KR100830209B1 - Integration settop box having function of computer networking and multimedia revival - Google Patents

Abstract

An integrated set top box having functions of computer networking and multimedia play is provided to receive multimedia data through first and second input terminals and decode/play the multimedia data for networking a local computer with TV. An integrated set top box(110) having functions of computer networking and multimedia play comprises first and second input ports(211,223), a network PC processor(210), a multimedia processor(220), and a video and audio output terminal. The first input port is connected to an Ethernet cable. The second input port is connected to an external storage through a cable. The network PC processor controls online work on the digital TV. The multimedia processor receives multimedia data through the first and second input terminals and decodes/plays the multimedia. The video and audio output terminal outputs the data to the digital TV. An Ethernet switch(212) switches the data transmitted from the first input port on a packet basis. An Ethernet PHY(physical layer) chip(213) transfers the packet switched by the Ethernet switch to the network PC processor. An Ethernet controller(221) transfers the packet to the multimedia processor.

Description

Integration Settop Box Having Function of Computer Networking And Multimedia Revival

1 illustrates a system including an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback according to the present invention,

2 illustrates an internal block diagram of an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback according to the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a case 1 using an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback according to the present invention,

Figure 4 shows Case 2 using an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

110; Integrated set-top box 111; PC

112; IP router 113; IPTV or VOD Server

114; Modem 115; RJ-45 connector

116; External storage device 117; USB connector

118; Keyboard 119; mouse

120; Remote control 121; Digital TV

210; Network PC processor 220; Multimedia processor

211, 223; Input port 212; Ethernet switch

213; Ethernet PHY chip 214; Video output switch

215; Video output port 216; Audio output switch

217; Audio output ports 218 and 225; Flash memory

219, 226; SDRAM 221; Ethernet controller

The present invention relates to a set top box, and more particularly to an integrated set top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback.

Electronic devices for playing video and audio have been developed in recent years, and computer networking technology between groups and individuals is also common.

Korean Registered Utility Model Registration No. 20-0352453 (Multimedia integrated playback device) discloses a device for integrated playback of multimedia.

No. 20-0352453 uses multimedia data stored in an external storage device to play a projector, TV, etc., or configures a network with Ethernet using the Internet and connects with a PC to use the monitor of the PC as a display and a keypad as a control panel. A device for reproducing multimedia data on a monitor is disclosed.

However, No. 20-0352453 only plays the multimedia data stored in the external storage device to a projector, a TV, or a PC, but does not add other functions.

In other words, there is no integrated set-top box that adds dynamic functions such as playing multimedia data and using a networking PC.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is to provide an integrated set-top box that reproduces multimedia data on a TV and enables networking between a local computer and the TV.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated set-top box that can play multimedia data stored in an external storage device on a TV, as well as play multimedia data stored in a local computer on a TV through a LAN (Local Area Network) network. To provide.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback, comprising: a first input port to which an Ethernet cable constituting a local network is connected to enable the Internet; A second input port connected to the external storage device through a cable; A network PC processor networked with the local computer to control an on-line operation performed by software in the local computer on a digital TV; Receives multimedia data in the local computer or an external server through the Internet through the local network and the first input terminal, or receives multimedia data stored in the external storage device through the second input terminal to decode and play the multimedia data. A multimedia processor which controls to make it work; And video and audio output terminals for outputting data generated from the network PC processor and the multimedia processor to the digital TV.

Here, it is preferable to further include an Ethernet switch for switching the data transmitted from the first input port in units of packets.

Here, the Ethernet PHY chip may further include a packet transferred from the Ethernet switch to the network PC processor, and an Ethernet controller configured to transfer the packet switched from the Ethernet switch to the multimedia processor. .

Here, the packet or decoded data transmitted from the network PC processor and the multimedia processor may be implemented to be transmitted to the video and audio output terminals through a video output switch and an audio output switch.

Here, the networking of the local computer and the integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback may be implemented through an IP (Internet protocol) router.

Here, the external server may be an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) server or a VOD (Video on Demand) server.

Here, the first input port is connected to the RJ-45 LAN connector, the second input port is preferably connected to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector.

Here, the integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback further includes an input means for control, wherein the input means is a keyboard, a mouse or a remote control, and the keyboard and the mouse are connected to the network PC processor to receive an input signal. The controller may be configured to be connected to the multimedia processor to control input signals by infrared sensor signals.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates a system including an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback in accordance with the present invention.

As shown, the entire system includes a personal computer PC 111, an IPTV or VOD server 113, an external storage device 116, an integrated set-top box 110, and a digital TV 121.

Integrated set-top box 110 is a keyboard 118, the mouse 119 and the remote control 120 is connected to the wired or wireless as an input means.

Integrated set-top box 110 has a first input terminal 115 and a second input terminal 117, the first input terminal 115 is an RJ-45 LAN connector, the second input terminal 117 is a USB terminal It can be implemented.

The IP sharer 112 is connected to the first input terminal 115 to enable the Internet, and is connected by an Ethernet cable to the PC 111, the IP sharer 112, the integrated set-top box 110, and the digital TV 121. Will configure your local network.

The external input device 116 is connected to the second input terminal 117, and includes all storage devices that can be connected to the USB terminal, such as a disk array device.

In addition, the modem 114 is connected to the IP router 112 in order to use IPTV or VOD (Video on Demand).

In such a system, the integrated set-top box 110 networking the PC 111 and the digital TV 121 through the Internet with a function of decoding multimedia data from the Internet network or an external storage device and playing the same on the digital TV 121. By controlling the digital TV 121 to perform a multi-PC function.

Figure 2 illustrates an internal block diagram of an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback according to the present invention.

As shown, the internal PCB board of the integrated set-top box 110 of the present invention is the first and second input ports 211 and 223 around the network PC processor 210 and the multimedia processor 220, Ethernet switch ( 212), Ethernet PHY chip 213, Ethernet controller 221 and USB controller 224 configure the input side, video / audio output switches 214 and 216, video / audio output ports 215 and 217 and audio. The D / A 222 constitutes an output side, and the flash memories 218 and 225 and the SDRAMs 219 and 226 are connected to the network PC processor 210 and the multimedia processor 220, respectively.

The first input port 211 is connected to the Ethernet cable to configure a local network, RJ-45 LAN connector 115 is used. In addition, the second input port 223 is connected to external storage devices to receive input data, and a USB connector 117 is used.

The Ethernet switch 212 stores a unique MAC (Medium Access Control) address of each computer to perform a local network, and determines which data should be transmitted where through this address. Accordingly, the network data packet is sent to the Ethernet physical layer (PHY) chip 213, and the multimedia packet (including the video packet and the voice packet) is switched to the Ethernet controller 221.

The Ethernet switch 212 follows a packet switching format. In general, an Ethernet packet includes a header having an address portion, an upper layer information area, and a trailer for error auditing.

The Ethernet PHY chip 213 disassembles the packet from the Ethernet switch 212 to the network PC processor 210 by decomposing the packet in an Ethernet controller (not shown) including the MAC chip in the network PC processor 210. To pass.

Here, the Ethernet controller has a unique address in the local network and has several other group addresses. The Ethernet controller compares its address and group address with the address transmitted to the internal network interface card. Depending on the result, you may or may not receive data. Therefore, if the destination address is detected from the data input in the packet unit, if the packet corresponds to the destination address, the packet currently transmitted is accepted. If the packet does not correspond to the destination address, the packet is not received.

The Ethernet controller 221 includes a PHY chip and a MAC chip, and receives the multimedia packet distributed from the Ethernet switch 212 and decomposes and delivers the multimedia packet to the multimedia processor 220. Similarly, the destination address is detected from the data input in the packet unit, and if it corresponds to the destination address, the multimedia packet currently being transmitted is accepted. If the destination address is not, the multimedia packet is not received.

The network PC processor 210 disassembles the network packet transmitted from the Ethernet PHY chip 213 in the Ethernet controller inside and combines the decomposed network packet to control the video according to the control of the keyboard 118 or the mouse 119 as an input means. It is switched to the / audio output switch (214, 216) and outputs to the digital TV 121 connected through the video / audio output port (215, 217).

Here, the network packet is a network PC software is built into the PC 111 in an environment forming a local network with the PC 111, so that the functions of the application programs in the PC 111 can be used under the control of the network PC software. Encrypted and transmitted to the network PC processor 210 via the local network.

The network PC processor 210 may be implemented as a Filed Programmable Gated Array (FPGA), and may be selected and implemented among Altera's Cyclone FPGA series.

At this time, the flash memory 218 serves as a storage space for application programs or state data of the system, and the SDRAM 219 is a system memory required for storing data for processing by the network PC processor 210. Under the control of the processor, it plays the role of temporary storage when playing video / audio files.

The multimedia processor 220 is a CPU that controls a multimedia file transmitted from a local network or an external storage device to be output to an external output device. Packets received through a local network are distributed into multimedia packets through an Ethernet switch 212. The controller 221 transmits the multimedia packet received from the Ethernet switch 212 to the multimedia processor 220 as a PCI packet.

The multimedia processor 220 decodes the delivered multimedia packets through various decoders mounted thereon. The audio signal is converted into a digital signal and output, and the output digital audio signal is converted into an analog signal through the audio digital / analog converter 222 and digitally output through the audio output switch 216 and the audio output port 217. Playback is carried out by the TV 121. In addition, the digital video signal is converted to a display device through a scaler mounted inside the multimedia processor 220 so as to be reproduced to the digital TV 121 through the video output switch 214 and the video output port 217. .

In addition, the multimedia processor 220 controls to play various multimedia files stored in the external storage device 116 connected to the second input port 223. The multimedia file packets stored in the external storage device 116 are converted into PCI packets through the USB controller 224 and transferred to the multimedia processor 220. The multimedia processor 220 converts the video / audio signals into the video / audio output switch. 214, 216, and video / audio output ports 215, 217 to control playback to the digital TV 121.

In this case, the flash memory 225 serves as a storage space for application programs or state data of the system, and the SDRAM 226 is a multimedia as a system memory that the multimedia processor 220 needs for storing data for processing data. Under the control of the processor 220, it plays a role of temporary storage when playing a video / audio file.

Hereinafter, an example that can be constructed using the integrated set-top box 110 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Figure 3 shows Case 1 using an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback according to the present invention.

In an environment where the IP sharer 112 is installed in the home where the Internet environment is established, the PC 111, the integrated set-top box 110, and the digital TV 121 constitute a local network. The PC 111 contains network PC software.

By the network PC software, multimedia data (digital video, digital photos, digital music, etc.) or network data (applications for various document operations, Internet applications, etc.) inside the PC 111 are encrypted in packet units. By distributing network packets and multimedia packets from Ethernet switch 212 in integrated set-top box 110, (i) network packets are forwarded to Ethernet PHY chip 213 and networked from Ethernet controller inside network PC processor 210. Decomposes the packet and delivers it to the network PC processor 210. The packet is played back to the digital TV 121 through the connected input devices 118 and 119 and the output ports 215 and 217. Application programs stored in 111 can be used independently. Also, the multimedia packet distributed from the Ethernet switch 212 is transmitted to the Ethernet controller 221 and the multimedia processor 220 to output multimedia data through a scaler and a decoder in the multimedia processor 220. , 217 is played back on the digital TV 121. FIG. (Iii) Likewise, regardless of the local network environment, the USB port is connected to the external storage device 116 to receive multimedia data in the external storage device 116 and decoded through the decoder in the multimedia processor 220 to output the port 215. , 217 is played back on the digital TV 121. FIG.

By doing so, not only the PC network can be realized through the digital TV 121 in the local network environment, but also the digital TV 121 enables multimedia playback through the network and multimedia playback through an external storage device.

Figure 4 shows Case 2 using an integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback according to the present invention.

The case illustrated in FIG. 4 is a service example in which an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) / Video On Demand (VOD) service connected through the Internet and a network PC function connected through a local network are integrated.

First, the network PC function using the integrated set-top box is as described in Case 1. In other words, the multimedia data or the network data inside the PC 111 are encrypted in packet units, and the packets are distributed by the network packet and the multimedia packet by the Ethernet switch 212 in the integrated set-top box 110. Each is reproduced to the digital TV 121 through the output ports 215 and 217 under the control of the network PC processor 210 or the multimedia processor 220. Eventually, the integrated set-top box 110 enables the playback of network PC functions and multimedia files.

Next, the IPTV and VOD service functions using the integrated set-top box will be described. First, when the IPTV server 411 or the VOD server 412 is connected to the IPTV server 411 or the VOD server 412 through the authentication process, the IPTV server 411 or the VOD server 412 transmits various programs and broadcasting-related information to an IP network (Internet network, the Gakeway 414). And the modem 415. The transmitted data is analyzed by the multimedia processor 220 in the integrated set-top box 110 and output to the digital TV 121. When the user selects a broadcasting channel, the IPTV server 411 or All broadcast packets sent from the VOD server 412 are analyzed and only selected packets are combined and output.

As described above, the integrated set-top box of the present invention may be divided into a network PC function using the network PC processor 210 and a multimedia function (IPTV, VOD, DMA) using the multimedia processor 220. Furthermore, these functions can be freely switched at the request of the user, and the function of switching the video and audio signals output from each function using a high-performance switch can be used without any delay when the user changes the function again. The switching is implemented so that the user can use the function immediately, and the switching method is to provide the user with the remote control 120 to easily switch using a specific button on the remote control 120 and to select the displayed button on the screen. Is implemented in a way.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above-described technical configuration of the present invention may be embodied by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without changing its technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the present invention may be practiced as. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be understood as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the detailed description, and the meaning and scope of the claims and All changes or modifications derived from the equivalent concept should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

According to the above-described configuration of the present invention, it is possible to provide an integrated set-top box that reproduces multimedia data on a TV and enables networking between the local computer and the TV.

In addition, it is possible not only to play multimedia data stored in an external storage device on a TV, but also to provide an integrated set-top box capable of playing multimedia data stored in a local computer on a TV through a LAN (Local Area Network) network. do.

In addition, it is possible to provide an integrated set-top box capable of implementing a network PC, network digital multimedia play, IPTV, and video on demand (VOD) functions.

Claims (8)

A first input port to which an Ethernet cable constituting a local network is connected to enable the Internet; A second input port connected to the external storage device through a cable; A network PC processor for controlling on-digital TV the on-line work performed by software in a computer networked via said local network; Receives multimedia data in the computer or an external server through the Internet through the local network and the first input terminal, or receives multimedia data stored in the external storage device through the second input terminal to decode and play the multimedia data. A multimedia processor for controlling the system to be controlled; And a video and audio output terminal for outputting data generated by the network PC processor and the multimedia processor to the digital TV. The method of claim 1, An integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback further comprises an Ethernet switch for switching the data transmitted from the first input port in units of packets. The method of claim 2, An Ethernet physical layer (PHY) chip for transferring the switched packet from the Ethernet switch to the network PC processor; And an Ethernet controller for delivering the switched packet from the Ethernet switch to the multimedia processor. The method of claim 1, Packet or decoded data transmitted from the network PC processor and the multimedia processor is transmitted to the video and audio output terminal through a video output switch and an audio output switch, integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback. The method of claim 1, Networking of the computer and the integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback is possible through an IP (Internet protocol) router, integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback. The method of claim 1, The external server is an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) server or VOD (Video on Demand) server, computer set-up and multimedia set-top box capable of multimedia playback. The method of claim 1, The first input port is connected to the RJ-45 LAN connector, The second input port is connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback. The method of claim 1, The integrated set-top box capable of computer networking and multimedia playback further includes an input means for control, The input means is a keyboard, a mouse or a remote control, The keyboard and mouse are connected to the network PC processor to control input signals, and the remote controller is connected to the multimedia processor to perform input signal control by an infrared sensor signal. box.

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