WO2008136610A2

WO2008136610A2 - User chosen camera based image providing system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2008136610A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002500
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Soo Kang
Original assignee: Min Soo Kang
Priority date: 2007-05-03
Filing date: 2008-05-02
Publication date: 2008-11-13
Also published as: WO2008136610A3; KR101439095B1; KR20080097869A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, which allow a viewer to select and view video signals captured by a plurality of broadcasting cameras. For this, the present invention receives a first video signal and a second video signal from at least two capturing devices (10a to 10n) for capturing a broadcast content item, provides the first video signal to a user terminal (11a to 11n) connected through a network using the first video signal as a signal for a main broadcast channel, provides identification information about video signals captured by respective capturing devices, receives selection information for any one of the capturing devices from the user terminal based on the identification information, and thereafter provides the second video signal corresponding to the identification information to the user terminal.

Description

USER CHOSEN CAMERA BASED IMAGE PROVIDING

SYSTEM AND METHOD

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a system and method for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, and, more particularly, to a system and method for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, which allow a user to view video corresponding to camera information selected by the user from among video signals generated by a plurality of cameras that capture a single broadcast content item, and which allow a viewer to select video signals, captured by other cameras, using a method of selecting other cameras using a control means, such as a remote control. Background Art

[2] broadcasting station to user terminals (for example, televisions) are provided in one direction, that is, from the broadcasting station to the user terminals. In this case, broadcasting content is created by combining video signals from cameras selected by an editor from among various video signals captured by a plurality of cameras, and viewers cannot select video signals captured by desired cameras. This situation equally applies to cable broadcasting, as well as terrestrial broadcasting, and viewers can view only video signals from cameras selected by an editor. Recently, in U.S., sports hookups have been provided by various cable broadcasting stations to viewers. In sports hook-ups relayed by cable broadcasting stations, a hook-up for professional baseball is provided in such a way that respective cameras, installed near a first base, a second base, a third base, a home base, a right fielder, a left fielder, and a center fielder, shoot the field, and video signals captured by the cameras are edited in an outdoor broadcasting van or a broadcasting station and are provided to viewers.

[3] A viewer may wish to continuously view a favorite baseball player or to continuously view the pitching form of a favorite pitcher, or may desire to view video signals captured by a specific camera in a specific situation. However, video signals edited in an outdoor broadcasting van or a broadcasting station cannot satisfy all of the viewers' desires. Therefore, the present applicant intends to propose a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, which allows a viewer to selectively view video signals captured by a desired camera while viewing video edited in a broadcasting station (or an outdoor broadcasting van). Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[4] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, which allow a viewer to select and view video signals generated by a plurality of broadcasting cameras for capturing a single broadcast content item.

[5] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, which allow a viewer to select and view video signals generated by respective cameras even in an existing system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera using an existing cable network. A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, which include video signals, captured by a plurality of cameras, in a single packet, and broadcast the packet, thus transmitting various video signals while minimizing network load.

[6]

Technical Solution

[7] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a first video signal and a second video signal from at least two capturing devices for capturing a single broadcast content item, the system provides the first video signal to a user terminal connected through a network using the first video signal as a signal for a main broadcast channel, and provides identification information about the video signals captured by respective capturing devices, and the system provides a second video signal corresponding to the identification information to the user terminal when the user terminal selects any one from among the capturing devices on a basis of the identification information.

[8] Preferably, the first video signal includes a video signal for the broadcast content item and device identifiers of the video capturing devices.

[9] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a terminal having a function of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the terminal receives identification information about video signals, captured by respective capturing devices, from a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a first video signal and a second video signal from at least two capturing devices for capturing a single broadcast content item and provides the first video signal to a user terminal connected through a network using the first video signal as a signal for a main broadcast channel, and the terminal provides the identification information to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera and receives a second video signal corresponding to the identification information from the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera when selecting any one from among the capturing devices on a basis of the identification information.

[10] Preferably, the user terminal is controlled by a remote control and is configured to request the second video signal when a command input by a viewer through the remote control corresponds to the device identifier.

[11] Preferably, the user terminal is connected to a display device and comprises a network interface module. When the viewer requests another video signal related to the broadcast content item from the user terminal, the user terminal provides the request to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera through the network interface module. The network interface module switches a reception channel of the display device in response to the channel information.

[12] Preferably, the user terminal is a set- top box, and the set- top box switches a mode thereof to a command receive mode when a channel number transmitted from the remote control is an agreed-upon number string.

[13] Preferably, the set-top box sequentially requests video signals, captured by other video capturing devices and required to generate the broadcast content item, from the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera depending on a number of times that a direction key placed on the remote control of the user is input, in the command receive mode.

[14] Preferably, the agreed-upon number string is one of channel numbers corresponding to channel frequencies that cannot be received through the set-top box.

[15] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a first video signal and a second video signal through a first capturing device and a second capturing device arranged at different locations to capture a single broadcast content item, the system allocates a main broadcast channel to the first video signal for the broadcast content item and provides the main broadcast channel to a user terminal connected in a wired manner, and the system provides information about a broadcast channel allocated to the second video signal to the user terminal when the user terminal requests the second video signal while receiving the main broadcast channel.

[16] Preferably, the second video signal includes one or more second video signals.

[17] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a terminal having a function of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the terminal receives one or more video signals from a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a first video signal and a second video signal through a first capturing device and a second capturing device arranged at different locations to capture a single broadcast content item, allocates a main broadcast channel to the first video signal for the broadcast content item, and provides the main broadcast channel to a user terminal connected in a wired manner, and the terminal transmits request information for the second video signal to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, and receives the second video signal from the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera when receiving the request information for the second video signal from a user while receiving the main broadcast channel.

[18] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a plurality of video sources generated for a single broadcast content item using a plurality of video capturing devices arranged at different locations, the system comprises a video processing unit for encoding respective video sources to generate video signals for the video sources, allocating broadcast channels to respective video signals, and providing the video signals to a cable network; and a transmission processing unit for providing channel information about another video signal to a subscriber terminal connected through a cable when the subscriber terminal selects any one from among video signals for the broadcast content item and then requests the other video signal related to the broadcast content item, and wherein the subscriber terminal switches a reception channel frequency depending on the channel information provided by the transmission processing unit.

[19] Preferably, the video processing unit includes relationship information for correspondence between respective video sources and respective video capturing devices.

[20] Preferably, the video processing unit performs one of compression and scrambling on the video signal.

[21] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a terminal having a function of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the terminal receives video signals from a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a plurality of video sources generated for a single broadcast content item using a plurality of video capturing devices arranged at different locations and comprises a video processing unit for encoding respective video sources to generate video signals for the video sources, allocating broadcast channels to respective video signals, and providing the video signals to a cable network, the terminal is connected to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera through a cable, the terminal selects any one from among the video signals for the broadcast content item, and thereafter requests another video signal related to the broadcast content item and receives channel information about the other video signal from a transmission processing unit of the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, and the terminal switches a reception channel frequency depending on the channel information provided by the transmission processing unit.

[22] Preferably, the user terminal is connected to a display device and is provided with a network interface module. When a viewer requests another video signal related to the broadcast content item from the user terminal, the user terminal provides the request to the transmission processing unit through the network interface module. The network interface module receives channel information about the other video signal related to the broadcast content item from the transmission processing unit, and switches a reception channel of the display device.

[23] Preferably, the user terminal is a set-top box, the set-top box being integrated with the display device.

[24] Preferably, the set-top box and the transmission processing unit are connected to each other through a cable network, and the cable network is configured to transmit one of a broadcast signal and a network packet.

[25] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a plurality of video sources generated for a single broadcast content item using a plurality of video capturing devices arranged at different locations, the system comprises a video processing unit for converting video signals provided by respective video capturing devices into a single transmission packet; and a network switch for broadcasting the transmission packet, and wherein the transmission packet includes a header area and a data area, the header area including video identifiers required to identify respective video capturing devices, the data area including video signals cor- responding to the video identifiers.

[26] Preferably, the data area is scrambled.

[27] Preferably, the transmission packet includes target Internet Protocol (IP) information of a transmission target node connected through a network, and is broadcasted to the transmission target node.

[28] Preferably, the transmission target node includes a router connected to at least one user terminal, and the router provides the transmission packet to a plurality of user terminals belonging to a local network.

[29] Preferably, the video processing unit includes device identifiers required to identify respective video capturing devices, and determines a sequence of arrangement of the device identifiers recorded in the header area and a sequence of recording of video signals recorded in the data area with reference to the device identifiers.

[30] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a terminal having a function of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the terminal receives a packet for video signals from a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a plurality of video sources, generated for a single broadcast content item using a plurality of video capturing devices arranged at different locations, and comprises a video processing unit for converting respective video signals, provided by respective video capturing devices, into a single transmission packet, the terminal provides selection information for the plurality of video capturing devices to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, the terminal includes therein a card for descrambling a scrambled data area, and the transmission packet includes a header area and a data area, the header area including video identifiers reqii red to identify respective video capturing devices, the data area including video signals corresponding to the video identifiers.

[31] Preferably, the user terminal is one of a personal computer in which a program for descrambling the scrambled data is installed and a personal computer in which a card for descrambling the scrambled data is installed.

[32] Preferably, the user terminal comprises a set-top box for descrambling the scrambled data; and a display device for playing the data descrambled by the set-top box.

[33] According to the present invention, the above objects are achieved by the steps of combining video captured by one or more video capturing devices into a single transmission packet, generating the transmission packet as a multicast packet, inserting identifiers required to identify respective video capturing devices into a header of the transmission packet, and transmitting the transmission packet including the identifiers to a router to which the user terminal belongs.

[34] Preferably, the router may provide the multicast packet to a plurality of user terminals belonging to a local network.

[35] Preferably, the user terminal may decode the identifiers and may select one of video signals acquired by respective video capturing devices.

[36] According to the present invention, the above objects are achieved by a video processing unit for combining video signals acquired by one or more video capturing devices into a broadcast packet and transmitting the broadcast packet to a plurality of user terminals, the present invention comprising the steps of inserting identifiers required to identify respective video capturing devices into a header of the broadcast packet, and transmitting the broadcast packet including the identifiers to a router to which the user terminals belong.

[37] Preferably, the transmitting step comprises the step of scrambling video data included in the broadcast packet.

[38] According to the present invention, the above objects are achieved by a video processing unit, which is connected to at least one user terminal through a network and is configured to receive channel information requested by the user terminal, and to transmit a video signal requested by the user terminal in response to the channel information, the present invention comprising the steps of receiving video signals from a plurality of cameras installed at different locations in a single shooting place, transmitting one of the plurality of video signals to a network, and, when the user terminal receives the video signal and thereafter requests a video signal from another camera, related to the received video signal, providing a requested video signal to the user terminal.

[39] Preferably, the step of transmitting one of the plurality of video signals to the network comprises the step of encoding and compressing the plurality of video signals.

[40] Preferably, a reception channel of the user terminal is changed based on the channel information.

[41] Preferably, the shooting place is one of a basketball court, a baseball field, an

American football field, a golf course, a tennis court, a studio, and an indoor studio.

[42] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a method of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, the method being performed by a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, comprising the steps of transmitting information about at least two video capturing devices for generating video signals, constituting part or all of broadcast content, to a user terminal; receiving selection information for the video capturing devices from the user terminal; and providing video information acquired from the video capturing devices, for which the selection information is received, to the user terminal.

[43] Preferably, the information about the video capturing devices includes location information, indicating locations at which the video capturing devices are placed, and identifier information, required to identify the video capturing devices.

[44] Preferably, the video captured by the video capturing devices is separated into video for respective video capturing devices and is then stored.

[45] Preferably, the identification information includes one or more of numerals, characters and symbols, and the reception of the selection information for the video capturing devices from the user is performed by receiving the identifier information.

[46] Preferably, the provision of the video information is performed through at least one selected from among 1) a wired cable network, 2) a broadcasting network, 3) an Internet using an Internet protocol, and 4) a wireless network.

[47] Preferably, the user terminal is at least one selected from among a set-top box, and an

Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), a digital TV, a Personal Computer (PC), and a game machine, each internally equipped with a set-top box or externally connected to a set- top box.

[48] Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of receiving another piece of selection information for the video capturing devices from the user terminal; and providing video information acquired from the video capturing devices, for which the other piece of selection information is received, to the user terminal.

[49] Preferably, the method may further comprise the step of performing an authentication procedure on the user terminal.

[50] Preferably, all video signals generated by the two or more video capturing devices are provided to the user terminal, and video acquired from the video capturing devices, for which the selection information is received from the user terminal, is any one included in all of the video signals.

[51] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a method of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, the method being performed by a user terminal connected to a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera in a wired/Wireless manner, comprising the steps of receiving information about at least two video capturing devices for generating video signals constituting part or all of broadcast content; transmitting selection information for the video capturing devices to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera; and receiving video information acquired from the video capturing devices, for which the selection information is transmitted, from the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera.

[52] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a method of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, the method being performed by a user terminal connected to a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera in a wired/Wireless manner, comprising the steps of receiving information about two or more video capturing devices for generating video signals constituting part or all of broadcast content; receiving all video generated by the two or more video capturing devices; receiving selection information for the video capturing devices from a user; and acquiring video for which the selection information is received, among all of the video.

[53]

Advantageous Effects

[54] As described above, the present invention allows a viewer to select and view video signals captured by a plurality of cameras. Further, the present invention broadcasts a single transmission target to a target node, thus reducing the network load compared to the case where video signals captured by respective cameras are individually transmitted. Furthermore, the present invention transmits video signals captured by respective camera using an existing cable network, and allows a viewer to select and view video signals captured by respective cameras even if the viewer does not memorize channel numbers corresponding to video signals from respective cameras. For this operation, the present invention allows a remote control for controlling a set- top box to use a command mode (command mode is a control mode in which a number selected by the viewer using the remote control is caused to correspond to a camera identifier).

[55]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[56] FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera according to the present invention;

[57] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which cameras are arranged in a baseball field;

[58] FIG. 3 is a conceptual block diagram showing a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera according to an embodiment of the present invention; [59] FIG. 4 is a view conceptually showing a video signal transmission procedure performed between a network switch and a user terminal; [60] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the set-top box of a user terminal according to the present invention;

[61] FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing the command mode of the set-top box;

[62] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method in which a viewer sets a command mode;

[63] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another method of selecting a camera identifier;

[64] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera according to another embodiment of the present invention; [65] FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing the frequency bandwidth of a typical cable network, and FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually viewing a method in which a user terminal and the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera mutually transmit a video signal and a camera identifier; [66] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera according to a further embodiment of the present invention; [67] FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing examples of a transmission packet broadcasted by the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera to a user terminal; [68] FIG. 15 is a conceptual block diagram showing an embodiment in which the spirit of the present invention is implemented; [69] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a broadcasting server included in the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera; [70] FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing the generation of video data according to an embodiment of the present invention; [71] FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the operation of a broadcast service module included in the broadcasting server; [72] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the construction of a set- top box presented to implement the spirit of the present invention of FIGS. 15 to 22; [73] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the construction of a camera selection and screen display method presented to implement the spirit of the present invention of FIGS. 15 to 22; [74] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the operation and data flow of the broadcasting server and the set-top box in which the spirit of the present invention of FIGS. 15 to 22 is implemented; and

[75] FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment in which video signals captured by various cameras in the same channel are simultaneously provided.

[76] *Description of reference characters of important parts*

[77] 10a ~ 1On: camera 110: video processing unit

[78] 111: identifier processing unit 112: encoder

[79] 113: compression unit 120: transmission processing unit

[80] 121 : MUX 123: network switch

[81] 124: channel switching unit 130: authentication processing unit

[82] 1 Ia ~ 1 In: user terminal

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[83] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[84] FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera according to the present invention.

[85] The system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera according to the present invention allows a viewer to view a single broadcast content item from various viewpoints.

[86] Typically, one broadcast channel is allocated to a single broadcast content item, and a viewer can select his or her favorite broadcast channel and can view broadcast content through the selected broadcast channel. In this case, the broadcast content is created using video received from cameras determined by a broadcast content production side, and the viewer cannot view broadcast content corresponding to the video received from a desired camera at his or her desired time point. Typically, various cameras are mobilized for sports hook-ups, show programs, live broadcasts, other previously filmed TV broadcasts, etc., and a producer or the like edits video received from a plurality of cameras in real time or non-real time, thus setting broadcast content to be viewed by viewers at a specific time point. Therefore, producers (PDs) can view almost all of the video received from the plurality of cameras, but viewers cannot view the video.

[87] In the drawing, reference numeral "A" denotes a main video signal provided through a broadcast channel when a viewer selects the broadcast channel, and the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera according to the present invention allows the viewer to switch the video signal A, which the viewer is currently viewing, to a video signal B or C and to view the switched video signal. Through this operation, the viewer can view his or her desirable single broadcast content item from the viewpoints of various cameras.

[88] Of course, in order to switch between video captured by respective cameras in the sequence of A → B → C, the viewer does not personally select channel numbers corresponding to the video signal B and video signal C. The present invention does not select a channel number allocated to a video signal and does not require a separate menu so as to select video signals captured by respective cameras, and the viewer can change the viewpoints of cameras through a minimum number of operations for requesting the switching of video signals.

[89] In FIG. 1, the viewer can select and view the video signal A, captured in the vicinity of first base of a baseball field, or the video signal B, captured from behind the pitcher, and the video signal C, captured from behind a catcher. For this operation, the number of cameras, which capture broadcast content, is plural, and the locations thereof must be different from each other. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2, together with FIG. 1.

[90] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which cameras are arranged in a baseball field. Cameras 10a to 10c, shown in the drawing, are three cameras 10a to 10c that are arranged to generate a single broadcast content item (a baseball hook-up). Respective cameras 10a to 10c are not placed at the same location, but are configured to shoot the baseball field from various angles and at various locations and to transmit captured video to a broadcasting station. Therefore, the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera according to the present invention is applied to broadcast content, for which a plurality of video signals can be acquired at various places, such as a baseball field, a basketball court, an American football field, a golf course, a tennis court, a studio, and the indoor studio of a broadcasting station, in which a plurality of capturing devices (for example, cameras) is allocated to a single broadcast content item.

[91] The system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera according to the present invention allocates a single video signal, into which video signals captured by respective cameras 10a to 10c are edited to be suitable for a broadcast, to a main broadcast channel, and enables the video signals captured by respective cameras 10a to 10c to be selectively provided to viewers according to the desire of the viewers.

[92] Hereinafter, the present applicant intends to describe respective embodiments of the present invention on the basis of the concept in which various video signals, having a relationship therebetween for a single broadcast content item, are provided to a viewer using a plurality of capturing devices (cameras).

[93] FIG. 3 is a conceptual block diagram showing a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[94] The system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, as shown in the drawing, includes a video processing unit 110, a transmission processing unit 120, and an authentication processing unit 130.

[95] The authentication processing unit 130 determines, using unique information allocated to user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In, whether each viewer is an authenticated viewer authorized to consume broadcast content.

[96] When the user terminal is a set- top box, the authentication processing unit 130 authenticates a viewer using a production number and a unique number allocated to the set-top box, and the unique number of a descramble card detachably mounted in the set- top box. When a user terminal is a Personal Computer (PC), the authentication processing unit 130 authenticates a viewer using an ID and a password set by the viewer who uses the PC.

[97] The video processing unit 110 allocates camera identifiers to video signals captured by respective capturing devices, processes the video signals as digital video signals, and compresses the digital video signals. MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 may be suitable for a compression method performed by the video processing unit 110, but video signals may be compressed using other compression methods in addition to MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.

[98] The transmission processing unit 120 inserts an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) into video signals provided by the video processing unit 110, converts the video signals, into which the EPG is inserted, into a network packet, and provides the network packet to the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In. Further, when the switching of video signals that are currently being viewed through the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In is requested, the transmission processing unit 120 provides video signals captured by cameras desired to be viewed through the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In. For this operation, the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In notify the transmission processing unit 120 of camera identifiers corresponding to desired video signals. The transmission processing unit 120 requests video signals corresponding to the camera identifiers from the video processing unit 110, and provides the video signals to the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In.

[99] Preferably, the video processing unit 110 includes an identifier processing unit 111, an encoder 112, and a compression unit 113.

[100] The identifier processing unit 111 assigns camera identifiers to the video signals acquired by respective cameras 10a to 1On. Numbers or symbols assigned to the cameras 10a to 1On can be applied to the camera identifiers, and camera identifiers may have the form of number strings or other forms used to identify the cameras 10a to 1On. Preferably, the identifier processing unit 111 refers to the spatial relationship between the locations of respective cameras 10a to 1On, sets any one of the cameras as a reference camera, and sequentially allocates numbers to the cameras in the sequence of proximity to the reference camera. For example, when the camera 10a is a reference camera in FIG. 2, camera identifiers may be assigned to cameras in the sequence of the camera ICb close to the reference camera 10a and the camera 10c.

[101] The camera identifiers are included in video signals, so that the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In feed the camera identifiers back to the transmission processing unit 120, thus requesting desired video signals. The transmission processing unit 120 can allow the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In to request video signals corresponding to camera identifiers from the video processing unit 110.

[102] Preferably, the transmission processing unit 120 includes a Multiplexer (MUX) 121, a network switch 123, and a channel switching unit 124.

[103] The MUX 121 inserts an EPG, which is a list of broadcast programs to be provided to respective user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In, into video signals. The network switch 123 provides video signals, captured by respective cameras 10a to 1On and provided by the video processing unit 110, to respective user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In in response to channel requests provided by the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In. The network switch 123 may provide,

[104] 1) video signals corresponding to respective broadcast channels, or

[105] 2) video signals captured by respective cameras when a plurality of cameras is allocated to a single broadcast channel.

[106] This will be described below with reference to FIG. 4.

[107] FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing a video signal transmission procedure performed between the network switch 123 and user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In.

[108] In the drawing, the case where the network switch 123 transmits a video signal AV_1 to the user terminal 10a, a video signal AV_2 to the user terminal ICb, and a video signal AV_3 to the user terminal 10c is shown.

[109] In this case, the video signals AV_1, AV_2 and AV_3 are video signals for a single broadcast content item, and are captured by different cameras. [110] If the user terminal ICb requests another video signal AV_1 or AV_3 from the network switch 123 while viewing the video signal AV_2, the network switch 123 receives the video signal requested by the user terminal ICb from among the video signals AV_1 to AV_n provided by the video processing unit 110, and transmits the video signal to the user terminal ICb. At this time, the user terminal ICb transmits a camera identifier corresponding to the video signal AV_2 to the network switch 123. The network switch 123 provides the camera identifier to the channel switching unit 124, and the channel switching unit 124 requests a video signal corresponding to the camera identifier from the video processing unit 110. The video processing unit 110 transmits the video signal corresponding to the camera identifier requested by the channel switching unit 124 to the network switch 123, and the network switch 123 transmits the video signal to the user terminal ICb. In the drawing, PCs are shown as the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In, but the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In may be set- top boxes connected to Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TVs, Plasma Display Panel (PDP) TVs, or Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs. Each of the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In mentioned in the present invention may be one of a PC, a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and a set- top box, enabling network communication, and may be any type of digital device enabling network communication and capable of playing video signals.

[I l l] Meanwhile, the network switch 123 recognizes the user terminal ICb through the IP address or MAC address of the user terminal ICb, and transmits a video signal AV_3 to the IP address of the user terminal ICb when the user terminal ICb requests a video signal (for example, AV_3) captured by another camera while receiving another video signal AV_2. That is, the user terminal ICb can receive all of various video signals AV_1, AV_2, and AV_3 through its own IP address. Accordingly, the network switch

123 does not need to allocate various video signals AV_1, AV_2, and AV_3 for a single broadcast content item to independent IP addresses.

[112] The channel switching unit 124 requests video signals, corresponding to camera identifiers requested by the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In, from the video processing unit 110 in response to the camera identifiers transmitted from respective user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In. Further, when the video processing unit 110 provides video signals corresponding to camera identifiers to the network switch 123, the channel switching unit

124 allows video signals corresponding to the camera identifiers to be transmitted to the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In by controlling the network switch 123. In this case, the video signals have the form of network packets, and the user terminals 1 Ia to 1 In may be set-top boxes or PCs having their own unique IP addresses or MAC addresses.

[113] The video processing unit 110, the authentication processing unit 130, and the transmission processing unit 120 may be individually implemented as respective servers. For example, the video processing unit 110 may be implemented as a video processing server, the authentication processing unit 130 may be implemented as an authentication processing server, and the transmission processing unit 120 may be implemented as a transmission processing server. This is intended to divide the functions of respective processing units (a video processing unit, an authentication processing unit, and a transmission processing unit), thus reducing the loads applied to respective units (the video processing unit, the authentication processing unit, and the transmission processing unit). Of course, it is also possible to integrate and implement the video processing unit 110, the authentication processing unit 130, and the transmission processing unit 120 into a single server.

[114] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the set- top box of a user terminal according to the present invention.

[115] The set-top box includes a tuner 310, a decoder unit 320, a control unit 330, a sensor 370, and a Physical (PHY) processing unit 360.

[116] The tuner 310 receives broadcast signals provided through terrestrial broadcasting or cable broadcasting, and is controlled by the control unit 330 so that reception channels are tuned. The tuner 310 may be one of an analog tuner for receiving broadcast signals in an analog manner, and a digital tuner for receiving network packets and extracting broadcast signals from the network packets. In this embodiment, for convenience of understanding and description of the present invention, an example in which an analog tuner and a digital tuner are integrated into a single tuner is described.

[117] The decoder unit 320 separates a broadcast signal received from the tuner 310 into a video signal and an audio signal, and decompresses the video signal and audio signal, which are MPEG-compressed. In this case, the decoder unit performs signal compression using one of the following two methods.

[118] 3) A method in which a decoding program for decompression is provided in nonvolatile memory (Read-Only Memory: ROM), and the decoder unit 320 decodes a video signal and an audio signal using the decoding program,

[119] 4) A method in which an algorithm for decoding is provided in the descramble card 50 and the decoder unit 320 decodes a video signal and an audio signal using the algorithm provided in the descramble card 50.

[120] Preferably, the decoder unit 320 includes a demodulator 321, a demultiplexer (DEMUX) 322, and a signal processing unit 323.

[121] When a video signal received through the tuner 310 is a modulated signal, the demodulator 321 removes a carrier frequency from the video signal. The video signal, from which the carrier frequency is removed, has the format of an MPEG-compressed digital data stream. The DEMUX 322 separates the digital data stream into a video signal, an audio signal, and additional data, and provides the separated signals to the signal processing unit 323 and the control unit 330. Here, the additional data includes an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and a camera identifier. The signal processing unit 323 includes a video processing unit (video decoder) 323a and an audio processing unit (audio decoder) 323b. The video processing unit 323a decodes a video stream, provided by the DEMUX 322, according to the MPEG standard, and provides the decoded video stream to a display device 340. The audio processing unit 323b decodes an audio stream according to the MPEG standard, and provides the decoded audio stream to a speaker 350.

[122] The control unit 330 controls the overall operation of the set-top box, receives control commands from the viewer through a sensor 370 and processes the control commands. The control commands include commands for channel switching, volume control, external input selection, the ON/OFF operation of the set-top box, and screen adjustment, and the control unit 330 is connected to the PHY processing unit 360 and is configured to transmit or receive network packets. In this case, the PHY processing unit 360 transmits a camera identifier or a channel switching requesting signal to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera. Further, the control unit 330 switches the mode of the set-top box to a command mode in response to a number string (or a character string), transmitted from the viewer using a remote control in a wireless manner). The term "command mode" means a processing mode in which, when an agreed-upon specific number string is transmitted from the remote control of the viewer, numbers subsequently input by the viewer using the remote control are caused to correspond to a camera identifier, rather than a channel number. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6, together with the above drawing.

[123] FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing the command mode of a set-top box.

[124] In the drawing, the term "IR" means an infrared reception unit (370 of FIG. 6). If it is assumed that a number string required to switch the mode of the set-top box to a command mode is "555", a number string required to quit the command mode is "999", and the range of available channels of the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera is in a range from 0 to 100, the case where the number string received by the set- top box through the sensor 370 exceeds 100 does not necessarily mean a channel. Nevertheless, it is also undesirable that the mode of the set-top box be switched to a command mode when a number string is erroneously selected by the viewer. Therefore, when the viewer provides notification of a number string 555 through the remote control, the set-top box switches the mode thereof to the command mode. In this case, on the screen of a display device connected to the set-top box (for example, TV, LCD, PDP, etc., which is not shown in the drawing), the location or the identifier of the camera selectable by the viewer is displayed. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7 together with FIG. 6.

[125] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method in which a viewer sets a command mode.

[126] In the drawing, an example in which a hook-up for professional baseball is displayed on user terminals (for example, 1 Ia to 1 In) is shown. In the upper left portion of the drawing, identifiers (O), indicating the locations of a first base, a second base, a third base and a home base, are shown, and camera identifiers ® to © are displayed around the field. The camera identifiers ® to © correspond to number keys provided on the remote control. Therefore, the viewer can select camera identifiers in the sequence of the following descriptions, and can provide selected camera identifiers to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera.

[127] - Following descriptions -

[128] 5) The viewer switches the mode of the set-top box to a command mode by inputting a number string "555" using the number keys on the remote control.

[129] 6) The viewer selects a corresponding camera identifier by inputting a number key corresponding to one of ® to © using number keys on the remote control.

[130] For example, when the viewer presses a number key "2", the camera © placed near second base is selected. When the viewer presses a number key "4", the camera ® placed near first base is selected. When the viewer selects a camera identifier (for example, ®), the user terminal notifies the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera of the camera identifier (for example, ®), and the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera provides a video signal corresponding to the camera identifier (for example, ®) to the user terminal. When the user terminal is a set-top box, the set-top box decodes a video signal provided by the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, and provides the decoded video signal to the display device connected to the user terminal (for example, a CRT, an LCD, a PDP, etc.). When the user terminal is a Personal Computer (PC), a network interface card mounted in the PC (typically, a LAN card, which is not shown in the drawing) receives the video signal, processes the video signal using a processor and memory, which are provided in the PC, and provides the processed video signal to the monitor.

[131] The example in which a camera identifier is a number (for example, ®) is shown, but character keys provided on a remote control may be used, and direction keys provided on the remote control may also be used. This structure will be described with reference to FIG. 8 together with FIG. 7.

[132] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another method of selecting a camera identifier.

[133] In the drawing, direction keys provided on the remote control are shown. After switching the mode of the set-top box to a command mode by pressing a number string "555," placed on the remote control, the viewer may select a camera identifier by pressing direction keys (A, T, ►, and A). When it is assumed that the camera identifiers of FIG. 7 are ® to ©, and the camera identifier of a video signal that the viewer is currently viewing is ©, the set-top box notifies the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera of a camera identifier © placed to the left of the camera identifier © and requests a video signal corresponding to the camera identifier © from the system when the viewer presses the direction key A once. In this state, when the viewer presses the direction key A once more, the set-top box recognizes that the camera identifier ® is selected, and notifies the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera of this selection. Similar to this, the set- top box sequentially selects neighboring camera identifiers in response to direction keys pressed by the viewer, and notifies the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera of the sequential selection. Conversely, when the viewer presses the direction key ►, a camera identifier placed to the right of the camera identifier corresponding to the video signal that the viewer is currently viewing is selected.

[134] Meanwhile, when the viewer desires to quit the command mode, the viewer inputs a number string "999" using the remote control. The set-top box recognizes the number string "999" as a quit command.

[135] For this operation, the control unit 330 of the set- top box of FIG. 5 switches the mode of the set-top box to a command mode and a normal mode depending on a number string received through the sensor 370 (the normal mode is a mode in which the remote control is typically used, and in which a number string is used for channel switching and direction keys are used for volume control and channel switching). [136] Further, when the mode of the set- top box is switched to the command mode, the control unit 330 recognizes a number received through the sensor 370 as a camera identifier, and notifies the PHY processing unit 360 of the camera identifier. The PHY processing unit 360 performs network communication, and notifies the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera of the camera identifier through a cable connected to the tuner 310. In this case, the PHY processing unit 360 provides notification of the camera identifier and the unique number of the descramble card 50. That is, the PHY processing unit 360 provides notification of MAC address information (or IP address information), descramble card information, and camera identifier information, thus allowing the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera to determine whether a single content item can be viewed through multiple channels.

[137] FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[138] This embodiment shows an example in which a plurality of cameras 1 Ia to 1 In generates a plurality of video signals for a single broadcast content item, and assigns transmission channels to respective video signals. In the drawing, the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera includes a video signal database (DB) 201c for storing and buffering video signals from respective cameras 1 Ia to 1 In, and transmits a video signal corresponding to a camera identifier, transmitted by a user terminal 80, to the user terminal 1 Ia to 1 In in response to the camera identifier.

[139] The system 201 for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera includes a video processing unit 201 and a transmission processing unit 202.

[140] The video processing unit 201 encodes and compresses video signals captured by respective cameras 1 Ia to 1 In, and stores the encoded and compressed video signals in the video signal DB 201c. The transmission processing unit 202 includes a channel switching unit 202b and a network switch 202a. When the user terminal 80, connected through a network, requests a video signal corresponding to a camera identifier, the channel switching unit 202b requests the video signal from the video processing unit 201, and allows the video signal provided by the video signal DB 201c to be transmitted to the user terminal 80 by controlling the network switch 202a.

[141] Preferably, the video processing unit 201 includes an encoder 202a for converting video signals captured by respective cameras 1 Ia to 1 In into digital signals, a compression unit 201a for MPEG-encoding the digital video signals, and a video signal DB 201c for storing the MPEG-encoded video signals for respective cameras. Further, the transmission processing unit 202 includes the channel switching unit 202b, configured to request video signals captured by respective cameras 1 Ia to 1 In, requested by the user terminal 80, from the video processing unit 201, and the network switch 202a, controlled by the channel switching unit 202b and configured to transmit a corresponding video signal to the user terminal 80. In this embodiment, the video processing unit 201 stores video signals captured by respective cameras 1 Ia to 1 In, and deletes video signals in a First- In, First-Out manner (a method in which the video signal that is stored first is deleted first) after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[142] The authentication processing unit 203 is connected to the user terminal 80 through a network, and authenticates the user terminal 80 when the user terminal 80 requests authentication or when the user terminal 80 requests a video signal. When the user terminal is authenticated, the authentication processing unit 203 transmits channel information or a camera identifier, requested by the user terminal 80 from the channel switching unit 202b. For this, the authentication processing unit 203 has authentication information, such as a unique number assigned to the user terminal 80, and the ID and password of the user terminal 80. When the user terminal 80 is a set-top box, the authentication processing unit 203 authenticates the user terminal 80 using the card number of a descramble card detachably mounted in the set-top box, a unique number assigned to the set-top box, etc.

[143] The present embodiment provides a video signal depending on a camera identifier transmitted by the user terminal 80, and the camera identifier can be provided to a viewer in the form shown in FIG. 7. Further, in the present embodiment, the user terminal 80 may be one of various devices, such as a PC, a notebook computer, and a set-top box. Therefore, when the user terminal 80 is a PC, camera identifiers can be displayed on a display device (not shown), connected to the PC, in the form shown in FIG. 7. The viewer can transmit an identifier to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera by personally selecting the identifier using an input device such as a mouse, or by typing the identifier using a keyboard.

[144] Meanwhile, the user terminal 80 and the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera may be connected to each other via a wireless network, a cable network, or a telephone network, but, recently, the cable network has been most widely popularized and used. When the cable network is applied to the present embodiment, the user terminal 80 and the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera can transmit analog and digital video signals, and the user terminal 80 can easily transmit a camera identifier or desired channel information to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera. This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[145] FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing the frequency bandwidth of a typical cable network, and FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually showing a method in which the user terminal 80 and the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera mutually transmit a video signal and a camera identifier.

[146] Referring to FIG. 10, in an existing cable network, the frequency band from 50Hz to 860fflz is allocated for the transmission of analog video signals, and the frequency band from 50Hz to 860Hz is a band allocated for the transmission of analog broadcast signals in the existing cable network. Therefore, in order for the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera and the user terminal 80 to transmit or receive network packets to or from each other, frequency bands from OHz to 50Hz and from 87OHz to 1560Hz are used. Typically, the frequency band from OHz to 50Hz, corresponding to a low transfer rate, is preferably allocated to an upload operation (the direction in which the user terminal transmits a network packet to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera), and the frequency band from 87OHz to 1560Hz is preferably allocated to a download operation (the direction in which the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera transmits a network packet to the user terminal). In this case, it should be noted that frequency bands described in the present embodiment are only examples, that frequency bands allocated to upload and download operations may have slight deviations according to the country or area, and that the present invention is not limited to the frequency bands of the present embodiment.

[147] In FIG. 11, the user terminal 80 receives a video signal, provided by the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, through a frequency band Fl. Here, the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera may use one of the following methods:

[148] 7) A method in which a video signal is allocated to the frequency band Fl and is transmitted to the user terminal 80, and channel information and a camera identifier are transmitted or received through a frequency band separate from the user terminal 80, as shown in FIG. 11, and

[149] 8) A method in which a video signal, channel information, and a camera identifier are processed through the frequency band Fl. [150] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[151] In the embodiment shown in the drawing, a plurality of video signals is included in a single packet, and camera identifiers are inserted into each packet. The user terminal selects a video signal by selecting a camera identifier. A camera identifier and a video signal corresponding thereto are combined into a single transmission packet, and the transmission packet is broadcasted to a target node. The target node means a cell connected to a plurality of user terminals through a network, and network equipment (a repeater, a distributor, etc.) for relaying and transmitting a network packet to a plurality of user terminals included in the cell is arranged in the cell.

[152] A transmission packet includes a header area and a data area. The transmission packet is generated by a packet generation unit 411, camera identifiers are assigned to respective video signals generated by a plurality of cameras 12a to 12n, and video signals corresponding to respective camera identifiers are included in a single packet. In the header area of the transmission packet, the identifiers of respective cameras 12a to 12n are included, and, in the data area, video signals having a certain size are arranged in the sequence of arrangement of respective camera identifiers. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

[153] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission packet that is broadcasted by the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera to user terminals 90a to 9On.

[154] Referring to the transmission packet shown in the drawing, the header area of the transmission packet includes respective camera identifiers ID_11, ID_21,..., ID_nl for the cameras 12a, 12b, ..., 12n.

[155] Further, in the data area of the transmission packet, video data data_l 1, data_21, ..., data_nl, corresponding to the camera identifiers ID_11, ID_21, ..., ID_nl, are arranged. Here, the data data_l 1, data_21, ..., data_nl may be formed to include corresponding camera identifiers. That is, the video signal (for example, data_l 1) may include a camera identifier (for example, ID_11). Through this, a single packet may include together different video signals captured by different cameras (including any one of 12a to 12n). Each of the user terminals 90a to 9On analyzes a transmission packet provided by the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, thus extracting a camera identifier from the transmission packet. When a viewer selects a camera identifier, the user terminal extracts a video signal corresponding to the selected camera identifier from the received transmission packet and plays the video signal. The system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera broadcasts the transmission packet having the format of FIG. 13 to a target node, and thereafter broadcasts the transmission packet having the format of FIG. 14 to the target node. Referring to the transmission packet of FIG. 14, it can be seen that the transmission packet is similar to that of FIG. 13.

[156] In FIG. 14, camera identifiers in the header area are equally applied to those of FIG. 13, but video signals, constituting a data area, indicate video signals subsequent to the video signals of FIG. 13. That is, when a first video signal corresponding to the camera identifier ID_11 of FIG. 13 is included in data_l 1, a subsequent video signal is included in data_12.

[157] This is advantageous in that video signals for respective cameras are transmitted to an entire target node using a single transmission packet. In this case, when receiving a transmission packet, the user terminals 90a to 9On must notify the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera whether the transmission packet has been received, and the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera preferably generates billing information on the basis of this notification.

[158] In an embodiment of FIG. 12, an encoder 412, a compression unit 413, a transmission processing unit 420, and an authentication processing unit 430 are identical to those described with reference to FIG. 9, and thus a repeated description thereof is omitted. However, there is a difference in that the transmission processing unit 420 broadcasts a transmission packet to a target node, unlike the transmission processing unit 202, which has been described above with reference to FIG. 9.

[159] The spirit of the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera according to the present invention can also be applied to a previously filmed TV broadcast as well as a real-time broadcast. When receiving selection information for a camera from the user terminal, the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera outputs/transmitsbroadcasts video information, captured by the camera selected by the user terminal, to the user terminal. The video received from each camera is stored in the storage device of the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, or a preset storage means connected to the system through a network, for a short time or a long period. Even in the case of a previously filmed TV broadcast, video recorded by respective cameras will be stored in the preset storage device. In this case, with respect to video from a camera designated to be viewed by viewers at a specific time point, the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera transmits information about the location of the camera to the viewers/user terminals. When selection information for a specific camera is received from the user terminal, the system transmits video captured at the specific time point by the camera, for which the selection information is received, to the user terminal. For this, synchronization must be performed between a plurality of pieces of information about individual cameras and video information acquired from the camera information. That is, when selection information for a first camera is received from a user terminal, the system can provide video present in #1 only when matching is performed in such a way that information about the first camera is stored in #1 on the basis of a specific time point or a specific time band. Of course, in this case, synchronization must be performed on the basis of a specific time point or a broadcast period for specific broadcast content (For example, when there is a 1-hour broadcast al, and a video signal captured by a specific camera is requested at a specific time point, for example, 15 minutes 30 seconds after the start of the broadcast, specific video acquired by the specific camera at that time point must be matched/synchronized. That is, the term "matching" means that video information acquired by respective cameras must be synchronized together on the basis of a specific time point. Therefore, even in the case of a previously filmed TV broadcast, when a user selects video information from a specific camera at a specific time point, the video information from the camera selected at the specific time point can be provided). Such matching is more and more important in the case of previously filmed TV broadcasts, and is also desirably applied to real-time live broadcasts.

[160] When the user terminal is an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), video information selected by the user terminal is transmitted to the IP address of the user terminal. The user terminal may be a digital TV, an IPTV, a PC, a computer, a mobile phone or a game machine, which is internally or externally equipped with a set-top box, or may be the set-top box itself.

[161] When the set- top box/user terminal (the user terminal may conceptually include a set-top box) has sufficient storage space, or sufficient channel capacity or bandwidth, the set-top box or the user terminal can store all video information transmitted from a plurality of cameras in its own storage space. Of course, for this operation, the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera must transmit the video information acquired from the plurality of cameras to the set-top box or the user terminal.

[162] The set- top box or the user terminal may include a video storage device (Random

Access Memory [RAM], a hard disk, or other storage devices) for storing the video in- formation, received through the network, for respective channels and respective types of camera information, a video reception module for recording the received video information in the video storage device in the format of logically separable files, a video output unit for decoding output target video into RGB signals and audio signals and outputting the resulting signals to the user terminal (especially for a video display device), a signal input device (a remote control, a touch screen, buttons provided on the terminal, an audio input unit) capable of generating signals to allow a viewer to perform a specific operation, a control signal reception unit for sensing an input signal as an electrical signal, a command processing unit for determining the electrical signal received from the control signal reception unit, a control unit for controlling all of the components of the set-top box, and a signal transmission unit for generating broadcast request information, required to request video information captured by a specific camera from the system (server) for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, and transmitting the broadcast request information to the system.

[163] It is apparent that the spirit of the present invention may also be applied to a typical Video-On-Demand (VOD) service and an IPTV broadcast service, in which a user selects a camera and which is provided via video information related to the selected camera.

[164] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 21, a further embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[165] FIG. 15 is a conceptual block diagram showing an embodiment in which the spirit of the present invention is implemented. This system includes, in a wired broadcasting (Internet and cable) system, a (1) conversion means for converting both video, captured by n cameras installed in a sports field and transmitted by the cameras to a broadcasting station, and analog video, obtained by editing the transmitted video (digital video when video is captured by digital video capturing devices), into digital data including information about the locations of the cameras, a (2) broadcasting server for storing the digital data in a storage device and then transmitting the digital data to the user terminal, a (3) transmission means for receiving broadcast request information for video, acquired by a specific camera, from the user terminal and transmitting the requested video data from the broadcasting server to the user terminal, and a (4) set-top box for receiving and storing the transmitted video data in real time, selectively outputting video requested by the user terminal, receiving broadcast request information for video acquired by the specific camera from the user terminal, and transmitting the broadcast request information to the broadcasting server, the set-top box functioning as a switching means provided on the user terminal side. Sports games or the like relayed in real time are typically broadcasted to viewers using a method of installing a plurality of cameras in a field, transmitting video captured by respective cameras to a broadcasting station through an outdoor broadcasting van, present at the field, via a satellite or wired network, allowing the broadcasting station to edit the video transmitted from respective cameras, and transmitting the edited video to the viewers (video editing may also be performed in an outdoor broadcasting van), or a method of converting the edited video (the term "video" means a format typically including video information and audio information) into digital data that enable Internet broadcasting service and transmitting the digital data to user terminals, such as IPTVs or PCs.

[166] Further, there are various types of broadcasts, such as a method of selectively transmitting video requested online by viewers, as in the case of VOD service, and a method of transmitting live broadcasts online to viewers in a multicasting manner, depending on the type of broadcast.

[167] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a broadcasting server included in the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera. The broadcasting server included in the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera may include a multi-video processing module for receiving video captured by n cameras and video edited by a broadcasting station, converting the video into digital data that can be transmitted in real time, and storing the digital data for respective broadcast channels, a video DB for storing the video converted by the multi- video processing module, and a broadcast service module for receiving the broadcast channel of a viewer and video request information at a specific time point, which have been transmitted through the network, and transmitting video corresponding to the channel (when a specific channel matches the requested specific video) (In this case, when specific video information is transmitted to an IP network, the broadcasting server may transmit specific video data, other than video data corresponding to a channel, to the IP address of the user terminal in a streaming manner). The broadcasting server is a device for storing together the video captured by respective cameras in a field for a sports hook-up and video edited in the broadcasting station and transmitting the video to the viewer. The broadcasting server may function to simultaneously receive multiple pieces of encoded video from the digital video conversion device, which encodes the captured camera video and edited analog video into digital data, to process the video in the format of digital data, in which information about the locations of respective cameras is added to the video, to store the digital data, and to transmit the digital to the user terminal.

[168] Typically, broadcasts are implemented to configure devices so that a broadcast transmission side and a broadcast reception side perform transmission and reception in synchronization with a specific frequency, which is called a channel. One channel is implemented so that one video + audio signal is transmitted. The present invention is configured such that, in the case where a plurality of video + audio signals is transmitted using a method agreed upon between a transmission side and a reception side, the signals are recognized as being transmitted through a single channel. Through this technology, video captured by various cameras is simultaneously and selectively output in the same channel, as is desired to be realized in the present invention. A conceptual diagram according to an embodiment showing such a construction is shown in detail in FIG. 22. Meanwhile, when specific video information is transmitted over an Internet Protocol (IP) network, video information from a specific camera, requested by the user terminal, rather than frequency, is processed on a packet basis, and each processed packet is transmitted to the user terminal via a wired/Wireless network. The user terminal processes the received packet-based video information, thus enabling the video information from the requested specific camera to be displayed on the display device of the user terminal.

[169] Cameras installed in a sports field, a field for a previously filmed TV broadcast, or a field for a live broadcast are assigned unique numbers, which are typically designated as a first camera, a second camera, etc. When respective cameras are operated, video signals, received from all cameras installed in the field for a relay broadcast, are displayed on a plurality of monitors of a broadcasting station or an outdoor broadcasting van.

[170] Therefore, since video signals from respective cameras are transmitted in the state in which they can be physically or logically distinguished from each other, video transmitted from respective cameras to the broadcasting station is implemented to generate and store the location information of respective cameras and video data from respective cameras, which are physically or logically distinguished from each other, using the following method.

[171] As shown in FIG. 15, both video captured by n cameras and video obtained by combining and editing the video are transmitted to the broadcasting server through the digital video conversion device (of course, in the case of video acquired as digital data, other than analog data, the digital video conversion device may be obviated). Therefore, the input of the broadcasting server side, which has been output from the digital video conversion device, is received through n+1 physical connections (cables). The input video is individually processed in the format of each record, having a predetermined size, which is composed of relevant broadcast channel information, camera location information, time serial information (independent for each record), indicating the elapse of a predetermined period of time, and video data, through the multi-video processing module provided in the broadcasting server, and is stored in a DB. FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the generation of this video data. Respective records are respective frames continirmsly displayed on the screen at the time of viewing, and are typically stored in the format of a frame record having 28 or more frames per second. The video record stored in this way can be read and played at high speed, and successive records output to the screen per unit time (for example, 1 second) may be configured as a single unit at the time of transmission, and may be transmitted.

[172] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the operation of a broadcast service module included in the broadcasting server. As shown in FIG. 18, the broadcast service module of the broadcasting server determines broadcast request information, which is transmitted from a user terminal via a network and requests video captured by a specific camera, and transmits the video information, stored in the broadcasting server, to the user terminal. Exactly, the set-top box, included in the user terminal, or implemented as a separate device, analyzes signal information input through the user terminal, and transmits the signal information to the broadcasting server when the signal information is found to correspond to broadcast request information for video captured by a specific camera. The broadcast request information, which is transmitted from the user terminal and requests video acquired by the specific camera, includes the MAC address of a network interface provided in the set-top box on the user terminal side, the IP address of the user terminal, the channel of the video requested to be transmitted, video time point information, etc.

[173] Meanwhile, the transmission step is subdivided as follows. 1) Channel information and time point information corresponding to desired video are transmitted from a viewer to the broadcasting server (for example, a sports channel XX that is currently being broadcasted + a current time point). In this case, the IP address, the MAC address of the viewer, an open port number, etc. are checked by the broadcast service module of the broadcasting server, and the IP address of the viewer is authenticated. 2) When the viewer is an authenticated viewer, the broadcast service module provided in the broadcasting server analyzes video information corresponding to the channel + specific time point of the broadcast request information, which has been transmitted from the user terminal and requests video acquired by the specific camera, searches the video DB for the requested data, and starts to sequentially transmit the found data to the user terminal (the IP address thereof) in real time. At this time, respective pieces of camera video data, having the same channel attributes, are transmitted to the user terminal.

[174] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the construction of a set- top box proposed to implement the spirit of the present invention of FIGS. 15 to 22. The video data, transmitted from the broadcasting server to the IP address of the viewer, is transmitted to the set-top box installed in the user terminal through the Internet or a Cable TV (CATV) network. The set-top box is provided with a network interface, having a MAC address, connected to the network, and the physical connection from the broadcasting server to the network interface of the set-top box is identical to that of the existing Internet or CATV network, so that network equipment, such as routers and switches, exists at both ends of the network. The set- top box may be internally configured in the user terminal or may be configured outside the user terminal as a separate device. The set-top box includes a video storage device (Random Access Memory [RAM], a hard disk, or other storage devices) for storing the video information, received through the network, for respective channels and respective types of camera information, a video reception module for recording the received video information in the video storage device in the format of logically separable files, a video output unit for decoding output target video into RGB signals and audio signals and outputting the resulting signals to the user terminal (especially for a video display device), a signal input device (a remote control, a touch screen, buttons provided on the terminal, an audio input unit) capable of generating signals to allow a viewer to perform a specific operation, a control signal reception unit for sensing an input signal as an electrical signal, a command processing unit for determining the electrical signal received from the control signal reception unit, a control unit for controlling all of the components of the set-top box, and a signal transmission unit for generating broadcast request information, required to request video acquired by a specific camera from the broadcasting server, and transmitting the broadcast request information to the broadcasting server.

[175] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the construction of a camera selection and screen display method proposed to implement the spirit of the present invention of FIGS. 15 to 22.

[176] The video data output to the user terminal is basically output as RGB-format data having a specific frequency (for example, 60Hz) recognized by the terminal, and this video can be processed and output by the video output unit of the set-top box.

[177] Further, in FIG. 20, camera selection icons and the screens of cameras are also processed and output by the video output unit of the set-top box. The user terminal may function as a display device for displaying video, which has been completely processed and output. In the upper left portion of FIG. 20, information about the locations of respective cameras installed in various places on a field is displayed, and the selection of currently activated cameras (cameras that are currently displayed) is indicated by shaded portions or the like.

[178] Meanwhile, since the video stored in the storage device of the set-top box includes camera information, a channel record having time serial information identical to the request transmission time designated by the user, among the same channel records as that of the camera information, is found by searching video data, and video data can be sequentially read from the channel record and can be displayed on the screen. At this time, a plurality of pieces of data having different camera information may be present in the identical time serial data in the same channel. In this case, camera information is detected in the plurality of pieces of data. When the user terminal is currently set so that video from a given camera is output, this data is output to the preset location, whereas, when the user terminal is currently set so that video from the camera is not output, this data may be ignored.

[179] In another case, when setting is currently performed such that video from a given camera is output, and video from the given camera at that time point is not present in video data, a window for the given camera displayed on the screen may be temporarily closed, or, alternatively, the absence of corresponding video may be indicated through an indication such as N/ A .

[180] Further, in the upper portion of the display screen on the user terminal, a touch screen is installed, and the numbers of cameras can be indicated in the touch screen so that the numbers of cameras can be selected. When the touch screen is installed, an operation such as selection may be sensed by the user terminal and may be transmitted to the set-top box, or the touch screen may be configured and processed to be connected to the control signal reception unit of the set-top box.

[181] In the left portion of the screen, the screens of currently selected cameras are displayed as small windows. The screen of a specific camera may be replaced with the screen of main video information, or, alternatively, may be displayed as a small window in the side portion, as shown in FIG. 20.

[182] Hereinafter, several application functions and operations related to the spirit of the present invention will be described below.

[183] Various types of selection options may be assigned to information about the locations of cameras according to the setting performed by the user terminal. Examples of the selection options are described below.

[184] 1 ) Deactivation of camera location information

[185] A menu can be configured and set to prevent camera location information from being displayed on the screen.

[186] In this case, the screen edited by the broadcasting station becomes the screen of main video information, so that a viewer can view the same screen as in the case where the viewer views the TV in the normal manner.

[187] 2) Manual setting of camera location information

[188] As described above, a viewer performs manual setting so that video captured by a camera at a specific location is displayed on part or all of the screen.

[189] 3) Automatic display setting of camera location information

[190] At the time of broadcasting, there may be the case where an input signal from a specific camera may be bad, or content unsuitable for broadcasting may be captured. In the case of recorded video, it is stored after unsuitable video is removed in an editing procedure. In this case, of video information captured by the relevant camera, video information corresponding to the removal time is not present in a DB. The set- top box installed on the user side may automatically display the camera, corresponding to the video information that is not present, in a deactivated state. In the case of a live broadcast, relevant video information is blocked in an editing procedure, which is a previous stage of the broadcasting server, and a subsequent procedure is the same as that of the above description.

[191] Further, in the editing procedure, for example, in the case of a soccer game, setting may be designed so that, when an attacker drives a ball toward a goal, video information captured by cameras installed in a corresponding area is automatically activated. In this case, during a capturing procedure, video information captured by a camera installed near a goalpost is not transmitted to the broadcasting server. An editor repeatedly performs an operation of switching video information captured by relevant cameras when the attacker drives a ball to a location near the goal and transmitting the switched video information to the broadcasting server, and provides the resulting video information. The broadcasting server transmits such video information to the user terminal using the above method, and the set-top box installed in the user terminal automatically displays the screen using the above-described method. In this case, display may be configured using a method of displaying a window in a preset region and displaying specific camera information when the specific camera information is received, and removing the window when the reception of the specific camera information is released.

[192] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the operation and data flow of the broadcasting server and the set-top box, in which the spirit of the present invention of FIGS. 15 to 22 is implemented. Industrial Applicability

[193] The spirit of the present invention is related to various profit creation models, and the present invention has high applicability, especially to the broadcasting industry.

[194] When the spirit of the present invention is implemented, a broadcasting company can set profit creation models by discriminating between the cases where service consumers are viewers, CATV service providers, and Internet broadcasting service providers, at the time of constructing a broadcasting server and providing a service for transmitting broadcasts online.

[195] First, the functions of respective business entities, capable of participating in the process leading to the stage in which final viewers view broadcasts, are described below.

[196] The following method 1) to 4) may be the profit creation models of a broadcasting station.

[197] 1) A method of directly converting video, such as a sports game, into digital data, operating a broadcasting server, gathering viewers, providing an IPTV or PC-based service, and charging fees. Typical video is included with free service or for a basic fee, and the service corresponding to the spirit of the present invention may be provided with charged service or for a premium fee.

[198] 2) A method of operating a broadcasting server and selling processed digital data content to a CATV service provider or an Internet broadcasting service provider.

[199] 3) A method of selling analog/digital edited video, and video captured by respective cameras to a CATV service provider or an Internet broadcasting service provider, and obtaining sales profit.

[200] 4) A method of shooting and editing entertainment programs and dramas, in addition to sports games, at various angles, whereby the resulting products can be provided using the above methods.

[201] The following methods 1) and 2) may be the profit creation models of a CATV service provider or an Internet broadcasting service provider.

[202] I) A method of installing a set- top box based on the present technology through agreement with subscribers, receiving camera location information-based video data from a broadcasting station, providing a specific sports channel or the like as the camera location information-based service, and charging fees.

[203] 2) A method, in the case of an Internet service provider, of not requiring a set-top box and being implemented as software in a PC, whereby relatively low costs can be realized. Therefore, this method can provide service for free and gather advertisements.

Claims

[1] A system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein: the system receives a first video signal and a second video signal from at least two capturing devices for capturing a single broadcast content item, the system provides the first video signal to a user terminal connected through a network using the first video signal as a signal for a main broadcast channel, and provides identification information about the video signals captured by respective capturing devices, and the system provides a second video signal corresponding to the identification information to the user terminal when the user terminal selects any one from among the capturing devices on a basis of the identification information.

[2] The system according to claim 1, wherein the first video signal includes a video signal for the broadcast content item and device identifiers of the video capturing devices.

[3] A terminal having a function of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein: the terminal receives identification information about video signals, captured by respective capturing devices, from a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a first video signal and a second video signal from at least two capturing devices for capturing a single broadcast content item and provides the first video signal to a user terminal connected through a network using the first video signal as a signal for a main broadcast channel, and the terminal provides the identification information to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera and receives a second video signal corresponding to the identification information from the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera when selecting any one from among the capturing devices on a basis of the identification information.

[4] The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal is controlled by a remote control and is configured to request the second video signal when a command input by a viewer through the remote control corresponds to the device identifier.

[5] The terminal according to claim 4, wherein: the user terminal is connected to a display device and comprises a network interface module, when the viewer requests another video signal related to the broadcast content item from the user terminal, the user terminal provides the request to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera through the network interface module, and the network interface module switches a reception channel of the display device in response to the channel information.

[6] The terminal according to claim 5, wherein: the user terminal is a set-top box, and the set-top box switches a mode thereof to a command receive mode when a channel number transmitted from the remote control is an agreed-upon number string.

[7] The terminal according to claim 6, wherein the set-top box sequentially requests video signals, captured by other video capturing devices and required to generate the broadcast content item, from the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera depending on a number of times that a direction key placed on the remote control of the user is input, in the command receive mode.

[8] The terminal according to claim 7, wherein the agreed-upon number string is one of channel numbers corresponding to channel frequencies that cannot be received through the set-top box.

[9] A system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein: the system receives a first video signal and a second video signal through a first capturing device and a second capturing device arranged at different locations to capture a single broadcast content item, the system allocates a main broadcast channel to the first video signal for the broadcast content item and provides the main broadcast channel to a user terminal connected in a wired manner, and the system provides information about a broadcast channel allocated to the second video signal to the user terminal when the user terminal requests the second video signal while receiving the main broadcast channel.

[10] The system according to claim 9, wherein the second video signal includes one or more second video signals.

[11] A terminal having a function of providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera, wherein: the terminal receives one or more video signals from a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a first video signal and a second video signal through a first capturing device and a second capturing device arranged at different locations to capture a single broadcast content item, allocates a main broadcast channel to the first video signal for the broadcast content item, and provides the main broadcast channel to a user terminal connected in a wired manner, and the terminal transmits request information for the second video signal to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, and receives the second video signal from the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera when receiving the request information for the second video signal from a user while receiving the main broadcast channel.

[12] A system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein: the system receives a plurality of video sources generated for a single broadcast content item using a plurality of video capturing devices arranged at different locations, the system comprises: a video processing unit for encoding respective video sources to generate video signals for the video sources, allocating broadcast channels to respective video signals, and providing the video signals to a cable network; and a transmission processing unit for providing channel information about another video signal to a subscriber terminal connected through a cable when the subscriber terminal selects any one from among video signals for the broadcast content item and then requests the other video signal related to the broadcast content item, and wherein the subscriber terminal switches a reception channel frequency depending on the channel information provided by the transmission processing unit.

[13] The system according to claim 12, wherein the video processing unit includes relationship information for correspondence between respective video sources and respective video capturing devices.

[14] The system according to claim 12, wherein the video processing unit performs one of compression and scrambling on the video signal.

[15] A terminal having a function of providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera, wherein: the terminal receives video signals from a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a plurality of video sources generated for a single broadcast content item using a plurality of video capturing devices arranged at different locations and comprises a video processing unit for encoding respective video sources to generate video signals for the video sources, allocating broadcast channels to respective video signals, and providing the video signals to a cable network, the terminal is connected to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera through a cable, the terminal selects any one from among the video signals for the broadcast content item, and thereafter requests another video signal related to the broadcast content item and receives channel information about the other video signal from a transmission processing unit of the system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera, and the terminal switches a reception channel frequency depending on the channel information provided by the transmission processing unit.

[16] The terminal according to claim 15, wherein: the user terminal is connected to a display device and is provided with a network interface module, when a viewer requests another video signal related to the broadcast content item from the user terminal, the user terminal provides the request to the transmission processing unit through the network interface module, and the network interface module receives channel information about the other video signal related to the broadcast content item from the transmission processing unit, and switches a reception channel of the display device.

[17] The terminal according to claim 16, wherein the user terminal is a set-top box, the set-top box being integrated with the display device.

[18] The terminal according to claim 17, wherein: the set-top box and the transmission processing unit are connected to each other through a cable network, and the cable network is configured to transmit one of a broadcast signal and a network packet.

[19] A system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein: the system receives a plurality of video sources generated for a single broadcast content item using a plurality of video capturing devices arranged at different locations, the system comprises: a video processing unit for converting video signals provided by respective video capturing devices into a single transmission packet; and a network switch for broadcasting the transmission packet, and wherein the transmission packet includes a header area and a data area, the header area including video identifiers required to identify respective video capturing devices, the data area including video signals corresponding to the video identifiers.

[20] The system according to claim 19, wherein the data area is scrambled.

[21] The system according to claim 19, wherein: the transmission packet includes target Internet Protocol (IP) information of a transmission target node connected through a network, and is broadcasted to the transmission target node.

[22] The system according to claim 21, wherein: the transmission target node includes a router connected to at least one user terminal, and the router provides the transmission packet to a plurality of user terminals belonging to a local network.

[23] The system according to claim 19, wherein: the video processing unit includes device identifiers required to identify respective video capturing devices, and determines a sequence of arrangement of the device identifiers recorded in the header area and a sequence of recording of video signals recorded in the data area with reference to the device identifiers.

[24] A terminal having a function of providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera, wherein: the terminal receives a packet for video signals from a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, wherein the system receives a plurality of video sources, generated for a single broadcast content item using a plurality of video capturing devices arranged at different locations, and comprises a video processing unit for converting respective video signals, provided by respective video capturing devices, into a single transmission packet, the terminal provides selection information for the plurality of video capturing devices to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, the terminal includes therein a card for descrambling a scrambled data area, and the transmission packet includes a header area and a data area, the header area including video identifiers required to identify respective video capturing devices, the data area including video signals corresponding to the video identifiers.

[25] The terminal according to claim 24, wherein the user terminal is one of a personal computer in which a program for descrambling the scrambled data is installed and a personal computer in which a card for descrambling the scrambled data is installed.

[26] The terminal according to claim 24, wherein the user terminal comprises: a set-top box for descrambling the scrambled data; and a display device for playing the data descrambled by the set-top box.

[27] A method of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, the method being performed by a system for providing video from a user- selected broadcasting camera, comprising the steps of: transmitting information about at least two video capturing devices for generating video signals, constituting part or all of broadcast content, to a user terminal; receiving selection information for the video capturing devices from the user terminal; and providing video information acquired from the video capturing devices, for which the selection information is received, to the user terminal.

[28] The method according to claim 27, wherein the information about the video capturing devices includes location information, indicating locations at which the video capturing devices are placed, and identifier information, required to identify the video capturing devices.

[29] The method according to claim 27, wherein video captured by the video capturing devices is separated into video for respective video capturing devices and is then stored.

[30] The method according to claim 28, wherein: the identification information includes one or more of numerals, characters and symbols, and the reception of the selection information for the video capturing devices from the user is performed by receiving the identifier information.

[31] The method according to claim 27, wherein the provision of the video information is performed through at least one selected from among 1) a wired cable network, 2) a broadcasting network, 3) an Internet using an Internet protocol, and 4) a wireless network.

[32] The method according to claim 27, wherein the user terminal is at least one selected from among a set- top box, and an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), a digital TV, a Personal Computer (PC), and a game machine, each internally equipped with a set-top box or externally connected to a set-top box.

[33] The method according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of: receiving another piece of selection information for the video capturing devices from the user terminal; and providing video information acquired from the video capturing devices, for which the other piece of selection information is received, to the user terminal.

[34] The method according to claim 27, further comprising the step of performing an authentication procedure on the user terminal.

[35] The method according to claim 27, wherein: all video signals generated by the two or more video capturing devices are provided to the user terminal, and video acquired from the video capturing devices, for which the selection information is received from the user terminal, is any one included in all of the video signals.

[36] A method of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, the method being performed by a user terminal connected to a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera in a wired/Wireless manner, comprising the steps of: receiving information about at least two video capturing devices for generating video signals constituting part or all of broadcast content; transmitting selection information for the video capturing devices to the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera; and receiving video information acquired from the video capturing devices, for which the selection information is transmitted, from the system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera.

[37] A terminal for performing the method according to claim 36.

[38] A method of providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera, the method being performed by a user terminal connected to a system for providing video from a user-selected broadcasting camera in a wired/Wireless manner, comprising the steps of: receiving information about two or more video capturing devices for generating video signals constituting part or all of broadcast content; receiving all video generated by the two or more video capturing devices; receiving selection information for the video capturing devices from a user; and acquiring video for which the selection information is received, among all of the video. [39] A terminal for performing the method according to claim 38.