KR20080016250A - System for triple play services using an ip settop box with an access point and an ip sharing device embedded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for implementing a TPS(Triple Play Service) using an IP set-top box containing an AP(Access Point) and an IP(Internet Protocol) router is provided to present a bidirectional input/output device, such as a wireless LAN terminal, which can attempt two-way communication for an IP TV, without giving inconvenience to many other persons, which provides an exact input method for a user, and which can minimize spatial inconvenience. A system for implementing a TPS comprises an IP set-top box(210), an IP TV(220), and wireless LAN terminals(230,240). The IP set-top box(210) supports an interface function with an IP network and the functions of an AP, and receives TV signals from the IP network. The IP TV(220), connected with the IP set-top box(210), has a function to receive and display TV signals. The wireless LAN terminals(230,240), connected with the IP set-top box(210) through a wireless LAN, execute two-way communication with the IP set-top box(210). Each wireless LAN terminal contains a user input unit, and transmits a user input, inputted through the user input unit, to the IP set-top box(210). The IP set-top box(210) receives TV signals and transmits them to the IP TV(220) and the wireless LAN terminals(230,240).

Description

System for TS implementation using IP set-top box with built-in access point and IP router {SYSTEM FOR TRIPLE PLAY SERVICES USING AN IP SETTOP BOX WITH AN ACCESS POINT AND AN IP SHARING DEVICE EMBEDDED THEREIN}

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of a conventional IP set-top box.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a triple play service (TPS) implementation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the IP set-top box shown in FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a wireless LAN terminal shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the IP TV shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram illustrating an operation method when a WLAN terminal functions as an input device of an IP TV according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

210: IP set-top box

220: IP TV

230, 240: wireless LAN terminal

The present invention generally relates to a TPS (Triple Play Service) implementation system using an IP set-top box, and more particularly, to a TPS implementation system using an IP set-top box to which a WLAN communication function and an IP sharing function are added.

Triple Play Service (TPS) refers to a service that bundles broadcasting, high-speed Internet, and Internet telephony together. In the US cable TV industry, TPS, which provides three broadcasting and telecommunication services, including cable TV, high-speed Internet, and landline telephones, at a time, is gaining popularity. In order to provide TPS, an IP network may be used instead of a cable TV network.

In order to receive broadcast signals through an IP network, an IP set-top box (IP-STB) is required. An IP set-top box provides the ability for one side to be connected to an external Internet network and the other side to a television for networking with the Internet through the television. Networking via television using an IP set-top box enables not only simple web surfing but also interactive broadcasting, ie, video on demand (VOD) broadcasting, rather than conventional passive broadcasting. Accordingly, the operator may provide the interactive service to the subscriber through the IP set-top box, and the subscriber may receive additional information related to the existing broadcast and various additional services other than the broadcast. For example, such additional information and additional services may include broadcast guide information, video online VOD such as the Internet, movies, and music, online / offline games, and karaoke functions.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a conventional IP set-top box structure. General cable set-top boxes and satellite set-top boxes adjust the tuner of the receiver to receive broadcast signals so that subscribers can select the channels they want to watch, while IP set-top boxes are servers that provide broadcast signals. It transmits information about a channel you want to watch, and provides a function to receive a broadcast signal (video / sound data) of a channel you want to watch from the server side.

The conventional IP set-top box 100 is a physical layer chip (PHY) chip 110, MICOM (MIcro COMputer) (MICOM) 120, MPEG decoder 130, image encoder 140, sound codec ( 150, a display unit 160, an infrared receiver 170, a remote controller 180, a RAM 190, and a flash memory 192. The physical layer chip 110 receives video and audio IP packets transmitted through Ethernet. The physical layer chip 110 converts the received IP packet into a form recognizable by the IP set-top box 100 and outputs the converted IP packet. The microcomputer 120 analyzes an IP packet which is converted into a format recognizable by an IP set-top box and analyzes an inputted IP packet and integrates an MPEG transport stream (MPEG (Motion / moving Picture Export Group) Transport) in which video and audio broadcast data are integrated from the IP packet. Stream (TS)) is separated. The microcomputer 120 outputs the MPEG TS separated from the IP packet to the MPEG decoder 130. The MPEG decoder 130 analyzes the MPEG TS and separates the MPEG TS into image data and sound data. In this case, the MPEG decoder 130 outputs the image data to the image encoder 140 and outputs the audio data to the acoustic codec 150. The video encoder 140 converts the video data received from the MPEG decoder 130 into a video output signal corresponding to the display standard of the display device displaying the video data and outputs the converted video data. The type of the image output signal may be, for example, composite, component, and super video. The acoustic codec 150 converts the acoustic data received from the MPEG decoder 130 into a stereo or Sony / Philips Digital Interface (S / PDIF) audio output signal and outputs the audio data. The display unit 160 displays an image output signal received from the image encoder 140 under the control of the microcomputer 120. The infrared receiver 170 receives an operation command of the IP set-top box transmitted from the remote controller 180 and provides it to the microcomputer 120. The microcomputer 120 performs a corresponding operation according to the operation command received from the infrared receiver 170. The RAM 190 and the flash memory 192 provide a memory space required for the operation of the microcomputer 120.

Conventional IP set-top box uses a keyboard and mouse using an infrared remote control or Bluetooth as an input / output device. In the case of input / output using such an input / output device, when a plurality of viewers watch TV using an IP set-top box, a plurality of viewers because a specific person attempts bidirectional communication (shopping and information retrieval) for IP TV There is a problem in that the TV must suffer from discomfort, there is a difficulty in providing an accurate input method desired by the user, and a space for operating the device is required.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention, apart from the home TV that many people watch, can try two-way communication to the IP TV without inconvenience to the many people, provide an accurate input method desired by the user, the inconvenience of the place It is to provide a bidirectional I / O device that can be minimized and an IP set-top box adapted to provide such a bidirectional I / O device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a system for providing a triple play service (TPS) is disclosed, which supports an interface function and an access point function with an internet network, and is configured to receive a TV signal from the internet network. An IP set-top box, a TV connected to the IP set-top box, the TV having a function of receiving and displaying a TV signal, and a wireless LAN connection with the IP set-top box, and performing a two-way communication with the IP set-top box, The WLAN terminal includes a user input device, and transmits the user input to the IP set-top box in response to the user input input through the user input device, and the IP set-top box transmits the received TV signal to the TV and the WLAN terminal. .

According to another feature of the invention, there is provided an IP set-top box capable of interfacing with the Internet network, and can be used in a TPS providing system comprising at least a wireless LAN terminal, the IP set-top box, wireless LAN with a wireless LAN terminal Wireless LAN communication unit for performing communication, LAN card and Ethernet controller for performing IP communication through the Internet network, and transmit and receive data with the wireless LAN terminal through the wireless LAN communication unit, and through the LAN card and Ethernet controller / And a central processing unit programmed to transmit and receive data from the Internet network.

2 illustrates a configuration of a triple play service (TPS) implementation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 200 performs wireless LAN communication to implement TPS. The system 200 may include an IP set top box 210, an IP TV 220, and one or more wireless LAN terminals 230 and 240. The IP set-top box 210 and the wireless LAN terminals 230 and 240 transmit and receive data according to the wireless LAN communication method. Meanwhile, the IP set-top box 210 and the IP TV 220 may be wired to each other to transmit and receive a TV signal, or may transmit and receive a TV signal according to a wireless LAN communication method. In FIG. 2, arrows are used to indicate communication between the IP set-top box 210 and the terminals 220-240, and wireless LAN communication is indicated by a dotted line, and wired communication is indicated by a solid line. Although FIG. 2 illustrates two WLAN terminals, this is only an example and is not limited thereto. There may be several WLAN terminals within an accommodation range of the IP set-top box 210. .

The IP set-top box 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an access point (AP) function and an IP router function. The IP set-top box 210 may perform wireless communication with the IP TV 220 and the WLAN terminals 230 and 240, for example, as an access point of a WLAN according to an 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g protocol. In addition, the IP set-top box 210 is an IP router for saving IP, which is a finite resource. Each of the terminals 220-240 in the system 200 is not assigned a fixed unique IP address. The IP address can be allocated from the set top box 210 and used. In addition, the IP set-top box 210 may function as a network address translator (NAT). By using this function, the terminals 220 to 240 in the system 200 may perform internet communication and communication between terminals. have. As such, when the IP set-top box 210 provides a NAT function, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) / NAT service can be provided, and a network in which such a service is provided is called a DHCP / NAT network. Accordingly, the WLAN network formed by the IP set-top box 210 providing the DHCP / NAT service may be referred to as a DHCP / NAT network.

The IP set-top box 210 routes packets received from the internet network 250 and distributes the packets received from the internet network 250 to the terminals 220-240 included in the system 200. When the packet received from the Internet network 250 by the IP set-top box 210 is data related to an Internet TV service, the IP set-top box 210 converts the data into a TV output and transmits it to the IP TV 220, thereby enabling TV viewing. The output is encoded in mpeg and transmitted to the WLAN terminal 230 as a TCP / IP packet to provide a function of the portable IP TV. On the other hand, when the packet received from the Internet network 250 by the IP set-top box 210 is general Internet data, not data of the Internet TV service, it may be an IP address (IP address assigned to the terminal according to the IP router function). , Which may be a private IP address converted according to a NAT function), may be transmitted to the WLAN terminals 230 and 240. If the transmitted data is data related to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) / Video call, the wireless LAN terminal 230 including the cellular phone function may receive the same, thereby providing Internet telephony function. In the case of data, for example, a wireless LAN terminal 240 such as a notebook may receive the Internet communication function.

3 illustrates a detailed configuration of the IP set-top box shown in FIG. The IP set-top box 210 includes a LAN card 310, an Ethernet controller 312, a central processor 320, a video signal processor 330, an audio signal processor 332, a signal output unit 334, and an encoder 340. , DHCP / NAT service unit 350, WLAN communication unit 352, and memory 360.

The LAN card 310 and the Ethernet controller 312 perform IP communication through the Internet network 250. When the Ethernet controller 312 receives data from the Internet network 250 through the LAN card 310, the Ethernet controller 312 transmits the data to the central processing unit 320. The central processing unit 320 analyzes the data received from the Ethernet controller 312 and changes the processing method according to the type of data.

When the received data is data related to an audio / video service of the IP TV, the central processor 320 transmits the video data to the video signal processor 330 and the audio data to the audio signal processor 332. The video and audio data are converted into TV output signals by the video signal processor 330 and the audio signal processor 332 and then transmitted to the TV through the signal output unit 334. The TV receiving the signal provides a voice / video service to the user.

Meanwhile, the encoder 340 converts the TV output signal transmitted from the signal output unit 334 into mpeg and transmits the signal to the CPU 320. The central processing unit 320 transmits the MPEG signal received from the encoder 340 to the WLAN communication unit 352 in the form of TCP / IP or UDP packets, and the WLAN communication unit 352 transmits these packets according to the WLAN communication method. Transmit to DHCP / NAT network.

The WLAN communication unit 352 may perform a function as an access point. The WLAN communication unit 352 receives data (for example, 802.11 data) from the DHCP / NAT network and transmits the data to the central processing unit 320. The central processing unit 320 analyzes the data, processes the designated job in the set-top box, and then transfers the data to the Internet network 250, the DHCP / NAT network, or the TV.

The DHCP / NAT service unit 350 may perform a function as an IP router. When clients (terminals) existing in the DHCP / NAT network need an IP address, the DHCP / NAT service unit 350 may play a role of allocating a part within an existing IP address range.

The memory 360 is connected to the central processing unit 320 and provides a memory space required for the operation of the central processing unit 320.

4 illustrates a detailed configuration of the WLAN terminal shown in FIG. 2. Wireless LAN terminal 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a portable IP TV function, VOIP (Video of IP) call function, and a remote control for controlling the IP set-top box 210 and IP TV 220 and other NAT clients Can provide functionality. The wireless LAN terminal 230 includes a wireless LAN communication unit 410, a central processing unit 420, a decoder 430, a video signal processing unit 440, a touch screen LCD 442, a keypad 444, and an audio signal processing unit 450. ), A speaker 452, a microphone 454, an encoder 456, and a memory 460.

The WLAN communication unit 410 receives a data packet (eg, 802.11 packet) from a DHCP / NAT network and transmits the data packet to the central processing unit 420. The central processing unit 420 transfers the data to the decoder 430 when the received data is data obtained by encoding the TV output into the MPEG. The decoder 430 decodes the MPEG data and delivers the MPEG data to the CPU 420. The CPU 420 transmits the image data among the decoded data to the video signal processor 440 and delivers the audio data to the audio signal processor 450. The video signal processor 440 processes the image data and outputs the image data to the touch screen LCD 442, and the audio signal processor 450 processes the audio data and outputs the audio data to the speaker 452. Through this process, the WLAN terminal 230 may provide a portable IP TV function.

When the data received from the WLAN communication unit 410 is video or voice call data, the CPU 420 transmits the image data to the video signal processor 440 and the audio data to the audio signal processor 450. As described above, the video signal processor 440 processes the image data and outputs the image data to the touch screen LCD 442, and the audio signal processor 450 processes the audio data and outputs the audio data to the speaker 452. The microphone 454 receives voice data of the user of the WLAN terminal 230 and transmits the voice data to the audio signal processor 450. The audio signal processor 450 processes the received voice data and transmits the received voice data to the encoder 456. The encoder 456 compresses the voice data into a voice compression packet (for example, G.711, etc.) and the central processing unit 420. To pass. The CPU 420 transmits the voice compression packet received from the encoder 456 to the DHCP / NAT network through the WLAN communication unit 410. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the WLAN terminal 230 may include a camera to transmit an image of the user. Image data of the user received through the camera may also be transmitted to the DHCP / NAT network through the central processing unit 420 and the wireless LAN communication unit 410. Through this process, the WLAN terminal 230 may provide a VOIP (Video of IP) call function.

As described above, when making a voice and video call using the wireless LAN terminal 230, the voice and video data output from the wireless LAN terminal 230 is the IP set-top box 210 through the wireless LAN communication unit 410 In this case, the IP set-top box 210 can transmit audio and video data to the IP TV 220. This enables a large screen video call service using a home TV display.

The touch screen LCD 442 and the keypad 444 may receive data from a user. Online character recognition input is also possible via the touch screen LCD 442. The input data is transmitted to the CPU 420, and the CPU 420 transmits the input data to the DHCP / NAT network through the WLAN communication unit 410. Through this process, the WLAN terminal 230 may provide a remote control function for controlling the IP set-top box 210, the IP TV 220, and other NAT clients.

The memory 460 is connected to the CPU 420 and provides a memory space required for the operation of the CPU 420. The WLAN terminal as described above may be implemented as a dedicated terminal of the IP set-top box 210, or may be implemented by mounting an application on a PDA having a WLAN communication function.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration of the IP TV shown in FIG. The IP TV 220 includes a wireless LAN communication unit 510, a central processing unit 520, a decoder 530, and a TV output unit 540. The WLAN communication unit 510 receives a data packet (for example, an 802.11 packet) from a DHCP / NAT network and transmits the received data packet to the CPU 520. The central processing unit 520 transfers the data to the decoder 530 when the received data is data obtained by encoding the TV output into an MPEG. The decoder 530 decodes the MPEG data and delivers the MPEG data to the CPU 520. The CPU 520 transmits the decoded data to the TV output unit 540. Through this process, the IP TV 220 may provide a TV viewing function to the user.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the IP TV 220 receives the TV signal data encoded by the MPEG from the IP set-top box 210 using the wireless LAN communication. However, as mentioned above, the IP TV 220 uses the IP. The set top box 210 may be connected to a wire to receive a TV signal input. In this case, a portion shown by a dotted line in FIG. 5 may be omitted, and the IP TV 220 may be a home general TV currently in use.

6 illustrates an operation method when the WLAN terminal functions as an input device of an IP TV according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the WLAN terminal 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention operates as an input device of the IP TV 220, the IP set-top box 210 may touch the screen of the IP TV 220 and the WLAN terminal 230. The same TV image is delivered to the screen LCD 442. In this case, the user may input data to the desired portion of the image using the touch screen LCD 442 of the WLAN terminal 230. User input is also possible using alphanumeric input using the keypad and online alphanumeric input using the touch screen. The input data is transmitted to the IP set-top box 210, and the IP set-top box 210 communicates with the IP TV provider 610 through the Internet network 250 to display the resultant image corresponding to the user input. And it may be transmitted to the WLAN terminal 230. At this time, if the user does not want to disturb the TV viewing by displaying the resultant image on the screen of the IP TV 220 that many people are watching, only the WLAN terminal 230 receives the resultant image according to the setting according to the user input. You can also do that.

The present invention provides a TPS using an IP set-top box in which an access point function and an IP router function are embedded. The present invention is also capable of attempting two-way communication to IP TV without inconvenience to the majority, apart from the home TV viewed by the majority, providing an accurate input method desired by the user, and minimizing the inconvenience of the place. Provides bidirectional input and output devices.

The bi-directional input / output device (wireless LAN terminal) according to the present invention provides a portable IP TV function, a VOIP (Video of IP) call function, and a remote control function for simultaneously controlling an IP set-top box, an IP TV, and other NAT clients. It is convenient to use.

Claims (8)

As a system for providing a triple play service (TPS), IP set-top box that supports the interface function and the access point function with the Internet network, and is configured to receive TV signals from the Internet network, A TV connected to the IP set-top box and having a function of receiving and displaying a TV signal, and A wireless LAN terminal connected to the IP set-top box and performing a two-way communication with the IP set-top box, wherein the wireless LAN terminal includes a user input device; The WLAN terminal transmits the user input to the IP set-top box in response to a user input input through the user input device. The IP set-top box transmits the received TV signal to the TV and the wireless LAN terminal. The method of claim 1, The user input device includes a touch screen LCD. The method of claim 1, The user input device includes a keypad. The method of claim 1, And the IP set-top box performs processing on the user input through the internet network in response to receiving the user input. The method of claim 1, The IP set-top box is configured to support the IP router function. The method of claim 1, The WLAN terminal provides an Internet telephony function by transmitting and receiving data related to a voice or video call with the IP set-top box. An IP set-top box capable of interfacing with the Internet network and usable in a TPS (Triple Play Service) providing system including at least a wireless LAN terminal, WLAN communication unit for performing WLAN communication with the WLAN terminal, DHCP / NAT service department to function as IP router, LAN card and Ethernet controller for performing IP communication through the Internet network, And An IP set-top box comprising a central processing unit programmed to transmit and receive data to and from the WLAN terminal through the WLAN communication unit, and to transmit and receive data to and from the Internet network through the LAN card and the Ethernet controller. . The method of claim 7, wherein The TPS providing system further includes a TV having a function of receiving and displaying a TV signal, The IP set-top box receives a TV signal from the Internet network, and transmits the received TV signal to the TV and the wireless LAN terminal.

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