KR101174950B1 - Apparatus and Method for providing IPTV Service by using DSID over Cable Network - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are an apparatus and method for providing an IPTV service using a DSID in a cable network. An IPTV service providing apparatus using DSID in a cable network includes an IPTV service manager that transmits service information about IPTV content to a cable modem, and receives a viewing request for IP content from the cable modem. Cable Modem Terminator (CMTS) that generates DSID allocation information for the server, and DOCSIS Streamer for generating DOCSIS packets using IPIDs and DSID allocation information for IP content, and sending DOCSIS packets to the cable modem. do.

Cable Network, Downstream Service ID (DSID), IPTV

Description

Apparatus and Method for providing IPTV Service by using DSID over Cable Network}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing an IPTV service using a DSID in a cable network. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for providing an IPTV service through a downlink channel using a downstream service ID (DSID).

The present invention is derived from the research conducted as part of the IT growth engine technology development project of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications Research and Development. Development of Multimedia Transmission Technology].

An IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) service providing apparatus is a system for providing a digital TV service using an IP protocol on a network, and uses a communication network having bidirectionality rather than a conventional broadcasting network to provide a broadcast service. The general definition of IPTV refers to television content delivered to viewers through technologies applied to computer networks, not conventional broadcast or cable. In addition, IPTV also refers to the delivery of video content in the form of IP packets from a content providing source having an IP address to a subscriber device as a destination.

In general, a broadcast service using a cable network has been provided in the form of a broadcast that simultaneously transmits content to a plurality of viewers using a dedicated broadcast channel. However, such a broadcast service is limited in the type or number of broadcast contents provided due to limited frequency resources, and expensive broadcast resources are provided by the broadcast service according to a predetermined broadcast plan regardless of whether or not the content is viewed. There is a problem that the efficient use of. In order to solve these problems, the SDV (Switched Digital Video) service in which the broadcast content is transmitted only when the viewer requests it, and the IPTV service for providing the broadcast content through a communication network are introduced.

However, such a service method has a number of advantages in terms of efficient use of frequency resources and efficiency of providing services, but it requires a relatively large bandwidth compared to general data in order to provide broadcast contents. In particular, a transmission device that provides an IPTV service using a communication network based on a cable network using a CMTS has a problem that it is more expensive than a transmission device for a broadcast service.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is using a DOCSIS streamer that implements only the downlink function of transmitting IPTV content through a downlink channel using a Downstream Service ID (DSID), rather than using a CMTS that implements all the uplink and downlink functions. By using the frequency resources efficiently and increasing the number of subscribers, by adding more affordable DOCSIS streamer than the expensive CMTS, to provide a device and method for providing IPTV service using DSID in an easy-to-expand cable network It is.

An apparatus for providing an IPTV service using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems is an IPTV service manager for transmitting service information on IPTV content to a cable modem, and the IP content. Receiving a viewing request from the cable modem, using a cable modem termination device (CMTS) for generating DSID allocation information for the IP content, and using the ID content and the DSID allocation information for the IP content. A DOCSIS streamer that generates a packet and sends the DOCSIS packet to the cable modem.

In the cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems, the IPTV service providing method using a DSID transmitting the service information for the IP (IPTV) content to the IPTV client connected to the cable modem, Receiving a viewing request for the content from the IPTV client via the cable modem, generating a DOCSIS packet using the ID content and DSID allocation information for the IP content, and generating the DOCSIS packet into the DOCSIS packet. Transmitting to the cable modem.

An apparatus and method for providing an IPTV service using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention do not use a CMTS that implements all functions of an uplink and a downlink, but use an IPTV content through a downlink channel using a downstream service ID (DSID). By using the DOCSIS streamer that implements only the downlink function of transmitting the data, it is possible to efficiently use the frequency resources, and even if the number of subscribers increases, it is easy to economically expand by adding an inexpensive DOCSIS streamer rather than an expensive CMTS.

Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for providing an IPTV service using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an IPTV service providing apparatus using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for providing IPTV services using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cable headend device 111 and a cable terminal 141.

The cable headend device 111 may receive IPTV content from the IPTV content servers 101a, 101b, and 119 through the Internet network 103, and receive broadcast content from a broadcast headend (not shown). Subsequently, the cable headend device 111 provides a communication and broadcast service based on the cable network 131 to the cable terminal 141.

The cable headend device 111 may be configured to connect the IPTV service manager 113, the DOCSIS streamer 115, the resource manager 117, the IPTV content server 119, the CMTS 121, and the EQAM (Edge QAM) 125. Include.

The IPTV service manager 113 provides service information on the currently serviceable IPTV content to the IPTV client 149 connected to the cable modem 143, and the CMTS 121 from the IPTV client 149 connected to the cable modem 143. When receiving a viewing request for the IPTV content through, it checks the viewing authority for the viewing request, and charges for the viewing request. In addition, when the IPTV service manager 113 receives a stop request for IPTV content from the IPTV client 149 connected to the cable modem 143 through the CMTS 121, the IPTV service manager 113 completes charging according to the stop request.

DOCSIS streamer 115 receives IPTV content and allocation information (such as DSID information) for IPTV content from IPTV content servers 101a, 101b, 119 and CMTS 121, respectively, and assigns IPTV content and IPTV content. Generates a DOCSIS packet using the information. In this case, the header of the DOCSIS packet may be configured to include a Downstream Service Extended Header including allocation information about IPTV content, that is, DSID information.

When the resource manager 117 receives a transmission band allocation request from the CMTS 121, the resource manager 117 allocates a transmission band of a downlink channel for transmitting DOCSIS packets to the cable modem 143, and receives a stop watching request for IPTV content. In this case, the allocated downlink transmission band can be recovered.

When the IPTV content server 101a, 101b, 119 receives a viewing request for the IPTV content from the CMTS 121, the IPTV content server 101a, 101b, 119 delivers the IPTV content to the DOCSIS streamer 115.

On the other hand, when the IPTV content server 101a, 101b, 119 receives a stop watching request for IPTV content from the CMTS 121, the IPTV content server 101a, 101b, 119 may stop the transmission of the content to the DOCSIS streamer 115. However, if the same content is continuously transmitted to other IPTV clients, the same content is continuously transmitted without interruption.

When the CMTS 121 receives a viewing request for the IPTV content from the IPTV client 149 connected to the cable modem 143, the CMTS 121 generates DSID allocation information for the IPTV content and, through a signaling procedure with the cable modem 143, The cable modem 143 transmits DSID allocation information for the IPTV.

In this case, when the IPTV content corresponding to the viewing request is real-time broadcast content, the CMTS 121 checks whether the IPTV content is already provided to the downlink channels received by the cable modem 143, and if so, the resource manager. While performing only a signaling procedure with the cable modem 143 without a transmission band allocation request procedure to 117, if not providing a transmission band allocation request to the resource manager 117, signaling with the cable modem 143 Perform the procedure and transmit the IPTV content through the assigned transmission band. In addition, when the IPTV content corresponding to the viewing request is VoD (Video on Demand) content, the CMTS 121 may have a different viewing time from the IPTV client 149 connected to the cable modem 143. Services should be in unicast rather than session form. Accordingly, the CMTS 121 performs a transmission band allocation request to the resource manager 117, performs a signaling procedure with the cable modem 143, and transmits IPTV content through the allocated transmission band. In addition, the CMTS 121 transmits a viewing request for the IPTV content received from the IPTV client 149 connected to the cable modem 143 to the IPTV service manager 113, the resource manager 117, and the IPTV content server 101a and 101b. , 119).

On the other hand, when the CMTS 121 receives a stop request for IPTV content from an IPTV client connected to the cable modem 143, the CMTS 121 deletes allocation information such as a DSID for the corresponding IPTV content, and requests to stop watching the IPTV content. It delivers to the IPTV service manager 113, the resource manager 117, and the IPTV content servers 101a, 101b, and 119.

EQAM 125 receives DOCSIS packets containing IPTV service information and IPTV content through the internal network 123 of the cable headend device, and via the downlink channel allocated or already assigned by resource manager 117 Transmit to modem 143.

Cable terminal 141 includes cable modem 143 and IPTV client 149.

The cable modem 143 includes an up-down channel unit 145, and a content filtering unit 147.

The up-down channel unit 145 receives DOCSIS packets including service information on IPTV content from the cable headend device 111 through the downlink channel, and transmits the corresponding information to the IPTV client 149. The up-down channel unit 145 transmits a viewing request for the IPTV content received from the IPTV client 149 to the cable headend device 111 through the uplink channel of the cable network 131.

In addition, when the up-down channel unit 145 receives a stop request for IPTV content from the IPTV client 149, the up-down channel unit 145 sends the stop request to the cable headend device 111 through an uplink channel of the cable network 131. To pass.

The content filtering unit 147 filters the DOCSIS packets received from the cable headend device 111 by using the DSID information allocated for the IPTV content in the signaling process, and filters the filtered IPTV content to the IPTV client 149. Send. Here, the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content is information allocated from the CMTS 121 through a signaling procedure with the CMTS 121 of the cable headend device 111 after transmitting a viewing request to the cable headend device 111. to be.

In addition, when the content filtering unit 147 receives a stop viewing request for the IPTV content from the IPTV client 149, the content filtering unit 147 receives the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content received from the CMTS 121 through a signaling procedure with the CMTS 121. Delete it.

The IPTV client 149 may receive the service information on the IPTV content through the cable modem 143 and transmit the viewing request for the IPTV content to the cable modem 143 to receive the IPTV service. Thereafter, the IPTV client 149 may receive the IPTV content for the viewing request through the cable modem 143, and decode and display the IPTV content.

In addition, the IPTV client 149 may suspend the IPTV service by transmitting, through the cable modem 143, a stop request for the IPTV content that was being watched.

2 and 3 are structures of the DSID defined in the DOCSIS 3.0 standard.

2 and 3, DSID information allocated for IPTV content is included in a Downstream Service Extended Header of Extended MAC Header Formats of Downlink MAC Packets and transmitted.

Here, the downlink service extension header used for providing the IPTV service may have two types according to the purpose of use. Both types of extension headers include a 20-bit DSID, but may have a size of 3 bytes or 5 bytes depending on the presence or absence of a packet sequence number field.

That is, when the cable modem receives DOCSIS packets containing IPTV content using two or more plurality of downlink channels, the downlink service extension header used may have a 5-byte size including a packet reception number, and the cable modem When receiving DOCSIS packets including IPTV content using only one downlink channel, the downlink service extension header used may have a size of 3 bytes.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a service providing method of a cable headend device in an IPTV service providing apparatus using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cable headend device transmits service information on IPTV content to an IPTV client through a cable modem (S401).

Subsequently, the cable headend device receives whether to view the IPTV content from the IPTV client connected to the cable modem (S403).

Subsequently, the cable headend device determines whether to view the IPTV content (S405).

In detail, when the viewing of the received IPTV content is a viewing request, the cable headend device generates a DOCSIS packet using the IPTV content and the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content (S407), and transmits it to the cable modem ( S409). At this time, the cable headend device generates the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content and transmits the DSID allocation information to the cable modem through a signaling procedure in advance for filtering the DOCSIS packet before transmitting the DOCSIS packet including the IPTV content. do. In addition, the cable headend device checks the viewing authority for the viewing request and charges the viewing request. At this time, the cable headend apparatus generates allocation information and transmits IPTV content only when there is a viewing authority for the viewing request.

On the other hand, if the cable head-end device is a request to stop watching the received IPTV content, signaling to delete the DSID allocation information assigned to the cable modem to which the corresponding IPTV client for the IPTV content is connected (S411), The transmission of the DOCSIS packet of the IPTV content to the cable modem is stopped (S413). However, if it is necessary to continue transmitting the content to another cable modem, it can continue to transmit it. In addition, the cable headend device completes the charging in accordance with the stop viewing request.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a service providing method of a cable modem in an IPTV service providing apparatus using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cable modem delivers service information on IPTV content received from the cable headend device to the IPTV client (S501).

Subsequently, the cable modem receives whether to view the IPTV content from the IPTV client and transmits the same to the cable headend device (S503).

Subsequently, the cable modem determines whether the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content is received from the cable headend device (S505).

In this case, when it is determined by the cable headend device that the viewing of the IPTV content received from the IPTV client is a viewing request, the cable modem may receive allocation signaling of DSID allocation information for the IPTV content from the cable head end device. have. On the other hand, if the cable modem determines that viewing of the IPTV content received from the IPTV client has been stopped by the cable headend device, the cable modem may receive the deletion signaling of the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content from the cable head end device. Can be.

Subsequently, when the cable modem receives the allocation signaling of the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content, the cable modem receives the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content from the cable headend device (S507).

Subsequently, the cable modem receives the IPTV content of the DOCSIS packet and filters the IPTV content using the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content (S509). Thereafter, the cable modem transmits the filtered IPTV content to the IPTV client (S511).

In contrast, when the cable modem receives the deletion signaling of the DSID allocation information for the IPTV content, the cable modem deletes the DSID allocation information for the corresponding IPTV content through signaling with the cable headend device (S513).

Subsequently, the cable modem stops transmitting the IPTV content to the corresponding IPTV client (S515). However, if it is necessary to continue transmitting the content to another cable modem, it can continue to transmit it.

An apparatus and method for providing an IPTV service using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention do not use a CMTS that implements all functions of an uplink and a downlink, but use an IPTV content through a downlink channel using a downstream service ID (DSID). By using the DOCSIS streamer that implements only the downlink function of transmitting the data, it is possible to efficiently use the frequency resources, and even if the number of subscribers increases, it is easy to economically expand by adding an inexpensive DOCSIS streamer rather than an expensive CMTS.

As described above, the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains various modifications and variations from such descriptions. This is possible.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined by the equivalents of the claims, as well as the claims.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an IPTV service providing apparatus using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3 are structures of the DSID defined in the DOCSIS 3.0 standard.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a service providing method of a cable headend device in an IPTV service providing apparatus using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a service providing method of a cable modem in an IPTV service providing apparatus using a DSID in a cable network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (14)

Transmitting service information for IPTV content to the cable modem; Receiving a viewing request for the IP content from the cable modem; Generating DSID allocation information for the IP content; Generating a DOCSIS packet using the IP content and DSID allocation information for the IP content; And Sending the DOCSIS packet to the cable modem Service method of a cable head-end device comprising a. The method of claim 1, Checking viewing authority for the viewing request; And Charging for the viewing request The service method of the cable head-end device further comprising. The method of claim 1, And transmitting the DSID allocation information for the IP content to the cable modem. The method of claim 1, Receiving a stop request for the IP content from the cable modem; And Deleting the DSID allocation information for the IP content The service method of the cable head-end device further comprising. Receiving service information on IPTV content from a cable headend device, and transmitting the service information to an IPTV client; Forwarding the viewing request to the cable headend device upon receiving a viewing request for the IP content from the IPTV client; Receiving the IP content included in the DOCSIS packet from the cable headend device, and filtering the IP content using the DSID allocation information for the IP content-The DOCSIS packet for the IP content Generated using DSID allocation information; And Transmitting the filtered IP content to an IPTV client Service method of the cable modem comprising a. The method of claim 5, And receiving the DSID assignment information for the IP content from the cable headend device. The method of claim 5, Sending a stop request to the cable headend device when receiving a stop request for the IP content from the IPTV client; And Deleting DSID allocation information for the IP content The service method of the cable modem further comprising. An IPTV service manager for transmitting service information for IPTV content to the cable modem; A cable modem termination device (CMTS) configured to generate DSID allocation information for the IP content when receiving a viewing request for the IP content from the cable modem; And And a DOCSIS streamer for generating a DOCSIS packet using the IP content and DSID allocation information for the IP content and transmitting the DOCSIS packet to the cable modem. 9. The method of claim 8, The IPTV service manager checks the viewing authority for the viewing request, and performs the charging for the viewing request. 9. The method of claim 8, The cable modem end device is a cable head end device for transmitting the DSID allocation information for the IP content to the cable modem. 9. The method of claim 8, The cable modem end device is configured to delete the DSID allocation information for the IP content when receiving a stop request for the IP content from the cable modem. Up-down for delivering service information on IPTV content received from a cable headend device to an IPTV client, and transmitting a viewing request for the IP content received from the IPTV client to the cable headend device. Channel section; And A content filtering unit filtering the IP content of the DOCSIS packet received from the cable headend device by using DSID allocation information of the IP content, and transmitting the filtered IP content to the IPTV client-the DOCSIS The packet is generated using the DSID allocation information for the IP content- Cable modem comprising a. The method of claim 12, And the content filtering unit receives DSID allocation information for IP content from the cable headend device. The method of claim 12, When the content filtering unit transmits a stop viewing request for the IP content received from the IPTV client to the cable headend device through the up-down channel unit, the IPTV according to a signaling procedure from the cable headend device. And delete the DSID allocation information for the content.

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