KR20070097870A - Accounting method for digital broadcasting system - Google Patents

Abstract

A billing processing method for a digital broadcasting system is provided to perform user authentication and a billing process according to IP(Internet Protocol) address information and billing information of the corresponding system according to the use of image contents. A control unit transmits corresponding IP address information to request a certain image service(204,206). The control unit provides authentication information through a menu picture provided by the request of the image service(208). An image service server performs user authentication according to the authentication information and the IP address information(210). The image service server provides selected specific image contents(212,214,216). The image service server performs a billing process according to billing information including information of the provided image contents and the IP address information(218,220).

Description

Billing processing method of digital broadcasting system {ACCOUNTING METHOD FOR DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM}

1 is a block diagram of a billing processing system suitable for performing billing processing in response to corresponding IP address information in accordance with provision of a video service according to the present invention;

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing charging processing of video content provided according to IP address information according to the present invention.

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

100: digital broadcasting system 102: key input unit

104 control unit 106 tuning and demodulation unit

108: demultiplexer 110: storage medium

112: decoding unit 114: signal processing unit

116: menu generation unit 118: communication module unit

200: Internet communication network 300: video service system

302: video service server 302a: log management module

302b: Billing Processing Module 302c: Revenue Management Module

304: video service database 304a: video content database

304b: IP address information database 304c: point database

304d: Log Information Database 304e: Billing Information Database

The present invention relates to a method of performing charging processing in a digital broadcasting system, and more particularly, to a charging processing method of a digital broadcasting system suitable for performing charging processing according to the use of video content in a digital broadcasting system.

As is well known, digital broadcasting includes digital terrestrial broadcasting, digital satellite broadcasting, and digital cable broadcasting, which requires a digital broadcasting receiver such as a set-top box (STB).

The digital broadcast receiver includes a tuner for receiving a digital broadcast signal, a demodulator for demodulating the received digital broadcast signal, a demultiplexer and scramble processing for separating the demodulated digital broadcast signal into video, audio, and data. A descrambler for descrambles the video and audio is included.

In addition, the A / V decoder for decoding the descrambled video and audio to play video and audio signals, the CAM (Conditional Access Module) or a smart card for performing the descrambling operation, the user's key A CPU for controlling the operation of each component means and a memory for storing information for controlling the operation of the CPU according to the input, wherein the CAM or the smart card for performing the descrambling operation is included in the digital broadcasting receiver; It can be used in connection with a digital broadcast receiver.

However, when providing a video service (for example, drama, movie, etc.) through the Internet communication network in the conventional digital broadcasting system, the user authentication is performed through the built-in CAM or smart card, and the video content is used. By performing the billing process for, the installation cost according to the use of CAM or smart card takes a lot, there was also inconvenience in user authentication.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, and according to the use of the image content in the digital broadcasting system according to the IP address information and billing information of the system of the digital broadcasting system that can process the user authentication and billing Its purpose is to provide a method for processing billing.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method of performing a billing process for a service provided in a digital broadcasting system providing a video service through an internet communication network, and requests an arbitrary video service to a corresponding IP (Internet Protocol). Transmitting address information, providing authentication information through a menu screen provided according to the video service request, performing user authentication according to the provided authentication information and the IP address information, and performing the user authentication. And providing a service-selected specific video content, and performing a charging process according to the video content information of the provided video content and the charging information including the IP address information. to provide.

The above and other objects and various advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by those skilled in the art.

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

The core technical aspect of the present invention, in the digital broadcasting system for providing a video service through the Internet communication network transmits the IP address information for any video service, and provides authentication information through a menu screen provided in response to the video service request , After performing user authentication according to the provided authentication information and IP address information, and after providing the service-selected specific video content after user authentication, according to the video content information of the provided video content and the charging information including the IP address information. By performing the charging process, it is possible to easily achieve the object of the present invention through this technical means.

1 is a block diagram of a billing processing system suitable for performing billing processing in response to corresponding IP address information in accordance with a video service provision according to the present invention, and includes a digital broadcasting system 100, an internet communication network 200, and a video service system. 300. Here, the digital broadcasting system 100 includes a key input unit 102, a control unit 104, a tuning and demodulation unit 106, a demultiplexer unit 108, a storage medium 110, a decoding unit 112, and a signal processing unit. 114, a menu generation unit 116, and a communication module unit 118, and the image service system 300 includes an image service server 302 and an image service database 304.

Referring to FIG. 1, the key input unit 102 of the digital broadcasting system 100 may input a key for controlling the operation of the digital broadcasting system 100 using an input unit (not shown), for example, a remote controller. In this case, an operation signal is generated according to this. For example, when a key for requesting a video service is input, a video service request signal is generated and provided to the controller 104.

In addition, the control unit 104 performs overall operation control of the digital broadcasting system 100. In order to perform such operation control, the control unit 104 provides a control signal for tuning the digital broadcasting channel to the tuning and demodulation unit 106, and demultiplexer. The broadcast channel information (electronic program guide information) transmitted from the unit 108 is stored in the storage medium 110, the control signal for decoding the broadcast signal is provided to the decoding block 112, and the storage medium 110 to the storage medium 110. Functions such as controlling storage and detection.

In addition, the control unit 104 provides the tuning and demodulation unit 106 with a control signal for searching for a corresponding broadcast channel according to the broadcast channel selection operation signal provided from the key input unit 102. Here, the broadcast channel information means a tunable transponder number, a tunable broadcast channel number, and the like.

In addition, the controller 104 provides a control signal to the menu generator 116 for storing a program information of the found broadcast channel in the storage medium 110 and for generating a menu screen displaying the program information. Signal processing of the menu screen is provided to the signal processing unit 114 for displaying a control signal for display through a monitor (not shown). Here, the program information may be displayed using the electronic program guide (EPG).

Meanwhile, the controller 104 receives the video service request signal and transmits the video service request signal to the video service system 300 through the communication module unit 118 and the internet communication network 200 together with the IP address information, and the communication module unit 118. It provides the user authentication menu screen data provided from the menu generation unit 116, and transmits the authentication information provided from the key input unit 102 through the communication module unit 118, the video service menu screen according to the user authentication completion The data is received and provided to the menu generator 116. Here, the authentication information may include, for example, a user ID, a user password, and the like, and the IP address information may include, for example, an IP address corresponding to the corresponding digital broadcasting system.

In addition, the control unit 104 transmits a specific video content selection signal input from the key input unit 102 through the video service menu screen through the communication module unit 118, and according to the corresponding IP address information, the communication module unit 118. It provides a control signal to each component to the video content transmitted through the control to provide the corresponding video content.

Meanwhile, when the tuning control signal is provided from the control unit 104, the tuning and demodulation unit 106 tunes any one of a plurality of broadcast channels received through the antenna accordingly. It recovers to the transport stream through the process of change to frequency, demodulation and error correction.

The demultiplexer unit 108 extracts the image and audio data of the digital broadcast program from the recovered transport stream and transmits the demultiplexer unit 108 to the decoding unit 112, and additional information (i.e., program information and electronic program guide) inserted on the transport stream. Information, etc.) packet data is extracted and transmitted to the control unit 104.

In addition, the storage medium 110 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and may include digital broadcast program related information (ie, broadcast channel information, electronic program guide information, and the like) and IP address information of the digital broadcast system 100. And the like, and when the user requests the electronic program guide information of the broadcast program, and transmits it to the control unit 104, and extracts the IP address information and transmits to the control unit 104 when the video service request.

Next, the decoding unit 112 restores the compressed coded broadcast signal (broadcast program signal) of a specific channel to the original signal before encoding using a decoding technique such as variable length decoding, inverse DCT, inverse quantization, motion compensation, and the like. Transfer to the processing unit 114. In addition, the image content transmitted from the control unit 104 is transmitted to the signal processing unit 114 through the decoding process as described above.

In addition, the signal processor 114 processes the video signal and the audio signal and reproduces the same through a monitor and a speaker (not shown). In addition, the signal processor 114 mixes various menu screens generated by the menu generator 116 with image signals and displays them through a monitor (not shown).

Meanwhile, the menu generator 116 generates a menu screen displaying program information (ie, electronic program guide information), user authentication, video service selection, etc. provided from the controller 104 and transmits the generated menu screen to the signal processor 114. do.

In addition, the communication module unit 118 includes a modem and performs a function of performing data communication between the digital broadcasting system 100 and the image service system 300 in conjunction with the Internet communication network 200. The user from the video service server 302, which transmits the video service request signal and IP address information from the control unit 104 of the system 100 to the video service server 302 of the video service system 300, and is thus transmitted. Deliver authentication menu screen data.

In addition, the communication module unit 118 transmits authentication information data from the control unit 104 to the image service server 302 through the Internet communication network 200, and transmits the image service menu screen data transmitted accordingly. When the specific video content is selected through the video service menu screen, the selection signal is transmitted to the video service server 302 through the internet communication network 200, and thus the video service server 302 is transmitted. The corresponding video content is transmitted to the control unit 104.

Meanwhile, the video service system 300 includes a video service server 302 and a video service database 304. The video service server 302 includes a log management module 302a, a billing processing module 302b, and a revenue management module. 302c, the video service database 304 includes a video content database 304a, an IP address information database 304b, a point database 304c, a log information database 304d, and a charging information database 304e. do.

In addition, the image service server 302 of the image service system 300 performs data communication with the digital broadcasting system 100 through the internet communication network 200. The user authentication menu according to the transmitted image service request signal is performed accordingly. Transmit screen data, perform user authentication according to the IP address information according to the transmitted authentication information data, transmit video service menu screen data when user authentication is completed, and apply according to a specific video content selection signal transmitted The video content is extracted from the video service database 304 and transmitted through the internet communication network 200 according to the corresponding IP address information.

In addition, the video service server 302 manages the screening log generated when the video content is transmitted through the log management module 302a, and the digital broadcasting system according to the charging information according to the IP address information corresponding to the provided video content. After the billing processing for the 100 is performed through the billing processing module 302b, the sales according to the billing processing are preset through the sales management module 302c (for example, one week, one month, etc.). Each sum is managed. Here, the charging information may include, for example, an IP address, a user ID, a user password, video content fee information, a video content list, and the like corresponding to the digital broadcasting system.

Next, the video service database 304 stores video content, IP address information, point information, log information, billing information, and the like, and stores or extracts the video content and various information in association with the video service server 302. To provide such functions.

In addition, the video service database 304 stores the video content and the video content information (for example, the video content list, the video content fee information, etc.) including the digital video data in a file state through the video content database 304a. And store and manage IP address information (eg, user ID, user password, IP address, etc.) corresponding to each digital broadcasting system 100 through the IP address information database 304b, 304c) stores and manages the point information (e.g., user ID, IP address, point value, etc.) according to the use of the video content, and displays the log information generated when providing the video content through the log information database 304d ( For example, a solution for storing and managing a video content list) and providing the video content through the billing information database 304e. Charge information (e.g., IP address, user ID, user password, video content fee information, video content list, etc.) corresponding to the digital broadcasting system is stored and managed according to the IP address information.

Next, when requesting a video service from the billing processing system having the above-described configuration, the user authentication process according to the corresponding IP address information is performed, and then the selected video content is provided through the provided video service menu screen. A description will be given of the process of performing the charging process according to the IP address information for the video content.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing charging processing of video content provided according to IP address information according to the present invention. The charging processing method according to the present invention will be described through these drawings.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the standby mode of the digital broadcasting system 100 (step 202), the control unit 104 requests a video service by a user using an input unit (not shown), for example, a remote controller. In response to the check, it is checked whether there is a video service request signal generated from the key input unit 102 (step 204).

As a result of the check in step 204, if there is a video service request signal, the controller 104 transmits the request signal to the communication module unit 118 together with the IP address information extracted from the storage medium 110, Accordingly, the communication module 118 transmits the data to the video service system 300 through the internet communication network 200 (step 206). Here, the IP address information may include, for example, an IP address corresponding to the digital broadcasting system.

The video service system 300 receives the video service request signal and the IP address information, and digitally broadcasts the user authentication menu screen data through the Internet communication network 200 according to the corresponding IP address information through the video service server 302. And transmits it to the system 100, the digital broadcasting system 100 receives it through the communication module unit 118, and the controller 104 controls the menu generator 116 and the signal processor according to the user authentication menu screen data. In step 114, a user authentication menu screen is provided, and a user waits for input of user authentication information (step 208). Here, the authentication information input may wait for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.), and the authentication information may include, for example, a user ID, a user password, and the like.

Next, the control unit 104 of the digital broadcasting system 100 transmits the authentication information data to the communication module unit 118 according to the input of the authentication information through the key input unit 102, and the Internet communication network 200 is transferred to the communication module unit 118. The video service system 300 transmits the data to the video service system 300, and the video service server 302 checks the corresponding authentication information in association with the IP address information database 304b (step 210). Here, the IP address information database 304b may include, for example, a user ID and a user password according to each IP address.

As a result of the check in step 210, when the user authentication is completed, the video service server 302 of the video service system 300 uses the Internet service network 200 to display the video service menu screen data including the selectable video content information. The digital broadcasting system 100 transmits the data to the digital broadcasting system 100, and the control unit 104 of the digital broadcasting system 100 receives the information through the communication module unit 118 and transmits the image service through the menu generator 116 and the signal processor 114. A menu screen is provided (step 212).

In addition, when the user inputs a key for selecting specific video content through the video service menu screen, the control unit 104 of the digital broadcasting system 100 receives a specific video content selection signal generated from the key input unit 102 in response thereto. Check if there is a step (step 214).

As a result of the check in the step 214, if there is a specific video content selection signal, the control unit 104 transmits this selection signal to the communication module unit 118, which is the video service system 300 through the Internet communication network 200. The video service server 302 interoperates with the video information database 304a of the video service database 304 and transmits the video content through the Internet communication network 200 according to the corresponding IP address information. Provide a transfer (step 216).

In addition, the charging processing module 302b of the video service server 302 extracts the corresponding video content information in connection with the video content database 304a of the video service database 304 with respect to the provided video content. After extracting the IP address information of the digital broadcasting system 100 in association with 304b), the billing process is performed according to the IP address information using the billing information including the video content information and the IP address information (step 218). , 220). Here, the charging information may include, for example, an IP address, a user ID, a user password, video content fee information, a video content list, and the like corresponding to the digital broadcasting system.

Information about such a billing process is stored and managed in the billing information database 304e, and then the video service server 302 extracts billing information according to each IP address information from the billing information database 304e, and generates a revenue management module ( Through the process of charging according to the IP address information for each preset period (for example, 1 week, 1 month, etc.) through 302), the process according to the IP address information is applied The point information is stored and managed in the point database 304c. Here, the point information may include, for example, a user ID, an IP address, a point value, and the like.

Accordingly, the billing processing system can perform user authentication according to a video service request, provide specific video contents, and perform billing processing of the digital broadcasting system on the video contents according to the corresponding IP address information.

In the foregoing description, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that branch substitutions, modifications and variations are possible.

As described above, the present invention is different from the conventional method of processing user authentication and billing using a CAM or smart card installed in a digital broadcasting system, and provides an arbitrary video service in a digital broadcasting system that provides a video service through an internet communication network. Transmit the corresponding IP address information, provide authentication information through the menu screen provided according to the video service request, perform user authentication according to the provided authentication information and IP address information, and after the user authentication, the specific video content selected for the service After providing the information, the billing processing is performed according to the video content information of the provided video content and the charging information including the IP address information, so that the video content provided to the digital broadcasting system can be effectively charged according to the IP address information and the charging information. The billing process can be performed.

In addition, by performing the user authentication according to the corresponding IP information when the video service request in the digital broadcasting system, it is possible to reduce the additional installation cost due to using the CAM or smart card.

Claims (5)

A method of performing a billing process for a service provided in a digital broadcasting system providing a video service through an internet communication network, Transmitting corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address information for requesting an arbitrary video service; Providing authentication information through a menu screen provided according to the video service request; Performing user authentication according to the provided authentication information and the IP address information; Providing a service-selected specific video content after the user authentication; Performing the charging process according to the image contents information of the provided image contents and the charging information including the IP address information; Charging processing method of a digital broadcasting system comprising a. The method of claim 1, The billing processing method further comprises the step of notifying the result of the billing process according to the billing information according to the IP address information. The method of claim 1, And the authentication information includes a user ID and a user password. The method of claim 1, And the video content information comprises a video content list and video content usage fee information. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The charging information includes an IP address, a user ID, a user password, video content fee information and a video content list.

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