KR20070059817A - Home server capable of saving energy and converging service, and method for controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A home server for service convergence and energy saving and a method for controlling the same are provided to offer a broadband home network distribution function of more than 100 Mbps by installing a network distribution function part and to minimize the power consumption by controlling associated modules according to operation or service states. A home server for service convergence and energy saving comprises a broadcast processing part(300), a service processor part(400), a network distribution function part(500), a power supply part(100), and a power control part(200). The broadcast processing part(300) selects, receives, and decodes broadcast signals, and at the same time, executes distribution of the broadcast signals. The service processor part(400) controls the overall operations of the home server, and informs the power control part(200) of the present service mode and power-saving mode. The network distribution function part(500) supports a private network in a home, executes a network distribution function in a home network, and supplies a broadcast selection signal for broadcast distribution to the power control part(200). The power supply part(100) supplies power to each module in the home server. The power control part(200) controls on/off of the power supplied to each module from the power supply part(100) according to the service mode and operation state of the home server.

Description

Home server capable of saving energy and converging service, and method for controlling about

1 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of a home server according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a power control procedure in a home server according to the present invention.

3 shows a signal flow for re-driving the decoder in the home server according to the present invention.

4 is a detailed structural diagram of a network distribution function unit in the home server according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: power supply unit 110: control power unit

120: power supply unit 200: power control unit

300: broadcast processing unit 310: multiple tuner unit

320: broadcast distribution function unit 330: broadcast selection and control unit

340: decoder unit 400: service processor unit

410: GMCH device 420: processor core

430: ICH element 500: network distribution function

The present invention relates to a broadcast server, an Internet service, and a game service, as well as a home server capable of fusion and energy saving, which can provide a network distribution function of a broadband required in a home and minimize power consumption, and a control method thereof. will be.

Currently, most homes have a personal computer (PC), and the PCs in each home are expanding their use not only to internet browsing but also to play and store various multimedia. The case of having more than one PC is also increasing. In this regard, the necessity of a home network for home automation and home security is emerging by applying various wired and wireless technologies to integrate home PCs, home appliances, controllers, various facilities, mobile phones, PDAs, etc., and to implement home automation and home security. have.

In order to construct such a home network, a home server that plays a role of a media server, a network server, and a home automation server in the home is required.

The home server is a kind of computer device that functions as a media server, a network server, and a home automation server for various indoor devices provided in the home, and stores and redistributes external contents coming into the home through broadcast, telephone, and the Internet. In addition to the basic functions, it is used not only as a device for storing digital images or music, but also as an external storage device of a PC, and serves as an information control center in the home. Furthermore, as digital broadcasting has recently begun, a function of receiving and distributing digital broadcasting has been demanded beyond the function of a server through the Internet and a network.

In the case of a home server having such various functions, the home server should always be turned on for network distribution processing in the home, which requires regular operation. However, since the home server cannot control power for each function, other functions (not used) For example, power is continuously supplied to modules that handle Internet services, game platforms, broadcast service functions, etc., and the total amount of power consumed is very large.

In addition, the conventional home server is not equipped with an independent network processor for the network distribution function, if the home network distribution function is required from the other side in the situation that the broadcast service, game service and Internet service is provided, home network Could not provide enough traffic capacity for distribution.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a network distribution function of a broadband service required in the home as well as a broadcast service, an Internet service, and a game service, and to minimize power consumption. It is to provide a home server and a control method thereof capable of service convergence and energy saving.

A construction means for achieving the above object, the present invention comprises: a broadcast processing unit for receiving and decoding processing at least one broadcast signal, and at the same time to distribute the broadcast signal; A service processor that controls the provision and processing of a broadcast service, a game platform, and an Internet service, controls overall operations in a home server, and informs a power control unit of a service mode and a power saving mode that are currently performed; A network distribution function unit supporting a private network in a home, performing a network distribution function of a home network, and applying a broadcast selection signal for broadcast distribution to a power control unit; A power supply unit supplying power to each module in the home server; And a power control unit for controlling on / off of power provided by each module in the power supply unit according to the service and operation state provided by the service processor unit and the network distribution function unit. to provide.

As another means for achieving the above object, the present invention provides a broadcast processor for receiving and decoding broadcast signals with a plurality of tuners and decoders, and a service processor for controlling and performing services provided through a home server. In the control method of the home server to perform the broadcast service, Internet service, game service and network distribution function to the indoor devices, including a network, a network distribution function for distributing traffic between the indoor devices and the indoor / outdoor, Supplying power to the network distribution function when a first power switch which is a master power switch is turned on by a user; Selecting a tuner to be operated by the broadcast processor when the network distribution function unit receives the broadcast distribution request from the indoor device while the network distribution function unit is operated to perform a network distribution function; And supplying power to the tuner selected by the network distribution function.

According to the above-described configuration, the home server according to the present invention provides a separate network distribution function unit, which enables the distribution of a broadband network of 100 Mbps or more in addition to a broadcast service or an Internet service. It is possible to process broadcast set-top, including, and provide various services such as game platform. In addition, the home server according to the present invention can save power by controlling the power for each module according to the service mode or operation state.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a preferred embodiment of a home server according to the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a home server according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home server according to the present invention includes a power supply unit 100 for supplying power to each module in the home server, and the power supply unit 100 according to the service mode and operation state of the home server. A power control unit 200 for controlling the on / off of the power provided for each module, and selectively receives power from the power supply unit 100 under the control of the power control unit 200 to receive and decode one or more broadcast signals. At the same time, the broadcasting processor 300 which distributes the broadcast signal and selectively receives power from the power supply unit 100 under the control of the power control unit 200 are provided. The service processor 400 controls the provision and processing of the home server and controls the overall operation in the home server, and the power supply is always supplied from the power supply unit 100 during the operation of the home server. Class receiving support private network of the premises, and is composed of a distribution network function section 500 for performing network distribution function of the home network.

More specifically, the broadcast processor 300 includes a plurality of tuners 311 to 313 that output a broadcast stream by frequency converting and demodulating a predetermined broadcast signal, and the multiple tuner unit 310 simultaneously processing one or more broadcast streams. And a broadcast distribution function unit 320 for IP packetizing and distributing a broadcast stream output from the multi-tuner unit 310 for a broadcast service in a multi-room environment, and a broadcast output from the multi-tuner unit 310. A broadcast selection and control unit 330 for selecting and outputting a requested signal among the stream signals and controlling broadcast processing, and a decoder unit 340 for decoding a broadcast stream selected and input through the broadcast selection and control unit 330 and outputting a video signal. It is composed of The video signal output from the decoder 340 is transmitted to a video device or a display device in the home.

The service processor unit 400 may include a Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) element 410 which performs an interface between a processor core 420 and graphics and memory to provide a service, a broadcast service, an Internet service, and An x86 based processor core 420 for controlling the provision of a game service and the like, and an I / O controller hub (ICH) element 430 for performing an input / output interface between the processor core 420 and other peripheral devices.

The network distribution function unit 500 includes a network processor 510 for controlling a network distribution function between an indoor / outdoor and an indoor / domestic network, and an external access network, an internal network, and a home under control of the network processor 510. An L2 switching processor 520 for performing L2 switching between modules in a server, and a wireless home network interface 530 for exchanging signals between the network processor 510 and a wireless indoor device.

In addition, for power control for each module, the power supply unit 100 controls power 1 to 3 (111, 112, and 113) for supplying operation power for each of tuners 311 to 313 of the multiple tuner unit 310 under control, and according to control. A control power source 4 114 for supplying operation power to the decoder unit 340 of the broadcast processor 300, a control power source 5 115 for supplying operation power of the service processor unit 400 under control; Control power supply 6 (116) for supplying the operating power to the broadcast distribution function unit 320 and the broadcast selection and control unit 330 according to a control signal, differentially supply power to each module under the control of the power control unit 200. The control power supply unit 110 and the power supply unit 120 to supply power to the power control unit 200 and the network distribution function unit 500 at the time of operation of the home server at all times.

In addition, the home server according to the present invention includes a power switch 1 610, which is a master switch, and a power switch 2 620, which is a processor, as a power switch for a user to turn on / off the power of the home server.

In the above configuration, the network distribution function unit 500 is simultaneously connected to an external access network and a home network to perform traffic transmission between the access network and the home network, and includes a service processor 400 and a broadcast distribution function unit ( 320 is connected via an Ethernet interface, respectively.

In addition, the service processor 400 transmits a broadcast selection signal to the broadcast selection and control unit 330 to provide a broadcast service, the power control unit 200 according to the service mode and operation state sleep signal / The deep sleep signal and the broadcast selection signal are provided, and the decoder 340 is connected to the decoder 340 through a PCI bus interface for controlling the operation of the decoder 340 such as IP type graphic data and initialization of the decoder chip.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a power control procedure for energy saving in a home server according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the home server according to the present invention, when a power switch 1 610, which is a master power switch, is turned on by a user (S201), the power control unit 200 is always on the power supply unit 120 of the power supply unit 100. ) To supply power to the network distribution function unit 500 where constant operation is required (S202).

As a result, the network distribution function unit 500 is in an operating state to perform network distribution and broadcast service distribution. In this case, when the network distribution function unit 500 receives a broadcast service request from each room in a multi-room service environment, the network distribution function unit 500 turns on the power of the control power supply 6 116 from the network processor 510 of the network distribution function unit 500. The power control unit 200 is instructed to operate the broadcast distribution function unit 320 and the broadcast selection and control unit 330. Through this, the broadcast distribution function unit 320 and the broadcast selection and control unit 330 perform broadcast signal distribution and network distribution functions according to the service request. In addition, when a broadcast selection and distribution request signal is received by a broadcast service request in a multi-room service environment, the network distribution function unit 500 tunes the tuner 1 of the multi-tuner unit 310 according to the broadcast selection to the power control unit 200. The on / off signal for each of ˜3 (311 to 313) is transmitted (S204).

Accordingly, the power control unit 200 receives the on / off signals of the tuners 1 to 3 (311 to 313) generated by the network distribution function unit 500, and tuners 1 to 3 (311 to 313) according to the operation mode. ) Instructs the power control to be selectively turned on / off. For example, in the case of the on signal of the tuner 1311, the control power source 1111 is turned on to supply power to the tuner 1311 and the tuner. In the case of the ON signal of 2312, the control power supply 2112 is turned on to supply power to the tuner 2312, and in the case of the ON signal of the tuner 3313, the control power supply 3113 is turned on. Power is supplied to the tuner 3 (313) (S209).

Until now, only the power switch 1 610 is turned on, and the power switch 2 620 is not turned on yet, and only the network distribution function 500 and / or the broadcast distribution function 320 operate. The service processor 400 is in an inoperable state.

Therefore, when the user wants to use a service other than network distribution, such as a game or Internet service, the user should turn on the power switch 2 (620).

Accordingly, the power control unit 200 confirms the on / off of the power switch 2 (620) after the power switch 1 (610) is turned on (S201) (S205). As a result, when the power switch 2 (620) is turned on, the control power supply 5 (115) of the power supply unit 100 is turned on, so that the operating power is applied to the service processor 400 (S206).

As a result, the service processor unit 400, which is supplied with power, is in an operating state, and performs control for performing a broadcast service, a game platform, and an Internet service.

At this time, the service processor 400 generates a broadcast selection signal according to the type of service to be performed, and at the same time, tuners 1 to 3 (311 to 313) in the multiple tuner 310 corresponding to the broadcast selection signal are generated. The on / off signal is transmitted to the power control unit 200. In addition, when the power saving mode is set, the service processor unit 400 saves the home server according to a power management program set therein. In operation S208, the control unit 200 may transmit a sleep signal or a deep sleep signal indicating the power saving mode to the power control unit 200.

Therefore, after the service processor 400 starts to operate, the power controller 200 turns on / off the control power supplies 1 to 4 (111 to 114) according to the service mode or the power saving mode of the service processor 400. The OFF signal is applied to the power supply unit 100 (S209). More specifically, only the power of the tuners (one of tuners 1 to 3 (311 to 313)) is supplied or the power used by the decoder 340 is controlled (S209).

According to the above, the home server according to the present invention supplies power only to modules required to perform the operation according to each operation state, the other modules cut off the power supply, the standby power consumption in the home server In addition, the overall power consumption can be minimized.

On the other hand, when the power is controlled for each module as described above, the decoder driver for the decoder 340 must be re-driven when the decoder 340 is repowered. The decoder driver is mounted in a memory of the service processor unit 400 and is driven together with the operation of the service processor unit 400. The service processor unit 400 operates by power control for each module as in the present invention. Even if not, the processing for the decoder unit 340 to operate normally is required, which is performed as follows.

3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of restarting a decoder driver in a home server according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the power supply control unit 200 turns on the control power supply 4 114 to supply power to the decoder unit 340, the power control unit 200 may turn to the network processor 510 of the network distribution function unit 500. The restart of the decoder unit is reported (S301).

The network processor 510 that is reported to restart the decoder unit may use an MPEG decoder of the decoder unit 340 through a PCI bus using a program loaded in the memory of the service processor unit 400, that is, a decoder driver 421. The chip 341 is driven again (S303). Through this process, the decoder unit 340 on which the driver is mounted operates normally.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed connection of the network distribution function unit 500.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the network distribution function unit 500, two Ethernet ports 524a and 524b of the L2 switching processor 520 are connected to the network processor 510 through an Ethernet interface. In addition, one Ethernet port of the L2 switching processing unit 520 is selected and used as an access network (public network) matching port 524c, and two Ethernet ports are selected to select a service processor 400 and a broadcast distribution function unit ( It is used as a matching port (524d, 524e) for the connection to the 320, and the remaining Ethernet ports (524f ~ 524i) is used for the home network interface for matching the home private network. In addition, the L2 switch processing unit 520 may use a virtual LAN VLAN 'A' 521 for an access network and a virtual LAN VLAN 'B' for a home network using a port-based virtual local area network (VLAN) technique. ) Are used separately.

According to this structure, all network traffic transmitted from the access network is inputted to the network processor 510 through the Ethernet port 524a for VLAN 'A', and the traffic is transmitted through the L3 + function of the network processor 510. After delivery to 524b, it is delivered to a destination in the home via VLAN B '522 and the home network ports 524f through 524i, or via a wireless home network interface 530 over a PCI bus.

On the contrary, the traffic from the home to the outside is transmitted in the opposite direction to the traffic from the above-described access network.

Apart from these traffic paths, for IP multicast traffic for IP-TV services, VLAN 'A' 521 and VLAN 'B' 522 are controlled through the control of the L2 multicast MAC table based on IGMP snooping. By giving priority to traverse the network, the packet processing load of the network processor 510 is reduced, and the processing power of the entire network distribution function is used when using the Gigabit Ethernet port of 100 Mbps or more as the access network matching port 524c. This can be greater than 100Mbps.

That is, for IP multicast traffic, through the control of the L2 multicast MAC table based on IGMP snooping, as shown at 523, the access network matching port 524c and the home network port (not through the network processor 510). 524f to 524i and matching ports 524d and 524e for connection with the service processor 400 and the broadcast distribution function 320 to reduce the packet processing load of the network processor 510. .

According to the above, the home server according to the present invention can provide a home network distribution function of broadband of 100 Mbps or more by separately providing a network distribution function, and control the power of the home server for each module according to the operation or service state of the home server. By doing so, the power consumed by the home server can be reduced.

Claims (21)

A broadcast processing unit which receives and decodes one or more broadcast signals and performs distribution of broadcast signals; A service processor that controls the provision and processing of a broadcast service, a game platform, and an Internet service, controls overall operations in a home server, and informs a power control unit of a service mode and a power saving mode that are currently performed; A network distribution function unit supporting a private network in a home, performing a network distribution function of a home network, and applying a broadcast selection signal for broadcast distribution to a power control unit; A power supply unit supplying power to each module in the home server; And And a power control unit for controlling on / off of power provided by each module in the power supply unit according to a service and an operation state provided by the service processor unit and the network distribution function unit. The broadcast processor of claim 1, wherein the broadcast processor A multiple tuner unit including a plurality of tuners for frequency converting and demodulating a broadcast signal to output a broadcast stream; A broadcast distribution function unit for distributing the broadcast stream output from the multiple tuner unit; A broadcast selection and control unit for selecting and outputting a requested signal among broadcast stream signals output from the multiple tuner unit and controlling broadcast processing; And And a decoder configured to output a video signal by decoding the broadcast stream selected through the broadcast selection and control unit. The method of claim 1, wherein the service processor unit A processor core for controlling the provision and convergence of a broadcast service and an Internet service or a game service; A GMCH element for performing an interface between the processor core and graphics and a memory; And And a ICH element for performing an input / output interface with a peripheral device of the processor core. The network distribution function of claim 1, wherein the network distribution function A network processor that controls out-of-house / in-house and in-house / in-house network distribution functions; An L2 switching processor configured to perform traffic switching between in-house / in-house and in-house / in-house traffic and modules in a home server according to the control of the network processor; And And a wireless home network interface for exchanging a signal between the network processor and a wireless home equipment. The power supply unit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the power supply unit A control power supply unit supplying power to each module in the service processor unit and the broadcast processor according to control; And A home server capable of service convergence and energy saving, characterized in that it comprises a constant power supply for continuously supplying power to the network processor and the power control unit. The network distribution function of claim 1, wherein the network distribution function A home server capable of service convergence and energy saving, which is connected to the service processor unit and the broadcast distribution unit through an Ethernet interface, respectively. The method of claim 1, A first power switch for driving a network distribution function; And a second power switch for driving a service processor for service use. The method of claim 2, wherein the service processor unit A home server capable of service convergence and energy saving, characterized by providing a multi-tuner selection signal according to a broadcast selection and a power saving mode status signal according to an operation of a power saving management program to the power control unit. The method of claim 2, wherein the network processor unit The home server capable of service convergence and energy saving, characterized by providing a selection signal of multiple tuners according to a broadcast selection and distribution request to the power control unit. The method of claim 2, The power control unit reports the restart of the decoder unit to the network processor unit when supplying power to the decoder unit, and the network processor receives a report of restarting the decoder unit by using a decoder driver program loaded in the memory of the service processor unit. A home server capable of service convergence and energy saving, characterized by driving the decoder driver. The method of claim 4, wherein the L2 switching processing unit Select two Ethernet ports, connect with the network processor, select one Ethernet port, connect with an external access network (public network), select two Ethernet ports, respectively, the service processor unit and broadcast distribution function Service convergence and energy-saving home server, characterized in that the connection to the wealth, and the remaining Ethernet port for the matching of the private network in the home. The method of claim 5, wherein the control power supply unit A plurality of control power supplies for selectively supplying operating power to each of the tuners to the multiple tuners of the broadcast processor; A control power supply for selectively supplying operation power to the decoder unit of the broadcast processing unit; And And a control power supply for selectively supplying operating power to the service processor. The method of claim 5, wherein the power supply unit A home server capable of service convergence and energy saving, characterized by continuously supplying power to a broadcast distribution function unit and a broadcast selection and control unit among the modules of the broadcast processing unit. The method of claim 7, wherein the power control unit When the on signal is input from the first power switch, the power supply unit is controlled to supply power to a module that performs a distribution function in the network processor unit and the broadcast processor, and when the signal from the second power switch is input, the service processor A home server capable of service convergence and energy saving, characterized by controlling the power supply unit to supply power to the unit. The method of claim 11, wherein the L2 switch processing unit Service convergence and energy, comprising a first VLAN connecting an access network and a network processor and a second VLAN connecting the network processor and a home network using a port-based virtual local area network (VLAN) technique. Saving home server. The network processor of claim 15, wherein the network processor comprises: Receives all network traffic transmitted from the access network through the first VLAN of the L2 switching processor, passes the second VLAN of the L2 switching processor to the destination of the home through the wireless home network interface, and conversely, the wireless home network. A home server capable of service convergence and energy saving, wherein traffic from a home to an external device input through an interface or a second VLAN of an L2 switching processor is transmitted to an access network through a first VLAN of the L2 switching processor. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the network distribution function is Service convergence and energy saving are possible by giving priority to the first and second VLANs through the control of the L2 multicast MAC table based on IGMP snooping for IP multicast traffic for IP-TV service. Home server. Broadcast processing unit for receiving and decoding broadcast signals with built-in multiple tuners and decoders, service processor unit for controlling and performing services provided through a home server, and distributing traffic between premises devices and premises / outdoors. In the control method of the home server to perform a broadcast service, Internet service, game service and network distribution function to the indoor devices including a network distribution function to Supplying power to the network distribution function when a first power switch which is a master power switch is turned on by a user; And Selecting a tuner to be operated by the broadcast processor when the network distribution function unit receives the broadcast distribution request from the indoor device while the network distribution function unit is operated to perform a network distribution function; And And supplying power to a selected tuner of the broadcast processing unit and a module for distribution processing so that the requested broadcast is distributed. The method of claim 18, Supplying power to a service processor unit when a second power switch, which is a power switch for a processor, is turned on by a user; Selecting a tuner to be operated in the broadcast processor according to the service mode by operating the powered service processor to perform a requested service; And And supplying power to the tuner so that the tuner selected by the service processor unit operates. The method of claim 19, Generating a power saving mode signal indicative of a power saving mode to be performed by the power supply service processor performing a power saving management program; And And controlling power of a plurality of tuners and a decoder of the home server excluding a network distribution function unit according to the power saving mode signal. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, Confirming power resupply of the decoder of the broadcast processor; And If the power supply to the decoder is confirmed, the network processor further comprises the step of restarting the powered decoder with reference to the decoder driver mounted in the internal memory of the service processor service. Control method of home server that can converge and save energy.

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