KR20040028083A - Multimedia service method through set-top box management - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for supplying a multimedia service through STB(Set Top Box) management is provided to authenticate a user based on an STB ID, a user number, and a user ID, and to supply a multimedia service to an authenticated STB, thereby efficiently managing the STB. CONSTITUTION: An STB(30) informs a service server(10) that the STB(30) wants to do electronic transactions(401). The service server(10) accesses a customer management server(20) to authenticate the STB(30)(402), and transmits a message requesting an STB ID to the STB(30)(403). The STB(30) transmits the STB ID with a user ID to the customer management server(20)(404). The customer management server(20) transmits authentication confirm information to the STB(30) based on the STB ID and the user ID(405). The customer management server(20) informs the service server(10) that the authentication confirm information is supplied to the STB(30), and receives an ACK(Acknowledgement) signal(406). A common service is supplied(407).

Description

Multimedia service method through set-top box management

The present invention provides a multimedia service method and a method for providing a multimedia service such as VOD (Video On Demand), IP-TV (Internet Protocol Television), etc. through efficient management of a set-top box (STB) The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program.

Recently, due to the development of computer and network communication, a large amount of multimedia information is encountered in various forms, and as a result of the convergence of communication and broadcasting, a multimedia service through a TV is required.

The subscriber has a set-top box (STB) in order to receive multimedia services such as VOD provided by using an IP network of a subscriber network such as a digital subscriber line (xDSL), Ethernet, etc., which enables high-speed Internet service.

However, the operator providing the multimedia service needs the information of the corresponding STB provided to the subscriber for customer management. For example, when the STB is provided free of charge or leased, the operator needs the ability to collect the STB's information for tracking and management of the STB. In addition, the information of the STB is needed for reliable customer information generated in the electronic commerce. In addition, the ability to collect the service usage status of various subscribers for better service is also required. This function of STB is called customer management function for service.

Therefore, there is a need for an efficient customer management method that can reliably and easily collect information of the STB of a customer who uses a multimedia service such as VOD through a TV.

The present invention has been proposed in order to meet the above requirements, and to realize the multimedia service method and the method for providing a multimedia service, such as VOD, IP-TV through efficient customer management of the set-top box (STB) Its purpose is to provide a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program.

1 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a multimedia service system to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box registration process of a multimedia service method according to the present invention;

3 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box tracking process of a multimedia service method according to the present invention;

4 is a detailed flowchart of an embodiment of a service process through a set-top box of a multimedia service method according to the present invention;

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: service server 20: customer management server

30: set top box

The present invention for achieving the above object, in the multimedia service method through the management of the set-top box, to provide a multimedia service of the set-top box (STB), the STB is connected to the customer management server unique number for each STB (STB_ID) Registering a first step; A second step of the customer management server assigning the STB a unique customer number (SVC_N0) and a user ID (USER_ID) corresponding to the STB_ID; When requesting a multimedia service from the STB, the service server, in connection with the customer management server, authenticates the user for using the service based on the STB unique number (STB_ID), the customer number (SVC_N0), and the user ID (USER_ID). Performing a third step; And a fourth step of providing the multimedia service to the STB in which the service server has been authenticated.

On the other hand, the present invention for the multimedia service through the efficient management of the set-top box (STB), the multimedia service system having a processor, to provide the multimedia service of the set-top box (STB), the STB is connected to the customer management server A first function of registering a unique number STB_ID for each STB; A second function of the customer management server assigning the STB a unique customer number (SVC_N0) and a user ID (USER_ID) corresponding to the STB_ID; When requesting a multimedia service from the STB, the service server, in connection with the customer management server, authenticates the user for using the service based on the STB unique number (STB_ID), the customer number (SVC_N0), and the user ID (USER_ID). A third function of performing; And a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a fourth function of providing the corresponding multimedia service to the STB in which the service server has been authenticated.

The present invention intends to perform effective customer management by having a customer management function by a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Management Information Base (MIB) in a system for a VOD service. This is for efficient customer management by implementing a function to collect information of STB of customers who use multimedia service such as VOD through TV reliably.

To this end, the present invention configures an SNMP MIB (Management Information Base) in the STB, and implements the customer management function by allowing the SOAP access to correspond to the entity of the SOAP.

This content-based STB information collection method is used for customer management. The service provider may collect information of the STB for tracking and managing the STB using the functions of the present invention. In addition, the information of the STB is used for reliable customer information generated in electronic commerce. It is also used to collect service usage status of various subscribers for better service.

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

1 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a multimedia service system to which the present invention is applied.

In providing VOD and IP-TV services provided by subscriber networks such as ASL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), which enables high-speed Internet service, and IP networks, Internet providers provide STBs that subscribers will have If you apply a business model that leases or leases, the operator needs a function that can collect various types of behaviors related to the subscriber's services using the STB as reliable information. This function is called "customer management function" for service.

Among the various functions belonging to the customer management function, the functions that the STB should have are listed as follows.

-Response function of customer and STB by tracking serial number of customer's STB

-Customer authentication confirmation function by correspondence between customer ID and STB serial number

-Device status check function of customer side using notification function such as SNMP trap of customer side STB

-Device check function through self-diagnosis by calling the check function of customer's STB

SNMP MIBs to be implemented in the STB include STB_ID, SVC_NO, STB_POST, STB_POST_RSLT, STB_USER_ID, and the like.

The STB_ID is a serial number of the STB. The STB_ID includes a unique number of the STB manufacturer and a device serial number. It is stored in nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) and flash memory of the STB, and includes an overwrite protection device to prevent tampering.

SVC_NO is a customer number assigned by the STB-subscribed operator for service and corresponds to a subscriber number in a public telephone network. The service provider is a telecommunications service provider, and in particular, if the existing public telephone network-based subscriber network such as ADSL is used, the public telephone network subscriber number may be used. The policy of granting SVC_NO allows the operator to decide in consideration of the operator's convenience and the utility and convenience of the subscriber. Corresponds to SNMP Set Value and can be changed by operator or subscriber.

STB_POST is a variable that stores the POST result of STB. The value of SUCESSS, FAIL, and UNKNOWN is returned by SNMP Get. The result of the POST is updated every time a POST occurs, and the detailed result is stored in STB_POST_RSLT.

STB_POST_RSLT is a variable that stores the detailed POST result of the STB. It is saved in the form of InternationalString and is checked by SNMP Get when you want to check the detailed POST result of the STB. Updated each time a POST occurs. This is up to you.

STB_USER_ID is a user ID of a customer who uses the STB and represents a representative ID of a subscriber having an STB. According to the implementation, in order to guarantee the anonymity of the subscriber, it may be implemented to be the same as SVC_NO.

As another SNMP MIB, an Internet standard MIB corresponding to an interface and an IP level can be implemented.

For example, if the network-side interface of the STB is the Internet, the MIB of IEEE802.3 can be implemented, and if the printer is external, the printer MIB can be implemented.

The customer management function can be implemented separately or in combination with the VOD or IP-TV service system.

The system for customer management is largely divided into the server side and the STB side, and the STB side has a function corresponding to the MIB variable that the STB should implement as described above.

The server side is divided into query server and log server, and there is an integrated database.

Here, the query server is in charge of the query function for the customer side MIB, and is used for the purpose of actively monitoring various states of the STB.

The log server receives the customer side trap information and is used for the purpose of passively monitoring the state of the customer side STB.

Meanwhile, the procedure of the customer management scenario is as follows.

The customer registration function connects to the customer management server 20 at the time of installation of the STB 30 and registers the information of the corresponding STB 30.

The customer-side abnormal diagnosis function transmits the operation state of the STB 30 to the customer management server 20 periodically or irregularly.

The customer information change function inputs the modified customer information.

The customer service authorization function limits the service according to the contract between the operator and the customer.

When the STB 30 requests a service requiring a business or functional request such as an electronic transaction or an access restriction, the client side authentication assistance function determines whether the user is a legitimate user based on the STB 30's user ID and the STB serial number. By maintaining a history, it serves as an aid to ensure the justification of a transaction or approach.

STB tracking provides the ability to prepare for customer side directors, disasters, and other STB losses and potential losses.

The procedure of implementing the customer management function through the STB 30 and the customer management server 20 having the above functions will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the STB 30 having the above functions installed on the customer side goes through a customer registration procedure to enter a state in which the service can be provided. When the STB 30 is connected to the first line by the STB installation procedure, the customer management server 20 It is connected to register the STB_ID (104). This STB_ID has unique characteristics for each STB 30, and one SVC_NO and one or more USER_IDs corresponding to the STB_IDs are sequentially assigned to the STB through a service subscription procedure (103).

When the above procedure is completed, the STB 30 is registered in the customer management server 20 to have a unique correspondence between USER_ID, SVC_NO and STB_ID, and provides an authentication function necessary for using the service of the user.

Looking at the procedure in which such an authentication function is provided, the VOD service provision request 102 requested from the STB 30 that has been registered as described above is a service server (VOD) that provides VOD service data to the customer side STB 30 ( 10) is transmitted to the customer management server 20 as a request 105 to confirm the authentication function and the charging policy, the customer management server 20 checks the suitability determined by its database search and unique management policy Provide 106.

As such, after the authentication process is completed, the VOD server 10 provides the VOD data requested by the STB 30 (101).

The customer management server 20 also sends general STB information requests to the STB 30 at regular or occasional occasions as needed 103, receives 104 responses, and checks the status of the STB 30, such as general STB management functions. Implement Such regular or occasional STB information requests are interworked with the scheduling function built into the customer management server 20 or manually by an operator of the customer management server 20.

2 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box registration process of a multimedia service method according to the present invention.

After the start-up of the first STB 30 installed on the customer's side is terminated, when accessing the customer management server 20 through the registration function built in the STB 30 (201), the STB 30 is a customer management server ( In step 20), the subscriber registration request is made (202). The above procedure is performed directly by the installer or the customer.

Thereafter, the customer care server 20 enters a corresponding procedure and requests the STB to send STB_ID (203). Then, the STB 30 transmits its unique STB_ID to the customer management server 20 side (204), and receives USER_ID and SVC_NO consecutively (205, 206), which is a non-volatile storage area in the STB 30 Are kept in. STB 30 confirms that the storage is completed as an ACK to the customer management server 20 side (207).

Due to the characteristics of the VOD service, a plurality of USER_IDs should be set in a single STB. Therefore, the above procedure may be repeated several times. Finally, the customer management server 20 and the STB 30 may perform path registration and STB confirmation messages. In exchange (208,209), the STB registration procedure is terminated.

3 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a set-top box tracking process of a multimedia service method according to the present invention.

First, when the STB 30 is connected to a line, it performs a routine information exchange procedure (301, 302).

If tracking of the STB 30 is required, the customer management server 20 transmits a message requesting transmission of the STB_ID to the STB 30 (303), and the STB 30 receiving the STB 30 has its own uniqueness. Answer the STB_ID and the USER_ID (304,305). The STB_ID and the USER_ID thus obtained are verified in the database of the customer management server 20. When the STB 30 is authenticated by the verification procedure (306), the function is terminated.

4 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a service process through a set-top box of a multimedia service method according to the present invention.

First, the STB 30 notifies the service server 10 that the STB 30 intends to perform an electronic transaction service for electronic commerce (401).

Thereafter, the service server 10 connects to the customer management server 20 for authentication of the STB 30 attempting the corresponding transaction (402), and the customer management server 20 sends the STB_ID to the STB 30 for authentication. Send a message requesting (403). In response, the STB 30 transmits the STB_ID and the current USER_ID to the customer management server 20 (404).

Next, the customer management server 20 transmits the authentication confirmation information necessary for the e-commerce to the STB 30 based on the corresponding STB_ID and USER_ID (405), the authentication confirmation information corresponding to the STB to the service server 10 It is stored in volatile storage for the purpose of retransmission of transaction authentication information in (30).

In addition, internally in the service provider, the customer management server 20 notifies the service server 10 that the authentication confirmation information has been given to the corresponding STB 30, and receives an ACK indicating that the storage of the STB 30 has ended. (405) The procedure ends. Thereafter, normal service is provided (407).

On the other hand, when looking at the management function by SOAP used in the present invention, SOAP is a protocol that is in the spotlight with the emergence of the recent Web (WEB) service, an access protocol for objects independent of transport such as IP. This is the protocol being standardized by the Internet RFC. This protocol is expected to be widely used when the spread of the WEB service begins, and the customer management function can be implemented by mapping the MIB of the STB 30 to the SOAP entity and allowing access by SOAP.

In addition, when implementing a management function according to the SNMP standard, the STB 30 retains the SNMP agent function, and the SNMP agent supports the GET, GET_NEXT, SET, and TRAP functions specified in the SNMP protocol standard. If such Agent environment is already implemented in STB 30, it is reasonable to use SNMP management function.

The SOAP protocol is a protocol for accessing entities scattered on a network. In order to implement the above management function, the STB 30 must have a SOAP agent for responding to a SOAP REQUEST. Do. However, the SOAP agent can be implemented in the same manner as a normal web server, and is easier to implement because it is XML-based.

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

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

As described above, the present invention has an effect of efficiently managing STBs for multimedia services such as VOD and IP-TV.

Claims (4)

In the multimedia service method through the management of the set-top box, In order to provide a multimedia service of the set-top box (STB), the STB accesses the customer management server and registers a unique STB_ID for each STB; A second step of the customer management server assigning the STB a unique customer number (SVC_N0) and a user ID (USER_ID) corresponding to the STB_ID; When requesting a multimedia service from the STB, the service server, in connection with the customer management server, authenticates the user for using the service based on the STB unique number (STB_ID), the customer number (SVC_N0), and the user ID (USER_ID). Performing a third step; And A fourth step of providing the multimedia service to the STB in which the service server has been authenticated Multimedia service method through the management of the set-top box comprising a. The method of claim 1, The customer management server, Multimedia service method through the management of the set-top box, characterized in that for checking the status of the STB periodically or in real time. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The customer management server, By configuring a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) on the STB and enabling access by SOAP by mapping to an object of a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), a customer management function is implemented. Multimedia service method. In the multimedia service system having a processor for multimedia service through efficient management of the set-top box (STB), A first function of registering, by the STB, a STB_ID for each STB to provide a multimedia service of the set-top box; A second function of the customer management server assigning the STB a unique customer number (SVC_N0) and a user ID (USER_ID) corresponding to the STB_ID; When requesting a multimedia service from the STB, the service server, in connection with the customer management server, authenticates the user for using the service based on the STB unique number (STB_ID), the customer number (SVC_N0), and the user ID (USER_ID). A third function of performing; And A fourth function of providing the corresponding multimedia service to the STB of which the service server has been authenticated A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing this.