KR101142850B1 - TV set-top boxes and its implementation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an IPTV set-top box, comprising: communication means connected to a communication network and a network in an IPTV set-top box; An IP module that receives an IP-based broadcast service in real time from a content provider through the communication means; A virtual PC module that receives an internet-based remote access virtual PC service in real time from an internet service provider through the communication means; Control means for receiving and controlling a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service and a remote access virtual PC service from a user and outputting the IP broadcast module and virtual PC module signals to an external display according to the command received through the control means. It provides an IPTV set-top box comprising a; output means.
In addition, the present invention relates to a method for implementing an IPTV set-top box, the method for implementing an IPTV set-top box, receiving an IP-based broadcast service from a content provider server and an internet-based remote access virtual PC service from an internet service provider server ; Receiving and controlling a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal from a user; And outputting the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal to an external display according to a command received from a user.

Description

IPTV set-top box and its implementation {TV set-top boxes and its implementation}

The present invention relates to an IPTV set-top box and a method for implementing the same. More particularly, the present invention provides a cloud computing technology including a virtual PC module that receives an Internet-based remote access virtual PC service from an Internet provider in real time through a communication means. An IPTV set top box and a method of implementing the same.

Real-time broadcasting can be divided into cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and airwave broadcasting.

Cable broadcasting is a method of delivering program contents received from a broadcaster and a program provider through a coaxial cable wired to a subscriber's home. In the case of digital cable broadcasting, a set-top box for cable broadcasting is required for processing a broadcast signal, and the channel can be viewed through this.

Satellite broadcasting decodes the satellite broadcast signal received through the satellite antenna through a satellite broadcast set-top box, and the airwaves can receive a radio wave containing the broadcast signal transmitted by the broadcaster through the aerial wave antenna to view the channel.

However, the real-time broadcast described above is unidirectional communication and is transmitted from the transmitting end to the receiving end of the user.

Since this process is performed in only one direction, there is a problem that the user can only receive a uniform service provided in this communication method.

As a bidirectional communication technology for improving such a problem, there is a broadcasting technology called IPTV. IP is a representative protocol used in the Internet, and is mainly used for data transmission, and is currently used for real-time communication service.

The video service is also provided in real time using the IP-based communication network, and IPTV is a broadcast service using the same. In the IP-based broadcast service, the conventional broadcast service is unidirectional, whereas the viewer can control and select the functions and contents of the broadcast in both directions. Due to the characteristics of the IP-based network, viewers can receive various customized services.

Representative services include time-shifted broadcasting that provides functions such as stop, rewind, play, and fast playback, and when a user applies for a scheduled recording of a specific program or time, the server saves the contents and provides them at the desired time. There are services such as network-based reservation recording.

Recently, a set-top box is being developed for accessing the Internet through IPTV and providing various services and contents. The product design concept of these set-top boxes is to add some devices to an existing TV, connect it to the Internet, view screen information on a TV monitor, and use it as a wireless keyboard.

However, the set-top box of this concept has a disadvantage of requiring a high cost because a separate PC dedicated hardware is required. In more detail, in a home where both the set-top box and the PC are distributed at the same time, the set-top box and the PC must share the Internet line, so the line must be connected in some form between the set-top box and the PC. Therefore, since the line connection between the set-top box and the PC is inevitable, it is advantageous to use the functions of the PC as it is rather than increase the cost burden by adding most functions of the set-top box to separate dedicated hardware.

On the other hand, the set-top box configured with the minimum specification for cost saving has the disadvantage that the use of the application as well as the demonstration of audio and video is extremely limited due to the lack of the specification. As a result, the set-top box market is not yet active despite the advantage that the set-top box device can provide a new service.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages and problems raised in the prior art, comprising a virtual PC module that receives the Internet-based remote access virtual PC service in real time from the Internet service provider server through a communication means By providing cloud computing technology, an object of the present invention is to provide an IPTV set-top box and a method of implementing the same, which can utilize computing resources through a TV without having a separate PC.

The present invention for achieving the above object in the set-top box of the IPTV, Communication means; An IP broadcast module that receives an IP-based broadcast service in real time from a content provider server through the communication means; A virtual PC module that receives an internet-based remote access virtual PC service in real time from an internet service provider server through the communication means; Control means for receiving a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal from a user; And output means for outputting the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal to an external display according to a command received through the control means. have.

In this case, the content provider server may include a broadcasting station server and a program production company server as a server for providing image content.

The IP broadcast module may include a broadcast signal receiver that receives an IP broadcast signal in real time.

On the other hand, the virtual PC module on the basis of the operating system, the Internet signal receiving unit for receiving the Internet signal in real time; An application software unit including one or more application software executed in the operating system; And a virtualization controller configured to be executed on the external display by executing an application software unit based on the operating system according to the preset virtual PC information.

In this case, the operating system may include a Windows series and a Unix series.

In addition, the virtual PC information may include at least one or more of a type of external display, a target operating system, a target application software, a memory capacity, and a disk capacity.

The control means may receive a selection command from a user through a control panel or a remote controller made of wired and wireless.

On the other hand, the control means includes a first input unit for receiving a selection command from the user; And an interface unit for converting and controlling the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal according to an interface standard according to a command received through the first input unit.

On the other hand, the output means, the second input unit for receiving a command of the control means; An output selector configured to select an output path of the IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal according to a command received through the second input unit; And an output unit configured to output an external display along an output path selected through the output selection unit.

The external display may include a PDP, an LCD TV, a CRT TV, a projection TV, and a projector.

In addition, the present invention for achieving the above object is a set-top box implementation method of IPTV, comprising: receiving an IP-based broadcast service from the content provider server and the Internet-based remote access virtual PC service from the Internet service provider server; Receiving and controlling a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal from a user; And outputting the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal to an external display according to a command received from a user.

The remote access virtual PC service may provide PC games, online games, office office software, Internet web surfing, and Internet telephony.

As described above, the present invention relates to an IPTV set-top box and a method of implementing the same, comprising a virtual PC module that receives an Internet-based remote access virtual PC service in real time from an Internet provider server through a communication means, and provides a cloud computing technology. By providing a, it is possible to use the same computing resources provided by the desktop, such as Internet web surfing, online shopping, as well as watching TV through a TV without having a separate PC.

In addition, entertainment environments such as games provided on desktop PCs can be enjoyed on TVs, and open offices such as Hangul and Internet phone or video call applications can be made available on TVs.

As such, by providing an IPTV set-top box in which an IP broadcasting module and a virtual PC module are integrated, the Internet, office automation environment, and entertainment environment provided by the desktop PC through the TV can be provided according to the personal preference of the TV user. It has an effect.

1 is a block diagram of an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a detailed block diagram of an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of a virtualization control unit employed in an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The matters relating to the operational effects including the technical configuration of the IPTV set-top box and its implementation method according to the present invention will be clearly understood by the following detailed description with reference to the drawings showing preferred embodiments of the present invention.

An IPTV set-top box and an implementation method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

IPTV  Set top box

1 is a block diagram of an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2

Detailed configuration diagram of an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a view for explaining the hierarchical structure of the virtualization control unit 144 employed in the IPTV set-top box according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention is the IPTV set-top box 100, the communication means and the network connected to the communication network 120, the IP-based from the content provider server 110 through the communication means 120 IP broadcasting module 130 that received the broadcast service of the real time, the virtual PC module 140 receiving the Internet-based remote access virtual PC service in real time from the Internet service provider server 110 through the communication means 120 A control means 150 for receiving and controlling a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service and a remote access virtual PC service from a user, and the IP-based broadcast service and remote according to the command received through the control means 150. And an output unit 160 for outputting the access virtual PC service signal to the external display 170. (At this time, the content provider server and the Internet service provider server are written with the same reference numerals below.)

The IPTV set-top box 100 provided herein is a set-top box in which the IP broadcasting module 130 and the virtual PC module 140 are integrated to provide cloud computing technology.

In this case, cloud computing technology means cloud (cloud) is based on the Internet, and computing means computing (computer). The cloud symbolizes the Internet. The Internet is represented as a cloud in a computer network diagram. It means a hidden complex infrastructure. This is a computing style in which IT-related functions are provided in the form of services. Users can access services from the Internet without having expertise or control over the technology infrastructure they support. "This is a paradigm where information is stored permanently on servers on the Internet and temporarily stored on clients such as desktops, table computers, laptops, wall computers and portable devices." Say.

The communication means 120 may be connected to a communication network and a network. That is, the communication means 120 is IP-based capable of data transmission such as the Internet, LAN, mobile communication network, wireless network or telephone network connected to the content provider server 110 or the Internet service provider server 110 that provides IPTV service. The communication means 120 may be.

Therefore, the communication means 120 transmits the IP-based broadcast service provided by the content provider server 110 and the remote access virtual PC service provided by the Internet service provider server 110 to the subscriber premises output means 160. Can provide. In this case, the output means 160 is a concept including one or more external displays 170 located in the local area of the IPTV set-top box 100, including a PDP, an LCD TV, a CRT TV, a projection TV, a projector, and the like. The output means 160 will be described in detail later.

 The IP broadcast module 130 may receive an IP-based broadcast service in real time from the content provider server 110 through the communication means 120. That is, the content provider server 110 may be connected to the IP broadcasting module 130 through the communication means 120. In this case, the content provider server 110 may be a concept including a broadcasting station server for providing IPTV to a server for providing video content, a program production company server, or a client server in some cases.

The IP broadcast module 130 may include a broadcast signal receiver 131 for receiving an IP broadcast signal from the communication unit 120 in real time. That is, the IP broadcast module 130 may receive the broadcast signal broadcast from the content provider server 110 through the broadcast signal receiver 131.

The virtual PC module 140 may receive an internet-based remote access virtual PC service in real time from the Internet service provider server 110 through the communication means 120.

In this case, the virtual PC service is a broad term for an abstraction of computer resources in a computer. You can define "characteristics of physical computer resources from the way other systems, applications, and end users interact with them." This creates a single physical resource, such as a server, operating system, application, or storage device, that appears to function as multiple logical resources. Or you can create multiple physical resources such as storage devices or servers that look like a single logical resource. Accordingly, the virtual PC module 140 may provide PC games, online games, office office software, Internet web surfing, Internet telephony, etc. in the same manner as a software independent PC virtual environment, that is, a general desktop PC.

In addition, the virtual PC module 140 may include an internet signal receiving unit 142, an application software unit 143, and a virtualization control unit 144 on the basis that the operating system 141 is included. In this case, the operating system 141 may include both a Windows series and a Unix series.

The internet signal receiver 142 may receive an internet signal from the communication means 120 in real time. That is, the virtual PC module 140 may receive the broadcast signal broadcast from the Internet service provider server 110 through the Internet signal receiver 142.

The application software unit 143 may include one or more application software executed in the operating system 141, and the application software may be executed in the same manner as a general desktop PC with programs executed on the operating system 141.

The virtualization controller 144 may be implemented on the external display 170 by executing one or more application software of the application software 143 based on the operating system 141 based on the preset virtual PC information. You can do that.

In this case, the virtual PC information may include at least one or more of the type of the external display 170, the target operating system 141, the target application software, the memory capacity, the disk capacity.

The virtual controller 144 may include an external service layer, a back end resource layer, a service core layer, and a user terminal layer that are interoperable with each other, as shown in FIG. 3.

At this time, the external service layer provides a variety of services, such as Bizmeka Platform, Game Platform, telephone, fax, e-mail, mobile phone, messenger, etc. to provide integrated management and e-business solutions, content, consulting, education, etc. required for corporate activities It can consist of a communication platform that integrates communication means on a single platform.

The back-end resource layer may manage metering / billing, service policy, user / device information, and virtual desktop snapshot / data backup through mainly virtual resource management. In addition, the backend resource layer may be linked with an external service layer to implement desktop server virtualization, network virtualization, and shared storage virtualization.

Meanwhile, the service core layer may interwork with the backend resource layer mainly through a service portal to perform session broker, authentication, and authority management.

The user terminal layer may include an STB agent and a PC agent managing the set top box.

In addition, the virtual PC module 140 may further include a PC database unit (not shown). The PC database unit may store and maintain all of the states when the user ends the last use of the virtual PC module 140, and store and manage related information for reproducing the states when the user connects again.

The control means 150 may receive and control a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal from a user. At this time, the control means 150 may receive a selection through a control panel or a remote control made of wired or wireless.

The control means 150 may include a first input unit 151 and an interface unit 152.

The first input unit 151 may receive a selection command from a user. That is, the first input unit 151 may receive a signal of an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service selected by a user by operating an operation panel or a remote controller.

The interface unit 152 may convert and control a signal of an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service according to an interface specification according to a command received through the first input unit 151. In this case, the interface unit 152 is a decoder (not shown) and the output for processing the compressed video and audio signal to process the signal of the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service in a playable form A digital to analog converter (not shown) or the like for output to the means 160.

The output means 160 may output the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal to the external display 170 according to a command received through the control means 150.

The output means 160 may include a second input unit 161, an output selector 162, and an output unit 163.

The second input unit 161 may receive a command of the control means 150. The second input unit 161 may receive a command input through the control means 150, that is, a user's command regarding whether to use the IP broadcasting module 130 or the virtual PC module 140.

The output selector 162 may select an output path of the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal according to a command received from the second input unit 161. The output unit 163 may output the external display 170 along the output path selected by the output selector 162. That is, the IP-based broadcast service or the remote access virtual PC service which has been converted into an outputable form may be output through the output unit 163 through the output path selected by the output selection unit 162.

IPTV  How to implement a set top box

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing an IPTV set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the method of implementing the IPTV set-top box according to the embodiment of the present invention is a method of implementing the IPTV set-top box 100 having the configuration as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. do.

First, an IP-based broadcast service and an Internet service provider server may be provided with an internet-based remote access virtual PC service from a content provider server. Here, the IP-based broadcast service provided from the content provider server 110 may be performed by the IP broadcast module 130 of the IPTV set-top box 100. That is, the IP broadcasting module 130 may receive a real-time IP-based broadcasting service from the content provider server 110 through the communication means 120. In this case, the IP broadcast module 130 includes a broadcast signal 131.

In addition, the Internet-based remote access virtual PC service provided from the Internet service provider server 110 may be provided by the virtual PC module 140 of the IPTV set-top box 100. The virtual PC module 140 may receive an internet-based remote access virtual PC service in real time from the Internet service provider server 110 through the communication means 120. In this case, the virtual PC module 140 includes an internet signal receiving unit 142, an application software unit 143, and a virtualization control unit 144 on the basis that the operating system 141 is included. The remote access virtual PC service referred to herein refers to the same service as a desktop PC that provides PC games, online games, office office software, Internet web surfing, and Internet telephony.

Next, a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal may be received from a user and controlled. (S110) This may be performed by the control unit 150. Herein, the control means 150 may receive and control a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal from a user through an operation panel or a remote controller made of wired or wireless. In this case, the control means 150 may include a first input unit 151 and an interface unit 152.

Finally, the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal may be output to an external display according to a command received from the user (S120). This may be performed by the output means 160. Here, the output means 160 may output the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal to the external display 170 according to a command received through the control means 150. The output means 160 may include a second input unit 161, an output selector 162, and an output unit 163. In this case, the external display 170 is a concept including one or more PDP, LCD TV, CRT TV, projection TV, projector, and the like located in the local area of the IPTV set-top box 100.

As described above, the present invention relates to an IPTV set-top box 100, wherein the virtual PC module receiving the Internet-based remote access virtual PC service from the Internet provider server 110 in real time through the communication means 120 ( By providing a cloud computing technology with a 140, it is possible to use the computing resources provided by a desktop PC, such as Internet web surfing and online shopping, as well as watching TV through a TV without having a separate PC. In addition, entertainment environments such as games provided on desktop PCs can be enjoyed on TVs, and open offices such as Hangul and Internet phone or video call applications are also available on TVs.

That is, by providing the IPTV set-top box 100 in which the IP broadcasting module 130 and the virtual PC module 140 are integrated, the Internet environment, office automation environment, and entertainment environment provided by the desktop PC through the TV can be TV. Can be provided according to the user's personal taste.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention described above have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom.

Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the disclosed embodiments but should be regarded as belonging to various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention as defined in the following claims, or the scope of the present invention. .

100: IPTV set-top box 120: communication means
130: IP broadcasting module 140: virtual PC module
150: control means 160: output means

Claims (12)

In the set top box of IPTV,
Communication means;
An IP broadcast module that receives an IP-based broadcast service in real time from a content provider server through the communication means;
A virtual PC module that receives an internet-based remote access virtual PC service in real time from an internet service provider server through the communication means;
Control means for receiving a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal from a user; And
And output means for outputting the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal to an external display according to a command received through the control means.
The virtual PC module in the base containing the operating system,
An internet signal receiver for receiving an internet signal in real time;
An application software unit including one or more application software executed in the operating system; And
And a virtualization controller configured to be implemented on the external display by executing an application software unit based on the operating system according to the preset virtual PC information.
The method of claim 1,
The content provider server is a server for providing a video content set-top box of the IPTV, characterized in that it comprises a broadcasting station server, a program production company server.
The method of claim 1,
The IP broadcasting module includes a broadcast signal receiver for receiving an IP broadcast signal in real time.
delete The method of claim 1,
The operating system is a set-top box of the IPTV, characterized in that it comprises a Windows series and Unix series.
The method of claim 1,
The virtual PC information is at least one of the type of the external display, the target operating system, the target application software, the memory capacity, the disk capacity of the set-top box of the IPTV.
The method of claim 1.
The control means is a set-top box of the IPTV, characterized in that for receiving a selection command from the user via a control panel or a remote control made of wired and wireless.
The method of claim 1,
The control means
A first input unit configured to receive a selection command from a user;
An interface unit for converting and controlling the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal according to an interface standard according to a command received through the first input unit;
IPTV set-top box comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
The output means,
A second input unit which receives a command of the control means;
An output selector configured to select an output path of the IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal according to a command received through the second input unit; And
An output unit configured to output an external display along an output path selected through the output selection unit;
IPTV set-top box comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
The external display includes a PDP, an LCD TV, a CRT TV, a projection TV, and a projector.
In the method of implementing a set-top box of IPTV,
Receiving an IP-based broadcast service from a content provider server;
Receiving an internet signal from an internet service provider server in real time and receiving an internet-based remote access virtual PC service to be implemented in an external display according to preset virtual PC information;
Receiving and controlling a command for selecting an IP-based broadcast service or a remote access virtual PC service signal from a user; And
Outputting the IP-based broadcast service or remote access virtual PC service signal to an external display according to a command received from a user;
IPTV set-top box implementation method comprising a. delete

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