KR100650740B1 - Home server having digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

A home server having a digital broadcasting receiving function is provided to easily and simply receive the digital broadcasting receiving function, and to be connected through the Ethernet, thus an existing set top box function can be used as it is, consequently performance deterioration is prevented since a load is not increased. A home server controller(32) controls media server, network server, and home automation server functions for home PCs(Personal Computers), home appliances, control appliances, and various facilities. The first tuner(34) selects/receives a digital broadcasting physical channel, and frequency-converts a received RF(Radio Frequency) broadcasting signal into a predetermined band signal. A demodulator(35) receives an output signal of the first tuner(34) to demodulate the received signal into an MPEG2(Moving Picture Experts Group 2) TS(Transport Stream) signal. A decoder(36) receives an IP(Internet Protocol) broadcasting signal through an Ethernet switch(31) and a TS of the demodulator(35) to select a physical channel in accordance with a user's selection, and decodes a broadcasting signal of the selected channel. The Ethernet switch(31) delivers multimedia or control information of the home server controller(32) to the decoder(36), or delivers traffic transmitted from an external Internet network to the decoder(36).

Description

Home server having digital broadcast reception function

1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic structure of a home server system.

Figure 2a is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a home server that accommodates the conventional digital broadcast reception function.

Figure 2b is a functional block diagram showing another embodiment of a home server that accommodates the conventional digital broadcast reception function.

Figure 3a is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a home server that accommodates the digital broadcast reception function according to the present invention.

Figure 3b is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a home server that accommodates the digital broadcast reception function according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

30, 30 ': home server 31: Ethernet switch

32: home server control unit 33: set-top box

34: first tuner 35: demodulator

36: decoder

37: POD (Point Of Deployment) processing unit

38: second tuner 39: cable modem

The present invention relates to a home server that performs a media server, a network server, and a home automation server function for various electronic and information communication devices provided in a home. More specifically, the home server utilizes the resources of an existing set-top box as it is. A home server having a digital broadcast reception function that can be accommodated therein.

With the rapid spread of the Internet, each household has a personal computer (PC), and the PCs in each household have extended their use to the ability to play and store various multimedia beyond the use of Internet searching. 2 As more and more PCs are in use, various wired and wireless technologies are applied to integrate home PCs, home appliances, controllers, various facilities, mobile phones, PDAs, etc., and to bring home automation and home security. There is a need for a home network to implement.

The construction of such a home network requires a home server serving as a media server, a network server, and a home automation server in the home.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home server 11 includes information of various media in the home such as a fax 12, a telephone 13, a TV 14, a video recorder 15, and web, e-mail, and a fax. A computer device for storing, integrating, and distributing audio files.In addition to the basic functions of storing and redistributing external contents coming into the home through broadcasting, telephone, and the Internet, it is used not only as a device for storing digital images or music, but also as an external storage device for PC. It acts as an information control center in the home.

Furthermore, with the recent start of digital broadcasting, the home server is required to receive digital broadcasting beyond the server function through the Internet and a network.

In a personal PC, a TV reception card or an HDTV broadcast reception card can be installed to watch a broadcast or digital broadcast through a computer monitor. Also, by connecting the HDTV broadcast reception card to a TV, watching a digital broadcast through a TV is also possible. It is possible.

The home server is usually implemented as a main body of a PC, and the set-top box receiving method in the home server is also made in the above-described manner.

2A and 2B illustrate a structure of connecting a digital set-top box to a typical home server. As shown in the drawing, the digital set-top boxes 23 and 23 'are connected to a control component 22 of a home server by a PCI (peripheral component interconnect). Connect in the form of a card.

PCI is a local bus that provides a data path that delivers high-speed data by directly connecting the central processing unit (CPU) and peripherals.It is excellent in stability and scalability, and expands ISA or EISA to most PC body boards. Apart from the slot, three or four PCI slots can be built-in, and video cards and SCSI expansion boards requiring high-speed data transfer can be inserted into the aforementioned PCI slots.

Conventionally, the digital set-top boxes 23 and 23 'of the PCI card type are inserted into the PCI slots of the PC main body used as the home server 20 to accommodate the digital broadcast reception function in the home server.

In this case, the digital set-top boxes 23 and 23 select a physical channel in the tuner 24 and demodulate it with the demodulator 25 in the same way as a digital set-top box generally sold, and then decode the logical channel in the decoder 26. It consists of a structure to decode the video / audio by selecting. In the case of a general digital set-top box, the CPU 26 'is provided inside the decoder 26, and the CPU 26' collects channel information to build a database, data broadcasting middleware, a user interface, and the like. All software is running.

In contrast to the digital set-top box 23 shown in FIG. 2A, the digital set-top box 23 ′ supports subscriber authentication and billing functions for a paid digital cable broadcasting service, and outputs the demodulator 25. A POD (Point of Deployment) processing unit 27 for processing reception restriction according to a user class among signals, performing encryption for copy protection, and delivering it to the decoder 26 is added, and an OOB (Out Of Band) message is separately added. It further comprises a second tuner 28 and a cable modem 29 for transmitting and receiving through a channel.

Since the digital set-top boxes 23 and 23 'are connected in a PCI form, the structure described above can transmit spirituality / voice through the PCI and also via the PCI when giving a command from a PC.

However, when connected through PCI as described above, the control unit 22 of the home server recognizes the decoder 26 of the set-top box as a PCI device, and thus, the decoder 26 is controlled by the control unit 22 of the home server. ) Is controlled, and all the software executed by the CPU 26 'of the decoder 26 is driven by the control unit 22 of the home server.

 Therefore, the CPU 26 'provided inside the decoder 26 of the digital set-top box is not properly utilized, and the function of collecting the channel information to build a database, data broadcasting middleware, and all existing software for the user interface. Since it must be ported to fit the platform of the PC, the time and cost increases and there is a disadvantage that increases the load on the control unit 22 of the home server.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, the object of which is to provide a home server with a digital broadcast reception function that can utilize the resources of the existing set-top box as it is without increasing the CPU load of the home server It is.

The present invention for achieving the above object, the home server control unit for performing a PC, home appliances, controllers, media server, network server and home automation server functions for various facilities; A first tuner which selects and receives a physical channel of digital broadcasting and frequency-converts the received high frequency broadcast signal into a signal of a predetermined band; A demodulator for receiving the output signal of the first tuner and demodulating the MPEG2 transport stream (TS) signal; A decoder configured to receive an IP broadcast signal through a transport stream of the demodulator and an Ethernet switch below, select a logical channel according to a user selection, and decode the broadcast signal of the selected channel; And an Ethernet switch configured to transmit multimedia or control information of the home server controller to the decoder or to transfer traffic transmitted from an external internet network to the decoder.

In addition, a home server accommodating the digital broadcasting reception function according to the present invention comprises: a second tuner for transmitting and receiving an out-of-band (OOB) message transmitted with a cable broadcasting signal; A cable modem for processing the out-of-band message received from the second tuner and transmitting the out-of-band message to the decoder through the Ethernet switch, and conversely modulating the out-of-band message delivered from the decoder to output to the second tuner; And a point of deployment (POD) located between the demodulator and the decoder to remove reception restrictions on the transport stream output from the demodulator, perform encryption for copy protection, and deliver the point of deployment to the decoder. It features.

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

3A and 3B are functional block diagrams illustrating a structure of a home server that accommodates a digital broadcast reception function according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the home server 30 according to the present invention connects a home server controller 32 and an external network (WAN) to be described later, and simultaneously provides multimedia or control information of the home server controller 32. An Ethernet switch 31 for transmitting to the decoder 35 the IP-related traffic transmitted to the decoder 35 to be described later or from an external internet network, and connected to an external network (WAN) through the Ethernet switch 31. A home server controller 32 for controlling the functions of a media server, a network server, and a home automation server in the home, and a first tuner for selecting and receiving a physical channel of digital broadcasting and frequency converting the received high frequency broadcast signal into a signal of a predetermined band. A demodulator 35 which receives the output signal of the first tuner 34 and demodulates it into an MPEG2 transport stream (TS) signal; and a transport stream and the Ethernet switch output from the demodulator 35. 31, the IP broadcast signal provided from the Internet received through the input select the logical channel according to a user selection, and comprises a decoder 36 which decodes the broadcast signal of a selected channel.

In the above configuration, the first tuner 34, the demodulator 35, and the decoder 36 are components included in a general digital set top box, and the configuration may use a general digital set top box as it is.

Figure 3b shows another embodiment of a home server having a digital broadcast reception function according to the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3B is an embodiment in which a set-top function for digital cable broadcasting is added to a home server. The basic configuration is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, and only some components necessary for receiving digital cable broadcasting are added. It just happened.

In detail, the home server 30 ′ shown in FIG. 3B is connected to the home server control unit 32 and the external network (WAN) and the multimedia of the home server control unit 32 as described above. Alternatively, an Ethernet switch 31 for transmitting control information to a decoder 35 to be described later or IP-related traffic transmitted from an external Internet network to the decoder 35 and an external network through the Ethernet switch 31. A home server controller 32 that controls the functions of a media server, a network server, and a home automation server connected to a WAN in the home, and converts a received high frequency broadcast signal into a signal of a predetermined band by selecting and receiving a physical channel of a digital broadcast. A demodulator 35 that receives the first tuner 34, an output signal of the first tuner 34, and demodulates the signal into an MPEG2 transport stream (TS) signal; and a transport stream output from the demodulator 35. A decoder 36 receives an IP broadcast signal provided through the Internet through the rim and the Ethernet switch 31, selects a logical channel according to a user selection, and decodes the broadcast signal of the selected channel.

In addition, the decoder 36 is provided between the demodulator 35 and the decoder 36 to perform reception restriction for each user class on the transport stream output from the demodulator 35 and to perform encryption for copy protection to perform the decoder 36. Point-of-deployment (37) for transmitting to the second tuner (38) for transmitting and receiving the out-of-band (OOB) message transmitted with the broadcast signal via a cable, and received from the second tuner 38 A cable modem for processing an out-of-band message and passing it to the decoder 36 through the Ethernet switch 31, and conversely modulating the out-of-band message transmitted from the decoder 36 and outputting it to the second tuner 38. 39) further.

That is, in the case of a cable broadcast set-top, since a POD function for processing an OOB message for two-way communication and a pay service and billing processing is required, a configuration thereof is further provided.

In the above embodiment, the first tuner 34, the demodulator 35, the decoder 36, the POD 37, the second tuner 38, and the cable modem 39 are set-top boxes for cable broadcast reception. As a typical component of, a general set top box for cable broadcasting reception may be used. In the above configuration, the cable modem 39 transmits and receives an OOB message with the decoder 36 via the Ethernet switch 31 in Ethernet format, and the POD 37 transmits the transport stream received from the demodulator 35. For each user class, the CA restricts the reception restriction (CA), encrypts it for copy protection, and transmits it to the decoder 36. The decoder 36 communicates with the POD 37 through a separate channel to secure an encryption key, decrypt the copy protection, and then proceed with normal decoding.

As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the present invention provides the decoder 36 of the set-top box 33 for receiving digital broadcasts or the set-top box 33 'for receiving cable broadcasts via an Ethernet switch 31. It is characterized in that it is configured to connect to the control unit 32 of the home server. In addition, in the case of the set-top box 33 ′ for cable broadcasting reception, the cable modem 39 is also connected to the decoder 36 through the Ethernet switch 31.

In this case, the decoder 36 includes all software such as an operating system, a device driver, a broadcasting middleware, and an application program for collecting and channelizing channel information into a database or providing a user interface. The software is run at 36a). Accordingly, the decoder 36 performs all processing related to the reception process and the user interface of the digital broadcast by itself, without being controlled by the control unit 32 of the home server, similar to a general digital set-top box used by being connected to a TV. do. All of the software running on the CPU 36a of the decoder 36 is suitable for the platform of the decoder 36, and since the software provided for the operation of the digital set-top box can be used as it is, the PC platform is conventionally used. There is no need for porting, thus saving time and money according to the porting.

In addition, since the decoder 36 takes charge of digital broadcast reception, there is no need to add or change additional software to the control unit 32 of the home server for digital broadcast reception.

According to the above-described configuration, the first tuner 34 selects the physical channel of the digital broadcast, converts it into a signal form (for example, a baseband signal) that can be processed by the demodulator 35, and outputs it. The demodulator 35 demodulates the signal of the selected physical channel output from the first tuner 34 into a digital transport stream (TS). The transport stream TS demodulated by the demodulator 35 is input to the decoder 36, and the decoder 36 demultiplexes the input transport stream and selects a specific program (a program requested by a user). The video and audio signals of the selected program are decoded by applying a predetermined video compression technique (for example, MPEG 2) and then output to a video device (for example, a TV).

On the other hand, when the IPTV broadcast is provided through an external network (WAN), the IP TV signal is transmitted to the control unit 32 of the home server via the Ethernet switch 31, and then again the control of the home server control unit 32 In this case, the Ethernet switch 31 may be transferred to the decoder 36, or an IP TV signal provided from an external network (WAN) may be transferred directly from the Ethernet switch 31 to the decoder 36. In this case, the IP TV signal is a digital signal compressed with a predetermined video compression technique (for example, MPEG 2), and the decoder 36 decodes the input IP TV signal into a video and audio signal by applying a predetermined compression technique. After that, it is output to an external video device (TV, etc.).

Accordingly, in the case of the present invention, when watching an IP-TV service or a VOD service through an external Internet network, the Ethernet switch 31 may be directly switched to the decoder 26 to be serviced. It may be serviced via the home server control unit 32. In addition, when the multimedia file stored in the storage device inside the home server is played back, the home server controller 32 transmits the multimedia file to the decoder 26 through the Ethernet switch 31 for viewing.

In addition, the control unit 32 of the home server may transmit a control message or multimedia data to the decoder 36 through the Ethernet switch 31, the decoder 36 is input through the Ethernet switch 31 It processes the control message and the multimedia data of the home server control unit 32, and controls the user interface or the output video / audio signal accordingly. That is, the control unit 32 of the home server simply transmits the information to be displayed on the display device (TV screen, etc.) via the decoder 36 through the ethernet switch 31 as described above. Process it and show it on your TV screen.

Although not shown, the home server controller 32 includes an I / O port, a storage device, and a memory.

Therefore, in the present invention, the home server control unit 32 is responsible for server functions only, and sets a role to play a digital broadcast reception and processing function through a CPU built in the decoder 36, thereby keeping existing digital set-top box resources intact. The digital broadcast reception function can be added without increasing the load on the control unit 32 of the home server while accepting.

In the above structure, in general, the traffic of the MPEG2 transport stream is about 20 Mbps, the OOB message of the cable set-top is about 2 Mbps, and the message transmitted from the control unit 32 of the home server to the decoder 36 is a small amount. This is a control message, and in the case of a general Ethernet switch 31, sufficient bandwidth is secured with 100 Mbps Ethernet.

As described above, the present invention provides a simple and easy way to accommodate a digital broadcast reception function in a home server that is in charge of a media server, a network server, and a home automation server in a home. The function can be used as it is, and the home server control unit can perform the server function only and can be separated from the decoder of the set-top box to perform the digital broadcast reception function, thereby reducing the cost of porting the software and providing rapid acceptance. It is possible to prevent the performance degradation since it does not increase the load of the home server controller.

Claims (6)

A home server control unit controlling functions of a home PC, a home appliance, a controller, a media server, a network server, and a home automation server for various facilities; A first tuner which selects and receives a physical channel of digital broadcasting and frequency-converts the received high frequency broadcast signal into a signal of a predetermined band; A demodulator for receiving an output signal of the first tuner and demodulating the MPEG2 transport stream (TS) signal; A decoder configured to receive an IP broadcast signal through a transport stream of the demodulator and an Ethernet switch below, select a logical channel according to a user selection, and decode the broadcast signal of the selected channel; And And an Ethernet switch for transmitting the multimedia or control information of the home server controller to the decoder or for transmitting traffic transmitted from an external internet network to the decoder. The method of claim 1, A second tuner for transmitting and receiving out-of-band (OOB) messages; A cable modem for processing the out-of-band message received from the second tuner and transmitting the out-of-band message to the decoder through the Ethernet switch, and modulating the out-of-band message transmitted from the decoder to the second tuner; And Located between the demodulator and the decoder, further including a POD (Point Of Deployment) processing unit for removing the reception restriction for the transport stream output from the demodulator, performing encryption for copy protection and forwarding to the decoder. A home server having a digital broadcast reception function. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the decoder comprises a CPU for driving an application program for collecting an operating system, a device driver, a broadcasting middleware, and channel information and providing a database or a user interface. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The home server controller is a home server having a digital broadcast reception function, characterized in that for transmitting a control message or a multimedia message to the decoder via an Ethernet switch. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The Ethernet switch is a home server having a digital broadcast reception function, characterized in that for directly switching the IP TV signal provided over the Internet to the decoder. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The Ethernet switch switches the IP TV signal provided through the Internet to the home server controller, and the home server controller transmits the received IP TV signal to the decoder through the Ethernet switch when playback of the IP TV is required. A home server having a digital broadcast reception function, characterized in that.

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