KR20060060881A - A method for multicast playout service in internet broadcasting system, and an apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multicast rebroadcast service method and apparatus of an internet broadcasting system using a service broker. Multicast rebroadcast service apparatus according to the present invention comprises a service broker for creating a rebroadcast schedule and deliver the rebroadcast schedule to a plurality of media gateways; A plurality of clients checking a broadcast schedule provided by the service broker through a web page, requesting a rebroadcast service from the service broker, and receiving content in a multicast manner; A plurality of media gateways for transmitting a rebroadcast schedule received from a service broker to a corresponding broadcast server; And a plurality of broadcast servers delivering a multicast address for content to be rebroadcasted to the service broker and delivering the content to the media gateway at a corresponding time based on a rebroadcast schedule received from the media gateway. According to the present invention, by delivering a rebroadcast schedule to a media gateway and a broadcast server using a service broker, it is possible to stream the appropriate content at an appropriate time, and a plurality of media gateways and broadcast servers have a rebroadcast schedule created through the service broker. It is possible to construct and control an effective broadcasting system because it can be delivered and controlled.

Internet Broadcasting, Broadcast Schedule, Multicast, Service Broker, Rebroadcast Service

Description

A method for multicast playout service in Internet broadcasting system, and an apparatus therefor}

1 is a diagram illustrating a rebroadcast service concept of an internet broadcasting system using a service broker according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating a process of preparing and delivering a rebroadcast schedule using a service broker according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of clients participating in a multicast group in a rebroadcast service of an internet broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a rebroadcast service method of an internet broadcasting system using a service broker according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a multicast re-broadcast service method and apparatus of an internet broadcasting system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multicast rebroadcast service method and an apparatus. A method and apparatus for rebroadcasting to a cast.

In general, the Internet broadcasting system can be largely divided into live broadcasting and re-broadcasting. Here, the re-broadcasting is a broadcasting method in which a video recorded in the future is transmitted in the same manner as a live broadcast later at an appropriate time, and provides a streaming service at the request of the user.

In order to provide such a re-broadcast service, video data being live on a broadcast server must be stored in a compressed file form, or already created video data is stored offline. This is called an ingest step. In addition, in order to provide a service for rebroadcasting the corresponding content at a proper time and at a suitable time, the Internet broadcasting server operator needs to input a rebroadcast schedule so that specific content can be rebroadcasted at a specific time, and the program is organized (Project Editor). Is called a step.

In addition, the viewer accesses the service broker to receive the rebroadcast service, checks the program schedule, and watches the desired content. In this case, the broadcast server plays a broadcast stream by adjusting the bit rate in real time according to the bandwidth condition of the client. Done.

Such a rebroadcast service is realized by a unicast method in which one sender transmits data to only one receiver, and a multicast method in which one sender transmits data to a specific number of recipient groups. Can be.

On the other hand, in the prior art, Korean Patent Application No. 2001-31252 (filed June 4, 2001) discloses a invention named "multicast web broadcasting system and method thereof."

Specifically, in the preceding invention, when a request for a web broadcasting service is received from any client, the web broadcasting server finds another client in the same group as the requesting client or the nearest client and multiplies the requesting client to the client. Disclosed is a multicast web broadcasting system and method for enabling a cast web broadcasting service.

By the way, the preceding invention basically has a server having the same function in several places in order to reduce the load of a specific server, a virtual multicast scheme to find and service a server near the service request from the user, the server is duplicated in several places There is a problem that it needs to be located at the same time, and it requires a complicated method for finding the server.

On the other hand, as a prior art, Korean Patent Application No. 2002-87326 (December 30, 2002 application) discloses the invention entitled "digital broadcast receiver and its Internet broadcast service providing method".

The above-mentioned invention discloses a method of providing Internet broadcasting service that provides an environment as if watching a broadcast in the home through the Internet at a remote location without remaining in the limited function of the existing digital broadcasting receiver.

Specifically, the preceding invention shows a list of functions related to the Internet broadcasting service to a remote PC, and when there is a control request from the remote PC, transmits a command to the digital broadcast receiver and associates the command with the digital broadcast receiver. By performing the function, it is possible to provide a two-way digital broadcast to watch digital broadcasts, including data broadcasts, in the same interface as that directly viewed through a digital broadcast receiver through the Internet.

However, most Internet broadcasting services according to the prior art rely on the unicast scheme, even though the service is intended for several recipients. This approach causes a problem of using a huge bandwidth in the network, inefficient use of broadcast transmission systems, and limiting the number of concurrent users. In addition, there is a problem in that the overall network service quality is reduced by causing overload and bottleneck of the network due to redundant transmission of the unicast traffic.

In other words, the existing Internet broadcasting system, which is mostly based on the unicast scheme, increases the load on the broadcasting server and the network, and thus, the number of simultaneous users of the high quality Internet broadcasting service is quite limited. In addition, even in the case of an Internet broadcast that can use the multicast scheme, there is a problem in that it does not support an Internet broadcast service of an appropriate bit rate according to the network load condition between the broadcast server and the client.

In addition, the conventional multicast-based Internet broadcasting does not reflect the status of the current network, but simply takes a simple method of joining a multicast group and receiving a service from a broadcasting server. In this case, if the load of the network path to which the client belongs is heavily loaded, if the broadcast server transmits data at a fixed bit rate, the client may lose the broadcast or receive no service when playing the broadcast. have.

In addition, the current Internet broadcasting system has a problem in that it is necessary to set up and use each schedule in each broadcast server, causing duplication of scheduling work and additional work for informing the viewer of the broadcast schedule.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is, when a broadcast server operator delivers a re-broadcast schedule to a broadcast server, by using a service broker that manages and manages a plurality of broadcast servers, effectively to a plurality of broadcast servers A multicast re-broadcast service method and apparatus of an internet broadcasting system capable of delivering and managing a broadcast schedule are provided.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a multicast re-broadcast service method and apparatus of an internet broadcasting system that can notify a plurality of viewers of a broadcast schedule by using a service broker and efficiently use a network. It is for.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a service suitable for the situation of the bandwidth to which the client belongs without having to add a special function, regardless of the physical distance by being mutually organically configured between the media gateway and the broadcast server centered on the service broker It is to provide a multicast re-broadcast service method and apparatus of the Internet broadcasting system that can receive.

As a means for achieving the above object, the multicast re-broadcast service apparatus of the Internet broadcasting system according to the present invention,

In the re-broadcast service apparatus of the Internet broadcasting system,

A service broker for creating a rebroadcast schedule and delivering the rebroadcast schedule to a plurality of media gateways;

A plurality of clients confirming a broadcast schedule provided by the service broker through a web page, requesting a rebroadcast service from the service broker, and receiving content in a multicast manner;

A plurality of media gateways for transmitting a rebroadcast schedule received from the service broker to a corresponding broadcast server; And

A plurality of broadcast servers delivers a multicast address for content to be rebroadcasted to the service broker and delivers the content to the media gateway at a corresponding time based on a rebroadcast schedule received from the media gateway.

Characterized in that it comprises a.

On the other hand, as another means for achieving the above object, the multicast re-broadcast service method of the Internet broadcasting system according to the present invention,

In the re-broadcast service method of the Internet broadcasting system having a plurality of clients, a plurality of media gateways, a plurality of broadcast servers and a service broker,

a) a broadcast system manager using the service broker to deliver a rebroadcast schedule to each broadcast server;

b) the service broker showing the rebroadcast schedule to viewers using a client based on a web page;

c) each client accessing a service broker to request a rebroadcast service;

d) the service broker monitoring the bandwidth between the client and the media gateway and delivering the result to the media gateway;

e) transmitting, by the media gateway, multicast group information that the client can receive to the service broker based on the received bandwidth information; And

f) allowing the service broker to transmit the multicast group information to the client to participate in the multicast group so that the service broker can receive streaming service by multicast.

Characterized in that it comprises a.

According to the present invention, a plurality of media gateways and broadcast servers, a plurality of clients, and one service broker are used to deliver a rebroadcast schedule to a media gateway and a broadcast server by using a service broker, thereby providing proper content at a suitable time. In addition, the rebroadcast schedule created through the service broker can be delivered and controlled to a plurality of media gateways and broadcast servers, thereby enabling the construction and control of an effective broadcast system.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a multicast re-broadcast service method and apparatus of an internet broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, if the Internet broadcasting system manager schedules the desired content at a desired time, the Internet broadcasting system broadcasts the corresponding content at an appropriate time. By re-broadcasting the corresponding content by multicast at an appropriate time according to the broadcast schedule, Viewers are easily provided with a recast service in a multicast manner.

In this case, the multicast is a method of transmitting data to a specific group of recipients on the Internet. The multicast is used to send two or more other recipients of the same content to the Internet via e-mail, video conferencing, and audio data. It is a transmission method at the same time. The multicast scheme corresponds to unicast, a method of transmitting data packets only to a specific receiver. In the unicast scheme, data packets are repeatedly transmitted as many as the number of recipients. The sending burden of the sender is also great.

In addition, a virtual network between computers that support multicasting on the Internet is referred to as MBON. Embon delivers the same data to everyone in a particular group with a single Internet address. Therefore, it is possible to greatly solve the information congestion that many people experience when receiving a large amount of multimedia information by accessing a specific server at once.

Accordingly, the multicast transmission scheme can prevent network resource waste due to redundant data transmission and can efficiently ensure real-time collaboration without burdening the place where the information is not needed.

Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention registers a schedule for rebroadcasting and provides schedule information to users, and if a user wants to receive a rebroadcast service, the service is provided in a multicast manner. In other words, since the unicast method of broadcasting one-to-one for each client is inefficient in terms of bandwidth of the Internet and utilization of transmission equipment, and also has a limit on the number of users who access at the same time, in the embodiment of the present invention, Through introduction, the Internet broadcasting can be efficiently transmitted.

In addition, in order to implement an embodiment of the present invention, the service broker configures a rebroadcast schedule according to an operator's intention, delivers the rebroadcast schedule to multiple broadcast servers, and measures a bandwidth between a broadcast server or a media gateway and a client ( The client system sends information to the client that can participate in the multicast group according to the monitored bandwidth, and the client system requests the service broker from the service broker and sends the information to the multicast group based on the information received from the service broker. Participate

1 is a diagram illustrating a rebroadcast service concept of an internet broadcasting system using a service broker according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Internet broadcasting system using a service broker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a broadcast server 110 and a broadcast server. It may include a camera 120, a media gateway 130, a service broker 140, and a client 150.

Referring to FIG. 1, first, in the ingest step (S110), the image data received from the broadcasting camera 120 online is transferred to the broadcast server 110 through the media gateway 130 and encoded at an appropriate bit rate. Alternatively, the broadcast server 110 inputs data encoded at an appropriate bit rate in advance offline.

Thereafter, the broadcast system manager transmits a broadcast schedule to each broadcast server 110 through the media gateway 130 using the service broker 140 (S120), and then uses the web page of the service broker 140. To announce the broadcast schedule for clients 150.

Next, each broadcast server 110 broadcasts the corresponding content at the corresponding time (S130). Here, the role of the media gateway 130 has already been transcoded at several bit rates in the ingest step (S110) and stored in the broadcast server 110. Therefore, only the content stored in the broadcast server 110 is transmitted. Only play a role.

Meanwhile, FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a process of preparing and delivering a rebroadcast schedule using a service broker according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Each broadcast server 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 is provided by the service broker 140. ) Shows a series of processes for sending a schedule.

2, a re-broadcast service apparatus of an internet broadcasting system using a service broker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of media gateways 131, 132, and 133 and broadcast servers 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115. ), A plurality of clients (151, 152, 153, 154) and one service broker (140), wherein the re-broadcasting schedule is performed using the service broker (140). 133 and the broadcast server 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 may be used to stream the appropriate content at an appropriate time.

First, the broadcast server manager stores contents online or offline in the form of a compressed video file in the broadcast server.

In addition, the broadcast server manager inputs a broadcast schedule to be rebroadcasted through the service broker 140, and the schedule is transmitted to each broadcast server 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115, and the service broker ( The plurality of clients 151, 152, 153, and 154 may check through the web page of 140.

At this time, the Internet broadcast viewer requests re-broadcasting by selecting desired content based on a web page provided by the service broker 140 through the clients 151, 152, 153, and 154. In this case, the service broker 140 adjusts the available bandwidth between the plurality of clients 151, 152, 153, and 154 and the broadcast server 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 or the media gateways 131, 132, and 133. Monitor and find out the result.

The service broker 140 transmits a monitoring result value to the broadcasting server 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 to transmit the contents at various bit rates that can be provided to the clients 151, 152, 153, and 154. The multicast address for is received from the broadcast server (111, 112, 113, 114, 115). Upon receiving this address, the service broker 140 transmits the plurality of clients 151, 152, 153, and 154 to the clients 151, 152, 153, and 154 so that they can join the multicast group. Thereafter, the plurality of clients 151, 152, 153, and 154 each participate in a corresponding multicast address and receive a desired streaming service.

Here, the contents transmitted by the service broker 140, that is, the schedule table includes the address (HimegAddr) of the media gateways 131, 132, and 133, and the broadcast server 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115. It includes an address (bSrvAddr), a content name (ContentName), a broadcast start time (StartTime), a broadcast end time (EndTime), and the like. When such information is transmitted to each media gateway 131, 132, 133, the media gateway 131, 132, 133 receives the addresses of the broadcast servers 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 connected thereto. After searching, the server transmits the content name (ContentName), broadcast start time (StartTime), and broadcast end time (EndTime) to the corresponding broadcast servers 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115.

The broadcast server (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) receiving the schedule table information checks the validity of the information received from the media gateway (131, 132, 133), and if the validity is verified, through the Internet network The content is broadcasted to the plurality of clients 151, 152, 153, and 154 at an appropriate time and for a suitable time. Here, the Internet network connects the media gateways 131, 132, 133, the service broker 140, and the clients 151, 152, 153, 154 through a plurality of routers 161, 162, 163, and 164. Will be connected.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast server 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 rebroadcasts the multicast streaming data to the plurality of clients 151, 152, 153, and 154. Broadcast scheduling work can be performed for one broadcast server 111, 112, 113, 114, and 115 through one service broker 140, and at the same time, broadcast schedule information can be provided to viewers.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the Internet broadcasting system manager delivers a broadcast schedule to a plurality of broadcast servers using the service broker 140, and at the same time, the service broker 140 sends the rebroadcast schedule through the web page to the client 151, 152, 153, and 154, i.e., to viewers. In addition, the present invention includes a method for multicasting a content compressed at an appropriate compression rate according to the situation of a network in which the clients 151, 152, 153, and 154 are located, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

Meanwhile, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of clients participating in a multicast group in a rebroadcast service of an internet broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a client who wants to watch rebroadcast requests rebroadcast using the web page of the service broker 140, the available bandwidth between the broadcast server 110 or the media gateway 130 and the client is monitored. Then, select the appropriate class of available bandwidth, and then give the multicast address of the class.

Clients given the multicast address receive the streaming service encoded at the bit rate of the corresponding class when they participate in the multicast group 310, 320, 330. 3 illustrates a case of receiving streaming services of three class groups 310, 320, and 330, and the bit rates of the corresponding classes are encoded at low bit rate 310, medium bit rate 320, and high bit rate 330, respectively. Illustrates that.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention supports an appropriate level of service by dynamically participating in the multicast group 310, 320, 330 according to the network situation between the broadcast server and the client system, and available between the broadcast server and the client system. Based on this value, the bandwidth is measured to participate in the multicast group (310, 320, 330) to receive the service, and through a single service broker 140 server according to the status of the client in various network conditions It can receive multicast service of bandwidth.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a rebroadcast service method of an internet broadcasting system using a service broker according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and includes a broadcast server 110, a media gateway 130, a service broker 140, and a broadcast system operator ( 170, the client 150 requests the rebroadcast service through the service broker 140 from the operation of transmitting the broadcast schedule between the media gateway IP output port 130a and the client 150 to the broadcast server 110. 150 is a series of processes for receiving the rebroadcast service, in which the flow of control and the flow of data are simultaneously represented.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the rebroadcast service method of an internet broadcasting system using a service broker according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, the broadcast system operator 170 prepares a rebroadcast schedule using the service broker 140. In operation S401, the media gateway 130 and the broadcast server 110 are transferred to the media gateway 130 and the broadcast server 110.

Subsequently, when the broadcast server 110 delivers the appropriate content to the media gateway 130 in the form of MPEG at a suitable time (S404), the media gateway 130 sets the number of classes set by the broadcasting system operator 170. By transcoding each other, each is transmitted in a multicast manner (S405, S406, S407). That is, the media gateway 130 transcodes the bit rate of the corresponding class into a high bit rate (S405), a medium bit rate (S406), and a low bit rate (S407), respectively, and transmits the bit rate in a multicast manner.

Thereafter, the client 150 requests a rebroadcast service to the service broker 140 using the HTTP protocol (S408).

Thereafter, the service broker 140 monitors the available bandwidth between the client 150 and the broadcast server 110 or the media gateway 130 and transmits the corresponding multicast address to the client 150 (S409).

Subsequently, the client 150 receives the streaming service using the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) after joining the received multicast group (S410 to S418), and the streaming service using the RTSP protocol. Receiving process (S410 ~ S418) is apparent to those skilled in the art, so detailed description thereof will be omitted. Here, RTSP refers to a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving voice or moving picture in real time.

As a result, an embodiment of the present invention transmits a schedule to an internet broadcasting server using a service broker and shows broadcast schedule information to each client through a web page of the service broker, whereby each client wants to view it. In this case, while providing a rebroadcast service, each client is classified into a multicast group suitable for a bandwidth that can be accommodated by the client and participated, and a rebroadcast service is provided in an Internet broadcast transmitted in a corresponding bandwidth. Accordingly, the administrator of a broadcasting system can easily transmit schedule information to a plurality of broadcasting servers through a service broker, and at the same time, by registering rebroadcast schedule information with a service broker, viewers can easily receive a rebroadcast service in a multicast manner. have.

While the invention has been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as indicated by the claims. Anyone who owns it can easily find out.

According to the present invention, a plurality of media gateways and broadcast servers, a plurality of clients, and one service broker are used. The service broadcasts a rebroadcast schedule to the media gateway and the broadcast server by using a service broker, thereby providing appropriate content at a suitable time. In addition, the rebroadcast schedule created through the service broker can be delivered and controlled to a plurality of media gateways and broadcast servers, thereby enabling the construction and control of an effective broadcast system.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is easy to create a rebroadcast schedule using a service broker in a broadcast system transcoding at various bit rates. In addition, the broadcast schedule created using the service broker makes service requests easy for viewers using the client through the web page of the service broker.

Claims (16)

In the re-broadcast service apparatus of the Internet broadcasting system, A service broker for creating a rebroadcast schedule and delivering the rebroadcast schedule to a plurality of media gateways; A plurality of clients confirming a broadcast schedule provided by the service broker through a web page, requesting a rebroadcast service from the service broker, and receiving content in a multicast manner; A plurality of media gateways for transmitting a rebroadcast schedule received from the service broker to a corresponding broadcast server; And A plurality of broadcast servers delivers a multicast address for content to be rebroadcasted to the service broker and delivers the content to the media gateway at a corresponding time based on a rebroadcast schedule received from the media gateway. Multicast re-broadcast service apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 1, The rebroadcast schedule includes a schedule table including a media gateway address (HimegAddr), a broadcast server address (bSrvAddr), a content name (ContentName), a broadcast start time (StartTime), and a broadcast end time (EndTime) information. Multicast re-broadcast service apparatus characterized in that the transmission. The method of claim 2, Receiving the rebroadcast schedule information in the schedule table format, the media gateway searches for the addresses of broadcast servers connected to the media gateway, and provides the broadcast servers with the content name (ContentName), broadcast start time (StartTime), and broadcast end time. (EndTime) information multicast re-broadcast service apparatus, characterized in that for delivering. The method of claim 1, And the service broker monitors the available bandwidth between the client and the broadcast server or between the client and the media gateway to find out a result value. The method of claim 4, wherein And the service broker transmits a monitoring result value to the broadcast server and receives a multicast address for content transmitted at various bit rates that can be provided to the client from the broadcast server. The method of claim 5, And a service broker receiving the multicast address so that the plurality of clients can join the multicast group. The method of claim 5, And the client receives a desired streaming service after joining the corresponding multicast address. The method of claim 1, The media gateway transcodes the content to be rebroadcasted at a few bit rates in an ingest step, stores the content in the broadcast server, and transmits the stored content to the plurality of clients. Device. The method of claim 1, And the plurality of broadcast servers perform broadcast scheduling through the one service broker and simultaneously provide broadcast schedule information to the client. The method of claim 1, And the plurality of broadcast servers multicast services the content compressed at an appropriate compression rate according to the situation of the network in which the client is located. The method of claim 1, The broadcast server checks the validity of the information received from the media gateway, and if the validity is verified, multicast re-broadcasting to broadcast the content to the plurality of clients for a suitable time at a suitable time through the Internet network. Service device. In the re-broadcast service method of the Internet broadcasting system having a plurality of clients, a plurality of media gateways, a plurality of broadcast servers and a service broker, a) a broadcast system manager using the service broker to deliver a rebroadcast schedule to each broadcast server; b) the service broker showing the rebroadcast schedule to viewers using a client based on a web page; c) each client accessing a service broker to request a rebroadcast service; d) the service broker monitoring the bandwidth between the client and the media gateway and delivering the result to the media gateway; e) transmitting, by the media gateway, multicast group information that the client can receive to the service broker based on the received bandwidth information; And f) allowing the service broker to transmit the multicast group information to the client to participate in the multicast group so that the service broker can receive streaming service by multicast. Multicast re-broadcast service method comprising a. The method of claim 12, The rebroadcast schedule includes a schedule table including a media gateway address (HimegAddr), a broadcast server address (bSrvAddr), a content name (ContentName), a broadcast start time (StartTime), and a broadcast end time (EndTime) information. Multicast re-broadcast service method characterized in that the transmission. The method of claim 13, wherein step a) comprises: a-1) the media gateway receiving rebroadcast schedule information in the schedule table format from the service broker; a-2) retrieving the addresses of broadcast servers connected to the media gateway; And a-3) the media gateway transmitting the content name (ContentName), broadcast start time (StartTime), and broadcast end time (EndTime) information to corresponding broadcast servers; Multicast re-broadcast service method comprising a. The method of claim 12, and g) multicasting, by the plurality of broadcast servers, content that is compressed at an appropriate compression rate in accordance with the situation of the network in which the client is located. The method of claim 15, In step g), the broadcast server checks the validity of the information received from the media gateway, and if the validity is verified, broadcasting the corresponding content to the plurality of clients for a suitable time at an appropriate time through the Internet network. A multicast rebroadcast service method.

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