KR101082985B1 - Apparatus for testing two-way application service - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for testing a bidirectional service is provided. The apparatus for testing a bidirectional service may include: a test indicator configured to store a bidirectional service execution screen as a picture file, and then transmit a message to a bidirectional service terminal to transmit a message to a server; a picture file received from the bidirectional service terminal; And a test result providing unit for determining an abnormality of the bidirectional service based on the data comparison unit to compare and the comparison result.

Automated testing, interactive applications, scripts

Description

Device for testing interactive services {APPARATUS FOR TESTING TWO-WAY APPLICATION SERVICE}

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for testing an interactive service, and more particularly, to an apparatus for testing whether an IPTV interactive service is always serviced to a customer without abnormalities, and providing an operator with an abnormality.

IPTV service is basically a broadcasting convergence service that provides various IPTV interactive application services (hereinafter referred to as two-way service) such as multi-channel real-time broadcasting service, VOD service, game, karaoke, messenger and e-commerce using IP protocol of the Internet. In particular, a variety of specialized interactive services that are difficult to provide in cable TV is possible.

In providing such two-way service, IPTV service provider always checks whether there is any abnormality of the service before complaints due to the abnormality of the two-way service, and tests the abnormality of the two-way service so that immediate action can be taken immediately. It is necessary.

To this end, conventionally, it was determined whether there is an abnormality of the interactive service through the following process.

The IPTV service provider first boots the set-top box in order to determine whether there is an abnormality in the two-way service, and then provides basic authentication and always-tuned transport stream (ATTS) -SI (service information) information (hereinafter referred to as ATTS-SI) of the set-top box itself. After receiving, the main menu waits in the standby state (S101).

Thereafter, the IPTV operator manually clicks the menu of each interactive service every time in order to determine whether the various interactive services are normal (S102).

Thereafter, when the execution result is received in the set-top box through the service authentication and the connection with the data provider server internally, the IPTV operator directly checks whether or not there is an abnormality in the execution result (S103).

In the conventional method of verifying whether there is an abnormality in the two-way service, the IPTV service provider has a problem of being inefficient because it periodically repeats the process of checking the abnormality by clicking the menu of each two-way service each time.

In addition, since the interactive service is a system in which an IPTV provider's system and a data provider's system interoperate to provide a service, in the event of a problem with the data provider's system and a complaint is received from the customer, the IPTV provider's point of view is It was very difficult to identify the abnormality of the interactive service on its own.

As a result, in order to test the abnormality of the bidirectional service, the corresponding alarm information should be delivered from the IPTV provider's system or the data provider's system, and further development of the IPTV provider system and the data provider system is required. There is a burden.

Accordingly, an application for a bidirectional service test is automatically driven to periodically check whether there is an abnormality of the bidirectional service, and when an error occurs, a bidirectional service test method for automatically delivering an alarm to an IPTV provider is required.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention is to manually test whether there is an abnormality of the two-way service, or to escape from the conventional test method for determining the abnormality of the two-way service depending on the complaint of the customer, the two-way service Provides a device to automatically test for abnormalities and to notify the operator of the result in case of abnormality.

In addition, when a new interactive service is additionally provided, a method and apparatus for determining an abnormality of a corresponding new interactive service without a separate system are provided.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects not mentioned can be clearly understood from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus for testing a bidirectional service according to an aspect of the present invention is a test indicator for transmitting a message to the bidirectional service terminal to store the bidirectional service execution screen as a picture file and to transmit to the server, the bidirectional And a data comparison unit for comparing the picture file received from the service terminal with a pre-stored comparison image, and a test result providing unit for determining whether the bidirectional service is abnormal based on the comparison result.

In order to achieve the above object, an interactive service terminal for testing an interactive service according to an aspect of the present invention stores a script in which each step for automatically testing the interactive service is recorded, and analyzes the code recorded in the script. A script execution unit for executing the steps sequentially, a menu selection unit for selecting any one of menus corresponding to the interactive service displayed on the interactive service display device, based on the code recorded in the script, and the selected A data request unit for requesting data for the selected bidirectional service to a data providing server providing a bidirectional service, and when the requested data is received from the data providing server and displayed on the bidirectional service display device, a code recorded in the script A test result of capturing the displayed screen on the basis of the display unit, determining whether there is an abnormality of the selected interactive service based on the comparison result and a data comparison unit comparing the previously stored comparison image with each other, and providing the determination result It includes a providing unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It is provided to fully inform the owner of the scope of the invention.

According to one of the problem solving means of the apparatus for automatically testing the bidirectional service of the present invention described above, it is possible to immediately determine whether there is an abnormality before the complaint of the customer due to the abnormality of the bidirectional service.

In addition, it is possible to reduce the cost of on-site dispatch for responding to customer complaints (VOC) and checking for abnormality by immediately identifying an abnormality before a customer complaint occurs due to an abnormality of the interactive service.

In addition, when a new bidirectional service is added, additional system building costs for testing the bidirectional service are not incurred, thereby reducing system operating costs.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

For reference, in the entire specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, it is not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another element in between. Also includes.

Also, when an element is referred to as "comprising ", it means that it can include other elements as well, without departing from the other elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a general IPTV broadcasting service system.

Referring to FIG. 1, an IPTV broadcasting system includes a broadcaster 1000, a headend system 2000, a network network 3000, and a user terminal 4000.

In addition, the headend system 2000 includes a baseband system 2010, a compression multiplexing system 2020, a conditional access system (CAS) 2030, a back office system 2040, a monitoring system 2050, A media management core (MOC) 2060, a subscriber management system 2070, a data broadcasting system 2080, an electronic program guide (EPG) system 2090, and a return path server system 2100.

The broadcaster 1000 serves to produce, edit, and change broadcast content to provide to the headend system 2000. The broadcaster 1000 may include a program provider (PP), a terrestrial wave, or a content provider (CP). In addition, the broadcast content provided by the broadcaster 1000 may include existing broadcast content and rich content on the Internet.

The headend system 2000 receives and manages broadcast content from the broadcaster 1000 and distributes content to the user terminal 4000 to provide broadcast / recording / playback services. The received broadcast content may include related additional information and an EPG for such additional information.

The head-end system 2000 includes EPG information (PSIP / PSI /) including a subscriber concentrator, a broadcast video and audio signal, data broadcasting data, and a program recommendation service menu through a router supporting a multicast routing protocol. SI information) can be transmitted to IP set-top boxes of multiple subscribers by multicasting.

The baseband system 2010 receives an MPEG2 broadcast signal from an external program provider (PP) or an analog broadcast signal from terrestrial waves, converts the received source broadcast signal into a SDI (Serial Digital Interface) signal, and converts a frame ( Frames), and distributes video and audio signals from multiple broadcast channels (e.g. 100 channels) via a routine switcher, subtitle generator (CG) and automatic program controller (APC). At least one of an advertisement, a logo, or a subtitle is inserted into the broadcast video and audio signal (signal editing and processing) and transmitted to the compression multiplexing system 2020.

The SDI (Serial Digital Interface) signal is, for example, a digital signal standard having a transmission rate of 270 Mbps, and a composite digital video and four channels of digital audio signals may be mixed.

The baseband system 2010 is basically a tuner for receiving analog broadcast signals through a receiving device (eg, a DS-3 station, a Yagi antenna, and an IRD) for receiving broadcast signals such as a program provider (PP) and terrestrial waves, respectively. (Tuner)), a frame synchronizer for converting and correcting a source signal received from a receiving device into an SDI signal, synchronizing frames, and A connecting / centralizing all broadcast signal channels for operation management. A signal splitter such as a / V router, and a subtitle generator for inserting an advertisement, a logo, and a subtitle into the SDI signal to edit and process the signal.

The compression multiplexing system 2020 uses an A / V encoder (A / V Encoder) for broadcasting video and audio signals (Video, Audio) received from the baseband system 2010 for each broadcasting channel (eg, 100 channels). ) To compress the SDI (Serial Digital Interface) video signal to H.264, and to compress the audio signal to MPEG-2 AAC to generate MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream), and to compress compressed broadcast video and audio -2 after multiplexing data broadcasting data and EPG information (PSIP / PSI / SI information) generated by a data encoder and a PSI / SI generator together with the TS signal When the received MPEG-2 TS signal is used in the reception restriction technique, the TS-2 may be inputted to a scrambler, encrypted, and finally IP packetized to transmit an IP packetized TS (Transport Stream) broadcast signal.

Also, optionally, the reception restriction system 2030 may be used to prevent illegal viewing and illegal copying of program recommended content.

The reception restriction system 2030 performs encryption of the real-time channel and pre-encryption of the VOD content, and controls the viewing authority so that only the authenticated user can use the channel and the content. In order to prevent illegal copying of IPTV contents, a digital rights management (DRM) scheme may be used instead of the reception restriction system 2030.

The back office system 2040 is a provisioning system and provides a billing processing function for the use of the IPTV program service for each subscriber.

The monitoring system 2050 is a control system. The monitoring system 2050 may monitor a transmission failure of an A / V broadcast signal for IPTV broadcasting, a reception failure by monitoring a downlink of an IPTV headend system, and confirm subtitles.

The media management system 2060 is a system that manages various business process information (program organization information, location information, contract information, product information, etc.) for operating a broadcasting business. The media management system 2060 integrates and manages the information flow through organic coupling with each system in the center of the broadcasting center.

The media management system 2060 manages broadcast program organization information, content and media management information, contract information of a program provider (PP) and a content provider (CP), and product information, and manages each system in the center of a broadcasting center. Through organic integration, it can act as a coordinator to manage and manage the flow of information.

In addition, the media management system 2060 includes contract management, media and content metadata management, EPG information acquisition / management as broadcast schedule information, and real time broadcasting and VOD in terms of operation. It provides channel formation management, agent management, interworking with each subsystem, VOD catalog creation management, and various product management.In terms of analysis, marketing analysis reporting, delivery such as settlement of CP / CA, subscriber viewing propensity, etc. In terms of broadcasting transmission monitoring, video server transmission management and VOD subscriber authentication, transmission result recording / management for settlement with CP / CA, and data synchronization with each subsystem connected.

The subscriber management system 2070 provides membership registration and termination and member information management for IPTV services.

The data broadcasting system 2080 authors, verifies, organizes, and transmits the data broadcasting data.

The data broadcasting system 2080 includes a data agent manager (PSI) for managing data encoding, a PSI / SI generator (PSI) for generating program specific information / service information (SI). / SI Generator), Data Server / Data Encoder for encoding data broadcasting data into broadcast video and audio signals, and Multiplexer Manager for managing multiplexing functions of data into the broadcast video and audio signals Manager) and a scheduler user interface (Scheduler UI).

In addition, the data broadcasting system 2080 may use the A / V encoder to provide the A / V data provided from the A / V server according to the terrestrial Application Configuration Access Protocol (ACAP) data broadcasting standard. Compresses the broadcast video and audio signal by using a data server / data encoder and PSI / SI (Program Specific Information / Service) to compress the compressed video and audio signal from the application by the authoring tool. Information) Multiplexed by a multiplexer together with data broadcasting data and EPG information (PSIP / SI information) generated by the generator to encode and transmit broadcast program data and related information from the collection and storage of data broadcasting programs. have.

The EPG system 2090 includes an EPG server and provides an electronic program guide (EPG) service to the user terminal 4000.

The return path server system 2100 processes bidirectional data by a data provider (DP), provides online bill transfer from the user terminal 4000, usage history / billing interworking processing of bidirectional data, and personalization authentication processing. , And receive bidirectional data for the program recommendation service and transmit the corresponding response data to the user terminal 4000 in unicasting.

The network 3000 receives the broadcast content from the headend system 2000 and delivers the received broadcast content to the user terminal 4000. The network network 3000 includes a backbone network and an access network, and the access network includes Ethernet, xDSL (ADSL, VDSL), Hybrid Fiber Coaxial Ca (HFC), and Fiber To The Curb), and may be configured in any one topology of a fiber to the home (FTTH) structure.

The user terminal 4000 is an apparatus for using an Internet broadcasting service, and generally includes an interactive service display apparatus (for example, an IPTV terminal), an interactive service terminal (for example, a set top box), and a remote controller. The interactive service display apparatus outputs broadcast content received from the headend system 2000 and transmits a user response signal received through the remote controller to the headend system 2000 through a return channel of the interactive service terminal.

The user terminal may use any one of a TV with a set top box or a set top box connected to the user's TV, a computer, a laptop, or a personal portable terminal.

The set-top box includes a hardware layer composed of set-top box hardware such as a CPU, a media processor, a flash RAM, and an Ethernet module, a system software layer including a system driver such as a device driver and an operating system, a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Middleware layer with Conditional Access System (CAS) module and Digital Rights Management (DRM) interface module, streaming protocol (RTP, RTSP), MPEG2, MPEG4, MPEG7, H.264, WMV- It may include four layers of an application layer that supports various multi codecs such as 9 and includes an electronic program guide (EPG) for selecting an IPTV service channel. In this case, the subscriber set-top box may be assigned an IPv4 address or an IPv6 address.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for automatically testing a bidirectional application service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A system for automatically testing a bidirectional application service according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal 110, an IPTV operator server 120, a test service providing server 130, a data providing server 140, and an operator terminal 150. ).

Herein, the user terminal 110 includes the interactive service terminal 110a, the interactive service display apparatus 110b, and a remote controller, like the user terminal 4000 in the system illustrated in FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, the set-top box 110a is used as an example of the interactive service terminal 110a, and the IPTV terminal 110b is used as an example of the interactive service display apparatus 110b.

Referring to each component of the system shown in Figure 2, the set-top box 110a is connected to the IPTV operator server 120 to always tuned transport stream (ATTS) -Service Information (SI) (hereinafter referred to as ATTS-SI) ) Receive the information.

Here, the ATTS-SI information is used to check the type of application service (more specifically, unbound application service) and the version of each information transmitted from the IPTV operator server 120 at the initial boot of the set-top box 110a. Information.

ATTS-SI information includes network information (NIT), channel list (SDP), bouquet list (BAT), broadcast schedule per channel (EIT-pf, EIT-sch), current time (TDT, TOT) and unbound application meta information. (AIT).

The set-top box 110a receives ATTS-SI information from the IPTV provider server 120 to check the type and version of the unbound application service, performs an update if necessary, and executes the unbound application service.

For reference, the bidirectional service can be roughly divided into an unbound application service and a bound application service. The unbound application service is always executed from the time of starting in the set-top box 110a. For example, Home, EPG, Naver and T-comm.

In addition, the bound application service may be further divided into a channel-linked service and a stand-alone service. The channel-linked service is a service in which a bidirectional service is executed when connected to a specific channel, and the bidirectional service is terminated when the connection with the corresponding channel is released. Examples include a food TV, a catch-on plus, and a home shopping.

The standalone service is connected to the data provider server providing the service when the application is executed regardless of a specific channel, and provides a service to the customer, for example, TV newspapers, weather and karaoke.

In addition, the set-top box 110a allows the test service providing server 130 to select one of menus corresponding to a plurality of 'bidirectional application services' (hereinafter referred to as bidirectional services) displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b. Receive the remote control signal message and select the menu by referring to the location information of the menu included in the received message.

For reference, the remote control signal message performs the same operation as that operated by the remote control in the set-top box 110a, the position information of the menu included in the remote control signal message coordinates each menu displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b, It can be represented using a coordinated menu.

The specification of the remote control signal message received from the test service providing server 130 will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.

In addition, the set-top box 110a requests the data for the bidirectional service to the data providing server 140 providing the bidirectional service corresponding to the selected menu, and receives the data of the bidirectional service from the data providing server 140. Output to IPTV terminal 110b.

In this case, the data output to the IPTV terminal 110B may include at least one of an icon, an image, a flash, or a sound.

In addition, the set-top box 110a receives a screen capture message for capturing the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b from the test service providing server 130, and captures the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b to display a picture file. After storing as, transmits to the test service providing server 130.

In this case, the screen capture message received from the test service providing server 130 may include information about an area of the screen to be captured by the set-top box 110a.

In more detail, the set-top box 110a may capture the entire screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b, but may capture a predetermined range of area from the center of the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b.

The reason is that when an error of an interactive service occurs, a popup of an error notification message is generally located at the center of the screen. Therefore, when capturing a predetermined range of area from the center of the screen, a resource is more than capturing the entire screen. It can be more efficient by consuming less.

Meanwhile, the test service providing server 130 manages a script for automatically testing a plurality of bidirectional services, wherein the script includes code that records each step for performing the bidirectional service test.

The test service providing server 130 transmits a remote control signal message to the set-top box 110a to select one of menus corresponding to a plurality of interactive services displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b based on the code recorded in the script. do.

For reference, the set-top box 110a receiving the remote control signal message performs the same operation as the remote control operation, and the location information of the menu included in the remote control signal message coordinates each menu displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b. It can be represented using a coordinated menu.

In addition, the test service providing server 130 transmits a screen capture message to the set-top box 110a to capture the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b after a predetermined time, according to a code recorded in the script.

In this case, the transmission of the screen capture message after a predetermined time takes into account the time when the menu is selected in the set-top box 110a and the corresponding interactive service data is displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b.

For reference, the test service providing server 130 may transmit a message to the set-top box 110a to record the sound output to the IPTV terminal 110b after a predetermined time, according to a code recorded in the script.

The specification for the screen capture message transmitted from the test service providing server 130 to the set top box 110a will be described later with reference to FIG. 10.

In addition, the test service providing server 130 receives a picture file (image) that captures the screen of the IPTV terminal 110b from the set-top box 110a, and compares the captured screen with a comparison image.

In this case, when the menu corresponding to the bidirectional service is selected in the set-top box 110a, if the corresponding service is normally provided, the comparison image should be received after a predetermined time from the data providing server 140 providing the corresponding service. Means an image of the screen (data).

The test service providing server 130 may determine whether there is a service abnormality by comparing the captured screen received from the set-top box 110a with a predetermined range of areas from the center of the comparison image.

This is because comparing the areas corresponding to a part of the image with each other, it may be more efficient than comparing the entire image.

Of course, by comparing the sound received from the set-top box 110a and the comparison sound as well as the image, it may be determined whether there is an abnormality of the corresponding interactive service.

In this case, when the menu corresponding to the bidirectional service is selected in the set-top box 110a, if the corresponding service is normally provided, the comparison sound should be received after a predetermined time from the data providing server 140 providing the corresponding service. Means sound.

For reference, the test service providing server 130 may perform a multi-step test procedure for each bidirectional service, and may manage a comparison image or a comparison sound for determining an abnormality of a service at each point in each step. have.

In addition, the test service providing server 130 compares the captured image received from the set-top box (110a) with a comparison image, and transmits a message indicating the abnormality of the corresponding bidirectional service to the operator terminal 150.

On the other hand, when the data provider server 140 receives a request for the bidirectional service from the set-top box 110a, the data provider server 140 provides data of the bidirectional service to the set-top box 110a.

On the other hand, the operator terminal 150 receives the test result of the bidirectional service from the test service providing server 130, and provides the operator with the presence or absence of the abnormality of the bidirectional service. In this case, when an abnormality occurs in the bidirectional service, the operator terminal 150 may generate an alarm by ringing an alarm or may provide a corresponding test result to the operator's mobile phone and e-mail.

For reference, when a new bidirectional service is added, each step for testing the abnormality of the newly added bidirectional service can be inserted into the script, so the newly added bidirectional service is not necessary to build an additional system. You can test for abnormalities.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The system for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a set-top box 210a, an IPTV operator server 220, a data providing server 230 and an operator terminal 240.

For reference, in the system shown in FIG. 2, the script for performing the interactive service test for each step is stored in the test service providing server 130 and the set top is based on the code recorded in the script in the test service providing server 130. If the message for the bidirectional service test is transmitted to the box 110a, in the system shown in FIG. 3, the script for performing the bidirectional service test for each step is stored in the set-top box 210a, and the script in the set-top box 210a. The difference is that you perform a bidirectional service test based on the code recorded in.

Referring to each component of the system shown in Figure 3, the set-top box 210a is connected to the IPTV operator server 220 receives the ATTS-SI information. The information on the ATTS-SI information has been described above with reference to FIG. 2 and will be omitted.

In addition, the set-top box 210a checks the type and version of the application service based on the ATTS-SI information, performs an update if necessary, and executes the application service.

The set top box 210a also executes a script stored in a repository within the set top box 210 to automatically test the bidirectional service.

Here, the script includes code recording each step for performing the interactive service test, and the set-top box 210a corresponds to each menu corresponding to a plurality of interactive services displayed on the IPTV terminal 210b based on the code recorded in the script. Select sequentially.

In addition, the set-top box 210a requests the data for the bidirectional service from the data providing server 230 providing the bidirectional service corresponding to the selected menu, receives the received data, and displays the received bidirectional service on the IPTV terminal 210b.

In addition, the set-top box 210a captures a screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 210b after a predetermined time based on the code recorded in the script, and compares the screen with the comparison image to determine whether there is an abnormality of the corresponding interactive service. Can be.

In this case, the set top box 210a may capture an area of a predetermined range from the center of the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 210b and compare it with an area of the predetermined range from the center of the comparison image.

For example, if the karaoke menu is selected, if the service is normally serviced, the set-top box 210a is from the data providing server 230 providing the karaoke service, after a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds). The data constituting the screen of the karaoke service should be received and displayed on the IPTV terminal 210b.

Therefore, the set-top box 210a captures the IPTV terminal 210b screen 3 seconds after the karaoke service menu is selected based on the code recorded in the script, and compares the karaoke with the comparison image of the karaoke service corresponding to the corresponding point in time. It is possible to determine whether the service is abnormal.

If an error occurs in the karaoke service, that is, 3 seconds after the karaoke menu is selected, if the normal screen is not displayed and an error message pops up, the set-top box 210a compares the karaoke service corresponding to the corresponding time point. It may be determined that the images captured on the screen where the image and the error message pop up do not coincide with each other, and that an abnormality has occurred in the corresponding service.

If an error occurs in the corresponding application service, the set-top box 210a transmits a message indicating that the error occurs in the corresponding service to the operator terminal 240.

Interception of the message transmitted from the set-top box 210a to the operator terminal 240 will be described later with reference to FIG. 11.

On the other hand, the IPTV operator server 220 transmits ATTS-SI information to the set-top box 210a when the set-top box 210a is connected, and the data providing server 230 receives a request for bidirectional service from the set-top box 210a. , To provide the data of the service to the set-top box (210a).

On the other hand, the operator terminal 240 receives the test result of the bidirectional service from the set-top box 210a, and provides the operator with the presence or absence of the abnormality of the bidirectional service. In this case, when an abnormality occurs in the bidirectional service, the operator terminal 240 may generate an alarm by ringing an alarm, or provide a corresponding test result to a mobile phone and an e-mail of the operator.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An apparatus for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in the test service providing server 130 of the system shown in FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, the components illustrated in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the components of the system illustrated in FIG. 2.

The apparatus 130 for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a script managing unit 131, a test indicating unit 132, a data comparing unit 133, and a test result providing unit 134.

When describing each component in detail, the script manager 131 stores the script, and receives the service request from the set-top box 110a or analyzes the code recorded in the script at predetermined predetermined time intervals so that each step is sequentially performed. To be executable.

Here the script contains code that records each step to perform a bidirectional service test.

Meanwhile, the test instruction unit 132 transmits a remote control signal message to the set-top box 110a to select one of menus corresponding to a plurality of interactive services displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b based on the code recorded in the script. do

For reference, the set-top box 110a receiving the remote control signal message performs the same operation as the remote control operation, and the location information of the menu included in the remote control signal message coordinates each menu displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b. It can be represented using a coordinated menu.

In addition, the test instruction unit 132 transmits a screen capture message to the set-top box 110a to capture the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b after a predetermined time, according to a code recorded in the script.

In addition, the test instruction unit 132 may transmit a message to the set-top box 110a to record the sound output to the IPTV terminal 110b after a predetermined time, according to a code recorded in the script.

For reference, the transmission of the message after a predetermined time by the test indicating unit 132 takes into account a time when a menu is selected in the set-top box 110a and data of the corresponding interactive service is displayed on the screen of the IPTV terminal 110b.

Specifications for the remote control signal message and the screen capture message will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Meanwhile, when the screen captured from the set-top box 110a is received, the data comparing unit 133 compares the captured screen with a previously stored comparison image based on a code recorded in a script.

In this case, since the captured screen received from the set-top box 110a captures an area of a predetermined range from the center of the screen displayed on the IPTV, the data comparator 133 is an area of the predetermined range from the center of the comparison image. May be compared with the captured screen received from the set-top box 110a.

For reference, the data comparator 133 may compare the sound received from the set-top box 110a with the pre-stored comparison sound as well as the image to determine whether there is an abnormality of the corresponding interactive service.

Meanwhile, the test result providing unit 134 determines whether there is an abnormality of the corresponding bidirectional service based on the comparison result compared by the data comparison unit 133, and transmits a message including the determination result to the operator terminal 150. .

The specification of the message transmitted from the test result providing unit 134 to the operator terminal 150 will be described later with reference to FIG. 11.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

An apparatus for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in the set top box 210a of the system shown in FIG. 3.

Hereinafter, the components illustrated in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the components of the system illustrated in FIG. 3.

The set-top box 210a for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a preprocessor 211, a script execution unit 212, a menu selector 213, a data requester 214, and a data comparison. The unit 215 and the test result providing unit 216 are included.

To describe each component in detail, the preprocessor 211 requests the ATTV-SI information from the IPTV operator server 220, and when the ATTS-SI information is received, the type of bidirectional service to be executed in the set-top box 210a and Check the version for each piece of information. If the version of the bidirectional service is a lower version, the preprocessor 211 may update the service to the latest version.

On the other hand, the script execution unit 212, after the preprocessing process in the preprocessor 211, by analyzing the code recorded in the script so that each step can be executed sequentially.

In the script, the steps (operations) to be performed by the above-described units 213 to 216 are recorded in a code form in order to automatically test the bidirectional service.

A detailed description of the script will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

Meanwhile, the menu selection unit 213 selects any one of the menus corresponding to the plurality of interactive services displayed on the IPTV based on the code recorded in the script.

At this time, the position of the menu selected by the menu selection unit 213 may be represented by coordinates of each menu corresponding to the interactive service displayed on the IPTV.

For example, if the menu is displayed on the IPTV in the form of 5 X 2, if the first menu on the upper left is set to the reference coordinate (0, 0), each menu is coordinated in the form of (x, y) based on the reference coordinate. Can be represented.

In addition, the position of the menu selected by the menu selection unit 213 may be represented as left, right, up or down with respect to the first selected menu when the menu is displayed on the IPTV in the form of m x n.

On the other hand, the data requesting unit 213 requests the data of the interactive service to the data providing server 230 providing the interactive service selected by the menu selection unit 213.

Meanwhile, when the data of the requested interactive service is received from the data providing server 230 and displayed on the IPTV, the data comparing unit 214 captures the screen displayed on the IPTV based on the code recorded in the script and compares the previously stored data. Compare with the image.

In this case, the data comparison unit 214 may compare the area of the predetermined range from the center of the captured screen and the area of the predetermined range from the center of the comparison image to determine whether there is a service abnormality.

For reference, in addition to the comparison image, the data comparator 214 may determine whether there is an abnormal service by comparing the sound output from the IPTV terminal 210b with the comparison sound after a predetermined time after the specific interactive service menu is selected.

On the other hand, the test result providing unit 215 determines the abnormality of the corresponding bidirectional service based on the comparison result of the data comparison unit 214, and provides a message on the determination result to the operator terminal 240.

The specification of the message provided from the test result providing unit 215 to the operator terminal 240 will be described later with reference to FIG. 11.

For reference, the components illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention mean software components or hardware components such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and have a predetermined role. Perform them.

However, 'components' are not meant to be limited to software or hardware, and each component may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium or may be configured to reproduce one or more processors.

Thus, as an example, a component may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and processes, functions, properties, procedures, and subs. Routines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

Components and the functionality provided within those components may be combined into a smaller number of components or further separated into additional components.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of automatically testing an interactive service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 will be described based on the test service providing server 130 among components of the system shown in FIG. 2.

First, the test service providing server 130 sets the remote control signal message to select one of menus corresponding to a plurality of interactive services displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b based on the code recorded in the script. To transmit (S601).

After step S601, the test service providing server 130 transmits a screen capture message to the set-top box 110a to capture the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b after a predetermined time, based on the code recorded in the script. (S602).

After step S602, the test service providing server 130 receives a screen captured from the set-top box (110a) (S603).

After the step S603, the test service providing server 130 compares the screen captured from the set-top box 110a with the previously stored comparison image based on the code recorded in the script (S604).

In this case, when the capture screen received from the set-top box 110a captures an area of a predetermined range from the center of the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b, the test service providing server 130 is provided from the set-top box 110a. The area of the predetermined range may be compared with the received capture screen from the center of the comparison image.

As a result of the comparison, the test service providing server 130 transmits a message indicating that there is no abnormality in the corresponding bidirectional service to the operator terminal 150, and performs a subsequent step based on the code recorded in the script ( S605)

If the result of step S604 does not match with each other, the test service providing server 130 transmits a message indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the corresponding bidirectional service to the operator terminal 150 (S606).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of automatically testing an interactive service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described based on the set-top box 210a among the components of the system shown in FIG. 3.

First, when the set-top box 210a is booted, the set-top box 210a receives ATTS-SI information from the IPTV operator server 220 to check the type and version of the bidirectional service, and if necessary, performs an update and performs the bidirectional service. It executes (S701).

After step S701, the set top box 210a executes a script stored in the storage in the set top box 210a (S702).

After step S702, the set-top box 210a selects one of the menus corresponding to the plurality of interactive services displayed on the IPTV based on the code recorded in the script (S703).

After step S703, the set top box 210a requests the data of the bidirectional service to the data providing server 230 providing the selected bidirectional service (S704).

After step S704, the set top box 210a receives the data requested in step S704 from the data provider server 130 and displays it on the IPTV terminal 110B (S705).

After step S705, the set-top box 210a captures the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110B based on the code recorded in the script, and compares the screen with the previously stored comparison image (S706).

As a result of the comparison, the set-top box 210a transmits a message indicating that there is no abnormality in the corresponding bidirectional service to the operator terminal 240, and performs a subsequent step based on the code recorded in the script (S707).

If the comparison result of step S706 does not match each other, the set-top box 210a transmits a message to the operator terminal 240 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the corresponding bidirectional service (S708).

After step S708, the operator can determine the cause of the abnormality of the two-way service based on the message sent to the operator terminal 240, by addressing the cause of the abnormality before the customer's complaint, the response to the customer complaint (VOC) And it is possible to reduce the cost of on-site dispatch to check for abnormalities.

8 is a diagram illustrating a script according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Script 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a command on the basis of the '>' symbol, the back represents a value for the command.

Referring to each operation of the script shown in Figure 8 in detail,

Send> n7, n0, n5, ok: Move to channel 705 and select the channel (menu) (ok).

-Each channel (menu) displayed on the IPTV terminal screen can be coordinated to indicate the position of the channel to select.

Sleep> 1000: The amount of time to wait for the screen to be displayed (milliseconds).

capture> screen: Capture the current screen to compare with the comparison image

Compare> Weather.bmp, 30: Compare the captured image with the comparison image (weather image file is weather.bmp).

-The last 30 is the Time Out time, which can be specified differently for each application service menu.)

Send> right, ok: Move to the right of 705 channels and select (ok) the corresponding channel (menu).

Sleep> 2000: The amount of time to wait for the screen to be displayed (milliseconds).

capture> screen: Capture the current initial screen to compare with the comparison image (captures the entire initial screen)

Compare> Stock.bmp, 30: Compares the screen image file (Preview image file named Securities.bmp) with the output screen saved in advance.

9 is a diagram illustrating a specification of a remote control signal message transmitted from the test service providing server 130 to the set-top box 110a according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In describing the specification, the MSG_ID 910 indicates that the message is a remote control signal message.

For reference, the MSG_ID 910 may be classified into a remote control signal message and a screen capture message. When the remote control signal message is received from the set top box 110a, the set top box 110a performs the same operation as the remote control operation. When the screen capture message is received by the set top box 110a, the set top box 110a performs a screen capture operation at a specific step included in the message.

In addition, the stage 920 represents each step for performing an interactive service, for example, a user authentication step, a menu selection step, a data reception step, and a reception data display step.

In addition, the target IP 930 represents the IP address of the set-top box 110a to receive the message.

In addition, the Remocon Signal 940 indicates location information of a menu selected by the set-top box 110a among a menu corresponding to a plurality of interactive services displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b.

Here, the position of the menu may be the same as the method of expressing the position of the menu recorded in the script. For example, as shown in the menu position recorded in the script of FIG. 8, the channel 705 may be represented as 'n7, n0, n5'.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating specifications of a screen capture message transmitted from the test service providing server 130 to the set top box 110a according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the contents of the standard, MSG_ID 1010, Stage 1020 and Target IP 1030 are the same as described with reference to Figure 9, kind (1040) is the kind of data to be compared (captured or recorded), That is, it may be any one of an image, a sound, and an error code.

In addition, (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2) 1050 indicate an area having a corresponding coordinate as a range from the center of the IPTV screen. The set top box 110a captures an area having the above coordinates in the screen displayed on the IPTV terminal 110b and transmits the captured screen to the test service providing server 130.

11 is a diagram illustrating a specification of a message for providing a test result from the test service providing server 130 to the operator terminal 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When describing the contents of the standard, the channel number and service name 1110 indicate the channel number and service name of the bidirectional service that received the test service based on the code recorded in the script.

The stage 1120 represents each step for performing an interactive service, for example, a user authentication step, a menu selection step, a data reception step, and a reception data display step.

The delimiter 1130 may be divided into a service phase and a non-service phase, which indicates whether the message is transmitted before the bidirectional service is executed or whether the message is transmitted while the service is executed.

For example, when a message is transmitted in a step of selecting a game service menu, '1' is set to indicate a non-service level. When the message is transmitted while a game is running, '1' indicates a service level. 0 'is set.

In addition, whether the normality 1140 is a result of performing the corresponding step based on the code recorded in the script, that is, the presence or absence of the corresponding bidirectional service.

In addition, the processing result 1150 indicates that when an abnormality occurs in the corresponding bidirectional service, the screen including the screen captured by the set-top box 110a is transmitted.

In addition, the monitoring IP 1160 indicates an IP address of the test service providing server 130.

For reference, in the message standard 1100 illustrated in FIG. 11, when a script is stored in the set-top box 210a and the bidirectional service test is performed based on the code recorded in the script in the set-top box 210a, the set-top box ( 210a) may be used as a standard for a message transmitted to the operator terminal 240.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be.

It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the above description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a general IPTV broadcasting service system.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for automatically testing a bidirectional application service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for automatically testing a bidirectional service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of automatically testing an interactive service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of automatically testing an interactive service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram illustrating a script according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specification of a remote control signal message transmitted from a test service providing server to a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating specifications of a screen capture message transmitted from a test service providing server to a set-top box according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specification of a message for providing a test result from a test service providing server to an operator terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

131: script management unit

132: test indicator

133: data comparison unit

134: test results provider

Claims (10)

A test indicator which transmits a message to the bidirectional service terminal to transmit the message to the server after saving the bidirectional service execution screen as a picture file; A data comparator for comparing a picture file received from the bidirectional service terminal with a previously stored comparison image; Test result providing unit for determining the abnormality of the interactive service based on the comparison result Including, The test indicator is a menu selection indicator for transmitting a message to the bidirectional service terminal to select a bidirectional service providing menu displayed on the bidirectional service display device The device further comprises a bidirectional service test. delete The method of claim 1, And the test indicating unit and the data comparing unit perform an operation based on a code recorded in a script. The method of claim 3, wherein The position of the menu selected by the interactive service terminal is recorded in code in the script, and the position of the menu is coordinated with each menu displayed on the interactive service display device and is represented by using the coordinated menu. , Interactive service test device. The method of claim 1, The comparison image is an interactive service test apparatus that is an image of a screen displayed on the interactive service display apparatus after a predetermined time by which the interactive service selected by the interactive service terminal operates normally. The method of claim 5, The data comparison unit compares an area of a predetermined range from a center of the received picture file with an area of a predetermined range from the center of the comparison image, and confirms whether there is an abnormality of the selected bidirectional service. . The method of claim 6, The data comparison unit compares whether the recording sound received from the bidirectional service terminal and a previously stored comparison sound match each other, and confirms whether there is an abnormality of the bidirectional service. The method of claim 7, wherein The comparison sound is a sound that is output to the interactive service display device after a predetermined time by the normal operation of the interactive service selected by the interactive service terminal. In the interactive service terminal for testing the interactive service, A script execution unit for storing a script in which each step for automatically testing the bidirectional service is recorded, and analyzing the code recorded in the script to execute each step sequentially; A menu selection unit for selecting any one of menus corresponding to the interactive service displayed on the interactive service display apparatus based on the code recorded in the script; A data request unit which requests data for the selected bidirectional service to a data providing server providing the selected bidirectional service; When the requested data is received from the data providing server and displayed on the interactive service display device, a data comparison is performed to capture the displayed screen based on a code recorded in the script, and to compare with a previously stored comparison image. Wealth and A test result provider which determines whether there is an abnormality of the selected interactive service based on the comparison result and provides the determination result. Containing, interactive service test device. The method of claim 9, And the data comparison unit compares a sound output to the interactive service display device with a pre-stored comparison sound based on a code recorded in the script.

Images