KR20100077918A - Method and system for providing broadcasting service - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and a system for providing a broadcasting service are provided to effectively transmit video by considering a broadcasting receiving terminal having decoder for video of different resolution. CONSTITUTION: A second tuner(302) receives a transmission stream including a video source for sub screen which is decoded from a broadcasting system to a second resolution. A first decoder(308) decodes a video of a first resolution which is received from a first tuner. A first decoder decodes a video of a first resolution which is received by the first tuner. A decoder(310) decodes a video of a second resolution which is received from the second tuner. An output video editing unit(314) extracts a sub video corresponding to a channel according to a request of a user from video source for sub screen which is outputted from a second decoder.

Description

Method and System for Providing Broadcasting Service

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a broadcast service, and more particularly, to a method and system for efficiently providing a video signal to a broadcast receiving terminal capable of outputting a main screen and a sub-screen.

In the past, broadcast services were provided in an analog manner, but research on digital broadcasting services capable of providing high-definition video is being actively conducted.

Currently, digital broadcasting standards are evolving into two parts, the European Digital Video Broadcasting-Multimedia Home Platform (DVB-MHP) and the US Advanced Television Systems Committee-Digital TV Application Software Environment (ATSCDASE).

Recently, as research on digital broadcasting standards has been actively conducted, broadcasting signals including video, audio, and data have been compressed into digital signals, thereby enabling multi-channel TV broadcasting, and transmitting amount within each frequency band. Due to the increase in the number of programs available.

As a result of the development of digital broadcasting technology, digital broadcasting systems can provide SD (Standard DEFINITION) and HD (High DEFINITION) video.

In the case of the SD class, the number of pixels representing the screen has a resolution of about 350,000 pixels at a resolution of 720x480p or 720x480i, or 640x480i or 640x480p. Implementation is possible.

In the case of the image standard, the SD class is 4: 3 or 16: 9 standard, and the HD class is 16: 9 standard.

In the case of HD video, the digital broadcasting system intends to provide the video included in all broadcasting programs as HD or higher video, since it has a clearer picture quality than the SD video.

On the other hand, in recent years, the broadcast receiving terminal provides a sub picture service in the form of a picture in picture (PIP) or a pop-up so that a user can simultaneously check broadcast programs of various channels.

For the sub picture service, a broadcast receiving terminal should basically have two or more tuners and two decoders.

When the broadcasting system transmits HD video to the broadcast receiving terminal, in principle, the broadcast receiving terminal should be equipped with two HD decoders for decoding the HD video. However, due to problems of price and construction environment, A broadcast receiving terminal equipped with a chipset including an HD decoder and one SD decoder is provided.

In the broadcast receiving terminal provided with one HD decoder and one SD decoder, respectively, video decoded by the HD decoder is output on the main picture, and video decoded by the SD decoder is output on the sub picture.

In order to support the sub picture service in the broadcast receiving terminal, the conventional broadcast system transmits one broadcast program HD video and SD video, respectively.

However, this method has a disadvantage in that a large amount of transmission bandwidth is required since the broadcast program of the same channel is repeatedly transmitted.

Also, in case of sub-screen service, in general, when a user requests a channel change, the HD video of the broadcast program provided in the currently requested channel is displayed on the main screen, and the SD video of the broadcast program provided in the channel previously watched is displayed. It is displayed on the sub screen.

In this case, when the tuner for sub-screen output is tuning (tuning) to the first frequency corresponding to the first channel and the second channel should be output to the sub-screen according to the user's request, the tuning frequency is transmitted to the second channel. Since there is a need to change to a second frequency corresponding to the problem that requires a waiting time for the sub picture output.

The present invention is to provide a broadcast service providing method and apparatus that can efficiently transmit a video in consideration of a broadcast receiving terminal having a decoder for a video of different resolution to solve the problems of the prior art as described above. .

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to achieve the above object, a method for providing a broadcast service in a broadcast system connected via a network to a broadcast receiving terminal having a first decoder and a second decoder, in each channel Encoding the provided video at a first resolution corresponding to the first decoder; Generating a sub picture video source including sub video for a plurality of channels; Encoding the sub picture video source at a second resolution corresponding to the second decoder; And transmitting a transport stream for at least one of the encoded video and the sub-screen video source of each channel to the broadcast receiving terminal, wherein the broadcast receiving terminal uses the sub-screen video source of the user. A broadcast service providing method of outputting a sub video of a channel on a sub screen according to a request is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a program of instructions that can be executed by a digital processing apparatus for providing a broadcast service to a broadcast receiving terminal having a first decoder and a second decoder is tangibly implemented and read by the digital processing apparatus. A recordable medium, comprising: encoding video provided in each channel at a first resolution corresponding to the first decoder; Generating a sub picture video source including sub video for a plurality of channels; And encoding the sub picture video source at a second resolution corresponding to the second decoder, wherein the broadcast receiving terminal uses a sub video of the channel according to a user's request by using the encoded sub picture video source. There is provided a recording medium on which a program is recorded which outputs a video on a sub-screen.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a broadcast receiving terminal apparatus connected to a broadcast system via a network, the broadcast receiving terminal apparatus comprising: a first tuner for receiving a transport stream including video encoded at a first resolution from the broadcast system; A second tuner for receiving a transport stream including a sub picture video source encoded at a second resolution from the broadcast system, wherein the sub picture video source includes sub video for a plurality of channels; A first decoder for decoding the first resolution video received with the first tuner; A second decoder for decoding a video of a second resolution received by the second tuner; And an output video editing unit which extracts a sub video corresponding to a channel according to a user's request from the sub-screen video source output from the second decoder.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a broadcast system connected via a network to a broadcast receiving terminal having a first decoder and a second decoder, the video provided in each channel at a first resolution corresponding to the first decoder A first encoder for encoding; A source generator for generating a sub-screen video source including sub-videos for a plurality of channels; And a second encoder for encoding the sub picture video source at a second resolution corresponding to the second decoder, wherein the broadcast receiving terminal uses a sub picture of the channel according to a user's request using the sub picture video source. Provided is a broadcast service providing system for outputting a video on a sub-screen.

According to the present invention, since the SD-level video for a plurality of broadcast programs is provided as a sub-screen video source, bandwidth waste can be prevented.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the sub-video according to the viewer rating ranking is included in the sub-screen video source, there is an advantage of minimizing the waiting time for tuning.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that other components may be present in between. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that no other component exists in the middle.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate a thorough understanding of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same means regardless of the number of the drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a broadcast system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the broadcast system 100 according to the present invention may be connected to one or more broadcast receiving terminals 102 through a network.

The network may include all terrestrial networks, cable networks, satellite networks and the Internet.

The broadcasting system 100 may be collectively referred to as a head-end, and converts video and audio signals provided from various channels into a form suitable for digital broadcasting and transmits them to the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

In addition, the broadcast system 100 performs a scheduling function for the broadcast program and a scrambling function for restricting reception so that no user other than the subscriber can access.

The broadcast receiving terminal 102 receives a broadcast signal of a predetermined channel tuned to a predetermined frequency among broadcast signals transmitted by the broadcast system 100, and decodes and displays the received audio and video.

Here, the broadcast receiving terminal 102 may be a set top box connected to a TV to decode a broadcast signal and execute an application, but is not limited thereto.

The broadcast receiving terminal 102 processes and provides video, audio, and data provided from a channel selected by the user to the user.

In addition, an operating system for an interactive service is installed in the broadcast receiving terminal 102. When the broadcast signal includes an interactive application, the broadcast receiving terminal 102 executes the application to provide data coupled to the application to the user.

The application outputs an interface for the user to request a predetermined service, and parses the data coupled thereto according to the user's request, and outputs a combination of data such as text and graphics.

The broadcast receiving terminal 102 according to the present invention is a terminal capable of outputting not only a main screen but also a sub-screen for outputting a video of a previous channel or a channel according to a user's request to a predetermined area of the screen. It is equipped with two tuners, and further has a decoder for decoding the video of different resolutions.

Here, the sub-screen refers to a small size area that is output to a predetermined area of the screen in the form of PIP or pop-up, unlike the main screen outputted from the entire screen.

Hereinafter, the broadcast receiving terminal 102 according to the present invention will be described as having an HD decoder for decoding a high definition HD video and an SD decoder for decoding a SD video having a somewhat lower quality.

However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that this is only for convenience of description and that all decoding of different resolution video may be included in the scope of the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for the broadcast receiving terminal 102 having the above configuration, the broadcast system 100 provides a sub picture video source that can be processed by the SD decoder.

In the present invention, the sub-screen video source includes sub video for video provided in a plurality of channels.

In this case, the sub video refers to a video obtained by converting a video included in a broadcast program of each channel into a small size through size adjustment, and the like, and means a video used for outputting a sub-screen in the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

Preferably, the sub-video video source according to the present invention may include sub video corresponding to n channels as shown in FIG. 4.

Considering that the sub-screen video source is encoded in SD resolution, a single sub-screen video source may include sub video for 50 channels. The sub picture video source is encoded into a single transport stream and transmitted to the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

If the total number of available channels is 200, four sub-screen video sources are generated, and the broadcast system 100 transmits four transport streams to the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

Here, the transport stream is a unit that can be transmitted in one frequency band, and the tuner provided in the broadcast receiving terminal 102 is tuned to a predetermined frequency at a unit time to receive broadcast signals in units of transport streams.

The broadcast system 100 transmits the HD quality video and the sub picture video source of each channel to the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

The broadcast receiving terminal 102 outputs a video having an SD level resolution to the sub picture using a video source for a sub picture while simultaneously outputting an HD video to the main picture according to a user's request.

As described above, the sub-screen video source includes sub-videos for a plurality of channels, and the broadcast receiving terminal 102 extracts the sub-video of the channel according to the user's request from the sub-screen video source and extracts the sub-video. Will be displayed on the subscreen.

According to the present invention, since the broadcast system 100 generates a sub-screen video source including sub-videos for a plurality of channels and includes the same in a single transport stream, the broadcast system 100 transmits the video to the broadcast receiving terminal 102. Bandwidth occupancy for video transmission can be minimized.

Hereinafter, a process of providing a sub-screen service will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 3.

2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a broadcast system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the A / V receiver 200 receives a broadcast program including an audio signal and a video signal provided by an external broadcast provider or a broadcast station.

The A / V server 202 collects and manages the broadcast program and outputs it to the first encoder 204.

The first encoder 204 encodes the video included in the broadcast program, that is, the video provided in each channel at the first resolution. Here, encoding means outputting a video provided from a predetermined channel in a transport stream of a preset format.

Here, the first resolution may be a resolution that can be processed by the HD decoder included in the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

According to the present invention, the video of each channel received by the A / V receiver 200 is transferred to the video source generator 206 for the sub picture.

The sub-screen video source generator 206 processes the transferred video to generate sub-videos for a plurality of channels.

Here, the sub video is a signal obtained by converting the size of the video provided in each channel into a small size that can be seen on the sub-screen of the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

According to the present invention, the sub-screen video source generator 206 may generate a single sub-screen video source including sub-videos for n channels, and k / n if the total number of channels is k. Video sources for two sub-screens can be generated separately.

The generated sub picture video source is transmitted to the second encoder 208.

The second encoder 208 encodes the sub picture video source at the second resolution according to a preset algorithm.

Here, the second resolution may be a resolution that can be processed by the SD decoder included in the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

In the above description, the sub-screen video source generation unit 206 generates a sub-screen video source including sub-videos for n channels in advance. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that video is input and the second encoder 208 may output a separate transport stream containing sub video for n channels.

The multiplexer 210 combines the signals provided by the first encoder 204 and the second encoder 208 into one broadcast signal.

The modulator 212 modulates the polymerized broadcast signal according to a standard according to a broadcast medium (eg, terrestrial wave, cable, satellite), and the up-converter 214 modulates the modulated signal to a desired transmittable frequency. Perform the process of upconverting.

The transmitter 216 transmits the upconverted broadcast signal through a broadcast medium.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the sub-screen video source may be generated based on the viewer rating ranking in order to efficiently process the sub-screen output from the broadcast receiving terminal 102.

The network communication unit 218 is connected to the broadcast receiving terminal 102 through a return network to receive viewing information of the user from each broadcast receiving terminal 102.

In this case, the network communication unit 218 may receive channel information currently selected by each user and an identifier of the broadcast receiving terminal 102 together.

The viewer rating processor 220 performs a process of calculating viewer rating ranking for each channel by statistically processing the viewing information received from the plurality of broadcast receiving terminals 102.

The sub-screen video source generator 206 according to the present invention determines a channel to be included in one sub-screen video source based on the viewer rating calculated as described above.

Preferably, the sub-screen video source generator 206 may preferentially generate a sub-screen video source including sub video of a channel having a higher viewer rating ranking.

Here, the sub-screen video source including the sub video having the highest viewer rating rank may be defined as the reference sub-screen video source.

For example, if the total number of channels is 200, and the sub-screen video source is set to include 50 sub-videos, the sub-screen video source generator 206 corresponds to the 1st to 50th positions according to the viewer rating ranking. The video source for the reference sub-screen including the sub video of the channel may be preferentially generated.

According to the present invention, the broadcast receiving terminal 102 is set to receive the video source for the reference sub-screen at an initial time point, and thus the waiting time for the sub-screen output can be shortened.

This is because the user is likely to request not only the main screen but also the sub-screen for a high viewer rating.

3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a broadcast receiving terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the broadcast receiving terminal 102 according to the present invention includes a first tuner 300, a second tuner 302, a demodulator 304, a demultiplexer 306, a first decoder 308, and a second. The decoder 310 may include a video memory 312, an output video editor 314, a controller 316, and a key signal receiver 318.

The first tuner 300 selectively receives a broadcast signal of a predetermined channel by tuning to a predetermined frequency in the broadcast signal transmitted by the broadcast system 100.

In the present invention, the first tuner 300 may selectively receive a transport stream including a first resolution (eg HD) video to be output on the main screen.

The second tuner 302 receives a transport stream including a sub picture video source among signals transmitted by the broadcasting system 100.

Preferably, at an initial time when the broadcast receiving terminal 102 is driven, the second tuner 302 preferentially receives a video sub-picture video source including sub video (second resolution video) of a channel corresponding to a higher viewer rating. can do.

The demodulator 304 demodulates the signals output from the first tuner 300 and the second tuner 302.

The demodulated signal is a signal including all audio, video and data, and the demultiplexer 306 extracts and outputs each audio signal, video signal and data signal from the demodulated signal. This can be done through demuxing and section filtering.

The video signal received through the first tuner 300 among the video signals extracted by the demultiplexer 306 is input to the first decoder 308.

The first decoder 308 decodes the video signal compressed at the first resolution according to a preset algorithm.

Meanwhile, the video signal received through the second tuner 302 among the video signals extracted by the demultiplexer 306 is input to the second decoder 310, and the second decoder 310 has a second resolution according to a preset algorithm. Decodes the compressed video signal.

The video frames decoded and output by the first decoder 308 and the second decoder 310 are temporarily stored in the video memory 312.

Video memory 312 temporarily stores video frames.

According to the present invention, the video frame output from the second decoder 310 includes sub video for a plurality of channels, and only the sub video of one channel requested by the user should be output on the sub-screen.

To this end, the output video editing unit 316 cuts and resizes a predetermined area of the video source for sub-screen corresponding to the channel requested by the user among the video frames temporarily stored in the video memory 314 ( Editing process such as Scaling, Transiting is performed.

The above editing process is a process for selectively outputting only the sub video of the channel requested by the user among the plurality of sub videos.

After the above processing, the video output from the first decoder 308 is output on the main screen at the first resolution, and the video output from the second decoder 310 is output on the sub-screen.

The control unit 316 identifies a channel to be output on the main screen or the sub-screen in cooperation with the key signal receiving unit 318, and the first tuner 300 and the second tuner 302 identify the transport stream of the channel requested by the user. Control to receive.

In addition, the controller 316 according to the present invention controls the second tuner 302 to receive the transport stream of the reference sub-screen video source at an initial time when the broadcast receiving terminal 102 is powered on.

As such, when the second tuner 302 receives the reference sub-screen video source at an initial time point, it is highly likely that the user checks a channel having a high viewer rating as the sub-screen, thereby reducing the waiting time for sub-screen output. The shortening of the waiting time may be similarly performed when a user who is already watching the subscreen requests a change of the subscreen channel.

5 is a diagram illustrating a process of providing a sub-screen service according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the broadcast system 100 receives a broadcast program from a terrestrial broadcaster or a program provider (step 500).

The broadcast program may include audio and video signals.

The broadcast system 100 encodes a video signal for each channel at a first resolution (eg HD) (step 502).

On the other hand, the broadcast system 100 generates a sub picture video source including sub video for a plurality of channels (504).

In operation 504, the broadcast system 100 includes a sub-picture video including sub video of a channel belonging to a higher viewer rating according to the viewer rating of each broadcast program calculated based on the viewing information collected from each broadcast receiving terminal 102. The source can be created first.

Thereafter, the broadcast system 100 encodes the sub-screen video source at the second resolution according to a preset algorithm (step 506).

The broadcast system 100 transmits the video encoded at the first resolution of each channel and the sub picture video source encoded at the second resolution to the broadcast receiving terminal 102 (step 508).

The first tuner 300 of the broadcast receiving terminal 102 receives a broadcast signal including a video of a first resolution (step 510), and the second tuner 302 includes a sub picture video source of a second resolution. A broadcast signal is received (step 512).

The broadcast receiving terminal 102 decodes the video having the first resolution through the first decoder 306 and outputs it to the main screen (step 514).

In addition, the broadcast receiving terminal 102 decodes the sub picture video source of the second resolution through the second decoder 308 (step 516), and extracts the sub video of the channel according to the user's request from the decoded signal. (Step 518), the extracted sub video is output to the sub-screen (step 520).

Preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for purposes of illustration, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additions should be considered to be within the scope of the following claims.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a broadcast system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a broadcast system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a broadcast receiving terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram showing the structure of a sub-screen video source according to the present invention;

5 is a diagram illustrating a process of providing a sub-screen service according to the present invention.

Claims (10)

A method of providing a broadcast service in a broadcast system connected through a network to a broadcast receiving terminal including a first decoder and a second decoder, the method comprising: Encoding video provided in each channel with a first resolution corresponding to the first decoder; Generating a sub picture video source including sub video for a plurality of channels; Encoding the sub picture video source at a second resolution corresponding to the second decoder; And And transmitting a transport stream for at least one of the video and sub-screen video sources of each encoded channel to the broadcast receiving terminal. The broadcast receiving terminal outputs a sub video of a channel in response to a user's request on the sub screen using the sub picture video source. The method of claim 1, The first resolution is a high definition (HD) resolution, the second resolution is a standard definition (SD) resolution broadcast service providing method. The method of claim 1, And the sub video is a signal obtained by adjusting a size of a video included in the broadcast program of each channel. The method of claim 1, The sub picture video source includes a sub video corresponding to all channels. The method of claim 1, The generating of the sub-video video source includes a sub video for a preset number of channels in consideration of encoding to the second resolution. The method of claim 1, The generating of the sub-screen video source includes generating a reference sub-screen video source including a sub video for a channel whose viewer rating corresponds to a predetermined rank or higher. The method of claim 6, One of the tuners included in the broadcast receiving terminal receives the video source for the reference sub picture at the time of initial driving. A recording medium tangibly embodied therein and capable of being read by a digital processing apparatus, the program of instructions being executed by a digital processing apparatus for providing a broadcast service to a broadcast receiving terminal including a first decoder and a second decoder, Encoding video provided in each channel with a first resolution corresponding to the first decoder; Generating a sub picture video source including sub video for a plurality of channels; And Encoding the sub picture video source at a second resolution corresponding to the second decoder, And the broadcast receiving terminal outputs a sub video of a channel according to a user's request on the sub picture using the encoded sub picture video source. In the broadcast receiving terminal device connected to a broadcast system through a network, A first tuner for receiving a transport stream containing video encoded at a first resolution from the broadcast system; A second tuner for receiving a transport stream including a sub picture video source encoded at a second resolution from the broadcast system, wherein the sub picture video source includes sub video for a plurality of channels; A first decoder for decoding the first resolution video received with the first tuner; A second decoder for decoding a video of a second resolution received by the second tuner; And And an output video editing unit configured to extract a sub video corresponding to a channel according to a user's request from the sub-screen video source output from the second decoder. A broadcast system connected via a network to a broadcast receiving terminal including a first decoder and a second decoder, A first encoder for encoding video provided in each channel with a first resolution corresponding to the first decoder; A source generator for generating a sub-screen video source including sub-videos for a plurality of channels; And A second encoder for encoding the sub picture video source at a second resolution corresponding to the second decoder, And the broadcast receiving terminal outputs a sub video of a channel according to a user's request on the sub picture using the sub picture video source.

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