WO2008122227A1

WO2008122227A1 - A set top box and a master-slave set top box system

Info

Publication number: WO2008122227A1
Application number: PCT/CN2008/070541
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jiaoli Wu; Honghong Su
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-04-06
Filing date: 2008-03-20
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Also published as: CN101034966B; CN101034966A

Abstract

A master-slave set top box system includes a master set top box and at least one slave set top box, and said master set top box includes a first communication module, and said slave set top box includes a second communication module, and said first communication module communicates wirelessly with the second communication module. Said master set top box also includes a network interface module for receiving signals from network side and transmitting the signals to said first processing module; the processing module is used to receive signals from said network interface module, demodulate said signals, process the demodulated data, and transmit the processed data to said first communication module.

Description

Set top box and daughter set top box system

The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2007100739833.1, entitled "A Set Top Box and a Set Top Box System", filed on April 6, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. .

5 Technical fields

The present invention relates to a set top box, and more particularly to a set top box and a sub-set top box system.

Background technique

In the prior art, a parent set top box usually has several sub-set top boxes, and the parent set top box is interconnected with the sub-top box through a Category 5 cable (twisted pair cable) / coaxial cable / power line, and the mother set top box has multiple demodulation modules. This kind of mother set-top box can watch its own programs independently and perform program operations independently. The sub-set top box has its own independent information, such as independent interface, independent configuration information, and independent storage program; the sub-set top box has only the interconnection interface and the downlink basic interface.

In the process of implementing the present invention, the inventors have found that the prior art has at least the following disadvantages: the child and the set top box communicate by wire, and the wiring is used in actual use, which affects the appearance of the already renovated environment; The set-top box cannot be moved at will. If it is moving, it needs to be re-routed, which affects the randomness of the user. If the user wants to enjoy the TV program in the courtyard or on the balcony, the movement of the set top box is troublesome.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide a set top box and a child set top box system to facilitate user use.

The present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions:

A set top box provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a network interface module, configured to receive signals from a network side;

a first processing module, configured to demodulate a signal output by the network interface module, and process the data obtained after demodulation;

The first communication module is configured to send the processed data of the first processing module to other set top boxes through an air interface.

A set top box provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes:

A set top box, comprising:

a second communication module, configured to receive data from other set top boxes through an air interface; a second processing module, configured to process data output by the second communication module;

And a decoding module, configured to decode data output by the second processing module to obtain a playable code stream.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a child set top box system, including a master set top box and at least one slave set 5 set top box, the mother set top box includes a first communication module, the child set top box includes a second communication module, and the first communication module And communicating with the second communication module in a wireless manner.

In the embodiment of the invention, the slave and the set top box communicate wirelessly, and the wiring problem of the slave and the set top box interconnection is solved, and the slave set top box can be moved at will, which is convenient for the user to use, and greatly improves the random selection of the entertainment place. Experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a sub-set top box according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

2 is a schematic structural diagram of an internal structure of a sub-set top box according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

3 is a schematic structural diagram of a WLAN communication module according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a sub-set top box according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

5 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a sub-set top box according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

6 is a schematic structural diagram of an internal structure of a sub-set top box according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a network diagram of a sub-mother set-top box that uses WLAN mode communication according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a network diagram of a sub-mother set-top box that uses Bluetooth technology to communicate according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a diagram of using a 3G according to an embodiment of the present invention; Network diagram of the set-top box of the technology communication.

) detailed description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

The embodiment provides a set top box, including: a processing module and a communication module; wherein, the processing module 5 is configured to perform format processing on the data, including packet/unpacking, protocol parsing, adding/parsing addressing, error control information, and the like; The communication module is configured to receive a wireless signal through an air interface, demodulate the signal, and may also be used to modulate the formatted data, and send the obtained signal to other set top boxes through an air interface.

The set top box can be used as a sub-set top box or a parent set top box of the daughter set top box system, and the wireless communication party Communication with other set-top boxes eliminates the need for cables between the child and the set-top box, enhancing the experience of casually choosing entertainment locations.

If the set top box is used as a parent set top box, it can be used as a signal aggregation and forwarding device of the child set top box, and further includes a network interface module for receiving signals from the network side. Processing module pair from network interface

The module's signal is demodulated, and the demodulated data is formatted, and the processed data is sent to the slave set-top box by the communication module. The sub-set top box sets a demultiplexing module to demultiplex the multichannel signals received from the set top box. Alternatively, the set top box further includes: a demultiplexing module for demultiplexing the demodulated signal. The demultiplexed data is then sent by the communication module to the child set top box. In this way, the set-top box can receive only the signal of the selected channel of the machine, and save the solution.

) Multiplex module.

The set top box of the embodiment is a master set top box, and may be a function of a separate set top box, and may further include a decoding module for decoding the media stream data of the selected channel of the machine to obtain a playable code stream.

If the set top box of the embodiment is used as a sub-set top box, it may further comprise a decoding module, configured to decode data of the selected channel of the local machine to obtain a playable code stream.

The second embodiment to the sixth embodiment are described below for the sub-set top box system provided by the present invention. Embodiment 2

Referring to Fig. 1, the present embodiment provides a child set top box system including a master set top box 11 and one or more child set top boxes 12. The parent set top box 11 includes a network interface module 111,

The first processing module 112 and the first communication module 113; wherein the network interface module 111 is configured to receive a signal from the network side, and send the signal to the first processing module 112; the first processing module 112 is configured to receive the network interface module. a signal of 111, demodulating the signal, processing the demodulated data, and transmitting the processed data to the first communication module 113. The first communication module 113 is configured to access the first processing module 112. The data is modulated, and the signal obtained after modulation or further processing is passed.

5 Transmitted to sub-set top box 12 over the air interface.

The sub-set top box 12 includes a second communication module 121, a second processing module 122, and a decoding module 123. The second communication module 121 is configured to receive a signal from the parent set top box 11 through an air interface, and demodulate the signal to obtain data. The second processing module 122 is configured to process data from the second communication module 121. The decoding module 123 decodes the data from the second processing module 122, Get a playable stream. The first communication module 113 of the set top box 11 can serve as a server, and the second communication module 121 of the set top box 12 can serve as a client.

Embodiment 3

Referring to FIG. 2, the present embodiment is extended to the extension of the child set top box system of the second embodiment.

The first processing module 212 of the parent set top box 21 specifically includes: a demodulation module 231, a demultiplexing module 232, a data processing module 233, and a network protocol module 234; wherein the demodulation module 231 is configured to access the network interface module 111. The signal is subjected to demodulation processing; the demultiplexing module 232 is configured to perform demultiplexing processing on the demodulated signal; and the data processing module 233 is configured to perform packetization and/or unpacking, and format conversion on the demultiplexed data. The network protocol module 234 is used to access the data processing module 233.

The data is added to the information such as addressing and error control, and protocol analysis is also possible.

Optionally, as shown in the dotted line frame of FIG. 2, the set top box 21 may further include a decoding module 214, configured to decode the data of the channel selected by the demodulated master set top box to obtain a playable code stream.

The first communication module 213 of the set top box 21 includes: a modulation module 235, a frequency conversion module 236, and a radio frequency module 237. The modulation module 235 is configured to enter the data processed by the first processing module 212.

5 line modulation; the frequency conversion module 236 is used for spectrum shifting of the modulated signal (up and down frequency conversion); the frequency frequency module 237 is used to send the signal from the frequency conversion module 236 to the slave set top box 22 through the air interface.

The second communication module 221 of the child set top box 22 includes: a radio frequency module 241, a frequency conversion module 242, and a demodulation module 243. The RF module 241 is configured to receive signals from the set top box 21 through the air interface; the frequency conversion module 242 is configured to perform frequency shifting on the signals from the RF module 241;

Block 243 is used to demodulate the signal from the frequency conversion module 242.

The second processing module 222 of the child set top box 22 includes: a network protocol module 245 and a data processing module 225. The network protocol module 245 is configured to perform protocol parsing on the data processed by the second communication module 221; the data processing module 225 is configured to perform packetization and/or unpacking, and format conversion processing on the data processed by the network protocol module 245.

Optionally, the parent set top box 21 further includes a first authentication module 215, and the child set top box 22 further includes a second authentication module 223, configured to implement identity authentication of the set top box to the child set top box; and authentication interaction control information between the child and the set top box. Through the wireless communication module (the first communication module 213 and the second communication module 221), the identity information of the child set top box and the modification authority of the pairing information of the child set top box can be opened to the operator, and the user cannot see. The set top box and sub-top can be encrypted by shared key Signaling and service channels between boxes.

Optionally, the parent set top box 21 further includes a first control interaction module 216, and the child set top box 22 further includes a second control interaction module 224 for monitoring the operation and operation of the child set top box to the child set top box. For example, if the program of the set-top box is restricted, the parent set-top box can monitor what program the sub-set top box is watching through the small screen, and can block the request of the set-top box to watch certain programs, etc., and can set only to watch certain programs and see certain programs. EPG (Electronic Program Guide), which is convenient for parental control. The sub-set top box can have its own interface, browser, setup information, local games and other local information and entertainment software.

Specifically, the WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) technology can be used for communication. As shown in FIG. 3, the WLAN chipset is selected and connected to the main chip through a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) interface. The IP (Internet Protocol) module implements the network layer protocol function of the network module, and the WLAN device driver module implements the link layer function and drives the WLAN chip (WLAN AP/WLAN Device, WLAN access point/WLAN device).

Embodiment 4

5 For the charged digital television service, accordingly, the set top box further includes a billing and descrambling unit. Referring to FIG. 4, the embodiment is based on the extension of the third embodiment. The first processing module 411 of the master set top box 41 includes: a demodulation module 231, a demultiplexing module 232, a data processing module 233, and a network protocol module 234. In addition, a descrambling module 239 and a Conditional Access (CA) module 238 are further included. The descrambling module 239 descrambles the demultiplexed signal.

The CA module 238 performs unified charging for the service of the parent set top box (if with the decoding module 214) and the child set top box.

Embodiment 5

Referring to FIG. 5, the embodiment is based on the extension of the third embodiment. The second processing module 523 of each sub-set top box 52 further includes a descrambling module 246 and a conditional access (CA) module 247, and the descrambling module 246 solves the problem. The used signal is descrambled. The CA module 247, which is provided by each sub-set top box 52, charges the digital television service it receives.

Embodiment 6

Referring to FIG. 6, the embodiment is based on the improvement of the fourth embodiment. The second processing module 623 of the sub-set top box 62 further includes a decryption module 247. The descrambling module 239 of the parent set top box 41 has a letter. No. Solving the "descrambling control word,", the descrambling control word and the encrypted signal are sent by the first communication module 213 of the parent set top box 41 to the child set top box 62, and the child set top box 62 receives the descrambling control word and the encrypted signal. The decryption module 247 performs decryption, and then decodes by the decoding module 123 to obtain a playable code stream, which is played by the display terminal.

5 For the sake of clarity and conciseness, the above embodiment only describes the media information processing from the parent set top box to the slave set top box in the downstream direction; in fact, the control signaling and interactive data processing from the slave set top box to the parent set top box are similar. , will not repeat them here. The data communicated wirelessly between the child and the set top box includes: control and interaction data between the child and the set top box, control data of the slave set top box for the network service request, code stream data, backhaul signaling of the set top box to the network, and Other data on the network, etc.

The sub-set top box can not only transmit control signaling to the parent set-top box through the wireless channel, but also transmit backhaul signaling forwarded by the parent set-top box to the network side.

The specific communication modes of the child and the set-top box terminal of the foregoing embodiment include: a wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, a Bluetooth technology, and a 3G technology (such as an indoor small base station based on a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)) Wait.

5 For the sake of simplicity, the following is a description of the different wireless networking communication methods by taking a sub-set top box with the parent set-top box as an example.

Now the WLAN communication bandwidth is between 8 ~ 54M / s, which can fully support the sub-set top box communication data bandwidth requirements. Figure 7 shows the networking diagram of the sub-set top box that communicates using WLAN.

With the development of Bluetooth technology, it will be able to provide lOM/s communication bandwidth, and it can also be applied to the wireless set-top box solution. The network diagram of the sub-set top box that communicates using Bluetooth technology is shown in Figure 8.

With the introduction of 3G small base station home use, it can also be built into the set-top box and used by the wireless set-top box. The networking diagram of the sub-set top box that communicates using 3G technology is shown in Figure 9.

Through the embodiment of the invention, the wiring problem of the sub-set top box interconnection is solved, and the sub-set top box can be moved freely, which greatly improves the experience of freely selecting the entertainment place.

The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of the present invention.

Claims

Rights request

A set top box, comprising:

a network interface module, configured to receive signals from a network side;

a first processing module, configured to demodulate a signal output by the network interface module, and process data obtained after demodulation 5;

The set-top box according to claim 1, wherein the first processing module comprises: a demodulation module, configured to demodulate a signal output by the network interface module;

a data processing module, configured to perform packetization/unpacking and format conversion on the demodulated data of the demodulation module;

And a network protocol module, configured to add information of the addressing and error control to the data output by the data processing module, and send the processed data to the first communication module.

The set-top box according to claim 2, wherein the first processing module comprises:

And a demultiplexing module, configured to demultiplex the data output by the demodulation module, and send the demultiplexed data to the data processing module.

The set-top box according to claim 1, wherein the first communication module comprises: a modulation module, configured to modulate data output by the first processing module;

a frequency conversion module, configured to perform spectrum shifting on a signal modulated by the modulation module;

The radio frequency module is configured to send the signal converted by the frequency conversion module through an air interface.

The set top box according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the set top box further comprises:

And a decoding module, configured to decode data output by the first processing module to obtain a playable code stream.

The set top box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the set top box further comprises:

The first authentication module is connected to the first communication module, and is configured to perform identity authentication on the other set top box by using a wireless manner.

The set top box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the set top box further comprises: The first interaction control module is connected to the first communication module for wirelessly monitoring operation and operation of the other set top box.

8. A set top box, comprising:

a second communication module, configured to receive data from the other set top box through the air interface; and a second processing module, configured to process data output by the second communication module;

The set top box according to claim 8, wherein the second communication module comprises: a radio frequency module, configured to receive signals from other set top boxes through an air interface;

a frequency conversion module, configured to move a spectrum of a signal output by the radio frequency module;

a demodulation module, configured to demodulate a signal output by the frequency conversion module.

The set-top box according to claim 8, wherein the second processing module comprises: a network protocol module, configured to perform protocol parsing on data output by the second communication module; and a data processing module, configured to The processed data of the network protocol module performs packetization and format conversion, or unpacking and format conversion.

The set-top box according to claim 10, wherein the second processing module comprises: a demultiplexing module, configured to perform demultiplexing processing on data output by the second communication module, and The multiplexed data is sent to the network protocol module.

12 . A child set top box system, comprising: a master set top box and at least one slave set top box, wherein the master set top box comprises a first communication module, and the child set top box comprises a second communication module,

The first communication module and the second communication module communicate in a wireless manner.

13. The set top box system of claim 12, wherein the parent set top box further comprises:

a first descrambling module, configured to perform descrambling processing on a signal received by the parent set top box; and a first condition receiving module, configured to perform unified calculation on services of the parent set top box and the child set top box

5 fee.

The child set top box system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the child set top box further comprises:

The second descrambling module is configured to perform descrambling processing on the signal received by the sub-set top box, and the second condition receiving module is configured to perform charging on the service received by the sub-set top box.

The sub-set top box system according to claim 12, wherein the sub-set top box further comprises:

And a decryption module, configured to decrypt the signal according to the control word provided by the parent set top box.

The child set top box system according to claim 12, wherein the parent set top box further comprises a first authentication module, and the child set top box further comprises a second authentication module, the first authentication module and the second The authentication module is used to implement identity authentication of the set top box to the set top box.

The child set top box system according to claim 12, wherein the parent set top box further comprises a first control interaction module, the child set top box further comprises a second control interaction module, the first control interaction module and The second control interaction module realizes that the parent set top box controls the sub-set top box

), and the interaction between the parent set-top box and the child set-top box.