KR20080019374A - Method for executing child lock function in broadcasting receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for performing a child lock function in a broadcast receiver is provided to enhance the child lock function by using a physically detachable external memory card in which a predetermined authentication key is stored. A child lock function is performed by cutting off the output of an audio signal and a video signal to a display unit(115) and a speaker(117). An authentication process is performed by determining whether a first authentication key stored in an inner memory(103) corresponds to a second authentication key stored in a memory card while the memory card is inserted into a memory card interface unit(113). In case of authentication success, the audio signal and the video signal are outputted again by canceling the child lock function. In case of authentication failure, the output of the audio signal and the video signal is kept in a cut-off state.

Description

Child Lock Method for Broadcast Receiver {Method for Executing Child Lock Function in Broadcasting Receiving Apparatus}

1 is a block diagram of a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a flowchart provided to explain a method of setting a child lock function according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

3 is a flowchart provided to explain a method of releasing a child lock function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention provides a broadcast receiving apparatus capable of preventing broadcast viewing of an unauthenticated user by blocking an output of a video signal or an audio signal when an external memory card storing a predetermined authentication key and a predetermined authentication procedure are not passed. Of child lock method.

With the advent of the cable / satellite broadcast era, DTV (Digital Television) users have been able to conveniently watch a large number of broadcasts at home. However, users with young children have also raised concerns about their children being able to watch all the broadcasts uncontrolled.

In order to solve this problem, some TV sets / set top boxes (STBs) use child locks to allow broadcasts to be viewed only through authentication for a specific time and channel. In the general case, however, this authentication is usually a combination of several digit passwords. This method is easily hacked by children because of the limited set of passwords commonly used by users.

An object of the present invention is to prevent the viewing of broadcasts of unauthenticated users (children, etc.) by blocking the output of video signals or audio signals when a predetermined authentication key is stored and an external memory card is stored and a predetermined authentication procedure is not performed. The present invention provides a child lock method of a broadcast receiving apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the child lock method of the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes three steps.

One of the three steps is to block the output of the audio signal and the video signal to the display unit and the speaker according to the preset operating conditions of the child lock (Child Lock) function to block the viewing of unauthorized users The child lock function is performed.

In another step, after the output is blocked, an authentication procedure is performed, wherein the memory card storing the authentication key 2 is inserted into the memory card interface unit, and the authentication key 1 stored in the internal memory matches the authentication key 2 stored in the memory card. If it is determined that the authentication process has passed.

In the other step, if the authentication procedure passes, the child lock is released and the outputted corresponding audio signal and the video signal are output again. It is to maintain output cutoff of audio signal and video signal.

Here, the operation condition may be any one of on of the main power, receiving a channel change command to a specific broadcast channel, receiving a specific broadcast program, and receiving a display command of a video signal input to an external input terminal. .

The authentication key 1 and the authentication key 2 may be generated by a predetermined conversion algorithm based on a seed number input by a user or a seed number generated by the user.

According to an embodiment, the step of determining that the authentication procedure passes, when the authentication key 1 and the authentication key 2 match, by receiving a separate password and confirming whether it matches the previously stored password, passing the authentication procedure The final decision can be made.

According to another embodiment, the step of performing the child lock function, if the child lock is released at least once after the main power-on (On) may be determined that the child lock operating conditions are not.

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

1 is a block diagram of a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present invention receives a digital broadcast signal and displays the video and audio corresponding to the user.

The broadcast receiving device 100 outputs a video and audio signal only to an allowed user, and does not output a video and audio signal to a user who does not pass the authentication procedure (for example, a child). ) Function. To this end, the broadcast receiving device 100 to perform a predetermined recognition procedure for the user, the authentication procedure is to be performed through an external memory card, such as a physically removable, not a simple password method. The release of the child lock is performed only when an external memory card in which an authentication key is recorded is inserted into a memory card interface provided in the broadcast receiving device 100. The external memory card serves as a physical key, and an authenticated user (parent, etc.) can prevent the viewing of a user (child, etc.) who wants to restrict the TV viewing by holding and managing the external memory card. .

Referring to FIG. 1, the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a tuner / demultiplexer 101, a memory 103, a decoder 105, an AV signal processor 107, and a graphics processor. 109, an input unit 111, a memory card interface unit 113, a display unit 115, a speaker 117, and a controller 130.

In the description of the present invention, descriptions of the functions of the tuner / demultiplexer 101, the decoder 105, and the AV signal processing unit 107 for receiving and processing digital broadcasts are not important, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here. .

The tuner / demultiplexer 101 receives a digital broadcast signal including a transport stream (TS), and separates and outputs an AV stream and data broadcast data from the received transport stream. The digital broadcast signal received by the tuner / demultiplexer 101 corresponds to one of a plurality of broadcast channels.

The memory 103 stores the data broadcasting data separated by the tuner / demultiplexer 101 as the active or inactive memory 103, and stores various system data of the other broadcasting receiving apparatus 100. In addition, an encryption key according to the present invention is stored in the memory 103.

The decoder 105 parses an original video signal and an audio signal from an AV stream output from the tuner / demultiplexer 101 under the control of the controller 130 and outputs the original video signal and audio signal to the AV signal processor 107.

The AV signal processing unit 107 processes the video and audio signals output from the decoder 105 and outputs them to the display unit 115 and the speaker 117, respectively. In this case, the graphic video signal input from the graphic processor 109 is included in the video signal output to the display unit 115.

The graphic processor 109 generates a graphic video signal related to a broadcast medium and channel information under the control of the controller 130, and outputs the generated graphic video signal to the AV signal processor 107 to be inserted into the video signal. The graphic video signal corresponds to an OSD (On Screen Display) signal.

The graphic processor 109 receives data for the child lock setting menu screen through the controller 130 and outputs a corresponding video signal to the AV signal processor 107.

The input unit 111 is connected to an external remote controller 111-1 to receive a predetermined control command from the remote controller 111-1.

The input unit 111 receives a child lock setting command, a password, and the like from the remote controller 111-1 and outputs it to the controller 130.

When the external memory card 113-1 is inserted, the memory card interface unit 113 reads the data recorded in the inserted memory card 113-1 and transfers the data to the controller 130. In addition, the memory card interface unit 113 may record the data received from the controller 130 to the inserted external memory card 113-1. The memory card interface unit 113 may be implemented with various interfaces, and may include a universal serial bus (USB) memory card, a compact flash (CF) memory card, a secure digital (SD) memory card, a multi media card (MMC) memory card, and the like. The corresponding interface is an example.

The display unit 115 displays the image corresponding to the image signal received from the AV signal processor 107 so that the image can be visually recognized, and the speaker 117 acoustically displays the audio signal output from the AV signal processor 107. Outputs recognizable.

The controller 130 controls the overall operation of the broadcast receiving device 100. However, the controller 130 according to FIG. 1 is illustrated in relation to the implementation of the child lock function, and the following description is also limited thereto, and a description of the general function of the broadcast receiving device 100 is omitted. do.

The controller 130 includes a child lock processing unit 131, and the child lock processing unit 131 controls overall operations including setting and releasing child lock functions.

The child lock function may be configured to prohibit the self-viewing of the broadcast receiving device 100, to view some channels among the plurality of broadcast channels that the broadcast receiving device 100 can receive, and to some broadcast programs to users who are not authenticated. It may be made by the method of prohibiting viewing, or prohibiting viewing by an external input. Such setting becomes a child lock operation condition.

The child lock for some broadcast programs uses a program and system information protocol (PSIP) and program service information (PSI).

PSIP is a variety of additional information for digital broadcasting according to the North American Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) standard, which is information for services such as classification and program guide for information transmitted through a corresponding transmission channel. However, if the broadcast signal received by the tuner / demultiplexer 101 is in accordance with the European Digital Broadcasting DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) standard, DVB-SI (Digital Video Broadcasting), which is the basis of the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) instead of PSIP, is used. -Service Information) The information according to the standard can be used.

The prohibition of viewing by an external input prevents the broadcast receiving device 100 from receiving an output of a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) player, a video tape recorder (VTR), and the like on the display unit 115.

When the child lock processing unit 131 receives the child lock setting menu display command of the user through the input unit 111, the child lock processing unit 131 outputs a corresponding setting menu screen to the graphic processing unit 109 to be displayed on the display unit 115.

The child lock processing unit 131 generates authentication keys 1 and 2 in the child lock setting process. The generation of the authentication keys 1 and 2 may use the seed number input by the user or the seed number directly generated by the child lock processing unit 131. When the child lock processing unit 131 generates a seed number directly, the child lock processing unit 131 may use a system time of the broadcast receiving device 100.

Based on the seed number, the authentication keys 1 and 2 may be generated by various public key algorithms, secret key algorithms, and advanced public key algorithms, as well as simple matrix operations. Many public key algorithms, secret key algorithms, and advanced public key algorithms can be very powerful protections when an unspecified number such as a computer can easily generate and modify keys, but it requires a lot of CPU resources. In the present invention, since the authentication key is recorded on the memory card that is physically removable for authentication, it is not necessary to generate the authentication key by a complicated algorithm because only a simple modification of the seed number is possible to restrict viewing.

When the child lock processing unit 131 generates two authentication keys 1 and 2, the authentication key 1 is stored in the memory 103, and the authentication key 2 is inserted into the memory card by the user through the memory card interface unit 113 ( 113-1) to complete the child lock setting.

When the child lock is set, the child lock processing unit 131 operates the child lock function by blocking the output through the display unit 115 and the speaker 117 when the child lock is operated. The child lock function is maintained unless the child lock is released by the user or the child lock operation state itself is released.

The release of the child lock operation state itself may correspond to a case in which the main power is turned off or there is a channel change to a channel other than the channel in which the child lock is set. When the child lock processing unit 131 has a main power operation of the broadcast receiving device 100 of the user through the input unit 111 or a channel change command to the channel for which the child lock is set, the AV signal processing unit 107 displays the display unit 115 and The signal corresponding to the speaker 117 is controlled not to be output. The child lock processing unit 131 determines whether the memory card 113-1 storing the authentication key 2 is inserted into the memory card interface unit 113 and the authentication key 2 stored in the memory card 113-1 memory 103. Check whether it matches the authentication key 1 stored in. The main power source refers to a DC power source supplied to the entire circuit of the broadcast receiving device 100 so that all operations of the broadcast receiving device 100 can be performed by a user's remote control operation, switch operation, program control, or the like.

When the authentication key 1 recorded in the memory card 113-1 matches the authentication key 2 stored in the memory 103, the child lock processing unit 131 releases the child lock, and the AV signal processing unit 107 displays the display unit ( 115) to output an image. The matching between the authentication key 1 and the authentication key 2 is performed by determining whether the authentication key is generated through one seed number.

The child lock processing unit 131 prevents an image from being output from the AV signal processing unit 107 to the display unit 115 when the child lock is not released, that is, when authentication is impossible. In this case, the child lock processing unit 131 may display a message indicating that the image cannot be displayed through the graphic processing unit 109 to the user.

According to an embodiment, the child lock processing unit 131 allows the user to register a password, and if the authentication key 1 recorded in the memory card 113-1 matches the authentication key 2 stored in the memory 103, the registration is performed. By separately inputting the password, it is possible to finally determine whether the child lock is released.

As a password, a seed number input by a user may be used. For example, when the user inputs the seed number, the seed number is set as the authentication key 1, and the authentication key 2 is generated by applying an arbitrary algorithm to the seed number. The generated authentication key 2 is recorded in the external memory card 113-1, and the authentication key 1 is recorded in the memory 103 and used as a separate password. The method of receiving a separate password may be particularly useful when a user without authentication capability acquires the external memory card 113-1. This is because even if the authentication key 2 stored in the memory card 113-1 is decrypted, the seed number or password cannot be decrypted with it.

According to another embodiment, when the child lock is set for a specific channel, the child lock processing unit 131 may maintain the release state of the child lock until the main power is turned off once the child lock is released after the main power is turned on.

In addition, in preparation for the loss of the external memory card 113-1, the child lock processing unit 131 may set a separate master password. The child lock processing unit 131 may separately display a menu for inputting the master password to release the child lock function by the master password. When the master password is input, the child lock processing unit 131 releases the child lock regardless of whether the external memory card 113-1 is inserted.

Hereinafter, a child lock function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

2 is a flowchart provided to explain a method of setting a child lock function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the child lock processing unit 131 receives the child lock setting menu display command of the user through the input unit 111, the child lock processing unit 131 displays the corresponding child lock setting menu on the display unit 115 through the graphic processing unit 109 (S201).

The child lock processing unit 131 determines whether the external memory card 113-1 is inserted into the memory card interface unit 113, and displays the insertion guide of the memory card on the display unit 115 (S203).

If the external memory card 113-1 is inserted into the memory card interface 113, the child lock processing unit 131 allows the user to input the child lock setting contents. The setting contents of the child lock include whether the child lock function is to control viewing of the broadcast receiving device 100 itself or broadcast viewing of a specific channel. In addition, the setting contents of the child lock may include viewing control of the broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in a specific time zone (S205).

The child lock processing unit 131 generates authentication keys 1 and 2 when the child lock setting content is input. The generation of the authentication keys 1 and 2 may use the seed number input by the user as described above, or may use the seed number directly generated by the child lock processing unit 131 (S207).

The child lock processing unit 131 stores the authentication key 1 in the memory 103 and stores the authentication key 2 in the memory card 113-1 inserted by the user through the memory card interface 113. Complete (S209).

Through the above method, the child lock function of the present invention can be set.

3 is a flowchart provided to explain a method of releasing a child lock function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the child lock processing unit 131 reaches an operation condition of the child lock according to the child lock setting contents (main power-on, channel change to a specific channel, reception of a specific broadcast program or display command of an external input, etc.) (S301), It is determined whether the child lock has already been released (S303).

If the child lock processing unit 131 is not already unlocked, the child lock processing unit 131 blocks the output of the audio and video signals and displays a guide screen for the insertion of the external memory card 113-1 through the display unit 115 (S305). In operation S307, it is determined whether the external memory card 113-1 is inserted into the memory card interface unit 113.

The child lock processing unit 131 checks whether the authentication key 2 is recorded when the external memory card 113-1 is inserted (S309), and the authentication key 1 and the external memory card 113-1 stored in the memory 103. It is determined whether the authentication key 2 recorded in FIG. 3 matches (S311).

The child lock processing unit 131 releases the child lock when the authentication key 1 and the authentication key 2 match (S313).

In step S307, the external memory card 113-1 is not inserted into the memory card interface unit 113, or as a result of the determination in step S309, the authentication key 2 is not recorded in the external memory card 113-1, or step S311. If the authentication key 1 and the authentication key 2 does not match, the child lock processing unit 131 may display a guide for requesting the input of the master password on the display unit 115 (S315).

The child lock processing unit 131 returns to step S313 only when the master password is input and matches the registered master password, and releases the child lock. When the child lock processing unit 131 does not match, the child lock processing unit 131 outputs an audio signal and an image to the display unit 115 and the speaker 117. Blocking the output of the signal (S317).

By the above method, the child lock function of the present invention is set and realized.

The invention can be implemented in methods, devices and systems. In addition, when the present invention is implemented in computer software, the components of the present invention may be replaced with code segments necessary for performing necessary operations. The program or code segment may be stored in a medium that can be processed by a microprocessor and transmitted as computer data coupled with carrier waves via a transmission medium or communication network.

The media that can be processed by the microprocessor include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROMs, flash memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), floppy disks, optical disks, and hard disks. (Hard) Includes the ability to transmit and store information such as disks, fiber optics, wireless networks, and the like. Computer data also includes data that can be transmitted over electrical network channels, optical fibers, electromagnetic fields, wireless networks, and the like.

In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiment, the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

As described in detail above, the broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention has proposed a stronger child lock authentication method by storing a predetermined authentication key in a physically removable external memory card.

In the authentication method of the present invention, a physical external memory card can be used as a kind of key, and a password can not be checked even if the external memory card is hacked or duplicated by using a method of receiving a separate password together.

Through the child lock function, the broadcast receiving device of the present invention can not only block viewing of the broadcast receiving device itself, block viewing of some channels, or block viewing of some broadcast programs, but also view by image data input from an external device. You can block.

Claims (5)

Performing the child lock function by blocking the output of the audio signal and the video signal to the display unit and the speaker according to the operating condition of the child lock function; After the output is blocked, an authentication procedure is performed, wherein the authentication procedure is performed by determining whether the memory card storing the authentication key 2 is inserted into the memory card interface unit and the authentication key 1 stored in the internal memory matches the authentication key 2 stored in the memory card. Determining whether the pass of the; If it is determined that the authentication procedure has been passed, the child lock is released to output the corresponding audio signal and the video signal cut off again, and if it is determined that the authentication procedure has not been passed, the corresponding audio signal and video signal Maintaining the output block of the; child lock method of a broadcast receiving device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The operation condition may be any one of On of main power, reception of a channel change command to a specific broadcast channel, reception of a specific broadcast program, and reception of a display command of a video signal input to an external input terminal. Child lock method of broadcast receiver. The method of claim 1, And the authentication key 1 and the authentication key 2 are generated by a predetermined conversion algorithm based on a seed number input by a user or a seed number generated by the user. The method of claim 1, In the determining step, when the authentication key 1 and the authentication key 2 match, receiving a separate password and confirming whether it matches the previously stored password, and finally determines that the authentication procedure passes the broadcast reception. Child lock method of the device. The method of claim 1, The step of performing the child lock function, If the child lock is released at least once after the main power on (On) child lock method of the broadcast receiving device, characterized in that it is determined that the child lock operating condition.

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