KR20060114898A - Vod stream data play device being capable of pause function and method of offering pause function - Google Patents

Abstract

A VOD(Video On Demand) stream data reproducing apparatus capable of performing a pause function and a method for providing the pause function are provided to offer the pause function so that it is unnecessary to maintain the reproduction of stream data or process re-connection after releasing connection, prevent a transmission error process according to the pause function, and prevent a playback state from being unstable by time stamp information. A data transmitting and receiving unit(110) is connected with a streaming server(200) through a wired/wireless network, and receives stream data in real time from the streaming server(200). A pre-processing unit(120) analyzes the received stream data by a transport packet unit, separates audio data and video data, and records the audio data and the video data in an input buffer(130). A codec unit(140) decodes data recorded in the input buffer(130) according to frames. If a pause selection signal is received from a user, a control unit(150) pauses for the operation of the codec unit(140), transmits a transmission pause request signal to the streaming server(200) through the data transmitting and receiving unit(110), and sets a sequence information control flag so that the sequence information control flag is disabled. If a pause release selection signal is received, the control unit(150) resumes the operation of the codec unit(140), and transmits a transmission resume request signal to the streaming server(200). If stream data are received, the control unit(150) inverts a flag setting value.

Description

VOD stream data play device being capable of pause function and method of offering pause function}

1 is a diagram illustrating a service providing environment in a general streaming form.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a VOD reproducing apparatus in a case of reproducing stream data by disconnecting and reconnecting in the conventional live streaming.

3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating components of a VOD stream data reproducing apparatus capable of a pause function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a header field of an MPEG-4 stream packet used in a VOD stream data reproducing apparatus capable of a pause function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a pause function when playing VOD stream data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

100: VOD stream data playback device capable of pausing

110: data transmission and reception unit 120: preprocessing unit

130: input buffer 140: codec unit

150: control unit 160: playback unit

170: selection signal receiver 300: remote control

The present invention relates to a VOD stream data reproducing apparatus, and more particularly, to a reproducing apparatus providing a pause function during a VOD service.

MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group, hereinafter referred to as 'MPEG') began to internationally standardize the perceptual audio coding method in 1992, and audio such as Dolby, Sony, AT & T, etc. Developed by the maker with a variety of perceptual audio coding techniques, the MP3 (MP3) we commonly hear today refers to MPEG-1 audio layer III.

However, due to the rapid expansion and speed of the Internet environment, it is now common to download and enjoy music files such as the above MP3 files on the homepage or the e-mail. With the advent of digital audio, you can easily listen to digital audio anytime, anywhere.

In addition, with the advent of protocols such as 'RTP / RTSP' for transmitting voice, audio, and video data that requires real-time transmission, a service (VOD service) that can be played without receiving part of multimedia data after playing it is downloaded. It was.

Stream data generally refers to a data format that can transmit and play multimedia contents simultaneously in a broadcasting environment using a wired / wireless network rather than a storage media such as a CD or HDD. The stream data can be broadcast or wired / wireless. The quality of data received varies depending on the reception status of the radio wave and the network status in the Internet.

1 is a diagram illustrating a general streaming service providing environment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the streaming service is available in both a bidirectional service such as AOD or a unidirectional service such as broadcast.

When providing a service such as AOD under the wired / wireless Internet environment 20, the stream server 30 encodes the streaming content into an appropriate format, packetizes the compressed bit stream according to RTP, and then uses UDP and IP. To the digital TV 10.

Then, the digital TV 10 removes the IP, UDP, and RTP headers in reverse order, decompresses the packet, and performs decoding of the streaming data. For example, in the case of satellite broadcasting such as PMSB, audio data is processed and distributed into packet data in the form of TS like RTP packet in AOD service.

Meanwhile, among these VOD streaming services, a "Pause / Pause (Resume)" function is implemented. For example, when a user watches a streamed VOD data and activates a pause button, the user pauses the stream server. A pause request is sent, and the stream server pauses the transmission of the stream packet.

After a while, when the user activates the resume button, the stream server continuously transmits the stream packets after the pause point.

However, this conventional method is suitable for VOD streaming and is not applicable to live streaming.

In other words, in the case of live streaming, the stream data is not played back from the point in time when the pause is made, but from the point in time at which the resume (resuming playback) is requested, the stream data during the pause function cannot be viewed.

In this case, a sequence information difference is generated between the stream packet at the start of the pause function and the stream packet at the release of the pause function, and thus, the packet is lost. Therefore, the packet may be recognized as a transmission error.

In addition, there is a problem that a smooth playback state occurs due to a difference in a timestamp between the stream packet at the start of the pause function and the stream packet at the release of the pause function.

In other words, the pose / resume function in live streaming is not a general meaning of the pose / resume function. Therefore, if the user is left for a while during live streaming, the user may keep playing the stream (or keep the broadcast on). Pressing the stop playback button disconnects from the stream server and reconnects to watch after a while.

At this time, if the stream playback is maintained continuously, the billing for the transmission of the stream packet is also continued, which leads to unnecessary expense. When reconnecting and watching, the connection is completely disconnected and the initial connection must be processed. It is long, cumbersome and disadvantageous in terms of load on the system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a VOD reproducing apparatus in a case of reproducing stream data by disconnecting and reconnecting in the conventional live streaming.

First, when the pause function is started by the user's remote control operation (S10), the VOD reproducing apparatus stops the entire function of the codec and releases the connection with the stream server. In addition, the stream packets existing on the input buffer are also deleted (S20).

In addition, the VOD reproducing apparatus resets the DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and initializes each component (S30).

After a while, when the user operates the remote control again and the fog function is stopped (S40), the VOD reproducing apparatus transmits a control signal to activate each component and sets up the RTP / RTSP to prepare for connection with the stream server (S50). ).

Finally, when the traffic channel with the stream server is established, the VOD reproducing apparatus receives and reproduces the stream data (S60).

As can be seen from the above description, when the connection is completely disconnected and the initial connection is handled, complicated system control processing is required even inside the VOD playback apparatus, and the network processing with the streaming server must be performed from the beginning. It can be seen that it is inefficient.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a pause function without providing a pause function during a live streaming service, without maintaining playback of stream data or processing a reconnection after disconnection, and processing a transmission error according to the pause function. And a VOD stream data reproducing apparatus which prevents the playback state from becoming unstable due to time stamp information.

In addition, the present invention operates when the RTP buffering and the RTP receiving end start from the beginning when providing a pause function during a live streaming service, but each component of the VOD stream data reproducing apparatus including the codec is not initialized and maintains a standby state. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of providing a pause function when playing back VOD stream data, which can improve system efficiency.

In order to achieve the above object, VOD stream data reproduction apparatus according to the present invention is connected to the streaming server via a wired / wireless network, the data transmission and reception unit for receiving stream data from the streaming server in real time; A preprocessing unit for analyzing the received stream data in units of transport packets, separating audio data and video data, and recording the same in an input buffer; A codec unit for decoding the data recorded in the input buffer for each frame; And when the pause selection signal is input from the user, pauses the operation of the codec unit, transmits a transmission pause request signal to the streaming server through the data transmission / reception unit, sets a sequence information control flag to be inactive, and pauses. And a control unit for resuming the operation of the codec unit when the release selection signal is input and transmitting the transmission resumption request signal to the streaming server to invert the flag setting value when the stream data is received.

The control unit of the VOD stream data reproducing apparatus capable of pausing according to the present invention, when a pause selection signal is input from a user, pauses the operation of the codec unit and removes data packets recorded in the input buffer. It features.

In addition, the VOD stream data reproducing apparatus capable of pausing according to the present invention interprets a button signal operated by a user to generate a pause selection signal or a pause release selection signal, and transmits the generated selection signal to the controller. The apparatus may further include a selection signal receiver.

Also, the VOD stream data reproducing apparatus capable of pausing according to the present invention synchronizes and reproduces the audio data and the video data decoded by the codec unit, and transmission is resumed to record the decoded stream data to the input buffer. As the data packets are removed, a reproduction unit for reproducing without comparing the time stamp information is further provided.

In addition, the VOD stream data reproducing apparatus capable of pausing according to the present invention synchronizes and reproduces the audio data and the video data decoded by the codec unit, and sets the flag to be deactivated after transmission is resumed. And reproducing without comparing the sequence information, and if the stream data starts to be reproduced, the reproducing unit compares and reproduces the sequence information from the next data packet as the flag setting value is reversed.

In addition, the control unit of the VOD stream data playback device capable of the pause function according to the present invention transmits a transmission resume request signal to the streaming server to invert the flag setting value after the first data packet reception when the stream data is received. It features.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a pause function when playing back VOD stream data, the apparatus comprising: inputting a pause selection signal from a user; Stopping the operation of the codec unit and removing data packets recorded in the input buffer; And transmitting a transmission pause request signal to the streaming server.

In addition, the method for providing a pause function when playing VOD stream data according to the present invention comprises the steps of: inputting a pause release selection signal from a user; Transmitting a transmission resume request signal to the streaming server; Operating the codec unit and decoding the stream data of which transmission is resumed; And reproducing the decoded stream data without comparing the timestamp information.

The removing of the data packets of the method for providing a pause function when playing the VOD stream data according to the present invention may further include setting a sequence information control flag to be inactivated when the operation of the codec unit is paused. It is characterized by.

In addition, the step of transmitting the transmission pause request signal of the method for providing a pause function when playing the VOD stream data according to the present invention, the step of receiving a pause release selection signal from the user; Transmitting a transmission resume request signal to the streaming server; Operating the codec unit and decoding the stream data of which transmission is resumed; The decoded stream data is reproduced without comparison of sequence information, and the flag setting value is inverted after receiving a first data packet; And reproducing the decoded stream data by comparing the sequence information as the flag setting value is inverted.

Hereinafter, a VOD stream data reproducing apparatus capable of a pause function and a method of providing a pause function when reproducing VOD stream data according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a block diagram schematically showing the components of a VOD stream data reproducing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "stream data reproducing apparatus according to the present invention") 100 capable of a pause function according to an embodiment of the present invention. to be.

First, the stream data reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention may be provided in various types of multimedia data reproducing apparatuses that provide VOD services. For convenience of description, the stream data reproducing apparatus 100 is provided in the digital TV. .

3, the stream data reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a data transmitting and receiving unit 110, a preprocessor 120, an input buffer 130, a codec unit 140, a selection signal receiving unit 170, and a reproduction. It comprises a unit 160 and the controller 150, the data transmission and reception unit 110 is connected to the streaming server 200 via a wired / wireless network.

The stream data reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention receives the multimedia data from the streaming server 200 in a stream manner (hereinafter, the multimedia data transmitted in the stream manner is referred to as "stream data") and simultaneously receives the data. Play the stream data.

Usually, this function is called "live streaming" and is collectively called "Video On Demand (VOD) service".

The stream data has a packet structure, and in the embodiment of the present invention, the MPEG-4 file format is used.

The data transmission and reception unit 110 receives an MPEG-4 stream packet (hereinafter, referred to as a "stream packet") from the streaming server 200 in real time.

When the stream packet is transmitted from the data transmitter / receiver 110, the preprocessor 120 analyzes a header of the transmitted stream packet, divides the header into an audio packet and a video packet, and records the same in the input buffer 130.

The separated audio packet and the video packet are synchronized data, and generally have synchronization information based on the audio packet, and the image and sound are reproduced in synchronization with the synchronization information.

In this case, the audio packet and the video packet are composed of data forming a frame unit again, and are composed of a plurality of frames.

The codec unit 140 MPEG-decodes the stream packets recorded in the input buffer 130 for each frame.

4 is a diagram illustrating a header field of an MPEG-4 stream packet used in the VOD stream data reproducing apparatus 100 having a pause function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The header field is a data field located in front of the packetized stream data. As shown in FIG. 4, the packet size (A), the data type (B), the version information (C) of the MPEG standard, and the stream initial stage And logical and physical characteristic information such as a flag (D) in which the sequence control information is recorded to compare and count packets, and a sample count item (E) in which the number of frames constituting the packet are described.

As described above, the stream data reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is provided in a digital TV. In general, the digital TV is controlled through a remote controller.

For reference, the remote controller 300 includes a keypad, a driving circuit unit, a key detection unit, and the like, and transmits a radio signal such as an infrared ray to the communication port of the selection signal receiving unit 170, and the selection signal receiving unit 170 is AD (Analog). to digital) converter, an interrupt processing module, an interrupt detection module, and the like to interpret the function selection signal transmitted from the remote controller 300.

A user operates a button on the remote controller 300 to select a "pause selection signal (selection signal for stopping playback of stream data)" or "pause selection signal (resume playback of the paused stream data). Selection signal) ", the selection signal receiving unit 170 interprets the selection signal and transmits the analyzed selection signal to the controller 150.

When the pause selection signal is input from the selection signal receiver 170, the controller 150 pauses the codec tasks of the codec unit 140 and records the stream packet recorded in the input buffer 130. Remove them. Then, the controller 150 sets the flag D value of the header to "true (1)".

The control unit 150 transmits the transmission pause request signal to the streaming server 200 through the data transmission and reception unit 110, so that the streaming server 200 stops the transmission of the stream data.

At this time, the streaming server 200 performs a count under the assumption that the stream data is being transmitted, and when the transmission resume request signal is received from the controller 150, the streaming server 200 streams the stream data at the reception point.

On the other hand, when a pause release selection signal is input from the selection signal receiving unit 170, the control unit 150 resumes the operation of the codec unit 140, and transmits a transmission resumption request signal to the streaming server 200. do.

When the stream data is transmitted from the streaming server 200, the codec unit 140 decodes the transmitted stream data. At this time, the controller 150 inverts the flag D setting value to "false (0)". .

That is, the controller 150 inverts the flag D setting value of the header when the first stream packet is received from the streaming server 200.

The playback unit 160 synchronizes and reproduces the audio data and the video data decoded by the codec unit 140. In general, the control unit 150 compares and reproduces time stamps between stream packets transmitted in real time. This allows stream packets to be played back naturally.

The time stamp means information indicating a time output when the video packet or audio packet is decoded and output to the monitor and the speaker. Therefore, when an error occurs in the time stamp processing, playback may not be smoothly processed. Will occur.

However, in the present invention, the controller 150 removes the stream packet recorded in the input buffer 130, and the playback unit 160 does not compare the timestamp between the stream packet resumed after the pause function and the preceding stream packet. As a result, the above-described problem does not occur.

In addition, when the above-described pause function is performed, the flag D value is set to "1", and if the pause function is released, the flag value is set to "0", so that the controller 150 transmits the stream whose transmission is resumed. The sequence information is compared again from the packet. This is recognized as if the stream data is newly transmitted after the pause function, and prevents the controller 150 from determining that the stream packet is lost during the pause function.

Accordingly, the reproduction unit 160 reproduces the first stream packet decoded after the transmission is resumed without comparing the sequence information, and compares the sequence information from the subsequent stream packet.

That is, as the value of the flag D and the data of the input buffer 130 are controlled, the RTP buffering is newly started while the pause selection signal and the pause release selection signal are processed during live streaming. However, the codec unit 140 is not a concept of starting anew after an interruption, but a task is temporarily paused / resume.

Hereinafter, a method of providing a pause function when playing VOD stream data according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a pause function when playing VOD stream data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, prior to describing an embodiment of the present invention, the stream data reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is in a state of receiving stream data from the streaming server 200 in real time, decoding the same, and outputting the decoded stream data. .

First, the selection signal receiving unit 170 receives a pause selection signal from the remote controller 300, interprets it, and transmits it to the control unit 150 (S100).

The control unit 150 pauses the operation of the codec unit 140 and removes the stream packets recorded in the input buffer 130 (S200).

In addition, the controller 150 analyzes the header of the last stream packet in which the operation of the codec unit 140 is paused and sets the flag D value of the header to "1" (S300).

Here, the operation in which the input buffer 130 is cleared and the flag (D) value is set are operations that are not related to the ranking, for example, the flag (D) value is first set and then the input buffer 130 is cleared. Could be

When the data and the flag (D) value of the input buffer 130 is processed, the control unit 150 transmits a transmission pause request signal to the streaming server 200 (S400), the streaming server 200 of the stream data Pause the transmission.

The controller 150 maintains the pause state of the codec unit 140 until a pause release selection signal is input (No in S500) (S600), and after a predetermined time, the user operates the remote controller 300. If the operation is to transmit the pause selection signal (YES in S500), the selection signal receiving unit 170 receives and interprets it, and transmits the analyzed pause release selection signal to the controller 150 (S700). .

The controller 150 receiving the pause release selection signal transmits a transmission resumption request signal to the streaming server 200, and the streaming server 200 resumes transmission of the stream data from the time when the transmission resume request signal is received. (S800).

The data transmitter / receiver 110 receives stream data in real time, and the preprocessor 120 separates the header information of the stream data into audio and video packets and records the separated packets in the input buffer 130. (S900).

At this time, when the transmission is resumed and the first stream packet is received, the controller 150 does not compare the sequence information because the flag D value is set to "1", and does not compare the flag D value of the first stream packet. Set to "0" (S1000).

Accordingly, the controller 150 considers that streaming is newly started on the basis of the first stream packet, and compares sequence information thereafter to count the number of stream packets.

Subsequently, the controller 150 activates the function of the paused codec unit 140, and the codec unit 140 decodes the stream packets sequentially recorded in the input buffer 130 (S1100).

Accordingly, the playback unit 160 starts to output the decoded stream packets, and may be output without the unstable reproduction due to the packet loss processing and the timestamp difference through the above-described process (S1200).

The present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, which are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains do not depart from the essential characteristics of the present invention. It will be appreciated that various modifications and applications are not possible that are not illustrated above. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiment of the present invention can be modified. And differences relating to such modifications and applications will have to be construed as being included in the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

The present invention has the following effects.

First, according to the present invention, when providing a pause function of a live streaming service, it is not necessary to maintain the playback of the stream data or process the reconnection after disconnection, unnecessary billing due to the maintenance of the playback, delay of time due to reconnection, There is an effect to prevent the hassle, the load on the playback device and the network system.

Second, by not comparing the sequence information of the header flag, it is possible to prevent the data during the pause period from being recognized as a transmission error, and to prevent the playback state from becoming unstable by not comparing the time stamp information. There is.

Third, since each component of the VOD stream data reproducing apparatus including the codec can maintain a standby state without being initialized, it is possible to efficiently use hardware resources such as a CPU. Since the pose / resume function can be implemented, the implementation becomes easy.

Claims (10)

A data transmission / reception unit connected to a streaming server through a wired / wireless network and receiving stream data in real time from the streaming server; A preprocessing unit for analyzing the received stream data in units of transport packets, separating audio data and video data, and recording the same in an input buffer; A codec unit for decoding the data recorded in the input buffer for each frame; And When a pause selection signal is input from the user, the operation of the codec unit is paused, a transmission pause request signal is transmitted to the streaming server through the data transmission and reception unit, a sequence information control flag is set to be inactive, and the pause is released. And a control unit which resumes the operation of the codec unit when the selection signal is input and transmits a transmission resume request signal to the streaming server to invert the flag setting value when the stream data is received. Video On Demand (VOD) stream data playback device. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit And a pause selection signal input from a user, the operation of the codec unit is paused and the data packets recorded in the input buffer are removed. The method of claim 1, And a selection signal receiver for interpreting a button signal operated by a user to generate a pause selection signal or a pause release selection signal, and to transmit the generated selection signal to the controller. VOD stream data playback device. The method of claim 2, A reproduction unit for synchronizing and reproducing the audio data and the video data decoded by the codec unit, and reproducing the transmission of the decoded stream data without comparing the time stamp information as the data packets recorded in the input buffer are removed. A VOD stream data reproducing apparatus capable of a pause function, further comprising: The method of claim 1, The audio data and video data decoded by the codec unit are synchronized and reproduced, and transmission is resumed so that the decoded stream data is reproduced without comparison of sequence information as the flag is set to be deactivated, and the stream data is reproduced. And a playback unit for comparing and reproducing sequence information from the next data packet as the flag setting value is reversed. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit And transmitting the transmission resumption request signal to the streaming server to invert the flag setting value after receiving the first data packet when the stream data is received. In the VOD stream data reproduction apparatus, Inputting a pause selection signal from a user; Stopping the operation of the codec unit and removing data packets recorded in the input buffer; And And transmitting a transmission pause request signal to a streaming server. The method of claim 7, wherein Inputting a pause release selection signal from a user; Transmitting a transmission resume request signal to the streaming server; Operating the codec unit and decoding the stream data of which transmission is resumed; And And reproducing the decoded stream data without comparing the timestamp information. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of removing the data packets And if the operation of the codec unit is paused, setting the sequence information control flag to be inactivated. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmitting of the transmission pause request signal comprises: Inputting a pause release selection signal from a user; Transmitting a transmission resume request signal to the streaming server; Operating the codec unit and decoding the stream data of which transmission is resumed; The decoded stream data is reproduced without comparison of sequence information, and the flag setting value is inverted after receiving a first data packet; And And reproducing the decoded stream data by comparing the sequence information as the flag setting value is inverted.

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