KR100444143B1 - System and method for providing vod stream service using a vbr - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a Vaudio stream service using VBI to quickly and easily deliver a large amount of video / audio data to a user.

To this end, the present invention includes a control unit for controlling each function, the manager computer for outputting the input request signal to the outside through the information communication network, when the video / audio content request signal from the manager; A content DB constructed by using at least one content information, and a meta DB constructed by using at least one meta information. A VOD server for retrieving the meta DB and transmitting the stored video ID corresponding to the retrieved content information, and retrieving the corresponding VOD stream information from the meta DB in response to a VOD stream service request signal input from the outside; And when the VOD stream information transmitted from the VOD server is requested to the VOD engine, under the control of the control unit, the corresponding VOD stream information is received and decoded and stored in a buffer, and the stored content information is stored in a video / video. And a set-top box that decodes the separated video / audio signal into subtitle signals, synthesizes the video / subtitle signal, and outputs the video / audio signal.

Description

System and method for providing VOD stream service using VBI {{SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING VOD STREAM SERVICE USING A VBR}

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a VOD stream service using a VBI, and a system and method for providing a VOD stream service using a VBI to quickly and easily deliver a large amount of video / audio data to a user.

In general, a method of delivering video / audio data such as a Video On Demand (VOD) stream to a user is simply a client between a VOD server serving a VOD and a client receiving the service, as shown in FIG. 1. As an on-demand service, each client requests a service independently.

In addition, the normal VOD stream service supports CB (Constant Bit Rate) of 2Mb / s or less among digital video compression formats such as MPEG1, MPEG2, ASF and AVI, which support bandwidths up to 28.8kb / s and 16Mb / s. It supports low bandwidth digital video compression formats such as MPEG1, ASF and AVI.

However, the above method is effective when the client operates independently or the user is familiar with the on-demand video service, but commercially, a set-top box may be used in a specific space in serving a large amount of video / audio data to the user. There is a need for unified management and users who are not familiar with video-on-demand service, and high quality and sound.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the present invention is a set-top box integrated management in a specific space and the user and administrator to conveniently provide a service through a management program for managing the entire device without special operation Meanwhile, it provides solutions supporting MPEG 2's digital video compression format, which supports bandwidths ranging from 4Mb / s to 8Mb / s (VBR) to service large amounts of high quality video / audio data to users. The present invention provides a VOD stream service providing system and method using VBI.

The VDI stream service providing system using VBI according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a control unit 50 for controlling each function, the video / audio content service request signal from the user A manager computer 100 for outputting the input request signal to the outside through an information communication network; A content DB constructed using at least one content information, and a meta DB 203 constructed using at least one meta information, and the various video / content presented to the manager computer 100 which has made a communication connection. The video / audio content information selected by the administrator in the list is searched from the meta DB to transmit the stored video ID to the outside in correspondence with the retrieved content information, and the corresponding VOD stream information is meta-responded in response to a VOD stream service request signal input from the outside. A VOD server 200 which searches for and provides a DB; And requesting the VOD stream information transmitted from the VOD server 200 to the VOD engine 201, receiving the corresponding content information in the requested VOD stream information under the control of the control unit, encrypting, decrypting, encrypting, and decrypting. After storing the content information in the buffer 303 and outputting it in accordance with the characteristics of the line of the information communication network, separating the stored content information into a video / subtitle signal, decoding the separated video / audio signal, and then video / subtitle And a set-top box 300 for synthesizing the signals and outputting a video / audio signal, wherein the manager computer 100 includes a plurality of set-top boxes and the VOD server performing the same functions as the set-top box 300. It is characterized by integrated management.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a VOD stream service using VBI, comprising: (a) constructing a content DB by classifying each type using at least one content information (S100); (b) constructing a metaDB using at least one meta information (S102); (c) receiving the corresponding video / audio content from the manager among the video / audio content lists presented to the manager computer 100 making a communication connection through the information communication network (S106); (d) Searching the content information corresponding to the video / audio content received through the step (c) from the meta DB and corresponding to the retrieved content information, the stored video ID is sent to the set-top box 300 via the manager computer 100. Transmitting a VOD stream service request signal for reproducing the transmitted video ID and transmitting the VOD stream information corresponding to the input request signal (S200); And (e) when the VOD stream information transmitted through the step (d) is requested to the VOD engine, the requested VOD stream information is read from the content DB under the control of the control unit, and the read corresponding content information is streamed. And storing the streamed content information in the buffer 303 and outputting it in accordance with the characteristics of the line of the information communication network (S300), wherein the manager computer 100 has the same function as the set-top box 300. It is characterized by integrated management of a plurality of set-top boxes to perform.

1 is a view for explaining a conventional VOD stream service providing method,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a VDI stream service providing system using VBI according to the present invention; FIG.

3 is a block diagram for explaining the VOD server of FIG.

4 is a block diagram for explaining the set-top box of FIG.

5 is an operation flowchart for explaining a method for providing a VOD stream service using VBI according to the present invention;

6 is a detailed flowchart of the vaudio stream control subroutine of FIG. 5;

7 is a detailed flowchart of the set-top box management subroutine of FIG.

8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating screens for remotely operating and monitoring a VOD stream service;

9 is a view for explaining a process of transmitting the content stored in the content DB to the set-top box under the control of the control unit;

10 is a diagram illustrating a process of collecting a fee after receiving a VOD stream service.

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

50: control unit 100: administrator computer

200: VOD Server 300: Set Top Box

400: information communication network

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

In the present invention below, the set-top box is managed in a specific space, and the user and the administrator can conveniently provide a service through a management program for managing the entire device without any special operation, while providing high quality video / audio data to the user. System for providing VOD stream service using VBI that provides solutions supporting MPEG 2's digital video compression format that supports variable bit rate (VBR) 4Mb / s to 8Mb / s for service, and The method will be described as a preferred embodiment, but the technical idea of the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and modified by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a VOD stream service providing system using VBI according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the VOD server of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a set-top box of FIG. 2. It is a block diagram for explanation.

Referring to FIG. 2, a VOD stream service providing system using VBI will be described. The VOD server 200 may transmit a video data to various types of video / audio contents to a manager computer 100 that has made a communication connection through an information communication network 400. When the list is transmitted, and the video / audio content information is selected from the manager from the transmitted list, the selected content information is retrieved from the meta DB 203 and the stored video ID is stored in correspondence with the retrieved content information. On the other hand, when the VOD stream service request signal for reproducing the video ID from the set-top box 300 to the DCOM server 202, the corresponding VOD stream information in response to the input request signal set-top box 300 ), And then request the transmitted VOD stream information from the VOD engine 201 to the corresponding control stored in the content DB 205 from the VOD engine. Support to stream the content.

In addition, the remote management VDI stream service providing system using the VBI includes a manager computer 100, VOD server 200, Set-top Box (300), information communication network (400).

The variable bit rate (VBR) has a constant image quality, and the compression rate varies depending on the frame, so that a bandwidth of a storage device or a transmission medium is variable.

In addition, the VBI can reduce the amount of input compressed data by increasing the quantization value when overflow occurs due to excessive compression data of the encoder, and sets a threshold when an underflow occurs. As the data within approaches a threshold, it can increase the amount of data from the encoder.

The information communication network 400 includes an Internet network using a TCP / IP protocol that can be wired and a WAP protocol that can be wirelessly connected.

The manager computer 100 is a computer device capable of communication and has an internet browser capable of displaying web contents. The manager computer 100 may be a personal computer such as a desktop computer or a notebook computer, as well as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). ) And IMT2000, and the manager computer 100 preferably includes at least a Windows 98 operating system, a Pentium-class CPU, a 64Mb memory, and the like. In the present embodiment, the manager computer 100 is limited to a personal computer, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The control unit 50 of the manager computer 100, the set-top box 300 is integrated management and the user is provided with a VOD stream service without special operation, management for conveniently managing the entire device The program serves to manage the VOD server 200 and the set-top box 300 through the information communication network (400).

The VOD server 200 transmits a large amount of high quality video / audio data to the set top box 300 through the information communication network 400 according to the management of the control unit 50.

The set-top box 300 decodes the MPEG-2 digital video compression format and the AC-3 audio compression format supporting the bandwidth of 4Mb / s to 8Mb / s transmitted from the VOD server 200 to the buffer 303. It transmits and decodes the transmitted information to serve a user to enjoy high quality high quality / high quality video / audio.

Referring to FIG. 3, the VOD server 200 will be described in more detail. The VOD server 200 includes a VOD engine 201, a DCOM server 202, a meta DB 203, an indexer 204, and a content DB ( 205).

When the VOD server 200 selects the video / audio content information from the manager computer 100 based on the various video / audio content lists, the VOD server 200 searches the selected video / audio content information from the meta DB 203 and searches the searched content information. Correspondingly, the stored video ID is transmitted to the set-top box 300 via the manager computer 100, while a VOD stream service request signal for reproducing the video ID transmitted from the set-top box 300 is sent to the DCOM server 202. If requested, the VOD stream information corresponding to the requested signal is retrieved from the meta DB 203, and the received VOD stream information is received to request the VOD stream to the VOD engine 201, so that the content of the service request is not exhausted. One set-top box 300 supports the content to be streamed as requested.

Meanwhile, the indexer 204 includes at least one video / audio content arranged in order and includes an index word corresponding to the sorted video / audio content.

In addition, the indexer 204 manages video content, manually inputs video content, package type automatic input function, various environment variable settings, room information, VOD server information, controller computer information, and the like. Include.

The room information is a product number, a set-top box IP, a limited number of people, a number of people, a stream port number, a VOD server IP, and the like.

When the DCOM server 202 selects the video / audio content information from the manager among the list presented to the manager computer 100, the DCOM server 202 retrieves the selected content information from the meta DB 203 and stores the video ID corresponding to the retrieved content information. When the VOD stream service request signal for transmitting the video ID transmitted from the set-top box 300 is transmitted to the corresponding set-top box 300 via the manager computer 100, the corresponding request signal The VOD stream information is retrieved from the meta DB 203, and the retrieved VOD stream information is transmitted to the set top box 300.

When the VOD engine 201 requests a VOD stream from the set-top box 300 based on the VOD stream information transmitted through the DCOM server 202, the VOD engine 201 transmits the corresponding content in response to the requested signal. The content is streamed to the set-top box 300 unless the content is exhausted and the content is read.

Referring to FIG. 4, the set-top box 300 will be described in more detail. The set-top box 300 outputs a VOD stream service request signal for playing a video ID transmitted from the manager computer 100. Request to the DCOM server 202, the corresponding VOD stream information is retrieved from the metaDB 203 in response to the requested signal, and the retrieved VOD stream information is transmitted, while the VOD engine 201 is based on the received information. When the stream is requested, the video / audio signal received from the VOD server 200 is decoded and decoded so that the requested content is streamed under the control of the controller 50 to buffer the decrypted video / audio signal. ), Separate the stored video / audio / subtitle signals, decode the separated video / audio signals, and synthesize the video / subtitle signals so that the video / audio signals are output. Support.

The set top box 300 includes a source filter 301, a decrypt 302, a buffer 303, a DVD splitter 304, a decoder 305, and an overlay. Includes an Overlay Mixer and a Video / Audio Render 307.

The source filter 301 filters the video / audio compression signal received from the VOD engine 201 to remove noise.

The decoder 302 then decodes the video / audio compressed signal filtered through the source filter 301 and stores the decoded compressed signal in the buffer 303.

Then, the DVD splitter 304 separates the compressed signal stored in the buffer 303 into a video / audio / subtitle signal, and then divides each of the separated video / audio / subtitle signals through the decoder 305 through the video / audio. Decode the subtitle signal.

The decoder 305 includes an MPEG2 decoder, an AC-3 decoder, a subpicture decoder, a closed-caption decoder, and the like.

The overlay mixer 306 synthesizes the decoded video / subtitle signals through the various decoders 305 and then outputs the video and audio signals by the video / audio renderer 307.

Meanwhile, the process of transmitting the content stored in the content DB 205 to the set-top box 300 under the control of the control unit 50 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The content inputted from the) is encrypted through the encryption module (not shown) of the encrypt 150, and when the encrypted content is supplied to the VOD server 200, the supplied content is transferred to the content DB 205. Save it.

Subsequently, when the VOD server 200 requests a stream for service requested content from the set-top box 300 receiving VOD stream information, the VOD server 200 transmits the corresponding content from the content DB 205 under the control of the control unit 50. Search and transmit the searched video / audio compressed signal to the set-top box 300 to filter the transmitted video / audio compressed signal through the source filter 301, and to filter the filtered signal by the decryption module of the decrypt 302 ( After encryption, decryption, decryption, and decrypted video / audio signals through the butter 303, the video / audio signal is output through the above process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a VOD stream service using VBI according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart of the VDI stream control subroutine of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a VDI of FIG. 6. Detailed flow chart of the stream subroutine.

Now, referring to FIG. 5, the VOD stream service providing method using VBI will be described. First, the VOD server 200 has previously constructed a content DB using at least one piece of content information (S100).

In addition, the VOD server 200 builds a meta information DB using at least one meta information (S102).

The meta information includes content information, video ID, VOD stream information, content (movie) content, movie size (file rate), bit rate, input date, storage path, memo, number of files, compression method, and running time. , Administration fee, movie studio fee, supplier fee, genre ID, genre classification name, certification number, patch number, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Thereafter, the VOD server 200 establishes a communication connection with the manager computer 100 through the information communication network 400 (S104).

On the other hand, the VOD server 200 receives the video / audio content from the manager of the video / audio content list presented to the manager computer 100 made a communication connection through the information communication network 400 (S106).

Then, the VOD server 200 retrieves the video / audio content information received from the manager computer 100 from the meta DB 203 and sets the stored video ID through the manager computer 100 in correspondence with the retrieved content information. When transmitting to the box 300 and a VOD stream service request signal for reproducing a video ID from the set-top box 300, the VOD stream information corresponding to the input request signal is retrieved from the meta DB 203. After transmitting the retrieved VOD stream information to the set-top box 300, if a VOD stream is requested from the set-top box 300, a VOD stream control subroutine for supporting the service content is streamed (S200).

The VOD stream control subroutine S200 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The VOD server 200 receives a content information search request signal for video / audio content information received from the manager computer 100 ( In step S201, the received content information is retrieved from the meta DB 203 (S203).

Then, the VOD server 200 transmits the video ID corresponding to the content information retrieved from the meta DB 203 to the set-top box 300 via the manager computer 100 (S205).

Thereafter, the VOD server 200 determines whether a VOD stream service request signal for streaming content is input from the set-top box 300 receiving the video ID (S207). As a result of the determination in step S207, when the VOD stream service request signal is not input, the standby state is maintained for a predetermined time.

As a result of the determination in step S207, when the VOD stream service request signal is input, the VOD stream information corresponding to the input request signal is retrieved from the meta DB 203, and the retrieved VOD stream information is transmitted to the set-top box 300. (S209).

Thereafter, when the VOD server 200 receives the VOD stream request signal from the set top box 300 (S211), the VOD server 200 transmits the corresponding audio / video compressed signal in response to the received VOD stream request signal.

Then, the set-top box 300 encrypts and decrypts the video / audio compression signal received from the VOD server 200 and stores the decrypted video / audio signal in the buffer 303, while the stored video / audio / After the subtitle signal is separated, the separated video / audio signal is decoded, and the video / subtitle signal is synthesized, the set-top box management subroutine is performed to support the output of the video / audio signal (S300).

The set-top box management subroutine S300 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The set-top box 300 transmits a 4Mb / s to 8Mb / s MPEG2 video / audio compression signal corresponding to a VOD stream from the VOD server 200. Received (S301).

Then, the set-top box 300 encrypts and decrypts the received video / audio compression signal through a decryption module (not shown) built in the decrypt 302 (S303), and then decrypts the video. The audio compression signal is stored in the buffer 303 (S305).

Thereafter, the set-top box 300 separates the video / audio compression signal stored in the buffer 303 into a video / audio / subtitle signal through the DVD splitter 304 (S307).

Meanwhile, the set-top box 300 allows the video / audio signal separated through the DVD splitter 304 to be decoded through various decoders 305 (S309), and overlays the decoded video / subtitle signal with an overlay mixer 306. After synthesized through S311, the synthesized video / audio signal is output through the video / audio renderer 307 (S313).

6, the VOD server 200 determines whether a content screening end request signal is input from the set-top box 300 (S400). As a result of the determination in step S400, when the content screening end request signal is not input from the set-top box 300, the process returns to S211 to continue to stream the content.

In addition, the VOD server 200 provides the VOD stream service as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D to the manager computer 100 to remotely operate the VOD stream service provided according to the manager's request. Support to be monitored.

As a result of the determination in step S400, when the content screening termination request signal is input from the set-top box 300, the corresponding content is terminated in response to the input request signal.

On the other hand, the VOD server 200 supports to provide a promotional VOD stream service and an advertisement message to the user when the screening of the content requested for the service is ended (S500).

Referring to Figure 10 describes the process of collecting the charge after receiving the VOD stream service, the VOD server 200 is requested from the set-top box 300 under the control of the control unit 50 of the manager computer 100 After supporting the content to be streamed, when the content is finished screening, the charging information (screening fee) of the finished content is transmitted to a billing server (not shown) of the Internet data center (not shown) Meanwhile, the charging information is generated based on the transmitted charging information, and the generated charging information is received.

Meanwhile, the Internet data center includes a web server (not shown) and a billing server, and transmits necessary information (eg, content information, etc.) from related organizations (eg, VOD Korea, each film company). Receive and process the necessary information received.

By doing so, it is possible to conveniently provide a VOD stream service to a user without a large manipulation of a large amount of high quality video / audio data.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art, which are included in the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

As described above, the present invention has an effect that a VOD stream service can be conveniently used without any special operation in the service of a large amount of high quality video / audio data to a user.

In addition, a digital audio system of MPEG2 supporting a bandwidth of VBR 4Mb / s to 8Mb / s in a network environment capable of serving an integrated and managed set-top box in a specific space through a VAudio stream service using VBI according to the present invention. By serving the video compression format, there is an effect that can serve a large amount of high-quality video data to the user.

Claims (2)

A control unit 50 for controlling each function, and when a video / audio content service request signal is input from a user, a manager computer 100 outputting the input request signal to the outside through an information communication network; A content DB constructed using at least one content information, and a meta DB 203 constructed using at least one meta information, and the various video / content presented to the manager computer 100 which has made a communication connection. The video / audio content information selected by the administrator in the list is searched from the meta DB to transmit the stored video ID to the outside in correspondence with the retrieved content information, and the corresponding VOD stream information is meta-responded in response to a VOD stream service request signal input from the outside. A VOD server 200 which searches for and provides a DB; And When the VOD stream information transmitted from the VOD server 200 is requested to the VOD engine 201, the corresponding VOD stream information is received under the control of the control unit, and the corresponding content information is received, encrypted, decrypted, encrypted, and decrypted content. The information is stored in the buffer 303 and output according to the characteristics of the line of the information communication network, while the stored content information is separated into a video / subtitle signal, the separated video / audio signal is decoded, and then the video / subtitle signal. Including a set-top box 300 to support the video / audio signal output by synthesizing, The manager computer (100) is a VOD stream service providing system using a VB, characterized in that the integrated management of a plurality of set-top boxes and the VOD server performing the same function as the set-top box (300). (a) classifying each type by using at least one content information to construct a content DB (S100); (b) constructing a metaDB using at least one meta information (S102); (c) receiving the corresponding video / audio content from the manager among the video / audio content lists presented to the manager computer 100 making a communication connection through the information communication network (S106); (d) Searching the content information corresponding to the video / audio content received through the step (c) from the meta DB and corresponding to the retrieved content information, the stored video ID is sent to the set-top box 300 via the manager computer 100. Transmitting a VOD stream service request signal for reproducing the transmitted video ID and transmitting the VOD stream information corresponding to the input request signal (S200); And (e) If the VOD stream information transmitted through the step (d) is requested to the VOD engine, the requested VOD stream information is read from the content DB under the control of the control unit, and the read-out corresponding content information is streamed. And storing the streamed content information in the buffer 303 and outputting it in accordance with the characteristics of the line of the information communication network (S300). The manager computer (100) is a VDI stream service providing system using a VB, characterized in that the integrated management of a plurality of set-top box performing the same function as the set-top box (300).