KR20030013939A - Set Top Box consisted of plural modules assembled with each other - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A set top box composed of multiple modules connectable with each other is provided to place the set top box according to a user's choice even when a space required for setting the set top box is not secured and to recycle and upgrade the set top box. CONSTITUTION: A set top box includes a plurality of modules that are combined to receive a broadcasting signal and transmit the received broadcasting signal. Each module has at least one connector that enables transmission of information and power between the modules. The modules are combined with one another through the connectors. The modules are replaced and added. The modules includes a power module(1) for providing power externally supplied to the other modules through the connectors, an input module for receiving user's commands, a broadcasting module(3) for receiving a broadcasting signal, an output module(5) for outputting the broadcasting signal received by the broadcasting module, and a control module(4) for controlling the power module, input module, broadcasting module and output module.

Description

Set Top Box consisted of plural modules assembled with each other}

The present invention relates to a set top box, and more particularly, to a set top box capable of decoding a signal input from a service provider on a network and transmitting a signal requested by a user to the service provider.

In general, a set top box is a communication terminal device for restoring a compressed signal transmitted from a video server through a digital network to original video and audio signals. When the digitalized information from the service providing server is received by the set top box, the set top box converts the input digital signal into a displayable format if there is a video signal and converts the input digital signal into an analog signal so that the audio signal can be output through the speaker. Convert. These set-top boxes are used to build Video On Demand (VOD) systems. In addition, set-top boxes are actually used as communication devices that can receive data over the Internet. In this case, the set-top box may be connected to a television to use the set-top box as an internet user interface. In this case, the television connected to the set-top box performs a function of a web television.

On the other hand, the set-top box is attached to each device on a printed circuit board (PCB) has a form of a casing in a standardized case. The casing set top boxes are generally rectangular in shape and occupy a predetermined space. These set-top boxes can not change the appearance model by the user. If the set-top box of rectangular shape is not secured to be installed, it needs an extension line when it is installed at a predetermined distance when connecting to a device such as a TV, and the user selects a command required through the set-top box. There is difficulty. In addition, since the set-top box is commercialized in one case, there is a problem in that it is impossible to add a device capable of implementing new functions. Therefore, in order to use a new function through the set-top box, the user has to purchase a new product equipped with a device capable of implementing the new function. In addition, when the old set-top box is replaced with a new product is left unused and collected by the user or collected by the installation company, it is difficult to recycle the old product, and thus there is a problem of waste of resources.

The first object of the present invention devised to solve the problems as described above can utilize the space to install the set-top box according to the user's choice even if the space required for installing the set-top box in a predetermined space is not secured To provide a set-top box. In addition, a second object of the present invention is to provide a set-top box that can modify the appearance according to the user's needs. On the other hand, a third object of the present invention is to provide a set-top box that can reduce the waste of resources by allowing the set-top box to be recycled and upgraded.

1 is a front view showing a set top box according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external shape of any one of the modules of Figure 1,

3 is a top view illustrating the first connector of FIG. 2 in detail;

4A is a side view of the module of FIG. 2;

4B is a top view of the module of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating a connection state of two modules according to FIG. 2.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: power module 2: input module

3: broadcasting module 4: control module

5: output module 7: power supply

8: speaker 9: TV

10: first connector 11: ground line

12: data bus 14: address bus

16: power bus 18: control bus

20, 30: second connector

The set-top box of the present invention for achieving the above object is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modules, each of which is manufactured to perform different functions and are combined as a whole to perform a broadcast signal reception and transmission of the received broadcast signal. . Preferably, the module is provided with at least one connector capable of mutual transmission of information and power between the modules. Thus, the respective modules are coupled to each other via a connector. In addition, the module may be replaced and additionally combined with a module performing the same function as any one of the plurality of modules and a module performing another function.

The plurality of modules may include a power module for supplying power supplied from the outside to another module through a connector connected thereto, an input module receiving a user's input command, a broadcast module receiving a broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal received by the broadcast module. It is preferable to include an output module for outputting a power module, an input module, a broadcasting module, and a control module for controlling the output module. In addition, the connector is interconnected via a data bus, an address bus, a power bus, and a control bus.

On the other hand, the module has a rectangular model to facilitate coupling to each other through a connector, the connector is a plurality of connectors are disposed on a plurality of surfaces provided in the module, respectively. The broadcasting module may receive and signal a satellite broadcast signal transmitted through a satellite, a cable broadcast signal received through a cable, and a terrestrial broadcast signal received through an antenna.

According to the present invention, the appearance of the set-top box can be easily modified by classifying each device into functional units and modularizing them, and providing a connector to be fastened between the modules by casing each module. In addition, even if the space required for installing the set-top box is not secured, it is possible to install the set-top box by connecting each module according to the user's choice according to the space, thereby utilizing the installation space of the set-top box. In addition, as the set top box is modularized by function, by additionally connecting a module capable of implementing new functions to the set top box being used, it is possible to recycle and upgrade the product to reduce waste of resources.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a front view illustrating a set top box according to the present invention. Referring to the drawings, the set-top box of the present invention has a form in which a plurality of modules capable of performing a predetermined function for each module are separately manufactured and connected to each other. According to the figure, the set top box of the present embodiment has a power supply module 1, an input module 2, a broadcasting module 3, an output module 4, and a control module 5. The power supply module 1, the input module 2, the broadcasting module 3, the output module 4, and the control module 5 perform the operation of receiving the broadcast signal and transmitting the received broadcast signal as one set-top box. do.

The power supply module 1 supplies power to another module through a connector (not shown) connected to power supplied from the outside through the power supply terminal 7. The input module 2 receives a user's input command and outputs the received signal to a corresponding device controlling the set top box. In addition, the input module 2 is provided with a key input unit (not shown) capable of inputting a user's selection command and a light receiving unit (not shown) capable of receiving a signal input from a remote controller (not shown) and transmitting the received signal to the key input unit. . The broadcast module 3 receives a broadcast signal and converts the received broadcast signal into a viewable format. The output module 5 outputs the broadcast signal received by the broadcast module 3 to an external video display device such as a TV 9 and a speaker 8. The control module 4 controls the operation of the power supply module 1, the input module 2, the broadcasting module 3, and the output module 5.

Meanwhile, the broadcasting module 2 includes a satellite broadcasting module capable of receiving satellite broadcast signals transmitted through a satellite, a cable broadcasting module capable of receiving cable broadcast signals received through a cable, and a terrestrial wave received through an antenna. The terrestrial broadcasting module that can receive broadcast signals can be produced separately. This installs a module of a function that a user needs when installing the set-top box to receive the corresponding service. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the cost of installing the set-top box. In addition, the broadcasting module 2 may form a satellite broadcasting module, a cable broadcasting module, and a terrestrial broadcasting module into one module.

Here, the modules (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) respectively coupled through the connector (not shown) can share each other power (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) because they can share the transmission of power and information The position can be changed by the combination of. At this time, each module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) can be replaced with other modules performing the same function. It is also easy to connect other modules that perform new functions.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external shape of any one of the modules of FIG. 1. Referring to the drawings, each module according to the set-top box of the present invention, the device capable of performing any one of the power function, input function, broadcast function, output function, control function Print Circuit Board (Print Circuit Board: A first connector 10 attached to a printed circuit board (PCB) and inserted into a predetermined groove provided on another printed circuit board to be connected to each other, and a first connector 10 provided on another module. It is provided with a connection groove into which a connector having a shape can be inserted and connected, and has second connectors 20 and 30 to enable mutual transmission of information and power from the connected module.

3 is a top view illustrating in detail the first connector 10 of FIG. 2. The first connector 10 is provided with a connecting guide to be coupled to correspond to the groove provided in the second connector (20, 30). The connection guide is provided with a data bus 12, an address bus 14, a power bus 16, and a control bus 18. The data bus 12 is a line for transmitting data received between modules connected to each other, and the address bus 14 is a line for transmitting address information of a corresponding module received for the received data. In addition, the power bus 16 is a line for supplying the power required to operate the module, the control bus 18 is a line for transmitting a command input by the user and the control signal output from the control module (4). Reference numeral 11 is a ground line for the input power. On the other hand, the first connector 10 is provided with a fastening pin (not shown) on the outer portion of the connection guide in order to secure the state that the connection guide is fastened when coupled to the second connector (20, 30) and the second connector ( Fastening grooves (not shown) may be installed on the 20 and 30 to correspond to the fastening pins. In addition, although the shape of the first connector 10 is formed as one guide in the drawing, the data bus 12, the address bus 14, the power bus 16, and the control bus 18 are each guided separately. It can also be formed by four connecting pins.

When the second connectors 20 and 30 are connected to other modules having the same arrangement as the first connector 10, the signals of the same type corresponding to the buses 12, 14, 16, and 18 for transmitting each signal and power supply are provided. Receives the input so that it can be received inside and output to the corresponding module outside. Therefore, a data bus (not shown), an address bus (not shown), a power bus (not shown), and a control bus (not shown) having the same arrangement as that of the first connector 10 are formed in the connection grooves of the second connectors 20 and 30. Not shown). In this case, the data bus 12, the address bus 14, the power bus 16, and the control bus 18 provided on the first connector 10 are the data bus and address bus provided on the second connectors 20 and 30. Correspond to each other, the power bus, and the control bus, respectively.

4A is a side view of the module of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4B is a top view of the module of FIG. 2. Referring to the drawings, one side of the module having a rectangular shape is provided with a first connector 10 to be inserted and fastened to the connection groove provided in the other module. In addition, the connection grooves 20, 30, 40, and 50 may be inserted into other surfaces of the module except for the surface on which the first connector 10 is disposed so that a connector (not shown), which is a connection guide provided in another module, may be inserted and connected. It is prepared. Accordingly, one surface of one module is provided with a first connector 10 as a connection guide, and connection grooves are provided in each of five surfaces except for the surface where the first connector 10 is disposed. Accordingly, one module provided with a connection guide may be connected to another module by being inserted and coupled through a connection groove provided in another module. In addition, as one module is provided with five connection grooves, five modules may be connected to each connection groove.

5 is a top view illustrating a connection state of two modules according to FIG. 2. The connector 60 and the connection groove 20, which are connection guides provided in each module, are interconnected to transmit the same signal and power. If a signal transmitted from a module connected to the connection groove 40 is transmitted to the second module in a state in which any module is connected to the connection groove 40 provided in the first module, the connection groove provided in the first module is provided. The corresponding signal is output through the connection terminal 60 of the second module connected via 20.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the module is a rectangular model shape and one connection groove is arranged on one surface of the module having a rectangular model shape so that different modules are connected, but the module may be manufactured in any form. If connected to the present embodiment can be applied equally. In addition, by providing a plurality of connection grooves instead of one connection groove on one side of the module may be configured so that a plurality of modules can be connected to one side.

According to the present invention, the appearance of the set-top box can be easily modified by classifying each device into functional units and modularizing them, and providing a connector to be fastened between the modules by casing each module. In addition, even if the space required for installing the set-top box is not secured, it is possible to install the set-top box by connecting each module according to the user's choice according to the space, thereby utilizing the installation space of the set-top box. In addition, as the set top box is modularized by function, by additionally connecting a module capable of implementing new functions to the set top box being used, it is possible to recycle and upgrade the product to reduce waste of resources.

Although the above has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, it is usually in the art to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Anyone of ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications, as well as such modifications are within the scope of the claims.

Claims (7)

In the set-top box that receives the broadcast signal from the information providing server and restores the video and audio signal that can be viewed And a plurality of modules, each of which is designed to perform different functions and is combined as a whole, to perform the reception of the broadcast signal and the transmission of the received broadcast signal. Here, the module has at least one connector capable of mutual transmission of information and power between the modules, each of the modules are set-top box, characterized in that coupled to each other through the connector. The method of claim 1, The module set-top box, characterized in that provided with a plurality of the connector. The method of claim 2, Wherein each of the connectors is formed on a different surface of the module. The method of claim 2 or 3, The plurality of modules, A power module for supplying power supplied from the outside to another module through the connector connected thereto; An input module for receiving a user's input command; A broadcast module for receiving a broadcast signal; An output module for outputting the broadcast signal received by the broadcast module; And A control module for controlling the power module, the input module, the broadcasting module, and the output module; Set-top box comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein The connector is connected to each other via a data bus, an address bus, a power bus, and a control bus. The method according to claim 4 or 5, The broadcasting module may include at least one of a satellite broadcast signal transmitted through a satellite, a cable broadcast signal received through a cable, and a terrestrial broadcast signal received through an antenna. The method of claim 5, The module set-top box, characterized in that having a rectangular shape to facilitate coupling with each other through the connector.