KR20040075549A - Replay system of broadcasting program by using network and method thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system for rewatching a broadcast program using a network and a method for rewatching a broadcast program are provided to improve the convenience of a subscriber by transmitting a broadcast program when the subscriber wants to rewatch the broadcast program, and reduce transmission load by reducing transmission capacity through a network. CONSTITUTION: A video/sound output apparatus(1) is installed so that a subscriber watches a broadcast program. A terminal device(2) outputs video/sound signals transmitted from a server(4) to the video/sound output apparatus, and receives a control signal including broadcast information requested by the subscriber, subscriber information, and requested information of the subscriber to transmit the control signal to a network(3). A database(41) stores the broadcast program requested by the control signal. The server transmits broadcast program signals to the subscriber through the network. A plurality of broadcast receiving units(6) receive the broadcast program for storing the broadcast program at the server.

Description

Replay system of broadcasting program by using network and method thereon}

The present invention re-views and re-views a broadcast program using a network that stores a broadcast program using a network, and allows the broadcast program to be transmitted to a specific subscriber or subscriber who has subscribed to the service. It is about a method.

In the conventional method of storing / viewing a broadcast program, each broadcaster establishes a separate server, and allows the broadcaster to transmit and watch the broadcast program of each broadcaster in real time, and to the broadcast of the last time. For example, there is a system and a method for transmitting a certain charge and then transmitting it to a specific subscriber.

However, such a system and method allows each subscriber to connect to each server through a network illustrated by the Internet, to watch a broadcaster of a corresponding broadcaster from a separate server, and to another server to watch a program of another broadcaster. Only had to be uncomfortable to watch the broadcast program.

In addition, another system and method for allowing a viewer to watch a past broadcast program includes a recording medium for converting the broadcast program into a digital signal and storing a specific program, and a converter for converting the broadcast signal. It has been suggested to form a kind of set-top device.

The system and method for recording and storing the broadcast program is a system and method for simultaneous storage and reproduction, and US Patent No. 6,233,389, "Multimedia time warping system" US Patent No. 6,327,418, "Method andapparatus implementing random access and time-based functions on continuous stream of formatted digital data. TiVo has been led by the company, and in addition, there is a known device in which a recording medium for storing digital image data is installed.

However, these devices have a problem in that a predetermined recording storage medium for preparing and storing individual set-tops must be provided, and a large amount of cost is required for the provision of their storage devices. There was a bunch.

In addition, these devices have a limitation in the capacity of the recording medium that can be stored, there is an inconvenience that can not store and watch all the desired broadcast.

The present invention was created to improve the problems described above, and stores all broadcast programs that the subscriber wants to store, sets up an account, and all subscribers connected to the network receive and receive these broadcast programs. An object of the present invention is to propose a re-viewing system and a re-watching method of a broadcast program using a network using a network that enables viewing.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a system and method for re-viewing a broadcast program using a network using a network that can smoothly transmit data by reducing a transmission load by reducing a transmission capacity of a network. .

In addition, the present invention is to transmit the information related to the time the subscriber wants to store to the server side in the control signal transmitted by the subscriber of the client side, so that the information related to the status of the subscriber is transmitted and processed on the server side By providing different information related to billing and / or program distribution license related to subscribers, the server side provides a system and method for re-viewing a broadcast program using a network that can manage billing information more smoothly. For the purpose of

On the other hand, the client side can store a broadcast program on a network without purchasing equipment including a predetermined recording medium for storing data, thereby allowing a user to conveniently watch a desired broadcast program at a desired time. An object of the present invention is to propose a system and method for re-viewing a broadcast program using a used network.

1 is a block diagram of a system for re-viewing a broadcast program using a network according to the present invention;

2 is a flowchart illustrating a re-viewing method of a broadcast program using a network according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: Video / sound output device 2: Terminal device 3: Network

4: main server 5: cache server 6: broadcast receiver

41: Broadcast program information D.B. 42: Subscriber Information D.B.

43: Member Request Information D.B. 61: radio receiver

62: satellite broadcasting receiver 63: airwave receiver

64: cable broadcast receiver

A system for re-viewing a broadcast program using a network according to the present invention for achieving the object as described above outputs a broadcast program to a video / audio output device and the video / audio output device, and broadcast program information requested by a subscriber. And / or a terminal device for inputting a control signal including subscriber information and / or subscriber request information to be transmitted to a network, and at least a database for storing a broadcast program requested by the control signal. At least one server is formed to transmit the broadcast program signal to the subscriber side through a network at the request of a subscriber, and a broadcast receiving unit for receiving a broadcast program to be stored in the server, characterized in that it is included.

In addition, the method for re-viewing the broadcast program using the network according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a control that includes at least the information of the broadcast program that the subscriber wants to watch and information related to the request time Transmitting a signal to a server side; The broadcast time requested by the subscriber is determined before and after the broadcast of the broadcast program requested from the subscriber by the request time, and the server receives the broadcast program requested by the subscriber on the server side according to the information requested by the subscriber. And / or information processing of a broadcast program for transmission is performed; Transmitting a broadcast program requested by the subscriber from the server side to the subscriber side; And receiving and outputting the broadcast program by a subscriber.

By the storage and transmission system as proposed, the convenience of the subscriber is further enhanced, and the subscriber can watch a desired broadcast program without purchasing a separate device including a recording medium.

In addition, the amount of transmission of the network illustrated by the Internet is reduced, there is an advantage that it is possible to watch a smooth broadcast program.

On the other hand, in recent years, the high-speed Internet has emerged, and the technology related to the network has been rapidly developed, such as real-time-based video can be transmitted using a network exemplified by the Internet. In addition, with the development of terabyte-sized storage media due to the development of technology related to a recording medium exemplified as a hard disk, moving images can be conveniently stored and used anywhere. The implementation of the present invention has been made possible by the development of a technology in which a plurality of broadcast programs can be stored in a storage medium.

The present invention can be further obtained by the development of digital data transmission technology and storage method of these data as described above.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments according to the spirit of the present invention will be presented in various forms. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited thereto, and a person skilled in the art who understands the spirit of the present invention may present another embodiment by easy change, addition, deletion, etc. of the elements constituting the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a system for re-viewing a broadcast program using a network according to the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the present invention is a constant display device provided for a subscriber on a client side to watch a broadcast program (for example, a video of a television), and is transmitted from a video / audio output device 1 and a server side. And a terminal device 2 for outputting the video / audio signal to the video / audio output device 1 or to be transmitted to the server side after the subscriber's desired control signal is manipulated and controlled, and the signal from the terminal device 2. Includes a network (3) exemplified by the Internet, a main server (4) formed on the server side, and a plurality of broadcast receivers (6) for receiving and delivering a broadcast program to the main server. .

In addition, at least one cache server 5 may be further formed to reduce the transmission load of the main server 4 and to smoothly transmit the data transmitted to the client side, in particular, the cache server 5 ) Can be formed on a communication node in a densely populated area, such as a large apartment complex, to achieve a greater effect in the practice of the present invention.

The configuration of the present invention as described above will be described in detail again.

The video / audio output device 1 may be exemplified by a television and / or a speaker, and may further include a computer monitor.

In addition, the terminal device 2 may be a set-top box or a computer formed in addition to a television, and a predetermined screen processing device, a signal transmission device, and a microprocessor are included therein. For example, the screen processing apparatus includes an analog / digital converter and a video buffer, and the signal transmission apparatus includes a decoder for processing a signal transmitted digitally.

In addition, the terminal device 2 is further provided with a predetermined equipment capable of receiving a broadcast program such as cable broadcasting, so that the video / audio output device 1 directly without a reception signal transmitted through a network in a general case (1). ) May output a broadcast program.

In addition, the network network may be specifically illustrated as an internet network, and a local network network limited to a predetermined region may be further illustrated. Preferably, a high speed communication network in which a video stream can be smoothly serviced is preferable.

Meanwhile, a database in which data is stored under the control of the main server 4 is further formed, including at least the broadcast program information DB 41, the subscriber information DB 42, and the subscriber request information DB 43. It is formed.

The broadcast program information D.B. 41 may include at least a broadcast channel and a broadcast time as information for identifying a broadcast program, and include, as additional information, an identification name of a broadcaster and a specific identification name of the broadcast program. In this way, the digital file of the broadcast program that matches the information for identifying the broadcast program is further stored.

In addition, subscriber information D.B. 42 stores a telephone number and / or social security number and / or ID and / or password for the Internet connection used by the subscriber to identify the subscriber.

In addition, the subscriber request information D.B. 43 stores specific request information required by the subscriber through the terminal device 2, which will be described later in the description of the method.

On the other hand, the broadcast receiver 6 includes a receiver that is formed for a plurality of broadcasts, for example, a radio receiver 61 and / or a satellite broadcast receiver 62 and / or an airwave receiver 63 and And / or a cable broadcast receiver 64, each of which receives a particular broadcast signal.

Meanwhile, broadcast program information D.B. 51 is formed in the cache server 5 to select and store broadcast programs having a high viewer rating or a high preference in a specific region. The stored broadcast program information is transmitted to specific subscribers under the control of the main server 4, thereby reducing the transmission load of the main server 4 and allowing the subscriber to watch the broadcast program smoothly.

A method of using the system for re-viewing a broadcast program using a network according to the present invention having the above-described configuration will be briefly described.

The subscriber placed on the client side inputs the broadcast program information of the program desired by the subscriber, the subscriber information of the individual subscriber, and the broadcast program request information desired by the subscriber through the terminal device, and transmits it to the server side. At this time, an input means provided in the terminal device 2 itself or a remote controller in which an infrared transceiver is formed may be used. In this case, the input information may be the same as the information required by the broadcast program information D.B. 41, the subscriber information D.B. 42, and the subscriber request information D.B. 43.

The control signal including the information input by the terminal device 2 is transmitted to the server side through the network 3, the main server 4 processes the control signal to perform a predetermined information processing process.

The information processing process is performed by the receiver 6 which identifies a subscriber through a matching process of subscriber's personal information inputted by the subscriber and subscriber information stored in the subscriber information DB 42 and receives a broadcast program desired by the subscriber. The program is received and stored in the program information DB 41, and the request information input by the subscriber is stored in the subscriber request information DB 43 to process specific program information.

After the broadcast program is stored by the control signal from the subscriber side, the broadcast program is transmitted to the client side in accordance with the request information of the subscriber.

However, the storage and transmission of the broadcast program need not be performed continuously at the same time, after the broadcast program is stored in the server at the request of the primary subscriber. It may be sent later to the client side at the request of a secondary subscriber.

The broadcast program transmitted to the client side is received by the terminal device 2 and then output to the video / audio output device 1 so that the subscriber can watch.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a re-watching method of a broadcast program using a network according to the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 2, the method according to the present invention will be described in detail. The subscriber side transmits a control signal (St 11).

In this case, the information related to the broadcast program to be transmitted includes at least a broadcast channel and a broadcast time, and as additional information attached thereto, an ID of a broadcaster and a title of a program as a specific ID of a broadcast program are added and transmitted. Can be. In addition, by allowing the information of the broadcast program that the subscriber is currently watching to be transmitted and stored, it is possible to immediately return to the broadcast program that the subscriber has previously watched by storing the change of the broadcast program that the subscriber is watching in real time.

In addition, subscriber information for identifying a subscriber may include a subscriber's telephone number and / or social security number and / or ID and / or password and / or an ID of a subscriber terminal device and / or a network ID of a subscriber terminal device and / or a subscriber. It is constructed based on the IP (IP) number of the terminal device, etc., and also allows a specific subscriber to be identified so that a broadcast program can be transmitted.

In addition, specific request information requested by the subscriber may be differently processed depending on a case in which the corresponding program is before, during, or after being broadcast. To this end, it is preferable to add a time when a subscriber transmits a control signal to be transmitted to the server side, and in some cases, identify the time when the control signal is transmitted at the server side to identify before, during and after broadcast. have.

Meanwhile, when a subscriber transmits a control signal, the subscriber may refer to a broadcast schedule of a broadcast program previously transmitted to the terminal device to perform input more conveniently.

On the other hand, after the control signal as described above is transmitted to the main server 4, the main server 4 processes the program information in accordance with the control signal (St 12).

In detail, a process of authenticating the subscriber with reference to the identification information of the subscriber is performed, followed by a process of recognizing a specific program with reference to the identification information of the broadcast program.

In addition, specific program information processing is performed by referring to specific request information from the subscriber. At this time, the information of the specific time requested by the subscriber and the broadcast time of the broadcast program are confirmed, and accordingly, it is determined that it is before, during, or after the broadcast, and specific operations may be performed at each time step.

In detail, when the broadcast program corresponding to the subscriber's request information is before the broadcast, the broadcast program may be requested to periodically record the corresponding broadcast channel in the future. In this case, the subscriber request information DB 43 requests the subscriber's request. It can be recorded to be stored in the broadcast program information DB (41) on a regular basis later.

In addition, the request information for the subscriber to continue to store the corresponding broadcast channel afterwards may also be processed, so that the information for storing all the specific broadcast programs may be recorded in the subscriber request information DB 43. have. Thereafter, corresponding broadcast programs may be periodically stored according to the information recorded in the subscriber request information D.B. 43.

On the other hand, when a broadcast program corresponding to the request information is on the air, information requesting to transmit the corresponding broadcast from the beginning may be performed.

In detail, when it is desired to simultaneously watch the missed part of the program being broadcast, the broadcast program, which has been received and stored in advance through the receiver 6, may be transmitted to the client side. Such a case may be possible when a broadcast program is stored in the broadcast program information D.B. 41 by another person or when all the broadcast programs are stored in the main server.

On the other hand, if a corresponding program has already been broadcasted, it may be requested to transmit immediately, in which case it may be implemented by immediately authenticating and transmitting the program stored in the program information D.B. 43.

On the other hand, the main server (4) and the cache server (5) is to perform the broadcast program information processing process that the data of the broadcast program is transmitted to each other to perform a broadcast program with a high request rate of the subscriber to the cache server (5) For subscribers that are stored in advance so as to be physically close to the cache server 5, or to subscribers whose locations are not available due to high connection volume of the main server 4, the broadcast program is subscribed to by the cache server 5 Can be sent to.

In more detail, the cache server 5 may include an ID of a subscriber station terminal device and / or a network ID of the subscriber station device and / or an IP of the subscriber station device to which a specific cache server 5 transmits a broadcast program. It can be constructed based on the number, the viewing area of the broadcasting station, etc., and the subscriber station to be transmitted can be designated to broadcast the broadcast program.

The location of the cache server 5 and the time at which the cache server 5 is operated may be determined by many factors. For example, it is preferable that a large number of cache servers 5 be formed at a place where the frequency of transmission requests from subscribers is high, and a large number of cache servers 5 in the broadcast time zone of a broadcast program with a high frequency of transmission requests from subscribers. It is desirable to allow it to work. In addition, when a plurality of cache servers 5 are formed in the same region, the number of cache servers or the use of cache servers operated in consideration of the bandwidth and / or the number of transmission requests per unit time of a broadcast program may be used. You can also set priorities.

After the broadcast program information is processed according to the subscriber's control signal, the broadcast program signal is transmitted from the server side (for example, the main server 4) to the client side (for example, the terminal device 2). (St 13), the subscriber can output it and enjoy it (St 14).

On the other hand, by repeatedly performing the method as shown in Figure 2, it can be performed more smoothly.

For example, first, a control signal requested by a subscriber is included so that a stored signal of a broadcast program is included. On the server side, only the broadcast program is stored, so that the broadcast program is not transmitted to the client side. Be sure to When the subscriber later wishes to watch the broadcast, a control signal including a transmission request signal of the broadcast program is transmitted to the server side, and a series of processes in which the broadcast program is transmitted from the server side to the subscriber side according to the control signal is performed. It is also possible to watch the broadcast program by having it all performed.

In addition, if the list of broadcast programs that the subscriber transmits as subscriber request information is stored not only in the subscriber request information DB 43 but also in the terminal device 2, the subscriber reports all the lists of broadcast programs that he has requested to store. You will be able to choose the broadcast program you want to see more conveniently.

Another embodiment for allowing the spirit of the present invention to be performed more smoothly will now be described.

The method according to another embodiment of the present invention classifies the subscriber's subscription level so that a specific subscriber corresponding to a lower level can only store a broadcast program before broadcasting so that only the previously reserved program can be viewed later. In addition, a specific subscriber at an intermediate level may store or watch a program before or during broadcasting. Finally, a series of methods are also available for certain subscribers at an advanced level, whether or not to broadcast, on or after broadcast, to store or watch a broadcast program.

To this end, the program information DB 41 stores all received broadcast programs once, the subscriber information DB 42 stores additional information related to the level of the subscriber, and the subscriber request information DB 43 stores the subscriber. Specific information about the storage / transmission of the broadcast program requested by the user is stored. Then, the broadcast program can be transmitted only when the information stored in the subscriber request information D.B. 43 passes through the authentication / decision according to the level of the subscriber stored in the subscriber information D.B. 42.

In addition, in the spirit of the present invention, the program information DB 41 may be separately provided and operated for each subscriber, but may be separately operated for the same broadcast program for smooth operation of a recording medium exemplified by a hard disk. have.

The present invention stores a broadcast program by a control signal including subscriber information, program information, and subscriber's request information transmitted through a network, and when a subscriber's request is received, via a network, a program signal requested to be stored. It is characterized by transmitting to a specific subscriber so that the subscriber can watch the broadcast more conveniently.

In addition, by classifying the subscriber's level, the broadcast program can be transmitted to the subscribers who do not request the storage before the broadcast to the higher level subscribers, thereby re-watching the broadcast program using the network to enhance the convenience of the subscribers. The system and re-watching method are proposed to further enhance the convenience of subscribers.

According to the present invention as described above, by storing all the broadcast programs desired by the subscriber in the network, and the subscriber can be received and watched at the desired time, the convenience of the subscriber is further enhanced. In addition, it is possible to reconsider the value of a broadcast program by providing an easy and economical re-watching method for the broadcast program.

In particular, subscribers can store broadcast programs on a network without purchasing equipment including a predetermined recording medium for storing data, thereby providing a better service at a lower price. .

In addition, the present invention has the effect of reducing the capacity required for data transmission by reducing the transmission load by reducing the transmission capacity over the network.

In addition, the present invention is to manage the different levels of the subscriber, by comparing the broadcast time of the broadcast program and the time that the subscriber wants to store, so that it is possible to separate and manage the broadcast program before, during, and after the broadcast program, By differentiating the service level, there is an advantage that the subscriber can select and enjoy the desired service.

Claims (8)

Video / audio output, A terminal device for outputting a broadcast program to the video / audio output device, and inputting a control signal including subscriber program information and / or subscriber information and / or subscriber request information to be transmitted to a network; At least one server including at least a database for storing a broadcast program requested by the control signal, and configured to transmit the broadcast program signal to a subscriber through a network at the subscriber's request; And a broadcast receiving unit for receiving a broadcast program and storing the same in the server. The method of claim 1, A main server formed by adding program information D.B., subscriber information D.B., subscriber request information D.B. A program information DB for storing a broadcast program is formed for smooth transmission of a broadcast program, and at least one cache server is formed at a node on a network of a relatively large area. Viewing system. The method of claim 1, The control signal may include information of a time when a subscriber requests to store a program and / or broadcast program information and / or broadcast station information, and / or an ID of a subscriber terminal device and / or an IP number of the subscriber terminal device. Re-viewing system of broadcast program using network. The method of claim 1, The server may include a main server for receiving a control signal from the subscriber and transmitting the broadcast program; And a cache server for transmitting only a broadcast program to the subscriber separately from the main server. The method of claim 4, wherein The cache server is formed in a region with a large number of broadcast program transmission requests of subscribers, receiving and storing the broadcast program from the main server, the system for re-viewing the broadcast program using the network. The method of claim 4, wherein The cache server may be formed based on an ID of a subscriber station terminal device and / or a network ID of the subscriber station device and / or an IP number of the subscriber station device and / or subscriber station viewing region identification information. A system for re-viewing a broadcast program using a network. The method of claim 4, wherein Priority regarding the use of the cache server according to the region in which the frequency of transmission requests from subscribers is high and / or the broadcast time zone of the broadcast program with high frequency of transmission requests from subscribers and / or the bandwidth per unit time of the broadcast program. Re-viewing system of the broadcast program, characterized in that is determined. Transmitting, at the subscriber side, a control signal including at least information of a broadcast program that the subscriber wants to watch and information related to the request time to the server side; The broadcast time requested by the subscriber is determined before and after the broadcast of the broadcast program requested from the subscriber by the request time, and the server receives the broadcast program requested by the subscriber on the server side according to the information requested by the subscriber. And / or information processing of a broadcast program for transmission is performed; Transmitting a broadcast program requested by the subscriber from the server side to the subscriber side; And And receiving and outputting the broadcast program by a subscriber.