KR20060135187A - Home gateway using cable modem - Google Patents

Abstract

A home gateway apparatus using a cable modem is provided to supply a sharing function for plural communication terminals and a web server function, thereby easily supplying an Internet supplementary service to the communication terminals of various data transmission modes and various connection modes through an HFC(Hybrid Fiber Coaxial) network and removing a need to install and drive a special main apparatus for communication with the communication terminals. A home gateway apparatus(300) comprises the followings: a tuner(310); a cable modem unit(320) which converts a signal, applied from the tuner(310), into an Ethernet signal and outputs the converted signal, and then converts an inputted Ethernet signal into a signal suitable for a CATV(Cable Television) network, supplies the converted signal to the tuner(310), analyzes the signal applied from the tuner(310), and sets an output path for the Ethernet signal to be supplied to an object communication terminal; a data signal processing unit(330) which performs a TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication interface between a first communication terminal(410) supplying a data service and the cable modem unit(320); a voice signal processing unit(340) which performs a TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communication interface between a second communication terminal(420) supplying a voice service and the cable modem unit(320); and an RS-232(Recommended Standard-232) processing unit(350) which supplies a serial communication interface between the cable modem unit(320) and a third communication terminal(430) besides the first and second communication terminals.

Description

Home gateway using cable modem

1 is a system schematic diagram showing the configuration of a typical cable modem communication system.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional separation of the internal configuration of the home gateway device using a cable modem according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional separation of the internal configuration of the cable modem unit 320 shown in FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing functional separation of the internal configuration of the data signal processing unit 330 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing functional separation of an internal configuration of the voice signal processing unit 340 shown in FIG.

******* Brief description of the main parts of the drawing *******

310: tuner, 320: cable modem unit,

330: data signal processor, 340: voice signal processor,

350: RS-232 signal processor, 360: power supply.

The present invention relates to a home gateway device using a cable modem that can be easily provided additional Internet services through various types of communication terminals.

A cable modem is a communication device that enables data transmission using an already installed public hearing network (CATV Network). Currently, CATV network is composed of HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coaxial) network, which is composed of mixed coaxial and optical cables, and cable modem communication system that provides data communication service to each home by combining cable modem with HFC network. Will be formed.

1 schematically illustrates a configuration of a general cable modem communication system.

In the cable modem communication system, as shown in FIG. 1, a data service providing server 10 providing a data service is coupled with a cable modem 30 through an HFC network 20, and the cable modem 30 is connected to a subscriber. It is composed of a data communication terminal, that is, a computer 40 and a wire.

Here, the cable modem 30 is installed in the home, converts the RF signal applied from the HFC network 20 to the Ethernet signal to provide to the computer 40 and the Ethernet signal applied from the computer 40 to the HFC network ( 20) is converted into an RF signal of a type suitable for the transmission to the data service providing server 10 through a cable forming the HFC network (20). That is, the cable modem 30 and the computer 40 transmit and receive high-speed Internet data through the RJ-45 Ethernet terminal.

On the other hand, in recent years, the number of additional services using the Internet is increasing, and a plurality of computers are installed in the home. In addition, the types of communication terminals provided through Internet services are also diversifying.

However, since various communication terminals that provide Internet services have different types of data communication standards for each service type, in order to receive desired additional services by using a desired communication terminal, perform separate Internet access for each communication terminal. A modem is required. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that a cost is required for installing a plurality of modems and a space more than a certain area is required for installing a modem.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has a technical object of providing a home gateway device using a cable modem that can easily be provided with Internet additional services through various communication terminals.

The home gateway device using a cable modem according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a tuner for selecting a communication channel with the public network, and the Ethernet signal input while converting and outputting the signal applied from the tuner to the Ethernet signal Converts the signal into a signal suitable for public hearing networks and provides it to the tuner, and analyzes the signal applied from the tuner to set an output path so that an Ethernet signal is provided to a communication terminal of interest, and a first communication providing a data service. Data signal processing means for performing a TCP / IP communication interface between a terminal and the cable modem means, voice signal processing means for performing a TCP / IP communication interface between the cable communication means and a second communication terminal for providing a voice service; A third communication terminal other than the cable modem unit and the first and second communication terminals; The RS-232 having a processing means for providing a serial communications interface of the period is characterized in that configuration.

Hereinafter will be described an embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional separation of the internal configuration of the home gateway device using a cable modem according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the home gateway apparatus using the cable modem converts an RF signal applied from the tuner 310 to an Ethernet signal and outputs a tuner 310 for selecting a communication channel with a public hearing network, that is, an HFC network. In addition, the cable modem unit 320 to convert the input Ethernet signal into an RF signal suitable for the HFC network to provide to the tuner 310, the first communication terminal 410 to provide a data service to the subscriber and the cable modem unit Data signal processing unit 330 for performing a TCP / IP communication interface between the 320, the second communication terminal 420 for providing a voice service to the subscriber and the TCP / IP communication interface between the cable modem unit 320 RS-232 for providing a voice communication unit 340, the cable modem unit 320, and a third communication terminal 430 other than the first and second communication terminals, for example, a card communication period. Rib (350), and, Further included is a power supply section 360 for supplying a predetermined drive power to the respective devices.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the cable modem unit 320 performs demodulation on the RF signal applied from the tuner 310 and modulates the modulation on the signal to be provided to the tuner 310. Analyzing the MAC header from the RF signal applied from the processing unit 321 and the modulation and demodulation processing unit 321, if the received data is provided to the Ethernet signal processing unit 323, and provides the corresponding data to the data applied from the Ethernet signal processing unit 323. The MAC processing unit 322 for adding the MAC information to the modulation and demodulation processing unit 321 and converting the signal applied from the MAC processing unit 322 into an Ethernet signal to convert the data signal processing unit 330 or the voice signal processing unit 340 or RS In addition to the selective output to the -232 signal processor 350, the Ethernet signal applied from the data signal processor 330, the voice signal processor 340, and the RS-232 signal processor 350 is converted into an RF signal, and the MAC processor 32 2) operations of the IP information storage unit 324 and the cable modem unit 320 in which IP information for the Ethernet signal processing unit 323, the cable modem unit 320, and the first communication terminal 410 are stored. And a data memory 326 for storing data processed by the controller 325. At this time, the Ethernet signal processing unit 323 is configured to check the information corresponding to a predetermined position in the signal processed by the MAC processing unit 322 to set the output path of the signal. That is, the Ethernet signal processor 323 outputs an Ethernet signal to the data signal processor 330 when the signal applied from the MAC processor 322 is a TCP / IP data related signal, and a signal applied from the MAC processor 322. Is a TCP / IP voice related signal, the Ethernet signal is output to the voice signal processor 340, and when the signal applied from the MAC processor 322 is a control related data signal, the Ethernet signal is transmitted to the RS-232 signal processor 350. Will print. In addition, the control unit 325 allocates a floating IP to the first communication terminal 410 to be connected to the Ethernet signal processing unit 323 and registers the IP allocation information in the IP information storage unit 324. Will be placed.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the data signal processor 330 outputs an Ethernet signal applied from the cable modem unit 320 to the corresponding first subscriber station 410 and the first communication terminal 410. A routing setting unit 331 which provides an Ethernet signal applied from the cable to the cable modem unit 320, a data memory 332 storing IP information for each connection port connected to the first communication terminal 410, and It comprises a connection port (333: 333a, 333b, 333c, 333d) that is physically connected to the first communication terminal 410. Here, the routing unit 331 may be configured as, for example, an L2 switch, and is basically configured to provide a 4-port wired router function for the first to fourth connection ports 333 coupled with the computer. In this case, the first to fourth connection ports 333 may be configured as an RJ-45 terminal. In addition, the path setting unit 331 is coupled to the USB host 335 for interface processing so as to communicate with the first communication terminal 410, such as a web camera or printer or an external hard disk coupled to the USB terminal 334. Can be configured. In addition, the routing unit 331 may be configured to be combined with the WLAN processing unit 337 for interface processing to communicate with the wireless LAN terminal that is wirelessly coupled through the antenna 336. Here, the WLAN processing unit 337 provides a wireless access point function that simultaneously performs 802.11a or 802.11g or 802.11a and 802.11g, and configured in the form of a mini PCI card to selectively change its function. It is possible.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, the voice signal processing unit 340 extends the voice-related Ethernet signal applied from the cable modem unit 320, outputs the D / A conversion, and converts the input analog voice signal into the A / D conversion. And a VoIP signal processor 341 which compresses and outputs the signal to the cable modem unit 320, and first and second SLICs 342 and 343 which amplify and output a predetermined level of the audio signal applied from the VoIP signal processor 341. The voice signal applied from the first SLIC 342 is converted into a wireless signal and transmitted to the wireless telephone through the antenna 345, and the analog signal is converted into an analog voice signal from the wireless telephone through the antenna 345. It comprises a radio processing unit 344 to provide to the first SLIC (342). Here, the second SLIC (343) amplifies the analog signal applied from the cable modem unit 320 to provide a wired telephone through the wired coupling port 346, and from the wired telephone 422 to the wired coupling port 346 It is configured to amplify the analog voice signal applied through the VoIP signal processor 341 to provide.

Next, the operation of the home gateway apparatus using the cable modem having the above-described configuration will be described.

First, when the tuner 310 of the home gateway device is coupled to the HFC network and the first to third communication terminals 410, 420, and 430 are connected to the corresponding connection port, the cable modem unit 320 is connected through the data signal processing unit 330. The IP allocation process is performed for the requested first communication terminal 410, and the IP allocation information for the access port is stored in the IP information storage unit 324, and the IP allocation information is provided to the routing unit 331. The routing unit 331 stores the IP allocation information applied from the cable modem 320 in the data memory 332.

In the above state, if predetermined information is applied to the cable modem unit 320 from any one of the first to third communication terminals 410, 420, and 430, the cable modem unit 320 may provide MAC information to information provided from the communication terminal. After the addition, it is modulated and sent to the HFC network through the tuner 310. At this time, the cable modem unit 320 stores the information on the communication terminal that is currently connected to the data memory 326.

On the other hand, when predetermined information is applied to the cable modem unit 320 from the HFC network through the tuner 310, the cable modem unit 320 demodulates the received information and analyzes the demodulated signal so that the corresponding signal is TCP. In the case of the / IP data related signal, the demodulated signal is converted into an Ethernet signal and transmitted to the data signal processor 330. If the demodulated signal is a TCP / IP voice related signal, the demodulated signal is converted into an Ethernet signal and sent to the voice signal processor 340. If the demodulated signal is a control related data signal, the demodulated signal is converted into an Ethernet signal. RS-232 is sent to the signal processing unit 350.

At this time, the signal applied to the data signal processing unit 330 is provided to the routing unit 331, the routing unit 331 checks the port information corresponding to the IP of the received signal in the data memory 332 to the corresponding port Routing is set so that the received signal is transmitted. That is, the reception signal is applied to the computer 3 through the third connection port 333c, or the reception signal is transmitted to the USB host 335 so that the reception signal is applied to the web camera through the USB terminal 334, or wirelessly. The reception signal is transmitted to the LAN processing unit 337 so that the reception signal is applied to the WLAN terminal through the antenna 336.

In addition, the signal applied to the voice signal processor 340 is provided to the VoIP signal processor 341, and the VoIP signal processor 341 decompresses the input signal and converts it into an analog voice signal to convert the first and second signals. Send to SLIC (342, 343). The first SLIC 342 amplifies the received analog voice signal by a predetermined level and provides the same to the wireless processor 344. The wireless processor 344 converts the received analog voice signal into a wireless signal to convert the antenna 345 into a wireless signal. It will be provided to the cordless phone. Meanwhile, the second SLIC 343 amplifies a predetermined level of the analog voice signal applied from the VoIP signal processor 341 to provide the wired telephone through the wired coupling port 346.

That is, the signal applied from the HCF network is provided to the desired communication terminal of the first to third communication terminals, and the arbitrary communication terminal transmits the corresponding information to the destination through the HFC network.

In this case, the cable modem unit 320 registers priority information of each communication terminal in the data memory 326 to control information transmission based on the priority information when providing services for a plurality of communication terminals. It is possible. Here, the priority information may be set by the installer at the time of installation of the home gateway device or by the home gateway provider through online.

In addition, the cable modem unit 320 may register the transmission signal bandwidth information for each communication terminal in the data memory 326 and apply it when providing a service to each communication terminal. In this case, the transmission signal bandwidth for each communication terminal can be set through online, and the bandwidth for the communication terminal can be variably set according to the type and number of communication terminals currently connected.

That is, according to the above embodiment, the home gateway apparatus can easily provide an internet supplementary service to communication terminals of various connection methods of various data transmission methods through HFC networks by providing a sharing function for multiple communication terminals. .

In addition, the home gateway device according to the present invention eliminates inconvenience caused by the installation and operation of a separate main device for communicating with a communication terminal such as a web camera or an external hard disk for providing an additional service by providing a web server function. It becomes possible.

In addition, the home gateway apparatus according to the present invention is modulated once again to provide a HFC network to signals provided from a communication terminal, for example, a VoIP voice communication terminal, a card inquiry machine, a web camera, etc. Therefore, the information can be transmitted in a more secure state.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a home gateway apparatus using a cable modem that can provide an internet supplementary service for a communication terminal of various connection methods of various data transmission methods through an HFC network.

Claims (8)

A tuner for selecting a communication channel with the public hearing network; While converting the signal applied from the tuner into an Ethernet signal and outputting it, while converting the input Ethernet signal into a signal suitable for public hearing networks and providing it to the tuner, the signal from the tuner is analyzed and the Ethernet signal is transmitted to the target communication terminal. Cable modem means for setting the output path to be provided, Data signal processing means for performing a TCP / IP communication interface between the first communication terminal providing a data service and the cable modem means; Voice signal processing means for performing a TCP / IP communication interface between the second communication terminal providing a voice service and the cable modem means; And a RS-232 processing means for providing a serial communication interface for the third communication terminal period other than the cable modem unit and the first and second communication terminals. The method of claim 1, The data signal processing means is configured in combination with at least two first communication terminals, and provides the first communication terminal information requested for connection to the cable modem means to provide a connection state based on the IP information allocated from the cable modem means. 1 home gateway device using a cable modem, characterized in that configured to provide a sharing function for the communication terminal. The method of claim 2, The data signal processing means further comprises a web camera coupled to a USB terminal and a USB host providing a USB interface function for at least one communication terminal of a hard disk and a print. Gateway device. The method according to claim 2 or 3, The data signal processing means is a home gateway device using a cable modem, characterized in that further comprising a wireless LAN processing unit for providing a wireless access point function for a wireless LAN terminal wirelessly coupled via an antenna. The method of claim 1, The voice signal processing means includes a VoIP signal processing unit which performs compression / extension processing and A / D and D / A conversion processing on voice signals, and first and second SLICs which amplify and output a predetermined level of voice signals applied from VoIP. And a wireless processing unit converting a voice signal applied from the first SLIC into a wireless signal and providing the wireless signal to the wireless telephone through an antenna, and converting the wireless signal provided from the wireless telephone into a voice signal and outputting the voice signal. The second SLIC is a home gateway device using a cable modem, characterized in that configured to provide an amplified voice signal to a wired telephone. The method of claim 1, And a third communication terminal coupled to the RS-232 signal processing means is a card inquiry device. The method of claim 1, The cable modem means is configured to store the priority information for the first to third communication terminals in a predetermined memory and to provide a communication service based on the priority information when at least one communication terminal is connected. Home gateway device using a cable modem. The method of claim 1, The cable modem means is configured to store bandwidth allocation information for the first to third communication terminals in a predetermined memory and to provide a communication service based on the bandwidth allocation information when the communication terminal is connected. Home gateway device using.

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