KR101439095B1 - Multi-channel broadcasting system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention allows a viewer to select and view a video signal picked up by a plurality of cameras and allows a viewer to select and watch a video signal according to each camera without memorizing the channel number corresponding to the video signal of each camera And a multi-channel broadcasting system. To this end, the present invention receives a first video signal and a second video signal from at least two imaging devices for capturing one broadcast content, provides the first video signal as a main broadcast channel to a user terminal connected to the network And provides the identification information of the image signal for each imaging device. When the user terminal selects one of the imaging devices according to the identification information, the second terminal provides the second image signal corresponding to the identification information to the user terminal.

Camera identifiers, multi-channel, set-top boxes, broadcasting systems

Description

[0001] Multi-channel broadcasting system [0002]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration of a multi-channel broadcasting system according to the present invention.

2 is a view showing an example in which a camera is placed in a baseball field,

3 is a block diagram of a multi-channel broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a conceptual view illustrating a process of transmitting a video signal generated between a network switch and a user terminal,

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a set-top box of a user terminal according to the present invention.

6 is a conceptual illustration of a command mode of a set-top box,

7 is a diagram for explaining a method by which a viewer sets a command mode;

8 is a view for explaining another method of selecting a camera identifier,

9 is a conceptual diagram of a multi-channel broadcasting system according to another embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates a frequency bandwidth of a conventional cable network, FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates a method of transmitting a video signal and a camera identifier to each other through a user terminal and a multi-channel broadcasting system,

FIG. 12 illustrates a multi-channel broadcasting system according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

13 and 14 show an example of a transmission packet broadcasted to a user terminal in a multi-channel broadcasting system.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

10a to 10n: camera 110: video processor

111; An identifier processing unit 112:

113 compression section 120 transmission processing section

121: Mux 123: Network Switch

124: channel switching unit 130: authentication processing unit

11a to 11n:

The present invention relates to a broadcast system, and more particularly, to a system and method for enabling a viewer to select and view a video signal generated by a plurality of cameras that capture one broadcast content, and a viewer can select a video signal of another camera using a remote controller Channel broadcasting system.

Generally, a video signal transmitted from a broadcast station to a user terminal (e.g., a television) is transmitted in one direction from a broadcast station to a user terminal. In this case, among the video signals picked up by using a plurality of cameras, the broadcast content is a combination of video signals of the camera selected by the editor, and the viewer can not select the video signal of the camera desired by the viewer. This feature is applied to the cable broadcasting in addition to the over-the-air broadcasting, and the viewer can view only the video signal of the camera selected by the editor. Currently, various cable stations in the United States are providing sports broadcasts to viewers. Among the sports broadcasts relayed by the cable broadcasting stations, the professional baseball relay broadcasts the images of the ground by the cameras installed in the first, second, third base, base, right field left and center field directions, and the captured video signals are edited And are provided to viewers. Viewers can continue to see their favorite players and can continue to view their favorite pitchers' form. However, a video signal edited in a relay car or a broadcasting station can not reflect the intention of the viewer. The applicant of the present invention intends to propose a multi-channel broadcasting system that allows a viewer to selectively view a video signal of a desired camera while viewing a video edited in a broadcasting station (or a relay car).

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-channel broadcasting system in which a viewer can select and view a video signal generated by a plurality of cameras for capturing one broadcast content.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-channel broadcasting system in which a video signal according to each camera can be selected and viewed even in a broadcasting system using a conventional cable network. Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel broadcasting system capable of transmitting various video signals while minimizing a network load by broadcasting video signals of a plurality of cameras in one packet.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for receiving a first video signal and a second video signal from at least two image capturing apparatuses for capturing one broadcast content, And providing the identification information to the user terminal and providing the identification information of the video signal for each imaging device, and when the user terminal selects any one of the imaging devices according to the identification information, To the user terminal.

The first video signal may include a video signal for the broadcast content, and a device identifier for the video image capture devices.

The user terminal is controlled through a remote controller, and can request the second video signal when a command input by a viewer through the remote controller corresponds to the device identifier.

Preferably, the user terminal is a set top box (STB).

The set-top box is connected to a display device and includes a network interface module. When a viewer requests a video signal associated with the broadcast content, the set-top box provides the video signal to the multi-channel broadcast system through the network interface module, The interface unit preferably switches the reception channel of the display device in response to the channel information.

Preferably, the set-top box switches to a command receive mode when the channel number transmitted from the remote controller is a pre-agreed number sequence.

The set-top box sequentially transmits video signals of the other image pickup device for generating the broadcast content to the multi-channel broadcast system in accordance with the number of times the direction key provided on the remote controller of the user is inputted in the command receiving mode request.

The agreed number column may be any one of channel numbers for a channel frequency not receivable in the settop box.

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned object can be attained by receiving a first video signal and a second video signal through a first imaging device and a second imaging device disposed at different positions for capturing one broadcast content, respectively, A main broadcasting channel is allocated to the first video signal for the broadcast content, and the main broadcasting channel is provided to a user terminal connected to the main broadcasting channel. When the user terminal receives the main broadcasting channel and requests the second video signal, 2 video signal to the user terminal, and the user terminal performs channel switching with reference to the broadcast channel information.

The second video signal may be at least one or more.

Preferably, the user terminal is a set top box (STB).

The set-top box is connected to a display device and includes a network interface module. When a viewer requests a video signal associated with the broadcast content, the set-top box provides the video signal to the multi-channel broadcast system through the network interface module, The interface unit preferably switches the reception channel of the display device in response to the channel information.

The set-top box switches to a command reception mode when the channel number transmitted from the remote controller is a pre-agreed number sequence.

The set-top box sequentially transmits video signals of the other image pickup device for generating the broadcast content to the multi-channel broadcast system in accordance with the number of times the direction key provided on the remote controller of the user is inputted in the command receiving mode request.

The agreed number column may be any one of channel numbers for a channel frequency not receivable in the settop box.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus for receiving a plurality of image sources generated for one broadcast content using a plurality of image capturing apparatuses disposed at different positions, encoding each of the image sources, A video processing unit for generating a video signal for each video signal and allocating a broadcasting channel to each video signal and supplying the video signal to the cable network; and a video processing unit for selecting one of the video signals for the broadcasting content, And a transmission processor for providing the user terminal with channel information on the other video signal upon request of the video signal, wherein the user terminal is a multi-channel broadcasting terminal for switching a reception channel frequency according to channel information provided by the transmission processor, System.

The video processing unit may include association information on correspondence between the respective image sources and the respective image pickup devices.

The user terminal may be a set top box.

The set-top box is connected to a display device and has a network interface module. When a viewer requests a video signal related to the broadcast content, the set-top box provides the video signal to the transmission processor through the network interface module, Preferably, the transmission processing unit receives the channel information on the other video signal associated with the broadcast content, and switches the reception channel of the display device accordingly.

The set-top box may be integrated with the display device.

The set-top box and the transmission processing unit are connected by a cable network, and the cable network can transmit either a broadcast signal or a network packet.

The video processing unit may perform any one of compressing and scrambling the video signal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video signal processing apparatus for receiving a plurality of video sources generated for one broadcast content using a plurality of video image pickup devices disposed at different positions, And a network switch for broadcasting the transport packet, wherein the transport packet includes a header area and a data area, and the header area identifies each of the image pickup devices And the data region is achieved by a multi-channel broadcasting system in which video signals corresponding to the respective video IDs are provided.

The data area is preferably scrambled.

Preferably, the user terminal is a set-top box having a card for descrambling the scrambled data area.

The user terminal may be any one of a personal computer provided with a program for descrambling the scrambled data and a personal computer provided with a card for descrambling the data.

The user terminal may comprise a set-top box for descrambling the scrambled data, and a display device for reproducing the descrambled data through the set-top box.

The transport packet includes target IP information of a target node to be connected to the network, and may be broadcasted at the target node.

The transmission destination node may be provided with a router connected to at least one user terminal, and the router may provide the transmission packet to a plurality of user terminals belonging to the local network.

Wherein the video processing unit includes a device identifier for identifying each of the video image capturing apparatuses, wherein the video processor refers to the device identifier, arranges the arrangement order of the device identifiers recorded in the header area, and records the video signal recorded in the data area The order can be determined.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus, comprising: at least one video image capturing apparatus for capturing images obtained through at least one image capturing apparatus into one transport packet; Into a header of the transport packet, and transmitting the transport packet including the identifier to a router to which the user terminal belongs.

The router may provide the multicast packet to a plurality of user terminals belonging to the local network.

The user terminal may decode the identifier and select any one of the images obtained through the respective image capturing apparatuses.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus including a video processing unit that combines video signals obtained through at least one video imaging apparatus into broadcast packets and transmits the combined video signals to a plurality of user terminals, And transmitting the broadcast packet including the identifier to a router to which the user terminal belongs.

Advantageously, the transmitting step further comprises scrambling the video data included in the broadcast packet.

According to the present invention, the above object can be accomplished by a video processing unit connected to at least one user terminal through a network, receiving a channel information requested by the user terminal, and transmitting a video signal requested by the user terminal in response thereto The method includes receiving video signals from a plurality of cameras installed at different positions in one shooting field, transmitting one of the plurality of video signals to a network, And providing a video signal corresponding to the selected video signal to the user terminal when the video signal of another camera is requested.

The step of transmitting any one of the plurality of video signals to the network may further include encoding and compressing the plurality of video signals.

The user terminal changes the reception channel according to the channel information.

The shooting place may be any one of a basketball field, a baseball field, a football field, a golf course, a tennis court, a studio, and an indoor set.

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram for conceptually explaining a multi-channel broadcasting system according to the present invention.

The multi-channel broadcasting system according to the present invention allows viewers to view one broadcast content at various viewpoints.

In general, one broadcast channel is allocated to one broadcast content, and a viewer can view the broadcast content by selecting a broadcast channel that the viewer wants to watch. At this time, the broadcast content is created according to the time point determined by the producer of the broadcast content, and the viewer can not view the broadcast content according to the desired time.

In the drawings, the reference symbol "A" denotes a main video signal provided by a viewer on a broadcast channel when a viewer selects a broadcast channel, and the multi-channel broadcast system according to the present invention includes a video signal (A) B), or a video signal (C). Accordingly, the viewer can view one broadcast content he / she wants to watch according to various camera viewpoints.

It is needless to say that the viewer does not directly select the channel number for the B video signal and the C video signal in order to switch the images by each camera in order of A? B? C. In order to select a video signal for each camera, the present invention selects a channel number assigned to a video signal or does not require a separate menu. The viewer changes the camera view through a minimum operation requesting switching of the video signal .

1, a viewer views a video signal A captured in the first direction of the baseball field, a video signal B captured in the back of the pitcher, or a video signal C captured in the back of the catcher, Can be selected and viewed. To this end, there are a plurality of cameras for capturing broadcast contents, and their positions must be different from each other. This will be described with reference to FIG.

2 shows an example in which a camera is disposed in a baseball field. The illustrated cameras 10a to 10c show that three cameras 10a to 10c are arranged to generate one broadcast content (baseball relay broadcast). Each of the cameras 10a to 10c does not exist at the same position and picks up an image of the ball in the baseball at various angles and various positions and transmits it to the broadcasting station. Therefore, the multi-channel broadcasting system according to the present invention can provide a plurality of video signals at a place such as a baseball field, a basketball court, a football field, a golf course, a tennis court, a studio, And is applied to obtainable broadcast content.

In the multi-channel broadcasting system of the present invention, a video signal picked up by each of the cameras 10a to 10c is edited into one video signal suitable for broadcasting and assigned to the main broadcast channel. The video signal allows the viewer to be selectively provided when desired.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the concept that a plurality of image capture devices (cameras) are used to provide a plurality of image signals having a correlation to one broadcast content to viewers.

3 is a conceptual block diagram of a multi-channel broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The illustrated multi-channel broadcasting system includes a video processing unit 110, a transmission processing unit 120, and an authentication processing unit 130.

The authentication processing unit 130 determines whether or not the viewer is permitted to use the broadcast content by using the unique information given to the user terminals 11a to 11n.

If the user terminal is a set-top box, the authentication processing unit 130 uses the serial number, the unique number assigned to the set-top box, and the unique number of the de-scramble card, Authenticate viewers,

When the user terminal is a personal computer, the viewer is authenticated through the ID and password set by the viewer using the personal computer.

The video processing unit 110 assigns camera identifiers to the video signals picked up by the respective imaging apparatuses, compresses them after processing them into digital video signals, and compresses them. The video processing unit 110 may be a compression method of MPEG-2 or MPEG-4, but the video signal may be compressed according to other compression methods.

The transmission processing unit 120 inserts EPG (Electrical Program Guide) information into the video signal provided by the video processing unit 110, converts the EPG embedded video signal into a network packet, and transmits the network packet to the user terminals 11a to 11n to provide. The transmission processing unit 120 provides video signals of cameras that the user terminals 11a to 11n want to watch when the user terminals 11a to 11n request replacement of the video signals being viewed. To this end, the user terminals 11a to 11n notify the transmission processing unit 120 of the camera identifier of the video signal to be watched, and the transmission processing unit 120 requests the video processing unit 110 to transmit the video signal corresponding to the camera identifier And provides them to the user terminals 11a to 11n.

Preferably, the video processing unit 110 includes an identifier processing unit 111, an encoder 112, and a compression unit 113.

The identifier processing unit 111 assigns camera identifiers to the video signals obtained by the cameras 10a to 10n. The camera identifiers may be numbers or symbols assigned to the cameras 10a to 10n, and may have any form capable of identifying the numeric string and other cameras 10a to 10n. It is preferable that the identifier processing unit 111 refers to the mutual positional relationship between the cameras 10a to 10n and sets one of them as a reference camera and numbers them sequentially in the order of the adjacent cameras. For example, in FIG. 2, if the camera 10a is a reference camera, the camera identifier may be given in the order of the reference camera 10a, the adjacent camera 10b, and the camera 10c.

Since the camera identifiers are included in the video signals, the user terminals 11a to 11n can request the desired video signals by feeding back the camera identifiers to the transmission processing unit 120. The transmission processing unit 120 transmits the camera identifiers to the user terminals 11a to 11n The video processor 110 may request a video signal for the camera identifier.

Preferably, the transmission processing unit 120 includes a MUX 121, a network switch 123, and a channel switching unit 124.

The MUX 121 inserts an EPG, which is a program schedule of a broadcast program to be provided to each of the user terminals 11a to 11n, into the video signal. The network switch 123 provides video signals for the respective cameras 10a to 10n provided by the video processing unit 110 to the user terminals 11a to 11n in response to a channel request of the user terminals 11a to 11n. The network switch 123,

1) providing a video signal according to each broadcasting channel,

2) When a plurality of cameras are allocated to one broadcast channel, each camera provides a video signal.

This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a process of transmitting a video signal generated between the network switch 123 and the user terminals 11a to 11n.

In the drawing, it is shown that the network switch 123 transmits the video signal AV_1 to the user terminal 10a, transmits the video signal AV_2 to the user terminal 10b, and provides the video signal AV_3 to the user terminal 10c have.

Here, the video signals AV_1, AV_2, and AV_3 are video signals for one broadcast content, and are captured by different cameras.

If the user terminal 10b requests the other video signal AV_1 or AV_3 to the network switch 123 while watching the video signal AV_2, the network switch 123 transmits the video signal AV_2 provided from the video processing unit 110 Receives the video signal requested by the user terminal 10b among the signals AV_1 to AV_n and transmits the received video signal to the user terminal 10b. The user terminal 10b transmits the camera identifier corresponding to the video signal AV_2 to the network switch 123. The network switch 123 provides the camera identifier to the channel switching unit 124 and the channel switching unit 124 Requests the video processing unit 110 to transmit the video signal corresponding to the camera identifier. The video processing unit 110 transmits a video signal corresponding to the camera identifier requested by the channel switching unit 124 to the network switch 123 and the network switch 123 transmits the video signal to the user terminal 10b. In the figure, a personal computer is shown as a user terminal 11a to 11n, but the user terminals 11a to 11n may be a set top box combined with an LCD, a PDP, and a CRT cathode ray tube television. The user terminals 11a to 11n referred to in the present invention are any one of a personal computer capable of network communication, a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and a set-top box, Any digital device capable of reproducing signals is possible.

Meanwhile, the network switch 123 recognizes the user terminal 10b through the IP address or the MAC address of the user terminal 10b. When the user terminal 10b receives the video signal AV_2, AV_3 to the user terminal 10b, the video signal AV_3 is transmitted to the user terminal 10b. That is, the user terminal 10b can receive all of the video signals AV_1, AV_2, and AV_3 in its own IP address. Accordingly, the network switch 123 does not need to allocate a plurality of video signals AV_1, AV_2, and AV_3 for one broadcast content to independent IPs.

The channel switching unit 124 requests the video processing unit 110 for a video signal corresponding to the camera identifier requested by the user terminals 11a to 11n in response to the camera identifier transmitted from each of the user terminals 11a to 11n. The channel switching unit 124 controls the network switch 123 to provide a video signal corresponding to the camera identifier to the user terminal 120 when the video switch 110 provides the video signal corresponding to the camera identifier to the network switch 123, (11a-11n). At this time, the video signal has a form of a network packet, and the user terminals 11a to 11n may be a set top box or a personal computer having a unique IP or MAC address .

Here, the video processing unit 110, the authentication processing unit 130, and the transmission processing unit 120 may be implemented as one server. For example, the video processing unit 110 may be implemented as a video processing server, the authentication processing unit 130 may be implemented as an authentication processing server, and the transmission processing unit 120 may be implemented as a transmission processing server. This reduces the load on each unit (video processing unit, authentication processing unit, and transmission processing unit) by dividing the functions of the respective processing units (video processing unit, authentication processing unit, and transmission processing unit). Of course, the video processing unit 110, the authentication processing unit 130, and the transmission processing unit 120 may be integrated into one server.

5 shows an example of a set-top box of a user terminal according to the present invention.

The set-top box includes a tuner 310, a decoder 320, a controller 330, a sensor 370, and a PHY (physical layer) processor 360.

The tuner 310 receives a broadcast signal provided via a terrestrial broadcast or a cable, and is controlled by the control unit 330 to tune to a receive channel. The tuner 310 may be any one of an analog tuner for receiving an analog broadcast signal and a digital tuner for receiving a network packet and extracting a broadcast signal. In the present embodiment, an analog tuner and a digital tuner are integrally formed for convenience of understanding and explanation of the present invention.

The decoder unit 320 separates the video signal received from the tuner 310 into a video signal and an audio signal, and decompresses the MPEG compressed video signal and audio signal. At this time, the decoder unit performs signal compression by the following two methods.

3) A decoding program for decompression is provided in a nonvolatile memory (ROM), and the decoder unit 320 decodes the video signal and the audio signal using the decoding program.

4) An algorithm for decoding is provided in the de-scrambler card 50, and the decoder unit 320 decodes the video signal and the audio signal using an algorithm provided in the de-scrambler card 50.

Preferably, the decoder unit 320 includes a de-modulator 321, a de-mux 322, and a signal processor 323.

The de-modulator 321 removes a carrier frequency from the video signal when the video signal received through the tuner 310 is a modulated signal. The video signal from which the carrier is removed has the form of an MPEG compressed digital data stream. The de-multiplexer 322 separates the digital data stream into a video signal, an audio signal, and additional data, and provides the signal to the signal processing unit 323 and the control unit 330. Here, the additional data includes an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and a camera identifier. The signal processing unit 323 includes a video processing unit 323a and an audio processing unit 323b. The video processing unit 323a MPEG-decodes a video data stream provided by the de-mux 322, And the audio processing unit 323b MPEG-decodes the audio data stream to provide the audio data stream to the speaker 350. [

The controller 330 controls the set-top box as a whole, receives the viewer's control command through the sensor 370, and processes the control command in response thereto. The control command includes channel switching, volume control, external input selection, on / off of the set-top box, and screen adjustment, and is connected to the PHY processing unit 360 to transmit and receive network packets. At this time, the PHY processing unit 360 transmits a camera identifier to the multi-channel broadcasting system or a signal requesting channel switching. In addition, the controller 330 converts the set-top box into a command mode in response to a numeric string (or character string) transmitted by a viewer wirelessly using a remote controller. The command mode means a processing mode in which, when a predetermined number sequence prearranged in the remote controller of the viewer is transmitted, the number input by the viewer through the remote controller is corresponded to the camera identifier without corresponding to the channel number . This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

6 shows a diagram for conceptually explaining a command mode of a set-top box.

In the drawing, "IR" means an infrared ray receiving unit (reference numeral 370 in Fig. 6). Assuming that the numeric string for switching the set-top box to the command mode is "555 ", the numeric string for canceling the command mode is" 999 ", and the range of available channels in the multi-

If the set-top box receives more than 100 number strings received through the sensor 370, this does not mean a channel. However, it is also difficult for the settop box to switch to the command mode by the digit sequence selected by the viewer inadvertently. Thus, the set-top box switches the set-top box to the command mode when the viewer notifies the number column 555 through the remote controller. At this time, on the screen of the display device connected to the set-top box (for example, a TV, an LCD, a PDP, etc., not separately shown in the drawing), the position of the camera selectable by the viewer or the camera identifier is displayed. This will be described with reference to FIG.

7 shows a view for explaining a method of setting a command mode by the viewer.

In the figure, a professional baseball relay broadcast is displayed on a user terminal (e.g., 11a to 11n). In the upper left corner of the drawing, an identifier ()) indicating positions of first, second, third, and home is shown, and camera identifiers ① to ⑥ are displayed around the ground. The camera identifiers (1 to 6) correspond to the numeric keys provided on the remote controller. Accordingly, the viewer can select the camera identifier according to the order described below, and provide the selected camera identifier to the multi-channel broadcast system.

- Below -

5) The viewer enters the number column "555" using the number keys of the remote controller and switches the set-top box to the command mode.

6) The viewer selects the camera identifier by inputting the number keys corresponding to ① ~ ⑥ using the number keys of the remote controller.

For example, when the viewer presses the number key "2", the camera (2) in the second direction is selected. When the viewer presses the number key "4", the camera (4) in the first direction is selected. When the viewer selects the camera identifier (for example, "4"), the user terminal notifies the multi-channel broadcasting system of the camera identifier (e.g., " And provides the video signal to the user terminal. If the user terminal is a set-top box, the video signal provided by the multi-channel broadcasting system is decoded and provided to a display device (for example, CRT, LCD, PDP or the like) connected to the user terminal. In case of a personal computer, An interface card (usually a LAN card, not separately shown in the drawing) receives the data, processes the video signal using a processor provided in the personal computer, and a memory, and provides the monitor signal to the monitor.

Here, the camera identifier is a number (e.g., "4"), but a character key provided in the remote controller may be used, or a direction key provided in the remote controller may be used. .

Fig. 8 shows a diagram for explaining another method of selecting a camera identifier.

The figure shows a direction key provided on the remote controller. The viewer can select the camera identifier by pressing the direction keys (,,,,,, and)) after switching the set-top box to the command mode by pressing the numeral column "555 " provided in the remote controller. Assuming that the camera identifiers shown in FIG. 7 are (1) to (6) and the camera identifier of the video signal being viewed by the viewer is (5)

When the viewer presses the direction key (), the set-top box notifies the multi-channel broadcasting system of the camera identifier (6) disposed at the left side of the camera identifier (5) and requests the video signal corresponding to the camera identifier (6) In this state, if the viewer further presses the direction key () one more time, the set-top box recognizes that the camera identifier (1) has been selected and notifies it to the multi-channel broadcasting system. In the same manner, the set-top box sequentially selects neighboring camera identifiers in response to a direction key pressed by a viewer and notifies the multi-channel broadcasting system of the neighboring camera identifiers. Conversely, when the viewer presses the direction key (▶), the camera identifier located on the right side is selected based on the camera identifier of the image signal being watched by the viewer.

On the other hand, when the viewer desires to cancel the command mode, the viewer inputs the numeral column "999" through the remote controller. The set top box recognizes the numeric string "999" as an instruction cancel command.

For this, the controller 330 of the set-top box shown in FIG. 5 controls the set-top box in a command mode and a normal mode (a mode in which the remote controller is normally used in a normal mode, Is used for channel switching, and the direction key is used for volume control and channel switching.)

Also, when the set-top box is switched to the command mode, the controller 330 recognizes the number received through the sensor 370 as a camera identifier, and notifies the PHY processor 360 of the number. The PHY processing unit 360 is responsible for network communication and informs the multi-channel broadcasting system of the camera identifier through a cable connected to the tuner 310. At this time, the PHY processing unit 360 notifies the camera identifier and the unique number of the descrambler card 50. That is, the PHY processing unit 360 notifies the MAC address information (or the IP information), the descrambled card information, and the camera identifier information so that the multi-channel broadcasting system can determine whether or not the multi-channel viewing is performed for a single content .

9 is a conceptual diagram of a multi-channel broadcasting system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The illustrated embodiment shows an example in which a plurality of cameras 11a to 11n generate a plurality of video signals for a single broadcast content and assign a transmission channel to each video signal. In the figure, the multi-channel broadcasting system includes a video signal database 201c for storing and buffering video signals of the cameras 11a to 11n, and stores the camera identifiers in response to the camera identifiers transmitted by the user terminal 80 And transmits the corresponding video signal to the user terminals 11a to 11n.

The illustrated multi-channel broadcasting system 201 includes a video processing unit 201 and a transmission processing unit 202.

The video processing unit 201 encodes and compresses the image signals picked up by the respective cameras 11a to 11n and stores them in the image signal database 201c. The transmission processing unit 202 includes a channel switching unit 202b and a network switch 202a. When the user terminal 80 connected to the network requests a video signal corresponding to the camera identifier, Requests the video processing unit 201 and controls the network switch 202a to transmit the video signal provided from the video signal database 201c to the user terminal 80. [

Preferably, the video processing unit 201 includes an encoder 201a for converting a video signal picked up by each of the cameras 11a to 11n into a digital signal, a compression unit 201a for MPEG-coding a digital video signal, And a video signal database 201c for storing video signals for respective cameras. The transmission processing unit 202 includes a channel switching unit 202b and a channel switching unit 202b for requesting the video processing unit 201 to transmit the video signals of the cameras 11a to 11n requested by the user terminal 80 And a network switch 202a for transmitting the corresponding video signal to the user terminal 80. [ In the present embodiment, the video processing unit 201 stores video signals picked up by the respective cameras 11a to 11n. After a predetermined time elapses, the video processing unit 201 performs a first-in first-out (FIFO) Method).

The authentication processing unit 203 is connected to the user terminal 80. The authentication processing unit 203 authenticates the user terminal 80 when the user terminal 80 requests authentication or when the user terminal 80 requests a video signal, When the terminal 80 is authenticated, the user terminal 80 transmits the channel information requested by the channel switching unit 202b or the camera identifier. To this end, the authentication processing unit 203 includes authentication information such as a unique number assigned to the user terminal 80, an ID of the user terminal 80, and a password. When the user terminal 80 is a set- The card number of the de-scramble card which is detached and removed from the box, the unique number assigned to the set-top box, and the like.

The present embodiment provides a video signal according to the camera identifier transmitted by the user terminal 80, and the camera identifier can be provided to the viewer according to the form shown in FIG. Further, in the present embodiment, the user terminal 80 may be various devices such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, and a set-top box. Accordingly, when the user terminal 80 is a personal computer, a camera identifier may be displayed on a display device (not shown) connected to the personal computer according to the form shown in FIG. 7, and a viewer may use an input device such as a mouse The identifier can be directly selected or the identifier can be typed by using the keyboard and transmitted to the multi-channel broadcasting system.

Meanwhile, the user terminal 80 and the multi-channel broadcasting system can be connected using a wireless network, a cable network, and a telephone network, but cable networks are now widely used and widely used. When the cable network is applied to the present embodiment, the user terminal 80 and the multi-channel broadcasting system can transmit analog and digital video signals, and the user terminal 80 can transmit the camera identifier, Channel information can be easily transmitted. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG.

FIG. 10 conceptually shows a frequency bandwidth of a conventional cable network. FIG. 11 conceptually shows a method of transmitting a video signal and a camera identifier to each other through a user terminal 80 and a multi-channel broadcasting system.

Referring to FIG. 10, a conventional cable network allocates a frequency band of 50 MHz to 860 MHz to transmit an analog video signal, and a frequency band of 50 MHz to 860 MHz is used to transmit an analog broadcast signal This is the area allocated for Therefore, the multi-channel broadcasting system and the user terminal 80 use the frequency band of 0 MHz ~ 50 MHz and 870 MHz ~ 1560 MHz to transmit and receive network packets. In general, a frequency of 0 MHz to 50 MHz, which is slow in transmission, is used for upload (direction in which a network packet is transmitted from a user terminal to a multi-channel broadcasting system), and 870 MHz to 1560 MHz is used for download The direction in which the packet is transmitted). Here, the frequency bands mentioned in this embodiment are merely an example, and the frequency bands allocated for uploading and downloading are somewhat different according to each country or region, and this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned frequency bands It is not limited.

11, the user terminal 80 is provided with a video signal provided in the multi-channel broadcasting system through the F1 frequency band. In the multi-channel broadcasting system,

7, a method of allocating a video signal to an F1 frequency band and transmitting the video signal to the user terminal 80 and transmitting and receiving channel information and a camera identifier through a frequency band different from the user terminal 80 .

8) a method of processing the video signal, the channel information, and the camera identifier through the frequency band F1.

12 shows a multi-channel broadcasting system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of video signals are stored in one packet, a camera identifier is inserted into each packet, and a user terminal selects a video signal by selecting a camera identifier. A camera identifier, and a video identifier corresponding to the camera identifier into one transport packet, and the transport packet is broadcast to the target node. A target node is a cell connected to a network with a plurality of user terminals. A network device (a repeater, a distributor, etc.) for relaying and transmitting a network packet to a plurality of user terminals included in a cell is disposed in a cell .

The transport packet has a header area and a data area. The transmission packet is generated by the packet generation unit 411, adds a camera identifier to each of the video signals generated by the plurality of cameras 12a to 12n, and stores the video signal corresponding to each camera identifier in one packet . The header of the transmission packet includes the identifiers of the cameras 12a to 12n and the video signal of a predetermined size is arranged in the data area in accordance with the arrangement order of the camera identifiers. This will be described with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG.

13 shows an example of a transmission packet broadcasted to the user terminals 90a to 90n in the multi-channel broadcasting system.

Referring to the illustrated transmission packet, the header area of the transmission packet includes camera identifiers ID_11, ID_21, ..., ID_n1 for the cameras 12a, 12b, ..., 12n, respectively.

In the data area of the transmission packet, video data data_11, data_21, ... data_n1 corresponding to the camera identifiers ID_11, ID_21, ..., ID_n1 are arranged. Here, data_11, data_21, ... data_n1 may be formed by including corresponding camera identifiers. That is, the video signal (e.g., data_11) may include a camera identifier (e.g., ID_11). Accordingly, video signals picked up by the different cameras 12a to 12n can be included in one packet. The user terminals 90a to 90n analyze the transport packets provided by the multi-channel broadcasting system to extract the camera identifiers. When the viewer selects the camera identifiers, the user terminals 90a to 90n extract the video signals corresponding to the selected camera identifiers in the received transport packets, do. The multi-channel broadcasting system broadcasts the transmission packet of the type shown in FIG. 13 to the target node, and broadcasts the transmission packet of the type shown in FIG. 14 again to the target node. It can be seen that the transmission packet shown in Fig. 14 is similar to that shown in Fig.

In Fig. 14, the camera identifiers in the header area are the same, but the video signals constituting the data area represent the next video signals of the video signals shown in Fig. That is, if the first video signal corresponding to the camera identifier ID_11 of FIG. 13 is stored in the data_11, the next video signal is stored in the data_12.

This has the advantage of transmitting a video signal for each camera to the entire target node through one transport packet. In this case, when receiving the transmission packet, the user terminals 90a to 90n should notify the multi-channel broadcasting system whether or not the transmission packet is received, and the multi-channel broadcasting system may generate the charging information.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the encoder 412, the compression unit 413, the transmission processing unit 420, and the authentication unit 430 are similar to those described above with reference to FIG. 9, . However, unlike the transport processor 202 (see FIG. 9), the transport processor 420 broadcasts a transport packet to the target node.

As described above, the present invention enables a viewer to select and view a video signal picked up by a plurality of cameras. In addition, the present invention can reduce the load of the network while broadcasting one transmission packet to the target node, thereby transmitting the video signal for each camera separately. In addition, the present invention transmits video signals of each camera using an existing cable network, and a viewer can select and watch a video signal according to each camera even if the viewer does not memorize the channel number corresponding to the video signal of each camera. To this end, the present invention enables the remote controller controlling the set-top box to use a command mode (in the command mode, the number selected by the viewer via the remote controller corresponds to the camera identifier).

Claims (30)

In a multi-channel broadcast system, The multi-channel broadcasting system A video processing unit for converting the video signal provided by the image pickup apparatus into one transmission packet; And And a network switch for broadcasting the transport packet, The multi-channel broadcasting system Receiving at least two first video signals and at least one second video signal from at least two imaging devices for capturing one broadcast content, Providing the first video signal as a main broadcasting channel to a network-connected user terminal, Provides a video signal for each imaging device or identification information corresponding to each imaging device, When the user terminal selects any one of the identification information, provides at least one second video signal corresponding to the identification information to the user terminal, Wherein the identification information is included in a video signal transmitted to the user terminal and is transmitted to the user terminal together with the first video signal or the second video signal, Wherein the identification information included in the video signal is included in the user terminal or displayed on a display device connected to the user terminal, When the identification information is displayed on the display device, the identification information is displayed together with an identification means for identifying a space to be an object of imaging of the broadcast content, The multi-channel broadcasting system  Upon receiving a predetermined release command through the user terminal, selectively releasing transmission of the first video signal or the second video signal through the identification information, And starts to selectively transmit the first video signal or the second video signal through the identification information upon receiving a predetermined start command through the user terminal. delete The method according to claim 1, The user terminal comprises: Wherein when the instruction input through the remote controller by the viewer corresponds to the identification information of the image pickup device for picking up the second video signal or the second video signal, Channel broadcast system according to the present invention. The method according to claim 1, The user terminal comprises: Channel broadcasting system capable of communicating with a television set, a computer, a mobile phone, or a network, and capable of reproducing a video signal, in a set-top box (STB). The method according to claim 1, The user terminal comprises: Connected to the display device, and having a network interface module, Channel broadcasting system through the network interface module when the viewer requests the at least one second video signal associated with the first video signal, Wherein the network interface module comprises: Wherein the switching unit switches the reception channel of the display device in response to the video signal requested by the user. The method according to claim 1, The user terminal comprises: If the channel number transmitted from the remote controller is a pre-agreed number sequence, And a command receiving mode (command receiving mode). The method according to claim 6, The user terminal comprises: In the command receiving mode, Wherein at least one second video signal for generating the broadcast content is sequentially requested to the multi-channel broadcasting system according to the number of times the direction key provided on the user's remote controller is inputted. 8. The method of claim 7, The agreed-upon numeric sequence may be, And a channel number for a channel frequency that can not be received by the user terminal. In a multi-channel broadcast system, The multi-channel broadcasting system A video processing unit for converting the video signal provided by the image pickup apparatus into one transmission packet; And And a network switch for broadcasting the transport packet, The multi-channel broadcasting system A first image pickup device disposed at different positions for capturing one broadcast content, and a second image pickup device for receiving the first image signal and at least one second image signal through at least one second image pickup device, Allocating a main broadcast channel to the first video signal for the broadcast content and providing the main broadcast channel to a user terminal wired or wirelessly connected, When the user terminal requests the second video signal while receiving the main broadcasting channel, provides the broadcasting channel information allocated to the second video signal to the user terminal, Wherein the user terminal refers to the broadcast channel information to perform channel switching, Wherein the multi-channel broadcasting system provides identification information corresponding to each imaging apparatus, When the user terminal selects any one of the identification information, provides at least one second video signal corresponding to the identification information to the user terminal, Wherein the identification information is included in a video signal transmitted to the user terminal and is transmitted to the user terminal together with the first video signal or the second video signal, Wherein the identification information included in the video signal is included in the user terminal or displayed on a display device connected to the user terminal, When the identification information is displayed on the display device, the identification information is displayed together with an identification means for identifying a space to be an object of imaging of the broadcast content, (PHY) processor of the user terminal through the multi-channel broadcasting system Wherein the user terminal receives at least one of the MAC address information, the IP information, and the descrambled card information of the user terminal and the identification information when the user terminal starts switching to the predetermined command mode. Multi-channel broadcasting system. delete 10. The method of claim 9, Wherein the multi-channel broadcasting system transmits the first video signal and the second video signal on different channels or different frequency bands when transmitting the first video signal and the second video signal to the user terminal. 10. The method of claim 9, The user terminal comprises: Connected to the display device, and having a network interface module, Channel broadcasting system through the network interface module when the viewer requests the at least one second video signal associated with the first video signal, Wherein the network interface module comprises: And switches the reception channel of the display device in response to the channel information. 10. The method of claim 9, The user terminal comprises: If the channel number transmitted from the remote controller is a pre-agreed number sequence, And a command receiving mode (command receiving mode). 14. The method of claim 13, The user terminal comprises: In the command receiving mode, And requests at least one of the second video signals to the multi-channel broadcasting system according to the number of times the direction key provided to the user's remote controller is inputted. 14. The method of claim 13, The agreed-upon numeric sequence may be, And a channel number for a channel frequency that can not be received by the user terminal. In a multi-channel broadcasting system, the multi- A plurality of image sources generated for one broadcast content are received using a plurality of image capturing apparatuses disposed at different positions, A video processing unit for converting the video signals provided by the respective image pickup devices into one transmission packet; And And a network switch for broadcasting the transport packet, The transport packet includes: A header area, and a data area, Wherein the header area includes image identifier information for identifying each of the image pickup devices, The user terminal analyzes the transport packet provided by the multi-channel broadcasting system to extract the image identifier information, and extracts and reproduces the image signal corresponding to the selected image identifier information in the received transport packet Channel broadcasting system. 17. The method of claim 16, The video processing unit includes: Wherein the image processing apparatus includes association information on correspondence between each image source and each image capturing apparatus. 17. The method of claim 16, The user terminal comprises: A set top box, a television, a computer, a mobile phone, or a digital device capable of network communication and capable of reproducing a video signal. 19. The method of claim 18, The multi-channel broadcasting system A first image pickup device disposed at different positions for capturing one broadcast content, and at least one second image signal respectively through a first image pickup device and at least one second image pickup device, The user terminal comprises: Connected to the display device, and having a network interface module, When the viewer requests the at least one second video signal associated with the first video signal, the viewer provides the request information for the second video signal to the transmission processor through the network interface module, Wherein the network interface module comprises: Wherein the transmission processing unit receives the channel information for the second video signal and switches the reception channel of the display device accordingly. 20. The method of claim 19, A digital device capable of communicating with a set-top box, a computer, a mobile phone, or a network, Wherein the display device is integrated with the display device. 20. The method of claim 19, The digital signal processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the settop box, the computer, the mobile phone, or the digital device capable of network communication, Connected by a cable network, The cable network includes: A broadcast signal, and a network packet. 17. The method of claim 16, The video processing unit includes: Wherein the compressing and scrambling process is performed on the video signal. A plurality of image sources generated for one broadcast content are received using a plurality of image capturing apparatuses disposed at different positions, A video processing unit for converting the video signals provided by the respective image pickup devices into one transmission packet; And And a network switch for broadcasting the transport packet, The transport packet includes: A header area, and a data area, Wherein the header area has an image identifier for identifying each of the image pickup devices, Wherein the data area is provided with video signals corresponding to the respective video identifiers. 24. The method of claim 23, Wherein the data area comprises: Wherein the scrambled signal is scrambled. 23. The method of claim 22, The multi-channel broadcasting system transmits the video signal to at least one or more user terminals, The user terminal comprises: And a means for descrambling the scrambled data area is built in. 23. The method of claim 22, The multi-channel broadcasting system transmits the video signal to at least one or more user terminals, The user terminal comprises: A multi-channel broadcasting system, comprising: a computer in which a program for de-scrambling scrambled data or a predetermined means is installed; a digital device capable of communicating with a mobile phone or a network and capable of reproducing a video signal. 23. The method of claim 22, The multi-channel broadcasting system transmits the video signal to at least one or more user terminals, The user terminal comprises: A set top box for descrambling the scrambled data; And And a display device for reproducing the de-scrambled data through the set-top box. 24. The method of claim 23, The transport packet includes: Target IP information of a transmission destination node connected to a network, And the broadcast channel is broadcasted at the node to be transmitted. 26. The method of claim 25, In the multi-channel broadcasting system, Connected to a router connected to at least one user terminal, The router includes: And provides the transport packet to a plurality of user terminals belonging to a local network. 24. The method of claim 23, The video processing unit includes: And a device identifier for identifying each of the image pickup devices, And a recording order of the video signal recorded in the data area is determined by referring to the device identifier, the order of arrangement of the device identifiers recorded in the header area, and the order of recording video signals recorded in the data area.

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