KR20100062811A - Method and apparatus for serving multimedia contents service - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multimedia contents service apparatus and a method thereof are provided, which can reduce the cost and traffic of the streaming server and the extraction unit by establishing the multicast tree according to each layer of the scalable media contents. CONSTITUTION: A media streaming server(200) creates the scalable media contents by performing the scalable media encoding about the arbitrary multimedia contents. Multicast trees(202/1,202/2,202/3) are formed in each layer so that the generated scalable media contents is transferred to each layer. Client terminals output the received scalable media contents.

Description

Device and method for multimedia content service {METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SERVING MULTIMEDIA CONTENTS SERVICE}

The present invention is a technology for providing multimedia content, and in particular, a multimedia content service suitable for efficiently delivering scalable media content using scalable video coding (SVC) and providing a security function for content access control. An apparatus and method are provided.

The present invention is derived from the research conducted as part of the IT growth engine technology development project of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Ministry of Information and Communication Research and Development.

Scalable media content refers to media content coded by SVC (Scalable Video Coding). A feature of scalable media content is hierarchical coding. The entire codec is configured for each layer to extract only necessary layers to provide a desired level of media service.

The layer of SVC consists of one base layer and one or more enhancement layers that can be stacked on top of it. Each enhancement layer may represent a maximum bit rate, a rate-rate, and a resolution given to each of the base layer based on the base layer. In SVC, as more layers are expanded in succession, different bit rates, aspect ratios, and resolutions can be supported.

As such, SVC is an encoding technique for complexly solving bandwidth problems, diversity of receiver terminal performance and resolution, and consumer preference issues that occur in an environment where heterogeneous networks and devices exist.

Thereafter, the base layer is expressed as layer 1 and the extended layer is expressed as layer 2, layer 3, layer 4, and the like for convenience. Taking the resolution as an example, the codec may be configured with a high resolution of layer 1, a combination of layer 1 and layer 2 in medium resolution, and a combination of layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3 in high resolution.

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical multimedia content service configuration diagram using such scalable media content, and illustrates a layer configuration based on resolution.

The scalable media encoding unit 100 generates scalable media by performing video encoding on multimedia content provided through a streaming server (not shown). 1 illustrates scalable media content composed of three layers.

The generated scalable media content is transmitted to the extractor 102, and the extractor 102 receiving the scalable media content extracts only the necessary bit streams according to the characteristics of the target device, thereby extracting each device. For example, it transmits to Device 1 104/1 and / or Device 2 104/2 and / or Device 3 104/3.

1, device 1 (104/1) is, for example, HDTV (High Definition Television), and device 2 (104/2) is, for example, PC (Personal Computer), and device 3 (104/3). ) May be, for example, personal digital assistants (PDAs).

That is, since the device 1 (104/1), which is an HDTV, has a high resolution, the device 1 (104/1) transmits scalable media content composed of layer 1, layer 2, and layer 3 to the device 1 (104/1). Since it is medium resolution, it transmits scalable media content composed of layer 1 and layer 2 to device 2 (104/2), and device 3 (104/3), which is a PDA, is low resolution. The configured scalable media content can be transmitted.

The location of the extraction unit 102 can be variously configured. For example, the extraction unit 102 can be located at a head end or mounted in a specific node in the middle of a network or in a set-top box of a home network.

However, the structure as shown in FIG. 1 has a disadvantage in that the traffic generated from the server and the extractor is not only high, but also expensive to distribute the content. As subscribers increase, the cost of distributing content to subscribers increases.

To overcome this drawback, we can consider distributing content by building a peer-to-peer (P2P) based multicast tree. This scheme delivers multimedia content to specific peers, and then distributes content through communication between each peer, which constitutes an application layer multicast tree among peers.

However, there is a problem that content distribution is not possible with only one multicast tree because the layers to be received between the various devices are different.

Accordingly, the present invention intends to provide a multimedia content service method capable of efficiently delivering scalable media content by constructing a multicast tree for each layer of scalable media content and providing a media stream for each layer.

In addition, the present invention, by encrypting and transmitting only the stream corresponding to each layer of scalable media content, to provide a multimedia content service method that can efficiently provide a security function for the content access control.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a media streaming server for generating scalable media content by performing scalable media encoding on arbitrary multimedia content, and transmitting the generated scalable media content for each layer To this end, there is provided a multimedia content service apparatus including a multicast tree configured for each layer and a client terminal configured to display and output the scalable media content received from the multicast tree configured for each layer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a multimedia content service method for transmitting scalable media content having a base layer and an extended layer from a media streaming server to a client terminal, wherein the terminal information of the client terminal is transmitted to the media terminal. Transmitting to the client terminal by generating a combination information of the layers of the scalable media content by the media streaming server based on the transmitted terminal information, and transmitting the combined information to the client terminal; Correspondingly, requesting the client terminal to participate in the multicast tree for receiving the layer, and transmitting scalable media content corresponding to the layer from the multicast tree for receiving the layer to the client terminal. It provides a multimedia content service method comprising the step of transmitting.

According to the present invention, a method of constructing a multicast tree for each layer of scalable media content can reduce the cost and traffic of a streaming server and an extractor and efficiently distribute multimedia contents. Layer 1 Since only the encryption is performed and transmitted through the multicast tree, it is possible to expect the effect of realizing the access control of the content with the minimum encryption operation.

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a multimedia content service apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The media streaming server 200, the multicast tree 202/1 for layer 1, and the multicast tree 202 for layer 2 are shown in FIG. / 2), a multicast tree 202/3 for layer 3, multiple clients 204/1, 204/2, 204/3, 204 / m, 204 / n.

The media streaming server 200 performs both a scalable media encoding function and a streaming server function, for example, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), a Video on Demand (VOD), and a web base streaming server. May be applied.

The media streaming server 200 encodes scalable media content in a form that can be distinguished for each layer, and delivers content for each layer to a corresponding multicast tree. For example, the content corresponding to layer 1 may be delivered to the root node of the multicast tree 202/1 for layer 1.

Each of the multicast trees 202/1, 202/2, and 202/3 may be configured in the form of peer to peer at the application layer, the number of which is encoded by the media streaming server 200. It can vary depending on the number of layers.

Here, the root node of the multicast tree 202/1 for layer 1, specifically, the multicast tree 202/1 for layer 1, is a lower node of the scalable media content received from the media streaming server 200. Each sub-node multicasts scalable media content by repeating delivery to its sub-node again.

For example, client 2 204/2 receives scalable media content corresponding to layer 1 from multicast tree 202/1 for layer 1, and multicast tree 202/2 for layer 2. ) Can receive scalable media content corresponding to layer 2, where client 2 (204/2) decodes the received scalable media content of layer 1 and scalable media content of layer 2, and You will be able to display the output.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, since client 1 204/1 needs only the content of layer 1, it joins the multicast tree for layer 1, and client 2 204/2 is layer 1 and Since we need Layer 2, we have joined the multicast tree for Layer 1 and Layer 2, respectively. Similarly, client 3 (204/3) participates in the multicast tree for layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3, because layer 3, layer 2 and layer 3 are required.

Clients participating in the multicast tree, for example Client3 204/3, can be members of the multicast tree 202/3 for Layer3. Therefore, if there is a client participating later, the media content is also delivered to the client.

Such clients 204/1, 204/2, 204/3, 204 / m, 204 / n refer to wired client terminals, such as user terminals such as desktops, laptops, set-top boxes, or wireless communication. It refers to a user terminal such as a client terminal, for example, a DMB phone, a video phone phone, a PDA phone, etc., and may provide a wired / wireless interface environment for providing a multimedia content service to a user.

Meanwhile, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a multimedia content service method for delivering scalable media content according to the present embodiment. For example, client 2 (204/2) accesses a media streaming server 200 to provide a multimedia content service. It illustrates the process of receiving.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the client 2 204/2 accesses the media streaming server 200 to request user authentication, the media streaming server 202 passes through a separate user authentication process and the authentication succeeds. The authentication success message is transmitted to the client 2 (204/2) (S200).

Receiving the authentication success message, the client 2 204/2 requests the media streaming server 200 an access right for the content or a specific channel (S202). In this case, the process of requesting the access right of the content or a specific channel may include a procedure such as charging, and for example, the validity of the access right request may be verified by the charging process.

If the request for the access right of the content or the specific channel of the client 2 (204/2) is valid, the media streaming server 200 grants the access right for the corresponding content or the specific channel, and decrypts the content, that is, the key for decoding. key) (S204).

Accordingly, the client 2 204/2 transmits terminal information and network information of itself (client 2 204/2) to the media streaming server 200 (S206). In this case, the transmission information may have a difference depending on the terminal performance, the network environment, and the like.

The media streaming server 200 receiving the terminal information and the network information from the client 2 (204/2), the client 2 (204/2) and the combination information of the layer for the client 2 (204/2) information about each layer It transmits (S208). In the present embodiment, for example, the layer 1 and the layer 2 are illustrated as the combination information of the layer and the layer information.

Client 2 (204/2), which has received the information about the layer and the combination of the layers from the media streaming server 200, joins the multicast tree 202/1 for layer 1 for the layer 1 reception. Request the following to the multicast tree 202/1 for layer 1 (S210), and to participate in the multicast tree 202/2 for layer 2 to receive layer 2 multicast tree for layer 2 ( 202/2) (S212).

Accordingly, the client 2 204/2 can receive the multimedia content corresponding to each layer from the multicast tree 202/1 for layer 1 and the multicast tree 202/2 for layer 2. (S214) (S216).

Subsequently, the client 2 204/2 may display and output a combination of the multimedia content of the layer 1 and the multimedia content of the layer 2.

According to this embodiment, by building a multicast tree for each layer of scalable media content and providing a media stream for each layer, efficient delivery of scalable media content is possible.

4 illustrates a multimedia content service method according to the present embodiment, specifically, a security service process for access control to multimedia content.

First, the media streaming server 200 generates scalable media content by encoding an arbitrary multimedia content in a form that can be distinguished for each layer, and encrypts only layer 1 in the generated scalable media content. In FIG. 4, reference numeral A denotes an encrypted layer 1.

Thereafter, the media streaming server 200 delivers the content for each layer to the root node of the corresponding multicast tree, and each media content is remoted through the corresponding multicast tree, for example, the multicast tree 202/2 for Layer 2. It is cast.

The client receiving the media content, for example, Client 2 204/2, receives the media content corresponding to Layer 1 from the multicast tree 202/1 for Layer 1, and receives the multicast tree ( 202/2), the media content corresponding to the layer 2 is received.

Client 2 204/2 is able to decode the received media content of layer 1, combine it with the media content of layer 2, and display and output the result.

According to the present embodiment, only a stream corresponding to each layer of scalable media content can be encrypted and transmitted. That is, when performing scalable media encoding, the base layer, for example, the layer above layer 1, encodes the display output only when referring to layer 1, thereby encrypting only the base layer to control access to the content. Because it is possible, it does not require separate encryption for the entire layer.

The foregoing embodiments are intended to illustrate, not limit, the invention, and those skilled in the art should note that many other embodiments can be designed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. do. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed to limit the invention. The expression “comprising”, “comprising” and the like does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in all the claims or the specification as a whole. The singular references of components do not exclude a plurality of references of such components, and vice versa. The invention may be practiced by means of hardware comprising several distinct components and by means of suitably programmed computer means. In the claims enumerating several means, some of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The simple fact that certain means are described in different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used.

1 is a system configuration diagram for providing a conventional multimedia content service,

2 is a schematic block diagram of a multimedia content service apparatus according to the present embodiment;

3 is an exemplary view illustrating a multimedia content service method according to the present embodiment;

4 is an exemplary view illustrating a multimedia content service method according to the present embodiment, specifically, an access control method for content.

Claims (11)

A media streaming server for generating scalable media content by performing scalable media encoding on arbitrary multimedia content; A multicast tree configured for each layer to transmit the generated scalable media content for each layer, Client terminal for combining and displaying scalable media content received from the multicast tree configured for each layer Multimedia content service device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The media streaming server, And transmitting the content for each layer, which is generated by encoding the layers to be classified according to display characteristics of the client terminal, to the root node of the multicast tree for each layer. The method of claim 1, The multicast tree, And a peer to peer configuration, the number of which is determined by the number of layers encoded in the media streaming server. The method of claim 1, The client terminal, And a multimedia content service device participating in the multicast tree configured for each layer. The method of claim 1, The scalable media content, Multimedia content service device having a single base layer and one or more enhancement layers. The method of claim 5, The media streaming server, And encrypting the single base layer to control access to the multimedia content. A multimedia content service method for transmitting scalable media content having a base layer and an enhancement layer from a media streaming server to a client terminal. Transmitting terminal information of the client terminal to the media streaming server; Generating, by the media streaming server, the combination information of the layers of the scalable media content based on the transmitted terminal information, and transmitting the combined information to the client terminal; Requesting the client terminal to participate in the multicast tree for receiving the layer in response to the generated combination information of the layer; Transmitting scalable media content corresponding to the layer from the multicast tree for reception of the layer to the client terminal Multimedia content service method comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein The method, Requesting access rights for the scalable media content from the client terminal when the client terminal accesses the media streaming server and user authentication is successful; Transmitting a key for decrypting the scalable media content from the media streaming server to the client terminal; Transmitting terminal information and network information of the client terminal from the client terminal to the media streaming server; Multimedia content service method further comprising. The method of claim 7, wherein The method, The client terminal displaying and combining scalable media content of at least one layer Multimedia content service method further comprising. The method of claim 7, wherein The method, Performing encryption on the base layer to control access to the scalable media content Multimedia content service method further comprising. The method of claim 8, The access right request process, Multimedia content service method, which is a process of validating an access request by charging.

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