KR102078305B1 - Broadcasting service apparatus, broadcast receiver, and control method of broadcasting service apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a broadcast service providing apparatus and broadcast for realizing a scheme (technology) that can normally serve an ultra-high definition broadcast service that could not be serviced due to bandwidth limitation for each frequency channel of an HFC network in an IPTV broadcasting service environment of an HFC network. The present invention relates to a method for operating a receiver and a broadcast service providing apparatus.

Description

BROADCASTING SERVICE APPARATUS, BROADCAST RECEIVER, AND CONTROL METHOD OF BROADCASTING SERVICE APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a technology for providing a broadcasting service through a hybrid fiber conaxial (HFC), and more specifically, to an ultra high definition broadcasting service that could not be serviced due to bandwidth limitation for each frequency channel of the HFC network. It is about technology that enables service.

In hybrid fiber conaxial (HFC), IPTV broadcasting service providers install cable modem termination devices (e.g., cable modem termination system (CMTS) and cable modem in subscriber's premises) It provides two-way internet service and IPTV broadcasting service by configuring CMTS and cable modem as cable network (hereinafter HFC network).

The IPTV broadcasting service in the HFC network configures the service using both the Internet frequency and the broadcasting frequency. The two-way communication for the IPTV broadcasting uses the frequency for the Internet, and the broadcasting stream uses the broadcasting frequency.

In particular, in the case of a broadcast stream transmitted through the HFC network, the broadcast stream of the broadcast frequency is modulated to a radio frequency (hereinafter referred to as RF: Radio Frequency) through a signal modulator (hereinafter referred to as QAM: Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) and then transmitted to the HFC network. Is sent to the cable modem.

Accordingly, when the cable modem demodulates and transmits a broadcast stream of radio frequency, or RF, received through the HFC network to the set-top box, the set-top box outputs the broadcast through the TV.

The existing IPTV broadcasting service in the HFC network may use only one frequency channel to transmit one broadcast channel, that is, one broadcast stream.

Therefore, the existing IPTV broadcasting service in the HFC network can be serviced in the case of an ultra-high definition broadcasting service requiring a higher transmission rate than that which can be serviced using a single frequency channel due to the bandwidth limitation of each frequency channel. There is no situation.

Therefore, in the IPTV broadcasting service environment in the HFC network, it is necessary to find a way to normally service the ultra-high definition broadcasting service that could not be serviced due to the bandwidth limitation for each frequency channel.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for normally serving an ultra-high definition broadcasting service that could not be serviced due to bandwidth limitation for each frequency channel of the HFC network. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, a broadcast service providing apparatus for providing a broadcast service to a subscriber device through a hybrid fiber conaxial (HFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a broadcast channel requested from the subscriber device. A confirmation unit for confirming whether the channel is an ultra high definition broadcast channel; A channel selecting unit for selecting two or more frequency channels to be used to service the requested broadcast channel in case of an ultra-high definition broadcast channel; And a stream splitter configured to divide the ultra high definition broadcast stream of the broadcast channel into the selected number of frequency channels and provide the optical coaxial mixed network using the selected frequency channels.

Specifically, the apparatus further includes a signal modulator for modulating a broadcast stream of a broadcast frequency into a broadcast stream of a radio frequency (RF) for each of a plurality of frequency channels and transmitting the same to the optical coaxial mixed network; The stream splitter may divide the UHD broadcast stream into the selected number of frequency channels, and provide each of the divided broadcast streams to a signal modulator of each selected frequency channel.

In detail, each of the plurality of frequency channels has a transmission rate determined according to a bandwidth of the frequency channel and a modulation scheme of the signal modulator, and the channel selection unit includes a transmission rate required by the ultra-high definition broadcast stream and the plurality of frequency channels. The at least two frequency channels may be selected based on at least one of a transmission rate and a resource remaining situation of each of the frequency channels.

Specifically, the channel selecting unit is a reserved frequency previously reserved for an ultra-high definition broadcast channel based on a transmission rate required by the ultra-high definition broadcast stream among the plurality of frequency channels and a transmission rate of each of the plurality of frequency channels. In the channel, the two or more frequency channels can be selected.

Specifically, the channel selection unit may select the at least two frequency channels from among the plurality of frequency channels based on a transmission rate required by the UHD broadcast stream and resource remaining conditions of each of the plurality of frequency channels. .

Specifically, the channel selecting unit transmits the channel tuning message transmitted in response to the broadcast channel request from the subscriber device, including the selected details of the two or more frequency channels, and includes the selected frequency channels in the selected details. A stream dividing policy indicating the number of pieces of information, a frequency channel list, and information for dividing a broadcast stream by frequency channels may be included.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast service provided through an optical coaxial mixed network (HFC), the channel setting unit requesting a broadcast channel; A confirmation unit for checking whether there is a selection history of selecting two or more frequency channels to service the requested broadcast channel in a channel tuning message received in response to the broadcast channel request; And a control unit for performing a setting operation for using a broadcast service by bonding two or more frequency channels based on the selection history when the selection details are confirmed.

In detail, the setting operation may set each selected frequency channel as a frequency channel for receiving a broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel on the basis of the number and list of frequency channels selected in the selection history, and stream within the selection history stream. Based on the partitioning policy, a policy for restoring the divided broadcast stream into a single stream may be set.

Specifically, a receiver for demodulating each broadcast stream of a radio frequency (RF) received through an optical coaxial mixed network (HFC) using the two or more frequency channels into a broadcast stream of a broadcast frequency; The apparatus may further include a stream restoring unit for restoring each demodulated broadcast stream to a single stream and providing the same to the playback apparatus.

A method of operating a broadcast service providing apparatus for providing a broadcast service to a subscriber device through an optical coaxial mixed network (HFC) according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the broadcast channel requested from the subscriber device is seconds Confirming whether the channel is a high quality broadcast channel; A channel selecting step of selecting at least two frequency channels to be used for servicing the requested broadcast channel in case of an ultra-high definition broadcast channel; A selection history delivery step of including the selection details of the two or more frequency channels in a channel tuning message transmitted in response to a broadcast channel request from the subscriber device; And dividing an ultra-high definition broadcast stream of the broadcast channel into the selected number of frequency channels and providing the optical coaxial mixed network using the selected frequency channels.

In detail, the stream dividing step may include: dividing the ultra-high definition broadcast stream received from an IPTV network into the selected frequency channel number, providing each of the divided broadcast streams to a signal modulator of each selected frequency channel, The signal modulator of the frequency channel may further include modulating a broadcast stream of the received broadcast frequency into a broadcast stream of a radio frequency (RF) and transmitting the modulated broadcast stream to an optical coaxial network.

In detail, each of the plurality of frequency channels has a transmission rate determined according to a bandwidth of the frequency channel and a modulation scheme of the signal modulator. The channel selection step includes a transmission rate required by the UHD broadcast stream, The at least two frequency channels may be selected based on at least one of a transmission rate and a resource remaining situation of each of the plurality of frequency channels.

In detail, the channel selecting step may include: a dedicated reserved for an ultra high definition broadcast channel based on a transmission rate required by the ultra high definition broadcast stream and a transmission rate of each of the plurality of frequency channels, among the plurality of frequency channels. In the frequency channel, two or more frequency channels may be selected.

In detail, the channel selecting step may select two or more frequency channels from among the plurality of frequency channels based on a transmission rate required by the UHD broadcast stream and resource remaining conditions of each of the plurality of frequency channels. have.

Specifically, the selection history may include a stream dividing policy indicating information on the number of selected frequency channels, a list of frequency channels, and information on dividing a broadcast stream by frequency channels.

According to an operation method of a broadcast service providing apparatus, a broadcast receiving apparatus, and a broadcast service providing apparatus of the present invention, a method for normally serving an ultra-high definition broadcast service that could not be serviced due to bandwidth limitation for each frequency channel of an HFC network (technology ) Can be realized.

Accordingly, according to the present invention, in the IPTV broadcasting service environment of the HFC network, it is possible to derive the effect of providing a wider and more diverse broadcasting service.

1 is a diagram illustrating an IPTV broadcasting service environment of an HFC network to which the present invention is applied.
2 is a schematic structural diagram of a broadcast service providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic structural diagram of a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exemplary view for explaining a process of selecting a frequency channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a broadcast service providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an IPTV broadcasting service environment of an HFC network to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the IPTV broadcasting service environment of the HFC network to which the present invention is applied is an IPTV network 20 that serves an IPTV broadcasting stream provided from a broadcasting server (not shown) constructed by an IPTV broadcasting service provider. ), A distribution network 200 for distributing broadcast services to subscribers, a cable network installed between subscriber equipment 100 installed in the subscriber's premises and receiving broadcast services, distribution center 200 and subscriber apparatus 100, It is composed of optical coaxial mixed network (10, HFC: Hybrid Fiber Conaxial).

The IPTV broadcasting service in the HFC network configures the service using both the Internet frequency and the broadcasting frequency. The two-way communication for the IPTV broadcasting uses the frequency for the Internet, and the broadcasting stream uses the broadcasting frequency.

In particular, in the case of a broadcast stream transmitted through the HFC network 10, a radio frequency (hereinafter referred to as RF: Radio) in a broadcast stream of a broadcast frequency through a signal modulator (hereinafter referred to as QAM: Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) of the distribution center 200. After being modulated with a frequency, it is transmitted to the HFC network 10 and transmitted to the subscriber device 100, in particular, the cable modem 110 in the subscriber device 100.

Accordingly, when the cable modem 110 demodulates a broadcast stream of radio frequency, or RF, received through the HFC network 10 and transmits the demodulated signal to the set-top box 120 and STB, the STB 120 transmits through a TV (not shown). The broadcast will be output.

The existing IPTV broadcasting service in the HFC network transmits one broadcast channel, that is, one broadcast stream, and only one frequency channel may be used.

Therefore, the existing IPTV broadcasting service in the HFC network can be serviced in the case of an ultra-high definition broadcasting service requiring a higher transmission rate than that which can be serviced using a single frequency channel due to the bandwidth limitation of each frequency channel. There is no situation.

For example, assuming that a channel width of a frequency channel has an 8 MHz channel width and a signal modulator of 256QAM modulation, that is, QAM, a transmission rate that can be serviced using one frequency channel (hereinafter referred to as a QAM channel) may be about 51.2 Mbps. will be.

Since the transmission speed (or capacity) required by general 4K high definition broadcasting content (broadcast stream) provided by IPTV broadcasting service is about 30 to 40 Mbps, one frequency channel, that is, one frequency channel, is used to transmit a 4K high definition broadcasting stream of a high definition broadcasting channel. Using only the QAM channel could provide enough service.

However, in transmitting an ultra-high definition broadcast stream of an ultra-high definition broadcast channel requiring a higher transmission rate, a transmission rate larger than a transmission rate (for example, 51.2 Mbps) that can be serviced by one frequency channel or one QAM channel is required. Because of the demand, the existing IPTV broadcasting service in the HFC network has a problem that can not service the ultra-high definition broadcasting service.

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention, in the IPTV broadcasting service environment in the HFC network, proposes a method (technology) that can normally service the ultra-high definition broadcasting service that could not be serviced due to the bandwidth limitation for each frequency channel.

In more detail, a broadcast service providing apparatus and a broadcast receiving apparatus for realizing a scheme proposed by the present invention (hereinafter, ultra-high definition broadcast service provision scheme) will be described in detail.

First, a broadcast service providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The broadcast service providing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits an IPTV broadcast stream received from the IPTV network 20 to the HFC network 10, and delivers the IPTV broadcast service to the subscriber device (100 in FIG. 1). As a device for providing a, it can be understood as a distribution center as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a confirmation unit 233, a channel selection unit 236, and a stream splitter 240.

On the other hand, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, further comprising the configuration of the switch 210, the cable modem termination system (CMTS) 220, the signal modulator 250 Can be.

After all, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, through the above-described configuration, the ultra-high definition broadcast of the present invention to normally service the ultra-high definition broadcast service in the IPTV broadcast service environment in the HFC network A service providing method is realized, and hereinafter, each component in the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 for realizing the service will be described in more detail.

The switch 210 transmits a request or a message received from the subscriber device or the broadcast service providing device 200 through the HFC network 10 to the corresponding configuration or the IPTV network 20 in the broadcast service providing device 200. It delivers, and delivers the broadcast stream received from the IPTV network 20 to the corresponding configuration in the broadcast service providing apparatus 200.

The identification unit 233 confirms whether the broadcast channel requested from the subscriber device 100 is an ultra high definition broadcast channel.

A broadcast channel request in the form of a Channel Change Protocol, which the subscriber device 100 generates and transmits according to the channel switching input of the subscriber, is received by the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 through the HFC network 10.

Therefore, when the broadcast channel request is received from the subscriber device 100, the verification unit 233 determines whether the requested broadcast channel is an ultra-high definition broadcast channel based on information such as an IP, a port, and the like related to the requested broadcast channel. You can check whether or not.

The channel selecting unit 236 selects two or more frequency channels to be used to service the requested broadcast channel when the currently requested broadcast channel is an ultra-high definition broadcast channel.

The signal modulator 250 is responsible for modulating a broadcast stream of a broadcast frequency into a radio frequency, that is, a broadcast stream of RF, and transmits the broadcast stream to the HFC network 10 for each of a plurality of frequency channels. do.

Thus, each of the plurality of frequency channels has a transmission rate determined according to the bandwidth of the frequency channel and the modulation scheme of the signal modulator.

For example, assuming that a channel width of a frequency channel has an 8 MHz channel width and a signal modulator of 256QAM modulation, that is, QAM, a transmission rate that can be serviced using one frequency channel (hereinafter referred to as a QAM channel) may be about 51.2 Mbps. will be.

In the case of FIG. 2, it is assumed that each of the plurality of QAM channels has a full speed of 51.2 Mbps according to the bandwidth of the QAM channel and the modulation scheme of QAM (QAM1, 2, 3, ... N). can do.

Accordingly, the channel selection unit 236, when the confirmation channel 233 confirms that the currently requested broadcast channel is an ultra-high definition broadcast channel, a transmission rate required by the ultra-high definition broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel, and a plurality of QAM channels Two or more QAM channels for serving the requested broadcast channel, i.e., an ultra-high definition broadcast channel, may be selected based on at least one of a transmission rate and a resource remaining situation of each.

More specifically, an embodiment of selecting a frequency channel, that is, a QAM channel, will be described below.

According to the first embodiment, the channel selector 236 is based on a transmission rate required for an ultra-high definition broadcast stream among a plurality of frequency channels, that is, a plurality of QAM channels, and an ultra high definition based on a transmission rate of each of the plurality of QAM channels. In a dedicated frequency channel (dedicated QAM channel) previously reserved for the broadcast channel, two or more frequency channels may be selected.

For example, it is assumed that a channel width of one QAM channel is 8MHz and 256QAM modulation scheme as described above, and a transmission rate of at least 60Mbps is required to transmit an 8K ultrahigh definition broadcast stream of an ultra high definition broadcast channel.

In this case, since a transmission rate that one QAM channel can service is 51.2 Mbps, at least two QAM channels will be required to service an ultra-high definition broadcast channel.

At this time, according to the first embodiment, in the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of QAM channels QAM1, 2, 3, 4, ... are used. In general, a dedicated QAM channel (e.g., QAM1, 2,3) can be reserved in advance.

In addition, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 according to the present invention provides a dedicated QAM channel (eg, QAM1, 2, 3, ...) among a plurality of QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...). Example: Do not use it to service other broadcast channels unless there is a situation in which it is impossible to service other broadcast channels other than the ultra-high definition broadcast channel (for example, lack of resources) except for QAM1, 2, and 3).

Accordingly, according to the first embodiment, the channel selection unit 236, if the broadcast channel requested this time as a result of the confirmation by the confirmation unit 233, this time the ultra-high definition broadcast channel from the dedicated QAM channel (a) Select two or more QAM channels to service.

For example, the channel selector 236 may be configured based on a transmission rate (eg, 60 Mbps) required by the ultra-high definition broadcast stream of the ultra-high definition broadcast channel and resource remaining situation of each QAM channel in the dedicated QAM channel (a). In the dedicated QAM channel (a), two or more QAM channels can be selected to accommodate all 60Mbps.

In this case, the future broadcast stream splitting ratio will be determined according to resources used for each of two or more selected QAM channels.

On the other hand, according to the second embodiment, the channel selection unit 236, based on the transmission rate required for the ultra-high definition broadcast stream and the resource remaining situation of each of a plurality of frequency channels, that is, a plurality of QAM channels, a plurality of QAM channels Two or more frequency channels can be selected.

That is, the channel selecting unit 236 may select one of a plurality of QAM channels based on a transmission rate (eg, 60 Mbps) required by the UHD broadcast stream of the UHD broadcast channel and resource remaining conditions of each of the QAM channels. Two or more QAM channels can be selected to accommodate all 60Mbps.

More specifically, as shown in (B) of FIG. 4, in the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 according to the present invention, a plurality of QAM channels QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ... are predetermined. The threshold (b) of may be specified in advance. In this case, the threshold value b may be a value specified in relation to the capacity (transmission rate) required by the high definition broadcasting service or the ultra high definition broadcasting service.

Accordingly, the channel selector 236, if the remaining resources of all the QAM channels are less than the threshold (b) based on the resource remaining situation of each of the plurality of QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...) The QAM channel is selected by full filling from the QAM channel with the least remaining resources among the plurality of QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...) in order of decreasing resources. It is possible to select two or more QAM channels to accommodate all transmission speeds, for example 60Mbps.

If the channel selection unit 236 has a plurality of QAM channels having the least remaining resources among the plurality of QAM channels QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ..., the channel selector 236 takes priority of the low-frequency QAM channel and gives the full value. The QAM channel can be selected by filling.

In this case, the future broadcast stream splitting ratio will be determined according to resources used for each of two or more selected QAM channels.

Alternatively, if the channel selection unit 236 has a QAM channel in which the remaining resources are greater than or equal to the threshold value b, based on the resource remaining situation of each of the plurality of QAM channels QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ... Among the QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...), the QAM channel is selected by sequentially filling the unit resources from the QAM channel having the most remaining resources, and thus the transmission rate required for this broadcast stream, for example, 60Mbps. Two or more QAM channels can be selected to accommodate all of them.

If a plurality of QAM channels having the most remaining resources among the plurality of QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...) are selected, the channel selection unit 236 gives priority to the low-frequency QAM channel among them. The QAM channel can be selected by filling the resource.

In this case, future broadcast stream split ratios will be determined according to resources used for each of two or more selected QAM channels.

If the channel selection unit 236 selects two or more QAM channels for servicing the ultra-high definition broadcast channel according to the first or second embodiment described above, the channel selection unit 236 responds to the current broadcast channel request from the subscriber device 100. In the channel tuning message transmitted in response to the response, two or more selected QAM channels may be included and transmitted.

At this time, the selection history may include a stream splitting policy indicating the number of selected QAM channels, a selected QAM channel list, and information (eg, a split ratio) of splitting a broadcast stream for each selected QAM channel.

In this case, the channel tuning message is modulated by RF in the signal modulator 250 and then transmitted to the subscriber device 100 through the HFC network 10, and the subscriber device 100 demodulates and analyzes the received channel tuning message. By confirming the selection history and bonding two or more QAM channels based on the selection history it can perform a setting operation for using the broadcast service.

The above-described identification unit 233 and the channel selection unit 236 may be implemented in a single configuration of the frequency bonding unit 230, the whole or at least part of the configuration of the frequency bonding unit 230 is a hardware module form or software module It may be implemented in the form, or may be implemented in a combination of hardware modules and software modules.

Here, the software module may be understood as, for example, an instruction executed by a processor controlling a function / operation of at least one of the identification unit 233 and the channel selection unit 236 in the frequency bonding unit 230. Such an instruction may have a form mounted in memory.

The stream splitter 240 divides the ultra-high definition broadcast stream of the current broadcast channel into the number of QAM channels previously selected by the channel selector 236 and then provides the selected QAM channel to the HFC network 10 by using each selected QAM channel.

In detail, when two or more QAM channels are selected in the channel selection unit 236, the stream splitter 240 generates an IGMP Join message, which is an IPTV transmission protocol, and transmits the IGMP Join message to the IPTV network 20 through the switch 210. In response to this, an ultra high definition broadcast stream of the current broadcast channel provided from the IPTV network 20 is received through the switch 210.

Accordingly, the stream splitter 240 divides the ultra-high definition broadcast stream of the current broadcast channel into the number of selected QAM channels according to the selection history and the stream splitting policy previously determined by the channel selection unit 236, and divides the broadcast stream. Each is provided to the QAM of each selected QAM channel.

In this case, each of the divided broadcast streams will include a header that can be referred to when the subscriber apparatus 100 restores them.

In this case, the signal modulator (QAM) of each QAM channel receiving the divided broadcast stream modulates the broadcast stream of the received broadcast frequency into a radio frequency, that is, a broadcast stream of RF, to transmit / transmit to the HFC network 10. will be.

Hereinafter, a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The broadcast receiving device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for receiving a broadcast service provided through the HFC network 10 and performs a broadcast service receiving function in the subscriber device or the subscriber device shown in FIG. 1. It can be understood as the cable modem in charge.

As shown in FIG. 3, the broadcast receiving apparatus 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a channel setting unit 111, a confirming unit 115, and a control unit 116.

On the other hand, the broadcast receiving apparatus 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the configuration of the transmitter 112, the receiver 113, the broadcast channel controller 117, the stream restorer 118 It may include.

As a result, the broadcast receiving device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention, through the above-described configuration, the ultra-high definition broadcast service of the present invention to normally service the ultra-high definition broadcast service in the IPTV broadcast service environment in the HFC network A method of providing the present invention will be described below, and each component in the broadcast receiving apparatus 110 for realizing the same will be described in more detail.

The channel setting unit 111 is responsible for requesting a broadcast channel.

That is, when the channel setting unit 111 receives the subscriber's channel switching input from the STB 120, the channel setting unit 111 generates a broadcast channel request in the form of Channel Change Protocol, and transmits the endpoint of the HFC network 20 through the transmitter 112. Provided to the service providing device 220.

In the channel tuning message received in response to the above-described broadcast channel request, the identification unit 115 checks whether there is a selection history for selecting two or more frequency channels to service the above-described requested broadcast channel.

That is, when the channel tuning message as a response to the aforementioned broadcast channel request is demodulated and received through the receiver 113 through the HFC network 20, the confirmation unit 115 analyzes the channel tuning message and broadcasts the requested broadcast. It is possible to check whether there is a selection history of selecting two or more frequency channels or QAM channels to service the channel.

If the requested broadcasting channel is an ultra-high definition broadcasting channel, the identification unit 115 may check the selection details in the channel tuning message since the received channel tuning message will include the selection details.

When the selection history is confirmed, the controller 116 may perform a setting operation for using a broadcast service by bonding two or more QAM channels based on the selection history.

Herein, the setting operation sets the selected QAM channels as the frequency channels for receiving the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel based on the selected frequency channels, i.e., the number and list of QAM channels, selected in the selection history stream. It is preferable that the operation of setting a policy (hereinafter, referred to as a stream restoration policy) for restoring the divided broadcast stream into a single stream based on the partition policy.

Specifically, the control unit 116, based on the number and list of the selected QAM channels in the selection history, the broadcast channel control unit 117 as a frequency channel for receiving a broadcast stream of the above-mentioned requested broadcast channel for each selected QAM channel. Can be locked.

In addition, the control unit 116 sets, in the stream restoration unit 1180, a stream restoration policy for restoring the divided broadcast stream into a single stream based on the selected content stream splitting policy.

The above-described confirmation unit 115 and the control unit 116 may be implemented in a single configuration of the frequency bonding unit 114, all or at least part of the configuration of the frequency bonding unit 114 in the form of a hardware module or software module It may be implemented as a combination of hardware modules and software modules.

Here, the software module may be understood as, for example, an instruction executed by a processor controlling a function / operation of at least one of the identification unit 115 and the control unit 116 in the frequency bonding unit 114. May have a form mounted in memory.

The receiver 113 demodulates each broadcast stream of a radio frequency (RF) received through the HFC network 20 into two or more frequency channels, that is, a QAM channel, into a broadcast stream of a broadcast frequency.

That is, the receiver 113 demodulates each broadcast stream received through the HFC network 20 using two or more QAM channels locked to the broadcast channel controller 117, and then stream restorer 118. To pass.

The stream restoring unit 118 restores each demodulated broadcast stream to a single stream according to a set stream restoration policy and provides the stream to the playback apparatus, that is, the STB 120. Accordingly, the STB 120 outputs a single stream of a very high definition broadcast stream to a TV (not shown), so that an ultra high definition broadcast can be viewed through a TV (not shown).

As described above, according to the broadcast service providing apparatus and the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention, by splitting / transmitting an ultra-high definition broadcast stream through frequency channel bonding only in the transmission section of the HFC network, It is possible to normally service an ultra high definition broadcasting service that could not be serviced due to bandwidth limitation.

Accordingly, according to the present invention, in the IPTV broadcasting service environment of the HFC network, not only can provide ultra-high definition broadcasting content but also can provide an effect of providing a wider and more diverse broadcasting service.

Hereinafter, a method of operating a broadcast service providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

The subscriber device 100 provides a channel change protocol type broadcast channel request generated by the subscriber channel switching input to the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 through the HFC network 10 (S10).

In a method of operating a broadcast service providing apparatus according to the present invention, when a broadcast channel request is received from a subscriber device 100 (S20), an IP, a port (Port), etc. related to the requested broadcast channel are received. On the basis of the information, it is possible to determine whether the requested broadcast channel is an ultra-high definition broadcast channel (S30).

In a method of operating a broadcast service providing apparatus according to the present invention, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 determines that the requested broadcast channel is an ultra-high definition broadcast channel as a result of step S30 (S30 Yes), to service the requested broadcast channel. 2 or more frequency channels to be used, i.e., QAM channels, are selected (S40, S50).

More specifically, an embodiment of selecting a frequency channel, that is, a QAM channel, will be described below.

In a method of operating a broadcast service providing apparatus according to the present invention, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 includes a transmission rate required by an ultra-high definition broadcast stream of a requested broadcast channel, and a plurality of QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4. .) Check the transmission rate and the resource remaining situation that each has (S40).

According to the first embodiment, in the operating method of the broadcast service providing apparatus according to the present invention, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 is generally of ultra high quality among a plurality of QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...). Dedicated QAM channels (e.g. QAM1, 2, 3) for ultra-high quality broadcast channels based on the transmission rate required by the broadcast stream (e.g. 60 Mbps) and the transmission rate of each of the multiple QAM channels (e.g. 51 Mbps) Reserve it in advance and do not use it to service other broadcast channels.

Accordingly, according to the first embodiment, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 includes a transmission rate (for example, 60 Mbps) required by the ultra high definition broadcast stream of the ultra high definition broadcast channel and a QAM channel of each QAM channel (a). Based on the resource remaining situation, two or more QAM channels to be bonded / used may be selected to accommodate all 60Mbps among the dedicated QAM channels a (S50).

On the other hand, according to the second embodiment, in the operating method of the broadcast service providing apparatus according to the present invention, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200, the transmission rate required by the ultra-high definition broadcast stream of the ultra-high definition broadcast channel (for example, 60Mbps) And based on the resource remaining situation of each of the plurality of QAM channels, two or more QAM channels to be bonded / used may be selected to accommodate all 60 Mbps among the plurality of QAM channels (S50).

More specifically, as shown in (B) of FIG. 4, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 may determine a resource remaining situation of each of a plurality of QAM channels QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ... On the basis, if the remaining resources of all the QAM channels are less than the threshold value (b), the QAMs with the least remaining resources among the plurality of QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...) are sequentially in order of the remaining resources. By selecting the QAM channel by full filling from the channel, two or more QAM channels can be selected to accommodate all transmission speeds required for this broadcast stream, for example, 60 Mbps.

If there are several QAM channels with the fewest remaining resources among the QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...), the QAM channel is selected by full-filling the low-frequency QAM channel among them. can do.

Alternatively, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 may determine that there is a QAM channel having a residual resource greater than or equal to a threshold b based on the resource remaining situation of each of the plurality of QAM channels QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ... The QAM channel is selected by sequentially filling unit resources from the QAM channel having the most residual resources among the plurality of QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...). Two or more QAM channels can be selected to accommodate all 60Mbps.

If there are several QAM channels with the most residual resources among the QAM channels (QAM1, 2, 3, 4 ...), the QAM channel is filled in such a way that the unit resource is filled with the low-frequency QAM channel first. Can be selected.

In the operating method of the broadcast service providing apparatus according to the present invention, when the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 selects two or more QAM channels for servicing the ultra-high definition broadcasting channel according to the first or second embodiment described above, In operation S50, the channel tuning message transmitted in response to the current broadcast channel request from the subscriber device 100 may include two or more selected QAM channels and transmit the selected details.

At this time, the selection history may include a stream splitting policy indicating the number of selected QAM channels, a selected QAM channel list, and information (eg, a split ratio) of splitting a broadcast stream for each selected QAM channel.

In the present invention, if the channel tuning message as a response to the broadcast channel request transmitted in step S10 is received through the HFC network 20, the subscriber device 100 analyzes the channel tuning message to service the above-described requested broadcast channel. It is possible to check whether there is a selection history for selecting two or more frequency channels, that is, QAM channels.

In the present invention, when the selection history is confirmed, the subscriber device 100 may perform a setting operation for using a broadcast service by bonding two or more QAM channels based on the selection history (S70).

Specifically, in the present invention, the subscriber device 100 broadcasts each selected QAM channel as a frequency channel for receiving the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel based on the number and list of QAM channels selected in the selection history. The channel control unit 117 may be locked.

In addition, in the present invention, the subscriber device 100 sets, in the stream restoration unit 1180, a stream restoration policy for restoring the divided broadcast stream into a single stream based on the stream division policy in the selection history.

On the other hand, in the operating method of the broadcast service providing apparatus according to the present invention, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200, when two or more QAM channels are selected in step S50, by generating an IGMP Join message which is an IPTV transmission protocol IPTV network 20 In step S80, an ultra high definition broadcast stream of the current broadcast channel provided from the IPTV network 20 is received as a response thereto.

Accordingly, in the operating method of the broadcast service providing apparatus according to the present invention, the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 selects an ultra-high definition broadcast stream of the current broadcast channel according to the selection history and the stream splitting policy previously selected (determined) in step S50. Each of the selected broadcast streams is divided by the number of selected QAM channels, and each divided broadcast stream is provided to a signal modulator (eg, QAM1, 2) of each selected QAM channel. At this time, each of the divided broadcast streams will include a header that can be referred to when the subscriber apparatus 100 restores the broadcast stream.

In this case, the signal modulator (QAM) of each QAM channel in the broadcast service providing apparatus 200 that receives the divided broadcast stream modulates the broadcast stream of the received broadcast frequency into a radio frequency, that is, an RF broadcast stream, and modulates the HFC network. It will transmit / transmit to (10) (S90).

In the present invention, the subscriber device 100 demodulates each broadcast stream received through the HFC network 20 using two or more QAM channels locked to the broadcast channel control unit 117 in step S70, and then streams. Restore to a single stream according to the stream restoration policy set in the restoration unit 118 (S100).

In the present invention, the subscriber device 100 provides an ultra high definition broadcast stream restored to a single stream to a playback device, that is, the STB 120 (S110), whereby the STB 120 provides an ultra high definition broadcast stream of a single stream. It outputs to a TV (not shown), so that an ultra-high definition broadcast can be watched through the TV (not shown).

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, in the IPTV broadcasting service environment of the HFC network, it is possible to derive the effect of normally serving an ultra-high definition broadcasting service that could not be serviced due to bandwidth limitation for each frequency channel of the HFC network.

On the other hand, the functional operation and implementation of the subject matter described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, computer software, firmware or hardware including the structure and structural equivalents disclosed herein, or one or more of these It can be implemented in combination. Implementations of the subject matter described herein may be embodied as one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a program storage medium of tangible type for controlling or by the operation of one or more computer program products, ie control systems. Can be implemented.

The computer readable medium may be a machine readable storage device, a machine readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of materials affecting a machine readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more thereof.

As used herein, the term "system" or "apparatus" encompasses all mechanisms, devices, and machines for controlling data, including, for example, programmable processors, computers, or multiple processors or computers. The control system may include, in addition to hardware, code that forms an execution environment for a computer program on demand, such as code constituting processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more thereof. .

Computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, scripts or code) may be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or a priori or procedural languages. It can be deployed in any form, including components, subroutines, or other units suitable for use in a computer environment. Computer programs do not necessarily correspond to files in the file system. A program may be in a single file provided to the requested program, in multiple interactive files (eg, a file that stores one or more modules, subprograms, or parts of code), or part of a file that holds other programs or data. (Eg, one or more scripts stored within a markup language document). The computer program may be deployed to run on a single computer or on multiple computers located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

On the other hand, computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM and flash memory devices, for example magnetic disks such as internal hard disks or external disks, magneto-optical disks and CDs. It may include all types of nonvolatile memory, media and memory devices, including -ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory can be supplemented by or integrated with special purpose logic circuitry.

Implementations of the subject matter described herein include, for example, a back-end component such as a data server, a middleware component such as an application server, or a web browser or graphical user, for example, where a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described herein. It may be implemented in a computing system that includes a front end component such as a client computer having an interface or any combination of one or more of such back end, middleware or front end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication such as, for example, a communication network.

Although the specification includes numerous specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limiting to any invention or the scope of the claims, but rather as a description of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment of a particular invention. It must be understood. Likewise, certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments may be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable subcombination. Furthermore, while the features operate in a specific combination and may be depicted as such initially claimed, one or more features from the claimed combination may in some cases be excluded from the combination, the claimed combination being a subcombination. Or a combination of subcombinations.

In addition, although the drawings depict operations in a particular order in this specification, it is to be understood that such operations must be performed in the specific order or sequential order shown in order to obtain desirable results or that all illustrated acts must be performed. Can not be done. In certain cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. In addition, the separation of the various system components of the above-described embodiments should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and the described program components and systems will generally be integrated together into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. Should understand that

As such, the specification is not intended to limit the invention to the specific terms presented. Thus, while the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the examples described above, those skilled in the art can make modifications, changes and variations to the examples without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the detailed 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.

According to the operation method of the broadcast service providing apparatus, the broadcast receiving apparatus, and the broadcast service providing apparatus of the present invention, in the IPTV broadcasting service environment of the HFC network, it is possible to service an ultra-high definition broadcast service that could not be serviced due to bandwidth limitation for each frequency channel of the HFC network. In terms of realizing the technology that makes it possible to do so, it is not only the use of related technology but also the possibility of marketing or operating the applied device as well as the use of related technology. It is an invention that can be used.

10: HFC network 20: IPTV network
100: subscriber device 200: broadcast service providing device

Claims (15)

In the broadcasting service providing apparatus for providing a broadcasting service to a subscriber device through a hybrid fiber conaxial (HFC),
A confirmation unit for checking whether the broadcast channel requested from the subscriber device is an ultra-high definition broadcast channel;
A channel selecting unit for selecting two or more frequency channels to be used to service the requested broadcast channel in case of an ultra-high definition broadcast channel; And
A stream splitter for dividing an ultra high definition broadcast stream of the broadcast channel by the selected frequency channel number and then providing the selected high frequency broadcast channel to the optical coaxial mixed network;
The channel selection,
And selecting at least two frequency channels from among the plurality of frequency channels based on a transmission rate required by the UHD broadcast stream and resource remaining conditions of each of the plurality of frequency channels. The method of claim 1,
For each of the plurality of frequency channels, further comprising a signal modulator for modulating a broadcast stream of a broadcast frequency into a broadcast stream of a radio frequency (RF) to transmit to the optical coaxial hybrid network;
The stream splitter,
And dividing the ultra-high definition broadcast stream into the selected frequency channel number and providing each of the divided broadcast streams to a signal modulator of each selected frequency channel. The method of claim 2,
Each of the plurality of frequency channels has a transmission rate determined according to a bandwidth of the frequency channel and a modulation scheme of the signal modulator.
The channel selection,
And selecting at least two frequency channels based on a transmission rate required by the UHD broadcast stream, a transmission rate of each of the plurality of frequency channels, and a resource remaining situation. The method of claim 3
The channel selection,
Based on the resource remaining situation in the dedicated frequency channel reserved for the UHD broadcast channel based on a transmission rate required by the UHD broadcast stream and a transmission rate of each of the plurality of frequency channels, among the plurality of frequency channels. And selecting at least two frequency channels.
delete The method of claim 1
The channel selection,
In addition, the channel tuning message transmitted in response to the broadcast channel request from the subscriber device includes the selected details of the two or more frequency channels.
In the selection details,
And a stream dividing policy indicating information for dividing the broadcast stream by the selected number of frequency channels, frequency channel lists, and frequency channels. In the broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving a broadcast service provided through an optical coaxial mixed network (HFC),
A channel setting unit requesting a broadcast channel;
A confirmation unit for confirming whether there is a selection history of selecting two or more frequency channels to service the requested broadcast channel in a channel tuning message received in response to the broadcast channel request; And
A control unit for performing a setting operation for using a broadcast service by bonding two or more frequency channels based on the selection history when the selection details are confirmed;
The two or more frequency channels,
And selecting from among the plurality of frequency channels based on the transmission rate required by the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel and the resource remaining situation of each of the plurality of frequency channels. The method of claim 7, wherein
The setting operation,
Setting each selected frequency channel as a frequency channel for receiving a broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel, based on the number and list of frequency channels selected in the selection history;
And a policy for restoring the divided broadcast stream into a single stream based on the selected stream splitting policy. The method of claim 7, wherein
A receiver which demodulates each broadcast stream of a radio frequency (RF) received through an optical coaxial mixed network (HFC) into a broadcast stream of a broadcast frequency using the two or more frequency channels;
And a stream restoring unit for restoring the demodulated broadcast streams into a single stream and providing the same to the playback apparatus. A method of operating a broadcast service providing apparatus for providing a broadcast service to a subscriber device through an optical coaxial mixed network (HFC),
Checking whether the broadcast channel requested from the subscriber device is an ultra-high definition broadcast channel;
A channel selecting step of selecting at least two frequency channels to be used for servicing the requested broadcast channel in case of an ultra-high definition broadcast channel;
A selection history forwarding step of including, in a channel tuning message transmitted in response to a broadcast channel request from the subscriber device, the selected details including the two or more frequency channels; And
Dividing an ultra-high definition broadcast stream of the broadcast channel into the selected frequency channel number and providing a stream to the optical coaxial mixed network using the selected frequency channel;
The channel selection step,
A method of operating the broadcast service providing apparatus, wherein the at least two frequency channels are selected from the plurality of frequency channels based on a transmission rate required by the ultra-high definition broadcast stream and resources remaining in each of the plurality of frequency channels. . The method of claim 10,
The stream splitting step,
Dividing the ultra-high definition broadcast stream received from an IPTV network by the selected number of frequency channels, providing each of the divided broadcast streams to a signal modulator of each selected frequency channel,
The signal modulator of each selected frequency channel, further comprising the step of modulating the broadcast stream of the received broadcast frequency into a radio frequency (RF) broadcast stream and transmitting to the optical coaxial hybrid network; Way. The method of claim 11,
Each of the plurality of frequency channels has a transmission rate determined according to a bandwidth of the frequency channel and a modulation scheme of the signal modulator.
The channel selection step,
And selecting at least two frequency channels based on a transmission rate required by the UHD broadcast stream, a transmission rate of each of the plurality of frequency channels, and a resource remaining situation. The method of claim 12
The channel selection step,
Based on the resource remaining situation in the dedicated frequency channel reserved for the UHD broadcast channel based on a transmission rate required by the UHD broadcast stream and a transmission rate of each of the plurality of frequency channels, among the plurality of frequency channels. And selecting at least two frequency channels. delete The method of claim 10
In the selection details,
And a stream dividing policy indicating information for dividing the broadcast stream by the selected number of frequency channels, frequency channel lists, and frequency channels.

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