KR100687790B1 - Set-top box having front/ir and initialization method thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

An STB(Set-Top Box) equipped with an infrared signal receiver and an STB initialization method using the same are provided to prevent copy of the STB without any chipset and efficiently operate an application program for operating the STB. A tuner(32) generates a data stream having a middle frequency by modulating a frequency of an RF(Radio Frequency) received from the outside, and a memory(34) stores the application programs. A CPU(35) performs an authentication function when the STB is initialized and processes the data stream by using the application corresponding to a model of the STB. An A/V(Audio/Video) output part(36) outputs an A/V signal inputted from the CPU. An infrared receiver(37) processes an infrared remote control signal inputted from the outside, inputs the processed remote control signal to the CPU, and includes an algorithm for performing the authentication function and STB model information as a firmware style.

Description

Set-top box with infrared signal receiver and set-top box initialization method using same {Set-top Box Having Front / IR and Initialization Method Thereby}

1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box.

Figure 2 is an embodiment configuration showing a set-top box having a copy protection function.

3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box booting procedure.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a set-top box authentication process using a microprocessor provided in an infrared signal receiver.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of obtaining a CPU-added set-top box model identifier.

The present invention relates to a set-top box having an infrared signal receiver and a set-top box initialization method using the same, and more particularly, a set-top box capable of preventing set-top copying without a separate chip set and a set-top box for copy protection. It is about an initialization method.

1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box. As shown in FIG. 1, the set top box 10 includes a signal receiver 11 for receiving a signal transmitted through a satellite, a terrestrial antenna or a cable, and a high frequency signal input from the outside through the signal receiver 11. And a tuner unit 12 that performs frequency modulation on the RF to generate a data stream having an intermediate frequency.

Meanwhile, the set top box 10 includes a user input unit 13 for receiving a key signal or a remote control signal for operating the set top box, a memory unit 14 for storing application programs required for operation of devices connected to the set top box, It includes a central processing unit (CPU) unit 15 for performing overall control of the set-top box. The set top box 10 also includes a video / audio output unit 16 for outputting a video / audio signal under the control of the CPU unit 15.

In the set top box according to the prior art, the necessary application program is stored in the main memory of the disclosed chipset. Therefore, the set top box used in the digital terrestrial broadcast receiver, the digital cable broadcast receiver, the digital satellite broadcast receiver, and the Internet television broadcast receiver can be driven with the application program immediately after power is applied.

However, such a method causes the following problems. That is, since the necessary application programs are stored in the main memory of the disclosed chipset, there is a problem that the set-top box can be easily duplicated by copying the memory. In other words, even if a lot of time and effort to produce a set-top box product, anyone can easily duplicate it.

2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box having a copy protection function. Referring to FIG. 2, the set top box 20 having a copy protection function is provided with a chip module 17 for authentication in the set top box 20 having a copy protection function in the conventional set top box 10. In order for the CPU unit 25 to read an application program provided in the memory unit 24, first, communication with the authentication chip module 27 must be completed to complete authentication. Therefore, if no authentication is performed, the set-top box is not operated, thereby preventing duplication of the set-top box.

However, the set top box to which the authentication chip module is added has the following problems. That is, since an authentication chip module must be added, a cost is added to prevent set-top box duplication, and a port must be allocated for communication between the CPU unit 15 and the authentication chip module 17. Negative resources are reduced.

When the authentication process is completed between the CPU unit 15 and the authentication chip module 17, the CPU unit 15 obtains a model identifier of the set-top box and drives the corresponding application program.

In general, set-top boxes use different applications depending on the capabilities of each set-top box and the region in which the set-top box is used. Therefore, it is necessary to have each application program for each set top box. However, in this case, there is a difficulty in maintaining and repairing the application programs. Generally, the same application program is used, but several GPIOs are allocated to determine the low / high to distinguish the set-top box models. Use the following application.

As described above, when using a method of classifying models by assigning GPIOs, a GPIO port must be used in hardware, which limits the number of distinguishable models and reduces the available resources of the CPU.

Therefore, a method of storing unique ID information of a corresponding model in a specific area of a ROM / EEPROM is also used in the production of a set-top box. However, this method also has a problem in that it takes more time for set-top box production, and requires that a specific area of the ROM / EEPROM be reserved for set-top box model identifier information.

Therefore, as described above, a method for preventing duplication of the set-top box and providing the model identifier information of the set-top box more efficiently is required.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of preventing the duplication of a set-top box without a separate chip set, and more efficiently driving an application for driving the set-top box.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for initializing a set top box including an infrared signal receiver for receiving a control signal from an external device. And performing, if the authentication is successful, the central processing unit obtaining set-top box model information from the microprocessor, and driving an application program corresponding to the model information.

In addition, the present invention provides a tuner unit for generating a data stream having an intermediate frequency by performing a frequency modulation on a high frequency signal (RF) input from the outside, a memory unit for storing application programs, at the time of initialization of the set-top box A central processing unit for performing the authentication function and processing the data stream using an application program corresponding to the set-top box model, a video / audio output unit for outputting a video / audio signal input from the central processing unit, and externally The infrared remote control signal is processed and input to the central processing unit, and includes an infrared signal receiver having an algorithm for performing the authentication function and set-top box model information in the form of a firmware.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top box according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the set top box 30 includes a signal receiver 31 for receiving a signal transmitted through a satellite, a terrestrial antenna or a cable, and a high frequency signal input from the outside through the signal receiver 31. And a tuner unit 32 that performs frequency modulation on the RF to generate a data stream having an intermediate frequency.

The set top box 30 may include a user input unit 33 for receiving a key signal or a remote control signal for operating the set top box, a memory unit 34 for storing application programs required for operation of devices connected to the set top box, It includes a central processing unit (CPU) unit 35 for performing overall control of the set-top box. The set top box 30 also includes a video / audio output unit 36 for outputting a video / audio signal under the control of the CPU unit 35.

Meanwhile, the set top box 30 includes an infrared signal receiver (Front / IR) 37 for receiving a signal from a user remote controller. That is, the CPU unit 35 uses the signal received through the infrared signal receiving circuit 371 provided in the infrared signal receiving unit 37 to find out the key value of the remote control and according to the key value. Perform a certain command.

The microprocessor 372 in the infrared signal receiver 37 is used to perform a more brilliant LED display or to reduce the load of the CPU unit 35. That is, since a separate CPU interrupt or a resource such as a memory must be used for displaying a front LED or a 7-segment, a separate microprocessor 372 is provided in the infrared signal receiver 37. (372) Reduce the load on the CPU unit 35, and enable a more colorful LED display.

In the present invention, the authentication is performed by using the microprocessor 372 in the infrared signal receiving unit 37, and the set top box model ID information can be obtained.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a set-top box booting procedure. As shown in FIG. 4, when power is applied (S41), the CPU unit 35 of the set-top box 30 first performs an authentication process with the microprocessor 372 provided to receive the infrared signal (S42). Check that the set-top box is not a duplicate.

If authentication fails, it is determined as a duplicated product and stops the booting process of the set-top box (S43). On the other hand, if the authentication is successful, the CPU unit 35 obtains the set-top box model identifier from the microprocessor 372 of the infrared signal receiver (S44), and drives the application program according to the acquired model identifier (S45).

5 is a flowchart illustrating a set-top box authentication process using a microprocessor provided in an infrared signal receiver. Referring to FIG. 5, the CPU unit 35 transmits an authentication start command to the microprocessor 372 of the infrared signal receiver (S51), and then the CPU unit 35 randomly transmits to the microprocessor 372 of the infrared signal receiver. The value of S is transmitted (S52).

The microprocessor 372 encodes an arbitrary value received from the CPU unit 35 using a predetermined authentication algorithm, and transmits an encrypted key generated according to the encoding to the CPU unit 35 ( S53). The CPU unit 35 decrypts the encrypted key using a predetermined algorithm, and transmits a decrypted key generated according to the decryption to the microprocessor 372 (S54).

The microprocessor 372 checks whether the decrypted key received from the CPU unit 35 is correct, and if it is correct, transmits a boot command to the CPU unit 35 (S55).

As described above, when authentication is successfully performed between the CPU unit 35 and the microprocessor 372 unit, booting of the set-top box may be performed, and a remote connection between the CPU unit 35 and the microprocessor 372 unit may be performed. By using the same data format as the key value for remote control, the CPU does not need to use another interrupt or PIO port.

When the authentication procedure between the CPU unit 35 and the microprocessor 372 is completed, the CPU unit 35 receives the set-top box model identifier from the microprocessor 372.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of obtaining a CPU additional set-top box model identifier. Referring to FIG. 6, the CPU unit 35 of the set top box requests a model identifier for recognizing the set top box model from the microprocessor 372 of the signal receiver (S61). In response to a request of the CPU unit 35, the microprocessor 372 transmits the set-top box model identifier, which is already hard coded in the microprocessor 372, to the CPU unit 35 (S62). The CPU unit 35 that obtains the model identifier can run an application program corresponding to the model identifier.

As described above, if the set-top box authentication function and the model identifier acquisition function are performed using the microprocessor 372 of the infrared signal receiver, a separate hardware device is not required. That is, since the function is achieved only by the firmware of the microprocessor 372, it can be implemented in software. Since the microprocessor 372 uses a masking technique in the manufacturing process, it is impossible to duplicate it. As described above, it can be usefully used for the set-top box authentication function and the model identifier acquisition function.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

According to the present invention, the set-top box authentication function and the model identifier verification function are performed by using the characteristics of the microprocessor of the infrared signal receiver, so that the set-top box does not need to have a separate authentication chipset, so that copy protection can be performed more efficiently. It has an effect. It also has the effect of freeing up the CPU's available resources and eliminating the need for software maintenance and maintenance.

Claims (4)

In the initialization method of the set-top box having an infrared signal receiver for receiving a control signal from the outside, Performing a set-top box authentication process between the central processor and the microprocessor provided in the infrared signal receiver; Obtaining, by the central processing unit, set-top box model information from the microprocessor if the authentication is successful; And Running an application program corresponding to the model information; Set-top box initialization method comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication process, Sending, by the central processing unit, an authentication start command to the microprocessor; Sending, by the central processor, any value to the microprocessor; Encoding, by the microprocessor, the random value using an authentication algorithm provided in the form of firmware and transmitting the encoded value to the central processing unit; Decoding, by the central processing unit, the encoded value using a predetermined algorithm and transmitting the decoded value to the microprocessor; Checking at the microprocessor whether the decoded value is correct; And Sending a boot command to the central processor by the microprocessor according to the test result; Set-top box initialization method comprising a. The method of claim 1, Acquiring the set-top box model information, Requesting, by the central processing unit, to transmit a set-top box model identifier to the microprocessor; And The microprocessor transmitting the set-top box model identifier to the central processing unit Set-top box initialization method comprising a. A tuner unit which generates a data stream having an intermediate frequency by performing frequency modulation on a high frequency signal RF input from the outside; A memory unit for storing application programs; A central processing unit that performs an authentication function when the set-top box is initialized and processes the data stream by using an application program corresponding to the set-top box model; A video / audio output unit for outputting a video / audio signal input from the central processing unit; And Infrared signal receiver which processes the infrared remote control signal input from the outside and inputs it to the central processing unit, and has an algorithm and set-top box model information in the form of a firmware for performing the authentication function. Set top box with an authentication function comprising a.

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