KR20070057318A - Method for authorizing user in cable set-top box - Google Patents

Abstract

A user authentication method in a cable set-top box is provided to be selectively adapted to cable broadcasting programs of inter-different scramble types through an on-line user authentication type using an intrinsic discriminator code of a system in which it is unnecessary for additionally mounting a POD(Point Of Development) module. When a set-top box system is operated(302), a control block reads a system intrinsic discriminator code previously stored in a memory region and transmits the system intrinsic discriminator code to an MSO(Multi System Operator) through a cable. When the discriminator code is received(306), the MSO checks whether the received discriminator code is a valid code registered as a member(308). When the received discriminator code is not the valid code, the MSO provides a viewing service according to free broadcasting viewing authority to the set-top box system(310). When the received discriminator code is the valid code, the MSO authenticates whether the set-top box system is a user having a POD program corresponding to the MSO(312). When the user authentication is approved, the MSO provides the viewing service according to the provided broadcasting viewing authority to the set-top box system(322). When the user authentication is not approved, the MSO reads the POD program and transmits the POD program to the set-top box system through the cable(314,316). When the POD program is received(318), the control block stores the POD program or updates and stores the POD program(320). The user receives the viewing service according to the provided broadcasting viewing authority by using the POD program(322).

Description

User authentication method in cable set-top box {METHOD FOR AUTHORIZING USER IN CABLE SET-TOP BOX}

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a service system in which MSOs provide cable broadcasting program services to a plurality of cable set-top boxes in their jurisdiction;

2 is a block diagram of a cable set-top box system suitable for applying a method for receiving user authentication in a cable set-top box according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving user authentication in a cable set-top box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

110, 120: MSO 112/1-112 / n, 122/1-122 / n: Set Top Box

114, 124: Cable 202: Tuner Block

204: QAM demodulation block 206: Descrambler

208 demultiplexer 210 OOB processing block

212 control block 214 flash memory

The present invention relates to a cable set-top box, and more particularly, to a cable set-top box suitable for adaptively responding to different scramble schemes when watching a pay cable broadcast according to viewing authority using a POD module having a descramble function. It relates to a user authentication method.

As is well known, an open cable method has been proposed as a common standard for digital broadcasting programs. In this open cable type cable set-top box, a conditional access system (CAS) for selectively viewing a specific broadcasting program can be provided. ) Function.

To this end, a cable set-top box with a conditional access system is equipped with a separate point of deployment (POD) module (e.g. a card type module) for the conditional access system function, which is in-band (in-band). band A / V broadcast (broadcast program, etc.) is received through a band, and an out-of-band (OBB) band performs bidirectional communication with an MSO (multi system operator). Here, the broadcast program received through the in-band band is a scrambled broadcast signal (ie, a paid broadcast signal).

Therefore, users must be granted a viewing authority for paying broadcasting channels by subscribing to the MSO as a paying member, and the scrambled paying cable broadcasting programs can be descrambled through the POD module mounted in the cable set-top box.

On the other hand, there are a number of MSOs depending on the size of the region, etc., each MSO adopts a different scramble method, that is, using a different type of POD module.

Therefore, when a user moves to an area outside the jurisdiction of the MSO he is currently subscribed to, the user joins a new MSO in his / her jurisdiction and responds to the new MSO in order to watch paid cable broadcasts. As much as possible, new POD modules had to be purchased and mounted in their cable set-top boxes. This is a situation that eventually causes unnecessary costs and user's hassle.

In order to solve the above problems, a plurality of POD modules (a plurality of POD modules each supporting different scramble methods) are installed in one cable set-top box, and automatically applied according to the scramble method of the received cable broadcasting program. Although a method of selecting a POD module may be considered, when the plurality of POD modules are mounted in the cable set-top box, the manufacturing cost of the set-top box itself is unnecessarily increased.

Therefore, in the case of mounting a plurality of POD modules in a cable set-top box to cope with various types of scramble methods, the possibility of a user moving beyond the jurisdiction of a specific MSO (that is, selective utilization of multiple POD modules installed) In contrast with the effects of considering the above, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the set-top box itself is increased more than necessary, and this problem cannot be seen as a fundamental solution for adaptively coping with different scramble methods. Of the situation.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, through the online user authentication method using a system-specific identifier code that does not require the separate installation of the POD module to different cable broadcasting programs of the scramble method An object of the present invention is to provide a user authentication method in a cable adaptable set-top box.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a user authentication method in a set-top box system that can be tuned and watched by a cable broadcast program received through a cable channel, when the set-top box system is operated, inherent in a system previously stored in a memory area. Withdraw the delimiter code and transmit it to the MSO (multi system operator) through the cable, when the delimiter code is received, checking whether it is a valid code registered as a member, and when it is not the valid code, free Providing a viewing service according to a broadcasting viewing authority to the set top box system; when the valid code is used, authenticating whether the set top box system is a user having a point of deployment program corresponding to the MSO; When the user authentication is approved, recalling a viewing service according to the granted broadcasting viewing authority. Providing to the top box system; when the user authentication is not approved; extracting the POD program and transmitting it to the set-top box system through the cable; and storing the POD program in the memory area when the POD program is received. Alternatively, the present invention provides a user authentication method in a cable set-top box including updating and storing, and receiving a viewing service according to a broadcasting viewing authority granted by using the stored or updated stored POD program.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a key technical aspect of the present invention is to purchase a POD module corresponding to a scramble method separately or install a plurality of POD modules supporting different scramble methods on a cable set-top box, respectively. Unlike the above-described conventional method of selectively receiving a cable broadcasting program, a unique identifier code assigned to the set-top box system is used to authenticate the user's validity online and to the cable set-top box system when the authentication is not approved. By providing a related POD program in a download manner and storing or updating and storing it, it is possible to watch different scrambled cable broadcasting programs, and thus, it is possible to easily achieve the object of the present invention through such technical means.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a service system in which MSOs provide cable broadcasting program services to a plurality of cable set-top boxes in their jurisdiction.

Referring to FIG. 1, the MSO 110 is physically connected via a cable 114 to a plurality of set top boxes 112/1-112 / n in its jurisdiction, each set top box 112/1-. 112 / n), the cable broadcast program service, etc., and the MSO 120 physically connects through the cable 124 to a plurality of set-top boxes 122/1-122 / n in its jurisdiction. To provide cable broadcasting program service to each set-top box 122/1-122 / n. Here, reference numeral 112 denotes a cable broadcast program service jurisdiction of the MSO 110, and reference numeral 122 denotes a cable broadcast program service jurisdiction of the MSO 120.

In this case, the two MSOs 110 and 120 may use the same scramble method or different scramble methods, but for the sake of understanding of the present invention, the two MSOs 110 and 120 use different scramble methods. Assume that you do.

Thus, as an example, suppose that a user of set-top box 112/1 migrates with his set-top box from 112 jurisdiction to 122 jurisdiction. Purchase a new POD module that can cope with the scramble method of the MSO 120 that manages the cable broadcasting program service of the migrated region and install it in its own set-top box 112/1 or multiple set-top boxes 112/1. Only if the POD module is equipped with a set-top box will be able to smoothly receive the cable broadcasting program service provided by the MSO (120).

However, according to the present invention, even in the case described above (when migrating from the 112 region to the 122 region), a new POD module is purchased and mounted in its own set-top box, or its set-top box is equipped with a plurality of POD modules. It doesn't have to be a set-top box.

Because, according to the present invention, when the set-top box 112/1 is operated by connecting the cable in the migrated region 122, a unique identifier code (that is, stored in the flash memory area of the set-top box in the set-top box) The system delimiter code) is withdrawn and transmitted to the MSO 120 through the cable 124, and the MSO 120 authenticates whether the user is a registered user based on the received delimiter code. 120 transmits a POD program having a program for descrambling a cable broadcasting program serviced by the user to the set top box 112/1, and the set top box 112/1 receives the flash memory. This is because the service for the cable broadcasting program provided by the MSO 120 is provided by storing the data in the area.

In this way, a user who has migrated to an arbitrary area downloads a POD program that can correspond to the cable broadcasting program service of the corresponding MSO through online authentication using a unique identifier code of the system (set-top box system), and receives the cable broadcasting from the corresponding MSO. The process of receiving the program service will be described in detail below.

That is, a process of providing a user authentication service online to a plurality of unspecified cable set-top boxes according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention by using a cable broadcasting service system having a service hierarchy as described above is attached to FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be described in detail with reference to.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a cable set-top box system suitable for applying a method for receiving user authentication in a cable set-top box according to the present invention, a tuner block 202, a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) demodulation block 204, A descrambler 206, a demultiplexer 208, an out-of-band processing block 210, a control block 212, a flash memory 214, and the like.

2, the tuner block 202 tunes, i.e., in-band, a particular cable broadcast channel provided from the MSO, not shown, over the cable based on the broadcast channel tuning control signal provided from the control block 212. Tunes any cable broadcast channel received over the in-band band and performs bidirectional communication with the multi-system operator (MSO) over the out-of-band (OOB) band. To provide, the broadcast program signal of the cable broadcast channel tuned here is provided to the QAM demodulation block 204, and the OOB service information is delivered to the OOB processing block 206.

The QAM demodulation block 204 then QAM demodulates the cable broadcast program signal (A / V signal) provided from the tuner block 202 into the original signal before modulation, wherein the demodulated cable broadcast program signal is a descrambler ( 206). QAM demodulation is well known in the art, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Subsequently, the descrambler 206 descrambles the cable broadcast program signal (usually a pay cable broadcast program) scrambled and transmitted at the transmitting side in response to the descramble control signal provided from the control block 212 to demultiplexer ( 208 or a cable broadcast program signal (typically, a free cable broadcast program) that is not scrambled or transmitted directly to the demultiplexer 208.

The demultiplexer 208 also demultiplexes (separates) the cable broadcast program signal provided from the descrambler 206 into video and audio signals in response to the control signal provided from the control block 212, where the separation is performed. The video signal is transferred to a video signal processing module, not shown, and the separated audio signal is transferred to an audio signal processing module, not shown. Accordingly, the user can watch the cable broadcast program output through the monitor, the speaker, and the like.

On the other hand, the OOB processing block 210 processes the OOB service information transmitted and received through the in-band band, for example, extracts the POD program information provided from the MSO according to the present invention and provides it to the control block 212, and controls Information provided from block 212, such as unique identifier code information provided in accordance with the present invention, is delivered to the tuner block 202 in the out-of-band band and the like.

Next, the control block 212 includes, for example, a microprocessor for performing overall operation control of the set-top box system, and generates a tune control signal for tuning the cable broadcast channel in response to a user operation. A block 202 is provided, and control signals for descrambling and demultiplexing are generated, respectively, and provided to the descrambler 206 and the demultiplexer 208, respectively.

In addition, the control block 212, when the user operates (powers on) the set-top box system in accordance with the present invention, the unique identifier code (i.e., system identifier code) information previously stored in a predetermined area of the flash memory 214 is stored. POD program information is retrieved and provided to the OOB processing block 210, POD program information provided from the OOB processing block 210 is stored (or updated stored) in a predetermined area of the flash memory 214, and the POD stored in the flash memory 214 is stored. The program information is provided to the descrambler 206 so that the cable broadcast program signal can be descrambled using the program information.

That is, in the flash memory 214, the identifier code information unique to the set-top box system is stored in advance, and POD program information provided from the MSO is stored. Here, the unique identifier code information is assigned when the set-top box system is manufactured and stored in advance, and is code information that cannot be changed by a user or the like.

Next, a process of receiving the user authentication service according to the present invention in the set-top box system having the above-described configuration will be described.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving user authentication in a cable set-top box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First, for the convenience of explanation and understanding, the user of the set-top box system has joined as a new member (eg, has moved to a jurisdiction of another MSO or is a new member in the current region), or Suppose you are an existing member.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a user operates (powers on) the set-top box system (step 302), the control block 212 may extract unique identifier code information previously stored in a predetermined area of the flash memory 214. The unique identifier code information of the set-top box system is transmitted in the in-band band and transmitted to the MSO (not shown) through the cable (step 304).

The MSO then searches its own database (i.e. member information database) for unique delimiter codes received over the in-band band to check whether the delimiter code is a valid delimiter code registered as a member. (Steps 306, 308).

As a result of the determination in step 308, if it is determined that the received unique delimiter code is not a valid delimiter code registered as a member, the MSO grants free broadcast viewing authority to the set-top box system that transmitted the delimiter code. (Step 310), as a result, the user of the set-top box system can watch only free cable broadcast programs (i.e., unscrambled cable broadcast programs).

As a result of the determination in step 308, if it is determined that the received unique identifier code is a valid separator code registered as a member, the corresponding MSO corresponds to the separator code previously registered as a member (ie, corresponding MSO). Is it a delimiter code of a user who has already received a possible POD program or is a delimiter code of a new member (ie, a delimiter code of a user who is registered as a member but has not yet been provided a POD program that is compatible with the MSO)? Authenticate (step 312). Here, a new member means a new member who is a new member who has joined in the current region under the MSO or a user who has migrated from a jurisdiction of the MSO in another region.

As a result of the check in step 312, if it is determined that the received delimiter code is a pre-registered delimiter code, that is, a delimiter code of an existing registered user who has already received the POD program, the MSO approves user authentication. The user of the set top box system will be provided with the cable broadcasting program service according to the broadcasting viewing authority granted to the user (step 322).

As a result of the check in the step 312, if it is determined that the received delimiter code is not a pre-registered delimiter code, that is, a delimiter code of an existing registered user who has already received the POD program, the received MSO code is new. Determined to be a member or a new migrant member (step 314), the POD program information stored in the database is retrieved, and the extracted POD program information is loaded into the in-band band and transmitted to the corresponding set-top box system through a cable ( Step 316).

As a result, the POD program information extracted from the in-band band through the tuner block 202 of FIG. 2 is analyzed and transmitted to the control block 212 through the OOB processing block 210 (step 318). In operation 212, the received POD program information is stored or updated in a predetermined area of the flash memory 214 (step 320).

Therefore, the user of the set-top box system will be provided with the cable broadcast program service according to the broadcast viewing authority granted to him / her using the POD program stored (or updated stored) in the flash memory 214 (step 322).

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the MSO jurisdiction migrates to another place, from the MSO of the region (that is, the MSO governing the migration region) through user authentication using a system-specific identifier code stored in the set-top box system. Since the POD program required for descrambling can be downloaded online and mounted on its own set-top box system, users of the set-top box system can purchase a POD module separately for MSOs in the region and install it in the set-top box. No need to buy or use a set-top box with multiple POD modules.

In the foregoing description, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that branch substitutions, modifications and variations are possible.

As described above, according to the present invention, a cable of a different scramble method may be installed by separately purchasing a POD module corresponding to the scramble method or by mounting a plurality of POD modules each supporting a different scramble method in a cable set-top box. Unlike the above-described conventional method of selectively receiving a broadcast program, the unique identifier code assigned to the set-top box system is used to authenticate the user's validity online and to associate the cable set-top box system when the authentication is not approved. By providing the POD program as a download method and storing or updating it, users can watch different scrambled cable broadcasting programs, thereby reducing unnecessary expenses caused by purchasing POD modules and providing convenience for users to use the service. It can be enhanced.

Claims (3)

A user authentication method in a set-top box system that can tune and watch a cable broadcast program received through a cable channel, When the set-top box system is operated, the process of extracting the system-specific identifier code stored in the memory area and transmitting to the MSO (multi system operator) through the cable, When the delimiter code is received, checking whether it is a valid code registered as a member; Providing a viewing service according to a free broadcast viewing right to the set-top box system when the code is not valid; Authenticating that the set top box system is a user having a point of deployment (POD) program corresponding to the MSO when the code is valid; When the user authentication is approved, providing a viewing service according to the broadcasting viewing authority to the set-top box system; When the user authentication is not approved, drawing out the POD program and transmitting it to the set-top box system through the cable; Storing or updating and storing the memory in the memory area when the POD program is received; Process of receiving a viewing service according to the broadcasting viewing authority granted by using the stored or updated stored POD program User authentication method in a cable set-top box comprising a. The method of claim 1, The identifier code is a user authentication method in a cable set-top box, characterized in that stored in the flash memory area of the set-top box system. The method of claim 2, The received POD program is stored or updated in the flash memory area.

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