 - Ppv(pay per view) system channel mapping and set-top-box - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to improve the elasticity of the channel mapping, the media server stores the paid data, scrambled and transmitted to the set-top box through the paid channel, and the free data stored or relayed free to the set-top box as it is In the pay-per-view system, the set-top box transmits through the channel, and displays the free data on the TV screen as it is, and releases the scrambled data and displays it on the TV screen. And a tuner unit for receiving a data from the cable network and transmitting the data through the cable network, wherein the channel mapping method of the paper view system transmits the data from the media server whenever it is initialized. A communication modem unit and a UART unit for relaying the communication of the tuner unit, a memory unit for storing information, a descrambler unit for scrambled scrambled data, and a video for correcting a level of an image signal of the descrambled data A set top box comprising a drive unit and a CPU unit for controlling each unit, wherein the CPU unit requests channel information to an external media server when the power is turned on and initializes, and stores the channel information when the channel information is received. It provides a set-top box characterized in that.

Description

Channel Mapping Method and Set-top Box in Paper View System {PPV (PAY PER VIEW) SYSTEM CHANNEL MAPPING AND SET-TOP-BOX}

1 is a view showing the configuration of a paper-view system,

2 is a block diagram of a set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart showing channel download;

4 is a list showing instructions of a protocol for channel mapping;

5 illustrates a basic structure of a packet for channel mapping.

It is a figure which shows.

The present invention relates to a channel mapping method and a set-top box using the same, which are useful for installing a pay-per-view service, a pay-per-view service using a cable network (hereinafter, referred to as a CATV network) in a hotel and a resort.

That is, it relates to a channel mapping method between a media server in a center and a set top box (STB), which is a terminal device located in each room. Easy to apply

In the related art, the provision of information through a media server is a structure in which paid video or free video can be viewed through a predetermined designated channel. For example, channel numbers 1 to 30 are already included in the set top box (STB) as free channels (FTG: Free To Guest channel) and numbers 31 to 60 are pay channel (PPV).

In other words, only free videos can be viewed through 1 ~ 30 channels, and only paid videos can be viewed through 31 ~ 60 channels.

This is to allow the set-top box (STB) to have information on the operation of the scrambler, which is a channel security function for the pay channel (PPV channel). It is a method of predetermining the technical convenience for minimizing a problem that occurs when the scrambled video signal cannot be descrambled normally.

However, since this method has a fixed number of free and paid channels, there is no channel expansion and active response is almost impossible depending on the channel change situation.

Therefore, if there is a need to adjust the number of paid and free channels at the demand of a hotel or the like, it is inconvenient to replace the channel information recorded in the CPU in the set-top box. This is also impossible given that a large number of set-top boxes are already in operation or waiting to be installed.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a channel mapping method and a set-top box having a flexible channel mapping.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, the media server stores the paid data, scrambles it, and transmits it to the set-top box through the pay channel, and the free data stored or relayed is stored in the set-top box as it is. In the pay-per-view system, the set-top box displays the free data on the TV screen as it is, and releases the scrambled data and displays it on the TV screen. The set-top box initializes information about the paid channel and the free channel. It provides a channel mapping method of the pay per view system, characterized in that the transmission from the media server every time.

In addition, a tuner unit for receiving data from the cable network and transmitting data therethrough, a communication modem unit and a UART unit for relaying communication between the CPU unit and the tuner unit, a memory unit for storing information, and scrambled scrambled data A set-top box comprising a descrambler unit for releasing, a video drive unit for correcting a level of a video signal of descrambled data, and a CPU unit for controlling each unit, wherein the CPU unit is configured to provide external media when the power is turned on and initialized. The server provides a set-top box for requesting channel information and storing the received channel information in the memory unit.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to one embodiment.

First, the structure of the whole system is shown.

1 shows a general paper view system. These systems are generally based on a free-view channel that receives airwaves and retransmits it through its own Head End (H / E) system. Additionally, by installing a media server in the head-end room, users can watch various video contents stored in the server for a fee.

In the case of a paid service channel, it is basic to encrypt using a scrambler to provide a video service only to a user who has paid the corresponding fee.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a free channel part, which is a part which accommodates a general airwave or a free channel.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a Barker Channel section, which receives a general publicity or emergency broadcast channel.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a modulator unit for setting a paid channel, which is basically required by the number of paid channels.

104 denotes a control unit, which is used between the media server unit 105 and the STB unit 108.

It performs bi-directional data communication that transmits / receives control signal and channel information using stable communication method of frequency shift keying (FSK) method.

105 is a media server unit that stores various paid image data and provides these images through respective modulators 103 according to the instructions of the controller 104.

106 is a combiner, and 107 is a band splitter, which combines various signals of the headend and increases the separation of up and down signals to connect to the CATV network.

Each device described above is already known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

2 shows a block diagram of the set top box 108.

In the figure, 201 is a power supply unit, which generates and supplies power required by the STB.

202 denotes a display unit that displays channel information, a volume level, and the like.

The 203 is a UART unit (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter), and is responsible for protocol conversion and the like related to data communication between the communication modem unit 206 and the CPU unit 204.

205 is a memory unit 205 composed of a nonvolatile memory (NVM: Non Volatile Memory) and the like, and channel information from the media server unit 105 is stored.

206 is a communication modem unit, which transmits the information received from the tuner unit 212 connected to the network to the CPU unit 204 and transmits the information from the CPU unit 204 via the tuner unit 212. To transmit to the network.

Descrambler 207 is a descrambler unit. The scrambler unit scrambles the scrambled pay video signal sent from the headend to enable viewing of the video.

The descrambled video signal is corrected through the video driver section 209 and then sent to the TV receiver through the tuner section 212.

208 is a video OSD (Video On Screen Display), and the set top box 108 in a room or the like uses the menu keys of the remote control 213 to select a paid video channel or pay for the text on the screen of the TV receiver. Perform the function of displaying.

The volume controller 210 and the amplifier 211 controls the sound level transmitted to the TV receiver.

In the pay-per-view system having such a configuration, channel mapping and viewing through channel download will be described.

This will be described based on FIG.

First, when the power is turned on by the remote controller 213 or the like, power is supplied to the STB (step 301). When the STB 108 is powered on, initialization is performed by transmitting the group and address information of the STB 108 to the media server 105 together with the information that the STB 108 is on (step 302).

The media server 105 waits for the group and address information from the STB 108, and upon receiving the information, transmits the channel information currently allowed by the network to the STB 108, and receives the acknowledgment signal. It continues until it does (step 304, 305).

In this channel information, the channel to be accommodated is specified including both the number of free channels and the number of paid channels.

This step is because the maximum number of channels that can be used varies depending on the structure and performance of a cable network such as a hotel or a resort to which the system of FIG. 1 is applied.

For example, if the line conditions are good and the new section is available, more channels, or higher frequencies, will be available. If the facility is poor and the equipment itself is aged, fewer channels, or low frequencies, will be used. Until you can only use.

The media server 105 and the set-top box 108 define the total number of channels used in consideration of such installation environment and requirements.

When the download of the valid channel information is completed as described above, the pay channel which determines how many pay video channels are designated and used among the valid use channels is downloaded next (step 306).

In other words, this process includes information specifying which channel is the paid channel and the like, and the STB 108 receives it and stores it in the memory 205.

This process is to download a setting program for distinguishing the free channel and the paid channel from the defined all available channels received in step 304, and to store it in the STB (108).

At this stage, the preparation for paid video service is completed.

The above process is performed every time the STB 108 is powered on, and even if the media server 105 changes the channel, the STB 108 also changes its channel information accordingly, thereby providing paid or free information. Make sure you know exactly.

Thereafter, the PPV initial menu is displayed (step 307), for example, a group of movies or a specific movie are selected from this initial menu (step 308).

Then, there is a process of preview showing the selected movie for a while, and when the final selection is made, the process of paying the fee proceeds (step 309).

4 is a list showing instructions of a protocol for channel mapping. This protocol represents the protocol between media server 105 and set-top box 108.

5 shows a basic structure of a packet for channel mapping. The packet structure is 11 bytes, 6 bytes are used as the basic protocol for communication, 4 bytes are used for channel information, and 1 byte is used for channel extension and index.

In the first step for channel mapping, the entire channel to be used is downloaded and stored in non-volatile memory (NVM) of the set-top box.

The present invention does not change the program of the STB's CPU even if the configuration conditions of the maximum number of channels that can be used in different environments at each installation location are different and the number of paid channels and the number of free channels are changed every time. It has the effect of being able to cope flexibly.

That is, by allowing the channel to be set up according to the conditions of the user, it is possible to eliminate the need to change the CPU program every time the installation conditions are different.

Moreover, because the frequency can be used efficiently, the cable network already installed and in operation can be used without modification. This effect is very economical in terms of network construction costs.

In addition, it can also be effective in selecting a modulator associated with the pay channel designation. Flexibility in modulating the frequency of the modulator, which is essential for specifying the channel frequency used for the headend, provides clear convenience for inventory utilization and logistics management.

As a result, the system can be constructed without any hardware or software change under any channel acceptance condition, and the effect is very great.

Claims (2)

The media server stores the paid data, scrambles it, and sends it to the set-top box through the paid channel, and the free data stored or relayed is sent to the set-top box through the free channel, In the set-top box, the pay-per-view system displays the free data as it is on the TV screen, and releases the scrambled data and displays it on the TV screen. Information about the paid channel and the free channel is transmitted from the media server every time the set-top box is initialized. A tuner unit for receiving data from a cable network and transmitting data through the same; A communication modem unit and a UART unit for relaying communication between a CPU unit and the tuner unit; A memory unit for storing information, A descrambler unit for scrambled scrambled data; A video drive unit for correcting a level of an image signal of descrambled data; CPU unit for controlling each unit Set-top box consisting of, The CPU unit requests a channel information to an external media server when the power is turned on and initializes, and when the channel information is received, the CPU unit stores the channel information in the memory unit.

Images