KR100854252B1 - Settop box for controlling media play start time, apparatus for controlling thereof and method for thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An STB capable of controlling the play start time of a video, an auto control apparatus thereof, and a method thereof are provided to play the video directly if a predetermined size or a predetermined ratio of the video is downloaded in a case that a network download speed is greater than a video bit rate, and control the initial play start time of the downloaded video automatically in consideration of the network download speed to play the video up to the end of the video normally without the pause or stoppage of the play of the video, thereby improving user's satisfaction about service quality. A download and play VOD(Video On Demand) service system includes an STB(Set Top Box)(100) and a download server(200). The STB includes a DB(110), a UI(User Interface) configuration unit(120), a download and play controller(130), a download unit(140), a media player(150), and an auto play start time controller(160). The download and play controller controls the download and play of a video file. The media player unit plays a video file selected by a user. The download unit performs the download of the video file by being connected to the download server according to the request of the download and play controller, determines the download amount of a downloaded file, and transmits the downloaded file to the media player unit when the file is downloaded more than a predetermined size. The auto play start time controller includes a download speed generating module(162), an information collecting module(163), a video bit rate calculator(161), a download speed prediction module(165), and a video play start time determining module(164). The auto play start time controller determines a predetermined size of the video file by using the total size of the video file, a network average download speed, and video bit rate information when the network average download speed is slower than a video bit rate.

Description

Set-top box capable of automatically adjusting the video play time, its automatic control device and method thereof

1 is a configuration diagram of a download and play VOD service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a VOD service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of automatically adjusting a video play time of FIG. 2.

4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining a video play time point when the video bitrate is twice the network download speed.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

100: set-top box 200: download server

110: database 120: UI component

130: download and play control unit 140: download unit

150: media play unit 160: play point automatic adjustment unit

161: image bit rate calculation module 162: download speed generation module

163: information collection module 164: video play point determination module

165: download speed prediction module 10: user

The present invention relates to a set-top box capable of automatically adjusting a video play time, an automatic adjusting device and a method thereof, and more particularly, a network download speed in a download and play type video on demand (VOD) service. If the video is smaller than the bit rate, the technology automatically adjusts the initial play time of the downloaded video in consideration of the network download speed so that the video can be played to the end without pausing or stopping the video play.

In general, the VOD service is a video service that provides a video-based service such as a movie or news through a telephone line or a cable according to a user's request. The VOD service digitally compresses a video program and stores the video program in a video server. , Playback, control, index search, service that provides subscriber's desired program through high-speed communication network.

The size of the video file provided by the VOD service may vary depending on the encoding options and parameters provided by the encoder, but the variables that have the greatest influence on the size of the video file are the bit rate and running time of the video. Time).

Table 1 below shows an example of the size of an image file according to the bitrate and the running time of the image.

division Bit Rate of Video Running time (seconds) Image file size (Mbytes) Image-11 1.0 3600 450 Image-12 1.0 7200 900 Footage-21 2.0 3600 900 Footage-22 2.0 7200 1,800 Footage-31 4.0 3600 1,800 Footage-32 4.0 7200 3,600 Footage-41 10.0 3600 4,500 Footage-42 10.0 7200 9,000

As shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the longer the bit rate and the running time of the image, the larger the size of the image file.

In this way, if the video file size is known, a part of the total video file is downloaded first, and then the video file can be played while the download is continued to provide the VOD service to the user.

At this time, the size of a part of the total video file, that is, the downloaded file at the time of playing, is determined as a constant size regardless of the size of the total video file, or is determined by a predetermined ratio with respect to the size of the total video file.

Table 2 below discloses an example in which play is performed when a predetermined size of the total video file size is downloaded.

division video Bitrate (Mbps) Running time (second) Video file size (Mbytes) Video play exhibition File size to receive (Mbytes) Video play Viewpoint (second) Video file Total download Time in seconds normal play Whether Image-11 1.0    3,600 450           50       133 1,200  YES Image-12 1.0    7,200 900           50       133 2,400  YES Footage-21 2.0    3,600 900           50       133 2,400  YES Footage-22 2.0    7,200 1800           50       133 4,800  YES Footage-31 4.0    3,600 1800           50       133 4,800  NO Footage-32 4.0    7,200 3600           50       133 9,600  NO Footage-41 10.0    3,600 4500           50       133 12,000  NO Footage-42 10.0    7,200 9000           50       133 24,000  NO

In Table 2, assuming that the download speed is 3.0Mbps and the size of the downloaded video file is 50.0Mbytes, if the video bitrate is larger than the network download speed (that is, the video bitrate is greater than 3.0Mbps) You won't be able to play.

On the other hand, in order to play the video data normally, the time obtained by subtracting the display time from the total download time of the video file should be smaller than the video play time. In Table 2, in the case of video-21, the total download time minus the screening time (2400 seconds-3600 seconds) is -1200 seconds, which is smaller than 133 seconds at the time of video playback, so the video can be played normally. In the case of -31, the total download time minus the screening time (4800 seconds-3600 seconds) is 1200 seconds, which is larger than 133 seconds at the time of video playback, so that the video cannot be played normally.

That is, as shown in Table 2, when the bit rate of the video is larger than the network download speed (Video-31, Video-32, Video-41, Video-42), it can be seen that video play is not normally performed.

Table 3 discloses a case in which a predetermined ratio of the total video file size is downloaded and played.

division video Bitrate (Mbps) Running time (second) Video file size (Mbytes) Video play exhibition File size to receive (Mbytes) Video play Viewpoint (second) Video file Total download Time in seconds normal play Whether Image-11 1.0  3,600 450 45     120   1,200  YES Image-12 1.0  7,200 900 90     240   2,400  YES Footage-21 2.0  3,600 900 90     240   2,400  YES Footage-22 2.0  7,200 1800 180     480   4,800  YES Footage-31 4.0  3,600 1800 180     480   4,800  NO Footage-32 4.0  7,200 3600 360     960   9,600  NO Footage-41 10.0  3,600 4500 450   1,200  12,000  NO Footage-42 10.0  7,200 9000 900   2,400  24,000  NO

Assuming the download rate is 10% when the network download speed is 3.0 Mbps, if the video bitrate is larger than the network download speed (that is, the video bitrate is greater than 3.0 Mbps) as shown in Table 3 above, the video is played normally. You will not be able to.

For example, in Table 3, in the case of video-21, the total download time minus the screening time (2400 seconds-3600 seconds) is -240 seconds, which is smaller than the 133 seconds of the video playback time, so that the video can be played normally. On the other hand, in the case of Video-31, the total download time minus the screening time (4800 seconds-3600 seconds) is 1200 seconds, which is larger than 240 seconds at the time of video playback. have.

That is, as shown in Table 3, when the bit rate of the video is larger than the network download speed (Video-31, Video-32, Video-41, Video-42), it can be seen that video play is not normally performed.

As described above, since the prior art does not consider the network download speed when determining the video play time, video play is not normally performed when the bit rate of the video is larger than the network download speed.

That is, assuming that the network download speed is constant, the video play speed (video bitrate) is faster than the network download speed, and therefore, at a certain point in time, the decoder does not have enough buffers of video data to play, and thus the video cannot be played normally. When the video play is stopped, the video play is stopped, and the image data is buffered, and the video play can be started again after the buffer of sufficient video data is filled.

As described above, the conventional technology does not consider the bit rate of the video file and the network download speed, but when determining the video play time by considering only the size of the downloaded video file, the network download speed should be greater than or equal to the bit rate of the video. Only videoplay had a problem that is normally possible.

That is, if the network download speed is smaller than the bit rate of the video, there may be a large number of pauses or stops in the middle of playing the video. In particular, the bit rate of the video is higher than the network download speed. In case of HD video service, the above problems were more likely to occur.

Accordingly, the present invention for solving the above-described problem, when the network download speed is smaller than the bit rate of the video in the download and play VOD service, automatically adjusts the first play time of the downloaded video in consideration of the network download speed Thus, the object is to play the video normally to the end without pausing or stopping the video play.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a set-top box capable of automatically adjusting a video play time point includes a download and play control unit for controlling download and play of a video file, and a media for playing a video file selected by a user. In response to the request of the download unit and the download and play control unit, the download server interlocks with the download server to download the image file, determines the download amount of the downloaded file, and transmits the file to the media play unit when the file is downloaded over a predetermined size. And a download point and a play point automatic control unit for determining the predetermined size using the total size of the video file, the network average download speed, and the video bitrate information when the network average download speed is smaller than the video bit rate. It is characterized by.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatically adjusting a video play time point may include: calculating a video ratio, predicting a network average download speed, and comparing the network average download speed and the video bit rate; And a second process of calculating a size to be downloaded before playing a video using the network average download speed, the video bitrate, and the total size of the video file when the network average download speed is smaller than the video bitrate. And checking whether the size of the currently downloaded file is equal to or larger than the determined size to be downloaded, and if the size is higher than the size of the currently downloaded file, starting the play of the corresponding video file.

In addition, the apparatus for automatically adjusting the video play time of the set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention, the video bitrate calculation module for calculating the video bitrate in consideration of the total size and the running time of the video file, and the network download speed information A download speed generation module to generate the network, a download speed prediction module for predicting the average network download speed using the network download speed information, and collecting the network speed information from the download speed generation module and collecting the network speed information from the video bit rate calculation module. An information collection module for collecting video bitrate information, and comparing the network average download speed and the video bitrate to determine the total size of the video file and the network average download when the network average download speed is smaller than the video bitrate. FIG, and by using the video bit rate information, characterized in that it comprises a video play time determination module for determining a video play time.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a configuration diagram of a download and play VOD service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The download and play VOD service system of the present invention includes a set-top box 100 capable of adjusting an initial play time of an image and a download server 200 connected through an internet network.

The set-top box 100 includes a database 110, a user interface (UI) unit 120, a download and play controller (down and play; 130), a download unit 140, a media player 150, And a play point automatic adjustment unit 160.

The database 110 includes basic information about VOD related data. Here, the VOD-related data includes information such as a content ID, a content title, a channel number, a series series, a content file path content file size, a running time, whether paid or free, and a rating.

The UI configuration unit 120 configures a user interface (UI) so that the user can read the VOD related data from the database 110. In this case, the UI is provided to the user 10 including the type, title, and running time of the VOD content, and receives a selection of the desired VOD content from the user 10.

When the download and play control unit 130 is requested to play the content file selected by the user, the download and play control unit 130 requests the download unit 140 to download the file.

When the download unit 140 receives a download request from the download and play control unit 130, the download unit 140 requests the download server 200 to download the corresponding content file, and when the corresponding content file starts to be downloaded, the size of the downloaded file is determined. If the size of the downloaded file is greater than or equal to a certain size, the file is transmitted to the media player 150. At this time, the information about the predetermined size is preferably determined by the automatic play point adjustment unit 160 is received.

The media player 150 plays the content provided through the downloader 140.

The play time automatic controller 160 determines the video play time in consideration of the network download speed and the video bit rate. To this end, the play point automatic control unit 160 is an image bit rate calculation module 161, a download speed generation module 162, information collection module 163, a download speed prediction module 164, and a video play time determination module 165.

The image bitrate calculation module 161 calculates the bit rate of the image in consideration of the image file size and the running time, and the formula is expressed by Equation 1 below.

 Bit rate of video (Mbps) = Total size of video file (Mbps) / Running time

The download speed generation module 162 is a module that receives the image file downloaded from the download unit 140 and generates data information actually downloaded. Here, the downloaded data information includes size (Bytes) and download time (seconds) information of the downloaded file.

The download speed generation module 162 generates information about the download speed until the download of the video file is completed in order to provide the user with information about the download state of the video file even after the video play is started. At this time, the download speed generation module 162 calculates the download speed per second based on the downloaded data information, that is, the size of the downloaded file (Bytes) and the download time (second).

The information collection module 163 periodically collects network download speed related data generated by the download speed generation module 162.

The download speed prediction module 164 predicts the average download speed of the network based on the data (network download speed) collected by the information collection module 163. In order to predict the average download speed of the network, a network average download speed prediction method using a normal distribution or a network average download speed prediction method using an average transmission speed are used.

First, the network average download speed prediction method using a normal distribution predicts the average download speed of the network based on 95% of the normal confidence interval, and the equation is as shown in Equation 2 below.

Here, in order to obtain the average download speed, the download speed prediction module 164 calculates the current average value and the standard deviation in advance. At this time, since the average download speed is calculated periodically (for example: 1 second interval), it is preferable to calculate using the previously calculated value.

On the other hand, the average network download speed prediction method using the average transmission rate is a method of predicting the average download speed of the network by taking the average of the download rate periodically collected by the number of trials (collection times). same.

The video play time determination module 165 is a module that determines the video play time based on the network average download speed predicted from the download speed prediction module 164, the bit rate of the video, and the total size of the downloaded video file.

The image play time determination module 165 may determine the image as shown in Equation 4 below according to the bit rate of the image calculated by the image bitrate calculation module 161 and the network average download speed predicted by the download speed prediction module 165. Decide when to play.

Threshold size (threshold_size) = Total size of video file (media_file_size) x (1.0-(download_speed / video bitrate))

Here, the threshold size (threshold_size) means the size of the file to be downloaded before the video is played, the total size of the video file (media_file_size) is the total size of the video file, and the download speed (download_speed) is The average download speed is predicted, and the image bitrate means the bitrate of the image being downloaded. In this case, in Equation 4, when the network download speed is larger than the image bit rate, the threshold size (threshold_size) is smaller than zero.

The above-described method of determining the video play time of the present invention is used even when the network average download speed is larger than the video bit rate, but more preferably, it is used when the network download speed is smaller than the video bit rate.

Hereinafter, a VOD service method of a download & play method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

First, the UI configuration unit 120 configures a UI, provides a corresponding screen to the user 10, and receives a selection of a desired content file from the user 10 (S11 ˜ S13).

When the specific VOD content is selected by the user 10, the UI configuration unit 120 requests the play of the selected content file with respect to the download and play control unit 130 (S14), whereby the download and play control unit 130 The download unit 140 requests the download of the selected content file (S15).

The download unit 140 requests the download of the selected content file to the download server 200 through the Internet network (S16), and the download server 200 starts downloading the selected file (S17). In this case, it is preferable that the download server 200 performs user authentication.

Thereafter, the download unit 140 transmits the downloaded file to the play point automatic control unit 160 (S18), and the play point automatic control unit 160 calculates the video play time (S19), and calculates the result. Transfer to download unit 140 (S20).

Therefore, the download unit 140 checks whether the downloaded file is larger than the threshold size, that is, the threshold size is downloaded or more, and when the threshold size is downloaded, the downloaded file is a media play. Transfer to the unit 150 to start the play (S23).

That is, the download unit 140 determines whether the video play time determined by the play time determination module 165 has arrived, and when the arrival occurs, transmits the content file to the media play unit 150 to start playing the video file. Do it.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3, a method of automatically adjusting a video play time according to a network download speed and a bit rate of a video according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (process S21 of FIG. 2) will be described in detail. .

First, the image bitrate calculation module 161 calculates the image bitrate, the download rate generation module 162 generates network download rate information, and then the information collection module 163 receives the download rate generation module 162. The network download speed information is collected (S101) and transmitted to the download speed prediction module 165 to predict the network average download speed (S102).

Accordingly, the video play time determination module 165 obtains and compares the video bit rate information and the network average download speed information from the video bit rate calculation module 161 and the download speed prediction module 165 (S103).

If the average network download speed is greater than the video bit rate in step S103, the download unit 140 checks whether the video file has been downloaded by a predetermined size or a predetermined ratio as in the conventional method (S104). Alternatively, when downloaded by a certain ratio, the downloaded image file is transmitted to the media player 150 to be played (S105).

On the other hand, when the average network download speed is smaller than the video bit rate in step S103, the video play time determination module 164 calculates the threshold size (threshold_size) in the manner described above (S106).

Subsequently, the video play time determination module 164 transmits the calculated threshold size value to the download unit 140 to check whether the size of the file downloaded from the download unit 140 is greater than or equal to the calculated threshold size. (S107), if the calculated threshold size or more is downloaded, the corresponding file is transmitted to the media play unit 150 to be played (S105).

In this case, when determining the video play time according to the method of the present invention, it can be seen that normal play continues as shown in Table 4 below.

division video BIT RATE (Mbps) Running time (second) Video file size (Mbytes) Video play exhibition File size to receive (Mbytes) Video play Viewpoint (second) Video file Total download Time in seconds normal play Whether Image-11 1.0  3,600 450 -900 -2,400    1,200  YES Image-12 1.0  7,200 900 -1,800 -4,800    2,400  YES Footage-21 2.0  3,600 900 -450 -1,200    2,400  YES Footage-22 2.0  7,200 1800 -900 -2,400    4,800  YES Footage-31 4.0  3,600 1800      450    1,200    4,800  YES Footage-32 4.0  7,200 3600      900    2,400    9,600  YES Footage-41 10.0  3,600 4500    3,150    8,400   12,000  YES Footage-42 10.0  7,200 9000    6,300   16,800   24,000  YES

In Table 4, since the file size to be received before video play is smaller than 0, video-11 to video 22 can be played normally by applying an existing algorithm, and video-31 to video-42 use the method shown in FIG. Can be played normally.

4A to 4B, a video play time point when the video bitrate is twice the network download speed will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the video bitrate is twice the network download speed, the video play starts when 50% of the total file size is transmitted.

Thereafter, when the amount of play as shown in FIG. 4B reaches 50% after the start of play at the 50% point of FIG. 4A, that is, the video play time, the total amount is about 75%.

Thereafter, the difference between the amount of play and the amount of transmission is continuously reduced, and as a result, file transfer is completed when play ends as shown in FIG. 4C.

As described above, when the network download speed is greater than the video bitrate, the present invention enables the user to immediately play the video at a predetermined size or a certain ratio by the conventional method. By automatically adjusting the first play time of the downloaded video by taking into consideration the user's satisfaction with the service quality by allowing the user to play the video normally to the end without pausing or stopping the video play. There is an effect to improve.

In addition, the preferred embodiment of the present invention for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will be able to various modifications, changes, replacements and additions through the spirit and scope of the appended claims, such modifications and changes are the following claims Should be seen as belonging to.

Claims (14)

A download and play control unit for controlling the download and play of an image file; A media player which plays an image file selected by a user; A download unit which downloads the image file in association with a download server at the request of the download and play control unit, determines the download amount of the downloaded file, and transmits the file to the media play unit when the file is downloaded over a predetermined size; When the network average download speed is smaller than the video bitrate, and comprises a play time automatic control unit for determining the predetermined size by using the total size of the video file, the network average download speed, and the video bitrate information Set-top box that can automatically adjust the video play time. The method of claim 1, wherein the play time automatic adjustment unit, And when the network average download speed is larger than the video bit rate, the predetermined size is determined as a predetermined size or a predetermined ratio of the total size of the video file regardless of the network average download speed. Set-top box with automatic point of view adjustment. The method of claim 1, wherein the play time automatic adjustment unit, An image bitrate calculation module that calculates the image bitrate in consideration of the total size and the running time of the image file; A download speed prediction module for predicting the network average download speed; And The network average download speed is compared with the video bitrate, and when the network average download speed is smaller than the video bitrate, the video play time is determined using the total size of the video file, the network download speed, and the video bitrate information. Set-top box capable of automatically adjusting the video play time, characterized in that it comprises a video play time determination module for determining. The method of claim 3, wherein the play time automatic adjustment unit, A download speed generation module for generating network download speed information for the network average download prediction; And And a data collection module for collecting the network speed information from the download speed generation module and collecting the video bitrate information from the video bitrate calculation module. The image bit rate calculating module of claim 3, wherein the image bitrate calculation module comprises: The set-top box capable of automatically adjusting the video play time, characterized in that to calculate the video bitrate by dividing the total size of the video file by the running time. The method of claim 3, wherein the video play time determination module, A set-top box capable of automatically adjusting a video play time point by calculating a size to be downloaded before playing a video by using Equation 1 below, so that the downloaded time point is a play time point. [Equation 1] Threshold size (threshold_size) = total size of video file (media_file_size) x (1.0-(download_speed / video bitrate)) Here, the threshold_size is downloaded before playing the video. The total file size (media_file_size) means the total size of the video file, the download speed (download_speed) means the estimated average download speed, and the video bitrate is the size of the video being downloaded. It means bit rate. The method of claim 3, wherein the download speed prediction module, A set-top box capable of automatically adjusting the video play time point, wherein the average network download speed is estimated based on a 95% normal confidence interval. The method of claim 3, wherein the download speed prediction module, A set-top box capable of automatically adjusting the video play time, characterized in that the average download speed is estimated by dividing the download speed collected periodically by the number of collection times. The method of claim 6, wherein the download unit, Receiving a threshold size from the video play time determination module, it is determined whether the downloaded file size is larger than the threshold size, and if it is abnormal, transmits the file to the media player. Set-top box that can automatically adjust the video play time. Calculating a video bitrate and predicting a network average download speed; The network average download speed is compared with the video bit rate, and when the network average download speed is smaller than the video bit rate, the video is played using the network average download speed, the video bit rate, and the total size of the video file. A second process of calculating a size to be downloaded before; And And a third process of starting the play of the corresponding video file when the size of the currently downloaded file is greater than or equal to the determined size to be downloaded. The method of claim 10, wherein the first process comprises: And automatically calculating the video bit rate by dividing the total size of the video file by the running time. The method of claim 10, wherein the second process, When the network average download speed is larger than the video bit rate, the size to be downloaded before playing the video is determined as a predetermined size or a predetermined ratio of the total size of the video file regardless of the network average download speed. How to automatically adjust the video playback time of the set-top box. The method of claim 10, wherein the second process, If the network average download rate is less than the video bit rate, The average download speed divided by the video bitrate is obtained by subtracting 1 from the product file size and multiplying the total size of the video file by calculating the size to be downloaded before the video is played. Automatically adjust the video playback time of the set-top box characterized in that. An image bitrate calculation module that calculates the image bitrate in consideration of the total size and the running time of the image file; A download speed generation module for generating network download speed information; A download speed prediction module for predicting the network average download speed using the network download speed information; An information collection module for collecting the network speed information from the download speed generation module and collecting the video bitrate information from the video bitrate calculation module; The network average download speed is compared with the video bitrate, and when the network average download speed is smaller than the video bitrate, the video play is performed using the total size of the video file, the network average download speed, and video bitrate information. Automatically adjust the video play time of the set-top box, characterized in that it comprises a video play time determination module for determining the point of view.

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