KR101015961B1 - Streaming apparatus using virtual server and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a streaming device using a virtual server and a method thereof, which uses a virtual server to relay a broadcast channel using a virtual server without modifying a program of a conventional broadcasting server and a program of a terminal device player on the Internet. A streaming device and a method thereof are provided.

To this end, the present invention provides a streaming method using a virtual server, comprising: a first step in which a first virtual server receives a broadcast channel from a broadcast server and relays the broadcast channel to a player; A second step of the first virtual server searching for a second virtual server to switch a broadcast channel from the broadcast server; A third step of the first virtual server converting a broadcast channel from the broadcast server to a broadcast channel from the searched second virtual server and relaying the broadcast channel to the player; And a fourth step in which the first virtual server monitors the broadcast data reception state from the second virtual server and proceeds to the first step as it is out of the range of the stable reception state, wherein the second step includes: The first virtual server searches for the second virtual servers already receiving the corresponding broadcast channel, but selects the second virtual server using the first condition, the required condition, and the selection condition.

Streaming device, virtual server, broadcasting server priority access, condition satisfying server selection, broadcasting channel switching, priority condition, mandatory condition, selection condition

Description

Streaming device using virtual server and its method {STREAMING APPARATUS USING VIRTUAL SERVER AND METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a streaming apparatus for transmitting a broadcast and a method thereof, and more particularly, to relay a broadcast channel using a virtual server without modifying a program of a conventional broadcast server and a program of a terminal device player on the Internet. The present invention relates to a streaming device using a virtual server and a method thereof.

1 is an exemplary view for explaining the concept of a conventional IPTV system.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional IPTV system includes a dedicated broadcast server 11 for transmitting broadcast data, an internet 12 for delivering broadcast data to a corresponding IP address, and broadcast data. And first and second players 13 and 14 dedicated for playback.

In this case, for example, when the conventional IPTV system receives a connection request signal from a first terminal device, determining whether the number of terminal devices that are already connected is greater than or equal to a threshold indicating the number of accessible terminal devices. Transmitting broadcast data to the first terminal device that has attempted access if the number of terminal devices that are connected is smaller than the threshold value; and the terminal device that is already connected if the number of terminal devices that are already connected is greater than or equal to the threshold value. It includes the step of inducing a connection to any one of the second terminal device.

In general, the introduction of a multicast scheme is essential to extend IPTV services. However, since multicast extension is difficult due to various limitations, an overlay multicast scheme or a peer-to-peer scheme is currently used.

Since the overlay multicast method or peer-to-peer method cannot use an existing broadcast server or terminal device player without modification, an additional broadcast server or a dedicated terminal device player should be used. Errors that may occur due to the manufacture of a dedicated broadcast server and a dedicated terminal device player impair the stability and require additional investment.

In addition to the above-described disadvantages, the P2P method is difficult to transmit a stable broadcast by using a terminal device exposed to various environments and errors as a broadcast transmitting server, and accordingly, the IP2 service has stability and continuity as one of its main functions. The application can expose fatal weaknesses.

Therefore, the prior art as described above has to install a dedicated broadcast server additionally or use a dedicated terminal device regenerator, thereby deteriorating stability due to an error that may occur due to the production of a new dedicated broadcast server and a dedicated terminal device regenerator. In addition, there is a problem that requires investment, and the P2P method is difficult to transmit a stable broadcast by using a terminal device exposed to various environments and errors as a server for broadcasting transmission, and thus an IPTV service having stability and continuity as one of its main functions. There is a problem that can expose a fatal weakness to, and to solve this problem is a problem of the present invention.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a streaming apparatus and method using a virtual server capable of stably supporting an IPTV service while utilizing the advantages of a P2P scheme by relaying a broadcast channel using a virtual server.

That is, the present invention provides a streaming apparatus using a virtual server and a method thereof for relaying a broadcast channel using a virtual server without modifying a program of a conventional broadcasting server and a program of a terminal device player on the Internet. have.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention which are not mentioned above can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

The apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object, in the streaming device using a virtual server, a virtual server connection management means for selecting a second virtual server to switch the broadcast channel from the broadcast server by searching for the second virtual server ; A virtual stream client for first accessing the broadcast server to receive broadcast data of a desired broadcast channel, and then receiving broadcast data of the broadcast channel from a second virtual server selected by the virtual server connection management means to switch the broadcast channel. ; Storage means for storing broadcast data received via the virtual stream client; A virtual stream server for transmitting broadcast data stored in the storage means according to a connection of another virtual server requesting transmission of a corresponding broadcast channel; And reproducing means for accessing the virtual stream server to receive and reproduce a broadcast stream, wherein the virtual server connection management means searches for the second virtual servers that have already received the corresponding broadcast channel, The second virtual server is selected using the required conditions and selection conditions.

On the other hand, the method of the present invention for achieving the above object, the streaming method using a virtual server, the first virtual server receives a broadcast channel from a broadcast server to relay to a player; A second step of the first virtual server searching for a second virtual server to switch a broadcast channel from the broadcast server; A third step of the first virtual server converting a broadcast channel from the broadcast server to a broadcast channel from the searched second virtual server and relaying the broadcast channel to the player; And a fourth step in which the first virtual server monitors the broadcast data reception state from the second virtual server and proceeds to the first step as it is out of the range of the stable reception state, wherein the second step includes: The first virtual server searches for the second virtual servers already receiving the corresponding broadcast channel, but selects the second virtual server using the first condition, the required condition, and the selection condition.

delete

The present invention as described above, there is an effect that can stably support the IPTV service while utilizing the advantages of the P2P method.

That is, the present invention has the effect of stably relaying a broadcast channel using a virtual server without modifying a program of a conventional broadcast server and a program of a terminal device player on the Internet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, It can be easily carried out. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is an exemplary view for explaining the concept of an IPTV system to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 2, the IPTV system to which the present invention is applied includes a broadcast server 21 for transmitting broadcast data, an internet 22 for delivering broadcast data to a corresponding IP address, and broadcast data. And first and second virtual servers 23 and 25 and first and second players 24 and 26 for relaying and reproducing. The first and second virtual servers 23 and 25 may be implemented by using a terminal device or a non-dedicated broadcast server.

Next, the technical gist of the present invention will be described.

In the present invention, the player of the terminal apparatus first accesses the broadcast server 21 to receive the broadcast channel desired by the viewer, and receives and reproduces broadcast data of the channel. After the broadcast data reception and playback is started, the player of the terminal apparatus searches for another virtual server to replace the broadcast server 21, and thus, a predetermined condition (eg, a priority condition, a required condition, and a selection condition) that enables stable broadcast data reception. If there is a virtual server that satisfies the above, the broadcast data of the corresponding channel is received and reproduced from the corresponding virtual server, and the reception of the broadcast data from the broadcast server 21 is blocked (interrupted).

As described above, the broadcast data is not received for the time required to search for and find another virtual server to replace the broadcast server 21 by first accessing the real broadcast server 21 which is guaranteed to receive broadcast data. It can not only solve the problem that can not be solved, but also ensure the quick initial access, and only when it is determined that the service stability is guaranteed after fully checking the instability of the service of the virtual server composed of the terminal equipment or the non-dedicated broadcasting server. Switch the broadcast data reception source to the server.

In addition, the present invention monitors the status of the virtual server that is currently providing a service in place of the broadcast server 21 and when the stable broadcast data reception is not achieved, reconnect to the broadcast server 21 without delay to receive the broadcast data. By doing so, it is possible to improve the stability which is a characteristic of IPTV broadcasting.

In addition, in the present invention, the player and the broadcast server of the terminal apparatus use the system and program installed after sufficient verification for the IPTV system by the service provider as it is, and supplement the virtual server for broadcasting data transmission / reception. use. Therefore, by using the program of the existing broadcast server and the program of the terminal device player as it is, without creating a new dedicated player of the broadcast server and the terminal device, the possibility of an error that may be caused by the production of the dedicated broadcast server and the terminal device player is possible. Can be reduced as much as possible.

For example, the first virtual server 23 searches for the second virtual server 25 that has already received the corresponding broadcast channel. At this time, in order for the first virtual server 23 to search for the second virtual server 25 and adopt it as a new broadcasting server, the following several conditions must be met. Here, the conditions of adoption may include priority conditions, essential conditions, and selection conditions.

The priority condition means a condition that the broadcast channel must be switched first when the condition is met, and the essential condition means a condition that the minimum condition must be met to be converted. The selection condition is weighted and is a preferred condition when the weight value is superior to the broadcast server and other virtual servers.

For example, the priority condition is as follows.

When the first virtual server and the second virtual server is in the same LAN

Or where the first and second virtual servers are in the same routing domain.

The prerequisite consists of the following conditions, which can be achieved by a combination of these prerequisites or by the selection of the prerequisites.

The second virtual server must register in the directory that it intends to relay the broadcast channel to another virtual server (sending broadcast data). At this time, the second virtual server should register its IP address in the directory so that the virtual server on the same network as the network to which the second virtual server belongs.

-The performance of the available system, including the central processing unit (CPU), should be sufficient so that the system performance of the second virtual server is not severely degraded by the broadcasting channel transmission.

In order for the second virtual server to secure enough bandwidth upstream for transmitting broadcast data to the first virtual server, the amount of available bandwidth that can be reserved for the broadcast channel relay should be sufficient. In this case, the upstream bandwidth is not only an upstream bandwidth of the second virtual server itself, but also an upstream bandwidth of a router connected to the second virtual server to transmit broadcast data to the first virtual server. It is meant to include.

-There should be no transmission error of broadcasting channel transmitted from the second virtual server.

-Must be in same AS (Autonomous System) number.

The conditions for determining the suitability of the selection conditions are as follows.

-Channel reception delay time from the second virtual server

A hop count between the second virtual server and the first virtual server

Load average of the second virtual server

-Path depth, which is the number of virtual servers passing through broadcasting data transmission between the broadcasting server and the second virtual server

-Number of times broadcast data transmission did not proceed smoothly by connecting to the first virtual server

In this case, the first virtual server preferentially selects a second virtual server satisfying the priority condition among the second virtual servers satisfying the necessary conditions, and another second virtual server having excellent conditions according to the selection condition. Select to select a second virtual server to switch broadcasting channels. In this case, the first virtual server does not necessarily need to select a plurality of second virtual servers. If a second virtual server is selected that meets the necessary conditions, the first virtual server stops searching for the second virtual server and immediately goes to the selected second virtual server. Broadcast data reception can be switched (switched).

As another example, after the first virtual server receives the broadcast data of the corresponding broadcast channel from the second virtual server and confirms that there is no reception error for a predetermined time, the first virtual server synchronizes between the broadcast signal from the broadcast server and the broadcast signal from the second virtual server. By stopping the broadcast data reception from the broadcast server after setting the function, the broadcast channel is continuously received even if the broadcast data reception of the corresponding broadcast channel is switched from the broadcast server to the second virtual server, thereby improving stability of broadcast reception, an essential requirement of IPTV. To ensure.

Meanwhile, the first virtual server always checks the reception state of the broadcast data while receiving broadcast data of the corresponding broadcast channel from the second virtual server. The first virtual server includes a buffer to maintain a stable reception state of broadcast data. In this case, when the total length of the buffer is m hours (m is a natural number), a buffer of at least t hours (t is a natural number smaller than m) must be filled with broadcast data in advance to maintain stable reception of broadcast data. Therefore, when a loss of broadcast data occurs, the first virtual server recovers the lost broadcast data from the second virtual server for mt time, but if the recovery fails within mt time, it reconnects to the broadcast server 21 without delay and waits for mt time. Restores broadcast data in a buffer within The first virtual server stops receiving the broadcast data from the second virtual server (that is, converts the broadcast data reception into the broadcast server), and the second virtual server recognizes such a state so that the second virtual server can identify the second virtual server in the future. Modify the conditions that can be registered as a server.

The first virtual server receives the broadcast data of the corresponding broadcast channel directly from the broadcast server 21 and transmits the broadcast data to the terminal device player and the broadcast data reception state to the terminal device player. Checking If the status of the broadcasting channel is checked while the transmission / reception status of the broadcasting channel is uneven, it is estimated that the system of the first virtual server is unstable or the instability of the broadcast network. Record as. The recorded log information is used as a judgment aid when checking the stability by accessing the second virtual server in the future. That is, the error due to the instability of the first virtual server is not mistaken for the error due to the connection with the second virtual server. In addition, due to the limitation of the available bandwidth connected to the external network, connecting directly to the second virtual server in the internal network may improve stability than directly connecting to the broadcast server 21. All these changes in stability should be reflected in the search conditions.

3 is a detailed configuration diagram of an embodiment of a streaming device using a virtual server and an IPTV system using the same according to the present invention.

Since the overall configuration and operation of the IPTV system illustrated in FIG. 3 are the same as those described above with reference to FIG. 2, the first virtual server 320 is described with respect to a streaming device (including a virtual server and a player) using a virtual server according to the present invention. ) And the first player 330 will be described in more detail. Since the second virtual server 340 and the second player 350 of FIG. 3 have the same configuration as the first virtual server 320 and the first player 330, the description thereof will be omitted herein.

As shown in FIG. 3, the streaming apparatus using the virtual server according to the present invention selects a second virtual server 340 to switch broadcast channels from the broadcast server 310 by searching for neighboring second virtual servers. A first virtual server connection manager 321 for first accessing the broadcast server 310 to receive broadcast data of a desired broadcast channel, and then a second virtual server selected by the first virtual server connection manager 321 ( A first virtual stream client 322 for receiving broadcast data of a corresponding broadcast channel from 340 to switch the broadcast channel, and a first buffer for storing broadcast data received through the first virtual stream client 322. 323, a first virtual stream server 324 for transmitting broadcast data stored in the first buffer 323 according to a connection of another virtual server requesting transmission of a corresponding broadcast channel, and And a first player 330 for accessing the first virtual stream server 324 to receive and reproduce a broadcast stream (broadcast data). At this time, the first virtual server connection manager 321 selects the second virtual server 340 to switch the broadcast channel according to the prior condition, mandatory condition, and selection condition as described above.

Next, the operation of the streaming device using the virtual server according to the present invention will be briefly described.

First, the first virtual server connection manager 321 functions to search for a neighboring second virtual server 340 to connect. The information of the neighboring second virtual server 340 selects the most suitable second virtual server 340 based on the priority according to the above-described adoption conditions.

The first virtual stream client 322 requests the stream transmission by accessing the neighboring second virtual server 340 selected by the first virtual server connection manager 321. In this case, when the neighboring second virtual server 340 refuses access or there is no response, or the stream reception is not smooth, the first virtual stream client 322 is different from the first virtual server connection manager 321. Request to select a second virtual server. Meanwhile, when the neighboring second virtual server 340 is easily connected, the first virtual stream client 322 stores the broadcast data received from the second virtual server 340 in the first buffer 323.

The first virtual stream server 324 delivers the broadcast data stored in the first buffer 323 when the neighboring virtual server is connected. The first player 330 of the terminal device also accesses the first virtual stream server 324 to receive and play the broadcast stream.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a streaming method using a virtual server according to the present invention.

First, when receiving a broadcast channel request from the terminal device player (401), the first virtual server receives the broadcast channel from the broadcast server and relays it to the terminal device player (402).

Thereafter, the first virtual server searches for a second virtual server to switch the broadcast channel from the broadcast server (403). That is, the first virtual server can transmit the broadcast channel and searches for a second virtual server within an optimal range of transmission bandwidth, delay time, hop count, and the like.

Thereafter, the first virtual server switches the broadcast channel from the broadcast server to the broadcast channel from the searched second virtual server and relays the broadcast channel to the terminal device player. That is, the first virtual server blocks the reception of the broadcast channel from the broadcast server, receives broadcast data of the broadcast channel from the searched second virtual server, and relays the broadcast data to the terminal device player (404).

Thereafter, the first virtual server monitors whether the broadcast data is received from the second virtual server in a stable manner, and repeats the process from step "402" as it is out of the range of stable reception (405). That is, if the monitored state is out of the stable reception state range, the process proceeds to "402" and the first virtual server reconnects to the broadcast server, and then repeats the process.

On the other hand, in the above embodiment, the broadcast server may be implemented by the IPTV broadcast server group alone or in conjunction with the broadcast server and the overlay multicast equipment.

In order to minimize packet loss of the broadcast channel in the broadcast channel switching process 404, the broadcast channel from the broadcast server is blocked after receiving and synchronizing the broadcast channel from the second virtual server.

And the transmission method between the virtual server uses a unicast (unicast) or multicast (multicast) method.

In addition, the transmission method between the broadcast server and the virtual servers uses a unicast or multicast method.

In addition, the transmission method between the virtual server and the terminal device player also uses a unicast or multicast method.

The virtual server has a protocol conversion function (using a known method) between IPv6 and IPv4.

An error correction function is implemented between the virtual servers to prevent packet loss occurring during wired / wireless communication between the virtual servers.

The overlay multicast device implements a protocol conversion between IPv4 and IPv6.

On the other hand, the method of the present invention as described above can be written in a computer program. And the code and code segments constituting the program can be easily inferred by a computer programmer in the art. In addition, the written program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium (information storage medium), and read and executed by a computer to implement the method of the present invention. The recording medium may include any type of computer readable recording medium.

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

The present invention can be used for IPTV system and the like.

1 is an exemplary view for explaining the concept of a conventional IPTV system,

2 is an exemplary view for explaining a concept of an IPTV system to which the present invention is applied;

3 is a detailed configuration diagram of an embodiment of a streaming device using a virtual server and an IPTV system using the same according to the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a streaming method using a virtual server according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

310: broadcasting server 320: first virtual server

321: first virtual server connection manager 322: first virtual stream client

323: First buffer 324: First virtual stream server

330: first player 340: second virtual server

350: second player

Claims (19)

delete In the streaming device using a virtual server, Virtual server connection management means for searching for second virtual servers to select a second virtual server to switch a broadcast channel from the broadcast server; A virtual stream client for first accessing the broadcast server to receive broadcast data of a desired broadcast channel, and then receiving broadcast data of the broadcast channel from a second virtual server selected by the virtual server connection management means to switch the broadcast channel. ; Storage means for storing broadcast data received via the virtual stream client; A virtual stream server for transmitting broadcast data stored in the storage means according to a connection of another virtual server requesting transmission of a corresponding broadcast channel; And Playback means for accessing the virtual stream server to receive and reproduce a broadcast stream, The virtual server connection management means, Searching for the second virtual servers already receiving the corresponding broadcast channel, but selecting the second virtual server using a priority condition, a required condition, and a selection condition; Streaming device using a virtual server. The method of claim 2, The priority condition is, Including when the first virtual server and the second virtual server are in the same LAN, or when the first virtual server and the second virtual server are in the same routing domain. Streaming device using a virtual server. The method of claim 3, wherein The prerequisite, Register in the directory that the second virtual server is willing to transmit the broadcast channel to another virtual server, The system performance of the second virtual server should be sufficient so as not to be severely degraded by the relay of the corresponding broadcast channel. The amount of available bandwidth must be sufficient so that the second virtual server can secure enough bandwidth upstream for transmitting broadcast data to the first virtual server, There should be no transmission error of the broadcast channel transmitted from the second virtual server, Combining or selecting the conditions that must be within the same AS (Autonomous System) number Streaming device using a virtual server. The method of claim 4, wherein The bandwidth of the upstream (upstream), The upstream bandwidth of the second virtual server itself, as well as the upstream bandwidth of the router (router) connected for transmitting broadcast data to the first virtual server. Streaming device using a virtual server. The method of claim 4, wherein The selection condition is, A channel reception delay time from the second virtual server, a hop count between the second virtual server and the first virtual server, a load average of the second virtual server, and broadcast data transmission between the broadcast server and the second virtual server A path depth, which is the number of virtual servers passing through the city, and a number of times that the broadcast data transmission was not performed smoothly in connection with the first virtual server. Streaming device using a virtual server. The method of claim 2, The first virtual server, Among the second virtual servers satisfying the essential condition, a second virtual server meeting the priority condition is first selected, and another second virtual server is selected according to the selection condition to switch a broadcast channel. Selected as the second virtual server Streaming device using a virtual server. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, The first virtual server, After confirming that there is no reception error for a predetermined time while receiving broadcast data of the corresponding broadcast channel from the second virtual server, the broadcast signal from the broadcast server and the broadcast signal from the second virtual server are synchronized before the broadcast. Stop receiving broadcast data from the server Streaming device using a virtual server. The method of claim 8, The first virtual server, When a loss of broadcast data occurs, recovering the lost broadcast data from the second virtual server for m-t hours, but if the recovery fails within m-t hours, reconnects to the broadcast server to recover broadcast data in the buffer within m-t hours. Streaming device using a virtual server. (Where m is the total length of the buffer and t is the minimum time that the buffer must be filled with broadcast data beforehand for stable reception) The method of claim 8, The unicast or multicast scheme is used to transmit broadcast data between the broadcast server, the first virtual server, and the second virtual server. Streaming device using a virtual server. delete In the streaming method using a virtual server, A first step in which the first virtual server receives a broadcast channel from the broadcast server and relays the broadcast channel to the player; A second step of the first virtual server searching for a second virtual server to switch a broadcast channel from the broadcast server; A third step of the first virtual server converting a broadcast channel from the broadcast server to a broadcast channel from the searched second virtual server and relaying the broadcast channel to the player; And And a fourth step in which the first virtual server monitors the broadcast data reception state from the second virtual server and proceeds to the first step as it is out of the range of the stable reception state. The second step, The first virtual server searches for the second virtual servers that are already receiving the corresponding broadcast channel, but selects the second virtual server using a priority condition, a required condition, and a selection condition. Streaming method using a virtual server. 13. The method of claim 12, The priority condition is, Or when the first virtual server and the second virtual server are in the same LAN, or when the first virtual server and the second virtual server are in the same routing domain. Streaming method using a virtual server. The method of claim 13, The prerequisite, Register in the directory that the second virtual server is willing to transmit the broadcast channel to another virtual server, The system performance of the second virtual server should be sufficient so as not to be severely degraded by the relay of the corresponding broadcast channel. The amount of available bandwidth must be sufficient so that the second virtual server can secure enough bandwidth upstream for transmitting broadcast data to the first virtual server, There should be no transmission error of the broadcast channel transmitted from the second virtual server, Combining or selecting the conditions that must be within the same AS (Autonomous System) number Streaming method using a virtual server. The method of claim 14, The bandwidth of the upstream (upstream), The upstream bandwidth of the second virtual server itself, as well as the upstream bandwidth of the router (router) connected for transmitting broadcast data to the first virtual server. Streaming method using a virtual server. The method of claim 14, The selection condition is, A channel reception delay time from the second virtual server, a hop count between the second virtual server and the first virtual server, a load average of the second virtual server, and broadcast data transmission between the broadcast server and the second virtual server A path depth, which is the number of virtual servers passing through the network, and a number of times that the broadcast data transmission is not performed smoothly in connection with the first virtual server. Streaming method using a virtual server. 13. The method of claim 12, The second step, Among the second virtual servers satisfying the essential condition, a second virtual server meeting the priority condition is first selected, and another second virtual server is selected according to the selection condition to switch a broadcast channel. Selected as the second virtual server Streaming method using a virtual server. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, The third step, After confirming that there is no reception error for a predetermined time while receiving broadcast data of the corresponding broadcast channel from the second virtual server, the broadcast signal from the broadcast server and the broadcast signal from the second virtual server are synchronized before the broadcast. Stop receiving broadcast data from the server Streaming method using a virtual server. delete

Images