KR100640507B1 - A personal video recoder control apparatus and method for using a webserver - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling a PVR using a web. The apparatus of the present invention provides a web server for interfacing a request signal from a web client and a command for controlling the PVR from the request signal. A FIFO storage unit for converting into a predetermined signal and receiving information on the operation status of the PVR from the web and converting the information into a web document, a FIFO storage unit for storing the predetermined signal, and a predetermined signal in the FIFO storage unit. Characterized in that it comprises a PVR control module for controlling the PVR.

The PVR control method of the present invention includes a first process of receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) request signal from a web client, and periodically checking the EPG request signal to convert the PVR into a control signal. And a third process of collecting EPG information based on the PVR control signal, and a fourth process of converting the EPG information into HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and transmitting it to the web client. It is characterized by. Since the present invention controls the PVR using the web, any device that can access the Internet and has a web client can receive the PVR control and streaming service anytime, anywhere.

PVR, Web Client, Web Server, CGI

Description

A PERSONAL VIDEO RECODER CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING A WEBSERVER}             

1 is a diagram illustrating a flow of received broadcast data in a general PVR system.

2 is a schematic diagram showing an environment in which a web-based PVR control apparatus is constructed according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing a PVR control apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PVR control module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a signal transmission and reception process between a CGI module and a PVR control module for each operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a PVR integrated remote controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a PVR control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a device for controlling a personal video recorder (PVR) and an operation method thereof, and more particularly, to a PVR control device that can be externally controlled by a user using a web server and an operation method thereof. will be. In general, a PVR is equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD) in a TV and a set-top box (STB), and is designed to record programs broadcast from different broadcasting stations simultaneously for up to 30 hours. The PVR can simultaneously record multiple programs, allowing viewers to expand their viewing range. Recently, PVR is spreading in earnest, especially with the start of digital broadcasting.

First, the operation process of the general PVR system will be described.

1 is a diagram illustrating a flow of received broadcast data in a general PVR system.

Referring to FIG. 1, the reception broadcast data in the PVR may be received by NTSC (National Television Standards Committee), which is an analog broadcast format, and ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee), which is a digital broadcast format. When the NTSC broadcast data is received, a preprocessing process for converting the broadcast data into digital data using a Moving Picture Experts Group-2 (MPEG-2) encoder is required. In the case of receiving the ATSC broadcast data, since the broadcast data itself is transmitted in MPEG-2 standard, the preprocessing process is unnecessary. The digital data is transmitted in a unit of a transport packet (TP). First, the PVR receives the TP through the TP interface 102, and the received TP is classified into video, audio, and other stream data through the Demux 120, and thus, a stream controller 103. To be sent). In the stream controller, the TP is divided into two cases. In the case where the current broadcast is directly received, the MPEG-2 decoder 104 decodes the received TP and transmits the received TP to the display 105. You can watch the screen currently being broadcast, such as a TV. However, if the TP proceeds toward the downstream stream controller, the TP is stored in the system memory 108 and then stored in the HDD 109 through an Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE) controller (not shown). The stored TP is transmitted to the system memory 108 again, decoded from the MPEG-2 standard decoder 110, and then transmitted to the display 111 so that the user can record and watch the received broadcast. That is, in the PVR, a program being broadcast at the present time is stored on the hard disk and at the same time playback of a program already stored on the hard disk occurs.

In digital broadcasting, much more channel bandwidth is allocated to broadcasters than in analog broadcasting. The user can not only remember the information about the many broadcast programs that are loaded through the various channels, but also requires a considerable amount of time to scan each program once. Accordingly, in digital broadcasting, an electronic program guide (EPG) that provides information (title, plot, broadcast time, etc.) about a broadcast program to a TP is transmitted to a general broadcast channel.

According to the current standard proposed by ATSC, the EPG is exported through the private section of the MPEG-2 TS, and then the set-top box of the digital TV is stored in the received MPEG-2 TS. EPG information is extracted and viewed. The EPG information is transmitted through a program and system information program (PSIP). Since the PSIP is generally configured in a complex table form, software implementation for parsing the PSIP table in the set-top box of the DTV is not only complicated, but also a separate graphical user interface (GUI) for showing on the DTV screen. There must be a program. The PSIP table has a problem that it is difficult for a user to operate because the PSIP table is complicated and contains many contents. As described above, the PVR providing the EPG information has a number of advantages, such as a reservation recording that can store broadcasts semi-permanently at a desired time, and a quick skip function that can skip advertisements. Currently, the user can only control the PVR through the remote control of the TV or Settop Box. Therefore, when the user is outside, there is a problem that can not control the PVR.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for controlling a PVR using a web so that a user can use it externally regardless of a place.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a PVR control apparatus and method for allowing a user to make a scheduled recording from the outside.                         

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a PVR control apparatus and method which can be easily operated by a user.

PVR control apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is a web server connected to the Web (Web) to interface the request signal from the Web client (Web Client) and a predetermined signal for commanding to control the PVR from the request signal A common gateway interface (CGI) module for converting and receiving information on the operation status of the PVR from the web and converting the web document into a web document, a FIFO storage unit for storing the predetermined signal, and a FIFO storage unit And a PVR control module for controlling the PVR based on a predetermined signal.

The CGI module is a file storage unit for temporarily storing detailed broadcast data information received from the PVR module and converts the detailed broadcast data into a Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) file that allows a user to view a document on the web. And a file conversion unit.

The PVR control module is in charge of interfacing with the CGI module to determine whether there is a PGI control command recorded by the CGI module in the CGI interworking unit that transmits detailed broadcast data to be stored as a temporary file in the CGI module and the FIFO storage unit. A FIFO processing unit which periodically checks and sends a predetermined response message to the web server according to the FIFO storage unit and a control unit which controls the operation of the PVR according to the control command and transmits an appropriate response signal to the CGI module accordingly. Characterized in that it is configured.

PVR control method of the present invention for achieving the above object is a first step of receiving a desired PVR control request signal from a Web client (Web client) and a second step of converting the signal for PVR control based on the request signal And a fourth process of controlling the operation of the PVR using the PVR control signal, and a fourth process of controlling the PVR and transmitting a response signal regarding success or failure to the web client. .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same components in the figures represent the same numerals wherever possible. Specific details are set forth in the following description, which is provided to aid a more general understanding of the invention. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an environment in which a web-based PVR control apparatus is constructed according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the PVR control apparatus 230 of the present invention can control the PVR 240 from the outside by using a Web client 210 and the Internet network 220 when the user is outside. It becomes possible. In this case, the web client 210, that is, the user terminal, has a built-in web browser and a client program as a mobile phone, a notebook, a personal digital assistant (PDA) capable of using the Internet. That is, if the user has the web client 210 that can access the Internet network 220, the PVR control apparatus 230 can control playback and recording of desired broadcasts and programs through bidirectional communication. The PVR control apparatus may be provided in the set top box or may be provided separately.

Then, the PVR control apparatus 230 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, the PVR control apparatus 230 includes a web client 210, a web server 231 transmitting and receiving a predetermined signal related to PVR control, and a CGI (Common Gateway) generating a document used in the web. Interface) module 233, and the PVR control module 235 for receiving a predetermined signal from the CGI module 233 to control the PVR (240). In more detail, the web server 231 sets an initial process by transmitting and receiving a request message (HTTP GET) and a response signal (HTTP REPLY) for connecting to the web from the web client 210 connected to the web. When the web server 231 receives a command signal such as EPG information request or reservation recording from the web client 210 through the PVR integrated remote controller, the web server 231 calls the CGI module 235 and transmits the command signal. Thereafter, the CGI module 235 receives the processed signal and delivers the signal back to the web client 210. The web server 231 receives predetermined information regarding the PVR 240 control request from the CGI module 233 and delivers the predetermined information to the web client 210 again. That is, when a signal for controlling the PVR 240 is requested, an appropriate response signal is transmitted to the CGI module 233 again, and an acknowledgment signal is transmitted from the CGI module 233 to the web client 210 again. do. Therefore, the web server 231 is in charge of the connection with the CGI 233 module. The predetermined information may include a program list, EPG information recording file list such as broadcast type, channel information, broadcast title, broadcast type, channel information, broadcast title, recording start time, and end time. Detailed broadcast data, that is, EPG (Electronic Program Guide). Since the PVR integrated remote controller is described with reference to FIG. 5 to be described later, a description thereof will be omitted.

The CGI module 233 is an interface to a hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) web server 231 and various resources in the server, and information transmission methods and variables that the web server 231 and the web client 210 exchange. It performs the service according to the type of connection. The web client 210 can generate a command signal that meets the request at the moment it requests. The CGI module 233 includes a function of receiving a user input, a function of searching a database by performing a query, and an output form for outputting a search result according to the syntax of an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) tag. do. Accordingly, when the web client 210 receives a request message for PVR control through the web server 231, the CGI module 233 transmits a corresponding command to a first in first out (FIFO) storage unit (not shown). Will be stored in. The FIFO storage unit interfaces between the PVR control module 235 and the CGI module 233 by repeating writing and reading commands stored by the CGI module 233 and the PVR control module 235. The CGI module 233 receives the response signal transmitted from the PVR control module 235 and the detailed broadcast data of the PVR, and transmits the received response signal to the web server 231. In this case, the detailed broadcast data passes through the conversion unit 237 so that the web client 210 can view the document through the web. The conversion unit 237 is a file storage unit 239 for receiving and temporarily storing the detailed broadcast data and a Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) file so that the detailed broadcast data can be viewed on the web by the web client 210. It consists of a file conversion unit 235 for converting. Here, the HTML file is composed of channels existing in the detailed broadcast data, and each has an anchor tag, and when clicked, the HTML file is configured to request information about programs for each channel. The file storage unit 239 is a detailed broadcast data generated and received from the PVR control module 235 and is a file in the form of a temporary file (Configure: CONF).

Finally, the PVR control module 235 parses MPEG-2 standard broadcast data (TS) received through a cable or terrestrial receiver to decode the video / audio stream to display a screen through a TV ( Display). At the same time, the PVR control module 235 collects and analyzes PSIP (Program and System Information Program) data from the broadcast data and stores the data in a table form on the memory. The PVR control module 235 is executed at the same time as the set top. The operating system of the box runs the web server 231 to receive a PVR control signal including an EPG information request signal from the web client 210. Then, when the PVR control module 235 confirms the command stored in the FIFO storage unit, the PVR control module 235 inspects the FIFO storage unit. Upon checking the FIFO storage unit and receiving the PVR control signal, the corresponding operation is performed accordingly and the confirmation signal is transmitted to the CGI module 233 again.

Next, a configuration of the PVR control device 235 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a PVR control module 235 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the PVR control device 235 includes a CGI interworking unit 250 and a FIFO processing unit 260. And a control unit 270. The CGI interworking unit 250 defines commands promised between the CGI module 233 and the PVR control module 235 as an interface unit with the CGI module 233, and transmits a broadcast signal received with a broadcast signal. The CGI module 233 generates detailed CONF file containing information for processing the detailed broadcast data. The FIFO processing unit 260 periodically checks whether there is a command recorded by the CGI module in the FIFO storage unit, and if there is a request message for PVR control in the FIFO storage unit, the FIFO processing unit 260 performs the corresponding operation. The message is received and transmitted to the controller 270. The controller 270 controls the actual PVR 240. The PVR controller 270 generates an appropriate response message, and the FIFO processing unit 260 records the generated response message in the FIFO storage unit.

A basic embodiment of a signal transmission and reception process between the CGI module 233 and the PVR control device 235 as described above is illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5B. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are used to designate a device performing the same function as that of FIG.

5A is a diagram schematically illustrating a signal flow requesting an EPG table between the CGI module 233 and the PVR control module 235 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5A, when the EPG information request signal or cancellation signal of the PVR 240 is received from the web client 210, the CGI module 233 sends the EPG information request signal to the PVR controller 235. In the case of GET_EPG_TABLE signal 'E' 301 is transmitted, and in case of the cancellation signal, the GET_EPG_CANCEL signal 'n' 302 is transmitted. After receiving the GET_EPG_TABLE signal E '301 or the GET_EPG_CANCEL signal' n '302, the PVR control module 235 performs a corresponding operation on the PVR 240 and then sends a response signal to the CGI module 233. Will be sent to. In this case, when the PVR control module 235 correctly performs the operation, the response signal transmits the RPY_EPG_TABLE_OK signal '0', and when it fails, transmits the RPY_EPG_TABLE_FAIL signal '1'. When the PVR control module 235 transmits the RPY_EPG_TABLE_OK signal '0', detailed broadcast data according to the corresponding operation is transmitted to the CGI module 320 through the memory 320. FIGS. 5B and 5C will be described below. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a signal flow diagram for reservation recording, instant recording, reservation inquiry, and reservation minimum is shown. Here, the process of transmitting the response signal by the PVR control module 235 in the description of FIGS. 5B and 5C will be briefly described since it is similar to that of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for a case of scheduled recording and instant recording between the CGI module 233 and the PVR control module 235 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5B, when the web client 210 checks the EPG information, the corresponding program is clicked when the desired program is recorded. Upon receiving the command, the CGI module 233 transmits a REQ_EPG_REC_PROGRAM signal 'C' 305 in which the corresponding channel and the event are stored to the PVR control module 235 during the reserved recording. Then, the PVR control module 235 transmits a response signal after performing the corresponding operation of the PVR. The response signal indicates a normal operation and a failure operation as RPY_EPG_REC_PROGRAM_OK signal '0' 306 and RPY_EPG_REC_PROGRAM_OK signal '1' 307, respectively. Next, in the case of instant recording, when the CGI module 233 transmits a REQ_REC_PROGRAM signal 'A' 308 to the PVR control module 235, the PVR control module 235 transmits a response signal accordingly as in the case described above. Done. The response signal is represented by a REQ_REC_PROGRAM_OK signal '0' 309 and a REQ_REC_PROGRAM_FAIL signal '1' 310. 5C is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for a case of making a reservation inquiry and a minimum between the CGI module 233 and the PVR control module 235 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5C, when the web client 210 transmits a signal for making a reservation inquiry, the CGI module 233 sends a REQ_RES_LIST_SHOW signal 'W' 311 for requesting a list regarding reservation inquiry. Send to 235. The PVR control module 235 transmits the corresponding response signal and simultaneously transmits the reservation inquiry list to the CGI module 233 through the memory 320. The CGI module 233 transmits a REQ_RES_LIST_REMOVE signal 'C' in which the number of the corresponding program is input when the web client 210 receiving the list transmits a signal for canceling an unnecessary reservation program. The PVR control module 235 transmits a response signal to the CGI module 233 again after performing the corresponding operation. In the embodiment of the present invention, the transmission signal is arbitrarily set, but it should be noted that the setting may be set differently according to a system.

Next, the PVR integrated remote controller used by the web client 210 will be described. 6 is an exemplary view showing a PVR integrated remote controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the title menu 410 for selecting various services of the PVR integrated remote controller 400 according to the present invention includes an HDTV 411, an EPG 412, a PVR 413, a DVD 414, An icon representing the help 415 is provided. The EPG 412 is an icon used to confirm detailed broadcast data. The remaining icons represent icons that can be controlled on the web. The help icon is an icon that allows you to access the help page if you do not know anything.

The menu 420 under the title menu 410 of the program is an icon for controlling the operations of the devices connected to the web, and may control operations such as play, stop, stop, fast forward, and reverse. The menu 403 is provided with an instant recording 431, a reservation list 432, and a recording list 433. The instant recording is an icon capable of immediately recording a program currently being broadcast. The reservation list 432 is an icon representing a currently recorded recording program and is displayed in the reservation list list 440 at the bottom of the PVR-integrated remote controller. The recording list 433 is an icon representing the currently recorded broadcast program and is displayed on the recording file list 450 at the bottom of the PVR-integrated remote controller. The PVR-integrated remote controller 400 is an example according to the present invention, and it is possible to additionally register a convenient icon such as a time setting and a broadcast during scheduled recording.

Next, the PVR control method according to the present invention will be described.

7 is a signal flowchart illustrating a PVR control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the web client 210 shows a method for recording. In the embodiments described below, the initial setting process for the web client 210 to access the web is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, first, when the web client 210 accesses the web server 231, the web server 231 displays the PVR integrated remote controller according to the present invention through a web browser. Then, in step 601, the web client 210 needs to know the EPG representing the detailed broadcast data in order to check the program list, and thus selects the EPG key from the menu 401 of FIG. In step 603, the web server 231 receiving the EPG key transmits the corresponding EPG signal to the CGI module 233. In step 605, the CGI module 233 stores a command corresponding to the FIFO storage unit. Then, the PVR control module 235 periodically checks the FIFO storage unit to check the command and collects EPG information according to the check. In step 609, the PVR control module 235 collects the EPG information. Transmits the EPG information and the response signal for acknowledgment to the CGI module 233 again. The CGI module 233 temporarily stores the EPG information in the file storage unit 239. Then, the CGI module 233 generates the HTML file so that the web client 210 can view the EPG information on the web in step 611 and transmits the HTML file to the web client 210 in step 612. Upon receiving the EPG information, the web client 210 selects a desired program in step 613 and transmits a corresponding command to the CGI module 233 through the web server 231. The CGI module 233 transmits a command corresponding to the FIFO storage unit to the PVR control module 235 in step 615 as in step 603. In step 617, the PVR control module 235 generates an MPEG-2 file recording the program and an information file about the program. In this case, the information file represents information of the MPEG-2 file being recorded and means information such as a broadcast channel, a recording start time, a recording stop time, and a total recording time.

In step 619, the PVR controller 235 which starts recording the file transmits a response signal for acknowledgment to the CGI module 233. Upon receiving the response signal, the CGI module 233 generates an appropriate HTML file to represent the response signal in step 621. Thereafter, the CGI module 233 transmits the HTML file to the web client 210 through the web server 231 in step 623.

Here, the PVR operation control of reservation inquiry, cancellation, etc. according to the present invention is similar, and thus will be known to those skilled in the art, and will be omitted here.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

As described above, the present invention controls the PVR using the web, so that any device that can access the Internet and has a web client can receive the PVR control and streaming service anytime and anywhere. In particular, since the user uses the Internet browser without using the remote control, the user can simply display the large amount of PSIP information regardless of the screen.

Claims (5)

delete delete In the device for controlling a personal video recorder (PVR), A web server connected to the web to interface a request signal from a web client, A common gateway interface (CGI) module for converting the request signal from the request signal into a predetermined signal for controlling the PVR and receiving information on the operation status of the PVR from the web and converting the information into a web document; A FIFO storage unit for storing the predetermined signal; A PVR control module for controlling the PVR based on a predetermined signal in the FIFO storage unit; A file storage unit for temporarily storing detailed broadcast data information received from the PVR control module; A file converter for converting the detailed broadcast data into an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file for allowing a user to view a document on the web; A CGI interworking unit in charge of interfacing with the CGI module and transmitting detailed broadcast data to be stored as a temporary file in the CGI module; A FIFO processor for periodically checking whether there is a PVR control command recorded by the CGI module in the FIFO storage unit and transmitting a predetermined response message to the FIFO storage unit according to the control command; And a control unit for controlling an operation and transmitting an appropriate response signal to the CGI module. delete In a method of controlling the PVR in a personal video recorder (PVR) equipped with a web server and a PVR control module, A first process of receiving an electronic program guide (EPG) request signal from a web client, Periodically checking the EPG request signal and converting the PVR into a control signal; And a fourth process of collecting EPG information based on the PVR control signal, and a fourth process of converting the EPG information into Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) and transmitting the same to the web client. .

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