KR20000047263A - Multicast service information providing system to subscriber for service in multimedia satellite communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multicast service information providing system to a subscriber for service in a multimedia satellite communication system is provided to easily recognize the changed item of the multicast service, and easily use the added multicast service. CONSTITUTION: A center station includes database storing multicast service information, a network management system updating the multicast service information stored in database, and subscriber management system for periodically reading the multicast service information and transmitting to a set-top box. The set-top box(4) receives the multicast service information with controlling for transmitting the same to the personal computer(5). The personal computer includes a channel information table(53) for storing the multicast service information, a PNM(PC Network Monitor) program(52) providing GUI(Graphic User interface) screen based on the service information stored in the channel information table, a subscriber program for updating the channel information table with controlling for connecting the multicast service selected by a user if the user selects an arbitrary multicast service through the GUI screen.

Description

Multicast Service Information Provision System for Service Subscribers in Multimedia Satellite Communication System

The present invention relates to a multimedia satellite communication system, and more particularly, to a multicast service information providing system for a service subscriber capable of providing multicast service information to a service subscriber.

Recently, with increasing interest in the Internet, attempts have been made to provide Internet services or other multimedia services using satellites. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a system configuration of a multimedia satellite communication system developed and filed by the present applicant.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a central station connected to the Internet, which provides various multimedia services to a plurality of terminal stations, and performs overall network operation management and control functions, and 3 denotes a central station antenna. Although the central station 1 is not specifically illustrated in the drawings, a plurality of servers besides the Internet, for example, a multicast server, a DNS (Domain Name System) server, an E-mail server, a proxy server, It is combined with a MSP (Muitimedia Service Provider) to provide various multimedia services to subscribers.

In the drawing, reference numeral 3 is a terminal station antenna, 4 (4 _{1 to} 4n) is a set-top box as a terminal station providing multimedia service to a general subscriber, and 5 is a set-top box 4 as a user. The personal computer 6 as a terminal for executing multimedia communication through the 6) is a satellite.

In the above system, in the case of the forward link transmitted from the central station 1 to the set top box 4, a large amount of multimedia data is transmitted at high speed to the MPEG-2 TS packet through a TDM scheme, In the case of a return link from 4) to the central station 1, a CDMA system can be used to accommodate a large number of subscribers.

On the other hand, in the system, the user receives the multimedia service through the personal computer (5). That is, the user can receive the multimedia service by transmitting and receiving data to and from the central station 1 through the set-top box 4 after executing the subscriber program stored in the personal computer (5).

However, in the above system, if the multicast service that can be provided to the subscriber is added or changed, the subscriber cannot receive the service smoothly because the service change is not known.

Of course, these service changes are usually provided to subscribers as announcements, but if the subscribers do not read the announcements, the service changes will not be known, and even if they read the announcements, they will be added to the multicast service. If you do not know how to access or registration, etc. will be inconvenient to receive the service.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and in a multimedia satellite communication system in which a user can easily recognize a change of a multicast service and the like, and can easily use an added multicast service. Its purpose is to provide a multicast service information providing system for service subscribers.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a general multimedia satellite communication system.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the central station 1 according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a set-top box 4 and a personal computer according to the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a protocol structure between a set-top box and a personal computer.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart for explaining the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3; FIG.

**** Brief description of the main parts of the drawing ****

4: set-top box, 5: personal computer,

18: MPEG-2 TS transmitter, 22: network management system,

23: database, 24: resource and subscriber management system,

41: RF device, 42: MPEG-2 TS receiver,

43: CDMA transmitter, 44: processor,

45: network interface card, 46: service information storage unit,

51: subscriber program, 52: PNM program,

53: Channel information table.

In the multimedia satellite communication system according to the present invention for realizing the above object, a multicast service information providing system for a service subscriber includes a database for storing multicast service information, and multicast service information stored by an operator in the database. A central station including a network management system for updating a network and a resource and subscriber management system for periodically reading multicast service information from the database and transmitting the multicast service information to the set-top box; A set-top box for receiving the multicast service information and transmitting and controlling the multicast service information to a personal computer; A service information storage means for storing multicast service information, and a PNM program for providing a GUI screen based on the service information stored in the service information storage means, and the multicast service information received from the set-top box. On the basis of updating the service information storage means and when the user selects a random multicast service through the GUI screen, the user selects a multicast service based on the service information stored in the service information storage means. And a personal computer having a controlling subscriber program.

In addition, the resource and subscriber management system of the central station is characterized by providing the multicast service information through the PSI / SI table information.

The PSI / SI table information may be transmitted through a PID that all set top boxes can receive.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, the resource and subscriber management system of the central station periodically transmits the multicast service information. The personal computer receives the multicast service information, generates a GUI screen for the user, and provides a multicast service to the user based on the received and stored channel information when the user selects a random multicast service.

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

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the central station 1 in the multimedia satellite communication system according to the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes an IP switch for switching an IP packet (Internet Protocol Packet). The IP switch 10 includes a multicast server (MCS) 11, an e-mail server 12, and a web as described above. The server 14, proxy server 15, MSP 16, and router 17 are combined. In particular, the router 17 is for connection processing between the central station 1 and the Internet, which converts an IP packet input from the Internet into the central station 1 into data of an Ethernet frame, and transfers the data from the central station 1 to the Internet. Transmit Ethernet frame to IP packet.

In the drawing, reference numeral 18 denotes an MPEG-2 TS transmitter that generates an MPEG-2 TS packet based on the transmission data input from the IP switch 10, which corresponds to the header of the transmitted Ethernet packet. PID (Packet Identifier) is assigned.

In addition, reference numeral 19 denotes, for example, QPSK modulation and frequency up-conversion of the transmission data output from the MPEG-2 TS transmitter 18 and output to the antenna 2, and the high frequency signal received from the antenna 2 is frequency. 20 is an RF device which down-converts, demodulates and outputs, and 20 denotes CDMA demodulation of received data from the set-top box 4 outputted from the RF device 19, and then generates original packet data. 10) is a CDMA receiver.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a central station processor which controls the entire apparatus of the central station 1, and also allocates a PID to the set top box 4, a transmission channel frequency and a CDMA code for transmission. Network management system for the system operator to operate and manage the entire satellite network, 25 stores the assignable PID, frequency data and CDMA code data for the set-top box (4), billing information for subscribers, etc. It is a database.

In particular, reference numeral 24 in the drawing is a resource and subscriber management system (hereinafter referred to as RMS) for managing satellite resources, subscribers, etc., which is a database of multicast service information available for subscribers. It is read out from (23) and provided to the subscriber at regular intervals. The multicast information is provided as a PSI / SI (Program Specification Information / Service Information) table. The PSI / SI table information from the RMS 24 is transmitted to the MPEG-2 TS transmitter 18 through the IP switch 10. ), The MPEG-2 TS transmitter 18 transmits the PSI / SI table information to the set top box 4 through a predetermined PID. The PID used at this time is assigned to all set top boxes 4 that can be received except for special cases.

That is, in the central station 1, when the multicast service information needs to be changed due to the addition of a new multicast service, the system operator first accesses the database 23 through the network management system 22. The service information to be stored is updated. As described above, the RMS 24 periodically reads the multicast information by accessing the database 23 through the IP switch 10, and then constructs a PSI / SI table based on the plurality of set-tops. The box 4 will be sent. The service information provided to the set-top box 4 includes service name and service type of the multicast service, service provider, site information, channel ID for each multicast service, PID information for receiving the corresponding multicast service, and the like. Will be included.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the set-top box 4 and the personal computer 5 according to the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the set-top box 4 converts the high frequency signal transmitted from the central station 1 into frequency downconverting and low noise amplification, and converts the transmission signal output from the CDMA transmitter 43 to be described later. CDMA conversion and demodulation processing for RF device 41, MPEG-2 TS receiver 42 for demodulating and receiving MPEG-2 TS packet data received from central station 1, and data to be transmitted to central station 1 The transmission unit 43 controls the reception data received through the MPEG-2 TS reception unit 42 to the personal computer 5 and transmits data to be transmitted from the personal computer 5 to the central station 1 by the CDMA transmission unit ( 43) to store service information such as a processor 44 for controlling output, a network interface card (NIC) for performing an interface between the set-top box 4 and the personal computer 5, and multicast information. Service Information It is provided with the ledger 46.

When the processor 44 receives the PSI / SI table information from the RMS 24 of the central station 1 through the MPEG-2 TS receiver 42, information necessary for the processor 44 is stored in the service information. While stored in the unit 46, a predetermined control message is generated based on the received PSI / SI table information and transmitted to the personal computer 5.

Table 1 below shows the message structure that the set-top box 4 transmits to the personal computer 6 based on the service information received from the central station 1.

Structure of Channel Information Notification Message Byte / bit 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 One 1 to 2 Message ID 3 Total packet count 4 Current packet number 5 Total number of service descriptors 6 to 7 Total message length 8 Length of service information 9-10 Service channel ID 11 The length of the service descriptor x Service descriptor x + 1 Length of the multicast information descriptor y Multicast Information Descriptor

In Table 1, a service descriptor includes information such as a service name, a service type, a service provider, and the like, and a multicast information descriptor includes an address of a multicast service provider, that is, access site information and software information necessary to provide a service. Included.

In addition, the personal computer 5 is driven under the control of the subscriber program 51 for providing the multimedia service to the user, and the user selects the multimedia service based on the output screen on the monitor screen. And a PC Network Monitor (PNM) program for providing a GUI (Graphic User Interface) screen for use, and a channel information table for storing PSI / SI table information received from the set-top box 4 53).

4 is a diagram illustrating a protocol structure for transmitting and receiving the multicast service information between the set-top box 4 and the personal computer 5. In FIG. 4, the set-top box 4 has a protocol structure for reconfiguring IP datagrams by the IP protocol into Ethernet frames and also configuring data of the Ethernet frames into IP packets. In addition, the personal computer 6 reconfigures the Ethernet packet received from the set-top box 4 into an IP packet through the IP protocol, converts the IP datagram into a UDP segment through the UDP protocol, and then converts the subscriber program into a subscriber program. In the meantime, the data of the subscriber program is converted into a UDP segment, and then converted into an Ethernet frame through the IP layer and the Ethernet layer, and then transmitted to the set-top box 4. In addition, at this time, the set-top box 4 and the personal computer 5 allocates and uses a private IP address. That is, the set-top box 4 and the personal computer 5 transmit and receive control data through a point-to-point Ethernet communication technology using a UDP / IP protocol and a private IP address. .

Next, the operation of the system will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.

When the user executes the subscriber program 51, for example, by clicking on an icon or the like displayed on the monitor screen of the personal computer 5, the subscriber program 51 is first stored in the channel information table 53. By operating the PNM program 52 based on the service information that is present, the user provides an initial GUI screen for receiving a multimedia service.

In addition, when the subscriber program 51 is executed in the personal computer 5 as described above, the processor 44 transmits and receives control messages to and from the subscriber program 51 via the UDP / IP protocol. It will allow you to receive multimedia services. In particular, if the processor 44 receives the PSI / SI table information from the MPEG-2 TS receiver 42 while the subscriber program 51 of the personal computer 5 is running, the processor 44 preferentially receives the table information from the received table information. Read the information necessary for the and stores it in the service information storage unit 46. Based on the received table information, a channel information notification message as shown in Table 1 is constructed and transmitted to the subscriber program 51 of the personal computer 5. Of course, such a channel information notification message is also transmitted through the UDP / IP protocol.

On the other hand, in the personal computer 5, if the channel information notification message shown in Table 1 is received from the set-top box 4 while the subscriber program 51 is running (ST1 step), the subscriber program 51 Determines whether the total packet count is "1" based on the total packet count information of the corresponding message (step ST2). At this time, if it is determined that the total number of packets is "1", the channel information table 53 is updated and updated based on the received service information, and the channel information change is successfully performed for the set-top box 4. You will be notified (ST4 step).

Further, if it is determined in the step ST2 that the total number of packets is not "1", the subscriber program 51 checks the packet number of the channel information notification message to determine whether the currently received packet number is "1". If the packet number is not " 1 " at this time, an error message is output to the set-top box 4 at step ST4, and then the processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST5 that the current packet number is "1", the subscriber program 51 stores the received channel information, that is, service information, in a temporary memory (not shown). Then, the timer 511 is driven and the next message is waited to be received (steps ST7 and ST8).

Subsequently, when the next message is not received until the waiting time by the timer 511 elapses, the subscriber program 51 discards the channel information stored in the temporary memory (step ST10). The process proceeds to step ST4 to send a response message indicating that the reception of the channel information notification message has failed, and then ends the process.

In addition, when the next message is normally received in step ST8, the subscriber program 51 releases the timer 511 (step ST11) and references the current packet number to make the currently received packet normal. It is determined whether the packet is in the order (step ST12). If the message is a normal message, the corresponding channel information is stored in the temporary memory (step ST13), and it is determined whether the current received packet is the last packet (step ST14). In this case, when the received packet is determined to be the last packet, the process proceeds to the above-described step ST3 and updates and registers the channel information storage unit 53 based on the channel information received so far, and sets the box in the set top box 4. On the other hand, a response message indicating that the reception of channel information is normally completed is transmitted. If it is determined that the packet is not the last packet in step ST14, the remaining packets are received by repeatedly executing steps ST7 to ST14 described above.

In addition, if the packet in the normal order is not received in step ST12, the subscriber program 51 proceeds to step ST10 described above and discards the channel information received so far, and at step ST4, the set-top box 4 The process ends after transmitting a message indicating that channel information reception failed.

The channel information updated through the above method is used as GUI screen information when the PNM program 52 is driven later, and the subscriber program is selected when the user selects a random multicast service through the GUI screen. 51 reads out channel information corresponding to the selected multicast service from channel information table 53, and executes service connection.

Therefore, in the above embodiment, the user can easily recognize the change of the multicast service and the like, and can easily use the added multicast service.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, a multicast to a service subscriber in a multimedia satellite communication system that enables a user to easily recognize a change of a multicast service, etc., and to easily use an added multicast service. The service information providing system can be realized.

Claims (3)

A database for storing the multicast service information, a network management system for updating the multicast service information stored in the database by the operator, and periodically reading the multicast service information from the database and storing the multicast service information in the set-top box. A central station having a resource for transmitting and subscriber management system, A set-top box for receiving the multicast service information and transmitting and controlling the multicast service information to a personal computer; A service information storage means for storing multicast service information, and a PNM program for providing a GUI screen based on the service information stored in the service information storage means, and the multicast service information received from the set-top box. On the basis of updating the service information storage means and when the user selects a random multicast service through the GUI screen, the user selects a multicast service based on the service information stored in the service information storage means. A multicast service information providing system for a service subscriber in a multimedia satellite communication system, characterized in that it comprises a personal computer having a controlling subscriber program. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the resource and subscriber management system of the central station provides multicast service information through PSI / SI table information. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the PSI / SI table information is transmitted through a PID receivable in all set-top boxes.