KR100966561B1 - Digital satellite broadcasting receiver and method for watching restricting using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a digital satellite broadcast receiver, and more particularly, to a digital satellite broadcast receiver and a purchase limit setting method using the same. Such a digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention is divided into a plurality of low-noise-amplified digital satellite broadcasting signal and output through each path, a multi-switching unit, a plurality of outputs to each path from the multi-switching unit A main unit for receiving satellite signals, tuning to a specific channel, demodulating them, converting them into a TP form, descrambled the outputs, and limiting purchases thereof; In addition, each is installed in a separate space, and there is no satellite tuner and CAS inside, receives the stream signal of the corresponding channel from the main unit, decodes and displays it, and user-selected channel selection or purchase information main It consists of a number of sub-units that transmit to the unit.

Main unit, subunit, purchase limit, rating, program

Description

Digital satellite broadcasting receiver and method for watching restricting using the same}

1 is a conceptual block diagram of a multi-channel digital satellite broadcast receiver according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detailed block diagram of the main unit of Figure 1

3 is a detailed block diagram of each sub-unit of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing an example of a purchase limit setting menu using a digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention;

5 is a diagram illustrating a purchase limit setting process of a digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a purchase restriction process of a digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

101: satellite antenna 102: LNB

103: multi-switching unit 110: main unit

200: CPU 210: multi tuner unit

220: multi-channel TP distribution unit 230: A / V decoder                 

240: modem 250: CAS unit

260: encryption engine 270: EPG DB

280: main transceiver unit 301: sub transceiver unit

302: decryption and A / V decoder 303: memory

304: front panel

The present invention relates to a receiver for receiving a digital satellite broadcast, and more particularly to a main unit for tuning multiple channels simultaneously and other subunits including the main unit in subunits for tuning each different channel in a plurality of spaces. The present invention relates to a method of limiting purchase in a digital satellite broadcasting system for restricting program purchase.

In general, digital satellite broadcasting has spread rapidly to Europe, Japan, Asia, and Africa since the world's first DirecTV in 1994, and can be viewed anywhere in the world.

Digital satellite broadcasting is a method of compressing video / audio / additional data and transmitting digitally through satellites in MPEG 2 standard, and is related to a wide coverage area and region which are inherent to satellites compared to other transmission media. Due to the lack of equal broadcasting quality, economics of establishing a satellite broadcasting network, and simplicity of satellite channels, it is mainly led by pay broadcasting companies.

In addition, the receiver capable of receiving the digital satellite broadcast employs a CAS (Conditional Access System) that restricts the reception so that only subscribers can receive the pay broadcast.

The CAS receives a TV program and a data service signal scrambled by a transmitting station in a receiver for pay per channel (PPC) or pay per view (PPV) other than the free and basic channel of satellite broadcasting. It is a system for managing authorized subscribers to receive service by descrambling using a smart card. Here, the PPC is a service that collects a predetermined fee for receiving a channel and is able to receive a broadcast, and the PPV is a service that calculates and charges a fee per program as a reception time. To this end, the CAS operator issues a smart card to the subscriber. Smart cards are also known as Conditional Access Modules (CAMs).

The smart card stores, for example, channel information that a user can view in the memory portion in the case of a pay channel, and usage information in the case of a PPV.

The PPV service allows the user to purchase a movie or sporting event in advance, for example. In other words, the user may purchase a paid viewing program through the smart card.

Therefore, it is possible to extract the information stored in the smart card when requested by the limited reception system operator or receiver, and the smart card has a decryption function to descramble the scrambled signal, thus descrambling the scrambled TV program. Provide the key needed for.

The digital satellite broadcast includes not only a program but also program guide information. The program guide information is called APG (Advanced Program Guide) in digital satellite broadcasting such as DirecTV, and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) in digital terrestrial broadcasting. The program guide information is additional data information that allows the viewer to more conveniently use the TV to watch TV, and the viewer can obtain information about the current broadcast program and the future broadcast program directly on the screen without a newspaper or other guide medium. .

On the other hand, as people's income levels rise and their lives get better, it's common for homes to have more than one television these days.

As such, users receive digital satellite broadcasting in an independent space and purchase a program of a pay channel using a smart card without limit, thereby increasing the burden on the user and preventing the purchase of inappropriate programs by minors.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention has been devised in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and simultaneously tunes multiple channels in one main unit, and the main unit of the plurality of subunits in a plurality of independent spaces manages itself. The present invention provides a method for restricting purchase in a digital satellite broadcasting system that restricts purchase of programs for subunits.

       According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a multi-switching unit for dividing the received low-noise amplified digital satellite broadcast signal into a plurality of outputs through each path, each path in the multi-switching unit A main unit which receives a plurality of satellite signals outputted through the apparatus, tunes and demodulates them into a specific channel, converts them into TP form, descrambles them, and outputs them; In addition, each is installed in a separate space, and there is no satellite tuner and CAS inside, receives the stream signal of the corresponding channel from the main unit, decodes and displays it, and user-selected channel selection or purchase information main It consists of a number of sub-units that transmit to the unit.

       Preferably, the main unit is provided with a modem, and each sub unit independently transmits and receives user authentication and purchase information with the satellite broadcasting service provider through the modem of the main unit.

       According to another feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the user inputs a program purchase to the main unit, the user checks whether the input program exceeds the purchase limit value, if the user exceeds the purchase limit Informing the user, inputting a password for the program purchase to the main unit by the user; And, if the input password is correct, the step of performing a purchase.

        Preferably, the limit value is a program price or rating information.

       When the user wants to purchase a program through the sub unit, the sub unit makes a purchase request to the main unit, and the main unit rejects the purchase if the requested program exceeds the purchase limit value, and if not, the purchase is made. Take care.

Hereinafter, a configuration and an operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a conceptual block diagram of a multi-channel digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention, in which an antenna 101 capable of receiving a high frequency band digital satellite broadcast and a satellite signal of a high frequency band received through the antenna 101 are shown. Low Noise Amplifier (LNB) 102 for low noise amplification, a multi-switching unit 103 for dividing the satellite signals output from the LNB 102 into a plurality of paths, and outputting them through respective paths; In step 103), a plurality of satellite signals output through each path are input, and each sub unit is tuned and demodulated to a channel required by each sub unit through a multi tuner, converted into a transport stream (TP), and then descrambled. The main unit 110 for storing the pay-per-view program viewing records of the plurality of sub-units which are outputted to the main unit 110, and are installed in separate spaces, respectively. It is composed of a plurality of sub-units 120 for receiving a stream of a descrambled specific channel from the A / V decode and then display and watch the pay-per-view (PPV) program.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the main unit 110 and includes a plurality of tuners and demodulators 211 to 21n to receive satellite RF signals output through the respective paths from the multi-switching unit 103. A multi-tuner unit 210 that simultaneously tunes to a channel required by a sub unit, demodulates it, and outputs it in the form of TP, and a CAS unit 250 that performs user authentication and descrambling of the main unit and each sub unit using an integrated smart card. ), The TP signal output from each tuner and demodulator of the multi-tuner unit 210 is output to the CAS unit 250 to perform descrambling, and then the descrambled stream signal is transmitted to the TV and each sub unit connected to the main unit. A multi-channel TP distribution unit 220 for distribution to control the overall operation of the main unit, and also the main unit and satellite broadcasting service provider, and the main unit and each subunit The central processing unit (CPU) 200 for controlling data communication of the data, and the stream of the main unit that is descrambled and output from the multi-channel TP distribution unit 220 under the control of the CPU (200), audio and video The A / V decoder 230 and the CPU 200 which decode the separated audio stream and the video stream into respective decoding algorithms and output them to a TV connected to the main unit 110 for display. In accordance with the multi-channel TP distribution unit 220, the decoded and output streams of each sub-unit is encrypted by a predetermined encryption algorithm and the engine 260, encrypted by the encryption engine 260 The stream is transmitted to each sub unit or user authentication information, channel selection information, and purchase information transmitted from each sub unit are received. It is installed only in the main transceiver unit 270 and the main unit 110 to output to the CPU 200, and receives the user authentication and purchase information transmitted from each sub-unit through the CPU 200 to the satellite broadcasting service provider And a modem 240 for transmitting and receiving the relevant information from the satellite broadcasting service provider and outputting it to the CPU 200.

3 is a detailed block diagram of each of the sub-units, which is a sub-integrated receiver and decoder (IRD) that receives an encrypted stream signal transmitted from the main unit 110 and restores the original digital video and audio signal. A display device (for example, a TV) for displaying the video signal is connected and does not include a satellite tuner, a modem, and a CAS.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sub transmission / reception unit 301 or a ROM receives an encrypted stream transmitted from the main unit 110 or transmits channel information, purchase information, etc. input by a user to the main unit 110. Memory 303, which is composed of a plurality of RAMs, and an encrypted stream output from the sub transceiver unit 301 using a predetermined decryption algorithm, and then separates the audio and video signals from the decrypted TP signal. And a decoding and A / V decoder 302 for decoding the video signal with the corresponding decoding algorithm using the memory 303, respectively. Also, the decryption and A / V decoder 302 may transmit the user input signal (eg, channel information, purchase information, etc.) input through a remote control unit (eg, a remote controller) to the main unit 110. Output to the transceiver 301.

In the ROM of the memory 303, various control programs for controlling sub-units are mapped, and the RAM reads and decodes data necessary for writing and reading a bit stream for decoding and motion compensation during A / V decoding. Used to write data and read data to be displayed.                     

In the present invention configured as described above, the modem 240 is not installed in each subunit, but only in the main unit 110, and data communication between each subunit and the satellite broadcasting service provider is performed by the modem of the main unit 110. Made through 240. That is, the main unit 110 independently transmits purchase information of each subunit to the satellite broadcasting service provider, and transmits the result back to the corresponding subunit.

Therefore, there is no need to install a modem for each subunit, so that the cost burden of the user can be reduced, and the configuration of each subunit is simplified.

In addition, like the modem 240, the CAS unit 250 is not installed in each sub unit, but is installed only in the main unit 110, and the smart card inserted into the CAS unit 250 is an integrated smart card. ), And manages information related to user registration, authentication, and billing through data communication between the main and sub units and the satellite broadcasting service provider, and stores a decryption key for descrambling scrambled data. .

In this case, the satellite broadcasting service provider may provide a subscriber service such as discounting the subscription fee according to the number of sub units controlled by the main unit.

4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a purchase limit setting menu using a digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention to set program purchase restrictions for subunits including a main unit.

The content of the purchase restriction may be a program price or rating information.                     

5 is a purchase limit process for the main unit itself as a first embodiment of a purchase limit setting process of the digital satellite broadcasting receiver according to the present invention.

This means that if the user of the main unit wants to purchase a program through the program, the user rejects the purchase if the purchase limit setting value is exceeded in the program. First, the user of the main unit transmits a program purchase input message to the main unit (S11).

Then, the main unit checks whether the program that the user intends to purchase is a program that exceeds a purchase limit, and notifies the user of a purchase impossible message if the program exceeds the purchase limit (S12).

Then, the main unit user inputs a pass Wonder to the main unit and transmits it (S13).

The main unit that has received the password notifies the password check result (S14), and notifies the purchase process result when the password is the correct password (S15).

6 is a second embodiment of a purchase restriction process of a digital satellite broadcast receiver according to the present invention, and illustrates a purchase restriction process for a subunit of a main unit.

Since CAS exists in the main unit, when the user wants to purchase a program through the sub unit, the sub unit should send a purchase request message to the main unit. If it is over, the purchase is rejected and the sub unit is notified. First, when the sub unit user inputs a program purchase input message to the sub unit (S21), the sub unit transmits a program purchase request message to the main unit (S22).                     

Then, the main unit transmits a non-purchasing message to the subunit, in which the subunit requests a purchase for a program exceeding the purchase limit (S23), and the subunit informs the user of the subunit (S24).

The sub unit user inputs a password to the sub unit (S25), and the sub unit transmits the input password to the main unit (S26).

Then, the main unit transmits the result of the password input by the user of the sub unit to the sub unit (S27), and the sub unit notifies the user (S28).

When the password is the correct password, the subunit user transmits the purchase processing result of the program to be purchased to the subunit (S29), and the subunit notifies the user of the purchase processing result (S30).

As described above, the present invention can reduce the burden on the user by preventing users from receiving digital satellite broadcasts in an independent space and unlimited purchase of pay channel programs using a smart card, which is not suitable for minors. It has the advantage of limiting the purchase of unsuccessful programs.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the embodiments, but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (5)

A multi-switching unit for dividing the digital satellite broadcast signal received by the antenna and outputting the same number through the respective paths; A main unit which receives a plurality of satellite signals output through respective paths from the multi-switching unit, descrambles a program included in the satellite broadcast signal according to a rating value, and limits viewing of the program; And And a sub unit for requesting the main unit to watch a specific channel of the plurality of satellite broadcast signals and displaying a program permitted to be viewed by the main unit. The method of claim 1, The main unit includes a modem, And each sub unit transmits and receives user authentication and purchase information to and from a satellite broadcasting server through a modem of the main unit. Dividing the digital satellite signals received from the antenna into a plurality of identical ones and receiving them through respective paths; Receiving viewing request information on a particular channel of the plurality of satellite signals from a remote subunit; Limiting viewing of the program of the sub-unit by descrambling the program of the specific channel according to a rating value of the specific channel among the plurality of satellite signals received through the respective paths; How to set parental control. The method of claim 3, wherein Restricting viewing of the program of the sub-unit by descrambling the program of the specific channel according to the rating value for the particular channel among the plurality of satellite signals received through the respective paths, Notifying the viewing restriction when the rating value of the requested program is over a preset rating value and receiving a password from a user when the rating value of the requested program does not exceed the preset rating value; And And descrambling and displaying the outputted program if the input password is correct. delete

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