KR20090069906A - Tuner module for multi channel - Google Patents

Abstract

A tuner module for a multi channel is provided to be proper to a small sized device by receiving plural encrypted cable broadcast signals and outputting decrypted signals at the same time. Plural in-band channel tuners(111,112) receive different encrypted cable broadcast signals, and plural analog decrypting units(121,122) demodulates a signal inputted from the channel tuner within a band. An out-of-band channel tuner(130) receives out-of-band data in the frequency bands of a cable broadcast signals, and a digital decrypting unit demodulates a signal inputted from a channel tuner outside the band.

Description

Tuner module for multi-channels {TUNER MODULE FOR MULTI CHANNEL}

The present invention relates to a multi-channel tuner module, and more particularly, to a multi-channel tuner module capable of receiving, decrypting and simultaneously outputting a plurality of encrypted cable broadcast signals. .

Since the broadcast was officially broadcast, TV for receiving broadcast waves has been spreading faster than any other media and has produced a lot of broadcast contents.

When an early cable television station started, it needed a separate device for watching cable TV in addition to the antenna for watching conventional airwave TV. This is called a set-top box (STB).

Set-top boxes, classified as first generations, were able to watch various cable TV channels, but could only serve as one-way, one-way reception relays. On the contrary, the digital set-top boxes classified as the second generation not only have the functions of repeaters, but also have their own roles as other appliances, and various functions and additional services can be operated. Digital set-top boxes can actually act as special computers that can send and receive data over the Internet.

Recently, thanks to the development of digital broadcasting technology, users can receive, watch and record digital video broadcasting through satellite, terrestrial and cable through digital set-top box (STB).

In general, in order to prevent a non-subscriber from watching a corresponding broadcast, a pay broadcast service inserts encrypted data into the content and transmits it through a satellite, and thus decrypts the encrypted data in a set-top box in which a digital broadcasting reception device is mounted. I can do it.

In this case, the cable card is used to decode the data. In the conventional cable card, only one broadcast can be received, so that a different cable card can be used for picture in picture (PIP) or recording during viewing. And a set top box is required.

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel tuner module capable of receiving two or more encrypted cable broadcast signals and simultaneously outputting a decrypted signal.

One aspect of the present invention provides a method for demodulating signals input from at least two in-band channel tuners, each receiving encrypted different cable broadcast signals, and at least two in-band channel tuners. Demodulating at least two analog demodulators, an out-of-band channel tuner for receiving out of band data among frequency bands of a cable broadcast signal, and a signal input from the out-of-band channel tuner A digital demodulator, and the at least two analog demodulators, and a multiplexer connected to the digital demodulator, wherein the multiplexer receives a cable broadcast signal received through the at least two in-band channel tuners and the out-of-band channel tuners. It provides a multi-channel tuner module, which is connected to the decryption cable card. Can.

The encrypted different cable broadcast signals may be cable broadcast signals transmitted from the same broadcast station.

The at least two analog demodulators may demodulate using a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) method.

The digital demodulator may demodulate using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK).

According to another aspect of the present invention, at least two in-band channel tuners for receiving encrypted different cable broadcast signals, respectively, and demodulating signals input from the at least two in-band channel tuners, respectively. At least two analog demodulators, an out of band channel tuner for receiving out of band data among frequency bands of a cable broadcast signal, and a signal input from the out of band channel tuner. A digital demodulator and the at least two analog demodulators, a multiplexer coupled to the digital demodulator, and the at least two in-band channel tuners, at least two analog demodulators, an out-of-band channel tuner, a digital demodulator, and A substrate on which a multiplexer is mounted, the multiplexer comprising the at least two in-band channel tuners and an out-of-band It can provide a cable broadcast signal received through the tuner decryption (decryption) tuner module for a multi-channel, characterized in that connected to the cable card.

The multiplexer may include at least two first input terminals connected to the at least two analog demodulators, a second input terminal connected to the digital demodulator, and a connector connected to the cable card.

According to the present invention, a multi-channel tuner module suitable for miniaturization of a device can be obtained by receiving two or more encrypted cable broadcast signals and simultaneously outputting a decrypted signal.

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

1 is a circuit diagram of a multi-channel tuner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the multi-channel tuner 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of in-band channel tuners 111 and 112, a plurality of analog demodulators 121 and 122, and one out-of-band channel tuner ( 130, one digital demodulator 140, and a multiplexer 150.

The in-band channel tuners 111 and 112 may receive different encrypted cable broadcast signals, respectively. In this embodiment, two tuners 111 and 112 can be used. The number of the tuner may be implemented in various ways. The encrypted different cable broadcast signals may be broadcast signals transmitted from the same broadcast station.

Each of the first tuner 111 and the second tuner 112 receives a selection signal from a channel selector configured to allow a user to select at least one of various broadcast channels, and broadcasts from a broadcast channel corresponding to the received selection signal. It can receive a signal. The channel selector may be provided in each display or in a remote controller disposed around each display. Each display may be implemented to receive a broadcast signal by the tuner by transmitting an infrared signal received from the remote controller to a corresponding tuner.

The analog demodulators 121 and 122 may demodulate AV (audio / video) signals of cable broadcast signals of channels tuned by the in-band channel tuners 111 and 112, respectively. When the cable broadcast program of the tuned channel is modulated by a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) method, the demodulator may use a QAM demodulator for demodulating the AV signal of the cable broadcast program modulated by the QAM method.

The out-of-band channel tuner 130 may receive out-of-band data. The out-of-band data may include various data such as caption data, electronic program guide (EPG) data, service communication, and authentication data.

The out of band data may be used when decrypting an encrypted cable broadcast signal received by the in-band channel tuner in a cable card.

The digital demodulator 140 may demodulate out-of-band data received by the out-of-band channel tuner 130. When the out-of-band data is modulated by a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) scheme, the digital demodulator 140 may use a QPSK demodulator to demodulate out-of-band data modulated by the QPSK scheme.

The multiplexer 150 may serve to connect the multi-channel tuner and a cable card.

The multiplexer 150 may receive demodulated signals from the two analog demodulators 121 and 122 and the digital demodulator 140, and may transmit the input demodulated signal to the cable card.

The multiplexer 150 is connected to the two analog demodulators 121 and 122 and the digital demodulator 140 to output a plurality of AV streams input from the two analog demodulators and the digital demodulator. It is possible to generate a multi-stream integrating of band data.

The cable card 160 receives the cable signals received through the in-band channel tuners 111 and 112 and the out-of-band channel tuner 130 from the analog demodulators 121 and 122 and the digital demodulator 140. You can descramble the input. Such a cable card is a security module that is mounted on an open cable broadcasting processing device through an interface, and has copy control information (CCI) defined by a content provider and a service provider (head). It can support copy protection system (CPS) and conditional access system (CAS) functions by receiving entitlement control massage (ECM) information controlled by an end system.

Such a cable card is not a module included in the open cable broadcasting processing apparatus including the multi-channel tuner module, but has an independent card side CPU and functions as an independent function. The OOB protocol processor, TP demultiplexer, and CA (conditional access) System) and a card-side CPU.

The OOB protocol processor may receive OOB data demodulated by the digital demodulator and extract OOB service information.

When the QAM demodulated cable broadcast program signal transmitted from the analog demodulator is scrambled, the CA system can be descrambled under the control of the card side CPU and output to the TP demultiplexer.

The TP demultiplexer can demultiplex the QAM demodulated cable broadcast signal transmitted from the analog demodulation unit and the OOB data information extracted from the OOB protocol processing unit and output the demultiplexer to the card side CPU.

The card-side CPU may communicate with the CPU of the open cable broadcast processing device through the data channel and the expansion channel after interpreting the command received from the transmission system.

As such, the multi-channel tuner module according to the present embodiment may simultaneously receive two or more channels of an encrypted cable broadcast signal. The two or more encrypted cable broadcast signals may be signals transmitted from the same broadcast station. In such a case, the encrypted broadcast signal can be decrypted by using the OOB data received in one OOB tuner as in the present embodiment. That is, by connecting one cable card to the multi-channel tuner module, all signals received by the plurality of in-band channel tuners can be decrypted.

By using the multi-channel tuner module as in the present embodiment, cable broadcast signals of different channels can be simultaneously received, so that the PIP (Picture in Picture) function, recording of another channel, etc. while watching one broadcast channel can be performed. It may be possible.

2 is a structural diagram of a multi-channel tuner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the multi-channel tuner 200 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of in-band channel tuners 211 and 212, a plurality of analog demodulators 221 and 222, and one out-of-band channel tuner ( 230, one digital demodulator 240, a multiplexer 250, and a substrate 270 on which the devices are mounted.

The in-band channel tuners 211 and 212 may receive different encrypted cable broadcast signals, respectively. In this embodiment, two tuners 211 and 212 can be used. The number of the tuner may be implemented in various ways. The encrypted different cable broadcast signals may be broadcast signals transmitted from the same broadcast station.

The first tuner 211 and the second tuner 212 each receive a selection signal from a channel selector arranged to allow a user to select at least one of various broadcast channels, and broadcast from a broadcast channel corresponding to the received selection signal. It can receive a signal. The channel selector may be provided in each display or in a remote controller disposed around each display. Each display may be implemented to receive a broadcast signal by the tuner by transmitting an infrared signal received from the remote controller to a corresponding tuner.

The analog demodulators 221 and 222 may demodulate AV (audio / video) signals of cable broadcast signals of channels tuned by the in-band channel tuners 211 and 212, respectively. When the cable broadcast program of the tuned channel is modulated by a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) method, the demodulator may use a QAM demodulator for demodulating the AV signal of the cable broadcast program modulated by the QAM method.

The out-of-band channel tuner 230 may receive data of out of band (Out Of Band). The out-of-band data may include various data such as caption data, electronic program guide (EPG) data, service communication, and authentication data.

The data of the out of band may be used when decrypting an encrypted cable broadcast signal received by the in-band channel tuner in a cable card.

The digital demodulator 240 may demodulate out-of-band data received by the out-of-band channel tuner 230. When the out-of-band data is modulated by a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) scheme, the digital demodulator 140 may use a QPSK demodulator to demodulate out-of-band data modulated by the QPSK scheme.

The multiplexer 250 may serve to connect the multi-channel tuner and a cable card.

The multiplexer 250 may receive demodulated signals from the two analog demodulators 221 and 222 and the digital demodulator 240, and may transmit the input demodulated signal to the cable card. To this end, the multiplexer 250 includes a first input terminal 251 to which signals are input from the two analog demodulators 221 and 222, a second input terminal 252 to which a signal is input from the digital demodulator 240, And it may include a connector 253 for connecting with the cable card.

The multiplexer 250 is connected to the two analog demodulators 221 and 222 and the digital demodulator 240 to output a plurality of AV streams input from the two analog demodulators and the digital demodulator. It is possible to generate a multi-stream integrating of band data.

The substrate 270 may include the in-band channel tuners 211 and 212, the analog demodulators 221 and 222, the out-of-band channel tuner 230, the digital demodulator 240, and the multiplexer 250. Can provide space to

Wires for connecting the mounting devices may be formed on the substrate 270, and active and passive devices necessary for the operation of the devices may be further mounted.

The cable card 260 inputs cable signals received through the in-band channel tuners 211 and 212 and the out-of-band channel tuner 230 from the analog demodulators 221 and 222 and the digital demodulator 240. Can be descrambled. Such a cable card is a security module that is mounted on an open cable broadcasting processing device through an interface, and has copy control information (CCI) defined by a content provider and a service provider (head). It can support copy protection system (CPS) and conditional access system (CAS) function by receiving entitlement control massage (ECM) information controlled by End System.

Such a cable card is not a module included in the open cable broadcasting processing apparatus including the multi-channel tuner module, but has an independent card side CPU and functions as an independent function. The OOB protocol processor, TP demultiplexer, and CA (conditional access) System) and a card-side CPU.

The OOB protocol processor may receive OOB data demodulated by the digital demodulator and extract OOB service information.

When the QAM demodulated cable broadcast program signal transmitted from the analog demodulator is scrambled, the CA system can be descrambled under the control of the card side CPU and output to the TP demultiplexer.

The TP demultiplexer can demultiplex the QAM demodulated cable broadcast signal transmitted from the analog demodulation unit and the OOB data information extracted from the OOB protocol processing unit and output the demultiplexer to the card side CPU.

The card-side CPU may communicate with the CPU of the open cable broadcast processing device through the data channel and the expansion channel after interpreting the command received from the transmission system.

As such, the multi-channel tuner module according to the present embodiment may simultaneously receive two or more channels of an encrypted cable broadcast signal. The two or more encrypted cable broadcast signals may be signals transmitted from the same broadcast station. In this case, the encrypted broadcast signal can be decrypted by using the OOB data received in one OOB tuner as in the present embodiment. That is, by connecting one cable card to the multi-channel tuner module, all signals received by the plurality of in-band channel tuners can be decrypted.

By using the multi-channel tuner module as in the present embodiment, cable broadcast signals of different channels can be simultaneously received, so that the PIP (Picture in Picture) function, recording of another channel, etc. while watching one broadcast channel can be performed. It may be possible.

It is intended that the invention not be limited by the foregoing embodiments and the accompanying drawings, but rather by the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, various forms of substitution, modification, and alteration may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention described in the claims, which are also within the scope of the present invention. something to do.

1 is a circuit diagram of a multi-channel tuner module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a configuration diagram of a multi-channel tuner module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Code Description of Main Parts of Drawing>

111, 112: In-band channel tuner 121, 122: Analog demodulator

130: out-of-band channel tuner 140: digital demodulator

150: multiplexer

Claims (6)

At least two in-band channel tuners each receiving encrypted different cable broadcast signals; At least two analog demodulators each demodulating a signal input from the at least two in-band channel tuners; An out of band channel tuner for receiving out of band data among frequency bands of a cable broadcast signal; A digital demodulator for demodulating a signal input from the out-of-band channel tuner; A multiplexer coupled to the at least two analog demodulators and the digital demodulator Including; And said multiplexer is coupled to a cable card for decrypting a cable broadcast signal received through said at least two in-band channel tuners and out-of-band channel tuners. The method of claim 1, The encrypted different cable broadcast signals, A multi-channel tuner module, characterized in that the cable broadcast signal transmitted from the same broadcast station. The method of claim 1, The at least two analog demodulation unit, A multi-channel tuner module characterized by demodulation using a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) method. The method of claim 1, The digital demodulation unit, A multi-channel tuner module, characterized in that demodulation by QPSK (Quadrature phase shift keying). At least two in-band channel tuners each receiving encrypted different cable broadcast signals; At least two analog demodulators each demodulating a signal input from the at least two in-band channel tuners; An out of band channel tuner for receiving out of band data among frequency bands of a cable broadcast signal; A digital demodulator for demodulating a signal input from the out-of-band channel tuner; A multiplexer coupled to the at least two analog demodulators and the digital demodulator; And A substrate on which the at least two in-band channel tuners, at least two analog demodulators, an out-of-band channel tuner, a digital demodulator, and a multiplexer are mounted; Including; And said multiplexer is coupled to a cable card for decrypting a cable broadcast signal received through said at least two in-band channel tuners and out-of-band channel tuners. The method of claim 5, The multiplexer, At least two first input terminals respectively connected to the at least two analog demodulators; A second input connected to the digital demodulator; and A connector connected to the cable card Tuner module for a multi-channel comprising a.

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