KR20050028637A - Method for controlling seeing and hearing time of multi unit digital satellite broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of controlling a watching time of a multi-unit digital satellite broadcast receiver is provided to prevent children from watching a television intemperately by controlling the watching time of the children. One subordinate unit sets a valid watching time of each subordinate unit through a menu picture. Watching time setting information of each subordinate unit is transmitted to a main unit. The main unit stores watching time setting information and then transmits this information to a corresponding subordinate unit. The main unit compares a current time with a valid watching time of each unit and thereby determines whether there is a unit that departs from the valid watching time(602). When there is the unit that departs therefrom, the main unit stops transmitting the program to the subordinate unit(604) and transmits a message of valid watching time inactivation thereto(605). After a predetermined time period has passed, electric power of the subordinate unit is forcibly turned off(607).

Description

Method for controlling seeing and hearing time of multi unit digital satellite broadcasting receiver

The present invention relates to a digital satellite broadcasting receiver for simultaneously tuning a multi-channel through one main unit and to simultaneously view different channels tuned in the main unit in each subunit installed in a plurality of independent spaces. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of setting and controlling an effective viewing time for each subunit of the digital satellite broadcasting receiver.

In general, digital satellite broadcasting has spread rapidly to Europe, Japan, Asia, and Africa since the world's first DirecTV in 1994, and can be viewed anywhere in the world. Digital satellite broadcasting is a method of compressing video / audio / additional data and transmitting digitally through satellites in MPEG 2 standard, and is related to a wide coverage area and region which are inherent to satellites compared to other transmission media. Due to the lack of equal broadcasting quality, economics of establishing a satellite broadcasting network, and simplicity of satellite channels, it is mainly led by pay broadcasting companies.

In addition, the receiver capable of receiving the digital satellite broadcast employs a CAS (Conditional Access System) that restricts the reception so that only subscribers can receive the pay broadcast.

The CAS receives a TV program and a data service signal scrambled by a transmitting station in a receiver for pay per channel (PPC) or pay per view (PPV) other than the free and basic channel of satellite broadcasting. It is a system for managing authorized subscribers to receive service by descrambling using a smart card. Here, the PPC is a service that collects a predetermined fee for receiving a channel and is able to receive a broadcast, and the PPV is a service that calculates and charges a fee per program as a reception time. To this end, the CAS operator issues a smart card to the subscriber. The smart card is also referred to as a CAM (Conditional Access Module).

The smart card stores, for example, channel information that a user can view in the memory portion in the case of a pay channel, and usage information in the case of a PPV.

The PPV service allows a user to purchase a movie or sporting event in advance, for example. That is, the user may purchase a paid viewing program through the smart card.

Therefore, it is possible to extract the information stored in the smart card at the request of the limited reception system operator or the receiver. Also, the smart card has a decryption function that can descramble the scrambled signal. Provide the required key.

The digital satellite broadcast includes not only a program but also program guide information. The program guide information is called APG (Advanced Program Guide) in digital satellite broadcasting such as DirecTV, and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) in digital terrestrial broadcasting. The program guide information is additional data information that allows the viewer to more conveniently use the TV to watch TV, and the viewer can obtain information about the current broadcast program and the future broadcast program directly on the screen without a newspaper or other guide medium. .

On the other hand, as people's income levels rise and their lives get better, nowadays, it is common to have more than one television in a household. In other words, televisions are provided in living rooms, parents' rooms, and children's rooms.

However, in the related art, in order to receive a digital satellite broadcast from a plurality of televisions in a home, a satellite broadcast receiver must be installed for each TV and a smart card is issued, thereby increasing the user burden including a subscription fee. That is, one smart card is issued to one satellite broadcast receiver to limit illegal viewing of non-subscribers.

In addition, when a user purchases a pay-per-view program, for example, a movie or a sporting event using two-way communication, a modem is required. In the conventional case, since a modem must be installed in each receiver, there is a problem of increasing a user's cost burden.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the present applicant does not have a display device but is equipped with a modem, and installs a main unit capable of simultaneously tuning multi-channels at a specific location in a home, and each installed display device in a plurality of independent spaces. The sub unit having a digital satellite broadcasting receiver for receiving a specific channel tuned in the main unit to perform decoding and display (application number: 2003-38808, application date: 2003.06.16; hereinafter referred to as '38808') It has been filed.

However, in homes with children, they have a problem that they are watching TV too much. This not only affects children's eyesight and emotions but also neglects their studies due to excessive TV watching. Because it is dominant.

In particular, as in the above-mentioned digital satellite broadcasting receiver of No. 38808, it is difficult to restrict children's viewing directly in an environment where sub-units are installed in each room, or when parents go out to earn money or go out. There is a problem that must be left unattended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to set and control the viewing time of sub-units including one sub-unit in a digital satellite broadcasting receiver such as '38808' described above. The present invention provides a method for controlling viewing time of a digital satellite broadcasting receiver.

Another object of the present invention is to allow one sub-unit to set the viewing time of sub-units including itself and to control the viewing time of each sub-unit in the main unit in the digital satellite broadcasting receiver such as '38808' described above. The present invention provides a method for controlling viewing time of a digital satellite broadcasting receiver.

The method for controlling the viewing time of a digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a modem without a display device and a CAS unit but simultaneously tuning a plurality of received channels and programming a tuned channel. And a main unit for demodulating and outputting the respective units, and a CAS unit installed in a separate space together with the display device and authenticating the user through a smart card, receiving a program of a specific channel from the main unit, decoding and displaying the program. In the viewing time control method of a digital satellite broadcasting receiver comprising a plurality of sub-units to transmit the input channel selection or purchase information to the main unit,

(a) setting a valid viewing time of each sub unit including the sub unit through a menu screen by a user in one sub unit;

(b) transmitting viewing time setting information of each sub unit set in step (a) to the main unit;

(c) if the viewing time setting information of each subunit is transmitted in the step (b), the main unit stores the viewing time setting information and transmits the viewing time setting information to the corresponding subunit;

(d) in the main unit, comparing the current viewing time with the effective viewing time of each subunit to determine whether there is a subunit outside the valid viewing time;

(e) if there is a sub unit outside the valid viewing time, stopping transmission of the program to the corresponding sub unit and transmitting a valid viewing time deactivation message; And

and (f) forcibly turning off the power of the corresponding sub-unit after a predetermined time has elapsed.

In the step (a), when the user selects a viewing time setting menu item for setting an effective viewing time of each sub-unit of the menu screen, only the user who has received a password from the user and inputs the correct password is the viewing time setting menu item. It is characterized by allowing the access.

In the step (a), when the viewing time setting menu item for setting the viewing time of each sub unit of the menu screen is accessed by the user, the viewing time setting screen displays the identifier of each sub unit and the effective viewing time of the selected sub unit. Displaying the items that can be set, selecting a sub-unit identifier for which the viewing time is to be set on the viewing time setting screen, and setting an effective viewing time of the sub-unit identifier selected in the step, for each sub-unit It is characterized by repeatedly setting the effective viewing time for each sub-unit.

The effective viewing time of the sub unit identifier selected in the step may be set by selecting a start time and an end time on the viewing time setting screen.

If only the viewing start time of the selected sub-unit identifier is set in the above step and the end time is not set, the reservation-on of automatically turning on the power of the corresponding sub unit is performed at the viewing start time every day.

If the viewing start time of the sub-unit identifier selected in the above step is not set and the ending time is set, the scheduled off is automatically performed when the viewing end time is reached every day.

In the step (a), when the viewing time setting menu item for setting the viewing time of each sub unit of the menu screen is accessed by the user, the viewing time setting screen displays the identifier of each sub unit and the effective viewing time of the selected sub unit. Displaying items that can be set, selecting at least one or more subunit identifiers for which the same effective viewing time is desired at the viewing time setting screen, and setting effective viewing time of the plurality of subunit identifiers selected in the step Characterized in that it further comprises the step of.

In the step (a), when the viewing time menu item for setting the viewing time of each sub unit of the menu screen is accessed by the user, the identifier of each sub unit including the 'all sub units' item on the viewing time setting screen is selected and selected. Displaying items capable of setting the effective viewing time of the sub unit, selecting the 'all sub units' item on the viewing time setting screen, and then setting the effective viewing time to the same validity for all sub units connected to the main unit; It characterized in that it further comprises the step of setting the viewing time.

In the step (a), when the viewing time menu item for setting the viewing time of each sub unit of the menu screen is accessed by the user, the identifier of each sub unit including the 'current sub unit' item is selected and selected on the viewing time setting screen. And displaying the items for setting the effective viewing time of the sub unit, selecting the 'current sub unit' item on the viewing time setting screen, and then setting the effective viewing time of the current sub unit. It is characterized by.

The sub unit receiving the effective viewing time deactivation message in step (e) may display a message indicating that the current viewing time is not valid on the display device.

Viewing time control method in a digital satellite broadcast receiver according to the present invention,

(a) setting a valid viewing time of each sub unit including the sub unit through a menu screen by a user in one sub unit;

(b) transmitting viewing time setting information of each sub unit set in step (a) to the main unit;

(c) if the viewing time setting information of each subunit is transmitted in the step (b), the main unit stores the viewing time setting information and transmits the viewing time setting information to the corresponding subunit;

(d) periodically transmitting current time information to each sub unit in the main unit;

(e) comparing, at each sub unit, current time information transmitted through the main unit with its own viewing time setting information to determine whether the current time is out of the effective viewing time zone;

(f) if it is determined in the step that the user is out of the effective viewing time, thereafter displaying a message indicating that the user does not receive a program from the main unit, does not receive a user input, and that the display device is not currently viewing valid time; And

and (g) forcibly turning off the power of the corresponding sub-unit after a predetermined time elapses.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention, the configuration and operation of the present invention shown in the drawings and described by it will be described as at least one embodiment, By the technical spirit of the present invention described above and its core configuration and operation is not limited.

1 is a conceptual block diagram of a digital satellite broadcasting receiver disclosed in No. 38808, in which an antenna 101 capable of receiving a digital satellite broadcast in a high frequency band and a satellite in a high frequency band received through the antenna 101 are shown in FIG. Low noise amplifier (LNB) 102 for low noise amplifying a signal, a multi-switching unit 103 for dividing and outputting a plurality of satellite signals output from the LNB 102 and the multi-switching unit 103 A main unit 110 which receives a plurality of satellite signals outputted from the multi-tuner and tunes to a channel requested by each sub-unit through a multi tuner, converts them into a transport stream (TP), and outputs them to each sub-unit, and Received from the main unit 110 and descrambled and decoded by the stream of the channel requested by the one of the channels tuned in the main unit 110, respectively installed in an independent space It consists of a plurality of sub-units 120 to play.

2 is a detailed block diagram of the main unit 110, and is not provided with a display device (for example, a TV). That is, the main unit of FIG. 2 is composed of a plurality of tuners and demodulators 111a to 111d, receives the satellite RF signals output from the multi-switching unit 103, simultaneously tunes to the channels required by each sub-unit, and demodulates them. Multi-tuner unit 111 for outputting in TP form, multi-channel TP distribution unit 112, main unit for distributing TP signal output from each tuner and demodulator of the multi-tuner unit 111 to each sub-unit The central processing unit (CPU) 113, which controls the overall operation of the main unit and data communication between the main unit and each sub unit, and the TP signal of the main unit distributed by the distribution unit 112, the CPU 113 The main transceiver unit 116 receives the signal outputted through the sub-unit or outputs the signal from the sub-unit, and outputs the signal to the CPU 113 to both sides of the satellite broadcasting transmitter according to the request of the sub-unit. It is configured to include the modem 114 for performing communication.

Here, each tuner and demodulator of the multi-tuner unit 111 demodulates the satellite signal of the tuned channel by a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) method and converts the demodulated signal into a TP form.

Each sub unit is a sub-integrated receiver and decoder (IRD) for receiving a TP signal transmitted from the main unit 110 and restoring an original digital video and audio signal, and for displaying a decoded video signal. For example, a TV is connected and does not have a built-in satellite tuner.

The modem 114 is not installed in each subunit, but only in the main unit 110, and is transmitted through the modem 114 of the main unit in order to transmit or receive the satellite broadcast service provider from each subunit. That is, the main unit 110 independently transmits purchase information of each subunit to the satellite broadcasting service provider, and transmits the result back to the corresponding subunit. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a modem for each subunit, so that the burden on the user can be reduced.

In addition, if a block capable of performing demultiplexing is added to the main unit 110, the main unit 110 parses additional data information such as program guide information through demultiplexing and stores the memory of the main unit 110 ( 115) can be a database (DB). At this time, in each sub unit, the additional data information does not have to be separately DBized. That is, when additional data information is requested from a specific sub unit, the main unit reads out only necessary information from the additional data information in the memory 115 and transmits it to the corresponding sub unit. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the program guide information stored in the DB in the memory 115 is referred to as an EPG DB. In this case, since the additional data information does not need to be separately databased in each subunit, the memory usage efficiency can be increased. As a result, the memory capacity of each subunit can be reduced, thereby reducing the user's cost burden.

Here, the main unit 110 and each sub unit 120 may be connected by wire or wirelessly. When the main unit and each sub unit are wirelessly connected, there is no need for a cable between the main unit and each sub unit, which makes it easy to install and move each sub unit. According to the present invention, the main unit and each sub unit communicate wirelessly.

The CAS unit is provided in each sub unit, and manages information related to user registration, authentication, and billing by using a smart card inserted into the CAS unit, and simultaneously descrambles scrambled data. Here, the smart card inserted into the CAS is a family smart card that can be equally applied to each sub unit, and may be issued as many as the number of sub units registered with the satellite broadcasting service provider. That is, only one ID and password may be registered in the smart card or ID and password may be registered for each subunit.

For example, if only one ID and password are registered, user ID can be authenticated by inputting the ID and password in any subunit.

If an ID and password are registered for each subunit in one smart card, the corresponding subunit must register its ID and password to receive this user authentication. In this case, security can be kept secure for each subunit.

In addition, when a sub ID and a password are registered for each sub unit in one smart card, a main ID and a password that can receive user authentication in any sub unit may also be registered. For example, the main ID and password are IDs and passwords that can be used by a parent such as a parent (hereinafter, referred to as a main user for convenience of explanation). The ID and password of the main unit may be set as the main ID and password. That is, the sub ID and password can receive user authentication only in the corresponding sub unit, but the main ID and password can receive user authentication in all sub units. The unit can set the viewing time of other sub-units including itself.

At this time, if a user sets a viewing time for another subunit in one subunit, the subunit transmits the viewing time setting value of the subunit to the main unit. The main unit transmits the setting value back to the sub unit so that the sub unit knows the viewing time setting value for the sub unit.

The main unit may control the viewing time of the corresponding subunit according to the viewing time setting value of each subunit, or may control the viewing time of each subunit according to its viewing time setting value. .

In the former case, the main unit checks the viewing time set for each sub unit, but if the sub unit is out of the effective viewing time zone, it stops transmitting the program and instead transmits an error message. Force off

In the latter case, each sub unit checks the viewing time set for itself, but if it is outside the valid viewing time zone, the display of the program received from the main unit is stopped, an error message is displayed instead, and the power is forced after a certain time. Turn it off.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu for setting a viewing time in one sub-unit according to the present invention. That is, when a user displays a menu screen as shown in FIG. 3A by using an input device such as a remote controller in any one of a plurality of subunits, and selects a viewing time setting item among menu items of the menu screen. The viewing time setting screen as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the display device.

3B illustrates an example in which a user sets values required for a viewing time on the viewing time setting screen after selecting a viewing time setting menu item of FIG. 3A.

That is, in the viewing time setting screen of FIG. 3B, the user selects a sub unit to set the viewing time and selects a viewable time of the selected subunit. In this case, the sub unit selection item displays a sub unit identifier for identifying each sub unit. Here, each of the sub unit identifiers may be set by the user or may be automatically set by the system. For example, the user may set the sub unit in the child room as the child name or the room name.

Subsequently, when the start time and the end time are set and the confirmation key is pressed, the viewing time of the selected subunit is set. 3B is an example in which the effective viewing time of sub unit 1 is set from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

In this case, the user may set a different viewing time for each sub unit, set a viewing time only for any one of the plurality of sub units, and view the same view for all sub units connected to the main unit by wire / wireless. You can also set the time.

In addition, the user may set the viewing time only on the sub-units that are currently performing the viewing time setting, or may set the same viewing time on at least a plurality of subunits, although not all subunits.

If a different viewing time is set for each sub unit, the process of selecting a sub unit for setting the viewing time and setting a desired viewing time for the selected sub unit is sequentially performed for each sub unit, and then 'OK' is selected. do. At this time, if you do not want to set the viewing time, select 'Cancel'.

If the same viewing time is to be set for all subunits connected to the main unit, it may be set to the above-described process, or a menu item indicating 'all subunits' is added to the subunit selection item of FIG. 3B. You can also set it at once. That is, it is sufficient to select 'all sub units' in the sub unit selection item, and then set an effective viewing time.

In addition, when a viewing time is to be set only for a subunit currently performing viewing time setting, the effective viewing time may be set after selecting the current subunit as described above, or a menu item indicating 'current subunit'. After adding to the sub-unit selection item of FIG. 3B described above, selecting 'current sub unit' and setting the effective viewing time of the current sub unit, the viewing time can be set only for the current sub unit. In this case, the user can more easily and easily set the viewing time.

On the other hand, if not all subunits but want to set the same viewing time to more than one subunit can be set sequentially for each subunit as described above, or all the subunit identifiers connected to the main unit in a pull-down manner If the display of 3b is selected and a plurality of subunits are selected at a time by using a remote controller, and the effective viewing time of the selected subunits is set and then 'OK' is input, the effective viewing time of the plurality of subunits is set at once. Can be. Here, the process of selecting a plurality of subunits is known to those skilled in the art, such as a process of selecting a plurality of files at one time for copying or deleting in a computer, and will not be discussed in detail in the present invention.

In this case, only one effective viewing time may be set for each sub unit as in FIG. 3B, but one or more may be set according to a designer. This applies equally to each sub unit. For example, the effective viewing time of sub unit 1 is set from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, and the effective viewing time of sub unit B is from 1 pm to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm It can also be set to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the present invention may also perform a reservation on / off function by using the viewing time setting screen of FIG. 3B.

For example, if only a start time is set after selecting a sub unit on the viewing time setting screen of FIG. 3B and no end time is set, the power of the corresponding sub unit may be automatically turned on at the set start time. This can be used as an alarm in the morning to wake up the sleeping children in their rooms where the subunits are installed.

In addition, if the end time is set without selecting the start time after selecting the sub unit on the viewing time setting screen of FIG. 3B, the power of the corresponding sub unit may be forcibly turned off at the set end time. This can also be used as a sleep reservation function and can prevent children from watching TV late in their rooms where sub units are installed.

In this case, when the user accesses the viewing time setting menu item on the menu screen of FIG. 3A, a password may be input. Therefore, the menu screen as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed only when the user inputs the correct password. This is to prevent the main user, i.e. other than the parent, for example, the children from setting the viewing time that the parent does not want. For example, if a main ID and a password are registered in the smart card, only the user who correctly inputs the main ID and password may access the viewing time menu item. The main ID and password may be an ID and a password of the main unit.

In this embodiment, only a password is input to access the viewing time menu item, but both an ID and a password may be input, or only an ID may be input, which may be changed by a designer.

The configuration of the menu screen and the viewing time setting screen of FIGS. 3A and 3B is one embodiment, and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, and thus the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the above-described effective viewing time setting may be performed in one subunit among the plurality of subunits, and FIG. 4 shows an example of the viewing time setting process.

4 illustrates an example of communication between units in a process of setting an effective viewing time for subunit B in subunit A. Referring to FIG.

For example, if the main user inserts a smart card in the sub unit A, enters a main ID and password, undergoes user authentication, and sets the effective viewing time for the sub unit B through the process of FIG. 3 described above. The sub unit A transmits the valid viewing time setting information of the set sub unit B to the main unit. The main unit stores the received effective viewing time setting information of the received subunit B and transmits the same to the subunit B so that the subunit B knows the effective viewing time setting information for itself. In this case, the effective viewing time setting information of each set subunit may be stored in the smart card. For example, the smart card may store the ID, password, rating information, effective viewing time setting information, etc. for each subunit in a table. Then, when a specific sub unit undergoes user authentication through a smart card, it can automatically know its valid viewing time setting information.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of controlling a viewing time of each sub unit in the main unit, FIG. 5A is an operation flowchart in the main unit, and FIG. 5B is an operation flowchart in each sub unit.

That is, the main unit extracts the current time from the time information transmitted from the broadcasting station, and then compares the extracted current time with the effective viewing time of each subunit (step 501) to determine whether there is a subunit outside the effective viewing time zone ( Step 502). If there is a sub unit outside the effective viewing time zone, the main unit does not transmit the video / audio data of all programs to the sub unit (step 503). Instead, the effective viewing time deactivation message is transmitted to the corresponding subunit (step 504).

In the sub-unit (step 511) receiving the valid viewing time deactivation message from the main unit, upon receiving the deactivation message, the sub-unit does not receive all user inputs and displays a message indicating that the viewing time is not valid viewing time on the screen of the display device in the OSD form. In step 512, after a certain time (step 513), the power is forcibly turned off (step 514).

In this case, the sub-unit receiving the deactivation message outside the valid viewing time may display a message indicating that it is not the valid viewing time and receive a main password. In other words, when the correct main password is input, the subunit normally decodes and displays the program even when it is not an effective viewing time zone. This is so that a main user such as a parent can watch a broadcast in each sub-unit regardless of the effective viewing time. To this end, the main password may be a password of the main unit or a password previously registered as the main password. Similarly, although only the password is input as an embodiment, the ID and the password may both be input, only the ID may be input, which may vary by the designer.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of controlling a viewing time of each sub unit, and the main unit extracts a current time from time information transmitted from a broadcasting station and periodically transmits the extracted current time to each sub unit. In addition, the main unit tunes and demodulates a channel requested by a specific subunit and transmits the demodulated channel to each subunit or the corresponding subunit (step 601).

Then, each sub unit compares the current time transmitted through the main unit with the effective viewing time set for itself to determine whether it is out of the current valid viewing time zone (step 602).

As a result of the determination, if the current time is the valid viewing time zone, the program of the request channel transmitted from the main unit is received, and video / audio data of the program is normally decoded and output to the display apparatus (step 603).

If it is determined that the current time is out of the effective viewing time zone, the program of the request channel transmitted from the main unit is not received or is not output to the display apparatus even if it is received (step 604).

Instead, the screen of the display device displays a message indicating that it is not an effective viewing time in OSD form (step 605), and then forcibly turns off the power after a predetermined time (step 606).

At this time, the sub-unit outside the valid viewing time zone may display a message indicating that the viewing time is not valid, and at the same time, the main password may be input. Perform decoding and display of the program.

As described above, according to the viewing time method of the digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention, a multi-channel is simultaneously tuned through one main unit, and each sub unit in a plurality of independent spaces is tuned by a specific channel in the main unit. Receives a program of the decoding unit and performs decoding and display, wherein one sub-unit can set the effective viewing time of the sub-units including itself, the sub-unit or the main unit to the viewing time setting value of each sub-unit Accordingly, the viewing time of each sub unit can be controlled. Therefore, it is possible to prevent children from watching TV excessively. In particular, even in an environment in which a sub unit is installed in each room, or where parents work together and go out, the children's watching time can be controlled through the main unit, thereby preventing children from watching TV indefinitely.

And by setting the effective viewing time, each sub-unit can be scheduled to be turned off or turned off, so that the children who sleep in the room where the sub unit is installed can wake up in the morning alone. You can prevent watching.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the embodiments, but should be defined by the claims.

1 is a conceptual block diagram of a digital satellite broadcast receiver according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed block diagram of the main unit of Figure 1

3A and 3B illustrate an example of a viewing time setting menu screen according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a viewing time setting process according to the present invention.

5A and 5B are flowcharts illustrating an example of controlling a viewing time of each sub unit in a main unit according to the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of controlling a viewing time of each sub unit according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

101: satellite antenna 102: LNB

103: multi-switching unit 110: main unit

111: multi-tuner section 112: multi-channel TP distribution section

113: CPU 114: modem

115: EPG DB 116: main transceiver

120: subunit

Claims (6)

The display unit and the CAS unit are not provided, but include a modem, a main unit that simultaneously tunes a plurality of received channels and demodulates and outputs the programs of the tuned channel, respectively, and is installed in a separate space together with the display unit and a smart card. A digital satellite comprising a CAS unit for authenticating a user through a main unit and receiving a program of a specific channel from the main unit, decoding and displaying the program, and transmitting a channel selection or purchase information input by the user to the main unit. In the viewing time control method of the broadcast receiver, (a) setting a valid viewing time of each sub unit including the sub unit through a menu screen by a user in one sub unit; (b) transmitting viewing time setting information of each sub unit set in step (a) to the main unit; (c) if the viewing time setting information of each subunit is transmitted in the step (b), the main unit stores the viewing time setting information and transmits the viewing time setting information to the corresponding subunit; (d) in the main unit, comparing the current viewing time with the effective viewing time of each subunit to determine whether there is a subunit outside the valid viewing time; (e) if there is a sub unit outside the valid viewing time, stopping transmission of the program to the corresponding sub unit and transmitting a valid viewing time deactivation message; And and (f) forcibly turning off the power of the corresponding sub-unit after a predetermined time has passed. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) If the user selects the viewing time setting menu item for setting the effective viewing time of each sub-unit on the menu screen, only the user who inputs the password from the user and inputs the correct password allows access to the viewing time setting menu item. A viewing time control method in a digital satellite broadcasting receiver. The method of claim 2, The password of step (a) is a password of the main unit pre-registered in the smart card inserted into the CAS unit, the viewing time control method in the digital satellite broadcasting receiver. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) When the viewing time setting menu item for setting the viewing time of each sub unit is accessed by the user, the items for setting the identifier of each sub unit and the effective viewing time of the selected sub unit are displayed on the viewing time setting screen. To do that, Selecting a sub unit identifier for setting a viewing time on the viewing time setting screen; And setting the effective viewing time for each sub unit by repeatedly setting the effective viewing time of the sub unit identifier selected in the step, for each sub unit. The method of claim 1, Periodically transmitting current time information to each sub unit in the main unit; In each sub-unit, comparing the current time information transmitted through the main unit with its own viewing time setting information to determine whether the current time falls outside the effective viewing time zone; If it is determined that the user is out of the effective viewing time, then displaying a message indicating that the user does not receive a program from the main unit and does not receive a user input, and that the display device is not currently viewing valid time; And a step of forcibly turning off the power of the corresponding sub unit after a predetermined time has passed. The display unit and the CAS unit are not provided, but include a modem, a main unit that simultaneously tunes a plurality of received channels and demodulates and outputs the programs of the tuned channel, respectively, and is installed in a separate space together with the display unit and a smart card. A digital satellite comprising a CAS unit for authenticating a user through a main unit and receiving a program of a specific channel from the main unit, decoding and displaying the program, and transmitting a channel selection or purchase information input by the user to the main unit. In the viewing time control method of the broadcast receiver, (a) setting a valid viewing time of each sub unit including the sub unit through a menu screen by a user in one sub unit; (b) transmitting viewing time setting information of each sub unit set in step (a) to the main unit; (c) if the viewing time setting information of each subunit is transmitted in the step (b), the main unit stores the viewing time setting information and transmits the viewing time setting information to the corresponding subunit; (d) periodically transmitting current time information to each sub unit in the main unit; (e) comparing, at each sub unit, current time information transmitted through the main unit with its own viewing time setting information to determine whether the current time is out of the effective viewing time zone; (f) if it is determined that the user is out of the effective viewing time, then displaying a message indicating that the program received from the main unit is not outputted to the display device and receiving no user input, and that the display device does not display the current valid viewing time. ; And and (g) forcibly turning off the power of the corresponding sub-unit after a predetermined time has passed.