KR100835984B1 - Method and apparatus for upgrading of limited reception system in digital cable broadcasting - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for upgrading a limited reception system in digital cable broadcasting are provided to enable a headend to transmit a limited reception system upgrade message to a cable card directly, thereby solving a problem that manpower and time is wasted when the program of the cable card is upgraded. A method for upgrading a limited reception system in digital cable broadcasting of an open cable scheme comprises the following steps of: receiving a limited reception system upgrade message from a headend(720); transmitting a limited reception system upgrade request message to an STB(Set-Top Box) in correspondence to the received limited reception system upgrade message(709); receiving a system upgrade response message from the STB receiving the limited reception system upgrade request message(703); receiving and applying a system upgrade program from the headend in correspondence to the system upgrade response message(727,731,733); and notifying the STB and the headend of the application of the system upgrade program(735).

Description

Method and apparatus for updating a limited reception system of digital cable broadcasting {Method and Apparatus for upgrading of limited reception system in digital cable broadcasting}

1 is a diagram illustrating a service providing configuration of digital cable broadcasting to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a diagram illustrating a transmission structure for updating a CA system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing the structure of a CA system update request message according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram showing the structure of a system for receiving a restriction reception system update according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram showing the structure of a transmission message of a system update program according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a message structure for transmitting from a cable card to a set-top box (SettopBox) according to an embodiment of the present invention

7 is a flowchart illustrating the overall procedure of the method of updating the CA system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

101: Headend

103: Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Network

105: subscriber residence

107: cable modem

109: SettopBox

111: computer

113: cable TV

The present invention relates to digital cable broadcasting, and in particular, in the open cable-based broadcasting system using a cable card, the restriction receiving system program is downloaded through a cable network and the limitation of the digital cable broadcasting is automatically upgraded by the cable card. It relates to a receiving system upgrade method.

At present, cable broadcasting is rapidly being digitized in Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries, and major countries including the United States and the United Kingdom already provide commercial digital cable broadcasting services. The service is being prepared for the purpose of early commercialization.

The biggest reason for the digitization of cables in major countries is the potential of digital cable broadcasting. Digital cable broadcasting system has the most stable and excellent two-way environment compared to terrestrial or satellite broadcasting system, so it can provide new and diverse services such as telephone, internet, shopping, games, VOD, etc. Can provide.

The open cable system adopted in the US and domestic digital cable broadcasting standards stipulates the use of a cable card that separates the security functions related to the restriction reception from the settop box which is a conventional subscriber broadcasting receiver. have. This is a system in which a cable broadcast subscriber purchases a settop box directly from a consumer electronics store, receives a cable card from a broadcast service provider, and watches a broadcast of the broadcast service provider. Through this, broadcast service providers can be freed from the technical subordination of some system operators, and companies manufacturing equipment such as SettopBox can freely enter the market through fair competition. In addition, even if the subscriber has moved out of the service area to which the subscriber has already subscribed, if the subscriber receives only a cable card from a broadcasting service provider in the region, he or she may use his SettopBox as it is to receive the broadcast service.

After an open cable type cable card is distributed to a broadcasting subscriber, it must be upgraded with a new program from time to time in order to change the service of the subscriber or improve the function of the cable card. In addition, when a problem of each cable card or an upgrade of an individual program is required, an update may be required for each cable card at the request of the cable card.

In particular, the upgrade of the restricted reception system, which restricts illegal viewing of those who are not subscribed to the broadcasting service, guarantees the rights of subscribers who are legally watching the broadcast and further enhances the quality of the paid broadcasting service. It is a necessary thing to do.

In this case, conventionally, in order to upgrade the cable card limited reception program, a lot of manpower and time are wasted because the subscriber's cable card has to be reissued by mail, or the A / S personnel have to visit the home and upgrade the cable card program. Had problems.

The present invention proposes a method for upgrading a conditional access system through communication with a digital cable broadcasting headend through a bidirectional cable network in order to solve the problems occurring in the cable card conditional access system upgrade process as described above.

In addition, the present invention proposes a method for updating a system with an individual cable card even when a problem occurs in the program of the cable card or when an individual system program needs to be updated.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, receiving a restriction reception system update message from a radio headend, limiting to a settop box corresponding to the received restriction reception system update message Sending a receiving system update request message, receiving a system update response message from a settop box that has received the restricted receiving system update request message, from the headend corresponding to the system update response message; Receiving and applying a system update program, and notifying the settop box and the headend of the system update program, wherein the system update is received from the head-end. The program consists of a message header section and a system update program structure. In the open cable-type digital cable broadcasting, which is received as a packet including a liver, a method for updating a limited reception system of a cable card can be provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the headend may include a conditional access system server, a cable modem termination system (CMTS), and a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulator. Receiving a restriction reception system update message from the head-end, extracting and comparing cable card identification number and hardware information from the received restriction reception system update message, and restriction from the restriction reception system update message. The method may further include extracting and comparing the reception system program information.

In addition, the settop box receiving the system update request message displays a system update information message on a display device coupled to the settop box and sets the system update approval information corresponding to the displayed system update information message. And receiving a system update response message to the cable card, and terminating the system of the settop box.

The method may further include receiving the system update response message, setting a DOGSIS Settop Gateway (DSG) address of the cable card, and receiving the system from a cable modem termination system (CMTS) of the head end. The method may further include receiving an update program. The method may further include receiving the system update response message, instructing the settop box to set a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) frequency, and transmitting the system from a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) modulator of the headend. The method may further include receiving an update program.

In addition, the limited reception system update message received from the headend includes a message header section, a length section, a cable card authentication section, a hardware version display section, a limited reception system program section, an update setting section, a memory address section, and a user. The packet may include a message section, a program name display section, and a cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) section.

The update setting section may include an emergency section, a program transmission channel section, and a channel tuning information section. The system update program received from the head-end may be received as a packet including a message header section and a system update program section.

The method may further include sending the first limited reception system update request message to the head office. The first limited reception system update request message sent to the headend includes a subscriber certificate section, a hardware version display section, a limited reception system program version display section, a destination address section, a channel section, and a cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) section. It may be characterized in that the packet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a means for receiving a limited reception system update message from a head-end, a means for sending a system update request message to a settop box in response to the received system update message; Means for receiving a system update response message from a settop box receiving the system update request message, means for receiving and applying a system update program from the headend corresponding to the system update response message, and the set top box Means for notifying the application of the system update program to a box (SettopBox) and the head-end, wherein the system update program received from the head-end includes a message header section and a system update program section. O characterized in that the packet is received In digital cable broadcasts Cable system can provide cable cards for conditional access system update.

In a preferred embodiment, the headend may include a conditional access system server, a cable modem termination system (CMTS), and a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulator. Further, means for receiving a restriction reception system update message from the headend, means for extracting and comparing cable card identification numbers and hardware information from the received restriction reception system update message, and restriction from the restriction reception system update message. The apparatus may further include means for extracting and comparing the receiving system program information.

In addition, the settop box receiving the system update request message displays a system update information message on a display device coupled to the settop box and sets the system update approval information corresponding to the displayed system update information message. And receiving a system update response message to the cable card, and terminating the system of the settop box. The system may further comprise a means for receiving the system update response message, a means for setting a DOCSIS Settop Gateway (DSG) address of the cable card, and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) of the headend. The apparatus may further include means for receiving an update program.

The system may further include means for receiving the system update response message, means for setting a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) frequency in the SettopBox, and a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) modulator of the Headend. The apparatus may further include means for receiving an update program.

The method may further include sending the first limited reception system update request message to the head office. The first limited reception system update request message sent to the headend includes a subscriber certificate section, a hardware version display section, a limited reception system program version display section, a destination address section, a channel section, and a cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) section. It may be characterized in that the packet.

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

1 is a diagram illustrating a service providing configuration of digital cable broadcasting to which the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 1, a digital cable broadcast receives a broadcast signal from a headend 101 and sends a broadcast signal to each subscriber station 105 using a hybrid fiber coaxial network (HFC) 103. The subscriber station 105 receives the digital broadcast signal sent from the headend 101 from the cable modem 107 to receive a set top box 109 or a computer 111 and a cable TV 113. Send to a device that receives digital signals.

In the digital cable broadcasting, the headend 101 receives a digital signal through a wired network, a wireless network, or a satellite network, and transmits the received data to a hybrid fiber coaxial network (HFC) 103. Headend 101 is generally composed of a variety of equipment, a detailed description thereof will be described in FIG.

The HFC network (Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Network) 103 is also called an optical coaxial mixed network, and refers to a network in which a coaxial communication network and an optical communication network are mixed. This HFC network (Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Network) 103 is used for the reception of the Internet or TV signals.

The cable modem 107 is responsible for receiving and modulating the digital signal at the subscriber location 105. In order to use a digital signal transmitted from a hybrid fiber coaxial network (HFC) network 103 to a TV or a PC, a subscriber needs a device that modulates a signal. The device that plays such a role is the cable modem 107. In general, modulate a signal in the form of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).

2 is a diagram illustrating a transmission structure for updating a conditional access system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the basic structure of the diagram is the same as the service providing configuration of the digital cable broadcasting shown in FIG. 1. However, in order to apply the present invention to the headend 210, the limited reception system server 211 is essential.

The limited reception system server 211 is responsible for generating and sending a limited reception system update message to be received by the settop box (221). The CA system update message is a signal containing information necessary for updating the CA system. The detailed description will be made with reference to FIG. 3.

The embodiment of the present invention will be described briefly with reference to the drawings.

First of all, if the cable system 223 coupled to the set-top box 221 wants to update the limited reception system, the limited reception system update request message is sent to the headend 210. The structure of the CA System Update Request message will be described later. Subsequently, the headend 210 that receives the limited reception system update request message receives the limited reception system for updating the reception system detailed in the limited reception system server 211 included in the headend 210. Generate an update message. These limited reception system update messages include a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) modulator 213, an Out Of Band (OOB) modulator / demodulator 215, and a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) 217. Is sent through).

This transmission method is similar to the method of transmitting a general data signal received by the headend 210, and the general data signal only encodes the received signal by the MPEG-2 encoder 219. The next step is the same as transmitted through a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) modulator 213, an Out Of Band (OOB) modulator / demodulator 215 and a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) 217. .

The limited reception system update message transmitted as described above is transmitted to the subscriber residence through the hybrid fiber coaxial network (HFC) 200.

The message thus delivered is received by the cable card 223 through the settop box 221. Here, the settop box 221 will generally be in the form of a cable modem.

In other words, it can be seen that the signal passing through the cable modem is received by the cable card 223 coupled to the settop box (221).

When the limited reception system update message is received in the cable card 223, the cable card 221 analyzes the contents of the message and determines whether to update the program. Is displayed on a display device such as a TV that the subscriber can check.

Thereafter, when the user accepts the update of the program, the system update program is received from the limited reception system server 211, stored, and executed. After the execution is completed, restart the system.

Of course, the headend 210 may transmit the update signal of the limited reception system without first requesting the update of the limited reception system in the cable card 223.

3 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a CA system update request message according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the limited reception system update request message is the first message requesting an update of the restricted reception system to the head-end when the cable card needs to be updated.

Thus, the restricted receiving system update request message may include a subscriber certificate 301, a hardware version indication 303, a restricted receiving system program version indication 305, a destination address 307, a channel 309, and a cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) 311. ).

The subscriber certificate 301 includes information for proving that the cable card requesting the head-end to update the limited-received program version is authenticated. The hardware version display 303 displays the version of the hardware so that the update program can be selected according to the hardware model of the cable card, and the destination address 307 indicates the address of the headend to receive the message. In addition, the channel 309 section includes channel information and the cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) 311 verifies whether a message is not in error during transmission.

4 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a CA system update message according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the restricted reception system update message 400 includes a message header 401, a length 403, a cable card authentication 405, a hardware version display 407, a restricted reception system program version display 409, and an update. Configuration 411, memory address 413, user message 415, update file size 417, program name indication 419 and cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) 421.

The message header 401 is a section for indicating the format of the outgoing data of the message generated at the headend of the digital cable broadcast. The length 403 is a section representing the length of the entire data, and the cable card certification 405 represents the manufacturer number and the product serial number of the cable card.

The hardware version display (407) displays the version of the hardware so that the update program can be selected according to the hardware model of the cable card, and the restricted receiving system program version display (409) is compared with the version of the program currently in use on the cable card. It is responsible for determining whether to update a receiving system.

The update setting 411 defines the transmission channel information of the system update program and the update method, and the memory address 413 indicates an address on the flash memory in which the restricted receiving system program to be updated is to be recorded.

The user message 415 informs the user of the update of the restricted receiving system, the update file size 417 indicates the size of the system update program to be transmitted, and the program name indication 419 indicates the system update to be transmitted. The name of the program. Finally, it includes a CRC 421 that tests the integrity of the data.

In particular, the update setting portion 411 includes an emergency 423, a program transmission channel 425, channel tuning information 427, a destination address 429, and an encryption key 441. The presence or absence of an emergency 423 is an interval for informing whether an upgrade is urgent, the program transmission channel 425 notifies a channel through which a file for upgrade is transmitted, and the channel tuning information 427 includes tuning information of the channel. In addition, the destination address 429 has information on the address of the cable card that has requested the renewal of the CA system program, and the encryption key 431 includes encryption termination information necessary for the update of the CA system program. .

5 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a transmission message of a system update program according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the transmission packet 500 of the system update program is a message received after the cable card receiving the CA system update message receives the update of the CA system from the user.

These transport packets include a message header 501 indicating the type of data to be transmitted,

The length 503 representing the length of the entire data and the system update program file 505 to be installed are included.

6 shows a message structure for transmitting from a cable card to a settop box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This message structure is a structure of a message informing the cable card to the set-top box (SettopBox) during the update process of the conditional access system to inform the information related to the update.

This message structure is a form defined for upgrading the firmware in the cable card interface standard of the open cable to which the present invention is applied.

Defined in the figure includes the length of the transmission data, the update program, the transmission time, the user output message and the length of the message. In accordance with this standard, the cable card displays information related to the conditional access system update program to the user.

In particular, by using this method, it is possible to use a predefined message between the SettopBox and the cable card, thereby minimizing the program change inside the SettopBox in applying the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating the overall procedure of a method of updating a limited reception system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a limit reception system update request message is received at a head-end (step 700). This limited reception system update request message is sent from the subscriber's cable card. Thereafter, the subscriber certificate included in the received message is extracted (step 702). Then, the cable card authentication number included in the subscriber certificate and the authentication number of the set-top box can be known so that the relay station can authenticate the received message. Therefore, it is determined whether the device is an authorized device (step 704), and if it is an authenticated device, the received message is analyzed (step 706). As shown in FIG. 3, since the limited reception system update request message includes various information for updating the limited reception system program, all necessary information can be obtained when the message is analyzed. Then, based on the above analysis information, the head office creates a limited reception system update message (step 708) and sends it to the cable card.

Then, the cable card receives the restriction reception system update message from the head end (step 701). Thereafter, the cable card ID and hardware information are extracted from the received restriction reception system update message. This information is compared with the information of the cable card actually received. If the information matches the cable card (step 705) by comparing the extracted information with the ID and hardware information of the actual cable card received (step 705), the program version information of the cable card is compared with the program version information included in the received restricted receiving system update message. It is determined whether the program of the cable card needs to be updated (step 707). Thereafter, if it is determined that the program of the cable card needs to be updated, a system update request message is sent to a settop box that is coupled with the cable card (step 709). On the other hand, if it is determined that the system does not need to be updated or the hardware information does not match in steps 705 and 707, it waits again for the limited reception system update message.

Upon receiving the system update request message from the cable card (step 711), the settop box displays the update request word included in the received system update request message on the TV or other display device connected to the settop box (step S711). 713).

Thereafter, if the user who acknowledges the display message approves the update of the system (step 715), the system update response message is sent to the cable card (step 717), and the system of the settop box is terminated (step 719). ). However, if the user does not approve the update of the system, the system does not send a system update response message and displays the system update request message periodically until the user approves.

After receiving the system update response message from the settop box (step 721), the cable card downloads the system update program. In this case, if the program is transmitted by the cable modem built in the settop box, the DSG ( We will use the DOCSIS Settop Gateway channel, otherwise we will not use the DSG (DOCSIS Settop Gateway) channel.

Therefore, determine if you want to use a DSG (DOCSIS Settop Gateway) channel (step 723), and if you are using a DSG (DOCSIS Settop Gateway) channel, first set the DSG (DOCSIS Settop Gateway) address (step 725), and then use the system update program. Receive and store (step 727).

On the other hand, if no DSG (DOCSIS Settop Gateway) channel is used, the program is transmitted through a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) modulator, so first set the Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) frequency (step 729) and update the system through the set frequency. The program will be received and stored (step 731).

Either way, after the system update program is received and stored, the system update program is applied to the cable card (step 733), and when the application of the system update program is completed, the program is updated to the settop box and the repeater. Notify (step 735). In response to receiving the update completion notification, the settop box resets the settop box and applies the new program to apply the updated information (step 737).

This overall step includes both reference numeral 710 corresponding to the head-end, reference numerals 720 and 740 corresponding to the cable card, and reference numeral 730 corresponding to the set-top box.

Here, step 710 is a procedure by a request of a cable card, and according to an embodiment, it is possible to send a restriction system update message to a cable card directly from the head-end without a cable card request step. In this case, reference numeral 710 may be omitted.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many variations are possible by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention.

As described above, in order to change the program of the limited reception system of the cable card held by the broadcasting subscriber as in the conventional method, the cable card may be reissued or the A / S representative may visit the home to upgrade the cable card program. This can solve the problem of wasted time and manpower.

In addition, when applying the system according to the present invention has the advantage that it is not necessary to upgrade the program running on the set-top box (SettopBox) again.

In addition, even when a problem occurs in a program of a cable card or when an update of an individual system program is required, the system can be updated with an individual cable card.

Claims (18)

Receiving a limited reception system update message from a head-end; Sending a restriction reception system update request message to a settop box in response to the received restriction reception system update message; Receiving a system update response message from a settop box that receives the conditional access system update request message; Receiving and applying a system update program from the headend in response to the system update response message; And Notifying the application of the system update program to the settop box and the head-end. Including, but the system update program received from the head-end (Headend) is limited reception of the cable card in the open cable-type digital cable broadcast, characterized in that received in a packet including a message header section and the system update program section How to update your system. The method of claim 1, The headend includes a conditional access system server, a cable modem termination system (CMTS), and a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulator. A method of updating a limited reception system of a cable card in an open cable-type digital cable broadcasting, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, Receiving a restriction reception system update message from the headend; Extracting and comparing a cable card identification number and hardware information from the received restriction reception system update message; And Extracting and comparing the conditional access system program information from the conditional access system update message; Restriction receiving system update method of the cable card in the open cable-type digital cable broadcasting further comprising. The method of claim 1, The settop box receiving the system update request message displays a system update information message on a display device coupled to the settop box, and receives system update approval information corresponding to the displayed system update information message. Sending a system update response message to the cable card and terminating the system of the settop box. A method of updating a limited reception system of a cable card in an open cable-type digital cable broadcasting, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, Receiving the system update response message; Setting a DOCSIS Settop Gateway (DSG) address of the cable card; And Receiving the system update program from a cable modem termination system (CMTS) of the headend; Restriction receiving system update method of the cable card in the open cable-type digital cable broadcasting further comprising. The method of claim 1, Receiving the system update response message; Instructing to set a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) frequency in the SettopBox; Receiving the system update program from a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) modulator of the headend; Restriction receiving system update method of the cable card in the open cable-type digital cable broadcasting further comprising. The method of claim 1, The limited reception system update message received from the head-end (Headend), Message Header Section, Length Section, Cable Card Authentication Section, Hardware Version Display Section, Limited Receiving System Program Version Display Section, Update Setting Section, Memory Address Section, User Message Section, Program Name Display Section and Cyclic Redundancy Checking (CRC) Section Restriction receiving system update method of a cable card in an open cable type digital cable broadcasting, characterized in that the packet comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein The update setting section, Urgent section, program transmission channel section, channel tuning information section, destination address section and encryption key section Restriction receiving system update method of a cable card in an open cable-type digital cable broadcasting, comprising a. delete The method of claim 1, Sending a first limited reception system update request message to the head-end Restriction receiving system update method of the cable card in the open cable-type digital cable broadcasting further comprising. The method of claim 10, The first limited reception system update request message sent to the radio relay station is Subscriber certificate section, hardware version display section, CA system version display section, destination address section, channel section and cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) section Restriction receiving system update method of a cable card in an open cable type digital cable broadcasting, characterized in that the packet comprising a. Means for receiving a restricted reception system update message from a head-end; Means for sending a system update request message to a settop box in response to the received system update message; Means for receiving a system update response message from a settop box receiving the system update request message; Means for receiving and applying a system update program from the headend in response to the system update response message; And Means for notifying the SettopBox and the Headend of the application of the system update program The system update program received from the head-end is included in the packet including a message header section and a system update program section. For cable card. The method of claim 12, The headend includes a conditional access system server, a cable modem termination system (CMTS), and a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulator. A cable card for updating a limited reception system in an open cable-based digital cable broadcasting. The method of claim 12, Means for receiving a restricted reception system update message from the head end; Means for extracting and comparing cable card identification numbers and hardware information from the received conditional access system update message; And Means for extracting and comparing the conditional access system program information from the conditional access system update message; Cable card for updating the limited reception system in the digital cable broadcasting of the open cable method further comprising a. The method of claim 12, The settop box receiving the system update request message displays a system update information message on a display device coupled to the settop box, and receives system update approval information corresponding to the displayed system update information message. Sending a system update response message to the cable card and terminating the system of the settop box. A cable card for updating a limited reception system in an open cable-based digital cable broadcasting. The method of claim 12, Means for receiving the system update response message; Means for setting a DOGSIS Settop Gateway (DSG) address of the cable card; And Means for receiving a system update program from a cable modem termination system (CMTS) of the head end; Cable card for updating the limited reception system in the digital cable broadcasting of the open cable method further comprising a. The method of claim 12, Means for receiving the system update response message; Means for instructing to set a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) frequency in the SettopBox; Means for receiving a system update program from a Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) modulator of the headend; Cable card for updating the limited reception system in the digital cable broadcasting of the open cable method further comprising a. The method of claim 12, Means for sending a first limited reception system update request message to the head-end Cable card for updating the limited reception system in the digital cable broadcasting of the open cable method further comprising a.

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