KR20050120936A - Digital cable broadcasting system and method for providing local information using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a cable-ready digital TV broadcasting system that can provide a separate community information required by the viewer by using an out of band (not an band) rather than a cable broadcast channel (In Band) and the same The present invention relates to a method for providing local information, comprising: a cable headend system for combining and transmitting local broadcast information together with digital cable broadcasting of an in-band channel through an out-of-band channel, and in the cable headend system. Receiving the transmitted digital cable broadcasting and local broadcasting information, the digital cable broadcasting is processed and displayed according to the image format of the display unit, and the cable broadcasting to the on-screen display on the display unit with the digital cable broadcasting With digital TV By gender, Digital Cable subscribers can receive them quickly and accurately, if only Once you have set in the list provided by the cable operators for local communities seeking information he provided that information is transmitted.

Description

Digital cable broadcasting system and method for providing local information using the same

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to digital cable broadcasting. Particularly, in a digital cable broadcasting system, separate community information required by a viewer is provided in real time by using an out-of-band rather than a cable broadcasting channel. The present invention relates to a digital cable broadcasting system suitable for the following and a method of providing local information using the same.

As digitalization of broadcasting media is rapidly progressing worldwide, digital broadcasting of terrestrial broadcasting and satellite broadcasting has begun in Korea.

In Korea, where more than 60% of TV receiving households are receiving broadcasts through wired networks, digitalization of cable broadcasting is a little late compared to satellites and terrestrial waves. The introduction of broadcasting system) is actively underway.

The Ministry of Information and Communication has been working on the digitalization of cable broadcasting since 1999. In 2001, the US-based Open Cable standard was selected as the domestic digital cable broadcasting standard.

The open cable system is a set of interface specifications that define the Set Top Box of Digital Cable Television and other digital devices manufactured by CableLab Laboratoris. Inc. (CabelLabs).

In the US, cable broadcasting accounts for the largest portion of the overall broadcasting market, but the equipment market, including associated head-end equipment and set-top boxes, is almost exclusively owned by two companies, Motorola and Scientific Atlanta. It can be said to be closed from the viewpoint. In order to eliminate this closedness, since 2005, the part related to CA is separated from set-top box.

The Open Cable standard allows the existing set-top box to consist of a subscriber station (Host) with a restricted receiver and a Point of Deployment (POD) that includes the restricted receiver to meet FCC regulations. have.

The Open Cable standard requires the following features:

First, they support FCC requirements, which include segregation of CAs, purchase of subscriber terminals in competitive visibility, and consistency with existing digital cable systems.

Second, the performance parameters must be supported so that network operations and audio and video quality are acceptable.

Third, the limited reception function by the removable conditional access module should be supported.

Fourth, out-of-band signaling must be supported.

A specific band is used to provide EPG (Electronic Program Guide) related service, Entitlement Management Message (EMM), data service, etc.

Fifth, it supports HDTV compressed signal stream output by IEEE 1394 connection.

Sixth, support copying to meet the Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA) requirements for advanced programs.

In the existing data broadcasting, in addition to video and audio signals, broadcasters add information and additional broadcast information that the viewer desires so that the viewer can enjoy the data broadcasting service.

Therefore, in the case of over-the-air broadcasting, each broadcaster provided a different data broadcasting service and often provided information not related to community information.

However, Cable Ready DTV, which is able to receive broadcasts that are open cables, can provide intimate information with the community because local cable broadcasters receive subscriptions and services from viewers.

Digital cable broadcasting can use an out-of-band channel (OOB) that is different from the in-band channel. In other words, OOB could provide not only system information (SI), which is cable channel information (channel map information), but also an emergency alert system (EAS).

Hereinafter, a digital cable broadcasting system according to the prior art will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a general digital cable broadcasting system.

First, a general digital cable broadcasting system can be broadly divided into a cable headend system 100 of a cable broadcasting company that transmits digital cable broadcasting, and a cable ready digital TV 200 on the subscriber side that receives the transmitted cable broadcasting.

Here, the cable head-end system 100 includes a multiplexing and encrypting unit 110, a transmission-side out-of-band data processing unit 120, a QAM modulation unit 130, an out-of-band data modulation unit 140, and a combination unit ( 150).

Here, the multiplexing and encrypting unit 110 converts video, audio, and data streams into a single MPEG-2 transport stream, and uses CAS (Conditional Access) to selectively watch a specific channel for an authorized subscriber. System) to restrict viewing by performing encryption according to program content.

In addition, the transmitting-side out-of-band data processing unit 120 processes the SI (System Information), which is channel map information, and Emergency Alert System (EAS), which is a disaster alert system, to meet the cable ready DTV 200 standard. do.

The QAM modulator 130 modulates an MPEG-2 transport stream (TS) of video, audio, and data multiplexed and encrypted by the multiplexing and encrypting unit 110 using an orthogonal amplitude modulation (QAM) scheme.

In addition, the out-of-band data modulator 140 modulates out-of-band channel (OOB) data processed by the transmission-side out-of-band data processor 120 using a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) scheme.

In addition, the combiner 150 may convert the MPEG-2 transport stream (TS) modulated by the QAM modulator 130 and the out-of-band channel (OOB) data modulated by the out-of-band data modulator 140 to each subscriber. Combine to transmit over 300.

The cable ready digital TV 200 includes a switching unit 210, a digital tuner and demodulator 220, an out-of-band tuner and an out-of-band data demodulator 230, a reception limiting system unit 240, The receiver includes an out-of-band data processor 250, an A / V decoder 260, an image processor 270a, and a display 280.

Here, the switching unit 210 switches the QAM modulated signal among the signals transmitted from the cable headend system 100 through the cable 300 to the digital tuner and the demodulator 220, and the QPSK modulated signal is the out-of-band tuner. And the out of band data demodulator 230.

The digital tuner and demodulator 220 tunes a specific cable digital TV broadcast channel and demodulates the QAM modulated signal into an MPEG-2 transport stream, and the out-of-band tuner and out-of-band data demodulator 230 includes an out-of-band channel. To receive the incoming data, select the frequency and demodulate the received signal.

The reception restriction system unit 240 determines whether viewing is possible according to the reception restriction information in the MPEG-2 transport stream demodulated by the digital tuner and the demodulation unit 220.

The receiving side out-of-band data processing unit 250 classifies and processes various pieces of information, such as system information (SI) and emergency alert system (EAS), received through the out-of-band channel (OOB).

The A / V decoder 260 decodes the video, audio, and data streams so that the viewer can view them, and the image processing processor 270a displays the video signal decoded by the A / V decoder 260. Processed according to the format of (280).

The display 280 displays the image processed by the image processing processor 270a so that the viewer can watch it.

In the conventional art, the video, audio, and data streams are multiplexed and encrypted by the multiplexing and encrypting unit 110, and are modulated by the QAM modulation method by the QAM modulating unit 130, and then the out-of-band data processing unit 120 is transmitted. And when combined with the coupling unit 150 together with the SI and EAS information modulated by the out-of-band data modulator 140 and transmitted through the cable 300, the video, audio and data streams are digital tutor and demodulator 220 Decoded by the reception system 240 and the A / V decoder 260, the SI, EAS information is out-of-band tuner and out-of-band data demodulator 230, and the receiving side out-of-band data processing unit 250 ) Are classified into SI and EAS.

However, in such a conventional digital cable broadcast, separate community news or information by the cable operator is still broadcast only through a separate cable channel, so that viewers continue to watch a specific cable channel to know the news or information of the community. There is a problem that must be present, and accordingly, there is a problem that it is more difficult to transmit the news or information of the community to viewers in real time.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and provides real-time service to local subscribers watching cable ready digital TV through out-of-band channels (OOB) in digital cable broadcasting systems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital cable broadcasting system that can be used and a method of providing local information using the same.

The digital cable broadcasting system of the present invention for achieving the above object is a cable headend system for transmitting local broadcast information combined with the digital cable broadcasting of the in-band channel through the out-of-band channel, and transmitted from the cable headend system Receiving the digital cable broadcasting and local broadcasting information, the digital cable broadcasting is processed and displayed according to the image format of the display unit, the local broadcast information cable ready digital TV to the on-screen display on the display unit with the digital cable broadcasting It consists of.

Preferably, the cable headend system includes a multiplexing and encrypting unit for multiplexing and encrypting video, audio, and data streams, channel map information, emergency alert system information, and community information. A transmission-side out-of-band data processing unit processing to meet the ready digital TV standard, an orthogonal amplitude modulation unit for modulating the MPEG-2 transport stream of the multiplexed and encrypted video, audio, and data; An out-of-band data modulator for modulating out-of-band channel data processed by the data processor, an MPEG-2 transport stream modulated by the orthogonal amplitude modulator, and out-of-band channel data modulated by the out-of-band data modulator are provided for each subscriber. The cable ready digital comprises a coupling for coupling to transmit via a star cable V, the quadrature amplitude-modulated signal is switched to the digital tuner and demodulator, and the quadrature phase-modulated signal is switched to the out-of-band tuner and the out-of-band data demodulator, and the cable digital TV broadcast channel tuned and orthogonal amplitude A digital tuner and demodulator for demodulating a modulated signal in the form of an MPEG-2 transport stream, an out-of-band tuner and an out-of-band data demodulator for tuning and demodulating data and signals entering the out-of-band channel, and the demodulated MPEG- 2 Restriction system for determining whether to view or not according to the reception restriction information in the transport stream, channel map information (SI) received through the out-of-band channel, disaster alert system information (EAS) and community information are classified and processed. Receiving side out-of-band data processing unit, and video / audio decode to decode the video, audio and data stream for viewers to watch A hypertext generation language processor for processing hypertext generation language (HTML) on community information processed by the out-of-band data processing unit, and a video signal decoded by the video / audio decoder unit according to a format of a display unit. An image processing processor and a graphic processing unit for performing on-screen display processing of the community information processed by the hypertext generating language processor, and a display unit for displaying the image and community information processed by the image processing processor and the graphic processing unit. It is configured to include.

In order to achieve the above object, the method of providing local information in the digital cable broadcasting system of the present invention includes the steps of receiving community information data through an out-of-band channel and displaying the community information arrival notification message on the cable ready digital TV. Displaying on the screen, displaying whether or not to view the arrived information, and if so, displaying the arrived information on screen, and displaying whether to store the arrived information if the viewing is completed or not. And storing or deleting the arrived information according to the viewer's selection.

Preferably, the digital cable broadcasting system transmits a list of information that the service provider can provide to the cable ready digital TV, and allows the viewer to select information required by the list, thereby transmitting only the community information selected by the viewer, The cable ready digital TV displays a community information arrival notification message only for information that matches the list of community information selected by the user.

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, a digital cable broadcasting system and a method of providing region information using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a digital cable broadcasting system according to the present invention.

The cable ready digital TV according to the present invention is similar to the configuration of a general cable ready digital TV, except that the channel head information system (SI) or the emergency alert system (EAS) information as well as community information on the cable headend system 100 side. (Local information, local news, local advertising, etc.) is transmitted through an out-of-band channel (OOB) in the form of a hypertext markup language (HTML), and the cable ready digital TV 200 is an out-of-band channel (OOB). Receives this and processes the local information in HTML form so that it can be configured as OSD and displays it in OSD form with image data.

That is, the digital cable broadcasting system according to the present invention may be divided into a cable head end system 100 of a cable broadcasting company that transmits digital cable broadcasting, and a cable ready digital TV 200 of a subscriber receiving the transmitted cable broadcasting. have.

Here, the cable head-end system 100 includes a multiplexing and encrypting unit 110, a transmission-side out-of-band data processing unit 120, a QAM modulation unit 130, an out-of-band data modulation unit 140, and a combination unit ( 150).

Here, the multiplexing and encrypting unit 110 converts the video, audio, and data streams into a single MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS) form, and selectively accesses a specific channel to an authorized subscriber. System) to restrict viewing by performing encryption according to program content.

In addition, the transmitting-side out-of-band data processing unit 120 is cable-ready digital SI (channel map information), EAS information of the disaster warning system and community information (local information, local news, local advertising, etc.) in the form of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) Process to meet the Cable Ready DTV (200) standard.

The QAM modulator 130 converts the MPEG-2 transport stream of video, audio, and data, which has been multiplexed and encrypted by the multiplexing and encrypting unit 110, into the cable headend system 100 and the cable ready digital TV 200. Modulation processing is performed using an orthogonal amplitude modulation (QAM) method so as to be transmitted through a connecting cable 300.

The out-of-band data modulator 140 uses an orthogonal phase shift keying (QPSK) scheme to transmit out-of-band channel (OOB) data processed by the transmitter-side out-of-band data processor 120 through the cable 300. To perform the modulation process.

The combiner 150 is further configured to separate the cable 300 for each subscriber from the MPEG-2 transport stream modulated by the QAM modulator 130 and out-of-band channel (OOB) data modulated by the out-of-band data modulator 140. Combine to transmit via

The cable ready digital TV 200 includes a switching unit 210, a digital tuner and a demodulator 220, an out-of-band tuner and an out-of-band data demodulator 230, a reception limiting system unit 240, and a reception unit. An out-of-band data processor 250, an A / V decoder 260, an HTML processor 290, an image processor and graphics processor 270, and a display unit 280 are included.

Here, the switching unit 210 switches the QAM modulated signal among the signals transmitted from the cable headend system 100 through the cable 300 to the digital tuner and the demodulator 220, and the QPSK modulated signal is out of band. Switch to the tuner and out-of-band data demodulator 230.

The digital tuner and demodulator 220 tunes a particular cable digital TV broadcast channel and demodulates the QAM modulated signal in the form of an MPEG-2 transport stream, and the out-of-band tuner and out-of-band data demodulator 230 to an out-of-band channel. In order to receive the incoming data, the frequency is selected and demodulated.

On the other hand, the reception system 240 determines whether the digital tuner and the demodulator 220 can be viewed or not according to the reception restriction information in the MPEG-2 transport stream demodulated by the digital tuner and the demodulator 220. Various information such as SI, EAS, and HTML information received through the channel (OOB) is classified and processed.

The A / V decoder 260 decodes the video, audio, and data streams so that the viewer can watch them.

The HTML processing unit 290 processes HTML so that the community information processed by the receiving side out-of-band data processing unit 250 can be displayed in an OSD form.

Accordingly, the image processing processor and the graphic processor 270 process the image signal decoded by the A / V decoder 260 to match the format of the display unit 280, and the HTML form processed by the HTML processor 290. Process community information in a form suitable for viewers to watch (OSD).

The display unit 280 displays the image processed by the image processor and the graphic processor 270 and the OSD so that the viewer can watch.

In the digital cable broadcasting system of the present invention, the video, audio, and data streams are multiplexed and encrypted by the multiplexing and encrypting unit 110, and are modulated by the QAM modulation method by the QAM modulating unit 130, and then the transmission-side out-of-band data. When combined with the SI and EAS information and community information modulated by the processor 120 and the out-of-band data modulator 140 and transmitted through the cable 300, the video, audio, and data streams are converted into a digital tutor and demodulator ( 220, decoded by the reception restriction system unit 240 and the A / V decoder unit 260, SI, which is channel map information, EAS information, which is a disaster warning system, and community information, are decoded from the out-of-band tuner and out-of-band data. It is classified into channel map information (SI), disaster alert information (EAS), community news, information, and advertisement through the grandfather 230 and the reception side out-of-band data processing unit 250. In this case, the HTML processing unit 290 processes the community information in the form of HTML, the image processing processor and graphic processing unit 270 processes the image signal to fit the display format of the display unit 280, the community in the HTML form The information is output to the display unit 280 by OSD (On Screen Display) processing.

At this time, in order to receive only the news, information, or advertisement selected by the viewer for the community information transmitted from the cable headend system 100, the cable headend system 100 provides the cable operator with a cable ready digital TV. Make sure you receive a list of information. This will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a view for explaining a method of selecting local information in a cable ready digital TV according to the present invention.

First, the digital cable broadcaster transmits a list of information that the service provider can provide to the cable ready digital TV of the viewers who have subscribed to the cable broadcast, and allows the viewer to select the required information from the list. For example, in Figure 3, the cable operator through the cable head-end system 100 start-up information, real estate information, restaurant information, coupon information, ward office news, ... In the case of sending a list of news by the same, it shows that the viewer selected the founding information, restaurant information, and coupon information.

As a result, the cable ready digital TV notifies the user only when information related to the information selected by the user is received through the out-of-band channel (OOB), and the received (received) information is stored in the cable ready digital TV according to the user's selection. It may be stored in a device (for example, a hard disk (HDD)).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing local information in a cable ready digital TV according to the present invention.

In the cable-ready digital TV according to the present invention, the method for providing local information includes channel map information (SI), disaster alert information (EAS), or community information data (local information, local news, local area) through an out-of-band channel (OOB). Advertisement, etc.) is received (S110), the data is analyzed (S120).

As a result of the analysis, it is determined whether the information is set by the user (viewer) with respect to the community information data (S130).

As a result of the determination (S130), the information arrival notification message is displayed on the display unit of the cable ready digital TV (S140).

Subsequently, it displays whether the received information is to be viewed now, and determines what kind of selection the user has made (S150). At this time, for example, watching now allows one of several keys (buttons) on the remote control to be selected (for example, key 1 or volume, channel up button, etc.). 3 key or volume, channel down button, etc.).

As a result of determination (S150), if the received information is viewed now, the received information is displayed in the OSD form (S160). At this time, if you do not want to view the displayed information any more, select one of several keys (buttons) of the remote controller (for example, key 0).

Subsequently, it is displayed whether the user wants to not watch any more, or to store the displayed information after a predetermined time elapses, and determines what kind of selection the user has made (S170). Even in this case, saving allows you to select one of several keys (buttons) on the remote control (e.g. key 1 or volume, channel up button), and the other button (e.g. key 3 if you are not watching now). Or volume, channel down button).

The determination result (S150) displays whether to store the information even if the user selects not to view the arrived information.

When the user presses the save button according to the user's selection, the user saves it to the storage device of the cable ready digital TV (hard disk or flash memory, etc.) (S180), and if not, removes the displayed local information OSD from the display unit.

Of course, the cable headend system of the digital cable broadcasting system may transmit only information on a list selected by the user.

Therefore, cable-ready digital TV viewers (local cable subscribers) can selectively receive information or advertisements related to their desired area, and can always find the desired information by storing the information in a storage space. In addition, since the information provided is in HTML, the user can be provided or retrieved in a familiar way.

In the digital cable broadcasting system of the present invention and the method for providing local information using the same, the digital cable subscriber is required to set up the community information he wants to receive from the list provided by the cable operator. It can be received correctly, the cable operators can generate revenue according to local advertising, and the advertising provider can be sent only to the viewer requesting the advertisement, thereby increasing the reliability of the advertisement.

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 block diagram illustrating a general digital cable broadcasting system.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a digital cable broadcasting system according to the present invention.

3 is a view illustrating a method of selecting local information in a cable ready digital TV according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart for explaining a method for providing local information in a cable ready digital TV according to the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

100: cable headend system 110: multiplexing and encryption unit

120: out-of-band data processing unit 130: QAM modulation unit

140: out-of-band data modulation section 150: coupling section

200: cable ready digital TV 210: switching unit

220: digital tuner and demodulator

230: Out-of-band tuner and out-of-band data demodulator

240: reception limit system unit

250: Out-of-band data processing unit 260: A / V decoder unit

270: image processing processor and graphics processing unit

280: display unit 290: HTML processing unit

300: cable

Claims (4)

A cable headend system for combining and transmitting local broadcasting information together with digital cable broadcasting of in-band channels through out-of-band channels; Receiving the digital cable broadcasting and local broadcasting information transmitted from the cable headend system, the digital cable broadcasting is processed and displayed according to the image format of the display unit, and the local broadcasting information is displayed on the display unit together with the digital cable broadcasting. A digital cable broadcasting system comprising a cable ready digital TV for on-screen display. The method of claim 1, The cable headend system, A multiplexing and encrypting unit for multiplexing and encrypting video, audio and data streams, and channel map information, disaster alert system information, and community information to meet the cable ready digital TV standard. An out-of-band data processor, an orthogonal amplitude modulator for modulating an MPEG-2 transport stream of the multiplexed and encrypted video, audio, and data, and an out-of-band channel data processed by the out-of-band data processor An out-of-band data modulator that modulates the PB, an MPEG-2 transport stream modulated by the orthogonal amplitude modulator, and out-of-band channel data modulated by the out-of-band data modulator for transmission through a cable for each subscriber. It is configured to include a coupling portion, The cable ready digital TV, The quadrature amplitude modulated signal is switched to a digital tuner and a demodulator, and the quadrature phase shifted signal is switched to an out-of-band tuner and an out-of-band data demodulator, and a cable digital TV broadcast channel is tuned to the quadrature amplitude modulated signal. Digital demodulator and demodulator for demodulating the data into an MPEG-2 transport stream, an out-of-band tuner and out-of-band data demodulator for tuning and demodulating data and signals coming into the out-of-band channel, and the demodulated MPEG-2 transport stream. Receiving restriction system unit for determining whether to view or not according to the reception restriction information in the reception, and receiving side for classifying and processing channel map information (SI), disaster warning system information (EAS) and community information received through out-of-band channels An out-of-band data processor, a video / audio decoder for decoding the video, audio, and data streams for viewing by a viewer; A hypertext generation language processor for processing hypertext generation language (HTML) on community information processed by an out-of-band data processing unit, and a video signal decoded by the video / audio decoder unit in accordance with a format of a display unit; And an image processing processor and a graphic processing unit for performing on-screen display processing of the community information processed by the hypertext generating language processor, and a display unit for displaying the image and community information processed by the image processing processor and the graphic processing unit. Digital cable broadcasting system characterized by. Receiving community information data via an out-of-band channel; Displaying the community information arrival notification message on a display of a cable ready digital TV; Displaying whether to view the arrived information, and if so, displaying the arrived information in an on-screen form; Displaying whether to store the arrived information if the viewing is completed or if the viewing is not completed; And storing or deleting the received information according to the viewer's selection. The method of claim 3, wherein In the digital cable broadcasting system, the cable-ready digital TV transmits a list of information that can be provided by the service provider and allows the viewer to select information needed from the list, thereby transmitting only the community information selected by the viewer or the cable. A method for providing local information in a digital cable broadcasting system, comprising: displaying a community information arrival notification message for information corresponding to a list of community information selected by a user in a ready digital TV.