KR20040017578A - Remote supervision method using a digital set-top box - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for remote monitoring by using a digital set-top box is provided to confirm a visitor through a sub-picture of a television and inspect video data stored in a digital set-top box, thereby reinforcing a security function. CONSTITUTION: If a digital set-top box is turned on, a user selects a remote monitoring function from a plurality of categories(S10). The user selects an interphone function from detailed items(S12). The digital set-top box outputs video data inputted from a camera through a monitor of a television(S14). The user selects a security function(S16). The digital set-top box stores the video data inputted from the camera in a hard disk drive in real time(S18). If the television is turned on, the stored video data are transmitted to the television for outputting the video data through the monitor in real time(S20). The digital set-top box transmits the video data to a service providing device through a system operating device(S22). If the user connects to the system operating device by using a computer, the system operating device transmits the stored video data to the user through the Internet(S24-S26).

Description

Remote supervision method using a digital set-top box

The present invention relates to a remote monitoring method using a digital set-top box, and more particularly, to receive and store audio / video signals from various audio / video input sources and output the video through a television or can be viewed at any time by an internet connection. It is about the remote monitoring method using a digital set-top box that makes it possible.

In the conventional remote monitoring system, since the capacity of the image itself is large in order to transmit the image at a long distance, the transmission speed is remarkably slow and the data is frequently broken during transmission. It is special and expensive, resulting in excessive expenses.

In the related art, there are various types of remote monitoring apparatuses, one of which is a remote monitoring apparatus as shown in FIG. In the remote monitoring apparatus of FIG. 1, each of the monitoring sensors 101a and 101b --- 101n is connected to the connection control device 100 in a star network structure, and the connection control device 100 separates these signals. After converting the signal into an appropriate signal through the data communication network 200, the remote monitoring / control station 300 is transmitted.

Each of the power supply 102a and the power supply 102b and the power supply n102 are connected to the monitoring sensors 101a and 101b and 101n, respectively.

Accordingly, the remote monitoring / control station 300 detects the change of the monitoring angle sensors 101a, 101b --- 101n through the connection control device 100, and sends an appropriate command back to the connection control device 100. When sent down, the connection control device 100 executes a new command through each of the sensors 101a and 101b --- 101n, so that an environmental monitoring and control device can be constructed.

However, the conventional remote monitoring apparatus configured as described above can extend the distance between the sensor and the connection control device to about 1 km through a digital modulation method, thereby transmitting an accurate analog signal to the connection control device without error, and also cause problems in the period data communication network. Occurs when a remote control / control station encounters a strange problem with a connection control device or a specific sensor, the user calls the connection control device through a separate communication line (general voice phone) and activates the voice control device. Not only can it be notified, but it is easy to install and maintain and can reduce the improved external noise. There is a problem that you can not respond quickly because you do not know the situation The.

In addition, the conventional remote monitoring device has a problem that it is not convenient to check the site situation directly by the image, and there is also a problem that you have to go to the central control room to check the site situation, which takes a lot of time and is inconvenient. There were various issues of.

In addition, the conventional remote monitoring apparatus cannot edit and compress images, so that audio and video signals can be edited and compressed from various image information, for example, camcorders, TV satellite broadcasts, cable TVs, VCRs, and various other information parks. Can't. Therefore, there was also a problem that cannot be viewed in a personal (personal) computer or a central control room.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described problems, and receives and stores audio and video signals from various audio / video input sources and outputs them in real time through a television, and the user can view them at any time through the Internet. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a remote monitoring method using a digital set-top box.

1 is a schematic view showing a conventional remote monitoring apparatus;

2 is a configuration diagram of a system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

3 is an internal configuration diagram of the digital set-top box shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a remote monitoring method using a digital set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

10: service providing apparatus 20: Internet

30: operating system 40: digital set-top box

100: connection control device 101a to 101n: sensor

102a to 102n: power supply 200: backbone communication network

300: remote monitoring / control station

In order to achieve the above object, a remote monitoring method using a digital set-top box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided with a service content selected by a user using a telephone line of a VDSL and displayed on a television in real time. A user digital set-top box connected to the audio / video input source; A system operating device installed at a predetermined unit of area and relaying service contents required by the digital set-top box in real time by two-way data communication with an arbitrary digital set-top box; And a service providing apparatus for providing corresponding service contents to a corresponding system operating apparatus in real time according to a service content request from the system operating apparatus input through the Internet.

A first step of displaying detailed selection items on a monitor of the television when the digital set-top box is turned on and a remote monitoring function is selected in a category on the initial screen of the television; When the security function is selected from the detailed selection items, the digital set-top box receives image data from the audio / video input source and stores the image data in an internal storage means in real time, and stores the image data stored in real time through the system operating apparatus. A second step of transmitting the data to the service providing apparatus and storing the same; And a third process of transmitting the stored image data to the user's computer through the Internet when the user requests a reading by accessing the service providing apparatus through the Internet using a computer. do.

Hereinafter, a remote monitoring method using a digital set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a configuration diagram of a system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied and receives service contents selected by a user using a telephone line of a VDSL and displays them on a television in real time, and displays various audio / video input sources (for example, a television or a camcorder). A digital set-top box 40 connected to a TV satellite, cable TV, VCR, etc .; It is installed by a predetermined regional unit, and is connected to the digital set-top box 40 and the VDSL telephone line of the plurality of users in the region by a medium, and required by the digital set-top box by two-way data communication with any digital set-top box. System operating apparatus for providing a service content in real time (30); And store and receive various service contents from a content providing device (not shown), and operate the corresponding service contents in real time according to a service content request from the system operating apparatus 30 input through the Internet 20. It is provided with a service providing device 10 to provide to the device (30).

Here, the content providing device (not shown) is a device managed by a content provider, the service providing device 10 is a device managed by a service provider, and the system operating device 30 is a system operator (i.e., goodwill). It can be called a virtual store operator).

In FIG. 2, only two system operating apparatuses 30 are shown, but more than one may be used. The system operating apparatus 30 may be capable of two-way communication with about 150 digital set-top boxes 40. Of course, the one system operating device 30 may be bidirectionally communicated with the 150 or more digital set-top boxes 40, as well as can be expanded.

The service providing apparatus 10 includes: a first storage unit for storing contents related to various services; A streaming server for transmitting the service contents stored in the first storage unit to the system operating apparatus 30 through the Internet, and inputting the inputted service contents to the first storage unit; A storage area network (SAN) switching unit installed between the first storage unit and the streaming server to switch service content movement between the first storage unit and the streaming server; A web / database server for delivering various service contents provided from the content providing apparatus (not shown) to the streaming server through the Internet; Additional information of service contents stored in the first storage unit (for example, location and serial number of each service content, access information of each service operating device, access information of a content providing device, billing information, and operation of other service providing devices) A second storage unit for storing information necessary for the storage; And a Manager PC that searches, inserts, deletes, updates, and reconstructs additional information stored in the second storage unit through the DML command in the web / database server.

Then, the service providing device 10 and the content providing device (not shown) are interconnected by the Internet connected to the web / database server, and the service providing device 10 and the system through the Internet 20 connected to the streaming server. The operating devices 30 are interconnected.

On the other hand, the user can be connected to the service providing apparatus 10 via the Internet using his computer even in a remote place.

In addition, the first storage means a large capacity, which can be expanded as needed, and is used in the same manner as using one storage space with the help of the sand switching unit. That is, the first storage unit is physically independent of a plurality, but is logically a storage space.

The service providing apparatus 10 receives movie or value-added data from a content providing apparatus (not shown) and stores it in the first storage unit. The stored content is 10 megabytes to several gigabytes. Therefore, in order to solve this, it is necessary to have a switch and a plurality of storage unit.

The San switching unit performs service content movement between the first storage unit and the streaming server by a fiber channel.

In addition, the streaming server provides service contents to multiple system operating apparatuses 300 at the same time using a method of reproducing voice, video, animation, etc. in real time on the Internet.

In addition, the streaming server in the service providing apparatus 10 supplies service contents to the system operating apparatuses 30 at the same time by using a method of reproducing voice, video, animation, etc. in real time on the Internet.

On the other hand, the system operating device 30, the storage unit for storing the service content provided from the service providing device 10; A media server connected to the Internet by a cable or an optical cable to receive service contents provided from the service providing apparatus 10, and temporarily store and output the service contents in the storage unit; A multi-point distribution unit for setting and outputting a plurality of transmission paths for service contents output from the media server; And a private branch exchange that transfers the service contents from the multipoint distribution unit to the corresponding digital set-top box 40 via a telephone line.

The media server is connected to the streaming server of the service providing apparatus 10 by a cable or an optical cable to receive not only service contents but also regional announcements and various information materials, and the received service contents and regional announcements and various Store information data in storage.

Then, the digital set-top box 40, as shown in Figure 3, from a plurality of audio / video input sources (e.g., television tuner, movie camera, VTR, cable broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, CCD camera, microphone, etc.) A plurality of analog / digital converters (ADCs) for receiving audio / video signals and digitally converting them; The audio / video signal of one channel selected from the audio / video signals of the multiple channels provided from the analog / digital converters is output through the storage signal output port, and the audio / video signals and MPEG of the multiple channels are output. An audio / video switching unit for outputting the decoded audio / video signal through the audio / video signal output port; An MPEG encoder which receives an audio / video signal output through the storage signal output port of the audio / video switching unit and encodes the MPEG signal; A storage unit in the form of a hard disk drive (HDD) in which audio / video signals encoded by the MPEG encoder are stored, and MPEG contents input through a VDSL line or a LAN line are stored; A sub-control unit which stores the output data from the MPEG encoder and the MPEG contents input through the VDSL line or the LAN line to the storage unit, and outputs the data stored in the storage unit; A main control unit for providing a control command for storing and outputting data to the storage unit to the sub control unit, and controlling a corresponding operation based on a remote signal from a remote control unit (not shown) received in the remote control receiving unit; An MPEG decoder which MPEG-decodes the data outputted from the sub-controller and transmits the MPEG-decoded data to the audio / video switching unit; A screen generator for making a video signal of one channel as a main screen and a video signal of other channels among the video signals of a plurality of channels from the audio / video switching unit; The contents of the 24-bit overlay memory (not shown) of RGB 8: 8: 8 are assigned to a specific color key value (ie, the color key value corresponding to the OSD character (or picture) required for the screens to be output). An OSD synthesizer for implementing a graphic OSD suitable for a screen from the screen generator in comparison with the above; A video output section for displaying a video screen from the OSD synthesizing section on a television monitor (not shown); An audio / digital / analog converter for analog converting a voice signal of an active channel to the main screen provided by the audio / video switcher; An audio output unit for outputting audio from the audio digital / analog conversion unit to the outside through a speaker of a television (not shown); RAM which stores codes of operating programs required for the digital set-top box; And a ROM in which all programs related to driving and control of the digital set-top box are stored.

Here, the audio / video switching unit, the sub control unit and the OSD synthesis unit are field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which are types of programmable logic chips.

The main control unit and the sub control unit communicate with each other via a local bus. The ROM further stores personal information (eg, name, address, credit card information, ID card information, etc.) of the user using the digital set-top box.

In addition, in FIG. 3, the screen generating unit, the OSD synthesizing unit, the image output unit, the audio digital / analog converting unit, and the audio output unit are collectively referred to as a plurality of channels of audio and video output from the audio / video switching unit. It is called audio / video output means outputted according to a user's selection condition under the control of the controller.

The MPEG encoder has a built-in first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer (not shown), and the secondary controller directly accesses the buffer of the MPEG encoder, and the main controller processes only the control command. The main control unit processes only the control command and the address index for the storage unit, and the sub control unit is in charge of the remaining large burst transmission.

In addition, in FIG. 3, the VDSL line is a telephone line, and a VOD is realized through the VDSL line, and the LAN line is composed of two Internet lines as the Internet line. A network interface card (NIC) is installed between the VDSL line and the two LAN lines and the local bus. The network interface card ensures that the digital set-top box and the network are always connected. The network interface card connected to the two internet lines is provided with a network address translation (NAT) function, which is used as a home gateway device. In other words, if the user is not in a VDSL environment, the user may use a digital set-top box by directly connecting to an Internet line (ie, a LAN line).

In addition, the ROM of FIG. 3 includes VOIP software for enabling a digital set-top box to perform a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) function, and a slick (SLIC-SUBSCRIBER LINE INTERFACE CIRCUITS) on a local bus to perform the VOIP function. One output terminal of is connected, and the other output terminal of the SLIC is connected to the audio / video switching unit.

The SLIC outputs an analog audio signal input as a digital audio signal. The digital audio signal output from the output terminal of the SLIC is input to the audio / video switching unit and also to the main control unit via the local bus.

The main control unit controls the VOIP function based on the VOIP software after storing the VOIP software stored in the ROM when the digital set-top box is powered on. Therefore, the digital set-top box of FIG. 3 also serves as a VOIP phone. That is, the digital set-top box of FIG. 3 has a built-in VOIP function for transmitting voice and video using IP.

In FIG. 3, an audio / video signal input from the audio / video input source (ie, a signal input through an analog / digital converter) is composed of an RCA input and a super video (S-video), and the four input sources. Only the audio / video signal of one input source is stored in the storage unit through the MPEG encoder and the sub-controller according to the command of the main controller. Since the four input sources are transmitted to the screen generating unit in real time, they are displayed in a combination of up to three channels while displaying the stored contents.

In addition, the digital set-top box of FIG. 3 can be selected and used in a VDSL telephone environment or a LAN environment capable of high-speed communication of up to 25 megabytes per second and 12 megabits per second in both directions. When a network is selected, a server (not shown) is selected. Through updating the latest content information and necessary data is provided by the user's request. In addition, to facilitate multi-tasking, data input through the network is stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) storage for temporal buffering, and then read from the storage, and the MPEG decoder and audio / video switching unit It is transmitted to the screen generation unit through.

According to the digital set-top box of FIG. 3 configured as described above, various contents can be provided as desired through the VDSL line or the LAN line as well as the normal PVR function, and output is also possible.

Next, a remote monitoring operation using a digital set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

When the user turns on the digital set-top box 40, a number of categories are displayed on the initial screen on the television associated with the digital set-top box 40, among which the user may use a remote monitoring function (ie, a CCTV function). Is selected (step S10), the detailed selection items (e.g., interphone function, security function) of the remote monitoring function are displayed on the monitor of the television.

Here, when the user selects the interphone function by viewing the detailed selection items displayed on the monitor of the television (step S12) (i.e., someone presses the doorbell while the user is watching television). The user selects the interphone function according to the digital set-top box (e.g., a signal indicating that the interphone function is selected) is wirelessly transmitted to the digital set-top box 40. 40 outputs the video data input from the audio / video input source (e.g., camera) through the monitor of the television (i.e., outputs to the sub-screen) (step S14), so that the television can be moved to the position where the interphone is installed. You can see who your current visitors are.

On the contrary, when the user selects the security function by operating the remote controller (not shown) by viewing the detailed selection items displayed on the monitor of the television (step S16), the corresponding selection signal is transmitted to the digital set-top box 40 wirelessly. The digital set-top box 40, which is transmitted and receives the selection signal (i.e., the signal indicating that the security function is selected), receives the image data input from the audio / video input source (e.g., camera). In real time (step S18).

If the television is turned on in the state where the security function is selected, the image data stored in the storage unit of the digital set-top box 40 in real time is sent to the television and output in real time through a monitor (step). S20). In this case, the digital set-top box 40 can generate a plurality of sub-pictures (PIPs), so that the image data from a plurality of audio / video input sources can be output through the respective sub-screens to display all the views at various angles. The user can check at the seat.

In addition, the digital set-top box 40 transmits the image data stored in the storage unit in real time to the service providing apparatus 10 through the system operating device 30 (step S22). The service providing apparatus 10 stores the transmitted video data in a first storage unit therein.

Then, when the user connects to the service providing apparatus 10 (step S24) using a computer (not shown) and requests reading, the service providing apparatus 10 stores the first internal storage. By transmitting the video data (which is at least one video data provided from at least one audio / video input source) stored in the unit to the user's computer (not shown) through the Internet 20, the user may travel or vacation. When the house is vacant, it is possible to view various situations at home or outside the home at any time from a remote site (step S26).

Of course, if you do not read using a computer from a remote place by going to the home to play the video data stored in the digital set-top box 40, to check the situation occurred inside or outside the home while the user is away from home Can be.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when someone presses the doorbell while watching television, it is possible to check through the sub-screen of the television, and since 24 hours are monitored in the house, the security function is usually used when leaving the house for business trips or vacations, etc. There is a certain effect that is performed.

Since the image data is stored in the digital set-top box, it can be checked at any time, and can be accessed by accessing the service providing apparatus through the Internet, thereby maximizing the efficiency and safety of the security function.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified and modified within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, the technical idea to which such modifications and variations are also applied to the claims Must see

Claims (4)

A digital set-top box of a user, which receives a service content selected by a user using a telephone line of a VDSL and displays it on a television in real time, and connected to a plurality of audio / video input sources; A system operating device installed at a predetermined unit of area and relaying service contents required by the digital set-top box in real time by two-way data communication with an arbitrary digital set-top box; And a service providing apparatus for providing corresponding service contents to a corresponding system operating apparatus in real time according to a service content request from the system operating apparatus input through the Internet. A first step of displaying detailed selection items on a monitor of the television when the digital set-top box is turned on and a remote monitoring function is selected in a category on the initial screen of the television; When the security function is selected from the detailed selection items, the digital set-top box receives image data from the audio / video input source and stores the image data in an internal storage means in real time, and stores the image data stored in real time through the system operating apparatus. A second step of transmitting the data to the service providing apparatus and storing the same; And When the user accesses the service providing apparatus through the Internet and requests reading, the service providing apparatus includes a third process of transmitting the stored image data to the user's computer through the Internet. Remote monitoring using digital set-top box. The method of claim 1, The detailed selection items are a remote monitoring method using a digital set-top box, characterized in that the interphone function and security function. The method of claim 2, When the interphone function is selected, video data input from the audio / video input source is output in real time through the sub-screen of the monitor of the television by the digital set-top box, the remote monitoring method using a digital set-top box. The method of claim 1, When the security function is selected and the television is turned on, the video data stored in the storage means inside the digital set-top box is output in real time through the monitor of the television. Surveillance Method.