WO2011136581A2 - Method for setting up a network and an iptv receiver using same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for setting up a network for an application executed on an IPTV receiver, and the IPTV receiver using same. The method comprises: downloading an application that is executed in a declarative application environment (DAE); initiating the downloaded application; acquiring the address of a gateway connected to the IPTV receiver; requesting the connected gateway for port mapping for communication between the application and an external network; and operating the application by using the port that has been mapped pursuant to the request.

Description

Network setting method and IP receiver using the same

The present invention relates to a network setting method and an IPTV receiver using the same, and more particularly, to a network setting method for mapping a port so that an application running on the IPTV receiver can directly communicate with an external network, and an IPTV receiver for the same. will be.

Conventional broadcast receivers have received content produced by broadcasters through radio wave transmission media such as terrestrial, cable or satellite broadcasting. However, as digital-based digital broadcasting technology has been developed and commercialized in existing analog broadcasting, real-time broadcasting, contents on demand, games, and news using Internet networks connected to homes in addition to existing radio waves or wired cable media. It is now possible to provide a variety of content services to the user.

Meanwhile, a digital broadcast receiver capable of receiving a content service using an internet network, for example, an IPTV, may receive and provide various information services, video contents, and broadcasts to a user using the internet network. The Internet network may be implemented on various types of networks such as an optical cable network, a coaxial cable network, a fiber to the home (FTTH), a telephone network, and a wireless network based on an IP (Internet Protocol).

Meanwhile, in an environment in which a web browser is mounted on an IPTV, applications that access and operate a network are diversified. In some cases, these applications perform independent communications in order to install and operate. To this end, it is necessary to allocate and map communication ports to external networks. However, it may be difficult for ordinary users to set up and open the necessary communication ports at this time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for configuring a network to map ports for independent communication between an application running on an IPTV and an external network, and an IPTV receiver for the same.

A network setting method for an application executed in an IPTV receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of downloading an application executed in a Declarative Application Environment (DAE); Initializing the downloaded application; Obtaining an address of a gateway connected to the IPTV receiver; Requesting the connected gateway to map a port for communication between the application and an external network; And operating the application using the port mapped by the request.

An IPTV receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention, the network interface unit for receiving an application running in the Declarative Application Environment (DAE); And initializing the downloaded application, obtaining an address of a gateway to which the IPTV receiver is connected, requesting the connected gateway to map a port for communication between the application and an external network, and mapping the port mapped by the request. It includes a control unit for operating the application by using.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the application running on the IPTV receiver can be automatically mapped to a port so that the application can communicate independently with the external network, thereby making it easier to use the application.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the DAE application can efficiently use resources by automatically mapping and closing ports by using an API according to the present invention without the help of a specific library or software.

1 is an example of a system configuration in which an IPTV is connected to a network through a gateway and operates.

2 shows a general architecture for event notification on an IPTV receiver.

3 shows an example of a system configuration diagram in which a gateway forms a network.

4 is a flowchart of an operation in which an IPTV receiver discovers a gateway and uses a service.

5 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an access network and a home network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 illustrates an operating environment of an object according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 shows a table defining data required for a network setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 shows a table defining properties and events required in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 shows a table defining an addPortMapping function in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a sequential diagram of an addPortMapping function in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 illustrates a table in which an addAnyPortMapping function is defined in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a sequential diagram of an addAnyPortMapping function in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a table illustrating a deletePortMapping function in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

14 illustrates a table in which a deletePortMappingRange function is defined in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a sequential diagram of a deletePortMapping function in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sequential diagram of port release over time in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

17 illustrates an example of executing a network setting method using JavaScript according to an embodiment of the present invention.

18 shows a configuration of an IPTV receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a network setting method of an application and an IPTV receiver using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18.

In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may be changed according to intention or custom of a user or an operator. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

On the other hand, there are a variety of applications that operate by connecting to a network in an environment in which a web browser is installed, so that these programs can be installed and operated in IPTV. On the other hand, in order for these programs to communicate independently, each communication port needs to be opened, and this method is newly proposed in the present invention. That is, the present patent relates to a method for mapping a communication port for an application running in a web browser environment connected to a network and an IPTV receiver for the same.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. On the other hand, the IPTV receiver used in the claims may include an IPTV receiver, an Open IPTV Terminal Function (OITF), or any client device or device on which an application can be installed and executed in the present specification. As an example of an application used, a DAE application is illustrated herein. In addition, the network setting method used in the claims may include a series of operations for performing port mapping on the IPTV receiver and releasing or deleting the mapped port.

1 is an example of a system configuration in which an IPTV is connected to a network through a gateway and operates. In addition, FIG. 1 may describe an environment in which an IPTV may operate. Most IPTV service providers provide private gateways (20, ADSL modems, etc.) in their homes to provide IPTV services reliably. In addition, as an additional service, a user may selectively provide a telephone service. The gateway 20 should provide functions to control these services so that the services subscribed to by the user work well. In particular, IPTV should transmit a large amount of multimedia streams, and PCs should also be responsible for data transmission to access the Internet.

Recently, since various digital devices may be complicatedly connected to users' homes, it may be difficult for a service provider to manage a rental or a gateway purchased from a service provider at a service provider. Since all kinds of devices that can access the network in the home network are connected and operated, the user is allowed to directly access the gateway and change the configuration of the gateway so that communication devices can access the Internet. In most cases, IPTV service providers operate with default operating values set to work well in such complex environments. The reason is that it can be hard for the user to change the difficult settings by accessing the Gateway. If the wrong setting is made by mistake, the existing IPTV service may not work. have. As such, the gateway configuration consists of important values for network access, and only users with considerable knowledge can perform this complicated operation due to the procedure of accessing a specific gateway address using a PC and entering a password. Do. These points may cause inconvenience to another user.

In particular, applications connected to a network operate with different communication ports, and in order to access an application program from another network or a server, it is frequently necessary to open a communication port that has been blocked from access by security. Can happen. At this time, it is not a big deal for users to remember and set communication ports every time an application is executed and terminated, and it may be a burden on users.

Referring to FIG. 1, an IPTV receiver is connected to a network using a gateway 20 to access a consumer manufacturer, a content provider, and a network service provider. A consumer manufacturer and a content provider may play a role of providing a product, content, or an IPTV service to a user. The network service provider may provide a network to the gateway 20, a consumer manufacturer, and a content provider to connect them with each other.

The network may be a wired or wireless wide area network, an access network, and a backbone network.

The IPTV receiver 10 is a device for receiving an IPTV service through a network and outputting it to the display 30. The IPTV receiver 10 may be configured as an IPTV terminal function (ITF) or an open IPTV terminal function (OITF). set top box), a PC, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, and the like. In FIG. 1, the IPTV receiver 10 and the display 30 are configured independently, but the IPTV receiver 10 may be embedded in the display 30. In this specification, an IPTV receiver is described for an OITF, a hybrid IPTV receiver, and an ITF.

The gateway 20 performs a function of connecting the IPTV receiver 10 to a network, and may include a DSL modem, a cable modem, a router, and a wireless access point. The gateway 20 may be provided by an IPTV service provider or a network service provider and control communication so that an IPTV or internet service that a user subscribes to can operate well. In particular, the IPTV receiver may control a communication port, a data transmission speed, and a usage amount so that a large capacity multimedia stream can be smoothly transmitted and data transmitted.

Meanwhile, unlike FIG. 1, a home network may be formed by other digital home appliances other than the IPTV receiver 10 connected to the network by additionally connecting to the gateway 20. When the gateway 20 is used by general purpose devices, there is a limit in managing by the service provider who provided the gateway 20. That is, since many kinds of devices accessing the home network formed by the gateway 20 must be connected and operated, users can directly operate the gateway 20 so that other home appliances can access the Internet. It is necessary to change the setting of the gateway 20 to be able to do so. In this case, IPTV service providers generally set and operate the gateway 20 as a default setting value so that the gateway 20 can smoothly perform a function even in such a complicated environment.

On the other hand, it may be difficult for a general user to access the gateway 20 and change difficult settings. This is because even when the gateway 20 is misconfigured, even the IPTV service smoothly provided may not operate. As described above, the configuration of the gateway 20 is essential for network use, and complicated procedures such as inputting the gateway address and password using a PC or the like are required. There is an inconvenience that can be performed smoothly.

In addition, an application operating by connecting to a network on an IPTV needs to use a communication port independently. In order for an external server to access a corresponding application on an IPTV through an external wide area network (WAN), the gateway 20 is blocked for security reasons. Communication port must be open. However, setting and disabling communication put every time an application is used is difficult and cumbersome for the general user.

2 shows a general architecture for event notification on an IPTV receiver. Referring to FIG. 2, as defined in CED-2014-A, a DAE application is operating on a Declarative Application Environment (DAE) as an application that communicates with a remote UI server.

In the case of an Internet domain, the remote UI server may be an IPTV service provider or a third Internet server. The third Internet server may be a network service provider or application developer or provider of applications. In addition, in the case of a home network domain, the remote UI server may be any device in a home network such as a WAN gateway, an application gateway, or an IMS gateway.

Open IPTV Terminal Function (OITF) may represent an IPTV receiver. The OITF is a Remote UI Client, and can transmit and receive data with, for example, an HTTP protocol with a remote UI server at a remote location. In addition, when the event occurs, the remote UI server sends a notification to the remote UI client to inform the user of the change. OITF has a built-in User Input Handler that can receive input signals from the user's remote controller to the DAE application by local script binding. That is, notification of all data transmissions and events can be delivered to and processed by the DAE application.

Declarative Application Environment (DAE) is a web browser environment in IPTV, that is, an embedded web browser and its execution environment. DAE is middleware that is embedded in IPTV and refers to an environment that can run and run applications made with XHTML and JavaScript.

In addition, the DAE is a typical network communication program that attempts to communicate externally using the HTTP protocol, and applications such as CE-HTML, ECMA Script, HTML, or JavaScript programs can operate. In other words, any document or script that is played and executed in a DAE can be referred to as an application. These applications can be downloaded to the DAE from the network and run on IPTV. In addition, in the execution of an application, a communication port may need to be opened at the gateway for independent communication when necessary. In this case, the DAE has no built-in capability to open the communication port itself.

Hereinafter, an event transmission and reception structure in a DAE environment will be described.

The transmission and reception of events generated when the DAE application is active is transmitted and received in an in-session notification method. In-session notification is a way in which the UI can be dynamically dynamically exchanged without reloading the XHTML page between the remote UI server and the IPTV receiver, using a NotifiSocket object or an XMLHttpRequest object. The NotifiSocket object creates a persistent TCP connection between the DAE application and the remote UI server to send and receive real-time events. The XMLHttpRequest object allows you to create an independent HTTP connection channel to support XML updates between your DAE application and a remote UI server. In the case of in-session notification, the Event Notification Handler runs on the DAE.

Meanwhile, transmission and reception of an event generated when the DAE application is inactive may be transmitted and received by a third party notification method. The third notification can be utilized when the remote UI server broadcasts an important message, such as an emergency alert message. In the case of the third notification, a third party notification handler may be operated in the DAE. When receiving the event, the third notification hamler may launch / invoke a new DAE application to retrieve and present the UI content using the URL included in the received event message.

Event information on the IPTV receiver can be delivered by binding a local script (local script or home network control script).

That is, FIG. 2 illustrates a signal flow for event notification between a remote UI server and an IPTV receiver on a home network domain or an Internet domain such as a wide area network (WAN) or an access network. The notification of the event is transmitted and received through the gateway. In addition, the gateway can handle not only IPTV-related data transmission but also non-real-time data requested by a PC. In other words, the gateway connects devices in the home network to the Internet and plays an important role in delivering IPTV services.

The IPTV receiver may receive events such as UI updates or transmission and reception of information from a server on the external Internet or from a device in a home network. If the event occurs on the remote controller of the IPTV receiver itself, the UI handler recognizes it and forwards it to the DAE application, and the event is delivered to the remote UI server by way of in-session notification or third-party notification, depending on whether the DAE application is active. Can be. Similarly, when an event occurs at a remote UI server, it may be delivered to the DAE application in the manner of an in-session notification or a third notification.

The DAE may be middleware serving as an embedded web browser environment or an application execution environment in which an application may access and operate on a network on an IPTV receiver. In DAE, applications such as HTML or Javascript documents or programs can run. In addition, applications such as all documents or scripts downloaded and executed in the DAE are collectively referred to as DAE applications. Referring to FIG. 2, a DAE application, a UI handler, an event notification handler, and a third party notification handler operate on a DAE of an IPTV receiver.

DAE application is an application that can communicate with a remote UI server using XHTML protocol and can be downloaded to DAE for operation and execution on DAE.It is composed of CE-HTML (Consumer Electronics HTML), ECMA Script, CSS, HTML, SVG, It may be a script, a game, a communication program, a mail program, a web browser. Meanwhile, an event generated while the DAE application is executed or an event generated when the DAE application is not executed may be transmitted and received through a predetermined communication channel as described above. That is, in order for DAE application to operate, it is necessary to open the necessary communication port on the gateway for independent communication with the remote UI server. When the port mapping is required for the communication of the DAE application running in the IPTV receiver, the present invention can provide an API supporting this.

3 shows an example of a system configuration diagram in which a gateway forms a network. Referring to FIG. 3, a gateway connects a home network and an access network so that an IPTV application server and an IPTV receiver can communicate.

An access network is a dedicated network provided for subscribers by an IPTV service or an Internet service provider, and may be connected to a wide area network (not shown, WAM) or a public network (not shown), and the access network itself is a wide area network or a public network. It can also be configured.

The home network may be configured as a local area network or a local area network connected to an IPTV receiver and various devices capable of accessing and communicating with the network. A home network can be a network that binds together nearby areas within a home, office, or school. The home network may be formed by a gateway provided in the corresponding communication network (Home Network Configuration). Referring to FIG. 3, a home network is formed on the right side of the gateway. This home network area may mean a communication network in a home, and various communication devices and communicable devices may be connected through the home network area. In particular, in the case of an IPTV receiver, it is necessary to connect directly to a gateway to perform communication. In addition, a home network can be connected to a PC to use the Internet.

The gateway performs network setup to allow IPTV receivers and devices in the home network to connect to the network. This is a provisioning phase, which includes a configuration where an IP address is assigned for communication with an external access network. In addition, the gateway may also be assigned a server address of a DNS (Domain Name Service) required for communication. In this way, an IP address or the like can be set, or a user can set basic settings for performing communication. However, all kinds of communication can not be freely performed by being assigned an IP address.

In addition to the network configuration described above, the gateway may also perform a firewall function, which is a function for defending the home network from external unauthorized or unsolicited connection attempts. The firewall prevents external access to designated communication ports to provide only safe and reliable services to users. Specifically, the firewall allows the connection to be rejected when a connection request is received from a specific IP address or group of IP addresses.

On the other hand, a security function of a gateway, such as a firewall, may be inconvenient for using an application. As described above, since the DAE application needs to communicate by opening a specific communication port in order to perform independent communication with an external server, in this case, the user must identify the firewall status and release the setting. Accordingly, the user's home network environment is becoming more complicated, and connected devices are becoming more diverse. Therefore, for the safe and flexible management of the home network, it is necessary to manage and control the gateway such as port setting and blocking.

 In addition, the gateway may prioritize the flow of data transmitted through the gateway or perform a quality of service (QoS) to guarantee data transmission performance. In addition, the gateway may also provide a Notification Service such as the event notification described with reference to FIG. 2.

4 is a flowchart of an operation in which an IPTV receiver discovers a gateway and uses a service. Gateway discovery, illustrated in FIG. 4, may be performed by creating an application / oipfGatewayInfo object that is an object of a gateway class and calling a predefined function.

In step S11, the IPTV receiver transmits a discovery request of the gateway. In this case, the IPTV receiver may call functions such as onDiscoverIG, onDiscoverAG, and onDiscoverCSPG to call discovery events of an IP Multimedia Subsystem Gateway (IG), an Application Gateway (AG), and a Content and Service Protection Gateway (CSPG). In addition, the IPTV receiver may call a function such as onDiscoverWG to call a discovery event of a WAN gateway (WG).

In step S12, the gateway corresponding to the discovery request transmits a response message. At this time, the service description information of the gateway may be transmitted together. The gateway service description information of the gateway may include, for example, a property indicating the URL information of the WG, such as wgURL, or information on functions supported by the WG, such as isWANDiscovered (). The properties and functions of the WG will be described later.

In step S13, the IPTV receiver may subscribe to any one of the service description information of the gateway received in step S12.

In step S14, the gateway may transmit information about the subscribed service, for example, an event notification. The UPnP function may be used to transmit and receive events between the gateway and the IPTV receiver.

The above-described discovery process of the gateway may be performed before the DAE application is initialized. When the discovery of the gateway is completed, the DAE application may perform communication such as requesting port mapping to the gateway using the received gateway service description information.

5 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an access network and a home network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the home network 1 and the home network 2 are connected to an external access network through the gateway 1 and the gateway 2.

An access network may be a public network, a wide area network (WAN), or a dedicated network provided by a network provider. The access network is a network distinct from the home network, and is used to communicate with devices of an external application server or another home network. It may include all general purpose communication networks. In this specification, an access network, a broadband communication network, and a public network are collectively described as external networks.

A home network is a local area network in a nearby area such as a home, office, or school, and may include a local area network (LAN) and a private network. In the present specification, a home network refers to a local area network including an IPTV receiver and devices connected by one gateway, which will be collectively described as a home network.

The server may be an application server for communicating DAE applications running on an IPTV receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server may communicate by assigning a public IP address (Public IP Address or External IP Address) only to a specific gateway in order to effectively configure their network. This is because the IP address is finite and cannot be assigned to all other devices in the user's home network. This assignment of IP addresses only to gateways provides a security advantage and can be used to communicate with specific gateways from external networks.

However, since IPTV receivers and devices in a home network formed by a specific gateway are not assigned separate public IP addresses, there is a difficulty in direct communication with an external network. When the gateway receives a communication request between devices in the home network from the external network or vice versa, the gateway temporarily assigns a private IP address to the device to enable communication. Once a private IP address is assigned, devices in the home network can use this address to communicate between devices in the home network, but not outside the home network because it is not a public IP address. This is because private IP addresses are invalid addresses.

That is, the gateway manages a private IP address in the home network, and the server manages a public IP address of the gateway, so that communication between the external network and the home network can be smoothly performed through the gateway.

 For example, when one of the devices in the home network communicates with the external network, the gateway converts the private IP address of the device into a public IP address and converts the internal port to which the device is connected to the external port to convert the data into the external network. To be transmitted. In contrast, when data from a specific external network is transmitted to a gateway, data packets designated to a specific external port may be converted into a private IP address of a device in the home network and transmitted. This allows devices with private IP addresses to communicate with the external network.

Similarly, in order for an application running on a device in an home network and an IPTV receiver to communicate with an external network, a communication port and an allocated private IP address used by the application need to be set and managed. However, no data structure or the like regarding the interface required for such setting is defined. In the present invention, the DAE application running on the IPTV receiver and other devices of the home network can provide an API for network configuration.

6 illustrates an operating environment of an object according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, an operating system (OS) is running on hardware (H / W) such as an IPTV receiver, and a DAE equipped with a DAE Supported Package is operating on the operating system. The DAE Supported Package contains the resources required by the DAE, includes the resources to communicate with the gateway using Universal Plug and Play modules, and must be supported under the DAE module. In addition, the functions required by the DAE can be included in the DAE Supported Package.

The DAE is an environment in which DAE applications can run. It can discover gateways and create oipfGatewayInfo objects, which are objects of the gateway class. In addition, when a request for port mapping, which will be described later, is received from the DAE application, it may communicate with the gateway using the UPnP function.

As described above, the DAE application is an application downloaded and executed in the DAE and may communicate with the application server using JavaScript or CE-HTML (Consumer Electronics-HTML) protocol.

7 shows a table defining data required for a network setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, attribute, unit, and description information of data required for a network setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

The ID is identification information of the port mapping set by the gateway, and the identification information of the port mapping may be generated by assigning numbers in sequence or arbitrarily when the gateway performs port mapping.

The Remote IP Address is an IP address of an external server or device to be selectively connected through an external network, and represents a public IP address. For example, when a DAE application wants to communicate only with an application server, it may mean a public IP address of the application server. In addition, when the DAE application wants to communicate only with an IPTV receiver or a home appliance connected in another home network, the DAE application may indicate a public IP address of the IPTV receiver and the home appliance. According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a DAE application configures a remote IP address when port mapping, the DAE application may allow access only from a server or a device corresponding to the remote IP address. On the other hand, when the DAE application does not set the RemoteIPAddress at the time of port mapping or sets it to "255.255.255.255", it can allow access from all servers and devices from the external network.

External port refers to a port number for communicating with a designated server or device in an external network. That is, an external port refers to a port that enters a gate from an external network.

Start Number Of External Port refers to the start number of the external port among the ports of the gateway.

The end number of the external port refers to the end number of the external port among the ports of the gateway.

If a port mapping request is received from the DAE application while the gateway recognizes the start and end numbers of the external port, an error is returned if the requested external port is out of the range of the start and end numbers.

The internal IP address means a private IP address of an IPTV receiver or device connected to a home network. Internal IP addresses are not recognized on the external network, but only on the gateways that make up the home network. The internal IP address may include the private IP address described above.

Internal Port refers to the internal port used by an IPTV receiver or device equipped with a DAE application. When the DAE application requests port mapping, the internal port may be inputted and requested, but if not, the same port number as the external port may be set.

The start number of internal ports refers to the start number of internal ports among the ports of the gateway.

End number of internal port means the end number of the internal port among the ports of the gateway.

Protocol refers to a communication protocol type used when using a port mapped port. For example, '0' can be set for TCP and '1' for UDP.

Lifetime represents time information about the retention time of the port mapping. Since the ports of the gateway are finite, maintaining port mapping continuously can be inefficient in terms of the use of gateway resources. According to the present invention, the application sets the life time at the request of the port mapping so that the port mapping is released when the corresponding lifetime is reached, thereby effectively utilizing the port. Meanwhile, although the unit of the life time is illustrated as DateTime in FIG. 7, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the unit of life time may be set to a time unit such as hours, minute, or seconds.

The service name may mean the name of the DAE application or service that requested port mapping.

8 shows a table defining properties and events required in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Properties and events illustrated in FIG. 8 may be information supported and used in an oipfGatewayInfo object according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the oipfGatewayInfo object may be created before the DAE application is initialized, and may perform a function of initiating an accessible gateway and collecting gateway information. In addition, when a DAE application requests port mapping, it allows the oipfGatewayInfo object to call the necessary functions.

On the other hand, in the network configuration method according to the present invention, the gateway that is requested for port mapping is a WAN gateway. Since the DAE mounted in the IPTV receiver supports UPnP, the WAN gateway may be a gateway provided with at least UPnP function.

The wgURL property may indicate the URL address of the WAN gateway found by the gateway discovery request.

The isWGDiscovered property is a property indicating whether a WAN gateway has been discovered and may include a value of true or false.

Meanwhile, as an event used in the present invention, an 'onDiscoverWG' event may be included. onDiscoverWG indicates the Notification event that the DAE invokes when the WAN Gateway is found as UPnP. When the event is called from the DAE, the DAE application can identify it and request port mapping from the WAN gateway.

On the other hand, the properties, functions, and events described in FIG. 8 are not limited to the scope of the present invention by their names as long as the operation is common.

9 shows a table defining an addPortMapping function in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The addPortMapping function is a function called to request a port mapping for a specific external port to a WAN gateway in order for a DAE application to communicate directly with a server of an external network. The addPortMapping function is the service name of the application (serviceName), the server address of the external network to connect to (remoteIPAddress), the external port number to map (externalPort), the internal IP address of the device running the DAE application or the IPTV receiver (internalIPAddress). The internal port number (internalPort), the protocol used, and the lifetime that the DAE application intends to use may be input as an argument. If the port mapping to the input external port is successful, '0' is returned. Otherwise, as shown in FIG. 9, another result may be returned.

FIG. 10 is a sequential diagram of the addPortMapping function of FIG. 9 in the network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server illustrated in FIG. 10 may be a server for providing a DAE application executed in an IPTV receiver. The gateway may be a WAN gateway provided with UPnP function to communicate with the DAE supporting the DAE Supported Package. The DAE may be an environment in which the DAE application is executed in the IPTV receiver. Hereinafter, a flowchart of an operation in which the addPortMapping function is called will be described.

1. The DAE requests a DAE application from the server. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the DAE application request may be requested by an event handler after detecting an event generated in a user interface such as a remote controller.

For example, a specific application is listed in an application information table (AIT) while watching a channel of a specific broadcaster on an IPTV, and a user selects a specific application in a list through a remote controller as an example. In this case, the IPTV receiver may access the application server and request an application through URL information of the application server included in the UI of the selected application.

2. The server sends the requested DAE application to the IPTV receiver for download to the DAE. When downloading the DAE application, resources necessary for executing the application may be transmitted using the HTTP protocol.

3. The DAE application runs on the DAE.

4. The DAE application is initialized. The application may be initiated or started by a user interface on the IPTV receiver. For example, when the user selects the start of the downloaded application. At this time, the DAE can execute the downloaded application by creating an application object of the application class and calling the application.createapplication () function.

5.-7. Discovery and notification of the gateway may be executed before the DAE application is executed and initialized, or while the DAE application is running. At this time, if the IPTV receiver discovers the WAN gateway and obtains the WAN URL, the onDiscoverWG event may be called. In addition, when the WAN gateway is turned off and on, the WAN gateway may be found and the onDiscoverWG event may be called. In this case, the URL of the WAN gateway may be updated.

8. The DAE application may recognize the discovery of the WAN Gatewa and obtain the WAN URL.

9. The DAE application requests the port mapping from the gateway using the obtained WAN URL.

10. The addPortMapping () function can be called to request port mapping. The addPortMapping () function performs a function of requesting firewall release and port mapping of an external port when a specific external port is input as an argument so that a DAE application can directly communicate with a server and a device on the external network. That is, the IPTV receiver transmits at least one of identification information of an application, address information of an external server or device to be connected, external port information, internal port information, a protocol type, and a lifetime of the external port to the gateway, thereby mapping the port. You can request

11. and 12. When the addPortMapping () function is called, the DAE requests UPnP port mapping for the external port number entered as an argument to the gateway using UPnP.

13. The gateway opens the port to perform a firewall release or port mapping to the requested external port. If the requested external port is in use, an error (Conflict in Port Mapping) is returned.

14. If the port mapping succeeds, the gateway accepts the mapping of the requested external port.

15. The DAE receives the results of the port mapping.

16. The DAE application receives, for example, '0' as a result indicating that the port mapping was successful.

17. The DAE application starts the application using the external port assigned by the port mapping. That is, the IPTV receiver can operate the DAE application, and can access the external network through the port mapped by the request to operate the application.

18. A DAE application can request the DAE to open a server socket. The server socket may mean an endpoint for a DAE application to perform bidirectional communication between an external server, an application, or a device, and operate as a server with respect to the external application or device. When a server socket is created in the DAE, the DAE application of the IPTV receiver may exchange data with an external application or the like through the server socket.

19. The DAE creates a server socket and returns 'OK'.

20. The DAE application may send information about the external port allocated by the port mapping to the application server. In this way, the application server and the DAE application can communicate directly.

21. The DAE application may also request the application server to inform other DAE application clients of the information about the external port assigned by the port mapping. When the application server informs the DAE application of the other device of the external port according to the request, the DAE application of the other device and the DAE application of the IPTV receiver can communicate directly without relaying the application.

The operations of 18. and 19. and the operations of 20. and 21 are not limited to the order illustrated in FIG. 10 and may be performed simultaneously or vice versa.

In addition, other operations illustrated in FIG. 10 may be performed differently from the numbers, and the order is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, when the mapping to the requested external port is not successful as described above, for example, if the input external port is already in use or does not exist, it is necessary to request the port mapping to another external port. In this case, the operation time of the DAE application becomes long.

In order to solve this problem, the addAnyPortMapping function that searches for and dynamically maps an external portable port is described.

11 illustrates a table in which an addAnyPortMapping function is defined in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The addAnyPortMapping function is a function that a DAE application calls to request a WAN gateway to port mapping for a specific external port and any false port in order to communicate directly with a server of an external network. On the other hand, unlike the addPortMapping function described above, if the external port inputted as an argument can be mapped, the corresponding external port number is returned as a result value. If the external port is not mapped, the dynamic port is searched and used for the external port. Port mapping function. The addAnyPortMapping function is the service name (serviceName) of the application, the server address (remoteIPAddress) of the external network to communicate with, the external port number (externalPort) to be mapped, the internal IP address of the device running the DAE application or the IPTV receiver (internalIPAddress). For example, the internal port number (internalPort), the protocol used, and the lifetime, which the DAE application intends to use, may be input as parameters. If the port mapping to the external port is successful, the external port value is returned. If the external port is mapped to another external port because the input external port is in use, the new external port number is returned. If the mapping is not successful, other results can be returned in the same manner as the addPortMapping function.

The addAnyPortMapping function has the same arguments as compared to the addPortMapping function, but as described above, there are some differences in the result values.

On the other hand, DAE applications that use ports mapped by addAnyPortMapping will have to be built to use arbitrary external ports. For example, the addAnyPortMapping function is left out for programs that use ports determined by international standards such as "telnet (23)" and "ftp (21)."

Likewise, the operations of 20. and 21. and the operations of 22. and 23 illustrated in FIG. 12 are not limited to the order shown and may be performed simultaneously or vice versa.

In addition, other operations illustrated in FIG. 12 may be performed differently from the numbers, and the order is not limited thereto.

12 is a sequential diagram of the addAnyPortMapping function of FIG. 11 in the network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Of the operations shown in FIG. 12, descriptions of operations of 1. to 9., operations of 11. to 12, and descriptions of 16. to 23. are the same as those of FIG.

10. The DAE application calls the addAnyPortMapping function. The call to the addAnyPortMapping function may be called for the first time when starting an application, but as described above, it may be called when the port mapping by addPortMapping fails.

13. If the gateway receives a request for port mapping, it determines whether the external port entered is available, for example, an external port already in use or existing.

14. If the input external port is not allowed to map, search the available port.

15. If an available external port is found, open the port.

As described above, using an external port assigned by the addAnyPortMapping function, a DAE application on an IPTV receiver can communicate directly with an application server or other DAE application. The direct communication scheme may vary depending on the application and protocol type, and a description thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, even if the external port is mapped by the port mapping function described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, when the execution of the DAE application is terminated, the corresponding port needs to be recovered. That is, the functions of addPortMapping and addAnyPortMapping need to be used while the DAE application is running and deleted when the last DAE application terminates. Next, the operation of the function for releasing the mapped external port will be described.

FIG. 13 is a table illustrating a deletePortMapping function in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Referring to FIG. 13, the deletePortMapping function is a function for releasing a mapped port. When a remote IP address, an external port, and a protocol are input as arguments, the mapping of the input external port is closed. Function. The protocol is optional. If no protocol is input, the port is closed in a batch regardless. Returns a value based on the success of closing the port mapping.

Closing the port mapping may be necessary when the DAE application is terminated or stopped, or when the lifetime of the external port set at the time of port mapping elapses.

On the other hand, in addition to closing the mapping of a specific external port as shown in Figure 13 it is necessary to collectively close the external port of a predetermined range. That is, it is described in FIG. 14 as a function for closing the mapping of the external port of the predetermined range.

14 illustrates a table in which a deletePortMappingRange function is defined in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 14, the deletePortMappingRange function is a function for releasing a mapped port. The deletePortMappingRange function arguments a remote IP address (remoteIPAddress), an external port start number (startOfExternalPort), an external port end number (endOfExternalPort), and a protocol (prootocol). As a function, it closes the mapping of the input external port. The input and return values of the deletePortMapping function are the same except that the start and end numbers of the external port are entered as arguments.

15 is a sequential diagram of a deletePortMapping function in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention. 15 illustrates an operation of releasing port mapping when the DAE application is terminated or stopped.

1. Command the operation termination of the DAE application.

2. The DAE application terminates the program.

In addition, the DAE application may request the DAE to close the server socket generated by the port mapping described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 10. The DAE can close the server socket opened by port mapping and send OK to the DAE application.

3. The DAE application calls the deletePortMapping () function.

4. The DAE instructs the gateway to unmap the port using UPnP.

5. A request to release the port mapping is sent to the gateway.

6. The gateway performs the release of the port.

7. and 8. The result of the release of the port mapping is sent to the DAE.

9. Once the DAE application receives the port unmapped result,

10. The DAE application exits from the DAE.

In the above, the release operation of the port mapping by calling the deletePortMapping function has been described. On the other hand, the operation by the call to the deletePortMappingRange function is similar to that in Figure 15 except for calling the deletePortMappingRange function in step 3. A description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a sequential diagram of port release over time in a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1. The gateway searches for whether the corresponding port mapping has elapsed using the life time input at the time of port mapping. Whether or not the life time has elapsed may be periodically detected.

2. If the lifetime has elapsed, the gateway releases or deletes the corresponding port mapping.

17 illustrates an example of executing a network setting method using JavaScript according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 17, an embodiment in which a DAE application performs a port mapping by calling a function defined according to a network configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented.

First, in order to independently communicate with a server or a device of an external network in a DAE application, a remote IP address, an external port, an internal IP address, an internal port, an internal port, and a protocol type ( protocol) is being input. The value of each argument can be obtained by the DAE application.

Next, create an oipfGatewayInfo object as an object of the gateway class, and call the allocatePortMapping function. The allocatePortMapping function is an external port, internal IP address, and internal port as an argument. The addPortMapping function and the addAnyPortMapping function are called in this function to perform port mapping. .

As illustrated in FIG. 17, port mapping may be performed by indirectly calling a function according to the present invention in allocatePortMapping, but is not limited thereto. The addPortMapping function and the addAnyPortMapping function may be directly called.

On the other hand, when the result value 'iReturn' by the addPortMapping function is not '0', that is, when the port mapping is not successful, the addAnyPortMapping function is called so that an arbitrary port is allowed to be mapped. It is becoming. After that, the newly mapped external port is added as newExternalPort by addAnyPortMapping function and assigned to externalPort property. Therefore, the newly mapped external port information is implemented to be recognized by the DAE application.

Also, after port mapping, the port is reclaimed by calling deletePortMapping function.

18 shows a block diagram of the function of an IPTV receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 18, the IPTV receiver 600 includes a frontend 610, a network transport 620, a service access 630, an inactive / active storage system (Volatile / Non). -Volatile Storage System (640), Program System Information Decoder (643), Authentication (DRM / CP / CAS) 650, DVR Engine (660), Embeded DBMS / Filesystem ( 670, a receiver entity (Hybrid / IPTV / OITF HNED Subsyste) 680, and an application (OITF / HNED Application (s)) 690 may include an entity performing a function.

In addition, the IPTV receiver 600 may be connected to an RF transmitter 692 such as an antenna and a cable headend system to receive data transmitted through RF.

In addition, the IPTV receiver 600 may communicate with the WAN gateway 700 using the HNI-DM interface.

The frontend 610 may include an RF interface for tuning the RF and receiving the selected MPEG2 transport stream. The RF interface is optional for Hybrid IPTV.

Also, the front end may include a network interface. The network interface performs a function of the network interface unit of the IPTV receiver according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the network interface transmits and receives IP packets between the physical layer and the data link layer. In addition, the network interface according to an embodiment of the present invention may be downloaded from an IPTV receiver and receive a DAE application running in a Declarative Application Environment (DAE). In addition, when an external port is allocated by a request for port mapping of an application, the network interface may notify the server and the device of the external network of the allocated port information.

In addition, the network interface may receive an application executed in a Declarative Application Environment (DAE), and may receive at least one of a request result of the port mapping and information on the mapped port.

The network transport 620 may include a TCP / IP manager involved in packet forwarding from the source to the destination for the packets transmitted and received from the IPTV receiver 600.

In addition, the network transport 650 may perform a QoS & Bandwidthe Control function that performs a function of guaranteeing the quality of service of the IPTV. The QoS & Bandwidthe Control feature can allocate bandwidth for each service in a balanced way. The allocated band may be controlled by a service provider or automatically by the receiver itself or by a user. The allocated band can be managed by the IPTV application or service provider. That is, the function performs the function of denying unauthorized access.

In addition, the network transport 650 may perform a service protection function. In particular, it may provide security of end-to-end communication and protect a logical link or a physical link to a service provider or another client device.

The service access 630 performs a service discovery manager (not shown), a metadata manager (not shown), and a service and session control management (not shown) function. can do.

The service discovery manager performs discovery of IPTV services through a bidirectional IP network. That is, all information for the selected service can be provided. The service discovery manager may manage P2P provider information and P2P tracker access information. The service discovery manager can provide IGMP, HCDP and SIP protocol stacks and discover services.

The metadata manager can parse XML documents and manage XML data with embedded databases, or store them as XML elements in a file system.

Service and session control managers select and control services and manage sessions such as live and VOD services using IGMP or RTSP protocols. For example, IMS and SIP protocols can be used to manage and initiate sessions through an IMS gateway. In addition, the RTSP protocol can be used to control delivery of broadcast TV and audio, as well as on demand delivery. The RTSP protocol uses persistent TCP connection and allows trick mode control in real time media streaming.

The service delivery manager is responsible for controlling the received service data. The service delivery manager handles real-time streaming data and downloads content. For example, when the service delivery manager controls real time streaming data, the RTP / RTCP protocol may be used. When real-time streaming data is transmitted using RTP and protocol, the service delivery manager can parse the received data packet according to RTP and transmit it to the demultiplexer or store it in the content database under the control of the service manager. have. The service delivery manager also feeds back network reception information to the server side using RTCP. The user can control the IP streaming protocol to support trick play for VOD or live media broadcast MPEG-2 transport packets to be sent directly by UDP without RTP. The HTTP or FLUTE protocol can be used as the delivery protocol for downloading of the content.

The service delivery manager may receive the content from the content database for later consumption. The service delivery manager can retrieve and deliver content requested by the user from other peers or CDNs.

The inactive / active storage system (Volatile / Non-Volatile Storage System) 640 may include a content database (Content DB) and metadata and SI database (Metadata & SI DB). The content database (Content DB) is a database that stores the content delivered by the content download system or recorded from the live media TV. The metadata and SI database is a database that stores metadata and service discovery information related to a service.

The Program System Information Decoder 643 sets the PID for the PSI table and sends the PSIP / DVB-SI table to the demux to send the PSI and (PSI and / or DVB-) transmitted to the demux. Decode the private section of the SI. The decoding result can be used for de-multiplex input transport packets (eg, set audio and video PID to demux).

The authentication manager (DRM / CP / CAS) 650 requests the metadata manager to store encryption keys and content licenses coming from a license issuer. The manager can control a descrambler block to decode the encrypted content from the demux block. The authentication manager manages both downloaded content and live media streams protected by content protection technology. The authentication manager may control the lifetime of content and live media streams downloaded to the receiver. The authentication manager can support the bypass mode to pass the MPEG decoder.

The DVR Engine 660 records and plays live streaming content, collects all the necessary metadata of the recorded content, and adds additional information for a better user experience, such as thumbnail images or indexes. Create

The Embeded DBMS / Filesystem 670 manages electronic program schedule data, XML elements, and manageable data.

The receiver subsystem (Hybrid / IPTV / OITF HNED Subsyste) 680 includes a system decoder, demux, IEEE1394, video decoder, copy protection, and USB host. host, 2D / 3D graphic processor, video display processor, RS-232, audio decoder, HDMI / HDCP, IR receiver and external input / output ( External I / O) may be included.

A system decoder decodes an MPEG-2 transport packet (TS Packer) and copies an elementary packet into a predefined volatile memory area.

Demux de-multiplexes the audio, video, and PSI tables from the input transport packets and controls demultiplexing the PSI tables by the PSI decoder. When the demux selects the PSI table to decode and sends to the PSI decoder, the receiver controls the demultiplexing for the audio / video transport packet.

The IEEE1394 manager supports the interfaces of IEEE1394 devices.

A video decoder decodes video elementary stream packets.

An audio decoder decodes audio elementary stream packets.

Copy protection manager supports AES, DES and other scrambling and descrambling algorithms. In this case, the encryption key and the decryption key must be provided by another entity in the system.

Provides a USB interface to a USB host, user or system engineer.

A 2D / 3D graphic processor manages various surfaces / planes to display captions, UI applications, and controls OSD and 2D graphics data. You can also create 3D data on a graphic display plane.

The video display processor processes the video filter on all or all video screens selected by the user. The video display processor may access the video frame buffer memory to adjust the video or still picture.

RS-232 Manager, supports RS-232 interface to PC compatible system

HDMI / HDCP Manager, supports HDMI output and supports HDCP protection.

The IR receiver receives and demodulates the IR signal from the remote controller and analyzes which remote keys have been pressed. The receiver delivers a message suitable for the remote key to the UI application and drops if there is no corresponding remote mode.

External I / O controls the flow of I / O and blocks or filters packets from other entities or internal blocks.

The application (OITF / HNED Application (s)) 690 is an EPG / BCG, UI application, OICD Application, Remote Management Client, Internet-TV Content Delivery Application, Firmware Upgrade Client, Event handler, Embedded Web Browser, RF Transmitter, It can include an IMS Gateway / DNG entity.

The EPG / BCG may display an Electronic Program Guide and a Broadcast Content Guide and collect XML data and content information from a metadata manager or an embedded database.

The UI application supports a graphical user interface on the screen, receives a user key from a remote controller or front panel, and manages the state of the entire TV system.

OICD Application delivers P2P downloadable content via Internet connection.

The Remote Management Client allows a user to control a local application or system entity.

The Internet TV Content Delivery Application may connect a CDN or peer system that the Internet TV can receive. The user can manage the Internet TV content delivery application on the receiver, control the Internet TV service such as download content, or control the storage for the Internet TV service.

The Firmware Upgrade Client discovers the latest firmware and notifies the user, and upgrades the firmware if the user allows notification from the manufacturer or service provider.

Event handlers manage events and messages from service providers and determine where and which events are sent.

Embedded Web Browsers allow the opening of Internet content on screens.

Meanwhile, the functions of the control unit of the IPTV receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention may include some functions of the front end 610 in FIG. 18, the network transport 620, the service access 630, and the DRM / CA / CAS 650. ), And may be divided into a plurality of modules such as a receiver application 690 and the like.

The WAN / LAN Gateway 700 may perform a WAN / LAN Gateway, QoS, IGMP Support, UPnP Control Point, UC / MC conversion, RMS3, and Attachment functions.

The WAN / LAN Gateway function provides a physical termination point that can be connected to a wide area network (WAN) and a home network (LAN), and performs a UPnP function.

The QoS function is a function to guarantee the service and data quality as described above.

IGMP Support provides IGMP Proxy or IGMP Snooping.

The UPnP Control Point performs communication with a UPnP device management client in a receiver to perform a remote management operation.

UC / MC conversion is provided to address the inefficiency and instability of multicast over wireless networks.

The RMS3 function provides an interface with a remote manager when the WAN gateway is monitored remotely and configured by an access service provider.

The Attachment function allows a network provider or application provider or service provider to access a home network.

The network setting method and the IPTV receiver using the same have been described above.

The above-described network setting method according to the present invention can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium that is produced as a program for execution on a computer. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, Magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, and also include those implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet).

The computer readable recording medium can be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In addition, functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the method can be easily inferred by programmers in the art to which the present invention belongs.

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

Claims (22)

1. In the network setting method for an application running on an IPTV receiver,

   Downloading an application running in a Declarative Application Environment (DAE);

   Initializing the downloaded application;

   Obtaining an address of a gateway connected to the IPTV receiver;

   Requesting the connected gateway to map a port for communication between the application and an external network; And

   Operating the application using a port mapped by the request.
2. The method of claim 1,

   The requesting may include transmitting at least one of identification information of the application, address information of an external server or device to be connected, external port information, internal port information, a protocol type, and a lifetime of the external port to the gateway. Network setting method comprising a.
3. The method of claim 1,

   The operation may include connecting to an external network through a port mapped by the request and transmitting the allocated port information.
4. The method of claim 3,

   The transmitting may include transmitting the allocated port information to at least one of the external server and the device to be connected.
5. The method of claim 1,

   Opening a server socket for communication between the IPTV receiver and the external network.
6. The method of claim 1,

   And receiving at least one of the request result and information on the mapped port.
7. The method of claim 1,

   The gateway is a wide area network (WAN) gateway setting method.
8. The method of claim 1,

   And if the port mapping is not permitted as a result of the request, generating port information other than the requested port sequentially or randomly, and requesting port mapping using the generated port information.
9. The method of claim 1,

   Generating an object executed in the DAE and for communicating with the connected gateway.
10. The method of claim 1,

    And requesting release of port mapping when at least one of stopping the application and elapsed life of the port.
11. The method of claim 10,

    Terminating the application.
12. In an IPTV receiver,

    A network interface unit configured to receive an application executed in a Declarative Application Environment (DAE); And

    Initialize the downloaded application, obtain an address of a gateway to which the IPTV receiver is connected, request a mapping of a port for communication between the application and an external network to the connected gateway, and use a port mapped by the request IPTV receiver comprising a control unit for operating the application.
13. The method of claim 12,

    The controller may transmit at least one of identification information of the application, address information of an external server or device to be connected, external port information, internal port information, a protocol type, and a lifetime of the external port to the gateway to map the port. Requesting an IPTV receiver.
14. The method of claim 12,

    The control unit is connected to the external network through the port mapped by the request, IPTV receiver to transmit the assigned port information.
15. The method of claim 14,

    The controller transmits the allocated port information to at least one of the external server and the device to be connected.
16. The method of claim 12,

    The network interface unit receives at least one of the request result and information on the mapped port.
17. The method of claim 12,

    The control unit, the IPTV receiver for opening a server socket for communication between the IPTV receiver and the external network.
18. The method of claim 12,

    The gateway is a wide area network (WAN) gateway IPTV receiver.
19. The method of claim 12,

    The control unit generates port information other than the requested port sequentially or randomly when the port mapping is not allowed as a result of the request, and requests port mapping using the generated port information.
20. The method of claim 12,

    And the controller is configured to generate an object to be executed in the DAE and to communicate with the connected gateway.
21. The method of claim 12,

    And the controller requests release of port mapping when at least one of stopping the application and elapsed life of the port.
22. The method of claim 21,

    The controller terminates the application.

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